Alphabet File page 295

There would seem to be a very small but continuous settlement of fishing families on the streams and bays since the French settlement. Later immigration of the same folk confirmed that gegion in a flavor which remained distinct from the Anglo-Saxon region to which it was united in 1810-1813.

 

Prior to the West Florida revolt, the population of the Coast was sparse.  Mobile was a small village of around 300 inhabitants.  A few families eked out an existence to the east of it, and Kirby reported about 48 families to the west, chiefly around the mouth of the Pascagoula and Pearl rivers. (1804)

 

   Another account, presumably before the revolt, listed not 20 families on the east bank of the Pearl, 10 or 15

 

  French families at the Bay of St. Louis, 4 or 5 French free negroes and mulattos at Pass Christian, where the citizens of New Orleans were beginning to take refuge in the summer, about 12 families at Biloxi, half as many  again on the Pascagoula, with more living up that river.

 

  (1811)

 

   The revolt from Spain encouraged an influx of American immigrants which was large only in comparison with the small number already perched upon the bays, and by 1816 the region between the Pearl and Perdido boasted only 3300 souls, at a rough guess. ("American Beginnings in the Old

 

  Southwest:  The Mississippi . . ." by W. B. Hamilton -

 

  1937 p. 177-178) (MJS I00204)

 

   Bay St. Louis Hotel - Gentlemen:  Those of your readers who propose to leave the city during the warm season, could not select a more desirable retreat than the one offered at this place.

 

   Mr. Louis, a very courteous and obliging gentleman, appears to have become associated with the proprietor of this hotel in its management:  and the manner in which it is now conducted by him is most satisfactory to visitors and creditable to himself.

 

   The writer has been sojourning a week at the Hotel, and he can safely say that at no other establishment of the kind has he ever observed greater exertions to deserve patronage than are now manifested by the gentleman alluded to above. L.  (Daily Picayune - Saturday, July 26, 1845 - p 2 col 5 (Communicated) (MJS II00358)

 

   Giraud, Mrs. Andrew - Mr. and Mrs. Aiken, Deer Island, Ms.

 

   I wrote to Mr. Agnew to have him send my brother (Albert

 

  Lockfelt) to me, but, it seems you prevailed on him not to come.

 

   Now I want my brother to come to me, as I do not think he is getting along as well as he should for his age.  He may have three cows and two pigs which it appears you were kind enough to give him, but he can not write any better than he did four years ago.

 

   I am sure I shall do better for my own brother than you would, for you well know you have not legally adopted him, and as you have not done so, I will let you know that I know he will be much better off with me.  I have my other two brothers with me, and I intend to see that they all have a chance to fight life's battle, and I believe it is much better for a boy of Albert's age to learn a trade or profession than be a chore-boy to be turned off with nothing.  All I want to say is I want Albert to come to me, and as I generally get what is my right, you may as well let me have my brother, and get you another boy.

 

   There is only one way you can keep him from coming to me and that is by adoption, for I shall take steps to have myself appointed his legal guardian, as I am determined that my brother shall not be brought up in ignorance as to his rights and usefulness in this world.

 

   Hoping you will appreciate my interest in my brother's welfare, and that you will look out for his sake and interest, I am Yours very truly, Mrs. Andrew Giraud

 

  (Sister of Albert Lockfelt)  (Letter original in possession of O. M. (Jack) Smith of Biloxi October 1976)

 

  (MJS VIII00253)

 

   A rapid trip to the Lake shore watering places shows the season to be a very dull one, notwithstanding the many attractions afforded in the way of cool bracing air, and delightful salt-water bathing.

 

The marked lack of guests is no doubt due to the high prices charged for board; people finding it cheaper to spend their vacations in the far off mountains of Virginia, at the expense of the traveling discomforts and remoteness from home.

 

When will our hotel-keepers, both in and out the city, wake up to the fact that the old spend-thrift days of the South have passed away forever, and that economy in living has grown to be a virtue ?

 

We trust the experience of this year will prove a fruitful lesson. (N.O. Times - Thursday, July 22, 1869 p 4 c 3) (MJS VI00223)

 

Now, as we write, there are at least ten thousand of our people sojourning on this coast.

 

Bay of St. Louis, Pass Christian, and Biloxi are fast becoming the principal towns of Mississippi.

 

With their advantages, we have no doubt that in a few years, when we have railroads and greater facilities for traveling, that instead of one-half of our population flying Northward on the approach of summer, the habit will be reversed--our own people, except when called away by business, will remain here, and thousands of strangers will crowd here in order to enjoy our sea-breeze and beautiful sea-coast.  (N.O. Daily Delta - Friday, August 20, 1852 p 2 c 2) (MJSIV 00014)

 

Population

 

  1801 - Ephrim Kirby, American magistrate in his report to

 

  President Thomas Jefferson dated may 1, 1801 counted 48 families between Mobile and the Pearl River.  (PC&C)

 

  1810 - A travelers account of 1810 gave a more complete situation report of coastal families than that of Kirby six years before.  It listed 18 families on the lower

 

  Pascagoula and more upstream, 12 families at Biloxi, 10 to

 

  15 French families at the Bay of St. Louis, and just under

 

  20 families in the bank of the Pearl. (PC&C p7)

 

Porche, M. L. and Leininger, Mr. Jno. Jr. two young gentlemen of New Orleans, came over Wednesday to spend awhile in our lovely midst.  (SCE - 10/1/1892)

 

Messers. Jno. C. Leininger and M. L. Porche, after a two weeks stay at the Bay with relatives, returned to New Orleans Sunday.  (SCE/10/22/1892)

 

Portar, Mr. - The following are among the guests of the hospitable and homelike home of Mrs. M. Radetzki, "Nellie's Villa:" Mr.  and Mrs. R. Vienet, Miss Mildred Cockron, Misses Lizzie Broughton, Bella Vienet, Katie Faust, Louisia Faust, Enda Faust, Rosa Manasses, Mr. and Mrs. J. Stane, Miss Ray Stane, Messrs. D. Portar, N. Dowling. (SCE 8/27/1892)

 

 

 

Porter, Lt. (See Perter, Lt.) Camp Good. (BSL 100 pg 33).

 

Porter, P. E., Ulman Av. (Ph 48 thru 50, 55)

 

Porter, P. E. Jr. Bay View Court (Ph 49-50) 2nd. St. (Ph 55)

 

Porter, P. E. Mrs., was a daughter of John Osoinach.  (SCE Jubilee 1942 pg. 25).

 

Porter's Garage, Ulman Av. (Ph 48 thru 50, 55)

 

Porter's Pontiac Service, Ulman (Ph 48 thru 50)

 

Posey, Ben Lane -  Lang, Mrs., of Biloxi, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Ben Lane Posey. (SCE 1/6/1894)

 

Posey, Ben Lane.  Established the Gulf Coast Progress about 1872 (ATG pBSL-6) Father of Tallulah (Mrs. E. J. Bowers). (SCE Jubilee 1942 pg6)

 

 Ben Lane Posey purchased the Sea Coast Republican in 1883 from Frank Heiderhoff. (SCE Jub Edit 1942)

 

Ben Lane Posey - Another chapter was added this week to the now famous Chinese smuggling case at Gulfport, which the Governor has been working upon and weaving a net the past 2 or 3 weeks.