Author: Lewis Gregory Lindsly
Hans Michel Jacob
(1734-1789)

Michel Jacob was a member of the Louisiana German Coast Militia under Captain Don Carlos Brazcauc (Brosseaux) and the overall command of Governor General Bernardo de Galvez during the American Revolution. It is well documented in Churchill’s book and others that the German Coast Militia participated in the Battles of Baton Rouge and Bayou Manchac and the recently discovered 1778 German Coast Militia list found by Judy Riffel provided the proof for individual patriots including “Miguel” Jacob.

Michel, as he appears in most records, was born in Schillersdorf, Alsace, Bas Rhin, France 09 Feb 1734 to Christian Jacob, who was also born in Alsace and Marguerite Mehl who was born in Alsace, France as well. The parents of Michel were married in Alsace 25 Sep 1732. He was their first child.

Michel married Eve Bridget Montz ca. 1760 in LA. She was born in Alsace, France. Michel and Bridget had at least five children, four girls and one boy. Marie, their second child, was born in Sep 1772. She is our lineal ancestor

Michel died at age 54 on 14 Jan 1789 in St. John the Baptist Parish. The St. John Parish court records indicate, at his death, he owned property consisting of a tract of land eight by forty arpents about 11.5 Leagues (35 miles) up the Mississippi from New Orleans on the Right Ascending bank, at that location on the River, south of and across the river from Edgard. He was likely buried at the St. John the Baptist Church, but his grave was likely taken by the Mississippi River with the Poché Crevasse in 1821.