Display Patriot - P-340010 - Pierre Antoine BECNEL
Pierre Antoine BECNEL
SAR Patriot #:
P-340010
The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: ESP
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Birth: 11 Mar 1745 Destrahan / St Charles / LA Death: 14 Aug 1790 bur New Orleans / Orleans / LA
Qualifying Service Description:
Sergeant in the German Coast Militia under the command of General Galvez
Additional References:
Le Raconteur Magazine, Vol XXXV, No 1, March 2015, pg 3 & 7: Judy Riffel, “1778 Reports of German Coast inhabitants, Slaves and Militia"
Robinchaux, Albert J. Jr, Louisiana Census and Militia Lists, Vol 1, 1770-1789, German Coast, New Orleans, Below New Orleans and Lafourche, Louisiana. New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1973, pg 73-74
Spouse: Marie Magdeline Heidell/Haydel Children: Felicite;
Family tomb; please see Patriot Bio for burial details as listed in ANOSR Volume 4, Page 22
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: Allen John Mollere III
Pierre Antoine Becnel (also called Pecnel) was born in Destrehan, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, on about 11 March 1745. He was the son of Thomas Becnel, Jr., and Catherine Brou of New Orleans. Pierre’s father, Thomas, was of English descent and a native of London, England.
In 1772, Pierre bought land along the Mississippi River, upriver from New Orleans, possibly anticipating his upcoming marriage on 2 June 1772 to Magdelaine Haydel (Aidel). At the time of their marriage in Destrehan, Pierre was 27 years of age, and Magdelaine was eighteen.
On 2 June 1778, Pierre’s name appeared in the “List of Company of Volunteer Militia” as a Sargeant, German Coast Militia. This militia is part of the force later assembled by Gálvez that marched and captured the British Fort Bute at Manchac, Louisiana, on 7 September 1779, before moving on to capture the British fort at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Pierre was a generous and wealthy man, as evidenced by the fact that on 23 March 1789, he bought a farm at the succession of Sebastian Loupe and gave it to his brother, Thomas. Pierre and his wife Magdelaine would go on to have eight known children, four boys, and four girls.
Pierre had lived under the flags of France and Spain during his lifetime.
The Patriot died on 14 August 1790, at about age 45, and was interred on 15 August 1790, leaving his spouse Magdelaine Haydel Becnel. He was buried in St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans records, book 4, page 22 (SLC, F2, 25).
At the time of his death, Pierre had a plantation three times the size of the one his father left at his death in 1757. Pierre’s house was also much larger, with a gallery and typical outbuildings and indigo works.
Pierre’s son, Pierre Becnel, Jr., would go on to fight against the British in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 as a Private, La Branche’s Militia, 5th Regiment, Louisiana Militia. Pierr Jr. died on 19 February 1822, age 49 years. He and his wife are buried in one of the few remaining graves in the old part of St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Edgard, Louisiana.
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