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Trials
and Triumphs of a Cassette Girl
(Marie-Francoise de Boisrenaud)
In 1704, twenty-three virtuous young French
women came to La Mobile as prospective brides of the restless young
bachelors. Each girl was provided a small trunk called a cassette,
which contained a dowry. Because of this, these young women as well as later
groups who came to La Mobile are often referred to as Cassette Girls. Marie
acted as governess and matchmaker to the younger women, but ended up a
spinster. Denied marriage to her true love by Commandant Bienville and his
brother, she made life miserable for them, even as she reached out with
compassion to the other colonists.
We all so enjoyed your
presentation at the Mobile Genealogy Society meeting today! Thank you so
much for coming. I have heard you at least three times--maybe four, and you
are always a delight to behold!
Perilla A. Wilson, president
Friends of Catholic Cemetery
May 13, 2007
Adventure
of Alabama’s First French Family
(Madeline LaSalle)
Madeline
LaSalle was the only woman to arrive on Massacre Island (Dauphin Island, AL)
in 1702 with over 100 men. Her husband, Nicolas LaSalle, was in charge of
supplies for the new colony at La Mobile. Share the adventure, fear, and
hope of the LaSalle family as they travel from France to La Mobile.
Thomas Jefferson:
A Cousin’s Point of View
(Betty Randolph)
See Thomas
Jefferson through the eyes of Betty Randolph, a leading lady of Colonial
Williamsburg. Her husband Peyton Randolph, cousin of Thomas Jefferson, was
president of the First Continental Congress. Hear her account of Peyton’s
death in Philadelphia, which changed Jefferson’s position from alternate to
delegate to the Second Continental Congress. This put him in position to
write the Declaration of Independence. Learn about the beginning of the
Library of Congress from Peyton Randolph’s personal library.
The Jailer’s Wife
(Ann Pelham)
Ann Pelham
raised 5 of her 14 children in the Williamsburg gaol (jail). Her husband,
Peter—organist at Bruton Parish Church, clerk in the House of Burgess among
other jobs—was one of Williamsburg’s most respected citizens. Ann shares her
struggles with duties of the jailer’s wife, caring for a large family with
constant financial hardships, and socializing with the elite of Virginia.
She tells about their most famous prisoner, Henry Hamilton, the “Hair-Buyer”
and Thomas Jefferson’s reactions to him. Ann looks almost a hundred years
into the future and tells about her great-grandson, John Pelham. General
Robert E. Lee called the famous Civil War hero from Alabama the “Gallant
Pelham”.
Mother
of the Wesleys
(Susanna Wesley)
 Mother of 19 children, Susanna Wesley was an
educated and strong-willed woman of the 18th century. Seven daughters and
three sons lived to adulthood. Susanna gets her claim to fame through her
sons, John and Charles. John was the founder of the Methodist Church, and
Charles wrote many hymns including “Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and
“Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
Because of social changes instigated by John
Wesley, some give him credit for averting a revolution in England similar to
the one in France. This presentation is from a historical perspective—not
denominational.
Capture Not Defeat
(Marie Boisrenaud)
Marie Boisrenaud tells of a young man she
knew well in La Mobile. St. Michael sailed from France to La Louisiane as a
14-year-old cabin boy. He experienced many life-threatening situations
living in Indian villages to learn their languages. The Chickasaw and
Choctaw used stories about him to try to control French leaders. Hear of his
daring acts when he’s captured on a buffalo hunt by the Alabama Indians.
INSPIRATION
The Spyglass
Using the book, The Spy Glass, by
Richard Paul Evans, Anne Dalton tells a story about a spyglass that enables
the viewer to see what might be— instead of what is. Imagination is ignited
by the spark of faith, and with faith comes hope and change. By sharing a
vision and inspiring people to work together, goals can be achieved that
benefit individuals, communities—even the whole world. The story is adapted
to inspire visions for local situations.
HUMOR
The
Three-Century Woman
Great-Grandma Breckenridge’s claim to fame is
that she’s lived in three centuries. In January of 2001, reporters came to
Whispering Oaks, Elder Care Facility to hear some of Mrs. Breckenridge’s
experiences. She knows they want to hear stories, so looking like a Barbie
doll she tells them “stories” that make her into Super Woman. Based on “The
Three-Century Woman” by Richard Peck in Second Sight: Stories for a New
Millennium.
The Case of the Stolen Stove (10-15
minutes)
Imagine
coming home to a house that has been burglarized. However, the only thing
missing is the stove. With expertise, Anne Dalton tells you how to handle
the situation.
Strange and Scary Happenings
Old Jeffrey
This is one of the best-authenticated ghost
stories in history. Samuel and Susanna Wesley were too educated and rational
to believe in ghosts, but something was definitely not right in their home
in 1716. There were loud groans, stamping of feet, the sound of breaking of
bottles, and knocks. Sometimes the house shook from top to bottom. Rev.
Wesley seemed to be strongly disliked by “Old Jeffrey” as the children
called the ghost, and little Hetty was his favorite. Susanna said he could
bang and clang all he wanted as long as he didn’t disturb her devotions—he
granted her wish
Pegues Ghost
How would you feel if a large ball of light
followed you? In 1862 in Cahaba, Alabama a large white luminous ball moving
a few feet above the ground appeared several times. Ms. Dalton will read
scenes from her book, Dream Ghost, that describe this strange
occurrence. Hear of similar modern-day events.
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