Sometime in 1823, Jacob Miller, Jr. becomes aware that Anne is in New Orleans and is told that she is running a brothel. In 1929 Anne has another child, Mary Francis. She is baptized as Mary Frances Petely, but uses the surname "Miller" later in life.
James Gallier, Sr. was a successful businessman from New Orleans. Information about his relationship with Anne Marie Cowan Vogel Miller and her daughter Mary Frances is unclear. Apparently Anne, her two sons and Mary Frances are in the 1830 New York census. Mr. Gallier, Sr. is in New York in 1932. There is no known evidence that they met or saw each other at that time.
Mary Frances in a Convent
Mary Frances writes on February 25, 1847 to her brother Charles F. Miller in Baton Rouge, LA stating she left New Orleans, LA on January 2 on the steamer "Ambassador" for Louisville where "we" arrived on January 10. She was the bearer of a letter in Louisville to Rev. Mr. McGill from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Blanc of New Orleans, LA recommending her to him asking him to direct her to the agent of the Convent. She was taken to Rev. Blanc's sister's house, Mrs. Webb, where she stayed until January 15. She left Louisville by stage to Bardstown in the company of Rev. Mr. Bruyete who took her to the agent's home Rev. Wm. Queen, who directed her to the convent in the country. She entered the convent as a Scholar studying grammar, geography, piano forte, French, writing, etc. She mentions that while she was in New Orleans, LA at the St. Augustine Convent, brother Joseph failed to visit her. She asks her brother to write and her friends to write her brother and he shall relay their messages in his letters since the convent inspects all letters. She mentions "hope is still my polar star and motto". She concludes the letter with wishes for the family. “May prudence be your Guide, all I can say at present; I shall conclude by hoping that prosperity and every other blessing may crown all your undertakings and may God Bless, protect and watch over you, my dearly beloved brother, the sincere prayer of your Affectionate Sister, Mary F. Miller”.
Mary Frances Miller's enrollment at the Loretto Convent/Academy was confirmed in a 1986 letter. The letter states that she was a student during the second semester of the 1846-47 school year.
James Gallier wrote to Mary Frances in April 1848 where he advises about a voyage on the steam ship Avon. He states “I have made the necessary arrangements with Mr. Turpin [Mr. Gallier's assistant] to pay you in January next one hundred and fifty dollars, if I should not return here before that time; and if I should die, I have made a Will in which I have given and bequeath to you the sum of two thousand dollars. In the mean time, as I told you when I last saw you, if you can manage to make a settlement in the world for yourself by marriage or in any other respectable way, I would strongly advise you to do so. And may God prosper and assist you in all your undertakings. You will excuse the shortness of this hurried letter – and believe me my dear Mary to be your ever devoted and affectionate friend.” Signed by Jas. Gallier.
Charles Frederic Miller, living in Baton Rouge, received a letter from his sister Mary F. Miller, posted in Lafayette (a community located in uptown New Orleans, LA), in July 1848. She took board at Missonnet’s at $10 per month. It appears that she has left the Loretto Convent/Academy in Nerinx, Kentucky.
Jacob Miller, Jr. Had Marital Challenges - Part I
Jacob Miller, Jr. Had Marital Challenges - Part II
Jacob Miller, Jr. Had Marital Challenges, Part III