​In the quiet bayous of Ville Platte, where moss-draped oaks guard ancient secrets, a remarkable saga unfolds—the Fontenot family’s journey across time. As the sun casts its golden glow on the Evangeline Genealogical and Historical Society’s archives, we delve into the rich tapestry of generations past.

The Fontenot Family Book: A Monumental Endeavor
In the fateful year of 1999, the Fontenot Family 1600-1903 emerged—a labor of love by the diligent scholars of Ville Platte. This monumental tome, meticulously crafted, chronicles the lives, loves, and lineage of the Fontenot clan. Within its pages lie stories etched in ink, connecting us to our forebears who shaped the Louisiana landscape.

Therese Alcina Fontenot: A Life Cut Short
Ernest Sonnier, Sr., a man of the soil, wedded Therese Alcina Fontenot in 1883. Their union, though brief, left an indelible mark. Therese, who graced this world for a mere 42 years, traced her roots back to Philippe Fontenot (1727-1806) and Marie Nicole Brignac (1722-1799). Philippe, the grandson of Joachim Fontenot (1651-1725) and Marie Pradeau (1656-1694), stands as the patriarch of the Louisiana Fontenot lineage.

Evena Sonnier: A Farmer’s Daughter
Let us linger on Evena Sonnier (1888-1965), a daughter of the earth. She exchanged vows with Salomon Miller, their hands tilling the fertile Chataigner soil. Evena’s kinship extended to a constellation of siblings:

Onest Sonnier (1883-1942), who found love with Felonise Miller.  Syrice Joseph Sonnier (1885-1943), entwined in matrimony with Marice Fontenot.
Salime “Alcide” Sonnier (1887-1950), whose heart beat for Melcia Miller.
Merice Sonnier (1888-1944), who wove his fate with Jules Duroy Fontenot.
Melina Sonnier (1890-1980), whose path intertwined with Theodore Bushnell.
Avie Sonnier (1895-1953), wedded to Alcina Manuel.
Enor Sonnier (1898-1966), finding solace in Leston Guillory’s arms.
Enos Sonnier (1905-1972), who sought new horizons in Chambers County, TX, alongside Zephyr E. Kindel.

Archile Pommier’s Enigma
In the quiet chambers of history, where whispers echo through time, lies a puzzle—a Fontenot family saga spanning generations. Our journey begins with Archile Pommier, a man entwined in the Fontenot tapestry, himself a descendant of Carma M. Fontenot (1876-1954) and her husband, Alexis Pommier (1874-1951).

The Enigma of Anrala Fontenot
Archile’s obituary revealed a cryptic survivor: Anrala Fontenot. The digital labyrinth led me to various iterations—Aneulla, Andrilla, Henrietta, and Enola Fontenot. Internet whispers hinted at her lineage, but uncertainty clouded her parentage.

Anna Fontenot’s Silent Legacy
Then, a breakthrough—the hallowed ground of Archile Pommier’s resting place. There, etched in stone, was his wife’s name: Anna Fontenot (1908-1964). Yet, her children’s obituaries whispered conflicting names—Enola and Andrilla. The riddle deepened.

Eunella Fontenot: A Revelation
After countless hours, the truth emerged like a sunbeam through moss-draped branches. Eunella Fontenot, it seemed, was Anna Fontenot—the daughter of Onezime Fontenot and Celise Fontenot (nee). Their legacy intertwined, their stories etched into the very soil of Louisiana.

The Unfolding Epic
And so, dear reader, this is but one thread in the grand tapestry. As we labor to chronicle the descendants of Philippe Fontenot and M. Nicole Brignac, we tread a path strewn with names—over 16,000 souls, each whispering their truth. The book, swelling to over 2,000 pages, awaits completion—a testament to our shared heritage, resilience, and the unyielding bonds that bind us across time.

Other Blogs
Philippe Fontenot, 1717-1806, & Marie Nicole Brignac, 1722-1799​
Basile, LA - Home Town; History
I Married My Cousin, So What ?

BOOKS
​
Antoine Miller & Augustine P. Manuel Louisiana Family

Evangeline, Its History and Background by Robert Gahn
(The Ville Platte Gazette, ville Platte, LA, 29 Jan 1942)

Chataignier, a little village located in the southeast section of Evangeline, is considered the third oldest settlement in the parish. It was originally designated as Point Chataignier, meaning Chestnut, or Chinquapin Point. This region, according to the earliest records obtainable, was first settled by Ursiana Manuel. The Spanish Judicial Records of 1796 reveal that an emigrant from Mexico by that name settled in the Opelousas country. According to the tradition of this pioneer's descendants he settled in Chataignier, which was a part of the Opelousas country during this period. The American State Papers, Public Lands records show Jacque Fontenot, General Garric de Flaugeac, Louis Ridon, and Arteman Lafleur as being the earliest landowners of Point Chataignier. These land grants were confirmed in 1811. but the date of their original occupancy is not given; it is possible that such grants could have been made at a much earlier date.
 
Other early settlers of the community were: Pierre Manuel [father of Augustine P. Manuel, wife to Antoine Miller], Pierre Dondiegue Lafleur, Antoine Miller, (1) Lastie Rosas, Henty Young, Celestin Fontenot, and the VeilIon family, who are the forebears of Louis "Celestin" Veillon, Sr.
 
Valentine Savoy, an early settler of Chataignier, was born in 1836. He was a conspicuous figure during the period of the late 1850's, because he was the first man in the Opelousas Country to begin the manufacture of spinning wheels. His ancestors had been prominent pioneers in Opelousas for many generations.
 
Mr. William Ashford, whose parents were natives of South Carolina, was born in St. Landry Parish in 1849. He started life at Chataignier as a schoolteacher just after the Civil War. He became one of Chataignier's leaders in political and civic circles.
 
According to Boudier's Catholic Church in Louisiana the first church services to .be held in the vicinity of Chataignier was in 1856 by missionaries from Opelousas. The tradition of today, as related by some of the older citizens, is that these services were conducted in the open air and under crude sheds. In 1869 the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was created with Father Jean Batiste Bre as first pastor. The land for the church was donated by Mr. Bertrand Paussion.
 
Postal service was established at Chataignier in 1879 by Mr. Alphonse Guillet, a native of France. The mail was brought to this point from Washington, Louisiana by horseback service. Mr. Guillet served as postmaster continuously from 1879 to 1940 with the exception of one year when this position was filled by Mr. J. A. Hardey. This community obtained railroad and telegraph service in 1908, when the Texas Pacific railroad was routed through the territory that is now known as the settlement of Chataignier. Mr. Adam Rozas acted as receiving agent until the appointment of J. D. Heck Sr., as the regular agent.
 
The coming of the railroad and location oi the depot in its present location marked the beginning of this community. Beside the railroad, telegraph, and postal service which is still maintained in this community, Chataignier has a state approved high school, two cotton gins, a number of modern stores, and for a number of years the Evangeline Bank and Trust Company maintained a branch there.

(1) Antone MIller Family Book

​Davis, Grace M of Kirkland, WA passed away … Born second of eight children, she valued family connections and spent time and effort to maintain them even as her life led her away from her native Louisiana.
 
Graduating early and With Distinction from the Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette, Grace worked as a teacher at her alma mater, Mamou High School, until her life-long wanderlust drew her to New Orleans. There she met and married Bill G. Davis in 1949 and moved to Oklahoma, where she provided most of the support for the family while Bill got his degree in Geology. She then concentrated on their growing family, managing four children and households in foreign lands and new languages as they moved overseas from one oilfield to the next.
 
Grace and Bill finally settled in Phoenix, Arizona, where Grace became a Remedial Reading teacher at Saints Simon and Jude School.
 
Every second summer determined that her children should know their extended family, Grace would load the four wriggling, whining kids into the car and drive long days (but never more than two mph over the speed limit!) across the deserts of three states to spend time with relatives in Texas and Louisiana.
 
In 1975, Grace left teaching to work with her husband in their small manufacturing business. After he suffered a debilitating heart attack, Grace took over as CEO, dealing with mechanics and the IRS, bank managers and salesmen, each in their own jargon about their own subjects. When she needed to know something, whether about the design of an oil valve or the terms of a contract, she would study into the night until she knew it cold.
 
Grace grew that business by over half a million dollars within 10 years while tending an ailing husband until his death in 1987. In 1991, Grace sold the company and eagerly moved into an active retirement. She played expert bridge and volunteered at the Washington Adult Center, for which she was twice recognized by the City of Phoenix.
 
She served as Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and participated in Bible Study at her church; she studied literature and Party Piano at the junior college; and she traveled. One of her most memorable trips was to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2000. Sadly in 2004, Grace suffered a stoke and agreed to move to Washington State to be near her daughter. Redoubtable as ever, she continued to engage in life as fully and as long as her deteriorating health allowed, living independently until a fall made it unsafe. In the end, most else had fallen away, but Grace’s faith had been a source of strength and support for her whole life. To the last week of her life, her continued attendance at Sunday Mass, rain or shine, made her an icon to many. To the end, she lived her motto, “Forward ever, backward never.”
 
Grace is preceded in death by her parents, Cleophas Miller and Isabelle Michot Miller; her daughter, Lynne Davis; her husband, Bill G. Davis; and her siblings Freida Miller Thomas, Quentin Miller, Roderick Miller and Ludger Miller.
 
She is survived by her children Mark Davis, Paula Davis Christiansen, and Brian Davis; by her grandchildren Ravi, Bethany, Alexis and Devon Davis; Zach and Nate Christiansen; and by her siblings Eugene Miller, Elaine Miller Richardson, and Ione Miller Villars.
 
The Funeral Mass … in Kirkland, WA, … a second Memorial Mass … in Louisiana.
(Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 09 Nov 2008)
---------------------------
More about her and her family in the Antoine Miller & Augustine P. Manual Louisiana 2021 Family 600+ page book.

My great grandmother is Therese Alcina Fontenot. She married Ernest Sonnier, Sr., a son of Onezime Sonnier and Lucie Fontenot.  I have Fontenot ancestors on both of my paternal great grandparents.  Let me explain. 

My father Murphy Miller, Sr.’s mother is Evenia Sonnier, daughter of Ernest Sonnier, Sr. and Therese Alcina Fontenot. Evenia Sonner, my Ma-mair or grandmother’s parent are as stated above.  Evenia married by Salomon Miller, son of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier. I wanted to find out how many Fontenot/Miller related marriages occurred in my direct paternal-maternal ancestry, i.e., my father’s mother’s family.

​

It did not take long, using the reports in my Legacy software that this is the only Fontenot/Miller related marriage on Evenia Sonnier’s mother ancestry. Looking at Therese A. Fontenot’s husband, Ernest Sonnier, Sr.’s, ancestry, I noticed that his parents are Onezime Sonnier and Lucie Fontenot.  Lucie Fontenot is the daughter of Francois Ignace Fontenot and Lucie Joseph Derouen.

There are no other Fontenot/Miller related marriages in Evenia Sonnier’s ancestry family.  It does however beg the question about the kinship or cousin relationship of my great-great grandparents, Ernest Sonnier, Sr. and Theresa A. Fontenot.  This led me to run the Legacy Relationship Report.  The results follow.

Their closest relationship is fourth cousins and they both share common ancestry who is Jean Louis Fontenot and Louise Angelique Henry, their great-great-great grandparents, or in genealogy speak, their 3rd great-grand parents.  But what does this mean and how can I better understand cousin marriages.

​The Table of Consanguinity found in Wikipedia, also known as a relationship chart, enables a better understanding of family relationships.  While this chart

shows up to third cousins, it gives you some idea on how close or distant you are from family relatives.

Well if both Ernest Sonnier, Sr. and his wife went to a family reunion where they visit their common ancestry, Jean Louis Fontenot and Louise Angelique Henry when Ernest Sonnier is 30 years old, how old would his and her 3rd great grandparents be?  Ernest, born in 1861, is 30 years old in 1891.  Jean L. Fontenot, born in 1686 would be 205 years old at this family reunion while his wife Louise A. Henry, born in 1699, would be 192 years old.
​
Marital Restrictions
According to Wikipedia, cousins are not included in the lists of prohibited relationships set out in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Levictus 18:8-18 and 20:11-21 and in Deuteronomy.  Additionally, all marriages more distant than first-cousin marriages are allowed in Roman Catholicism.
​​
States also have prohibitions regarding who you may marry.  A Wikipedia chart below illustrates.

Laws regarding first-cousin marriage in the United States 
DARK BLUE (FL, GA, etc) - First-cousin marriage is legal
LIGHT BLUE (ME, NC) Allowed with requirements or exceptions
ROSY PINK (MN, IL, IN) Banned with exceptions
RED (LA, MS, AK, etc) Statute bans first-cousin marriage
BROWN (TX, OK, ND, SD, NV) Criminal offense
Some US states recognize marriages performed elsewhere, especially when the spouses were not residents of the state when married
​
Summary
In the 21st Century the likelihood of marrying a close cousin has been diminished with modern transportation and education and the change in how we earn a living.  Unlike the 19th and early 20th centuries when the United States was predominately an agrarian society, young adults with better educations move to where employment opportunities are located.  Thus, marrying a cousin is less likely than their parents or grandparents who grew up in the same local.

​Releated Blog: The Pierrottie and Martel Marriages
Books: Pierrottie / Pierrotti / Pierotti Family (2016)
Pierrottie, Pierrotti, Pierotti Photos (2012)    
Chachere Family of Louisiana (2013)

Beverly is the daughter of Lindsey Veillon (1903-1983) and Gladys Miller (1910-1992) and the granddaughter of Gus Miller (1884-1944) and Anata Vidrine (1889-1949). Lindsey Veillon was a Chevrolet dealer in Ville Platte. Gladys Miller was described in the Clarion News in 1929 as "a young lady of charming personality and popular among the younger set. She is a graduate of the Industrial Institute of Lafayette and is a member of the faculty of the Vidrine High School." Gladys is the daughter of the late Gus Miller who constructed the lake which bears his name and covers several thousand acres of land. The lake, which is an engineering feat, is filled with sac-a-lait and other fish. 
------------------------------Obituary---------------------
​VILLE PLATTE - Funeral services for Beverly Veillon Burnham, 87, Will be held at 10AM Saturday, August 12, 2017 at our Lady Queen of all Saints Catholic Church, with burial to follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Father Mitch Guidry will officiate.
Mrs. Burnham a resident of Ville Platte passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Heritage Manor nursing home.Beverly was a life-long teacher having taught in both Calcasieu and Evangeline Parish Schools. She retired from Evangeline Parish after being instrumental in setting up and teaching in the local Reading Lab. Reading was an avid passion and love of hers. Her lawn and flower gardens were well known in the area for their plushness, color, and beauty. Complete strangers would stop by requesting a clipping or a bulb. Of course,the inevitable questions on ‘how to’ would follow. Bev was an incredible cook who was able to make a hot dog jambalaya taste like a gourmet treat! But, her biggest passion was the love she had for the six children she raised as a single parent. The pinnacle came when she threw herself a graduation party after her youngest graduated from LSU. She had achieved her lifelong education goal of having all six of her ‘chicks’ earn a university degree. She was as kind as she was generous as her many friends would attest to. All those who knew her loved and respected her. A life that was well lived as an inspiration and mentor. Her sage wisdom and loving guidance will be missed. Beverly was the consummate host and a true Southern Belle.
She will be missed by her son James B. Shipp and wife Brenda of Ville Platte; daughters Martha S. Miller and husband Keith of Ville Platte, Paula S. DeShetler and husband Scott of Colorado, Juliana S. Darbonne and husband Randy of Texas, Rosemary S. Benoit and husband Ben of Lafayette, stepdaughter Annette Aucoin; brother Michael Veillon of Ville Platte; sister Barbara Friedman of Bunkie; 15 grandchildren Daniel Shipp, Hope Shipp Fontenot, Kevin Shipp, Heather Shipp Dupre, James Miller, Jeremy Miller, Zachary DeShetler, Katherine DeShetler, Anne DeShetler, Justin Lafleur, Dr. Elizabeth L. Pritchett, Lia Soileau, Amy Murphy, Sarah Mowery, Tyler Stephens II, 7 step grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Lindsey and Gladys Miller Veillon, husband Gerald Burnham Sr., daughter Susan Lafleur, stepson Gerald Burnham Jr., brother Charles Veillon, grandchild Christopher Shipp, step grandchild John Burnham.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 11, 2017 from 5 PM to 8 PM, with a rosary being recited at 6:30, and will resume again Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 8 AM until the time of services.
The guestbook can be signed online at www.lavillefuneralhome.net
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Evangeline Parish library or the Sacred Heart Foundation.

Printed in a local newspaper and written by Bernice Ardoin, Lifestyles Editor; printed in May 1997
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Being a Mom:  The most important job Beverly Burnham ever had
The most important job Beverly Burnham has had in her entire life is being a mother.

Beverly will tell anyone that her family is the center of her life.

"I felt that being a mother was the most important job in the world. Mothers mold their children and have so much influence on what they become," Beverly says with a big smile on her face.

"My mother always told me it was so hard to be a good mother. After I had my children, I realized that was so true," she adds. "Ville Platte is a good place to raise a family," the retired school teacher continues. "People helped me so much. I believe that it takes a village to raise a child." "We have a close family," she said. When one is injured, they all hurt."

Beverly loves family get-togethers. "We do that often," she grinned with excitement. "My family is so supportive." 

The Ville Platte native is the former Beverly Veillon. She left her hometown at the age of 16 to attend college in Natchitoches and finished her studies at Grand Coteau. With her degree in elementary education, Beverly went to work in Calcasieu Parish and later taught in Pine Prairie, at James Stephens and Ville Platte Lower. "I loved working in the reading lab." she smiled as she reminisced back to those teaching days. "It was beautiful teaching in there," she adds.

At the age of 20, Beverly married Blake Shipp and the couple had six children: Jim Shipp, who resides in Ville Platte; Martha Miller of Slidell; Paula DeShetler of Denver, Colorado; Susan LaFleur of Ville Platte; Julie Darbonne of Kingwood, Texas; and Rosemary Benoit of Lafayette.

She has 16 grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren. Next month, Beverly will become a great-grandmother.
In 1965, after Beverly and Blake were divorced, she moved back to Ville Platte with her children. "We were living in Maplewood, near Lake Charles," she explains. "I was teaching there."

Ten years later, in 1975, Beverly married Gerald Burnham. He had two children: Junior Burnham and Annette Aucoin. "We had to add a big room onto the house, so there would be enough room for everyone," Beverly grins. "I have no regrets about having a big family," she emphasizes. "I'd do it again tomorrow if I had the chance."

Beverly's second husband passed away five years ago. "The only description I can give you is that he was a true gentleman. I just can't say enough about him." "I was blessed to have him." "There's so many rewards in being a mother," Beverly admits. "It's just wonderful."

Since her retirement from the school system, Beverly says she has two loves loves. "My kids are older now and I have plenty of time to do all the things I always wanted to do. But, I'll never enjoy anything more than being their mother," she says seriously.

​
Jacob, George and William Miller families were early settlers in southwest Louisiana. Jacob Miller, and wife Anne Marie Thaison, claimed to be “Roman Catholic and Apostolic, and native of Germany.” George Miller, and wife Catherine Ritter, probably born in Maryland, was from London and reared at Hanover, Germany. William or Guilliam Miller, and wife Anne Kevin or Caven of Ireland, was born in Scotland.
 
Both Jacob and George Miller lived near Grand Coteau after the 1750’s. William did not live in LA but, his wife and family did. William died in Pensacola, FL in 1771 and his wife died in St. Martin, LA. Two of the three known daughters, both Marguerite and Elizabeth Genevieve Miller, married and lived in St. Martin and St. Landry parishes, respectively. Marguerite married Pierre Guidry in 1781 and they had 12 children. Elizabeth married Robert Burleigh, Jr. before 1781 and they had seven children.
 
Some of the William Miller descendants married into Jacob and George Miller families. Pierre Richard, a William Miller descendant, married Eva Colligan in 1865. Eva was a descendant of both Jacob and George Miller families. Therefore, their six children are descendants from the three Miller southwest Louisiana families.
 
Many in southwest Louisiana may know of, or their parents know of, some names from the Jacob Miller family. The Chataignier Miller families included Antoine Miller and Augustine Manuel’s descendants, Antoine Salomon (sons Camille, Faustin and Salomon), Emile (sons J. Bte. “Gus” and Cleophas) Martel (sons Aliday, Martel, Jr., and Gilbert Lee) Homer (son Mayo Homer, daughter Felonise & husband Onest Sonnier), and Jean Pierre (son Octave and his son Malcolm Lionel).
 
Farther south and west in Cameron parish, Antoine’s brother and Civil War Veteran, Pierre Valcour Miller settled. From that family, the well known cattleman Eugene Miller whose son Laurent was a veterinarian and son Martin O. Miller a well know New Orleans physician and was Governor Earl Long’s personal physician. Pierre V. Miller’s son P.V. Miller, Jr.’s son Minos Drosin Miller, Sr. was an attorney who practiced in Lake Charles and Vinton. He was politically well connected. Minos’ son M.D. Miller, Jr. was a WW II pilot, shot down on a mission, presumed dead, and buried at sea. After the U.S. victory, he was freed from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He practiced law, followed by his election as Judge of the 31st Judicial District Court of Louisiana (Jennings).
 
With so many Miller descendants, it can become overwhelming when evaluating ones family history. You may ask if "So and So" is your relative? The answer requires hours of research. Examples include Miller families in Evangeline parish. The Bonnes Nouvelles recently published “Jack Miller's Food Products Celebrates 75 Years” (June 2016) and “Zick Miller Family - Two Hands to the Plow” (September 2003). The Ville Platte Gazette listed J. Bte. Gus Miller as the Police Jury President (July 1976) and the Daily World (April 1987) printed, “Memories of Miller’s Lake revived”. Roderick Luke Miller’s obituary in the Daily World, January 2005) recounted Cleophas’ son, Rod, and his success as a family man, an attorney, and the first Republican elected to the House of Representatives from Lafayette Parish. Not all of your questions will be answered about the Miller stories published, but let us explore some of the family details mentioned about those families.
 
Dosite “Zick” Miller married Olivia Faul (also Fall) in 1901. One of the 12 children is Jacque Dosite “Jack” Miller who married Joyce Chapman in 1937. Dosite (Do za’ ta) is a descendant of George Miller, Sr. (London) and Catherine Ritter (Germany) both born in the mid 1750s. Olivia’s 2nd great grandparents are John Faul and M. Therese Miller married in 1802. M. Therese Miller is the daughter of Jacob Miller and Anne M. Thaison. Thus, all of Zick and Olivia’s descendants are George and Jacob Miller descendants. That makes “Gus” Miller, the successful Miller Lake advocate, and Jack Miller, of Jacks’ BBQ, 3rd cousins twice removed.
 
Additionally, Olivia Faul is related to Jacob Miller family via her 3rd great grandmother, Marie Barbe Miller, daughter of Jacob. Marie Barbe Frozard, daughter of M. Barbe Miller and wife of Toussaint Quebedeau, is the father of Marie Catherine Quebodeau who married Jean George Fall, great grandfather of Olivia.
 
Dosite “Zick” Miller is 1st cousin three times removed with Marie Magdelaine Boutin, wife of Jean Miller, son of Jacob. This relationship is via his great grandmother Sophie Andrus who married George Miller, Jr. Sophie is the granddaughter of Marguerite M. Boutin, daughter of Paul Boutin, Jr. and the father of Marie Magdelaine Boutin. Gus Miller’s great grandparents are Jean Miller and M. Magdelaine Boutin. Accordingly, Antoine Miller is 2nd cousin twice removed with Dosite “Zick” Miller.
 
Zick and Olivia’s grandson, Alexandre “Alex” Miller married Audrey Castile in 1964. As previously established, Alex is a descendent of both George and Jacob Miller. Audrey’s grandfather Onezime Castille married Laura Guidry, daughter of Moise Guidry and Marie Julia Miller. Julia is the great granddaughter of Charles Miller, Sr. and Anastasie Andrus. Charles is the son of George Miller, Sr. and Catherine Ritter. Thus Audrey Castille is the 5th great granddaughter of George Miller, Sr. and Catherine Ritter. Audrey’s husband is the 4th great grandson of George Miller, Sr. and Catherine Ritter.
 
Audrey Castille is also a descendant of the Jacob Miller via her maternal grandparents, Moise Savoy and Eliza Leger. Eliza’s grandparents are Honore Meche and Josephine Meche, the daughter of David Meche and Marie Rose Frozard. Marie R. Frozard is the daughter of Joseph Frozard and Marie Barbie Miller, the daughter of Jacob Miller and Anna M. Thaison. Accordingly, Audrey Castille is the 5th great granddaughter of Jacob Miller and Anna M. Thaison.

In summary it appears that some family trees have few branches. Regardless of the where one was born, cousins did marry cousins. Many, like my parents, were simply unaware of the family relationships. The automobile did not play a significant role in separating one major family from another until the 20th century. Moreover, cousins who did marry are separated by several generations. Living in an agrarian society until the early 1900s, families with different names were neighbors and in those early years, few traveled away from home. Whether you are Louisiana born or not, if your last name and your spouse’s last name is the same as an early settler, you probably married a distant cousin.

Vernon Clyde Fontenot, age 85, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 14, 2016. He was born on October 5, 1931 in Basile, LA to the late Euclede Fontenot and Myrza Miller Fontenot Marcantel. He was preceded in death by his sister, Louella Fontenot McCauley. Vernon is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Catherine Giraud Fontenot, loving daughters, Mary Catherine Parrish (late Walt), Judeyanne Coudrain (Mark) and Jeannine DiFulco (Frank). He delighted in his grandchildren: Lauren Coudrain Zeringue (Brandon), Joshua Parrish (Kerri), Caroline Coudrain Janzen (Jeff), Jacob Parrish (Hope), Maria DiFulco Davis (Brian), Claire Coudrain Callon (Mark) and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Fontenot was a proud member of the United States Marine Corp. for 4 years, serving stateside and in Japan. He was a retired auditor from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's staff. He was a founding parishioner of St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church. Vernon enjoyed exercising, gardening, reading, camping, traveling and spending time with his family. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to his caregiver, CeCe, Nurses Registry Home Health and Lakeside Hospice for their loving care. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 10021 Jefferson Hwy., River Ridge, LA on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 12:30 pm, with visitation at the church beginning at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road, St. Benedict, LA. Masses preferred in lieu of flowers. Bagnell & Son Funeral Home, Covington, LA in charge of arrangements. See FindAGrave.com for more details.

Vernon's family is included in the following Miller books:
Jacob Miller Family (2015) or Lulu.com and the Antoine Miller & Augustine P Manuel Family book or Lulu.com.

Margaret Elaine Miller Richardson passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning, May 29, 2016, after a battle with lung cancer. She was born 12 December 1926, in Reddell, Louisiana, to Cleophas and Isabelle Michot Miller, the fourth of eight children. Raised a Catholic, she along with her brothers and sisters learned the importance of honesty, integrity and customer service while working in the family's General Store. After graduating Vidrine H.S., she attended The University of Southwestern Louisiana, now University of Louisiana, Lafayette, where she earned a B.A. Degree in Foreign Languages. She went on to teach at Pearl River Jr. College in Pearl River, Mississippi, where she met another teacher Charles Ray 'Rich' Richardson, who was to become her husband. They were married in Reddell on November 25, 1948. From there she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be a homemaker and raise five children. Always interested in family history, she became a professional genealogist. She taught genealogy at Del Mar College, helped to found the Coastal Bend Genealogical Society where she was a past president, lectured and gave workshops on genealogy, and edited two genealogical quarterlies. Elaine led many ministries and groups at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She belonged to The Holy Family Guild, Altar Society, Sunday Lunch Bunch, Caring Friends, St. Patrick's Supper Club, Autumn Leaves, taught High School religion, sang in the choir for many years, served as one of the first Lay Reader/Lecturers, and taught hymns before Mass. She was also a member of St. Michael the Archangel Latin Mass Community, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Convent Auxiliary, and The Bishop's Guild.

Cleophas and Isabelle Michot Miller, parents of Margaret Elaine Miller

Miller family books
Jacob Miller Family (all known Jacob Miller descendants and family)
Volume I, II, III
Antoine Miller Family (includes the Cleophas Miller family)
Jacob Miller Photos, Vol II (includes Cleophas Miller family in photos of Antoine Miller family.

The Miracle of Pont Main visits Chataignier
By John C. Fontenot

Forward
     There are few communities in south Louisiana of less significance than Chataignier. The community was originally formed about a mile further east of what is indicated upon the maps of to-day, having established mainly in irregular Sections 33 and 51 of Township 5 South, Range 2 East of the Louisiana Meridian. When the railroad from Alexandria to Eunice, Louisiana was laid in the year 1906 Chataignier moved to the railroad stop while the original community became known as Upper Chataignier. The new railroad did not change the financial outlook for the community; it was destined to remain a town without a future, and each succeeding generation found it prudent to move elsewhere for a livelihood.
     However, before the advent of the railroad, certain parties did their best to benefit the area. A small school was built; land was donated for a Catholic Church. A few wealthy families moved in the area, and gave rise to a two-tiered class society. Inter-marriage between these classes was frowned upon.
From its formation before the year 1800 until the advent of the cotton combine, and solidification of the welfare system, the main revenue crop was cotton. The growing of cotton ceased in the mid-nineteen hundred fifties to be replaced by rice and soybeans.
     Regardless of its insignificance Chataignier, Louisiana was the site of a most rare occasion, and some of its residents were shown appreciation and recognition in a most unusual manner, i.e., by portraying an abbreviated version of the Miracle that occurred in Pont Main in France in the year 1871.

THE REWARD OF INNOCENCE
     On January 7, 1871 a starry winter evening confronted Martel Miller, aged 11 years, when his father, Antoine Miller, sent him to look for a strayed heifer in the pasture lying westward of the ancestral home of Jean Pierre Lafleur. The latter inheriting from his own father what was then a magnificent fortune, moved to Chataignier, Louisiana in 1854 with wife, Felonise Auguste Fontenot, his sons, daughters, and several slaves. Jean Pierre Lafleur with the labor of his slaves built a two (2) storied triple double veranda home. The first floor of homemade brick, the top story of cypress.
     As the Civil War progressed in adversity for the Confederates Jean Pierre Lafleur was moved to donate his gold reserves in exchange for Confederate scrip. The loss of the Civil War resulted in the lost of his large plantation to Antoine Miller by the year 1868.
     Until the early eighteen hundred and eighties in the area Chataignier was the gateway to the wild west as pioneering had not yet spread out further westward than a day's travel by ox cart from the ancient Spanish Fort at Opelousas, Louisiana.
     Thus it was that Martel Miller, exiting from the immense plantation home now owned by his father, clothed in homespun cotton garments, and bare-footed, sought to carry out his errand on that night. He had but recently taken instructions for his first communion, and as he walked by the old slave quarters situated north of the main house reciting his Hail Marys, glanced skyward occasionally for the chance sighting of a falling star suddenly beheld an amazing phenomenon; the stars in the eastern skies were leaving their appointed place and began forming words. The unusual sight lasted several minutes, and awakening to the singular event forgot about his errand, and rushed to tell his father, and mother, Augustine Manuel, of what he was seeing. They, of course, saw nothing, and while they were aware of their son's truthfulness did not make too much of the matter.
     Years passed, Martel Miller grew to manhood six feet tall, heavy boned, and powerful. He married Melecia Bertrand recently widowed with two (2) children, Adam and Eva McCauley. Of that union Martel Miller begot two (2) children, Martin and Martha Miller. Martin died at the age of fifteen (15) of internal injuries being thrown off wild horses. Martha Miller died at the age of fifty-five (55) in 1938 on December 20th.
     In the years since my infancy the above unusual sighting of travelling stars forming words across the eastern sky was often mentioned by my grandfather, Martel Miller. In his old age reminiscing with a playmate he had not seen since they were children they both became aware that, unknown to each other, they had both witnessed the same sight.
     As a hundred (100) years elapsed of the unusual happening I grew to manhood, and as I approached old age came into possession of the Catholic pamphlet entitled "What happened at Pont Main." I only then knew the significance of what my grandfather had been privileged to witness as had his playmate; an abbreviated version of the vision shown to the Barbedette children at Pont Main.
     As for said Barbedette children only the young and innocent were allowed the special privilege. Doubtless other innocents have witnessed the same phenomenon around the world, and the telling of it has remained legend amongst the families affected. I have been privileged to ascertain the meaning of the event, and I regret that my grandfather died without ever knowing of the larger event, and its connection with his viewing.
     My grandfather and his playmate must have qualified in a most singular manner to merit the partial vision. As a beloved grandson intimately associated with him from my earliest memories to his death in the mid-forties I can vouch for his moral integrity, his concern for doing what was right. His indignation at what was wrong. He was always a peacemaker, a helping hand where needed, and I can understand why the Holy Mother graced him with the partial vision.