DECUIR
Albert DeCuir, the patriarch of all known DeCuirs in the United States, was believed born in Macon, Province of Hainault, France, about 1673. Macon was in the province of Hainault, diocese of Cambrai, in what is now northeastern France. The little town no longer exists, but it was located near Conde, a small town that still stands today. It is not to be confused with the larger city of Macon, which is in the southeastern portion of France.
The earliest known person on record to carry the ancient name of DeCuir was Paul de Cuyre, who was recorded living in Macon, Hainaut, in the year 1535. He was a town councilman at that time. It is believed that Paul was born between 1480 and 1515. There has been work done to link the following lineage.
Valerien deCuire, born between 1510-1538, was the son of Paul and possibly the father of Pierre deCuire Sr, who was born between 1560-1569. Pierre Sr. was the father of:
- Pierre Jr. - 1595
- Jean Baptist -1589
- Francois -1596
- Simon -1604
Baptismal records show "On February 5, 1673, was baptized, at the St. Jean Baptiste of Macon Church, Alibertus De Cuire, son of Simon and of Marguerite Dehon." which discounts later documents indicating he was born either in 1662 or 1670.
Albert was the second child of his parents union. Albert and his wife, Catherine Domer (Dumaire) had at least four children in the old world, all but the oldest were born in Macon. The oldest child, Jean Francois, was born in 1704 in Merge. It is speculated that Albert was temporarily in that area at the time due to his occupation as a coal miner. The other children were:
- Ann Catherine
- Marie Marguerite
- Etienne
Albert Decuir sailed on the ship "Loire" from the port at Lorient, France to Louisiana on August 11, 1720. He was at least 50 years old when he decided to make his move to the new world of Louisiana. The ship log stated his son and daughter were with him on board. His destination was for the St. Reine Concession (Pointe Coupee) and St. Catherine Concession. There was no mention of his wife and other children on the ship, but two other children also came, perhaps later on a different ship. It is not known if Albert's wife Catherine came to Louisiana; however, it is known that she was referred to as deceased by 1741.
Also on board the ship were two of Albert's future son-in-laws, Jacques DeCoux and Valentin Joseph Daublin.
The DeCuir Family was one of the 15 original families recruited to form a permanent civilian settlement at "La militaire poste de la Pointe Coupee", which was established by French soldiers in the same year that Albert arrived (1720). Albert died October 12, 1750, and was buried in Pointe Coupee the following day.
Albert and Catherine's third child, Etienne, was born 1712, in Macon, France. He married on April 29, 1738, Cecile Rondot, daughter of Jean Rondot and Marie Colon. There are three children known born of this union.