DUPLECHIN Hoot

Today DUPLECHIN is not a frequent surname in either France or in French Canada, but is is common in southwestern Louisiana. Moreover, it is among the earliest family names to appear in colonial records of the state.

In 1720, a Jean Joseph Duplechin, carpenter by trade, arrived in newly founded New Orleans aboard the ship "Alexandre". He was a native of Jouy, France, where he was born in 1703. Upon arriving in Louisiana, Joseph Duplechin was destined for the Leblanc Concession near Natchez.

In 1725, Joseph and his wife, Anne-Marie Taverre (Lavernge ???) were residents near the Indian village of Tunica (present site of Angola, La.), but by 1731 they moved across the Mississippi River to Pointe Coupee. His wife died there on December 25, 1737. Likewise, Joseph also died at Pointe Coupee. He was buried on January 3, 1746, leaving one son, Philippe, to carry his name.

Being a minor at the time of his father's death, Philippe went to live with Jean Baptiste Rabalais II.

Philippe Duplechin I was born in 1729. On April 18, 1752, he married Reine Boftz, widow of Pierre Barron II, at Pointe Coupee. They had three sons who lied to adulthood;

On November 26, 1772, Philippe I remarried to Marie Philippeau. From this issue, his fourth son, Philippe dit Cadet was born. Little is known about Philippe Jr., who in 1793 married Julie Hollier. After living for a time in the Avoyelles country, both Jean Baptiste and Antoine moved to the Opelousas area, probably around the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Philippe dit Cadet settled in Avoyelle where he married in 1813 Marguerite Chatelain. Many of his descendants remain there today.

Philippe Duplechin I moved from Pointe Coupee to the Opelousas Post between 1759 and 1761, where he died before 1774.

BACK