Jacques Telesphore Roman
Encyclopedia
Jacques Telesphore Roman (March 22, 1800 – April 11, 1848) was a 19th century Louisiana
businessman, sugar planter and builder of the famous Oak Alley Plantation
.
, the son of Jacques Etienne Roman of Grenoble
, France
and Marie Louise Patin, Jacques Telesphore Roman and his family later moved to St. James Parish, Louisiana and engaged in the lucrative sugar trade.
As the Roman family achieved more and more prominence as leaders of society, their activities alternated between their sugar plantations in St. James Parish and
elegant dwellings in New Orleans
. Among the latter was the house now known as Madame John's Legacy on Rue Dumaine which was purchased by Jacques Etienne's widow for her and her bachelor sons shortly after her husband's death. From here Jacques Telesphore Roman began his courtship of Celina Pilie, whose very prominent family lived around the corner on Royal Street
. They were married on June 14, 1834.
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At this point, the fortunes of the Roman family had reached their pinnacle. Jacques' brother, Andre
was serving his first term as Governor
of Louisiana
, and his sister Josephine, was married to Francois Gabriel "Valcour" Aime, whose wealth, interest in the sugar industry and opulent life style had won him the title of "Sugar King Of Louisiana". On May 19, 1836, Valcour Aime, sold Jacques Telesphore the plantation riverboat captains later dubbed "Oak Alley"
.
In keeping with the lavish standards of the society elite of that period, Jacques Telesphore and Celina plunged with enthusiasm into the building of their own mansion, located on their newly acquired plantation. The architect is believed to have been Celina's father, Gilbert Joseph Pilie, and master builder George Swainy was contracted to direct the construction, a task which took over two years to complete.
. His only surviving son, Henri, assumed manhood and responsibility for family affairs in 1859. His valiant efforts to preserve the position and holdings of his family failed against the overwhelming social and political turmoil resulting from the Civil War
and Reconstruction, joined the ever-growing tide of once powerful and proud Creole
s caught in a downhill slide toward oblivion.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
businessman, sugar planter and builder of the famous Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the Mississippi River in the community of Vacherie, Louisiana. It is protected as a National Historic Landmark...
.
Early years
Born near Opelousas, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, the son of Jacques Etienne Roman of Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Marie Louise Patin, Jacques Telesphore Roman and his family later moved to St. James Parish, Louisiana and engaged in the lucrative sugar trade.
As the Roman family achieved more and more prominence as leaders of society, their activities alternated between their sugar plantations in St. James Parish and
elegant dwellings in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Among the latter was the house now known as Madame John's Legacy on Rue Dumaine which was purchased by Jacques Etienne's widow for her and her bachelor sons shortly after her husband's death. From here Jacques Telesphore Roman began his courtship of Celina Pilie, whose very prominent family lived around the corner on Royal Street
Royal Street, New Orleans
Royal Street is a street in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating from the French Colonial era, and is most well known for the antique shops, art galleries, and stately hotels that line its sides as it runs through New Orleans' French Quarter and tourist...
. They were married on June 14, 1834.
Oak Alley
Andre B. Roman
Andre Bienvenue Roman was Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the ninth Governor of Louisiana.-Early years:...
was serving his first term as Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and his sister Josephine, was married to Francois Gabriel "Valcour" Aime, whose wealth, interest in the sugar industry and opulent life style had won him the title of "Sugar King Of Louisiana". On May 19, 1836, Valcour Aime, sold Jacques Telesphore the plantation riverboat captains later dubbed "Oak Alley"
Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the Mississippi River in the community of Vacherie, Louisiana. It is protected as a National Historic Landmark...
.
In keeping with the lavish standards of the society elite of that period, Jacques Telesphore and Celina plunged with enthusiasm into the building of their own mansion, located on their newly acquired plantation. The architect is believed to have been Celina's father, Gilbert Joseph Pilie, and master builder George Swainy was contracted to direct the construction, a task which took over two years to complete.
Death
Jacques Telesphore Roman died in 1848, a victim of tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. His only surviving son, Henri, assumed manhood and responsibility for family affairs in 1859. His valiant efforts to preserve the position and holdings of his family failed against the overwhelming social and political turmoil resulting from the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and Reconstruction, joined the ever-growing tide of once powerful and proud Creole
Louisiana Creole people
Louisiana Creole people refers to those who are descended from the colonial settlers in Louisiana, especially those of French and Spanish descent. The term was first used during colonial times by the settlers to refer to those who were born in the colony, as opposed to those born in the Old World...
s caught in a downhill slide toward oblivion.