Virginie de Ternant
Encyclopedia
Marie Virginie de Ternant, née Trahan (August 16, 1818- November 7, 1887), was the owner and manager of the Parlange Plantation, near New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
. It was through her strong personality, diplomacy and charm that she saved the house from destruction throughout its occupation by both the Union
and Confederate armies during the American Civil War
.
She was the second wife of Claude Vincent de Ternant, 2nd Marquis of Dansville-sur-Meuse, whose father, the first Marquis, had built the plantation home in 1750 on the property obtained by a French land grant. She had three surviving children from this marriage. Through Marie Virginie, her eldest daughter, she was the grandmother of the celebrated Parisian socialite, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau
, who was the subject of John Singer Sargent
's painting "Portrait of Madame X".
Her second husband was Colonel Charles Parlange from whom her home derived its name. By him she had one son, Charles Parlange
.
As the Union Army led by General Nathaniel Banks was approaching Parlange, Virginie, by that time a widow and the manager of the plantation
, ordered her slaves to bury three chests of treasure
estimated at between one third and a half million dollars in gold and silver coins. One of these chests has never been found.
Virginie, who was responsible for Parlange's reputation for elegance by her addition of rich, beautiful furnishings and portraits, is described as "the chief personality for Parlange Plantation's greatness".
French
Créoles
. She had two younger sisters, Marie Eriphile and Ameline. She lost her mother when she was eight years old. At the age of 15, she married her second cousin and guardian, Claude Vincent de Ternant, 2nd Marquis of Dansville-sur-Meuse. She was his second wife, with his first marriage to Dorothee Legros having been childless. The marriage between Claude and Virginie produced three surviving children:
Out of her three children who lived past childhood, only her eldest daughter, Marie Virginie, survived to marry and have children of her own. Virginie's son Marius lived a dissolute life and died at the age of 25, while her youngest daughter Julie was accidentally killed by smashing her head into an oak tree. It was alleged that she was running away from home to escape the planned marriage that her parents had arranged for her.
Following her husband's death in 1842, she married a Frenchman, Charles Parlange, who served as a colonel
in the French Army. It was he who gave the plantation its name. Together they had one son, Charles (July 23, 1851 – February 4, 1907), who would enjoy a distinguished political career as a state senator, United States Attorney
, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
, Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
, and United States federal judge
. By his wife, Louise Denis, he was the father of three children.
Virginie and her second husband spent much of their married life in New Orleans and Paris
.
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to sugarcane
and cotton
. Virginie lavished great care on the decoration of the home, adding opulent furnishings, and many family portraits; through her efforts, Parlange Plantation acquired renown throughout Louisiana for beauty and elegance. A full-length portrait of Virginie was painted in France by Claude-Marie Dubufe
.
When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, Virginie, who was widowed for a second time and living in Paris, returned to Louisiana. In 1864, after she had received word that the Union Army was approaching, she hid her furniture, portraits, priceless silver, china, jewelry and clothing. She and her son, Charles placed the Parlange treasure into three large wooden chests; this was estimated to have been between one third and a half million dollars in gold and silver coins. She ordered two of her most trusted black slaves to bury the chests in the garden. When the Union troops led by General Nathaniel Banks arrived at Parlange, she greeted them warmly, inviting the officers to a lavish banquet and allowing the general and his aide to sleep inside the house, while the soldiers were encamped in her formal gardens. The Union Army used her home for their headquarters; and it was through Virginie's tact and charm, which impressed General Banks and his men, that her home was spared destruction. When Confederate General Richard Taylor
and his troops later came, she offered them the same warm hospitality.
At the end of the war, she retrieved her hidden valuables; only one of the chests containing the coins could not be found. It remains lost to this day.
The plantation's fortunes were, however, nearly depleted after the war, and she was compelled to make her own clothing. In 1867, her widowed daughter, Marie Virginie Avegno took her eight year old child, Virginie Amélie Avegno to Paris where they ensconced themselves in the highest echelons of Parisian society. The latter eventually became a socialite, married a French banker and shipping magnate; and earned notoriety as the subject of John Singer Sargent's painting, "Portrait of Madame X".
After Virginie's death on November 7, 1887, the plantation home remained empty for 20 years until her grandson Walter Parlange returned to take up the life of a plantation farmer. As of 2010, her direct descendants continue to live at Parlange Plantation.
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...
. It was through her strong personality, diplomacy and charm that she saved the house from destruction throughout its occupation by both the Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
and Confederate armies during the American 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...
.
She was the second wife of Claude Vincent de Ternant, 2nd Marquis of Dansville-sur-Meuse, whose father, the first Marquis, had built the plantation home in 1750 on the property obtained by a French land grant. She had three surviving children from this marriage. Through Marie Virginie, her eldest daughter, she was the grandmother of the celebrated Parisian socialite, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau
Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau
Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau was a Parisian socialite, artists' model and an American expatriate. She is perhaps most widely known as the subject of John Singer Sargent's painting Portrait of Madame X.-Family:...
, who was the subject of John Singer Sargent
John Singer Sargent
John Singer Sargent was an American artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian era luxury. During his career, he created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings...
's painting "Portrait of Madame X".
Her second husband was Colonel Charles Parlange from whom her home derived its name. By him she had one son, Charles Parlange
Charles Parlange
Charles Parlange was a Louisiana state senator, United States Attorney, Louisiana Lieutenant Governor, Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court and United States federal judge.-Early life:...
.
As the Union Army led by General Nathaniel Banks was approaching Parlange, Virginie, by that time a widow and the manager of the plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
, ordered her slaves to bury three chests of treasure
Treasure
Treasure is a concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered...
estimated at between one third and a half million dollars in gold and silver coins. One of these chests has never been found.
Virginie, who was responsible for Parlange's reputation for elegance by her addition of rich, beautiful furnishings and portraits, is described as "the chief personality for Parlange Plantation's greatness".
Marriages and children
Marie Virginie Trahan was born on August 16, 1818 in St Martinville, Louisiana, the daughter of Leufroy Joseph Trahan (1797-?) and Julie Ardoin (April 12, 1795 – April 8, 1827) who were both whiteWhite people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
Créoles
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...
. She had two younger sisters, Marie Eriphile and Ameline. She lost her mother when she was eight years old. At the age of 15, she married her second cousin and guardian, Claude Vincent de Ternant, 2nd Marquis of Dansville-sur-Meuse. She was his second wife, with his first marriage to Dorothee Legros having been childless. The marriage between Claude and Virginie produced three surviving children:
- Marius Claude de Ternant (1836–1861)
- Marie Virginie de Ternant (1837 - ?), married Anatole Placide Avegno (July 3, 1835 - April 1862), by whom she had children, including Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau, better known as "Madame X".
- Julie Eriphile de Ternant (born 1837, died as a young woman)
Out of her three children who lived past childhood, only her eldest daughter, Marie Virginie, survived to marry and have children of her own. Virginie's son Marius lived a dissolute life and died at the age of 25, while her youngest daughter Julie was accidentally killed by smashing her head into an oak tree. It was alleged that she was running away from home to escape the planned marriage that her parents had arranged for her.
Following her husband's death in 1842, she married a Frenchman, Charles Parlange, who served as a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the French Army. It was he who gave the plantation its name. Together they had one son, Charles (July 23, 1851 – February 4, 1907), who would enjoy a distinguished political career as a state senator, United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
The Office of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana is the second highest state office in Louisiana. The current Lieutenant Governor is Jay Dardenne, a Republican...
, Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
Louisiana Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Louisiana is the highest court and court of last resort in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The modern Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, meets in the French Quarter of New Orleans....
, and United States federal judge
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
. By his wife, Louise Denis, he was the father of three children.
Virginie and her second husband spent much of their married life in New Orleans and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Parlange Plantation
Virginie's first husband, Claude de Ternant, upon inheriting the 10000 acres (40.5 km²) plantation from his father, switched from growing indigoIndigo
Indigo is a color named after the purple dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. The color is placed on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet...
to sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. Virginie lavished great care on the decoration of the home, adding opulent furnishings, and many family portraits; through her efforts, Parlange Plantation acquired renown throughout Louisiana for beauty and elegance. A full-length portrait of Virginie was painted in France by Claude-Marie Dubufe
Claude-Marie Dubufe
Claude-Marie-Paul Dubufe, a French historical and portrait painter, was born in Paris in 1790, and studied under David. His subjects were at first classical, and then scriptural, but his reputation rests chiefly on his portraits, of which he produced a large number. Dubufe, who was the last...
.
When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, Virginie, who was widowed for a second time and living in Paris, returned to Louisiana. In 1864, after she had received word that the Union Army was approaching, she hid her furniture, portraits, priceless silver, china, jewelry and clothing. She and her son, Charles placed the Parlange treasure into three large wooden chests; this was estimated to have been between one third and a half million dollars in gold and silver coins. She ordered two of her most trusted black slaves to bury the chests in the garden. When the Union troops led by General Nathaniel Banks arrived at Parlange, she greeted them warmly, inviting the officers to a lavish banquet and allowing the general and his aide to sleep inside the house, while the soldiers were encamped in her formal gardens. The Union Army used her home for their headquarters; and it was through Virginie's tact and charm, which impressed General Banks and his men, that her home was spared destruction. When Confederate General Richard Taylor
Richard Taylor (general)
Richard Taylor was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He was the son of United States President Zachary Taylor and First Lady Margaret Taylor.-Early life:...
and his troops later came, she offered them the same warm hospitality.
At the end of the war, she retrieved her hidden valuables; only one of the chests containing the coins could not be found. It remains lost to this day.
The plantation's fortunes were, however, nearly depleted after the war, and she was compelled to make her own clothing. In 1867, her widowed daughter, Marie Virginie Avegno took her eight year old child, Virginie Amélie Avegno to Paris where they ensconced themselves in the highest echelons of Parisian society. The latter eventually became a socialite, married a French banker and shipping magnate; and earned notoriety as the subject of John Singer Sargent's painting, "Portrait of Madame X".
After Virginie's death on November 7, 1887, the plantation home remained empty for 20 years until her grandson Walter Parlange returned to take up the life of a plantation farmer. As of 2010, her direct descendants continue to live at Parlange Plantation.