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What is the Joseph Landry Foundation?
The Joseph Landry Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which pursues the goal of preserving the tomb of Joseph Landry & Ann (Bojul) who were among the first families to settle in Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisiana (1769 ).
Who Was Joseph Landry?
Joseph Landry was a prominent American citizen who was born in Grand Pre Nova Scotia in 1752 and was among the Acadians who were deported by the British in 1755. He and his family suffered eleven years of displacement before establishing a homestead in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. At age 17 Landry obtained a Spanish land grant and cleared the forest for his plantation. Landry served in the Revolutionary War, and subsequently became a successful politician and social leader in the Acadian community. He served as interim Commandant under Spanish Commandant Croquer between 1799-1803. When the territory was transferred in 1804 from Spain & France to the United States, Landry was commissioned as the first Commandant under the American government by Governor W.C.C. Claiborn. He was elected to both the State Senate and House of Representatives. All of Landry's sons served with Andrew Jackson in the war of 1812, and his grandsons fought in, and survived, the Civil War. Landry died in 1814, followed by his wife Ann Madeline Bujol in 1816. It is assumed that both were buried in the cemetery of the Ascension Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.
Later in 1845 their son Trasimond, who was Lieutenant Governor of the State of Louisiana, commissioned a tomb for his parents to be designed by the leading antebellum architect of his time, James Dakin. The monument is about 20 feet tall, of a basic octagonal shape with huge X-shaped projections in the Egyptian style. On the center façade are twin Doric square pilasters. The front portico has a huge iron gate opening to the vaults within. Dakin at this time was at the height of his career. He had designed many Louisiana churches and public buildings including the Old Capital Building in Baton Rouge. Because of his outstanding work, he was invited to be one of the founding members of the American Institute of Architecture.
Who is Buried in the Joseph Landry Tomb?
It is reasonable to assume that Joseph Landry and Ann Bujol were subsequently buried in the tomb built for them by their children. However, the records were lost that identified the names of those buried in the tomb. To add to the confusion, there were several Joseph Landrys who left Nova Scotia and settled in Louisiana. However, this particular Joseph Landry was distinguished by the common usage of his name as "Joseph dit Bel Homme" in early writings. Joseph is the great grandson of Rene Landry "The Younger" 1634-1686 who was married to Marie Bernard born in1620. They were both born in France and buried in Nova Scotia.
Unfortunately, the cemetery plot records maintained by the Church are no longer in existence. It was common practice in the 19th century for one person to be placed in the tomb, but after a period of time, the same spot was occupied by another family member.
Among those assumed to be buried in the Landry family tomb are multiple generations which include: First Commandant of the American Territory, State Representatives, State Senators, one Judge, and one Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.
This tomb assumes a level of national historical significance because of the role this family played as one of the first settlers of Donaldsonville. The family was also elected to high social and governmental positions, and participated in at least three major wars that shaped the future of our country. The Landry tomb is on the List of National Historic Places since 1982.
Who Owns the Tomb?
Joseph Landry and Ann Bojul had eleven children, five boys, and six girls. Joseph had a son by a previous marriage so there were six boys and six girls in the household. All descdendants of these children own the tomb, and it is our collective responsibility to keep it safe and secure for future generations.
As far back as the early 1950's the tomb was reported to be in serious disrepair. Little has been done to preserve it. The work that has consisted of unprofessional patching, probably to keep the monument upright. Weeds have been a major problem for years. Removal methods have caused some deterioration of the stone, not to mention the level of air pollution in the area. Shifting of the stone has caused some instability that hampers preservation efforts.
What Needs To Be Done?
Over the past eight years we have sought out the highest quality of professional Preservation Specialists -- twice by the Chau Vie Organization from New Orleans, and then by Dr. Mike Trinkley, Executive Director of the Chicora Foundation Inc. in Columbia South Carolina. His comprehensive report was completed in 2009. Both evaluators agreed that further evaluation was needed by a structural engineer before any work can be attempted. In the spring of 2014 Patrick Sparks, of Spark's Engineering of Austin, Texas, conducted the structural evaluation. His report can be found under the tab of "Evaluations", as well as his cost estimate for preserving the tomb.
How Can You Help?
We plan to launch a major fundraising campaign to finance the necessary preservation efforts to stabilize the tomb, and secure it's survival for future descendents. Your financial support is the only way we can move forward.
We invite you to send your tax deductible contributions to the Foundation at the address below.
Anyone can join the Joseph Landry Foundation, even if you are not a relative. You are welcome to attend our annual meeting in the Donaldsonville, LA, which is usually held the week after Easter (date TBA). If you are interested in becoming a member, you can do so by sending your name, address, e-mail address and phone number with a $15 yearly membership fee. Please make checks payable to: The Joseph Landry Foundation.
Mail: Contributions to:
Margaret Canella, Secretary
The Joseph Landry Foundation
c/o The Joseph Landry Foundation
PO Box 682 Brusly, LA 70719
Written by Mary Ellen Stinski, President,
The Joseph Landry Foundation
Please send corrections or comments to mestinski@yahoo.com
The Joseph Landry Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which pursues the goal of preserving the tomb of Joseph Landry & Ann (Bojul) who were among the first families to settle in Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisiana (1769 ).
Who Was Joseph Landry?
Joseph Landry was a prominent American citizen who was born in Grand Pre Nova Scotia in 1752 and was among the Acadians who were deported by the British in 1755. He and his family suffered eleven years of displacement before establishing a homestead in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. At age 17 Landry obtained a Spanish land grant and cleared the forest for his plantation. Landry served in the Revolutionary War, and subsequently became a successful politician and social leader in the Acadian community. He served as interim Commandant under Spanish Commandant Croquer between 1799-1803. When the territory was transferred in 1804 from Spain & France to the United States, Landry was commissioned as the first Commandant under the American government by Governor W.C.C. Claiborn. He was elected to both the State Senate and House of Representatives. All of Landry's sons served with Andrew Jackson in the war of 1812, and his grandsons fought in, and survived, the Civil War. Landry died in 1814, followed by his wife Ann Madeline Bujol in 1816. It is assumed that both were buried in the cemetery of the Ascension Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.
Later in 1845 their son Trasimond, who was Lieutenant Governor of the State of Louisiana, commissioned a tomb for his parents to be designed by the leading antebellum architect of his time, James Dakin. The monument is about 20 feet tall, of a basic octagonal shape with huge X-shaped projections in the Egyptian style. On the center façade are twin Doric square pilasters. The front portico has a huge iron gate opening to the vaults within. Dakin at this time was at the height of his career. He had designed many Louisiana churches and public buildings including the Old Capital Building in Baton Rouge. Because of his outstanding work, he was invited to be one of the founding members of the American Institute of Architecture.
Who is Buried in the Joseph Landry Tomb?
It is reasonable to assume that Joseph Landry and Ann Bujol were subsequently buried in the tomb built for them by their children. However, the records were lost that identified the names of those buried in the tomb. To add to the confusion, there were several Joseph Landrys who left Nova Scotia and settled in Louisiana. However, this particular Joseph Landry was distinguished by the common usage of his name as "Joseph dit Bel Homme" in early writings. Joseph is the great grandson of Rene Landry "The Younger" 1634-1686 who was married to Marie Bernard born in1620. They were both born in France and buried in Nova Scotia.
Unfortunately, the cemetery plot records maintained by the Church are no longer in existence. It was common practice in the 19th century for one person to be placed in the tomb, but after a period of time, the same spot was occupied by another family member.
Among those assumed to be buried in the Landry family tomb are multiple generations which include: First Commandant of the American Territory, State Representatives, State Senators, one Judge, and one Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.
This tomb assumes a level of national historical significance because of the role this family played as one of the first settlers of Donaldsonville. The family was also elected to high social and governmental positions, and participated in at least three major wars that shaped the future of our country. The Landry tomb is on the List of National Historic Places since 1982.
Who Owns the Tomb?
Joseph Landry and Ann Bojul had eleven children, five boys, and six girls. Joseph had a son by a previous marriage so there were six boys and six girls in the household. All descdendants of these children own the tomb, and it is our collective responsibility to keep it safe and secure for future generations.
As far back as the early 1950's the tomb was reported to be in serious disrepair. Little has been done to preserve it. The work that has consisted of unprofessional patching, probably to keep the monument upright. Weeds have been a major problem for years. Removal methods have caused some deterioration of the stone, not to mention the level of air pollution in the area. Shifting of the stone has caused some instability that hampers preservation efforts.
What Needs To Be Done?
Over the past eight years we have sought out the highest quality of professional Preservation Specialists -- twice by the Chau Vie Organization from New Orleans, and then by Dr. Mike Trinkley, Executive Director of the Chicora Foundation Inc. in Columbia South Carolina. His comprehensive report was completed in 2009. Both evaluators agreed that further evaluation was needed by a structural engineer before any work can be attempted. In the spring of 2014 Patrick Sparks, of Spark's Engineering of Austin, Texas, conducted the structural evaluation. His report can be found under the tab of "Evaluations", as well as his cost estimate for preserving the tomb.
How Can You Help?
We plan to launch a major fundraising campaign to finance the necessary preservation efforts to stabilize the tomb, and secure it's survival for future descendents. Your financial support is the only way we can move forward.
We invite you to send your tax deductible contributions to the Foundation at the address below.
Anyone can join the Joseph Landry Foundation, even if you are not a relative. You are welcome to attend our annual meeting in the Donaldsonville, LA, which is usually held the week after Easter (date TBA). If you are interested in becoming a member, you can do so by sending your name, address, e-mail address and phone number with a $15 yearly membership fee. Please make checks payable to: The Joseph Landry Foundation.
Mail: Contributions to:
Margaret Canella, Secretary
The Joseph Landry Foundation
c/o The Joseph Landry Foundation
PO Box 682 Brusly, LA 70719
Written by Mary Ellen Stinski, President,
The Joseph Landry Foundation
Please send corrections or comments to mestinski@yahoo.com
