The Free People of Color of New Orleans: An Introduction

by Mary Gehman, Lloyd Dennis (Photographer)

Antebellum New Orleans was home to thousands of urbane , educated and well to do free blacks. The French called them les gens de couleur libre, the free people of color; after the Civil War they were known as the Creoles of color, shortened today to simply Creoles. Theirs was an ambiguous status, sharing the French Language, Catholic religion and European education of the elite whites, but also keeping African and indigenous American influences from their early heritage. This is their story, rarely mentioned in conventional histories, and often misunderstood today, even by some of their descendants. The book is an easy read that lays out the chronology of events, laws and circumstances that formed the unique racial mix of New Orleans and much of Louisiana. Includes end notes, suggested bibliography, index, and a listing of family names of free people of color that appear in the early years of the Louisiana Territory. A must-have for genealogists, historians, and students of African-American history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Race

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Valerielynnbassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this in New Orleans when I went with my sister after hearing a compelling account of the voodoo history of the French Quarter on a walking tour. I was intrigued to learn that under Louisana law,which was based on French law, Black family of a white person could inherit property. Many free women of color became lifetime mistresses of wealthy white men, and these women and their children would inherit a portion of the man's wealth and property. At one time, a large part of the French Quarter property was owned by free people, in particular women, of color. So I bought this book to learn more. It is short - a brief scan across the centuries - but fascinating. A great lens onto a whole different narrative and view of America. I recommend it highly.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good starting point for those who are interested in the history of the free people of color in New Orleans. It's a survey covering hundreds of years and many topics, none in depth. But it will give you the general trajectory, and help you determine what you might be interested in studying more in depth.

[Hugolane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew next to nothing about this topic, and as an introduction it lived up to its billing. I now have some sense of the racial complexity of pre-1803 New Orleans and how that affected its subsequent history. If and when I make the trip to New Orleans I'll bring this along.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super readable and brief history of the colored community in New Orleans - bought at a local bookstore and put out by a local press, could be used for some students of mine if they are interested in marginalized groups - good local history and fun to read while I was there.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an eye opening read. This part of our nation's history is not covered in school.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview and very useful to anyone needing background information on historic New Orleans. A good bibliography is included for further research.

[Jadon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy intro read.

[R. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! The writing is clear and concise and the subject matter is truly fascinating. I am especially impressed with how much information Mary Gehman manages to fit into a relatively short book. This is a very lucid and enlightening exploration of a unique element of American heritage and culture. There was so much here that I didn't know, so much that tends to be left out of history books...I feel as if I truly understand not only New Orleans, but America as a whole on a level I simply didn't before.

If you are at all interested in U.S. history -- particularly a part that is very little discussed but full of engaging details and compelling characters -- I highly recommend this book.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author states: "Many descendants of the free people of color today are unaware of their personal history and the events that formed it. Their parents and grandparents in some cases simply did not talk openly about their family background."

This is so true. I was always curious and asked questions about why I was so light, but there was really no definitive answer or genealogical facts that anyone could give. This book is amazing for anyone who is curious about Creole culture, as well as New Orleans history. Also, if you grew up in NOLA, there are alot of facts surrounding landmarks and cultural practices.

[Rashid Darden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read that was truly just an introduction. Gehman introduces a lot of interesting ideas and concepts about the free people of color in New Orleans and I am inspired to go research even further, especially on the political climate of the 1800s among the various New Orleans communities.

I liked it, but it still had some issues. I wanted to know more about the 1900s, for example. The last hundred or so years seemed rushed. But still, it was a good book for people who are just starting their research. The end notes and appendix were extensive as well.

[Scott Pomfret · Rating 2 out of 5]

This history of free people of color is a mere introduction. Its scope is decidedly small and it is not a work of any original scholarship, as far as I could see. There is some interesting but undeveloped work at the end of the book as to what it means to be a Creole of color today, but the work on the antebellum period was derivative at best, and the post-war Reconstruction and Jim Crow periods received barely a nod of recognition. There are far better works on the free people of color of New Orleans, many mentioned in the extensive bibliography that is part of this work.

[Devin Barras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the forgotten free people of color in New Orleans. It does a great job describing how and why free people of color emerged in New Orleans. It was no accident this community grew and became a significant cultural and social class of progress and prosperity for the city of New Orleans and Louisiana at large. This tradition is overshadowed by the Americanization of Louisiana and the racial struggles that ensued post-Civil War.

[Marie Hew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool strand of American history that is hardly mentioned outside of Louisiana let alone the South. A slim volume that reads a bit like the history section of a travel guide book. The annotated bibliography is probably the most valuable part of the book. Can't wait until the scholarship in this area expands.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and interesting read on the history of free people of color in New Orleans.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book. answered many questions I had about creole people.

[Robin B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great primer - I had heard about Free People of Color but hadn't learned much about them or their lives. A good starting point for anyone interested in history & race relations.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad introduction, but the errors I saw in the Civil War chapter (the war ends in 1864 in one sentence) were enough to make me wonder about the book as a whole.

[Judith Rozarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great review of folks in NOLA, back in the day.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. An interesting history of the culture of Creoles and other black ethnic groups in New Orleans.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot I didn't know; very accessible writing.