On September 2, 1847, approximately 166 years ago, Martin DONATO, a free man of color and prominent planter in the town of Opelousas, Louisiana, left behind the wishes of his last will testament which left behind a puzzling mystery as to why he wanted to give liberty to 12 slaves upon his death which happened on 2 Jan 1848. In the wishes of his last will and testament, it was stated that immediately after his death, he wanted to give freedom to the following slaves who were Julie, age about 32 years, and her seven children to-wit, EUGENIE aged about 14 years, EMILE aged about 12 years, URANIE aged about 11 years,FELICIANNE and FELICIE twin sisters aged about 8 years, PHILOMENE aged about 4 years, DIDIER aged about 1 year three months, and to MEURICE& OLYMPIE, twins sisters, age about twenty years and to MARIE JEANNE, daughter of OLYMPIE age about 2 years more or less. In Consideration of the recommendation that was made to Martin by his late deceased son Edmond DONATO, Martin also gave freedom to his Mulatto slave named Leon age about 19 years (Son of Rosine).
Martin also mentioned the free status that was given to Sabin DONATO (son of his Negresse Celeste) who was given his freedom at birth by Martin and his deceased wife. Martin DONATO also firmly declared that if any of his heirs would contest to his wishes, they would be disinherited from his will.
Although Martin made it clear that he wanted these certain slaves freed, he never specified the reason he wanted to liberate these slaves or the relationship he had with the which could only make one assume if Martin DONATO the father? grandfather? or their Uncle? Not only did Martin requested for them to be freed, he also ensured that Julie’s seven children was to be given the security of a great future by making sure that the executor of his estate, his son Auguste DONATO, funded their education by giving them money for his estate.
Throughout the years of researching along with the help of relatives, Catholic and Church records, I was able to find answers as to why Martin freed those 12 slaves. I was able to confirm that all those slaves were all blood related to him. Julie as I thought, became Martin’s concubine upon his wife’s death. Catholic marriages of her children has proven Martin as the father: DONATO, Marie Philomene (Martin & Julie RAPHAEL) m. 8 Feb. 1872 Alexandre OLIVIER(Honore & Francoise FRILOT); CUNY, Louis B. (Cesar & Celeste THIERRY) m. 25 July 1861 Felice DONATO(Martin & Julie DONATO) (Opel. Ch.: v. 2, p. 322).
As for my ancestor Olympe DONATO, and her twin sister Meurice, their family relationship to Martin was confirmed in the succession of Sabin DONATO, where Martin’s former physician, Frederick ACHER of France petitioned against Sabin’s wife to give his natural (illegitimate) daughters, Anaise, Valentine and Marie ACHER, children of the late Meurice DONATO, to inherit an equal share of their late Uncle Sabin’s estate. Dr. ACHER called for a family meeting of his children’s nearest relatives which consisted of Martin DONATO’s son, Francois Auguste DONATO, pere [Sr.] his sons, Francois Auguste DONATO, fils, [Jr.] and Gustave DONATO, Martin’s grandsons Martin LEMELLE, Joseph Delmont DONATO and Conrnelius DONATO. The men who came to the family meeting for the security of Meurice DONATO’s children has definitely substantiated there was a family connection between Olympe and Meurice DONATO. I would later find another documentation to prove who the father of the twins, however you have to purchase the book for more 🙂
Illustration done by Shoshwoenikkwa THOMAS with Bellas Art
Martin BELLO-DONATO
In addition to connecting the families, I have discovered that two of my Cousin’s Paul GEORGE, NBA all-star and Olympic gold medalists, and Joe YOUNG are descendants of Olympe DONATO and Meurice DONATO.
Paul GEORGE with his young Cousin Joe YOUNG
Photo collection of Clovis OLIVIER, son of Philomene DONATO, Martins daughter
Me and my daughter Aviynna with our Cousin Neddie GEORGE, great-great-great granddaughter of Meurice DONATO
Me with my young Cousin Joe YOUNG in 2016 after the Pacers vs. Rockets in Houston, Texas
Me with my Cousins Rodney SAM, great-great-great grandson of Olympe DONATO with Nell PAINTER, scholar and author, great-great granddaughter of Emile DONATO, son of Martin DONATO and Julie.
Me with my Cousin Allison ARCENEAUX, great-great-great granddaughter of Meurice DONATO
Me with descendants of Meurice DONATO going over family photos
I learned a new term….
Mullatress! Lol
We history people here in Erwin,
NORTH CAROLINA ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, I AM SPREADING YOUR NAME AROUND HERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE INSPIRE US TO DIG DEEPER. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE TRYING TO PUT OUR HISTORY HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
Excellent article and very well written Alex. The pics are great. Thank you for sharing..
Hello Alex, were cousins
My Great Grandmother is Celeste Bridgette Donatto Gagne. Francois Alcide Donatto daughter from Ames Texas. Please send me more information , I would like to meet with you and see anything you can share for our history. I live in Atascosita near the Airport, I have tons of family members and we had a reunion during Thanksgiving. Most of them have now clue on our history. Please email me asap!!!!!
Colombo Donatto was Alcide Donatto Father
Francois Donatto Bello was Colombo father
Need to put the puzzle together. Thanks Cuz
Philomene is my 4x great grandmother, as I come from the Frilots. Please reach out to me, I would love to speak to you!
That would make us kin.
Philommine is my 3x grandmother. Her only son is my 2x grandfather. My moms grandfather.
Martin is my moms great great grandfather. Clovis is her grandfather. Philommine is her great grandmother.
I think we might be cousins. My great-great grandmother’s maiden name was Augusta Donato, and some of my relatives, according to my grandmother, changed their names to Donat.