From the colonial days of New Orleans to the present time, a unique group of people has contributed to the most European city in America. They were the "Gens de Couleur Libres", the Free People of Color. Today, commonly known as "Creoles" or "Creoles of Color", their descendants live in all parts of the country. Some have kept the language and culture bestowed upon them by their ancestors, some have lost this heritage to a more "American" way of life. The purpose of this web site is to educate others about the Creoles of the 19th century and to help present day Creoles learn more of their wonderfully rich heritage.

From the earliest days of New Orleans history, free persons of color have coexisted with those of European extraction. Some were former slaves who were able to buy their freedom. City dwelling slave masters would often "lease out" slaves for manual labor along the docks and to other businesses in need of labor. Slaves would be allowed to keep a portion of fees charged to "lessors" for themselves, eventually allowing them to buy their freedom. Children of slave women and white owners were often given their freedom either upon the death of the father or while still young. Thousands of free people of color arrived in New Orleans from Saint- Domingue (now Haiti) after the Slave revolts in the late 1700's and early 1800's. Many also came to New Orleans by way of Cuba after 1809. Although they did not have all of the rights of their white counterparts, many free people of color prospered in 19th century New Orleans As of the 1850's, The Free People of Color owned over 2 million dollars worth of property. Much of it in the Faubourg (neighborhood) Treme . (Also see Here)

Next Page of History >>>>