Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
30°52′15"N 91°12′52"W
Feliciana Parish is a former parish of Louisiana
, formed in 1810 from West Florida
territory. It was divided in 1824 into East Feliciana Parish
and West Feliciana Parish
. Feliciana is a Spanish word meaning Happy Land. It originated in 1775 and was named by Spanish Governor Galvez. The town of Jackson
was founded in 1815 as the Seat of Justice for Feliciana Parish before the parish was divided into East and West. The town also served as a land office and as a center for learning and culture. Legend holds that the town was originally called Bear Corners for the many wild black bears crossing nearby Thompson's Creek, and that it eventually took its name from General Andrew Jackson
, who reportedly camped there with his troops on a return trip north.
"Feliciana" was part of a region whose history paralleled that of the West Florida Territory.
Aboriginal residents here were Tunica Indians who had previously usurped the native Houmas. Later, the Spanish appeared, laying claim to the territory by right of exploration, until 1699. The French were not far behind, for LaSalle having explored the Mississippi River
in 1682, claimed all the lands drained by it in the name of Louis XIV.
In 1763, at the French and Indian War's end, Spain
ceded Florida to England
, and France
ceded Louisiana and the Isle of Orleans to Spain. The area that is now East and West Feliciana was claimed by England as part of the Florida Territory and thus, the name West Florida came into being.
Encouraged by land grants, emigrants, mainly from the English colonies, or from Britain, poured into West Florida to populate the frontier. By 1775, many British loyalists migrated here, establishing large, prosperous plantations.
Covering West Florida, Spain supported American colonists hoping to regain lost American territory. Bernado de Galvez, Louisiana's Spanish governor, recruited troops for surprise attacks on Fort Bute and Baton Rouge, both of which soon capitulated. Thus, West Florida became Spanish again, remaining so until 1810.
In 1800, Spain was compelled to cede Louisiana back to France and, in 1803, Napoleon sold Louisiana to the United States. West Florida, however, was not included since the Louisiana Purchase was vague as to defining Louisiana's eastern boundary. Though President Jefferson insisted that West Florida was American, the Spanish denied this and continued their occupation.
Feliciana settlers, unhappy under Spanish rule, revolted in 1810 and established the short-lived Republic of West Florida. They petitioned President Madison to annex the area. Their request was honored when, in October 1810, West Florida was declared part of the Louisiana Purchase and an American possession.
The United States formed the Feliciana County, later separated to form four parishes...Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena and St. Tammany. In 1812, Louisiana was admitted to the Union with the parish of Feliciana included.
Addressing complaints that citizens of western Feliciana Parish found it difficult to travel during bad weather to the east, Louisiana separated the area into two parishes... East and West Feliciana.
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...
, formed in 1810 from West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
territory. It was divided in 1824 into East Feliciana Parish
East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
East Feliciana Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Clinton. In 2000, the population was 21,360.East Feliciana Parish is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical...
and West Feliciana Parish
West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,111 people, 3,645 households, and 2,704 families residing in the parish. The population density was 37 people per square mile . There were 4,485 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
. Feliciana is a Spanish word meaning Happy Land. It originated in 1775 and was named by Spanish Governor Galvez. The town of Jackson
Jackson, Louisiana
Jackson is a town in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,130 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
was founded in 1815 as the Seat of Justice for Feliciana Parish before the parish was divided into East and West. The town also served as a land office and as a center for learning and culture. Legend holds that the town was originally called Bear Corners for the many wild black bears crossing nearby Thompson's Creek, and that it eventually took its name from General Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, who reportedly camped there with his troops on a return trip north.
"Feliciana" was part of a region whose history paralleled that of the West Florida Territory.
Aboriginal residents here were Tunica Indians who had previously usurped the native Houmas. Later, the Spanish appeared, laying claim to the territory by right of exploration, until 1699. The French were not far behind, for LaSalle having explored the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in 1682, claimed all the lands drained by it in the name of Louis XIV.
In 1763, at the French and Indian War's end, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
ceded Florida to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
ceded Louisiana and the Isle of Orleans to Spain. The area that is now East and West Feliciana was claimed by England as part of the Florida Territory and thus, the name West Florida came into being.
Encouraged by land grants, emigrants, mainly from the English colonies, or from Britain, poured into West Florida to populate the frontier. By 1775, many British loyalists migrated here, establishing large, prosperous plantations.
Covering West Florida, Spain supported American colonists hoping to regain lost American territory. Bernado de Galvez, Louisiana's Spanish governor, recruited troops for surprise attacks on Fort Bute and Baton Rouge, both of which soon capitulated. Thus, West Florida became Spanish again, remaining so until 1810.
In 1800, Spain was compelled to cede Louisiana back to France and, in 1803, Napoleon sold Louisiana to the United States. West Florida, however, was not included since the Louisiana Purchase was vague as to defining Louisiana's eastern boundary. Though President Jefferson insisted that West Florida was American, the Spanish denied this and continued their occupation.
Feliciana settlers, unhappy under Spanish rule, revolted in 1810 and established the short-lived Republic of West Florida. They petitioned President Madison to annex the area. Their request was honored when, in October 1810, West Florida was declared part of the Louisiana Purchase and an American possession.
The United States formed the Feliciana County, later separated to form four parishes...Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena and St. Tammany. In 1812, Louisiana was admitted to the Union with the parish of Feliciana included.
Addressing complaints that citizens of western Feliciana Parish found it difficult to travel during bad weather to the east, Louisiana separated the area into two parishes... East and West Feliciana.
Adjacent parishes/counties
- Wilkinson County, MississippiWilkinson County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,312 people, 3,578 households, and 2,511 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 5,106 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...
(north) - Amite County, MississippiAmite County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,599 people, 5,271 households, and 3,879 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile . There were 6,446 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
(northeast) - St. Helena ParishSt. Helena Parish, LouisianaSt. Helena Parish is a parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Greensburg. As of 2000, its population was 10,525.St. Helena Parish is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical Area.-History:For the past...
(east) - East Baton Rouge ParishEast Baton Rouge Parish, LouisianaEast Baton Rouge Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Baton Rouge, Louisiana's state capital. As of the 2010 census, the population was 440,171. The parish has a total area of , of which is land and is water. It is the most populous parish in the state...
(south) - Pointe Coupee ParishPointe Coupee Parish, LouisianaPointe Coupee Parish, pronounced "Pwent Koo-Pay" and , is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Roads. As of 2000, the population was 22,763....
(west) - Avoyelles ParishAvoyelles Parish, LouisianaAvoyelles is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Marksville. In 2000, its population was 41,481. The parish is named for the Avoyel Indian tribe.-History:...
(northwest) - Concordia ParishConcordia Parish, LouisianaConcordia Parish borders the Mississippi River in eastern Louisiana. The parish seat is Vidalia. As of 2000, the population was 20,247. It is part of the Natchez, MS–LA Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Prehistory:...
(northwest)