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	Sissy wrote: I will start with Henry Louis and Marie Francoise Gallot Ranson, since for me they have started it all here in the United States. This is the first page of their marriage contract. What is interesting is the inventory taken of Henry Louis estate. The plantation they are speaking of is on a Naval Air Base, which is known as Algiers Point today. My cousin (Marie) and I plan to drive all around the area to see if anything is there today. After all, the plantation was purchased from Bienville. Being that he was the founder of New Orleans, something may still be there signifying such. I'll let you know if anything comes of it.
	Page 2 of above.
	Map showing approximate size (14 arpents) and location (Naval Air Field) of Louis Henri Ranson's Plantation at Algiers Point in 1762 Letter from 1770 (item below) states: "to be delivered to Monsr. Ranson at his plantation about 3/4 League below the Town, on the left going up the river. Apparently a French league was either 2.42 or 2.76 English miles (yes there were two!). My 3/4 leauge uses the latter and is 2.07 miles.
	Louis Ranson or Rançon was a prominent New Orleans merchant who amassed a considerable fortune by the end of the French period and during the 1760s frequently loaned money. In 1770 he became attorney general of Spanish Louisiana and was partner of Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent in the state monopoly of Indian goods. See Clark, New Orleans, 1718-1812, 105, 196.
	Clark, New Orleans, 1718-1812, 105. "Louis Rançon, who became attorney general ("Syndic") of Spanish Louisiana in 1770, frequently loaned money in the 1760's"
	Copied from "Archdiocese of New Orleans, Louisiana Sacramental Records" Volume 2 1751-1771. Note the last name on the bottom is Pierre Zenon. He is the son of Henry Louis and Marie Francoise - one of our grandfathers.
	From a copy of the original document. Henry Louis getting a Royal French Land Grant from the King of France in 1755.
	Explanation of the land grant document above. A Royal French Land Grant, was issued on November 17, 1755 to Louis Ranson and Co. "au vieux vilage de Tabiscanis dans la longue vue des Colapissa" (at the old village of Tabiscanis in the long view of the Colapissa) to establish a cattle ranch. This ranch gave Vacherie its name 225 (245 now) years ago. As of present day, Ranson's grant would extend from Hwy. 20 at the Mississippi River to Oak Alley Plantation and would include all back lands to the waterways.
	Plaque on River Road in Vacherie. "LE PETIT VERSAILLES" Once famed plantation home and gardens of Valcour Aime 1798-1867 Birthplace Marie Francois Alcee Fortier grandson and historian 1856-1914 1768 La Vacherie of DeNoyan Brothers Bienville's Grandnephews of Blanpain, Ranson, Jacquelin 1740's - 50's
	Tree on the Vacherie Property
	The marriages of the two Misses Ranson to Messrs. Emile Fossier and Jules Labatut.

	Large map of the Ranson Tract
	USGS map of the Ranson Tract, using the "Land Grant Lines" (a long red dash and two dots) marked on the Geological Survey map. Some of the lines match exactly with the large old map showing 154 lots (above) The top of the tract is more guesswork, as the waterways have changed considerably and been replaced with canals. The train line seems to be in the same place. The Thumbnail on the left takes you to a 150 dpi JPEG. There is also a link to a 300 dpi JPEG.
	Full Diagram of the Tract (says Ronson Tract)
	Map showing Plantation and Tract in relation to present day New Orleans
	USGS map of plantation, using the "Land Grant Lines" (a long red dash and two dots) marked on the Geological Survey map. The back end of the property is not marked by grant lines, but the canal to the left of the plantation is the "Eighty Arpent Canal" and marks the back boundary of other plantations on that side. The Ranson Plantation was longer, I had to decide how far back it went. The front end shows the land in the river, (as the Land Grant Lines extend there) presumably because the river has moved. I have combined (using some guesswork) 11 separate pieces of property defined by land grant lines, The old river map shows a train line cutting across the plantation, but the present day train line passes below the property. The Thumbnail on the left takes you to a 150 dpi JPEG. There is also a link to a 300 dpi JPEG.
	1 page of a survey on the land, I don't know when it was taken (there is a signature dated 1906 upper left - Paul)
	A poor copy of the Ranson Tract Succession. 1855. You'll be able to see on this document, the names of the heirs and how it was split up. I had to copy it in four pages to blow up the print, it was almost too small to read. Transcribed here
	A story Sissy copied out of one of the River Libraries, (transcribed here) that tells of Louis Ranson (Flavie's husband) building a strategy when the Union Soldiers were trying to invade the lower river parishes during the Civil War. The story is interesting, because that Bayou Des Allemands property had been in his family for so long, that he knew all the wooded areas beyond the river. And, as you will read his plan was successful. In there is a picture of the bridge that was built to accomplish this. At the time, I didn't realize the importance of the source of the book, but next time I go to that library I will get the name of it, so that Cliff can have it for his papers. It is always best to have validation when you put these sort of things together and circulate them.
	"In there is a picture of the bridge that was built to accomplish this."
	7 Death Records from the Courthouse in Edgard 1839 to 1858
	Marriage of Louis and Flavie 1848
	Marriage of Pierre Zenon Sr and Louis Pain, 1795

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