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Marianne Brion Dubreuil and her family made their mark on New Orleans’ 300-year history. Of African descent, Marianne Dubreuil was born in 1735 and emancipated in 1772. As a successful businesswoman, she accumulated valuable real estate over her lifetime.
Among the wealthiest women in the city, Marianne Dubreuil still faced challenges as a free woman of color. Marianne Dubreuil’s legacy continued with her descendant Henriette Delille, who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family. Currently under consideration for sainthood, Henriette Delille would be the first U.S.-born black person to be recognized as a saint.
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Her ancestor designed the Old Ursuline Convent and is identified as such in the bronze plaque on the front of the bldg. He came here with Bienville and bought a slave Nanette….from the first slave ship. They had five children. Nanette thought he would free them when he died, but he freed no one. Nanette bought her freedom from money she had saved but had to work for 10 years to buy the freedom of her children. Henriette Delille was part of the third or fourth generation from Nanette and Dubrielle.
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