Michel Doswell Menard

b. 28 November 1850, d. circa October 1884
  • Michel Doswell Menard was known as Doswell.
  • Michel Branamour Menard and Rebecca Mary Fluker appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Galveston, Texas. Other members of the household included Michel Doswell Menard, Helen Campbell Bass and Clara C. Bass. The household actually was enumerated on 16 April 1851. It appears that the enumerator ignored the "as of 1 June 1860" instruction, and included young Doswell, aged 3 months.
  • Michel Doswell Menard was born on 28 November 1850 in Galveston, Texas.
  • He was baptized/christened on 23 December 1856 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Galveston, Texas.
  • Rebecca Mary Fluker appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Galveston, Texas. Other members of the household included Michel Doswell Menard, Clara C. Bass and Frank Lipscomb. Clara and Frank Lipscomb also were enumerated in Hempstead, Austin County, in the household of famer Jesse Clary.
  • On Tuesday, 18 February 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Doctor Ramsdell and Lady came this evening," and on the following day, "Doswell Menard Spiritually Examined by Doctor Ramsdell; very Satisfactory to his Mother."
  • The following is a summary record of a letter written 13 January 1865 from New York by Rebecca Menard Thrasher to Archbishop John Mary Odin in New Orleans:
         Mrs. Thrasher came North last September with consent of the Sec(retary) of War at Richmond. Poor Doswell (Ménard) has been for 4 years an epileptic. The past summer she was again ordered from her home in Atlanta, Georgia. Dosie has grown quite tall and says he feels better. She writes about the child of Colonel Ménard, Odin's friend, a man who did good all the day long. Mrs. Thrasher saw her daughter Clara (Thrasher) at Mobile. Clara died September 24 in the Catholic faith. Mr. Thrasher went to Texas to send her means. She has not heard a word from him. Her means are limited and her health failing. (T.W.) Pierce has advanced her some money. She is possessed with the belief that her husband is dead. She asks Odin to write to Mr. Leclerc not to let any of her Galveston property be sold. Leclerc was Colonel Ménard's most trusted friend. In the midst of this her skeptical mind begins to give way to the yearnings of years that she may believe and that she may die in the faith of Colonel Ménard and her Clara. Does Odin think some money could be raised through E.J. Hart of New Orleans by mortgaging some of her property in Galveston? Her address is care of J.R. Bostwick, Bridgeport, Connecticut." [University of Notre Dame Archives]
  • Rebecca Menard Thrasher's letter written to the Archbishop the following day (14 January 1865) is summarized as follows:
         She wrote again to the Archbishop on the following day: Since writing a few days ago she received a letter from a house in Havana telling her they heard from her husband November 26, Houston, and that funds are in their hands subject to her order. Odin will therefore not trouble to see (E.J.) Hart. Her only friend has been T.W. Pierce of Boston. Her prayers for him and Mother Thrasher come easily to her. She prays that Doswell (Ménard) may become worthy of his Father. Dosie is now with another doctor; he believes he will cure him; that is a good thing for epilepsy. She finds it hard to bear the loss of her child Clara (Thrasher). If Sister St. Agnes is in New Orleans, Odin is to tell her that her school pet has passed away. She asks Odin to point out a course of reading on the proofs from the Bible of tenets of the Catholic Church. Her address is care of J.R. Bostwick, Bridgeport, Connecticut. [University of Notre Dame Archives]
  • The following appeared on 22 July 1869 in The Galveston Daily News: Col. J. S. Thrasher favored us with a call yesterday, having come direct from his present home in the city of Norfolk [sic]. The remains of Mrs. Thrasher came to New Orleans by the steamship Bienville, where it was found necessary they should be interred for the present with a view to their removal to this city hereafter.
         Col. Thrasher has the sympathy of a large circle of acquaintances for his sudden bereavement. Mrs. Thrasher's death was only preceded by two days sickness.
         We are glad to learn that her son has recovered his health. He is now traveling with his step-father. Col. T. proposes to return to Galveston in a few months with a view to make it his permanent home. This will be gratifying  intelligence to his many friends here.
  • John Sidney Thrasher appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Galveston, Texas, and a family of domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Michel Doswell Menard.
  • He and Ettie Mary Menard obtained a marriage license on 6 February 1872 in Galveston County, Texas.
  • He married Ettie Mary Menard, daughter of Alfred B. Menard and Virginia Morris, on 7 February 1872 in Galveston County, Texas, first cousins; their fathers were brothers.
  • Michel Doswell Menard appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Galveston, Texas, in the household of house carpenter C. W. Mervin.
  • He and Ettie Mary Menard were divorced circa July 1880 at Galveston County, Texas, (Michel D. Menard vs. Ettie Mary Menard), and partition of property, sale of which was handled by Joshua P. Kindred.
  • Michel Doswell Menard died circa October 1884.
  • The following appeared on 4 October 1884 in the Galveston Daily News: News has reached the city of the death of Mr. Doswell Menard, at Clear Creek. Deceased was the son of M. B. Menard, formerly one of the oldest citizens of Galveston.
  • Inventory and appraisement of his estate were approved and ordered recorded, according the the 19 December 1884 Galveston Daily News.
  • Last Edited: 12 Aug 2014

Family: Ettie Mary Menard b. 11 January 1856, d. 22 January 1917