The Salvant family’s history in Louisiana is a testament to resilience, community building, and entrepreneurial spirit. Spanning generations, their legacy is marked by significant contributions to both rural and urban landscapes, as well as their enduring impact on the state’s cultural and economic fabric. While specific details about their land holdings, often referred to as the “Salvant plantation,” are not readily available online, their story is preserved through genealogy records, historical societies, oral histories, and the broader narrative of Louisiana’s history.
Constantine Salvant: The Patriarch
Constantine Salvant, born in 1822 in Louisiana as the son of Jean Salvant, was a sugar cane plantation owner in Jesuit Bend, Plaquemines Parish. He married Rose Smith, a mulatto woman, and records suggest evidence of a formal marriage despite the era’s complexities. Together, they had five sons and two daughters:
Sons: William, June, Butler, George, and one unnamed brother killed in a sugar cane accident. A fifth brother, possibly the one who passed for white, owned a carriage business in New Orleans.
Daughters: Rebecca (married into the Shief family) and Rose (married into the Verrett family, lived in Algiers, New Orleans).
Constantine and his family were Cajun, speaking French, and developed skills like carpentry among the sons. Uncle Butler later moved to Henderson Avenue with his mother before relocating to Cleveland, Ohio. The family’s roots tie into post-Civil War land ownership patterns, possibly near the Sarah Plantation, reflecting smaller holdings acquired in the 19th century.
Urban Influencers: The Carrollton Connection
The Salvant family’s influence was not confined to rural areas. In New Orleans’ Carrollton neighborhood, they owned land that later housed a building at 1531 South Carrollton Avenue. This property ownership highlights their role in the city’s urban development, demonstrating their adaptability and foresight in navigating the economic and social shifts of the post-Civil War era. Their presence in Carrollton illustrates a broader impact, extending their legacy from rural landownership to urban real estate, contributing to the growth of one of New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods.
William Salvant: A Life of Craftsmanship and Faith
William Salvant, one of Constantine’s sons, was born around 1868 in Jesuit Bend, Plaquemines Parish, a small Cajun town near Grand Isle and Avery Island. As a skilled carpenter, William and his brothers (June, Butler, George) were likely apprenticed, benefiting from their father’s provisions. William spoke fondly of his mother but less of his father, though oral histories indicate fair treatment.
William married and had eight children: Ellen (Nellie), Selina Rebecca (Kicka), Virginia (Honk), William Jr. (Brother), Georgia Adele (Dinah), Agnes (TeeTa), Lois (Sis), and Edward (Eddie). There was also a stillborn or miscarriage. The family lived in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where William owned a house and adjacent property, heated by fireplaces, with chickens for food and no indoor plumbing initially.
A successful carpenter, William’s family portraits suggest prosperity uncommon among Black Southerners. He preached at the Methodist church in Pass Christian and transitioned in 1967 at 99 years and 6 months, buried there. Described as peaceful, he looked forward to death’s rest. Raised Catholic like many in New Orleans, he may have converted later.
His wife was a typical housewife, working later as head cook for the wealthy Hecht family in Pass Christian (summer home; Mr. Hecht founded Hibernia Bank). The Hechts gifted cashmere sweaters, chocolates, fruit baskets at Christmas, and watermelons on July 4th. All Salvant children and some grandchildren worked at the Hecht Estate.
Family gatherings every Sunday fostered close bonds. The Salvants were open and frank, with a “Salvant mood” meaning no visits needed—just contact when traveling. Kicka worked for Elmer’s Candy in New Orleans, possibly passing for white.
Pioneers of Ironton: A Beacon of Hope
In the aftermath of the Civil War, as formerly enslaved individuals sought to forge new lives, the Salvant family played a pivotal role in founding and developing Ironton, a community located downriver from New Orleans. Ironton emerged as a thriving hub for Black Louisianans, symbolizing resilience and self-determination during a period of profound social change. The Salvants’ involvement in this community underscores their commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among their peers. Their efforts helped establish Ironton as a beacon of hope, reflecting the broader aspirations of Black communities in post-Civil War Louisiana.
Urban Influencers: The Carrollton Connection
The Salvant family’s influence was not confined to rural areas. In New Orleans’ Carrollton neighborhood, they owned land that later housed a building at 1531 South Carrollton Avenue. This property ownership highlights their role in the city’s urban development, demonstrating their adaptability and foresight in navigating the economic and social shifts of the post-Civil War era. Their presence in Carrollton illustrates a broader impact, extending their legacy from rural landownership to urban real estate, contributing to the growth of one of New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods.
Entrepreneurs at Heart: A Lasting Legacy
The entrepreneurial spirit of the Salvant family is evident in their long-standing involvement in local businesses. A notable example is The Bug Man Pest Control, founded by Paul and Jim Salvant in 1978, which continues a tradition started by their father, Jim Salvant, who owned a pest control business earlier. This enduring business acumen reflects the family’s ability to innovate and sustain their legacy across generations. Their contributions to Louisiana’s economy through such enterprises highlight their role as not only community builders but also economic contributors, adapting to changing times while maintaining a strong family legacy.
Preserving History: The Importance of Archives
While specific records of the “Salvant plantation” are not readily accessible online, the family’s history is meticulously preserved through genealogy records and historical societies. Websites like MyHeritage and Ancestry.com provide glimpses into the lives of Joseph Salvant (brother of Constantine, born 1815 in Plaquemines, married Marie Josephine Veillon, had eight children, died 1895 in New Orleans) and his descendants, tracing their roots back to the 19th century. Another Joseph Salvant, born around 1899, was documented in the 1940 U.S. Census living in Jefferson, Louisiana. Oral histories from family members like Evelyn Terrell Gaddis and Yvonne Henry Fields add personal details.
Moreover, institutions such as the Louisiana Historical Society and The Historic New Orleans Collection hold archives that could provide deeper insights into the family’s land holdings and contributions to Louisiana’s history. The Louisiana Historical Society, founded in 1835, maintains colonial records, while The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Spanish Louisiana Land Grants database (1767–1840) documents land surveys and acts of sale, potentially relevant to the Salvants’ land ownership. Researchers interested in exploring these archives can contact the Louisiana Historical Center at the Old U.S. Mint for access to primary source materials.
A Broader Historical Context
The Salvant family’s story is woven into the larger narrative of Louisiana’s history, as documented in various historical books. Works like Louisiana: A History by Bennett H. Wall and others provide a comprehensive overview of the state’s history from before European contact through modern times. Similarly, Firsthand Louisiana: Primary Sources in the History of the State, edited by Janet Allured, John Keeling, and Michael S. Martin, compiles firsthand accounts covering significant events such as the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. While these books may not specifically mention the Salvants, they offer context for understanding the social and economic landscape in which the family lived and thrived, particularly during the post-Civil War period when Black communities like Ironton were established.
The Salvants’ land ownership likely began in the 19th century, as evidenced by genealogy records mentioning Joseph Moliere Salvant (1815–1895). Their proximity to the Sarah Plantation, noted in historical records, suggests they were part of the complex land ownership patterns in Louisiana during this period. The absence of a named “Salvant plantation” in lists of well-known Louisiana plantations, such as those on Wikipedia, indicates that their land holdings may have been smaller or less formally documented, possibly acquired during the American period after the Spanish colonial era (1767–1803). Census data shows inconsistencies in dates and names, with oral histories and family Bibles providing more reliable insights.
Table: Key Historical Resources for Salvant Family Research
| Resource | Description | Relevance to Salvant Family | Access Information |
| MyHeritage | Genealogy platform with records of Joseph Salvant, Constantine Salvant, and descendants | Provides family lineage details, tracing back to the 19th century, including Constantine’s children | MyHeritage |
| Ancestry.com | Census and genealogy records, including 1940 U.S. Census data for Joseph Salvant | Offers insights into family members’ lives, locations, and inconsistencies in historical data | Ancestry.com |
| Louisiana Historical Society | Oldest historical organization in Louisiana, preserving colonial records | May hold records related to land ownership, community contributions, and Jesuit Bend public records | Louisiana Historical Society |
| The Historic New Orleans Collection | Database of Spanish Louisiana Land Grants (1767–1840) | Potential source for land records, though may not cover post-1803 holdings | The Historic New Orleans Collection |
| Louisiana Division of Administration | Historical Records Search with land grants and patents | Could contain 19th-century land records relevant to the Salvants | Louisiana Division of Administration |
| Family Oral Histories | Accounts from descendants like Evelyn Terrell Gaddis and Yvonne Henry Fields | Adds personal details on William Salvant, siblings, and daily life | Contact family members or Salvant Family Reunion groups |
Conclusion
The Salvant family’s story is one of resilience, community building, and entrepreneurial spirit. From Constantine’s plantation roots in Jesuit Bend to William’s carpentry and preaching in Pass Christian, and their pivotal role in establishing Ironton and contributing to New Orleans’ urban development, the Salvants have left an indelible mark on Louisiana’s history. Their entrepreneurial legacy continues through modern businesses like The Bug Man Pest Control, reflecting their ability to adapt and thrive across generations. While specific details about their land holdings may require further research through local archives, their history is preserved in genealogy records, historical societies, and oral traditions, and their story is part of the broader narrative of Louisiana’s past, as documented in key historical texts. As we continue to explore and document their legacy, we honor the memory of those who came before us and inspire future generations to carry on their spirit of innovation and community service.