Evelina Collins, a free woman of color, claims that her two children, Valentine Azelie and Jean Baptiste Lebray Gonor, are the “duly acknowledged” illegitimate children of the late Julien C. Gonor, with whom she lived as a “concubine” for “a number of years.” Evelina further claims that, by a public notarial act passed on the 26th of April 1855, Julien Gonor gave Valentine Azelie a lot of ground, with “buildings & improvements.” She now charges that one Joseph Hollier, “styling himself” Administrator of the late Gonor’s estate, has caused the said land to be inventoried with the estate and advertised for sale on the 31st of July 1855 for the benefit of the legal heirs. Evelina therefore seeks an order enjoining Joseph Hollier and Ulysse Gaberel, the auctioneer, from proceeding with the sale. She prays that the donation to Valentine Azelie be declared “good, and valid.” She also seeks $250 in damages. Finally, she argues that, should the donation be declared invalid, she is entitled to receive an annual alimony of $400 from the estate so that her children can be instructed in an “art, or trade,” by which they will be able to “earn their own subsistence." Evelina sues not only Joseph Hollier and Ulysse Gaberel but the late Gonor's father, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, all legal heirs all legal heirs to his estate.
Result: Partially granted.
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Repository: St. Landry Parish Courthouse, Opelousas, Louisiana
