Joseph Peter Pascal (Paul)

The identity of Felicity Paul's father (Joseph Peter Pascal Paul) is shrouded in family legend coupled with some documentation. According to the research of Lorena Phelps Oberly, a descendant, "Joseph Paul Pascal was born in Corsica of a noble family. He was a follower of Napoleon Bonaparte, and was a member of his Body Guard. He was a member of the Legion of Honor founded by Napoleon in 1804. "Some reports say he was a relative of Napoleon. Before the first World War, Lorenzo A. Phelps, his grandson, (a member of the Legion of Honor), received an invitation to attend a centennial celebration in France in his honor, which was subsequently cancelled due to the start of the war. "Joseph Paul Pascal was twice captured, escaping both times. Captured again, he was taken back to be beheaded, but escaped a third time in women's clothing. He fled his native country and came to America, settling in Natchez, Mississippi, about 1815, where he dropped his last name Pascal, and was known thereafter as Joseph Paul. He died in Natchez August, 1829. "He married in Natchez, 1816, Nancy McLaughlin, daughter of Ephraim McLaughlin and his wife, Elizabeth Zane. She was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, 1788, and died in Natchez 1867." I do not have access to Mrs. Oberly's documentation, so this will have to stand as undocumented information.

He was born 29 Jan 1784 in Corsica according to Myra N. Martin, but according to Adams County, Mississippi Sexton Records, Peter Paul died 14 Jan 1829 of "dysentery" at the age of 55. The final documentation that we have for Felicity's father is this 1820 census record. In that census, only the head of the household is named. The others are listed by number according to age. Below is a transcription of the census record together with our tentative identification of those listed.

1820 Federal Census: Mississippi, Adams County, Natchez Township, page 13 Paul, Peter - 200001-20010 male under 10 - William Wev, born 16 Jul 1810 male under 10 - Joseph Wev, born 29 Jan 1815 female under 10 - Mary Ann Paul, born 5 Aug 1817 female under 10 - Pascalena Paul, born 3 Sep 1819 male 45+ - Peter Paul female 26-44 - Nancy Paul

"My father's maternal grandfather was Peter Paul, born in Corsica, and originally Peter Paul (or the Corsican equivalent) Pasqualaile. He dropped the surname in this country and used Paul instead so that my grandmother's name was Nancy Paul. She was born in Natchez, Mississippi.Her mother was Nancy McLaughlin (McLachlan) born in what was then Virginia but is now West Viginia. She first married a man of French descent (Rene La Coste) who died on the boat coming from West Virginia to Natchez. In Natchez she married (Joseph Wev) also apparently of French descent, who also died a few years later after the birth of a son. She then married Peter Paul by whom she had a son and a number of daughters. One was named Pasquelina in memory of her husband's original name. Pasquelina was always called Packey." From a brief handwritten memoir of Elizabeth Henry Kendrick.

Here is his will:

10 Jan 1829 , Chancery Records of Adams County, Mississippi, at Natchez
"In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Paul, of the City of Natchez and State of Mississippi, being weak and sick of body, but of sound and disposing mind, calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life, and knowing that is annointed for all men to die, do make and publish this, my Last Will and Testament in manner and form, viz.:

First, my will and desire is that all my just debts be truly and honestly paid.

Secondly, I give and bequesth unto my beloved wife, Nancy, all my estate, both real and personal, to dispose of at her own will and pleasure, during her natural life, and for the use and support of herself and her children, and at her death to be equally divided among all her children. Thirdly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Nancy to be my whole and sole Executrix of this, my Last Will and Testament, revoking all former wills by me heretofore made, ratifying this and none other to be my Last will and Testament. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this 10th day of January, 1829  His Peter X Paul Mark

Signed and acknowledged by Peter Paul, the Testator, in presence of us, who subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.  J. H. Hedges, G. Hail, Josper X (His Mark) Farber.