Louisiana’s Commemoration of the Battle of Baton Rouge and Tribute to Bernardo de Galvez.

Date September 23, 2024

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I was honored to be one of three featured guest speakers at this year’s Louisiana’s Commemoration of Bernardo de Galvez and the Battle of Baton Rouge held at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center on Sept 17, 2024.

It was a special time for me and several members of my family who were also in attendance. My mother Frances Henderson, a member of the New Orleans Chapter DAR, sister Cynthia Henderson, sister, Jane Bronner, a member of the Atlanta Chapter, Georgia Society DAR, and my wife Anita to the right in the photo joined Me with others guest seated at my family’s table, Russ Godwin, President, Louisana Society SAR, Linda and Cliff Normand, former Registrar of the Louisiana Society SAR were also present commemorate this wonderful historic event.

We were all pleased to also join in welcoming President General, Pamela Rouse Wright as she too, joined the Louisiana State Society, Daughters, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Los Granaderos y Damas de Galvez La Luisiana to commemorate, Bernardo de Galvez and the Battle of Baton Rouge victory against British Forces.

At the noon luncheon, I shared briefly the importance and significant discovery of my 4th generation great-grandmother Agnes Mathieu’s manumission (Freedom papers) which was signed by the then Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor and General Bernardo de Galvez on Dec 16th, 1779 just 80 days after the victory at the Battle at of Battle Rouge on Sept 21, 1779. I also spoke briefly about the challenges, I faced during my research as I journeyed through my family’s historical connections to both the French and Spanish Colonial Louisiana slave past. Finding four Spanish Colonial Louisiana slave manumission documents between 1763-1800 allowed me to appreciate the value of knowing what Spain and its governing body in Spanish Colonial Louisiana did for my ancestors in providing a pathway to freedom, well before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and Louisiana became a state in 1812.

I also spoke briefly about the discovery of my first Louisiana Patriot ancestors named Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo, a French National who signed an oath of Allegiance to Spain on Aug 26, 1769, shortly after the Insurrection of 1768 and within ten years later would end up serving in the third company of New Orleans Militia (Artillery), and how he too played a significant role in assisting Agnes in gaining her freedom. The story of these two ancestors has forever linked our family ancestral history to both Spanish Colonial Louisiana’s slavery and Spain’s role in providing a pathway to Freedom for their enslaved population. Learn more about the story from the transcript of Galvez Papers.

Following my presentation, I was honored to be presented with the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1776 – 2026 DAR American 250! Commendation Certificate and Medal for “Demonstration of Extraordinary Effort in Raising Awareness of Revolutionary Patriots and America’s 250th Anniversary”.

Afterward, my 95-year-old mother whom I dedicated in my award-winning book, GOT PROOF! My Genealogy Journey Through The Use Of Documentation, by the following “To my mother, Frances Jane Henderson who kept records of family members long enough for me to come of age and discover the importance of knowing from whom and where we have come”. As a tribute to her I decided that during his historic occasion and our attendance at this event, I would gift my Mother, a Life Membership and Pin in the National Society DAR. It was graciously presented to her, at the Luncheon by the Louisiana Society State Regent, Cheryl GOTT, and the President General, Pamela Rouse Wright. I am forever grateful to LSDAR Regent Gott and PG Wright for making this moment very special for me and our family. You are invited to hear LSDAR Regent Gott’s, comments, and presentations given to my mother and me.

The Mom’s Life Membership certificate in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Family photo with Jane Bronner, Cynthia Henderson, President Genera DAR Pamela Rouse Wright, Frances Henderson, Louisiana State Society DAR Regent, CherylGott, Anita Henderson, and Michael Henderson.

Here are a few more photos of friends who attended the morning symposium, luncheon, and the Battle of Baton Rouge Victory Banquet later that evening.

Next Photo below: Maria Isabel Page, Honorary Consul of Spain, New Orleans, Louisana, Michael N. Henderson, LCDR, USN. Ret. Past -President, Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society, SAR, Anita Henderson, and a member of the Damas de Galvez.

Next Photo Below: (L-R) Maria Isabel Page, Honorary Consul of Spain, New Orleans, Louisana, President General DAR, Pamela Rouse Wright, Louisiana State Society DAR Regent, Cheryl Gott, Ann Reynolds Bergeron, Governor, Los Granaderos y Damas de Galvez La Luisiana

Next photo below: Mom and Jane having a little fun.

Next Photo (L-R) President General, Pamala Rouse Wright, Jane Bronner, Atlanta chapter DAR, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Cynthia Henderson.

Next photo below (l-R). Jane Broner, Atlanta Chapter Georgia Society DAR, John R. Espinosa, Governor General, Los Granaderos y Damas de Galvez, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter, Louisiana Society DAR, Cynthia Henderson, Lea Evans, Vice-Regent, Louisiana Society DAR

Next Photo John R. Espinosa, Governor General, Los Granaderos y Damas de Galvez, President General Pamela Wright, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Louisiana State Society DAR Regent, Cheryl Gott, Michael N. Henderson, LCDR USN Ret. Past0President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georiga Society SAR.

Photo below: (L-R). Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, President General Pamela Wright, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Michael N. Henderson, LCDR USN Ret. Past0President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georiga Society SAR. Louisiana State Society DAR Regent, Cheryl Gott,

Photo of the family who attended the event with me: Jane Bronner, Cynthia Henderson, Anita Henderson, Me Bottom Row: President General Pamela Rouse Wright, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Louisiana State Society DAR Regent, Cheryl Gott. This was a beautiful experience at the 2024 Louisiana Commemoration of Bernardo de Galvez and the Battle of Baton Rouge. Congratulations to all who made this event successful. Viva Galvez

To learn more about Spain’s support and contribution to the Patriot cause for freedom and independence from Great Britain, especially while under the Command of the Spanish Colonial Louisiana, Governor Bernardo de Galvez. See here: Spanish support for the American Revolution

New Orleans, Welcomes Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano

I recently attended a reception with several family members on May 20, 2024, at the New Orleans Cabildo hosted by Maria Isabel Page, the Honorary Consul of Spain in New Orleans, Susan Maclay, Interim Director Louisiana State Museum and the Order of Granaderos y Damas de Galvez – La Luisiana Chapter to a celebrate of history on the occasion of the arrival at the Port of New Orleans of the Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano.

It was also an opportunity for the Louisiana State Museum, Susan Maclay to welcome guests in attendance who represented various members within the community who shared a rich and diverse heritage and connection to Spanish Colonial Louisiana’s History then and now.

Governor Emeritus Robert Freeman of the Order of Granaderos y Damas de Galvez-La Luisiana Chapter, and in the role of Governor Bernardo de Galvez, provided the audience with an overview of Spanish Colonial Louisiana’s contribution to the American Revolution. Robert spoke also about various events that have been held in the City of New Orleans in and around various, areas in the State of Louisiana. He also shared additional programs the Cabildo has hosted.

He spoke about other upcoming events planned for America 250 as they related to Louisiana’s contribution to the American Revolution. Starting on April 9, 2025, Louisiana- America 250, will Bienvenue a General Lafayette! Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit to New Orleans. It will be an Educational and inspirational Louisiana State Museum Exhibition opening in the Cabildo on Jackson Square.

One such event was called “Recovered Memories, Spanish Colonial Louisiana Role in the American Revolution” held at the Cabildo in New Orleans during the 300th Year, Tricentennial Celebration in 2018. Robert also shared information on another significant document, that was part of the Spanish Colonial document collection during this special exhibition. It was, the Manumission papers signed by the Spanish Colonial Governor Bernardo de Galvez granting FREEDOM to an enslaved woman named Agnes Mathieu. Little did the guest in attendance know at that moment, several descendants were present during his presentation.

Followed by yet another America 250- Louisiana Contribution to the American Revolution: Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish General, Louisiana Governor, and American Hero. A Louisiana State Museum Exhibition Coming to the Cabildo in 2026

Afterward, Maria Isabel Page, Honorary Consul of Spain in New Orleans, spoke briefly about Spanish Colonial Louisiana and Bernardo de Galvez’s support and role as an American Hero in the American Revolution. Also, share a moment of gratitude for what Galvez did to one particular enslaved female in New Orleans during his time as Governor of the Spanish Colonial of Louisiana.

She then spoke to the audience of several individuals attending the reception and to my surprise called me forward to accept a special recognition from the Kingdom of Spain, because of my ancestral research documenting my family to that enslaved female named Agnes Mathieu, who told a story from a descendant perspective crediting Bernardo de Galvez for having done this and linked my family’s lineage to a French ancestor who served in the local New Orleans Militia under the command of the Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor and General Bernardo de Galvez.

I was called forward and presented, in recognition of outstanding achievement for, the preservation of the history and culture of the Kingdom of Spain a Certificate.

I was asked to provide a few remarks about the significance of my ancestor’s story. One that could be summarized simply by my discovery of a Spanish Colonial Louisiana document with the signature of the Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor Bernardo de Galvez affixed. This document granted the Freedom of my 4th Generation Great-Grandmother name, Agnes Mathieu. Agnes took advantage of the Spanish slave laws called Coartacion which gave her the right under Spanish Law (the right to self-purchase her Freedom). She sought further assistance from her consort, a French National from Marseille, France named Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo who had ended up Immigrating to Spanish Colonial Louisiana sometime before 1765. He later was involved in the local New Orleans Militia in the artillery unit under the command of the Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor Bernardo de Galvez. Galvez had just returned to New Orleans after successfully defeating the British forces at Baton Rouge on Sept 21, 1779. He, Galvez ended up signing the Freedom paper of Agnes Mathieu on Dec 16, 1779. View the PBS segment that captured part of our ancestor’s story during Spanish Colonial Louisiana in the Galvez Papers

Afterward, I presented Captain Luis Carreras Presas-Do Campo, Commanding Officer of the Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, a signed copy of my Memoir, GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation.

What also, made this wonderful event memorable was having several of my family members present. My mother, Frances Henderson from which I have traced our ancestral lineage to Agnes Mathieu. She is a member of the New Orleans Chapter, LSDAR. My youngest sister, Jane Frances Bronner. She too is a member of the Atlanta Chapter, of Georgia Society DAR. Her chapter is Celebrating its 133rd anniversary this year. Maria Isabel Page, Honorary Consul of Spain was also given a signed copy of my Memoir, GOT PROOF!

Captain Luis Carreras Presas-Do Campo, Commanding Officer of the Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano was personally welcomed to New Orleans by Susan Maclay, Interim Director of Louisiana State Museum. And presented with a Gift.

Captain Luis Carreras Presas-Do Campo, and one of his officers presenting Susan Maclay, Interim Director Louisiana State Museum a framed photo of the Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano

Here are a few other Photos taken during the evening-long event: (L-R, Anthony Henderson ( Member of the Atlanta Chapter, Georgia Society SAR, Cynthia Henderson, Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, Michael Henderson, LCDR, USN, Ret. Past- President Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR, Frances Jane Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR, Anita Henderson (my wife), Albert Henderson ( My Dad).

Next Pictures ( L-R) Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, Mary Anthony Startz, National Chair, Specialty Research Committee DAR, Michael N. Henderson, LCDR, USN, Ret. Past- President Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR

Next Group Photo (L-R) Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, Cynthia Henderson, Anita Henderson, Captain Luis Carreras Presas-Do Campo, Michael N. Henderson LCDR USN Ret. Past- President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society SAR, Maria Page, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Spain, New Orleans, La., Anthony Henderson, Atlanta Chapter SAR, Mrs. Monique Kennedy, John R. Espinosa, Governor General Los Granderos y Damas de Galvez And Seated ( France Jane Henderson, And Albert Henderson.

Next photo one of the Officers from the military training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano viewing the Commendation presented to me, as my wife, Anita also shares in this amazing moment.

Photo below: (L-R) Anita and Michael Henderson taking a moment to capture a photo in front of Galvez Signature in LSM Archives. This is a reference, to my fourth-generation great-grandmother Agnes Mathieu Manumission, signed on December 16, 1779, by the Spanish Colonial Governor, Bernard de Galvez.

Photo below: Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, and two guests in attendance.

Photo Below: (L-R) Mr. Anselmo R. Rodriguez Manzo, President at Hispanic Roots USA Foundation, Mr. Raymond Berthelot, Historic Sites District Manager, Louisiana Office of State Parks, Dept of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Michael N. Henderson, LCDR, USN Ret. Past-President, Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution and Maria Page, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Spain, New Orleans, La.

Next photo of the Ladies having fun at the event (L-R) Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, Frances Henderson, New Orleans Chapter DAR.

Next Photo Below: A few other guests with Capt Luis Carreras Presas-Do Campo, Commanding Officer of the Spanish Military Training Ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, and Maria Page, Honorary Consul of the King of Spain

Next photo below: (L-R). Jane Bronner, Atlanta Chapter DAR, and Michael N. Henderson, LCDR, USN, Ret, Past President, Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR. We both had a wonderful time representing our family and various SAR and DAR state societies.

Agnes and Mathieu Featured in the July 4th, 2021 Celebration in Macharaviaya, Spain.

Date July 3, 2021

Posted by MHenderson

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The poster above has a significant meaning for me. The story of my ancestors, Agnes Mathieu, and Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo, was shared as part of the 2021 Fourth of July celebration in Macharaviaya—a mountain village in Málaga, Spain. Here is a story of how my fourth-generation great-grandparents made their way back to Spain.

On May 18, 2021, I was contacted via Facebook message by Mrs. Katie Hallybone, the Deputy Mayor of Macharaviaya, who was coordinating the town’s July 4th celebration, which is held each year in the birthplace of Bernardo de Galvez. He is considered the city’s hometown hero of the American Revolution there. Katie expressed her appreciation for my family’s ancestral story, which took place in Spanish Colonial Louisiana when Bernardo de Galvez was the Governor of Louisiana (1777-1783).

She mentioned that she had viewed the PBS segment of “History Detectives “The Galvez Papers,” filmed in New Orleans in 2010, and how much she enjoyed the program.

Much to my surprise, she then asked my consent to allow the community in Macharaviaya to use part of the story of Agnes and Mathieu as part of their event for that year’s Fourth of July celebration. I was excited to see that the intersection of my ancestors’ story with the accomplishments of Bernardo de Galvez had made such an impression on the residents of Galvez’s hometown. Of course, I agreed and was thrilled to know how the program would turn out.

Katie then asked if it would be possible for me to speak with a local Spanish reporter who was also working on an article that was scheduled to come out a few days before the event took place. Once again, I said yes. Click here to (read the article in English) which appeared on July 3, 2021

Here was the day’s event captured and posted titled: Actos del 4 de julio de 2021 en Macharaviaya (the section in which Agnes and Mathieu Platillo are mentioned in the program is (time-stamped 39:31-46:51).

This was truly a wonderful honor to have part of the story of my 4th-generation great-grandparents, Agnes Mathieu and Mathieu Devau dit Platillo, and their association with Bernardo de Galvez shared on stage with the local town community in Macharaviaya, Spain where Galvez was born.

Please enjoy. Viva Macharaviaya! Viva Galvez!

Sharing My Story to Inspire Others on Their Ancestral Research Journey

Michael N. Henderson, LCDR, USN Ret. Past President, Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR Photo credit: Gregory Smith, Atlanta Chapter SAR

If you follow my blog, you know I speak to genealogical and historical groups across the country about my genealogy research. I’ve shared the joy and excitement of having identified and documented ancestors from as far back as 1653, and my honor of being a member of several lineage societies. It’s always a pleasure to speak to my compatriots of those societies to share my genealogy research journey.

Michael N. Henderson accepts a certificate of appreciation from Mark Bell of Atlanta Chapter SAR

Recently, I presented a talk to the Atlanta Chapter of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). I shared the complexity of my research journey to connect slavery and American independence to colonial Louisiana.

Here is a segment of the PBS program on the History Detectives titled; “The Galvez Papers” where a Spanish Colonial document, a Manumission or freedom papers of my 4th generation great-grandmother, an enslaved woman named Agnes and her French consort Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo linked to an interesting period in Spanish Colonial Louisiana and American history.

Anyone who has conducted research involving enslaved individuals knows the complexity of delving into property records (i.e. slave inventories, bills of sale) as well as some more common documents, such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records along with military service and census documents. Add to that, the complexity of linking enslaved, freed, and European ancestors through documentation, and you have a serious research project on your hands.

In addition to the challenge of combing through these documents, I faced the challenge that many of the documents were written in French and Spanish, neither of which are my native languages, making my research journey that much more complex.

Despite these challenges, I have uncovered a wealth of information linking my Louisiana ancestors to important events throughout American history, including the American Revolution. I was honored to share my journey with this audience and introduce them to the Spanish contribution to the American Revolution. See a short video below:

In addition to the honor of speaking to the Atlanta Chapter, I had the pleasure of witnessing the induction of several new members to the NSSAR. The ceremony was quite moving, as each inductee shared insightful words about what being a part of this organization means to them and to their family.

Edward Moses Anderson, Sr., and Michael N. Henderson, members of the Georgia Society SAR

As it turns out, one of the new members being inducted was a gentleman I met four years ago when I gave a presentation at another Georgia Society SAR meeting in Washington Wilkes County. Following that presentation, Ed Anderson shared with me his interest in joining the SAR. His challenge at the time was linking one of his mixed-raced ancestors to a white patriot ancestor. Since I had shared my journey to do just that, he and I continued to compare notes and strategies to help him along the process. Over the years, Ed was diligent in his research and was able to document another ancestral line connected to a patriot ancestor named Walter Hanson. And that was his open door to becoming a member of the NSSAR.

Two more individuals were also inducted at the meeting, one a recently discovered cousin of Ed’s, who also documented his lineal descent from the same patriot ancestor.

Atlanta Chapter, Georgia Society SAR inductees. (l to r) Barry Neil Miller, Julius Waye Dudley Ph.D., Edward Moses Anderson, Sr.

It was truly an honor to welcome the new members into the SAR, and to meet many other new compatriots in the Georgia Society.

Jim Freeman, President, Atlanta Chapter SAR with Michael N. Henderson

(l-r) Paul L. Anderson (brother of) Edward M. Anderson, Michael N. Henderson, John James Smith, Barrett Hansen, and Julius Wayne Dudley, Ph.D.

Michael N. Henderson, Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR, Photo credit: Gregory Smith, Atlanta Chapter SAR

Atlanta Chapter SAR members and guest, Photo credit: Gregory Smith, Atlanta Chapter SAR

The Georgia Society SAR, awarded the NSSAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal to Atlanta Chapter NSDAR member Dorothy Camerio for her Service to Veterans

John James Smith (white jacket) shares his common ancestral connection to both, Edward M. Anderson and Barrett Hanson. All three men are descendants of Walter Hanson, a patriot of the American Revolution.

A Proud Military Legacy Documented Back to 1665.

Date November 11, 2018

Posted by MHenderson

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A Proud Military Legacy Documented Back to 1665.

On this Veterans Day, I’m considering the historical military legacy bridged by my military service and that of my Revolutionary War ancestors.

One of my proudest moments, after having served my country, was finding out that one of my documented French ancestors named Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo served in the local New Orleans militia under the command of the Spanish Colonial Governor of Louisiana Bernardo de Galvez, during Louisiana’s participation in the American Revolution (1778-1783). See the transcript of my ancestor’s story titled, the Galvez Papers.

Above is my certificate of membership in the National Society Sons of The American Revolution honoring the service and contribution of my 4th Generation Great Grandfather, a French National named Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo who served under the command of the Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor and General Bernardo de Galvez. See here, how three additional Colonial Louisiana Ancestors approved by the SAR.

You can also read about how my research, discovery, journey, and results were documented in my memoir titled Got Proof! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation.

See here those whom I descend, who also served at various times of War.

My Father Albert A. Henderson, Corporal, U.S. Army

My Paternal Grandfather, Nolden Henderson, Private, U.S. Army, WW I

My maternal 2nd Great Grandfather Francois Legaux, Jr. had a brother named Florian Legaux see below record as a Civil War Soldier (1860-1865) note side in which he served.

Although Florian Legaux, is not part of my direct line of descent, though I thought it was a significant ancestral military service discovery in learning, he served as a member of the 30th Regiment Louisiana Infantry (Sumter Regiment), Company G. In the Confederate forces. I’ll have to do some further research later.

My maternal 3rd Great Grand Father, Louis Innocent Mathieu, (Dec 16, 1814 – 25 Mar 1815) Private, First Battalion, Free Men of Color, under the command of General Andrew Jackson at the Battle Of New Orleans, Jan 8, 1815.

See record and blog posts below for more about Innocent

See here blog posting: Yes, We Were There at the Battle Of New Orleans, Jan 8, 1815.

My Maternal 4th Great Grandfather, Mathieu Devaux dit Platillo, 3rd Company Artillery, New Orleans Militia- (1778-1783). Below is a copy of the Militia List with the name Mathieu Platillo.