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 was 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 the city of New Orleans after successfully defeating the British forces at Baton Rouge in Sept 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.