There is a tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 that attracts attention on tours. On the map it is labeled Hebert, 30 Ste. Philomene Aisle¹. It is very near Florville Foy’s tomb, which I always visit on tours.

It is falling apart in a beautiful way and provides and opportunity to see inside the tomb. Visitors are often drawn to the dust we return to, sinfully curious about what they may see inside. I leave space for respectful observation. Although I have unfortunately witnessed a child, without reprimand, jump on the fallen marble. I have found a rosary left behind and broken wine glasses scattered around the tomb…remnants of rituals?

There are no first names on the broken marble, but there are several last names: Hebert, Martin, and Heilbron, along with a pedestal with the name Dreuil. On a recent tour, a guest asked if I knew the story. Since I didn’t, I’ve been trying to find it. The website for Catholic Cemeteries in New Orleans says that their burial search feature will be fixed November 2024, so I’ve been hoping to uncover more there².

In the meantime, here’s what I’ve learned about the Jesus Saves tomb. It is connected to two of the most prominent plantations in south Louisiana, Colombian dignitaries, and the newspaper printing industry in New Orleans. Most amazingly, the last burial seems to have occurred in 2015. What could cause so much destruction in less than a decade?

Hebert

Edna Ellen Hebert Heilbron (1880-1931)³ is the lynchpin connecting the names. She was born in New Orleans. Her mother was Mary Ann Martin and her father was Dorville Hebert. Edna eventually married Oscar D. Heilbron.

Edna and her sister Alma attended the Hebert Institute on the corner of St. Peter and Burgundy streets. The principal, Miss H. Hebert, was Edna and Alma’s aunt Hortense. Hortense purchased the property at 701-703 Burgundy (old address 159 Burgundy) in 1884 from Emile Angaud, father-in-law to Berthe Camors. She sold it in 1905.

Victor Hebert (1838-1881), who was Edna’s uncle, was possibly a printer for newspapers in New Orleans. There were at least three people named Victor Hebert in New Orleans during this time, a bookseller, a drygoods seller, and a newspaper printer.

Victor-the-printer died in 1881. His wife Augusta was also a teacher at the Young Ladies’ Institute in 1893 with the same residential address as Victor, 356 St. Peter, and the same business address as Hortense, 159 Burgundy. She was also a teacher in 1890, 1895, 1901. This is the only connection I could find to link Victor Hebert, a printer of the New Orleans newspapers, to this Hebert family.

In the censuses, his occupation changes. In 1860, he was a painter. In 1870, he was a gardener while his son, August, was a printer. In 1880, he was a printer. However, Victor is listed in the directory as a journeyman printer in 1868. He is listed as a printer for newspapers (New Orleans Times and New Orleans Republican) in 1869-1879, that I’ve found so far. His obituary leaves his family and burial details a mystery but invites both the Hall of Orleans Steam Fire Engine Company No. 21 and the New Orleans Typographical Union No. 17 to his residence for his funeral. The only Victor Hebert buried in New Orleans, according to Find A Grave, was born in 1928 and died in 1977.

Edna’s niece Anna (her brother Alfred’s daughter) married Ernest Haydel, whose ancestors founded what is now the Whitney Plantation. His great great great great grandfather was Ambroise Haydel (Heidel).

Martin

Edna’s mother was Mary Ann Martin (1854-1904). Mary’s mother, Ellen McLaughlin (1838-1923), immigrated from Ireland.

Joseph Martin (1836-1917) arrived in New Orleans in 1838 from France, when he was two years old. He married Ellen McLaughlin in 1858. His father was Nicolas Martin and his mother was Maria (last name unknown).

Joseph was originally buried in Vault #1 of the family tomb. He was transfered from this tomb to the Resurrection Mausoleum Crypt 139, Tier D, Christ the Savior Patio. Resurrection Mausoleum was built in 1975, but the reason he was moved is unknown. Joseph’s Find A Grave⁴ entry led me to find the vault, which has the same three last names engraved. No other information is inscribed providing no further clues.

Edna’s grandparents outlived Edna’s mother Mary (who died at 50 years old) and her father Dorville (who died at 39 years old). Perhaps this is how Edna, the eldest daughter, became responsible for the burials.

In Part II, I’ll dive into the Colombia connection, the other plantation family, and what mysteries remain.

Sources

1. St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 Map https://files.ecatholic.com/16998/documents/2020/10/ST%20LOUIS%203%20SQUARE%201-6%20redone.jpg?t=1603750799000 ↩︎
2. New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries Burial Search. https://nolacatholiccemeteries.org/burial-search ↩︎
3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219644015/edna-ellen-heilbron ↩︎
4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62770649/joseph-martin ↩︎