Marie Felicité de Saint Maxent
- "Have you heard, she prefers her father's warehouse to tea parties? Never calls on any of us! And her complexion. Of course, she is a dear friend of the family, but her mother... it is shocking!"
- ―Marie Felicité on Aveline, 1776.[src]
Marie Felicité de Saint Maxent (27 December 1755 – 1800) was the daughter of Gilbert-Antoine de Saint Maxent, the wealthiest man in New Orleans during the 18th century.
Biography
Born into a life of privilege, Marie Felicité rarely behaved in a serious manner. On 13 October 1776, she attended a ball at a New Orleans plantation with her father. There, she caught the attention of several Spanish soldiers, who wanted to dance with her to court the woman.
She was then approached by Aveline de Grandpré, the daughter of the merchant Philippe de Grandpré, who also caught the attention of the soldiers. As Aveline left, Marie Felicité told the soldiers of the former's disinterest in parties and African heritage.
The following year, Marie Felicité married the Spanish governor of Louisiana Rebellion, Bernardo de Gálvez.