Samples of Historic Records

These sample entries were recorded in English in 1844 by Father T. M. Portier, nephew of former St. Michael pastor and the then Bishop of Mobile, Michael Portier:

In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and on the seventeenth day of March, I, undersigned, catholic pastor of St. Michael church in Pensacola, have baptized according to the holy rites of the catholic church Catherine (Katty) daughter of James Samuel and Catherine, slave of Mrs Mercy Riera, born on the twenty fifth of August one thousand eight hundred and forty three. Have stood as sponsors Anthony Veyon and Josephine Veyon. In faith whereof I have signed – T. M. Portier

In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and on the twenty third day of January, I, undersigned, Pastor of St. Michael church in Pensacola, have given the ecclesiastical burial to the body of Mary Francis Lavallé Gagnet, about ninety years old, who had departed from this life confirmed by the sacrements of the church, in presense of a concourse of citizenry of the said place, in faith whereof I have signed -T. M. Portier

In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty four, and on the twentieth day of October, I, undersigned, Pastor of St. Michael church in Pensacola, certify that I have joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony according to the rites of the catholic church Lewis Willis Minor, Doctor in the United States navy, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Miss Heloise Innerrarity, daughter of Thomas Innerrarity Senior, Esquire of Mobile having previously granted according to the faculty conceded to me by the bishop of the diocese the dispensation from the publication of the three bans and the license of the court being duly obtained. The witnesses have been John Innerrarity, Doctor Minor Junior and Mistress Henrietta Wilson. In faith whereof I have signed- T. M. Portier