David Denis

From Tally-ho to Forest Home: the History of Two Louisiana Plantations David Denis

This history of two plantations on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge examines the people and places around the tiny town of Bayou Goula in Iberville Parish from 1699 to 2000. It describes the different governmental policies that shaped the land tenure of the region. In chapter 3 the book describes the Acadian settlement and how two free people of color purchased several farms and consolidated them into the Tally-Ho plantation. Later chapters described the John Hampden Randolphs and the John D. Murrells, both investors from Virginia. Chapter six describes the rise and fall of the community of Bayou Goula. Chapter seven describes the African-Americans along Bayou Goula. Some of the family relationships are identified. Links between workers in the twentieth century and workers in slavery appear. Chapter eight relies on memoirs of life at Tally-Ho and the community of Bayou Goula. It presents happy remembrances of things past. The chapter discusses education in the community, daily life, transportation, and relations between the families. Chapter nine describes the founding of the George M. Murrell Planting & Manufacturing Co., the major sugar grower and heir of the 19th century planters. Finally, the book discusses the 20th century successes and failures in the sugar business.