Pioneer Black Lawyers Season 4 Episode 5

By W. F. Twyman, Jr.

A Man and a Face of Black Enterprise

“I believe that intelligence and culture should be respected. This has been the rule of my life, not only in the management of the affairs of the State…” — Pierre C. Landry (1841 - 1921)

Some are blind to agency in Blackness. The argument of no agency goes down well in the modern era because we are generations removed from American slavery. All manner of disparities and crime and poverty are cast as “the lingering effects of American slavery.” It is not true. For many reasons, being a slave did not stamp out the fire of Black Enterprise. This evening, let us remember a giant of a pioneer black lawyer, a man well-known down in Donaldsonville and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Welcome to the place, and the time, of Pierre C. Landry.

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Pierre C. Landry came into this world as the slave property of Dr. Francis Marie Prevost. Pierre’s mother was Marcelite, an enslaved cook on the plantation. Pierre’s father was a white laborer, Rosemond Landry. Pierre would carry his father’s name throughout Pierre’s long life. Someone in Pierre’s childhood wanted a better life for Pierre, so Pierre was sent away to be raised by a local free black family. Pierre would attend school for free blacks on his father’s plantation. The arrangement served Pierre well as he learned to read and write in a slave state.

Pierre also learned the skills of a confectioner and cook. It was common wisdom during these times that a black could always find work as a cook.

In 1854, Dr. Prevost died. His express wishes were that Pierre be freed. It was not to be as relatives of the deceased disposed of the estate. Slaves were personal property. Pierre was sold for $1,665 to the Bringer family, a major league owner of plantation land in those parts of Louisiana. It is estimated that the Bringers owned over 35,000 acres of land.

A man may be a slave to the outside world and an entrepreneur at heart. And so it was with Pierre. Pierre used his skills as confectioner and cook to serve his new owner pastries. The new owner must have had a sweet tooth as he found favor in Pierre.

Pierre was entrusted with more responsibilities and duties. He was appointed superintendent of the yard. He established a wood yard on the grounds. He was assigned responsibility of contracting for plantation ditching work. At some point, he moved to the mansion as his official residence.

Pierre saw a market opportunity for the 35,000 acre estate. After making a pitch to his owner, Pierre was allowed to form a business partnership with the head butler on the plantation. The two operated a plantation store and enjoyed the profits therein.

It is a mystery why some deny the entrepreneurial soul of some slaves.

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The 15th Amendment was ratified in December 1865. Pierre was now a free man. Did Pierre suffer from the lingering effects of slavery as he lived in freedom? Keep that question in mind.

Raised a Catholic, Pierre converted to Methodism in 1862. He founded a Methodist Church in Donaldsonville and was recognized as a man of faith even as a slave.

Pierre also believed in the power of education for freedmen. In 1866, he started two day schools and a night school for children.

Pierre remained committed to enterprise as a way of life. He built the first home owned by a former slave. He opened a small store since he knew how to run a store from his time as a slave on the Bringer plantation. The people of Donaldsonville fell behind the perceptive vision of Pierre.

“At a January 1867 commemoration at the Emancipation Proclamation, a large group of black residents unanimously elected Landry their leader in all matters, social, educational, and political because of his strong leadership and usefulness.” How many leaders could claim the same today?

On April 17, 1868, the voters unanimously elected Landry Mayor of Donaldsonville. Landry became the first elected black mayor in American history. Landry served as Mayor until 1869.

Men of vision, leadership and enterprise will be called to service by a grateful people.

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The 1870s rolled in and Landry was everywhere that mattered in Donaldsonville.

In 1870, Landry served as President of the Police Jury. He was also appointed the tax collector.

In 1872, Landry was elected to the Louisiana State House of Representatives where he served until 1874. Landry captured the interest of the White House which resulted in a presidential appointment as Postmaster of Donaldsonville.

In 1874, the voters elected Landry to the Louisiana State Senate where he served from 1874 to 1878.

In 1877, Landry edited the Donaldsonville Monthly Record.

In 1879, Landry was elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

And to add to his resume during this time period, Landry also served as Justice of the Peace, President of the Parish School Board and Superintendent of Schools. Not a bad record of accomplishment for someone who was a slave as of December 1865. Could it be that the personality, the resilience, of a man matters more than whether a man knew slavery?

Just throwing that thought out there.

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The 1880s rolled in. The forces of prejudice and bigotry rolled back Reconstruction and Landry kept charging ahead in life.

Landry moved to New Orleans and began a new chapter in his life. He practiced law for over ten years. He became ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, my home church. Landry founded New Orleans University which is now known as Dillard.

Somehow, he found the time to be married twice. Landy had 14 children. All of his 14 children attended college.

The man was unstoppable, a positive inspiration for his 14 children and the larger world of New Orleans. I could go on and on and I will for a bit. The man has earned accolades in our roster of pioneer black lawyers.

He served as member of the board of Flint Medical College. He was a director of Gilbert’s Seminary. He even found time to gain a license to perform marriage ceremonies.

Imagine what it must have been like to have called this man a business partner, a pastor, a Mayor, a neighbor, a father. Sends chills down my back this evening.

Landry founded a slew of churches and pastored for 50 years as a minister! It was said in the paper that Landry “preached to more people of his race than any other man in his state.” I believe it….I believe it. It was clear Landry traded in politics for the pulpit.

When his giant heart and soul passed away at the age of 80, it was Christmas time, December 22, 1921. New Orleans would never be the same. Donaldsonville would never be the same. Governor Henry C. Warmouth spoke at Landry’s funeral.

Conclusion: Some lives pass away and even family members are not moved to care. See Justice of the Peace, the Honorable William H. Brisby. And then some lives so move the landscape that people are stunned and feel great loss, the passing of an era. So it was with the life of Pierre C. Landry.

Slavery never knew your heart and soul.

"I have labored to better the condition of my race by making it possible for us to live in peace.” —Pierre C. Landry