Antoine Barraque

Contents

Antoine Barraque (April 15, 1773 – October 29, 1858), also known as Antoine Barraque Sr., was a French Indian trader who founded New Gascony, Arkansas.

Early life

Barraque was born in France, on April 15, 1773.[1] A veteran of Napoleon's Old Guard,[2] he emigrated from France to the United States in 1816.[1]

Career

After emigrating, Barraque worked in the Indian trade at Arkansas Post and New Gascony, Arkansas. Barraque, who was fimiliar with the Quapaw Nation and married to a local Franco-American woman related to them,[3] led the tribe to their new home in 1826 on lands given them by the Caddo on the Bayou Treache of Red River pursuant to the Treaty of 1824.[4] He later served as the postmaster of New Gascony and Plum Bayou, Arkansas.[5] Barraque was a business associate of Frederick Notrebe.[6]

Death

Barraque died on October 29, 1858, in Jefferson County, Arkansas,[1] at the age of 85.

Honors

Barraque Township in Jefferson County and Barraque Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, are named after him.[2][7]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3]Johnson, Richard H., ed. (December 15, 1858). "Obituary". Arkansas True Democrat. Vol. 16, no. 10. Little Rock, Ark.: Johnson & Yerkes. p. 3. ISSN 2692-8655. LCCN sn82014282. OCLC 8793777.
  2. 2.[2.2]"Funeral of J. S. Barraque Today". Pine Bluff Daily Graphic. Vol. XX, no. 139. Pine Bluff, Arkansas: Adams Printing Co. November 4, 1914. p. 5. ISSN 2833-2016. LCCN sn89051168. OCLC 19596361.
  3. 3.Bolton, S. Charles (1998). West, Elliott (ed.). Arkansas, 1800-1860: Remote and Restless. Histories of Arkansas. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press. p. 72. ISBN 1-55728-518-7.
  4. 4.United States. War Dept. (1827), Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting the Information Required by a Resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 18th ultimo, in Relation to the Present Condition of the Quapaw Nation of Indians (PDF), Washington: Gales & Seaton, p. 13 – via GPO
  5. 5.Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971. NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls. Records of the Post Office Department, Record Group Number 28, Washington, D.C.: National Archives.
  6. 6.Cande, Kathleen H. (December 7, 2023). "Frederick Notrebe (1780–1840)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  7. 7.Barraque Street (Jefferson County, Arkansas Historical Marker). Pine Bluff, Arkansas: Jefferson County History Commission. 1976. Retrieved March 18, 2025 – via The Historical Marker Database.