Louisiana is a romantic state full of history and lore. Longfellow immortalized the character of “Evangeline” in his famous poem published in 1847. A tale of star crossed lovers, this poem has as much popularity as Shakespeare’s beloved “Romeo and Juliet”.
The story begins in what is now Nova Scotia but was then called Acadia. Evangeline and Gabriel were two of many people driven out of the area by the British. French Catholics, these people were cast out of their homes in one of history’s lesser known acts of “ethnic cleansing”.
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The couple was separated during this time. There are many, many stories of what happened after that as the story has been passed down from generation to generation. Evangeline journeyed to Louisiana where she learned Gabriel had settled in the Attakapas district. Not finding him there she made her way to Philadelphia where she joined the Sisters of Mercy. Evangeline is said to have wandered throughout the American frontier in search of her love. When they finally reunited it was on Gabriel’s deathbed as he died in her arms. Broken hearted, Evangeline followed him shortly thereafter.
In Louisiana there are many spins to the tale making it one of the state’s best loved stories of love lost. The Evangeline Oak tree is well known to all as well as a grave, which I have found out is empty, that you’ll find in St. Martinville, LA. Two names are on the headstone, Evangeline as well as Emmeline. The stories may differ but the charm remains whether the people actually existed or not. Some of my research produced writing from various people who believe Evangeline or Emmeline were simply a compilation of various Acadian women and that one single person did not exist. I would like to believe that she did exist and that she and Gabriel reunited for eternity.
