Eliza Williams Chotard Gould

Born in Washington, Georgia 1798

Died at "Hill of Howth", Boligee, Alabama, date unknown

Eliza was the daughter of John Marie Chotard La Place. He was a native of Santa Domingo near Port-au-Prince. His father came from Britany, France. Eliza's mother was the daughter of James Williams and Elizabeth Blackburn. Her mother (Eliza) was a widow living in Washington, Georgia where she met Monsieur Chotard, who was a refugee from Santa Domingo. There Monsieur Chotard lost all in a slave uprising. He also was a widower with one son. The young couple and their children moved to Natchez, Louisiana. Much is told of their life there in the journal Eliza wrote for her children telling of the trials and tribulations of the early settlers and how they came to Alabama. Interesting stories of the seige of New Orleans and the family friendship with General and Mrs. Jackson are included. They lived many years at their planation home, the "Hill of Howth". The portraits hung there in the "parlor" and many children and grandchildren heard of their stories and loved the place of their ancestral home. Their first son was John McKee Gould [father of William Proctor Gould, Jr.]. Their second son was William Proctor Gould. All in all, there were ten children, grandchildren, and many great and great-grandchildren who have and love their portraits. The two portraits hung together for years at the Gould plantation - the "Hill of Howth".

Compiled by Susan Gould Kennedy, June, 1989