Manuel Moreau, free man of color

Manuel Moreau was a master builder and designed several homes, many in the Faubourg Marigny. Moreau’s own residence was at 1625 Pauger, where he resided from 1829 until his death. The home which he built has double dormers, cast iron window railings, beautiful indoor staircases, and side pocket doors. Originally, between the house and detached kitchen there was a well and herringbone brick courtyard. Just a block away was the home of his mother, Magdeleine Boree, at 928-934 Kerlerec Street. This home is one of the finest examples of first-decade nineteenth century architecture.
Manuel Moreau also made money by making loans to other free people of color and collecting interest. Moreau served on the plains of Chalmette at the Battle of New Orleans like John Hewlett and Ferdinand Liotau, the father of Adele Liotau. He was active in the Republican Party and his name appears on an 1864 petition to President Abraham Lincoln demanding voting rights for men of color in Louisiana. His three Hewlett sons-in-law and their brother Louis Florian Hewlett also signed the petition. Leopold and Florian acted on stage at the Theatre d’Orleans in Lydia a three-act drama by Adolphe Duhart, a free writer of color.