Pierre Denys de LaRonde (1726-1772)
Pierre Denys de LaRonde, of "Versailles" near New Orleans, Louisiana
His sugar plantation was said to be, "undoubtedly the most beautiful sugar plantation home in Louisiana of the day" and being situated just across from New Orleans was the center of society. However, the de LaRonde family knew it as "Parnassus" and that it is referred to today as "Versailles" is a mistake, named for the area rather than the plantation itself. They were the parents of four children including Major General Pierre Denys de La Ronde of Chalmette who was the Commander of the Louisiana Militia at the Battle of New Orleans in 1814. The house was badly damaged and then looted during the fighting, afterwards serving as a British Field Hospital.
