Hutchinson Family Reunion, April 11, 2009

The Bonnie Blue flag flies proudly at the 200 year old Hutchinson family homestead in St. Helena Parish. The flag is a representation of the Republic of West Florida, which was formed after settlers revolted from Spain in 1810.

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Hutchinson family celebrates 200 years in St. Helena Parish, St. Helena Parishes, La.
Submitted  by Edgar Merritt McNabb, July 2009

One might call it a miracle to find that one section of land could possibly remain in one family for 200 years. What might seem like more of a miracle is finding that members of this family still gather annually to celebrate and continue family unity. On April 11, 2009, exactly 200 years after Peter Hutchinson claimed land through Spanish land grants in St. Helena Parish, his descendants gathered on that very section of land and made a modern miracle come true.

Each year, on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, Edgar Merritt McNabb (better known as "Uncle Mac") and his wife Kathryn, manage to gather generations of Hutchinson descendants at the "Old Home Place" on Highway 441 between Greensburg and Kentwood, Louisiana. Built by Mac's grandfather, Henry Merritt Hutchinson, the 100 year old home is Mac's residence and is located within walking distance of the Hutchinson Family Cemetery. This year, nearly 100 Hutchinson descendants attended the reunion and nearly half of those were dressed in attire comparable to fashions of 1809. From a baking contest to an Easter egg toss, the reunion is a fun-filled event for everyone in attendance. To commemorate 200 years of the Hutchinson family in St. Helena Parish, this year's reunion included the raffling of a handmade quilt depicting photographs of family members throughout the years, and the sale of a family cookbook.

Through a monthly family newsletter and annual invitation, Mac welcomes every generation of his family to gather at his home for the Hutchinson family reunion. This year, Mac took comfort in knowing that this tradition will stay alive for years to come as more and more young family members attend the reunion. From 1809 to 2009 and for many years to come, the Hutchinson family will continue to proudly call St. Helena Parish "home".

~Aimee J. Freeman (wife of Hutchinson descendant, Brian C. Freeman)

I want to extend a real warm welcome and say thank you to all of my cousins and friends who have gathered here at the home place of Grandpa Merritt and Grandma Arie Hutchinson for this very special 30th reunion of the descendants of Merritt and Arie Hutchinson.

It has been over 300 years since an ancestor of ours, Robert Hutchinson, arrived in New Jersey from Newry, Ireland in 1685. In presenting this, it is my hope that you, the descendants of Robert, will derive some understanding of the adventurous spirit of our ancestors. In coming to the New World, I would imagine that all he knew about this country, it was a land opportunity. By following him and his descendants, William, Robert, Peter, Simpson, Peter F. and Henry Merritt you can see all through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries how our forefathers moved and settled in places that opened up the frontier of the fledging United States, from New Jersey, North Carolina, and Georgia, to the hills and pine forests of the Florida Parishes of Southeast Louisiana.

This year marks a very special occasion for us Hutchinson descendants. It has been 200 years this spring since our Great-Great-Great-Grandfather, Peter Hutchinson, brought his family from Georgia to what would later become St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. As most of you know, this area of which we refer belonged to Spain in the early 1800s. In April 1809, Peter obtained a Head-Right Grant from Spain and he and his family settled right here where we are standing today. After he and the rest of the settlers revolted from Spain in 1810 they formed the Republic of West Florida and the flag they designed was called the Bonnie Blue flag which you see on the pole on the front fence. It is still flown at various places in southeast Louisiana. This area is known as The Florida Parishes and consists of eight parishes in southeastern Louisiana. In 1993, the Louisiana State Legislature renamed Interstate 12 through these parishes the "Republic of West Florida Parkway".

-Edgar Merritt McNabb