George Pandely | |
|---|---|
 | |
| New Orleans Assistant Alderman | |
| In office March 28, 1853 – November 4, 1853 | |
| In office April 23, 1868 – March 26, 1870 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1829 New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Died | September 28, 1894 (aged 65) New Orleans, Louisiana, US |
| Resting place | Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 |
| Spouse |
Ernestine Martainville
(m. 1852–1875) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Alexander Dimitry Marianne Celeste Dragon Michel Dragon Charles Patton Dimitry John Bull Smith Dimitry Ernest Lagarde Theodore John Dimitry Jr. Dracos Anthony Dimitry |
| Profession | Lawyer Politician Railroad Superintendent Court Clerk |
| Known for | Pandelly Affair Pandely Canal |
| Family | Dimitry Family (Creoles) |
George Pandely (August 1829 - September 28, 1894) was a mixed race Louisiana creole. He was a court clerk, teacher, politician, entrepreneur, and superintendent of different railroad companies from 1859 to 1883 in New Orleans. He was a member of the prominent New Orleans mixed Greek Creole family known as the Dimitry Family. He eventually became part owner and the president of the Whitney Irons Works company of New Orleans from 1883 for the remainder of his life. Pandely is known for being removed from public office as assistant alderman in New Orleans due to his African heritage in 1853. The incident became known as the Pandelly Affair and forced the Dimitry Family to create a fictitious genealogy where their lineage was derived from Native Americans rather than African people which was a clear case of ethnocide.[1][2]
Pandely was born on his father Paul Pandely's plantation in New Orleans. His father was of Greek and English descent and George's grandmother was a member of the English royal House of Stuart. Pandely's mother Euphrosine Dimitry was a member of the Dimitry Family. Her younger brother was Alexander Dimitry. Pandely grew up in an academic household. His father was a professor of English at Poydras College. Pandely was interested in public office from a young age, he started out as a census taker in 1850. By 1853 he was elected assistant alderman of New Orleans but he was pressured to resign due to his African heritage. A civil trial ensued entitled Pandelly v. Wiltz (1854). The next year he became a court clerk, a position which he held on and off for the remainder of his life. By 1859, he was hired as the superintendent of the Pontchartrain Railroad. While the Union forces controlled the South Pandely was able to take the position of assistant alderman under the governorship of Joshua Baker and then Henry C. Warmoth between 1868 and 1870. By 1870, he was also listed as president and superintendent of Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad.[3][4]
Pandely was a Freemason and a member of the Orleans Lodge No. 78.[5] He was also a member of the Sons of Temperance Louisiana Division No. 11 along with his uncle Micheal Dracos Dimitry. Pandely was on the Board of Administrators of the Charity Hospitals of New Orleans. Pandely was also affiliated with The Boston Club and the New Orleans Chess, Checkers and Whist Club. He died with distinction at the age of 65 in New Orleans. His son-in-law Arthur W. De Roades along with other distinguished guests were present at his funeral ceremony and his pallbearers included Benjamin F. Jonas, Rudolph Matas. He was buried with other members of his family at Saint Louis Cemetery Number 1. St. Maurice Avenue in New Orleans is the location that was known as Pandely's Canal. His first cousin Dracos Anthony Dimitry successfully became mayor of Carencro, Louisiana from 1893 to 1899.[6][7]
- ^ Broyard 2007, p. 148.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907a, pp. 169–171.
- ^ "A Host of Friends Pay the Last Sad Tribute" (PDF). The Daily Picayune, Volume 58, No. 249. New Orleans, Louisiana: The Daily Picayune. September 30, 1894. p. 3, col. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907a, pp. 169–170.
- ^ Lobdell & Batchelor 1884, p. 117.
- ^ Roy 1912, p. 49.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907a, pp. 170.