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Jay Brothers

Drouillard Mansion: Federal Officer and Southern Belle-Scandalous



The mansion was constructed about 1886 by Capt. James Pierre Drouillard (1839-1892) and Mary Florence Kirkman Drouillard (1843-1905).


Photo from Nashville Library-C.W. Warterfield


They married in 1864 causing a scandal in Nashville Southern society. None of the bride’s family attended. It was a 2-story red Zanesville brick with Ohio stone trimmings Victorian style home located at 810 Demonbreun (original Vauxhall ((Ninth Ave.)) & Demonbreun St.) - the location now is roughly between the back of the Frist Center and the Music City Center. Pierre was a Federal captain during the “enemy” occupation of Nashville. Mary Florence was the extremely wealthy Southern belle: granddaughter of iron magnate Anthony and Rebecca B. Vanleer, daughter of Hugh and Leanora Vanleer Kirkman and sister of Vanleer Kirkman of ?? and Oak Hill. Mary Florence received a huge inheritance upon her grandfather’s death in 1863.



Photo from Tennessee State Library & Archives


The couple went to Dickson County after the war to reopen the iron ore blast furnace in Cumberland Furnace, TN and constructed a huge Italianate-style mansion there which was modeled after Newport, RI homes. The couple regularly entertained visitors from Nashville and across the Southeast to New Orleans.


About twenty years later, the Drouillards also had their Nashville mansion built. It was allegedly the most expensive home built in Nashville to that time. It appears that none of the children remained at the mansion or in Nashville.



From Nashville History facebook


By November 1917, there was a Nashville Banner advertisement for The Claiborne, elegant apartments - the Drouillard Mansion refurbished. The Claiborne was also called Edgewood locally. In 1945, the Knights of Columbus-Nashville purchased the property and used it until 1962. It was torn soon after. See also Oak Hill


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