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Marie Justine Cirnaire Couvent was born in Africa and came to New Orleans by way of St. Domingue sometime before 1806 when, already a free woman, she purchased property in the city. She married a free black man, Bernard Couvent, in 1812. He predeceased her, so she is best known as Widow Bernard Couvent. She died in 1837.

Marie Couvent’s will, written in 1832, provides interesting biographical information and makes several bequests from her estate, including the provision, “I wish and ordain that my land at the corner of Grands Hommes and Union streets will be forever dedicated and employed for the establishment of a free school for the orphans of color of the Faubourg Marigny.” Her wish became reality ten years after her death with the establishment of L’Institution Catholique des Orphelins Indigents.

(Will of M. J. Cirnaire, Wife of Bernard Couvent.
Orleans Parish Court of Probates, Will Books, vol. 5, p. 492)

(Inventory of M. J. Cirnaire, Wife of Bernard Couvent. Orleans Parish Court of Probates, 1837)