Swamp Legends, Voodoo Queen of Manchac Swamp, Julia Brown

Tales from da Swamp

Swamp Legends
Voodoo Queen of Manchac Swamp, Julia Brown

Manchac Swamp

Some may consider Julia Brown a voodoo priestess, she lived in the Manchac Swamp just northwest of New Orleans in a once forgotten town called Frenier.  Known for her charms and curses for predicting devastating events, as well as for her guitar playing and singing. Julia Brown was a traiteuse, a woman who practiced faith healing. A traiteur is a Cajun and creole healer, combining Catholic prayer and medicinal remedies.

Frenier was a small town on the shores of Lake Ponchatrain just north of Laplace. While traveling on Interstate 55 you may notice the Ruddock exit. Only a boat landing remains now of the once thriving sawmill and town.

A cabin in Frenier.

Locals would seek out Julia Brown for her healing powers. Julia would use plants she gathered from the swamp to make herbal remedies. The locals thought of her as a powerful healer as well as a Voodoo Priestess. People would use her services but also feared her.

 As Julia grow older she began feeling lonely and used by the locals. They didn’t see her as a friend, just took for granted. They came to her for her healing powers but gave her strange looks as they passed her on the street. She was often seen sitting on her porch, rocking back and forth playing her guitar and singing. Locals would often pass by not even giving her a glance while others looked at her in fear.

People began hearing her, every morning singing the same song

"When I die...
I'll take the whole town with me...
when I die...
I'll take the whole town..."

She sang the song for months until one day she passed of natural causes.

Gate to mass grave site.

They would soon learn how much Julia felt disrespected. Even from beyond the grave, the voodoo priestess power struck fear and quilt in the villagers.
The entire town attended Julia’s funeral, perhaps to gain favor with the voodoo priestess’ spirit, or to show respect for someone who helped so many. Only two locals that were out of town did not attend.

As the hammers banged, driving the nails in the coffin a fearce wind began to blow.
Dark clouds blew in as a chill ran down the spines of the villagers. A violent
storm was approaching from the east. I can just imagine the thoughts rushing through the towns peoples minds as they recalled Julia's song.

"When I die...
I'll take the whole town with me...
when I die...
I'll take the whole town..."

 Water quickly began to rise, trees fell all around them, trapping those that attempted to leave. Houses were washed away, fields turned into lakes, logs and debris tore through the town killing all in its path.

September 29th 1915 the folks of Frenier tried to lay Julia Browns body in the ground, a Category 4 hurricane ripped the area apart, destroying three villages and killing 275 people.

Julia Browns grave.

The deceased residents were buried in a mass grave. The swamp around Manchac is still believed to be cursed. The village, now over grown, reclaimed by the swamp, is known to be a paranormal hot spot. Maybe you too can hear the cries of the women and children who perished, or the voice of Julia singing quietly in the distance.

Mass Grave

To watch the documentary made by The Weather Channel click here