by Karen Yvonne Hamilton. Last updated on May 28, 2025.

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Mathilde B. “Tilly” Thomas y Thatu was born in 1859 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Edward Thomas (1838-1875) and Justine Tulles Thatu (1841-1890).

SIBLINGS

  • Josephine was born in 1856.

In 1860, Mathilde lived in the 5th Ward of New Orleans with her parents.

1860 U.S. Census, New Orleans
New Orleans Wards 1-11 Augustus Mitchell map

In 1870, Mathilde lived in the 5th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana.

1870 U.S. Census, New Orleans

Her father Edward passed away on May 28, 1875, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of 37.

MARRIAGE

Mathilde B. “Tilly” Thomas y Thatu married Antonio Rodriquez Godoy y Martin in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 21, 1878, when she was 19 years old.

CHILDREN

  • Edward Francis was born on October 2, 1879, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Justin Frances was born on November 8, 1881, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (daughter)
  • Maria Carmen Amparo was born on November 30, 1885 in Santa Clara, Cuba.
Maria Carmen Amparo RODRIGUEZ Garcia
Maria Carmen Amparo RODRIGUEZ Garcia
Maria Carmen Amparo RODRIGUEZ Garcia

The 1879 New Orleans directory lists Mathilde’s mother, Justine living at 426 St. Claude. Antonio’s brother, Francisco was also living in New Orleans at this time. Francisco passed away on December 23, 1875, in New Orleans at the young age of 38. 

At some point, the Thomas and Rodriguez de Godoy family moved back to Havana, Ciego de Avila, Cuba. It was here that Mathilde and Antonio’s daughter Maria Carmen Amparo was born in November 1888. 

DEATH

In 1892, after 14 years of marriage, Antonio passed away in Cuba when he was 44. Mathilde died the same year at age 33, leaving Edward (age 13) and Maria Carmen (age 4) orphans. Mathilde B. “Tilly” Thomas y Thatu died in 1892 in Habana, Ciego de Avila, Cuba, when she was 33 years old. Antonio and Tilly’s children were most likely raised by Antonio’s brother, Manuel Rodriguez. He passed away on June 16, 1908, in New Orleans at the age of 55.

SOURCES

Louisiana Compiled Marriage Index 1718-1925; New Orleans, Louisiana, Birth Records Index, 1790-1915; New Orleans, Louisiana, Marriage Records Index, 1831-1964; Ancestry.com