Des Vases is the third communal section of Arcahaie, Haiti.
Neighboring sections
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About[]
The third rural section of Arcahaie, located in the Port-au-Prince Borough, was centered around a rural school and extends from Arcahaie Village to the Williamson locality, which is an integral part of this area.
The Arcadins are positioned across from des Vases, not far away, along with the locality of Meratte. The Arcadins are several islets off the coast in the Gulf of Gonâve, which are so small that about the only thing visible from shore is a lighthouse on one them.
The Vases River traverses this rural section and flows into the nearby shore. A chapel in the area is dedicated to Sainte-Anne. The Mitan locality is recognized for its banana plantations and Palmiste plains.
History[]
• By 1791, the Vases plantation had already begun to resist the institution of slavery.
• On March 22, 1792, Lapointe 
conducted a raid on the plantations in the region, aligning with the English against the French.
• By 1798, Christophe Mornay had taken control of the Lapointe estate and advanced towards the English forces stationed at Arcahaie. A fierce confrontation ensued between the English, led by Vicomte Dalzon, and the Republicans. The English did not return fire; instead, they marched quickly to music and boldly ascended the hill to the Lapointe plantation. Upon reaching the Republicans' position, they opened fire, causing the enemy to retreat after twenty minutes of fighting. Mornay then took cover in the nearby woods. The English charged at him but failed to break through his defenses. The next day, Mornay reclaimed the Lapointe plantation. The royalists attacked him again, and the Chevalier de Peste, after facing strong resistance, managed to defeat him and sent cavalry after him. Dessalines, stationed in Matheux with 8,000 troops, sent an 800-man battalion to assist Mornay. When this battalion reached the savannah behind the Lapointe plantation, it formed a square to protect Mornay's retreat. The Chevalier de Peste gathered all his forces, set up a battery of two cannons against the square, and after bombarding it, launched his cavalry. The battalion was destroyed, and Lieutenant Colonel Michaud, the commander, was captured by the English. Lieutenant Colonel Pitrail ordered his immediate execution. In two battles, the Republicans lost 800 men, while the Royalists lost 150. Dessalines, having no intention of surrendering, retreated to the plain of Arcahaie, set fire to the Lapointe estate, and withdrew, leaving the area open to the English forces.
Locations[]
| VAS |
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| Austin, Conty, Corridor Gangny, Cotard, Coulard, Dasse, Garotte, Hatte-Marie, La Pointe, Luly, Marotte, Mérotte, Mitan, Moulin, Passe, Pois-la Générale, Pois-la Ravine, Pont-Matheaux, Robergeau, Saintard |
Map of 3e Des Vases
Malary[]
The Malary estate functioned as a sugar plantation and featured a frequently utilized pier. In the year 1800, Toussaint Louverture called upon gang leaders Destrades and Jacques Douse to raid the Malary property in an attempt to eliminate Colonel Laraque. Although the colonel did arrive, he was confronted by farmers armed with knives and sticks. He narrowly escaped on horseback, evading death. Upon his return to the village of Arcahaie, he informed Toussaint of the assassination attempt. Toussaint was furious and subsequently apprehended Jacques Douse and Destrade, dispatching them to the Southern army as retribution for their failure to execute his orders. Among the casualties of this event was Degand, who was located at Matheux.
• In 1802, Larose, the leader of the local rebels in the Mornes de l'Arcahaie, took a stand against the French and set up camp at the outskirts of Des Vases, where the plantations were intended to benefit the colonists before retreating to the higher grounds
• In January 1803, as Dessalines approached, Larose found himself deserted by his soldiers, retreated to des Vases, and burned all the plantations.
• In 1807, when Pétion
advanced from Port-au-Prince to confront King Christophe
in the North, he positioned the vanguard of his army at the Saintard plantation, notable for the Sainte-Anne Chapel.
• In February 1807, Des Vases was looted and incinerated by Christophe in response to Pétion's occupation of the area. The cultivation of food was particularly well-practiced in Des Vases, alongside the impressive sugar cane plantations that thrived there.
Prince de Rohan Montbason[]
The Prince de Rohan Montbason estate, located in the rural area of Boucassin within the municipality of Arcahaie, also served as a sugar plantation. This property is notable for its well-preserved aqueduct and a pier, with the Rohan crest prominently engraved in the stone of the aqueduct. In December 1802, French forces stationed at Cabaret on the Garescher estate, alongside the insurgent leader Larose, vacated their positions at Prince and Simonette, subsequently retreating to Mirebalais. The estate is currently owned by the Bazelais family.
On May 26, 1807, President Pétion departed from Port-au-Prince at 3 a.m. and reached the Prince estate by 10 a.m. He expressaed his dissatisfaction with General Yayou for launching an attack on Fort Boucassin without his authorization and then proceeded to Boucassin.
Poix-la-Generale[]
Located in the countryside of Vases, this plantation is near the right side of the Proby dike, by the Arcahaie River, known as Delices or Courrejol.
Poix-la-Ravine[]
This locality too is situated in the countryside of Vases, near the left side of the Matheux River's embankment.
Saint-Medard[]
This locality is situated in the eastern area of Vases, within the commune of Arcahaie. The land is owned by the State and is currently being utilized by farmers. The exact capacity of the housing is unknown. Additionally, there is a small river that flows through the area.
• During Emperor Soulouque's campaign against Geffrard in 1858, his soldiers stopped by the river after a chaotic night returning from Camp Mary. They celebrated the clear waters with loud cheers.
• On December 7, 1869, the Cacos from Saint-Marc effectively captured the encampment that the Salnavistes had set up in Saint-Medard.
Communication[]
Arcahaie Post Office. The post going to St.Marc passes Des Vases on Sunday morning.