Cornelia and Pierce were blessed with five children, Mercer, Adeline, John Henry, Mary Magdalene and Frank. Mercer died of yellow fever in New Orleans at the age of 20, completely alienated from his mother. Adeline and her youngest brother Frank lived with Pierce for many years in Florence. Adeline was received back into the Catholic church after her parents deaths. Frank, who remained firmly anti-Catholic, became a sculptor of some note. He had an illegitimate daughter and, through her, Pierce and Cornelia still have direct descendants.

John Henry was born in Vienna whilst his parents were traveling in Europe. He died tragically aged two, pushed into a vat of hot sugar by a dog while he was playing at Grand Coteau. His death left a deep impression on Cornelia and on her spirituality. Mary Magdalene lived only about six weeks and is buried with John Henry in a double grave at Grand Coteau, Louisiana