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Perron Comments About Origins Germain Doucet - English


1. Michele Doucette’s letter inquiring about the origins of Germain Doucet.

In past correspondence with a cousin of mine in Québec, Florian Bernard, I was told that you are very well informed about the European roots of Acadian families. I have also been in regular correspondence with Paul Pierre Bourgeois of Grand Digue, NB, author of à la recherche des Bourqeois d'Acadie (1641 à 1800). Hence, my reason for writing to you.

I am a direct descendant of Major Germain Doucet, Sieur de LaVerdure.

A major find for France has clearly been the discovery of the St. Jehan passenger list of April 1636, a ship which left La Rochelle for Port Royale. Has the passenger list of the initial voyage of the St. Jehan on July 4, 1632 ever surfaced? Following the St. Germain-en-Laye treaty, Commander Isaac de Razilly departed La Rochelle for LaHève (arriving on September 8, 1632) with 300 hand-picked men. There were a total of three vessels, with but two names known to us; namely, L'Esperance à Dieu and the St. Jehan. It was courtesy of this trip that my key ancestor, Germain Doucet, Sieur de LaVerdure, came to Acadie. I have always wondered if the spouse of Germain, mother of both Pierre and Marguerite, accompanied them.

I am also aware that Jacques Bourgeois was a known brother-in-law to Germain Doucet. In keeping with the mystery, and possible illegitimacy, surrounding the birth of Jacques Bourgeois (courtesy of your articles entitled De Germain Doucet b Jacob Bourqeois and Bourgeois & Doucet: A Bassevelle, Des Suites Surprenantes), there are many unanswered questions.

You have cited the names of Jacques' siblings as being
(1) Johannis (August 1614)
(2) Charola (November 1615)
(3) Nicolas (January 1617)
(4) Catharina (September 1618)
(5) Barbara (January 1620)
all born to Nicolas Grandjehan and Marguerite Bourgeois. Given the names of the three identified daughters, it never ceases to amaze me that many people researching their genealogical roots still cite a Marie Bourgeois as being the wife of Germain Doucet.

In addition, you have made mention of the fact that a possibility exists that Isaac LeGendre might have been the birth father of Jacques Bourgeois, also known as Jacob. It appears that this is the reason why Jacques was, in turn, given his mother's surname.

Setting this difficulty aside for a moment, how might one discover more about (1) the male Grandjehan line that Nicolas descended from (2) the male Bourgeois line that Marguerite descended from

In conjunction with your articles, you state that Marguerite Doucet was born about 1634. Most of the information that I have ever come across, including that of Stephen A. White at the University de Moncton, states her birth year as having been about 1625. To my mind, the 1625 date would have meant she was born in France whereas the 1634 date indicates that she clearly was born in Acadie. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Have you ever been successful in securing a baptismal record for Pierre Doucet (born about 1621)? Any possible idea(s) as to where he may have been born?
More importantly, have you ever been successful in securing a baptismal record for Germain Doucet? It is generally felt that he was born about 1595.

Based on your discovery of the Commandery of Hospitaliers found at Coutran, which, interestingly enough, also connects to the Order of Malta, am I correct in saying that Germain was from the fiefdom (hamlet) of LaVerdure, 12 km north of La Ferte-Gaucher in the municipality of St. Cyr-sur-Morin?

Given Germain's position as a soldier, has material ever surfaced pertaining to the Order of Malta? Is it possible that Germain might have had a role to play within the Order? Might this somehow connect with his involvement with Commander Isaac de Razilly, thereby leading to his arrival in Acadie in 1632?

Is there anything known pertaining to the whereabouts of Germain following his return to France in 1654? I have been told that he was last known to have been alive in 1660. Apparently there was a letter dated October 13, 1660 posted from Villy, France, that is now kept in the archives. Have you ever come across such information?

Feel free to post a letter to Mr. Perron on behalf of LDDM. You may be interested in asking some of the very questions that I have posted here.

Amities beaucoup, Michele


2. Carol J. Doucet’s letter to Mr. F. René Perron (translated by Carol J. Doucet).

Mister Perron,

Michele Doucette has prepared a series of questions concerning our ancestor Germain Doucet. Since I am president of the family association Les Doucet du Monde, she asked me to forward her letter. We have read your articles on Germain Doucet and on many others. When you have a little bit of time, look at our web site - http://www.doucetfamily.org. Lucien (Lou) Doucet has made our web site more readily accessible. Dean Doucet takes care of the genealogy. If you can respond to Michele's questions, our web site will become even more fantastic.

Respectfully,

Carol Doucet, president Les Doucet du Monde


3. F. René Perron, noted French genealogist, wrote this letter in response to Michele Doucette’s inquiry about the background of Germain Doucet, Sieur de La

Sèvres (France), March 6, 2007

F. René PERRON Vice-President -Les Amitités Acadiennes Founder

First of all, I am attaching photocopies of three articles about Germain DOUCET which were published several years ago in my research document “Suite N° 7. These will serve as an outline forming a base. There have since been some corrections:

• The famous “Lettre de Villy” mentioned in a 1703 ruling of the State Council was not sent from Sedan, but from another Villy situated in the Yonne Department, 150 kilometres south-east of Paris (Commune of Ligny-le-Châtel). This Villy had belonged to César de VENDOME, illegitimate son of HENRI IV, who, upon the death of Charles d’AULNAY, tried to assert a claim, in half, with the Governor’s wife, Jeanne MOTIN. One of my articles in “Suite N° 9 is dedicated to this affair, with photocopies of historical documents. (My documents are available in my archival file at the Centre d’Etudes Acadiennes of the University of Moncton, New Brunswick.) In my opinion, Germain DOUCET, after his return to France in 1654, must have met with César de VENDOME for advice about his future.

• The marriage link with Jacob BOURGEOIS must be through a second marriage of Germain DOUCET, most likely (although I don’t have any proof) with a daughter of Guillaume TRAHAN, and not with a GRANDJEHAN. Several researchers in France concur with this theory.

Regarding Jacob BOURGEOIS, I originally thought that his biological father might have been his godfather, Isaac LE GENDRE. Since then, however, several clues have led me to believe, regarding his paternity, that he is a relative through marriage of Isaac LE GENDRE, one of the Master Surgeons of Coutran. But I cannot confirm this (for good reason) and certainly cannot write about it in my articles. I have, however, shared this theory with my cousin Paul-Pierre (who,unfortunately, is dying of cancer). But I only have clues suggesting this speculation.

The surname DOUCET still exists in Bassevelle (where the hamlet of “La Verdure” is located. It can be found on a tombstone and one student from the local school bears the name. May I remind you that at “Groseilliers (an old farmhouse which is still standing) resided Médard CHOUART ‘des Groseilliers”, an acquaintance of Pierre-Esprit RADISSON in Hudson’s Bay.

At that time Bassevelle was a fiefdom of Dame Henriette de LORRAINE, one of the sisters of Charles II de LORRAINE, Duke of Elbeuf, who in 1619 married Catherine-Henriette de FRANCE, daughter of HENRI IV and Gabrielle d’ESTRÉES, and…a cousin through marriage of César de VENDOME! “This all fits” with this individual. Moreover, it was Charles II de LORRAINE who was the godfather of Christine (Chrestiennne) de FRANCE, daughter of HENRI IV and the future Duchess of SAVOIE. And this woman of high birth came at least twice to Sallenoves (a small village in Bassevelle) to meet the Master of the Hunt de SALLENOVES, the father-in-law of René LE COCQ whom Mme de GUERCHEVILLE sent to colonize Monts-Déserts in 1613!!! ! “This all fits” again…I might add that Antoinette de PONS, the marquise of Guercheville had ties with the de LANNOYS (Anne-Elisabeth de LANNOY, first wife of Charles III de LORRAINE, heir to the title of Duc d’Elbeuf)). ! “This all fits” once again…

But let’s talk about the sailings of 1632 and 1636. No passenger list has been found for the 1632 trip and the “Hommes d’Elite” that he mentions were most likely soldiers who arrived with the Commander de RAZILLY (who must have been familiar with the Commandery of Coutran in La Ferté-Gaucher). Regarding the 1636 list, I have studied it at length for numerous reasons and there is no mention of Germain DOUCET.

In Bassevelle, the parish register, which has survived all the wars, invasions, rodent bites, etc., dates from well after 1595. Therefore it cannot provide us with a record of Germain DOUCET’s baptism (presuming that he was born in this village before becoming SIEUR de la Verdure).

Stephen WHITE, whom I contacted a number of times during my stays in Moncton, remains very cautious regarding the wives of the Commander-at-Arms of Port-Royal. Although he is an excellent genealogist, he has done little research in France, something which I have been able to do over many years.

Many things have eluded him regarding this area: there is still some question about the 1621 baptism of Jacob BOURGEOIS in La Ferté-Gaucher! This is somewhat unnerving …As for the GRANDJEHANS having ties with the pioneer (if one can say this), my research leads me to believe that they were more or less linked to Nicolas de HARLAY from Sancy, recruiter of the Swiss soldiers of the Kings of France, and that they aided in this recruitment. Indeed, one of the GRANJEHANS that I have found came from Geneva. Is this just chance?

Who knows if our Germain DOUCET didn’t also help in this recruiting, leading to the position of “Commander-at-Arms”? I am tempted to believe this.

At La Ferté-Gaucher, I couldn’t find the forefathers of Nicolas GRANDJEHAN, nor those of Marguerite BOURGEOIS. Concerning the latter, I gave Paul-Pierre BOURGEOIS many clues about the origin of the BOURGEOIS, with the village of Cressy-sur-Somme (Morvan/Charolais) where there was a salt cellar managed by Guillaume BOURGEOIS, who was associated with Madame de MONTAFFLÉ (wife of Charles de BOURBON, cousin of HENRI IV, Vice-Regent of New France in 1612). Indeed this aristocratic lady had interests (financial) in the royal salt cellars where we find…Louis MOTIN (Mottin) the father-in-law of Charles d’AULNAY! Many other individuals who frequented the French Court were involved in these salt cellars, and I have mentioned several in my articles.

These articles (10 in all) outline the alliances of the BOURGEOIS family, often with the “upper classes”. Moreover, Louis BOURGEOIS, a direct ancestor of the pioneer, was the Primary Doctor of King François I. He was above a certain d’AILLEBOUST, whose descendant was Governor of New France. Another coincidence!!

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions floating about the Internet concerning Jacob BOURGEOIS, and I often have to write to authors who are overly imaginative. This has even happened in the Dictionnaire Biographique du Canada where an imaginary “father” of Jacob, with the same given name, supposedly came to Port Royal with him…the author, unfortunately, was one of my best friends in Moncton: le Père Clément CORMIER.

This is all I can write to you about Germain DOUCET (I am not a descendant). A file about the DOUCETS would have existed in the Paris archives, but I have been unable to find one.

Research in the 16th and 17th centuries is not easy. I’ve had a certain amount of luck going through the National Archives of France and those of many French towns. But “Never give up…” I can’t give you any more information about this important person in our Acadian history. I regret this very much.

With Best Acadian Wishes The Acadian Expelled to Belle-Ile-en-Mer

F. René Perron

P.S. My research articles bear the following directive:

REPRODUCTION IS AUTHORIZED IF THE AUTHOR AND SOURCES ARE CITED

I am only an explorer, and not a historian. Therefore my research only suggests paths to follow. Do not consider them historical facts!


4. The Mysteries Of The Doucet Family

There are many strange things in the History of Acadia : that is the case one more time for the DOUCET family, where we come across multiple mysteries which are difficult to explain.

1- Germain Doucet, Sieur de LA VERDURE

We have not found any convincing trace of him, up to now, in the entourage of "our" Jacob BOURGEOIS, who is said to be the brother-in-law in the act of capitulation of Port-Royal of 1654. This relationship is nowhere confirmed.

We deduced from our findings of 1991 at la Ferté-Gaucher that the wife of Germain DOUCET must have been named GRAND-JEHAN and not BOURGEOIS. We thought (but our thinking has evolved since) that the GRANDJEHAN name was never mentioned at Port-Royal so as not to embarrass Jacob BOURGEOIS, bastard (illegitimated) and last-born of Marguerite BOURGEOIS, his mother.

Several researchers or historians (amongst whom Léopold LANCTOT) have written that the first name of Mrs. G. DOUCET was "Marie", giving the family name BOURGEOIS, of course. We do not know their references. One of those researchers writes about "tradition", which is more than vague. We did indeed find at La Ferté-Gaucher, three "sisters" of our Jacob, whose first names were Charola (1615), Catharina (1618) and Barbara (1620). If there was a Marie GRANDJEHAN born of the couple Nicolas GRANDJEHAN/Marguerite BOURGEOIS, she would have been born before 1613, the date of the beginning of parish registers which are still existing. This is evidently possible (*).

2 -Pierre DOUCET dit LA VERDURE

Let's suppose that Pierre DOUCET is indeed the son of Germain Doucet, as have written several historians (**). There are already, for the date of his birth, some complications. Age 50 in the census of 1671, he would have been born in 1621. But in the 1686 census, he is said to be 55 years old, which would mean he was born in 1631. That gap of ten years is to say the least a problem (embarrassing)!

One of our correspondents, a Cajun from Louisiana, places the birth in "Sedan, France": that is certainly a completely new bit of information, but alas, also linked to "tradition". This is unfortunate, because Sedan possesses two essential characteristics for Acadian History:

- on one hand, the city is located very close to...Carignan. The connections of Carignan to the House of Savoie are known (where we find Chrestienne de France, sister of LOUIS XIII, and to several families of Brie in Champagne) and with the famous Regiment which furnished colonists in New-France.

-on the other hand, Sedan was, during the rule of LOUIS XIII, a city independent of the Kingdom and was placed under a jurisdiction of the Dukes of BOUILLON, eternal conspirators with the Count of SOISSONS, Louis de BOURBON (son of Charles, vice-roy of New-France in 1612, and of Anne de MONTAFFIER, she too of the SAVOIE House), and Gaston d'ORLEANS, brother of the King and allied to the House of Lorraine. Therefore, the LAMARCK's of La Ferté-Gauther were heirs of the BOUISSON/SEDAN's (***) Moreover, a letter was written by La VERDURE in Villy ("near Sedan" is scratched out and replaced by "of the Duke of VENDOME" ) in 1660 to Marie de MENOU.

(*) Another Marie GRANDJEHAN, wife of LORPHELIN, was born at La-Ferthé-Gaucher, probably a cousin. See "Cahiers de la S.H.A"., vol 23, No 2, page 98. Moreover, her God-Father was a "Jacob GRANDJEHAN" in 1651.

(**) LA FONTAINE, in one of his fables, has a very old planter say: "My grand-nephews will owe me that work", whereas the meannig of the phrase seems indeed to speak about his descendants.

(***) The Marie de Sedan, interrogated by us, deplores the destruction of the registers of that period. There remains therefore little chance of seeing this Sedanese birth confirmed. 13 This "Sedanese" birth would open strange perspectives. Did Germain DOUCET reside in Sedan and why? Would he have had some connection to the BOUILLON's, the SOISSON's, the ORLEAN's, and the SAVOIE's? Would he have come, with our conspirators, to find refuge in that city, because of a story that was, let's say "particular"? An emigration in the form of flight would have been therefore possible; but let's not let our imagination wander too much.!

Let's come back to our Pierre DOUCET. As for his "father" Germain, the name of his first wife is unknown. This first marriage is dated as 1640 (notably by B. ARSENAULT), by referring undoubtedly to the date of his first-born, Germain DOUCET II. The latter, husband of Marie LANDRY, is in fact said to be thirty years old in 1671. (Contested by Stephen WHITE: This Germain would be a second son of Germain I, therefore a brother of Pierre). See Dictionnaire, p. 526.

His second wife is better known: she is Henriette PELLETRET, whom we find in the family of René LANDRY the father, husband of Perrine BOURG. This, a priori, could only be a question of a daughter of a first marriage of this woman (Perrine), which has been written by several authors.

But, there again, a strange thing jumps in front of our eyes. Henriette PETTETRET is said to be -30 years old in the family of LANDRY/BOURG (birth about 1641), - 31 years old in the family of her husband Pierre DOUCET (birth about 1640)

That difference of one year is certainly not significant. But it hard to see Perrine BOURG, 45 years old in 1671, therefore born about 1626, give birth to a daughter at the age of 14 years. Possible, but hardly probable! It must be rather a matter of an adoption (taking in an orphan, for example).

Now let's discuss Pierre DOUCET's trade. He is said to be a "mason" in the 1671 census. Apparently, no impossibility for the son of a military man. But this trade of mason is also the one listed for the apothecary-grocer, Lousi HEBERT, at the time of his contract to depart to Acadia; it is also that of Claude de TURGIS-LA TOUR (See the article of Michel TURQUOIS, No 41 of the journal of the AMITIES ACADIENNES).

That a man of lesser nobility like TURGIS would make mortar is already astonishing; that an apothecary do likewise, that begins to go beyond our comprehension. This strange "masonry", would that hide a completely different reason for leaving for Acadia? Was Pierre DOUCET really a user of a trowel?

3 - Marguerite-Louise DOUCET

The second supposed child of Germain DOUCET I, future wife of the maker and repairer of weapons, Abraham DUGAST, adds another problem to all of this confusing situation.. In the census of 1671, she is said to be 46 years old, which would have her born about 1625.

In the (census) of 1686, we find her to be 50 years old: birth only in 1636. That eleven year difference is a bit troubling, even if we know that at that time period approximations were not rare (in the opposite direction at least).

Are we really dealing with the same person? Did a first Marguerite die between 1625 and 1636? Moreover, born in 1625, like her brother Pierre, she could be a daughter of a first marriage of Germain DOUCET; in 1636, with a difference in age of fifteen years from her brother, nothing proves that she had the same mother.

Was she really born in France? If the date of 1625 is correct, that seems probable, but the date of 1636 would rather place her birth in Acadia.

As for her husband, Abraham DUGAST (DUGAS), our Cajun correspondent specifies, in giving him title of "Lieutenant-General" in Port-Royal, that he was born in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne). This is not the first time that we read this Toulouse origin for the Acadian DUGAST's. We are far from the Brie of G. MASSIGNON (page 69 of her work).

An old excerpt from the "Historical Researches" (Recherches Historiques), of which we have a copy, adds that the DUGAST ancestors "were natives of Lyon" and were named at first "CRIGNET". There again, no reference is given. That is what a Mr. TALBOT, a Cajun from Metairie, says in his account, which even gives precise information on his father and mother: another Abraham and Marguerite CARSONNE. If this trail is the correct one, it agrees with our study in "Suite No 5", pages 116 to 119, of the family "COIGNET" and not CRIGNET.

All of that is still hypothetical, and we won't go in that direction (*).

The DOUCET family gives us a lot of thread to unwind: all of those complications are not there to enlighten us; much to the contrary. And what are we to say about that "LA VERDURE", surname of several colonists, as many in Acadia as in the Antilles? One sole certain fact: Germain DOUCET is the only one to have the title of "Sieur de LA VERDURE". That specification is important!

(*) That Cajun from Metairie seems to be well-informed, notably on the Anthoine HEBERT/Geneviève LEFRANC couple, and on the origins of François SAVOIE. This person, François, a laborer in the census of 1671, would be a descendant of the House of Savoie and therefore of FRANCOIS Ier, etc....also of Charles de BOURBON/Anne de.MONTAFFIER, of the ORLEANS/LONGUEVILLE, etc....But our correspondent writes "controversial parents" with a prudence of good quality.

 


5. From La Verdure To The Anntilles And Vice-Versa

2-DE LA VERDURE TO THE ANTILLES AND BACK AGAIN

In a previous article, New Genealogical and Historical Gleanings in Brie Champenoise, (April, 1993) written for the Acadian Historical Society, we proposed the preparation of a new study, centred upon the Commander of Malta LONVILLIERS DE POINCY, and his role in the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.

Indeed, for a long time, we had noticed certain connections between the Companies destined to colonize New France and the islands “under the wind”. In both cases, the presence of the Knights of the Order of Malta is an interesting clue. Moreover, the omnipresence of RICHELIEU in everything affecting the first colonies (confirmed to us at La Ferté-Gaucher and in Bassevelle) served only to provoke our curiosity.

The fine article written about this topic by our cousin Robert PICHETTE, and republished in the magazine Amitiés Acadiennes, no. 63 (pp. 12-16), is instrumental in pushing us down this little known path. Upon our return from La Verdure, we went to scrounge a bit of the history of the French Antilles, aided by a reference book from 1667/1671, republished under the auspices of the Historical Society of Martinique in 1958.

The work in question is the General History of the Antilles by Jean-Baptiste DU TERTRE, an author who was a Dominican monk and who, strangely, was connected to the families SILLANS, ROHAN, CHATILLON, DU PUY, and…SANGLIER/LE GODELIER (marriage of Marie DU TERTRE to Antoine de SILLANS, Baron of Creully-Calvados).

For good measure, the work is dedicated to Monseigneur Achille de HARLAY, Public Prosecutor (Baron de SANCY), a man who certainly frequented La Ferté-Gaucher, where the de HARLY family had for a long time played an important role.

Under such auspices, we set sail for the Caribbean Sea (figuratively) and have not been disappointed.

1 – RICHELIEU – HIS OMNIPRESENCE

We don’t have to remind the reader of the eminent role of the Cardinal in the following domains: administrative, religious, military, maritime, arts and letters, financial, etc…Nothing touching the life of the French Royalty could escape him.

This held true for the work of the colonization of Canada embarked upon under HENRI IV. . As soon as the Cardinal entered into the King’s Court, he quickly took control of it. He was behind the founding of two companies: The Hundred Associates, following the Company of Morbihan (in spite of the opposition of the Breton Parliament) and focusing on New France; The Company of the American Islands, designed for the conquest and exploitation of several Caribbean islands, in competition with the Spanish, English and Dutch.

“The Red Man”, as he was known in the title of the monumental work by Roland MOUSNIER, wanted to be a stakeholder in these companies from the outset of their creation. In his usual fashion, he carefully placed a number of loyal people with merchants from Rouen, Dieppe, le Havre, who were very interested in the bounty to be harvested from Canada (furs, fish, lumber) and from the Antilles (sugar and, in particular, tobacco). The tobacco of the Islands was very desirable. Commercial dealings, military salaries and the appointments of officers and administrators were conducted with balls of tobacco.

2- THE COMPANY OF THE AMERICAN ISLANDS

The Directors of this Company are sometimes the same as those of the Hundred Associates. With RICHELIEU can be found D’EFFIAT, MARION, DE FLECELLES, MORAND, DEGUENEGAUD, BARDIN-ROYER, L’AVOCAT, FERRIER, CAVELET, MARTIN and CORNUEL. At the time of what is called the “reestablishment” of the Company in 1635, still with RICHELIEU appear: Jacques BERRUYER, Sieur de Manselmont, MARTIN DE MAUVOY, DE GUENEGAUD and BARDIN, FOUQUET, D’ALIGRE, etc…

Concerning the officers and administrators, there can be found, under the sponsorship of Pierre BELAIN D’ENAMBUC and Urbain ROISSEY (Captains of the Ponant Navy) persons bearing the names LESNARD, LA CHESNAYE, PHILBERT, DE LA GRANGE, DE L’OLIVE, DU PONT, DU PARQUET, LEFEBURE, HOUEL, DE LA VALLÉE, and also, LAUNAY-RAZILLY, DU HALDE, DE THOISY-PATROCLE (son of a Queen’s Squire), LE ROY du Mé, etc…

There was no lack of conflict between all these participants!

Sieur DU HALDE, the future Governor of Saint-Christophe, has already been noted as Master of the “Saint-Pierre”, scheduled to leave on two occasions for the fishing waters of Cape Breton (1640 and 1641), in a study by Marcel DELAFOSSE. He was not the only Captain in New France to also sail regularly to the Antilles, where Captains BONTEMPS and L’ABBÈ were cited on several occasions. It was surprising to see the latter, excommunicated by Father BIARD at the time of the Monts-Déserts (Translator’s note- appears to be near the coast in northern France) and René LE COCQ affair, show up in the Antilles! Nonetheless it served as an encouragement to continue.

Life on these islands was a perpetual nightmare. Rivalries between administrators, conflicts with the Spanish, English and Dutch, attacks by Caribbean natives – never mind the climate with its unpredictable hurricanes – were the common lot of the colonists on these badly supplied lands which the Court of France, it must be said, made fun of, even more than Acadia, which is no small feat, after the disappearance of the Cardinal and LOUIS XIII.

As for the conversion of the locals to the Catholic faith, it’s hardly worth mentioning. The Missionaries did what they could, but they weren’t dealing with the Micmac and Abenaki, but with ferocious warriors who were always ready to rip everything asunder by any means.

To summarize, the representatives of the royal authority, already at odds with the Directors of the Company, had an extremely difficult role to play. One sees a shower of secret letters and of new patent letters pouring down on the islands during the course of their history. One of the few ones to hold firm against the winds and tides was the Chevalier LONVILLIERS DE POINCY, Commander of Malta. But, first of all, let’s digress to the notaries in charge of the acts of the Company.

3- THE NOTARIES DE BEAUFORT AND DE BEAUVAIS

We have already been struck by the repeated presence, in the important acts of New France, of the two notaries Pierre DE BEAUFORT and Michel DE BEAUVAIS). (See the article in magazine issue no. 64 of Amitiés Acadiennes.) Until now this fact has for the most part been unnoticed.

These two notaries drew up not only of the marriage contract of Charles DE LA TOUR and its ratification by Hélène LERMINIER (1639/1640), but also of the contract BIENCOURT/PLUVINEL, as well as the inventory of the possessions of Marguerite D’ARDRES in 1636.

We mentioned the theory of a special link with RICHELIEU who bought Beaufort-en-Vallée from the Duke DE ROANNEZ, with its offices and notary functions and certainly with the GRANDJEHAN/BOURGEOIS family of La Ferté-Gaucher, where we find some BEAUFORTS in numerous repossession documents from 1613 to 1630. One of the residences of RICHELIEU was, like that of the notaries, in the Rue Saint-Honoré, and the whole affair appears to have been drawn up in his presence, or at least under his control. 17

With regard to the Antilles, DE BEAUFORT and DE BEAUVAIS drew up the Constitution Act of 1626. Later, we will see DE BEAUVAIS ten more times, most notably on the 12th of February, 1635 for the “reestablishment of the Company: “ce fict et accordé et accepté en l’Hostel de mondit Seigneur le Cardinal à Paris, rue Saint-Honoré…(this act was agreed upon and accepted at the hotel of My Lord Cardinal in Paris, Rue Saint-Honoré…) Thus DE BEAUFORT must have died between 1626 and 1635. Translator’s note – this death date doesn’t make sense to me.

4- COMMANDER PHILIPPE LONVILLIERS DE POINCY

This is one of the most notable individuals in the history of the French Antilles. Robert PICHETTTE, himself a “Knight of Obedience” in the Order of Malta, has acquainted us with this knight who would subsequently become “Bailiff” of the Order.

Let’s first locate “Poincy.” It’s a small town on the east side of Meaux in Brie, not far from Trilport and Monceaux. This neighborhood with Marie de MEDICI’s castle is definitely important. Moreover, the Commander was in charge of two headquarters of the Order: OISEMONT and COULEURS.

We can place Oisemont in Vimeu, quite close to …Biencourt. As for Coulours, near Sens (Yonne), it must be made clear that the local Lord was Michel LE BEL, “Lieutenant of Henry, his brother in the Commandery of France”, then “Receiver of the Taxes of Paris”. Thus we find again the family of Guillaume LE BEL, Lord of Bussy in 1597, husband of Catherine BLACKWOOD (BLACVOD), whose daughter, Honorée LE BEL, would be a lady-in-waiting for Queen Anne of Austria. Another coincidence?

Let’s remember that the “people” of the Queen’s House were quite numerous, around 1650, in the Bassevelle/La Verdure area, and that Guillaume LE BEL, probably a representative of Nicolas FOUQUET, was also tutor-overseer of the minor children of Charles de MENOU D’AULNAY. The world is decidedly small…

The history of Acadia teaches us that LONVILLIERS DE POINCY was to succeed Isaac DE RAZILLY in 1636, but that D’AULNAY arranged, at the expense of the Company of a Hundred Associates, to take control of the government of the colony. POINCY, like RAZILLY, as Commander of Malta, could not have been unaware of the two Commanderies of La Ferté-Gaucher: Coutran and Chevru, both “Servants at arms ” with their entourage of school masters and surgeons.

POINCY had proved his value as Squadron Chief, and the King, like Richelieu, held him in high esteem. In Acadia, he was seen to act against LA TOUR in 1645, siding with D’AULNAY. In addition, he belonged to the RAZILLY-COUDONNIER Company.

Once he became Governor of Saint Christopher’s Island, criticized and disowned by the King (young LOUIS XIV) he resisted his orders and tried to make the island into a second Malta, finally becoming owner of it. The King accepted a compromise, something so rare that it is noteworthy. The Bailiff of SOUVRÉ acted as an intermediate, in his role as Ambassador of the Order at the Court.

And until 1657, a certain MONTMAGNY, himself a Knight of Malta, was chosen by the Order, which had gained ownership of the island, to succeed him. (HUAULT DE MONTMAGNYof New France.)

Now it is time to look at Sainte-Croix Island.

5. SAINTE-CROIX ISLAND – THE COMMANDER DU BOIS

Jean-Baptiste DU TERTRE writes (page 452): " in the year 1656, he (PONCY) sent there (SAINT CROIX ISLAND) a young genleman named DU BOIS whose spirit, courage and affability put all things in their proper perspective. I don't know what help he received from Mr. de POINCY, to restore that colony which was almost ruined; but it is certain that it was changed in looks and reputation, as soon as he took charge of the government. He transported the inhabitants from the place where they were to another place more suitable and more healthful, treated them with kindness and governed them with such care, that the Knights of Malta considering him as restorer of that colony, after the death of Mr. de POINCY, confirmed on him the government which he had given him."

Following the successes of Anthoine DU BOIS, Saint Croix Island, like that of Saint-Christophe, was conceded by LOUIS XIV to the Order of Malta, so that it (the order) would have its seat, not only on the Isle of Malta, but also in several other places, so that there would be so many stations, fortresses and ramparts for Christianity, and asylums for the Faithful" (March 1653)(*)

A priest also by the name of DU BOIS (with a LE CLERC) was assigned to the island, without our knowing whether he was related to the Knight DU BOIS.

What we already knew, thanks to the History of the Commanderie of Coutran/La Ferté-Gaucher, is that the Knight Anthoine DU BOIS was Governor of Saint-Croix Island, and that he became, from1678 to 1710, Commander of the Commanderie of the Brothers-Servants of Coutran, that he left his post as Governor before that year, 1678.

A very captivating trail was beginning to form. Would it lead to other discoveries?

6. SOME NAMES ALREADY KNOWN - AND AN ADMIRAL

The reading of that “General History of the Antilles” was becoming interesting. J. B. DU TERTRE had really experienced many events and had documented very well (his work) (mail, notary acts, Patent Letters, Royal Concessions, etc...)

And here we are confronted by names that we've already seen...A Captain PITRE, under the name of "PITRE cotté", which we are not able to translate, a d'AUGERON, a DU VAL, a DE LA HAYE (Bassevelle), a DESMIERS, family names which we can link with MENOU through a cluster of complicated alliances.

But there was still better! On pages 303, 411, and 413 we find ourselves in the presence of a "Captain COURPON", sent by de POINCY to the aid of DU PARQUET, then to the aid of a certain "Savinien de COURPON, squire, SIEUR de la TOUR, Lieutenant Colonel in the said island" of Saint-Martin (March 1648).

You have read well.... The famous "Admiral", future spouse of Barbe BAJOLET (marriage at La Rochelle in October 1654), as in the Antilles several years before. He is well specified as "Sieur de LA TOUR" by DU TERTRE, and besides in the company of the Sieur Bernard de LA FOND, Squire, Sieur de l'ESPERANCE (there is a question of an accord with the Dutch).

(*) We find the DU BOIS's of La Ferté in the archives of Maine-et-Loire (Chantocé and Faveraie) with an alliance to GUESDON, likely to bring him closer to the LA TOUR's.

Father d'ENTREMONT (Cape-Sable, volume 3, page 1049) tells us that Saninien de COURPON was the widower of "Miss Olive de LAUBARÉ, noble widow". This "LAUBARÉ", which could have been miss-read; but this is another story...(*)

DU TERTRE relates after this a (very) somber affair dated 1655 between "Mr. de LA TOUR and this woman. This Lady was rather well known in the Islands under the name of the Baroness de SAVIGNY; otherwise de LAUNOY, who had married the Sieur de LA TOUR before he became Governor of Saint-Martin..." See the journal of the AMITIES ACADIENNES No 68, pages 16 to 22 (about Barbe BAJOLLET).

He does not specify that it is a question of the same Sieur de LA TOUR as Savinien de COURPON. Too bad, because this affaire ends in the execution of the Lady (Damoiselle), who had tried to kill her husband, somewhat fickle....But this name "de LAUNOY" leaves us still dreaming: we see it dozens of times in the registers of Bassevelle at the same time period.

7 - MASSACRE AT THE ISLAND OF MARIE-GALANTE

Barely had we finished our encounter with Sanvinien de COURPON, then on page 417 of the work of DU TERTRE, we come upon another family name... well known. And it is thus that Mr. HOUEL, Administrator of the Company, gives the order to his brother, the Knight HOUEL, to "go to the Island of Mariegalande with one hundred men whom we have commanded (trained) for this task, who will be put in the necessary boats and Ships ..."

And to do what over there? The order continues "Will pass by the habitations of Master Francois LA VERDURE, LA RAMEE, and others who were massacred by the Savages, and will send back to land the Sieur de BLAGNY with twenty riflemen, to see in what state they are, to have the bodies buried, etc..."

A LA VERDURE in the Islands! Surely, it is only a question of a homonyme, however qualified with "Master", which seems to indicate a navigator. Here again is a new one, and which could confirm our reasoning "in fine" in our article "Nouvelles glanes, etc..." and destined to the S.H.A. and the C.E.A. G. DETHAN in "The life of Gaston d'Orléans", pages 233 to 234, writes this: "A man named Anthoine GALOIS, dit LA VERDURE, had the mission ....to look for plants and other exquisite rareties which might be found on Saint Christopher Island".

Again a homonyme, at least for the family name. The LA VERDURE's are not lacking! But we can't help but think about that Germain DOUCET who can't be found for the moment, and linked to the Hospitaliers de Malte. He is "de LA VERDURE" or "Sieur de LA VERDURE", data which must be remembered.

Let's reflect again on our subject. He is a military man, if we refer to the deliberations of 1654 at Port-Royal.

8 - THE SIEUR DE LA VERDURE, COMMANDER OF THE ARMY

It is necessary to admit that, in spite of certain indications, we have not yet determined the place of birth of Germain DOUCET. On the other hand, his name of "Sieur de LA VERDURE" has connections, without a doubt, to that hamlet of Bassevelle, where we go from one discovery to another, always with a little bit of "something Acadian".

Nothing says that DOUCET was born at La Verdure, which he could very well have bought several (dozens of ) years after his birth: that is the case of many of the RICHELIEU's "people", including René LE COCQ with Sainove. And we will not give up hope of finding him some day in the area of Meaux or of La Ferthé-sous-Jouarre, even in the area aroung the shore of the Loire River, but let's not anticipate.

(*) The LENHARÉ's of Bassevelle-La Verdure were allied to the du BELLAY's of Sallenove, and therefore to René LE COCQ. We also find them in a d'AULNAY - LE CAMUS family, with a "René-Charles d'AULNAY", whose first names leave us dreaming... 20

Let's go back over what the documents tell us: Let's begin with Charles d'AULNAY's will, written in 1649. If he says "from the parish of Couperans-en-Brie" (which is translated by Coutrans/La Ferté-Gaucher), he hardly gives any supplementary indication. He talks about "his wife" without ever mentioning her family name, nor her given name: we have concluded that it was in order to not embarrass them, that wife, who had to be born "GRANDJEHAN" and not "BOURGEOIS", if our reasoning was right. (*) See our "Suite No 5" pages 157 and 158 and annexe No 8.

Charles d'AULNAY, generous in spite of his enormous debts which he incurred (which makes even his partisans smile), orders this written in speaking about DOUCET: "He will be given, I will give him only 200 livres, but the assistance which I render to his nephews and nieces and to all who concern him, amounts to 100 livres. One does not choose so precisely. He well deserves 100 écus per year for his salary and his food and that of his wife."

Conclusion No 1: Mrs. Germain DOUCET is still alive in 1649. Will she be alive in 1654? Conclusion No 2: Did the DOUCET couple really have children? On this matter, we agree with our cousin from Poitiers, Maurice CAILLEBEAU, who thought that DOUCET and his wife were raising as their own children... their nephews and nieces.

Is it a case of young persons with the DOUCET name, children of Jacques BOURGEOIS? In the first case, a brother asserts himself, (or a sister, unmarried with children, very improbable) whom we would need to find. We do not lend great credence to the second hypothesis; Jacques BOURGEOIS and Jeanne TRAHAN were very well-to-do.

Those two children: Pierre and Marguerite-Louise, which are said to be born in 1621 and 1634, and for the first one we don't know the first wife; were they of the same mother? That thirteen year gap obliges us to think about it. And why don't we find anywhere the information about Mrs. Pierre DOUCET No 1? An aura of mystery definitely surrounds this family.

Then arrives the capitulation of 1654. We have the copy. Contrary to tradition, no BOURGEOIS signed it, especially not the phanthom (ghost) brother, Robert BOURGEOIS, invented by RAMEAU de SAINT-PIERRE. Here is what is said: "And for the greatest assurance that the content of the following articles will be respected, the said Sieur de la Verdure leaves as hostage Mister Jacques BOURGEOIS, his brother-in-law and lieutenant of the Place, bearer of his proxy for the present treaty and the Sieur Emmanuel le BORGNE, son, until the accomplishment of the present accord, which began in the first session which was yesterday and was concluded today, 16 August, 1654, French style (calendar)." Signed thus: Robert SEDGEWICK, Robert SALEM, Max HARRISON, Robert MARTIN, Richard MORS. The three French signing are: Emmanuel LE BORGNE, Guillaume TROUEN (TRAHAN) and Leonard de CHARTRES "For the purpose of surrender."

Historians tell us that LA VERDURE returned to France. Alone? With his wife? Nothing is mentioned. We know that, on the contrary, "his children" remained there. Is this the normal attitude of direct relatives (parents)? We don't think so, and this makes plausible the idea that those DOUCET's could possibly be nephews (in fact, one nephew and one niece).

There remained to determine where the Commander of Arms of Port-Royal could return to France. Our thought was very simple: he probably was only tempted to return to the place from whence he departed, namely the Headquarters of the Order of Malta of La Ferté-Gaucher, COUTRAN. Soldier of the Order in one way or another, he was obliged to again put himself at the disposition of the Knights.

(*) Jean-Marie GERME, in a recent article of the association "AMITIES GENEALOGIQUES CANADIENNES FRANCAISES" thinks that it is "Couperou", which became Coupru, which had the same status as Bassevelle in the administative plan. The two town are close to one another.

Precisely, the Knight named Anthoine DU BOIS "from La Ferthé" must have been there waiting for a departure towards the Antilles, where the Order of Malta had conquered the right to property with the full accord of the King of France LOUIS XIV. POINCY used to send "his best friends" there.

Our LA VERDURE, inevitably inclined towards the American adventure which he had already experienced with the first group in Acadia, could he not have been tempted again to cross the Atlantic? Didn't he owe it to the Knights? We tend to believe it, because he must have had the opportunity to know the Commandeur de POINCY, like Isaac de RAZILLY and his brother Claude, and even more so the Knight DU BOIS LA FERTÉ.

If the idea of this second cross-Atlantic voyage was tempting by its logic, it must also have been supported by some proof, and we must admit that we were very skeptical about this necessary proof.

9 - AT THE SOVEREIGN COUNSEL OF MARTINIQUE (1660)

And it's here that destiny gives us, once more a wink...just a wink.

Read this (Page 565 of the work of DU TERTRE):

"EXCERPTS OF THE REGISTERS OF THE CLERK OF COURT OF THE SOVEREIGN COUNSEL OF THIS ISLAND MARTINIQUE"

"On Wednesday the twenty-sixth day of March 1660, the Sovereign Counsel of this Island of Martinique, at a special assembly, where the presiding person was Monseigneur the General VAUDEROQUE, and where were Mister de FRANCILLON Captain of a Company, Mister de LOUBIERES also Captain of a Company on this island, Misters de VERT-PRAY and DU BOIS also Captains, Mister de LA VIGNE, Misters DES JARDINS and de LA VERDURE, de LA JEUNESSE, de BOUILLON and SAINT-AUBIN Ensigns."

(This was about a French-English accord concerning the Islands, begun earlier by de POINCY).

To find together the person named DU BOIS (who would become Commander of Coutran/La Ferté-Gaucher in 1678) and a Lieutenant DE LA VERDURE is really surprising.

---------------------------------

One swallow does not make it spring, and one book - even if it's edited by a Reverend Father of the of the Dominican Order - does not make it History. Certainly...

This account where we nevertheless find two "LA VERDURE's" with the Admiral Savinien de COURPON is still in all very troubling. We will add the presence, at la Ferté-Gaucher, from the de LA MARCK family: Charlotte de LA MARCK was heir to the Dukes de BOUILLON of Sedan. The meeting in the same place of the DU BOIS's of La Ferté, of LA VERDURE and LA MARCK, was that only accidental? (an arrow points from Ducs de BOUILLON to "House of LORRAINE" which was added at bottom of the page)

One can certainly ask himself the question.


6. Return To Germain Doucet

A recent hypothesis will perhaps help to locate the origins of Germain DOUCET (*) if we read <<Couperou>> (which became Coupru, near Bassevelle), the <<Couperans>> of Charles de MENOU’s will. This expression <<origins>> is perhaps not fitting: this place would have been a residence of the pioneer at the time when Charles de MENOU was having his will written up, just like the hamlet of La Verdure, at Bassevelle.

1 – THE DOUCET FAMILY NAME – VARIANT – DIVERSE ENCOUNTERS

We propose to take into account the various encounters which we were able to come up with up to now, with the variant <<DOULCET>> most probably of the same origins. We are keeping in mind (which has always guided our research) that a person, who became Commander of the Army at Port-Royal, directly under Charles de MENOU, definitely must have had a tie with the royal entourage at the Court of France.

The Court, under the Kings Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I, resided especially on the banks of the Loire River rather than in Paris. This was still the case under Henry II and his successors, but to a lesser degree. It is therefore quite possible to find, in Anjou and Touraine, some DOUCETs or DOULCETs in the 16th and 17th centuries, who could have connections to the pioneer (See third part).

But Germain DOUCET, having become <<Sieur de La Verdure>>, inevitably resided in Brie in Champagne, and we remain persuaded that his residence, before the departure for Acadie, was situated in this hamlet of Bassevelle, where we still find the family name in the local cemetery (and at school).

Let’s remember that Bassevelle was “under the rule” of Henriette de LORRAINE, Abbess of Notre-Dame of Soissons, sister of Charles II of LORRAINE, Duke of Ebeuf (spouse of Catherine-Henriette of France, illegitimate daughter of Henry IV and Gabrielle of ESTRÉS) sister-in-law of Louis GOUFFIER, Duke of Roannez (spouse of Claude-Eléonore of LORRAINE, deceased at the castle of Oiron in 1654).

Bassevelle, like Couperou, depended at the time on the jurisdiction of Paris: a situation most particular on the administrative plan, which surely had its importance. Thus we find our hypothesis of an obligatory, necessary, link with the Court.

From several sources, we have picked out the following persons:

- Father ANSELEME de Sainte-Marie (History of the House of France)

Claire-Louise-Thérèse DOUCET, daughter of Etienne DOUCET, General Counsel, and of Louise FAUTEREAU (spouse of Jean-François de CONFLANS, Seigneur of Fouilleuse, near Clermont de L’Oise, deceased in 1693) with alliance to RAVENEL de BERGH and to RENTY. (**)

Nicolas DOUCET, lord of Touillemont, third spouse of Marguerite de CONFLANS, widow of François de RIGOND and of Jean-Louis de CLERMONT. (**)

Jean DOUCET, lord of Toulemor, spouse of Claude-Marie de MARLE (daughter of Claude II of MARLE, viscount of Arcy-le-Ponsard and of Coucy-sur-Epte, and of Catherine VASSAN, herself daughter of Zacharie de VASSAN, lord of Puiseux, viscount of Obilly and of Marguerite FARET).

(*) By Jean-Marie GERME, in the bulletin NO 6 of AMITIES GENEALOGIQUES CANADIENNES FRANCAISES

(**) Possibilty of links with Antoine de CONFLANS, commandant of <<La Dauphine> de VERRAZANO, to be researched.

- Dictionary of the Nobility (LA CHESNAYE-DES-BOIS)

Martin DOUCET, lord of Saint-Gobert (Vervins, Aisne), spouse of Antoinette de HAUCOURT. This couple was living in 1550, and was the great-great-great grandparent of Marie-Louise DOUCET, born in 1676 and of Marguerite DOUCET, born in 1678, <<received at Saint-Cyr in August 1686>>, and therefore known and appreciated by Madame de MAINTENON (*).

- Research of Michel TOURNOIS

Nicolas DOUCET, Attorney in Chatelet

Germain DOULCET, Attorney in Chatelet, spouse (1616) of Claude de PARIS, with a witness also Procureur and <<cousin of the spouse, Maitre Charles BOURGEOIS>>.

- Our own research (Suite No 5>>, page 108)

Nicolas DOUCET, lord of La Corne, spouse of Marguerite DU BOIS, (with several DUBOIS, Captains of the castle of Macon).

Benoîte DOUCET, spouse of Jean THIBAUT, squire, lord of Saint-Trivier (Bourg-en-Bresse).

From all these persons, we could find no interesting path until now, except maybe for the <<Germain DOUCET>> of Michel TURQUOIS, about whom we don’t have the precise references <<there is the matter of a contract of the chief notary of the National Archives, but which notary?)

We can also note the alliances of Etienne DOUCET with BERGH, RAVENEL and RENTY (Tome VI-151 C of Father Anselme). A Robert de RAVENEL of Sablonnieres was the god-father of Robert de SALLENOVE, the father-in-law of René LE COCQ at Bassevelle. The de BERGHs bring us closer to the Dukes of BOUILLON and of LA MARCK (Frédéric-Maurice de LA TOUR, spouse of Eléonore-Catherine de BERGH). Indirectly, these de BERGHs were also allies of the de LANNOYs and DUPLESSIS-LIANCOURT, therefore of Antoinette de PONS, and especially of the family of LORRAINE. The de RENTYs were allied with the de THOU, but also with the de LONGUEJOUE, therefore with the de HARLAY. See E-80 of the archives of the Loir-et-Cher (3rd part). This Etienne DOUCET could therefore be linked to Germain DOUCET, but in what way?

2- A CERTAIN PERRETTE DOUCET

In our brochure <<Suite No 1>>, page 82, we cite a passage from the work of Father Anselme, with Perrette DOUCET, spouse of Jean COTTEREAU. And their daughter, Perrette COTTEREAU, in turn, marries a well-known person, Guillauem PHELYPEAUX lord of Villesavin. (**)

We arrive, on that side (lineage), at the Secretary of the Order of Marie de MEDICIS, exiled in Blois, Jean PHELYPEAUX of Villesavin, Count of Buzançois, and spouse of Isabelle BLONDEAU. Of this couple was born Anne PHELYPEAUX, who married in 1627….Léon LE BOUTHILLIER of Chavigny, the associate of RICHELIEU. (***)

We arrive on that side at a path worthy of interest; it is fitting to add a certain number of links, going back to the 16th century, in order to explore other paths.

(*) To this Martin DOUCET is linked most probably the <<Philippe de SAINT-GOBERT>> found by us in the notary Pierre de BEAUFORT’s documents (April 1636) with Nicolas HABERT de Montfort.

(**) An error in the date for the marriage between Guillaume PHELYPEAUX and Perrette COTTEREAU is our fault. The <<1627>> of <<Suite No 1>> should be about 1500. Father ANSELME writes <<before 1500>>.

(***) See the Tome reserved for the Chanceliers of France (IX**) of Father ANSELME, page 441, with links to DU VAL, ALLARD and VIART.

3- The COTTEREAU FAMILY – REMARKABLE ALLIANCES (LINKS)

Under the Kings LOUIS XII and FRANCOIS 1, the COTTEREAU family was in the foreground. Jean COTTEREAU, knight and lord of Maintenon, was Treasurer and Superintendant of the Finances of France. He had married Marie TURIN (sometimes written Bonne THURIN), whose family was allied to the de BEAUNEs and the de PIERREVIVE (therefore also with the GONDIs).

A cluster of alliances surrounded the couple, including the ROBERTETs, the CLAUSSEs, BRIÇONNETs, BERTHELOTs, and …..BURGENSIS (BOURGEOIS). See our article of No 90 of the magazine of the AMITIES ACADIENNES.

Their daughter and heir, Isabeau COTTEREAU, married in 1526 Jacques d,ANGENNES, lord of Rambouillet, La Villeneuve, Maintenon, Meslay, Angerville, Poigny, etc…one of the sons of Charles d’ANGENNES, lord of Rambouillet and of Marguerite de COESMES (Father ANSELME, Tome II-425-C). The genealogical trip starting with Perrette DOUCET gets complicated, but gets more and more interesting: with those de COESMES (de COÊMES, we are right in the center of the Court of France!

A first alliance must be noted: Suzanne de COESMES, daughter of Nicolas de COESMES, lord of Lucé, married Louis de ROUVILLE, the Master of the Hunting Dogs of France, which leads to links with:

Diane LE VENEUR, daughter of the Chambellan of the Queen of England (Henriette of France, sister of LOUIS XIII and of Chrestienne de France, Duchess of SAVOYE), the famous Tanneguy LE VENEUR, Count of Tillières.

Antoinette PINART, daughter of Claude PINART, viscount of Combizy and of Françoise de LA MARCK, the latter linking to the Duke de BOUILLON and….La Ferté-Gaucher.

The BOCHARTs of Champigny, because Jacques de ROUVILLE, lord of Meux (Compiègne), married Denise BOCHART, daughter of Jean BOCHART de Champigny and Isabelle ALLEGRAIN, from which comes another alliance with the DU BOSCs, de BELLOYs, d’ANGLURE du Bellay de Savigny.

Second alliance at upper echelon: Louis de COESMES, lord of Lucé was the spouse of Jeanne de PISSELEU, one of the daughters of Adrien de PISSELEU, lord of Heilly, and of Charlotte d’AILLY, and therefore a niece of Anne de PISSELEU, the mistress of FRANÇOIS I. On that side we will find:

The CHABOTs of Jamac (Louise de PISSELEU, spouse of Guy CHABOT in 1540),

The SANGUIN family with its LE GENDRE and BOURGEOIS links (Guillaume de PISSELEU, father of Anne, husband in second marriage to Anne SANGUIN, daughter of Antoine, lord of Meudon, and of Marie SIMON),

The de BRETAGNEs of Avaugour from an illegitimate son of the Duke François II de BRETAGNE, a half-brother of Anne de BRETAGNE, two times Queen of France (Charlotte de PISSELEU), half-sister of Anne de PISSELEU, spouse of François III de BRETAGNE d’Avaugour, count of Vertus in Champagne). (*)

Third alliance by choice; Anne de MONTAFFLÉ, countess of Soissons, spouse of Charles de BOURBON, vice-roy of New-France. She was in effect the daughter of Louis MONTAFFLÉ and of Jeanne de COESMES, herself daughter of Louis de COEMES and of Anne de PISSELEU (See <<Suite No 6>> page 5).

(*) The de BRETAGNEs of Avaugour had some links with the notary of Paris Pierre de BEAUFORT, often cited by us. This notary, relative of Nicole de BEAUFORT, god-mother of Jacob BOURGEOIS, was the writer of the marriage contract of Charles de LA TOUR with Françoise –Marie JACQUELIN.

With the Countess of Soissons, we find her daughters: Louise de BOURBON, spouse of Henry d’ORLEANS, Duke of Longueville, and Marie de BOURBON, spouse of François-Thomas de SAVOYE, Prince of Carignan. She was allied to the de RAZILLYs (by the deBEAUVOLLIERs), and her sister, Urbaine de MONTAFFLÉ, spouse of Louis de LA CHASTRE, baron of Maisonfort, Maréchal of France and Governor of Berry. (*)

Let’s come back to the alliance of the de RENTYs with the de LONGUEJOUE, already interesting in itself, because it is not the only one. Léonard de RENTY, lord of Montigny (archives of the Loir-et-Cher), received homage from Michelle GAILLARD, widow of Florimond ROBERTET, mentioned in our article of No 9 of the magazine of the AMITIES ACADIENNES (page 7).

The d’ESCOUBLEAU (Françoisand his spouse, Elisabeth BABOU) paid homage to the vice-countess de MONTBOISSIER, marquise d’Alluye, Gabrielle de MONTAUDION, widow of Pierre de RENTY.

And we’ll take up another alliance of the COTTEREAUs, even more remarkable. Perrine GAULTIER was the spouse of Claude de LAUNAY-RAZILLY (which links the d’ARGOUGES, BOYLEAUs, QUENTINs and FLEURIAUs of the Cent-Associés (One Hundred Associates), with the ROBINs and Nicolas DENYS allied with the LE GENDREs of Tours). But it is important to know that the oldest sister of Perrine GAULTIER, Jacqueline GAULTIER, was married to César COTTEREAU.

Very recently, Jean-Marie GERME published a marriage contract from Tours, where we see the TERRIAUs linked to the FERREGEAUs, RUAUs, and COTTEREAUs (COTHEREAU), and lady Perrine GAULTIER, widow of Claude de LAUNAY-RAZILLY. This beautiful discovery has the advantage of situating the origins of the TERRIAUs in Tours, and of confirming essential links.

We shall see in the third part of this <<Suite No 7>> that other DOUCETs (or DOULCETs) from the region of Blois will come join <<our>> Perrine DOUCET, spouse of Jean COTTEREAU. Even if there is no <<Germain>> in this line, it reveals itself to be troubling.

The proofs are yet to be found, but we certainly don’t have exclusive rights to research on those shores of the Loire, where the Court of France , with its financiers, resided for so long.

We therefore pass on the work to whoever will take it, with the hope for new discoveries.

N.B: Page 293 of Bernard QUILLIETs book <<LOUIS XII>> (Fayard, 1986) cites a certain François DOULCET.

This person was Houseleader of the Department of Taxes (Tax Bureau) and clerk for the payment of extraordinary taxes during wartime, two jobs answering directly to the King. Undoubtedly accused, like many others, of fraud, his possessions were confiscated.

Undoubtedly this François DOULCET had the occasion to know the <<block of financiers>> of the King, those CLAUSSEs, de BEAUNEs, BOHIERs, BERTHELOTs and other BRIÇONNETs, certain ones amongst these being cited in the <<Proof of Nobility of the LE GENDRES>>, with a <<Jacques BOURGEOIS>> and his daughter Marguerite.

We could not forget him in our study…

(*) The de LA CHASTREs, d’ALLEGRAINs, SANGUINs and de RENTYs were allied of the de THOUs, and therefore of lady Anne BOURGEOIS. See <<Suite No 6>>, pages 68 to 70 and magazine No 85, page 10 of the AMITIES ACADIENNES.

As far as the unknown spouse of Germain DOUCET, Jacques NERROU (Secretary General of <<RACINES et RAMEAUX FRANÇAIS d’ACADIE) thinks, and it seems that Archange GOBBOUT thinks likewise, that she could have been one of the daughters of Guillaume TRAHAN, with the given name of Marie.

Thus, Jacob BOURGEOIS would have been the brother-in-law by marriage of Germain DOUCET. This hypothesis is tempting and would also deserve a proof, which without a doubt would be difficult to find. (*)

To wrap up let’s add that the COTTEREAUs are present in Acadia: simple clue for the moment….

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(*) Stephen WHITE, in his Dictionnaire, page 527, writes that it << is not possible that the mother of the children of Germain DOUCET is a sister of the wife of Jacques BOURGEOIS…given that the parents-in-law (in-laws) of the latter were married only in 1627. There exists the possibility however that Germain DOUCET married in a second marriage, a daughter of Guillaume TRAHAN…>>

In what concerns Germain DOUCET II, he states: <<The dispensation of the third degree of consanguinity granted for the marriage of Germain DOUCET, grand-son of Germain DOUCET II, and Françoise COMEAU, grand-daughter of Pierre DOUCET and Henriette PELLETRET, proves that the spouse of Marie LANDRY was the brother of Pierre DOUCET>>.

He thus contradicts the pages 505 and 508 of Tome 2 of Bona ARSENAULT <<Histoire et généalogie des Acadiens>> LEMÉAC 1978


7. Excerpt from suite (For Information)

This last person mentioned was, according to historians, the spouse of Mathurine PICARD, but at that time, successive marriages were numerous and frequent and were performed within a short period of time following the death of a spouse.  In ETA, page 21, we had indicated a “Pierre FERRAND” provincial Treasurer of War, found on a contract of 1633 of Michel de BEAUVAIS, with Louis de HARLAY and Jeanne de HARLAY.  Simple coincidence?

Another strange thing:  Guillaume DESJARDINS, too, was “Provincial Controller of War”, which leaves us to believe links of function.

E-711 (1644) Gabriel FERRAND is said to be “Attorney for the presiding headquarters of Blois”.  Was he related to Pierre “FERRANT” mentioned above?

E-745 (1527-1770) City of Blois.  A sale by Pierre MAURAY dit VIERRON, merchant in Blois, Lucas MAURAY his brother and Marguerite MAURAY wife of Jean CLOUTIER, their sister, to Perrette COTEREAU widow of Guillaume PHELIPPEAUX resident of Blois, and to Raymond PHELIPPEAUX manager of the salt depository, his son, 40 tournois of income (1525).

Benoit PHELIPPEAUX, guardian of the salt depository, Raymond PHELIPPEAUX, Consul of the King and Treasurer of his savings.

Re-read E-68 and E-422 above.  From various sources, we know that Guilllaume PHELYPEAUX (PHELIPPEAUX) had become “Lord of Ville-Sablon” in 1469 and that his wife, Perrette COTTEREAU, was the daughter of Jean COTTEREAU and Perrette DOUCET.  Raymond PHELYPEAUX, their son, “Lord of la Vrillière” en 1535,   married (1521) Robine de LUTZ; he was followed by a daughter, Marie, wife of Jacques ALLARD, Lord of Villiers near Blois.

From that couple, Raymond de PHELYPEAUX – Robine de LUTZ, comes Louis PHPELYPEAUX,  Lord of La Vrillière, Counsel in the Tribunal of Blois and married in 1557 to Radegonde GARRAUD (ETA, page 99), parents of Jean PHELYPEAUX of Villesain, Count of Buzançois and husband of lady Isabelle BLONDEAU.  From this couple will be born Anne PHELYPEAUX, who married in 1627 Leon LE BOUTHILLIER DE Chavigny, confidant of  RICHELIEU.

We say one more time that the positions of manager of the salt depositories were promotions.

(Four phrases are highlighted and at the bottom of the page is written “for your information): 

Paragraphs 4  and 5 – manager of the salt depositories

Paragraph 6 – Jean COTTEREAU and Perrette DOUCET

Paragraph 8 – manager of the salt depositories.