Count Bartholomew Dupuy

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHF9-782

Bartholomew Dupuy and the Founding of Manakintown
Updated: Jan 6, 2020

Since the birth of the Colony of Virginia, settlers have flocked to the New World for new prospects. Whether, they left for economic opportunities, to begin life anew, or for religious and political freedom, all their contributions helped create the modern state of Virginia. Finally finding a new home, many of them looked back from where they had come, and realized they were part of an important era. However, the memories of some, like Bartholomew Dupuy, were clouded in political and religious strife. Despite his unfortunate past, he participated in the historic Manakintown settlement in Henrico County, Virginia. Founded by French Huguenots, also known as French protestants, this settlement offered them a new chance at life.

Considered “the largest settlement of those famous exiles in America,”1 the inhabitants of Manakintown were forced to flee France. Facing situations that threatened their lives, pioneers like Bartholomew Dupuy understood the importance of this town. Before Dupuy arrived from London, along with other Huguenots, he experienced one of the most brutal and infamous periods in French history. After the Edict of Nantes was revoked by King Louis IV, a countrywide persecution of French protestants commenced that “drove from France all Huguenots who were so fortunate as to escape the galleys or death”.2 Dupuy, was one of the fortunate ones.

During this time, he was visited by a group of dragoons and the local parish priest who demanded that he convert to the Catholic faith.3 If he decided against such a decision, he would face “the fate that awaited all heretics.”4 As an officer of the guard for King Louis IV,5 Bartholomew Dupuy knew all too well what awaited them if he declined their offer. Instead of converting; however, he and his wife, Countess Susanne Lavillon, fled that very night.

Disguised in his uniform, they traveled eighteenth days to protestant Germany, but even his military attire couldn’t protect their identities for long. After being pursued by “one or two of the best mounted [dragoons],”6 he confronted the soldiers and dispatched them with his sword. Upon his arrival to the German border he presented the King’s Seal to the French guards, which he had used during his military service, and was granted permission to leave France.

These recollections haunted Dupuy and his wife for years to come, but now, they and other Huguenots were welcomed in Virginia. Given a tract of 10,000 acres of land along the James River,7 Huguenots were given freedoms other religious dissenters did not have. Given “full citizenship”,8 the freedom to worship God according to their denomination,9 and the right to choose their own minister,10 they were favored by King William. First recorded in Manakintown on June 30, 1711 in the records of King William Parish,11 Dupuy had finally found a place of refuge.

Over the years, this community faded away, but its establishment only benefited Colonial Virginia. Not only were Huguenots, like Bartholomew Dupuy, able to create a positive identity for themselves, the town also played a vital role. Boosting the economy and helping to expand the frontier, it forever shaped the history of the colony, and its future polices.

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Documentation and Suggested Readings:

1. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish (1707-1750), (Greenville, South Carolina : Southern Historic Press, Inc.,1966), 1.

2. R. A. Brock, Documents, Chiefly Unpublished, Relating To The Huguenot Emigration (London, England : Forgotten Books, 2015), 152.

3. R. A. Brock, Documents, Chiefly Unpublished, Relating To The Huguenot Emigration, 152.

4. R. A. Brock, Documents, Chiefly Unpublished, Relating To The Huguenot Emigration, 152.

5. R. A. Brock, Documents, Chiefly Unpublished, Relating To The Huguenot Emigration, 152.

6. R. A. Brock, Documents, Chiefly Unpublished, Relating To The Huguenot Emigration (London, England : Forgotten Books, 2015), 153.

7. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish (1707-1750), (Greenville, South Carolina : Southern Historic Press, Inc.,1966), 2; The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin Town in the Colony of Virginia, Original 1704 Land Grant (http://huguenot-manakin.org/manakin/landgrant.php : accessed 7 February 2018), “1704 Land Grant of 10,000 Acres from the Colony of Virginia to the French Huguenots.”

8. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish, 2.

9. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish, 2.

10. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish, 2.

11. King William Parish, The Vestry Book of King William Parish (1707-1750), (Greenville, South Carolina : Southern Historic Press, Inc.,1966), 17.
Last Changed: February 21, 2022

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John Dickenson Jr.
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Bartholomew "the Huguenot" Dupuy

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/France

Beginning in the reign of Francis I, the Reformation gained many adherents in France (see Huguenots). In 1560 religious conflict flared up in the first of the ferocious civil wars (see Religion, Wars of) that tore France asunder during the reigns (1560–89) of the last Valois kings, Charles IX and Henry III. The Catholics, led by the ambitious Guise family, eventually formed the Catholic League and obtained Spanish support against the Protestant Henry of Navarre, the legal heir of Henry III.

Navarre was supported by some moderate Catholics as well as by the Protestants. He defeated the League but had to accept Catholicism before being allowed to enter (1594) Paris.

Ruling as Henry IV, he became the first Bourbon king of France. With his great minister, Sully , he made France prosperous once again and encouraged French explorers in Canada.

Religious freedom and political security for Protestants were promulgated in the Edict of Nantes (1598; see Nantes, Edict of), but after Henry's assassination (1610) by a Catholic fanatic the rights of the Huguenots were steadily reduced.

Under his successor, Louis XIII (1610–43), and in the minority of Louis XIV, two great statesmen successively shaped the destiny of the kingdom—Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin. They led France to victory in the Thirty Years War (1618–48), which France entered openly in 1635, joining the Protestant allies against the Hapsburg powers, Austria and Spain. Austria was defeated in 1648 (see Westphalia, Peace of), Spain in 1659 (see Pyrenees, Peace of the ). At home, Richelieu destroyed the political power of the Huguenots, and Mazarin overcame the nobles in the wars of the Fronde .

Louis XIV(1643–1715), aided by the genius of Jean Baptiste Colbert (d. 1683) and François Louvois, completed Richelieu's and Mazarin's work of centralization. Raising the position of the king to a dignity and prestige hitherto unknown in France, Louis XIV made France the first power in Europe and his court at Versailles the cynosure of Europe. But his many wars undermined French finances, and his persecution of the Huguenots (the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685) caused serious harm to the economy as thousands of merchants and skilled workers left France. His successes in the War of Devolution (1667–68) against Spain and the Dutch War (see Dutch Wars) of 1672–78 inspired all Europe with fear of French hegemony and resulted in the diplomatic isolation of France. The War of the Grand Alliance (1688–97) against Louis XIV began to turn the tide; the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14), although it did not end with a clear victory over France, marked the end of French expansion in Europe. The reign of Louis XIV saw the height of French power in America. France, at the end of Louis's reign, was exhausted from its attempt at primacy; yet its latent strength and wealth were so great that it recovered prosperity within a few years.

Bartholomew enlisted in the French army at the age of eighteen.

For fourteen years he was the Captain of the Royal Household Guards of King Louis XIV, and received written orders directly from the King.

Bartholomew and his wife were staunch Huguenots.

The family feared for their lives after King Louis had revoked the Edict of Nantes.

Bartholomew Dupuy was the first of this family to come to America after 1685, when King Louis XIV ordered that only Catholics could live in France.

He left France because he was a Protestant. King Louis, being his friend, wrote a letter of amnesty for Bartholomew and his young bride Susanne Levillain (Comtess Susanne LeVillion). The letter said:

To the Seigneur Bartholomew Du Puy at his chateau of Velours in Saintonge. Ride in haste.

This to our trusted and well beloved Bartholomew Du Puy, one of our guardsmen, who has amnesty granted to him with his household until the first day of December, Any annoyance of the said Seigneur Duy Puy will be at the peril of the officer who commands it. Such is our royal will. Moreover, we pray our said trusted friend, Du Puy, to abjure his heresy and return to the bosom of the holy church, in which alone is rest.

Done at Versailles, this thirtieth day of October in the Year 1685.

Signed: Louis XIV, King of France

They secretly escaped from their family home in Gabrielles. Susanne was dressed as a page boy to get past the guards, and they escaped to Germany. Then they went to Holland, then England, and finally in 1699, they took a sailing ship to Virginia with their friends and family who were called the "French Huguenots".

The story, A Huguenot’s Sword, which was first published in Harper’s Magazine, April 1857, describes how he and his wife, dressed as a page, escaped from France to Germany. They remained in Germany until 1699 when they went to England and then later to the Huguenot’s Manakin Town settlement in Virginia. Bartholomew DuPuy was the father of several sons including John James Dupuy.

WILL OF BARTHOLOMEW DUPUY Goochland Co., VA Dated: 7 Mar 1742-3; Proved: 17 May 1743

In the name of God Amen. I, Bartholomew Dupuy of Goochland County and in King William Parrish Virginia being Sick in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be to the Almighty God, and calling to remembrance the uncertain estate of this transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto death, when it shall please the Almighty God to call, do make Constitute ordain and declare this to be my last Will and Testament and none other and in manner and form following, Revoking and Annuling by these presents all and every Testament or Testaments Will or Wills heretofore by me made or declared, either by word or writing and this only to be taken only for my last Will and Testament and none other. And first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for my Sins past most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same. I give and Commit my Soul unto the Almighty God my Savior and Redeemer, In Whom and by whose merits I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission and forgiveness for all my Sins past, and that my Soul with my body at the General day of Resurrection shall rise again with joy, and through the merits of Christs death and passion possess and Inherit the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for his Elect and Chosen. And me body to be decenlty buried in such place as it shall please my Executors hereafter named. and for the better settling my Temporal Estate Such Goods Chattles and implements as it has pleased the Almighty God to bestow on me above my deserts, I order and dispose the same in manner and form following, That is to say I will that those debts and Duties as I owe in Right and Conscience to any manner of person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly Contented and paid or ordained to be paid within Convenient time after my decease by my Executor, hereafter named. Item. I give and bequeath to my Eldest Peter Dupuy five pounds Virginia Currency, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my son John James Dupuy Ten pounds Virginia Currency, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandson John Bartholomew Dupuy Son to Peter Dupuy two pounds Virginia Currency, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to the poor of King William Parrish five pounds Current money. Item. My will and esire is that my son in Law John Levilain Junior, shall be Executor of this my last Will and Testament. And further I give and bequeath all my whole and sole Estate that I shall have and possess at my death unto my aforesaid Son in Law John Levilain, to him and his heirs forever, and I do acknowledge this to be my last Will and Testament and none other, and I renounce to all Laws and Customs that are Contrary to this my last Will and Testament. As Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of March 1742-3. Bartholomew Dupuy. (Seal) Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us, John Gordon, Stephen Mallet, Stephen Watkins. At a Court held for Goochland County May 17, 1743. This Will was proved by the Oaths of Stephen Mallet & Stephen Watkins Witnesses thereto to be the act and Deed of Bartholomew Dupuy Deced and was thereupon ordered to be recorded. A Copy Teste: Moses T. Monteiro, Clerk

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@R1353308174@ Virginia, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,3578::0 1,3578::32429300

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@R1353308174@ Alabama, Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,61266::0 Alabama Department of Archives and History; Montgomery, AL; Alabama Surname Files; Box or Film Number: M84.0458 1,61266::138688

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@R1353308174@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7249::0 1,7249::10859698

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@R1353308174@ U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc 1,7486::0 Place: Virginia; Page Number: 372 1,7486::4140534

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@R353763923@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7249::0

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1,7249::10859698

GEDCOM Source

@R353763923@ Alabama, Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,61266::0

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Alabama Department of Archives and History; Montgomery, AL; Alabama Surname Files; Box or Film Number: M84.0458 1,61266::138688

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@R353763923@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7249::0

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1,7249::10859698

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@R353763923@ U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc 1,7486::0

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Place: Virginia; Year: 1714; Page Number: 74 1,7486::4140537

GEDCOM Source

@R353763923@ Millennium File Heritage Consulting Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,7249::0

GEDCOM Source

1,7249::10859698

GEDCOM Source

@R353763923@ U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc 1,7486::0

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Place: Virginia; Year: 1714; Page Number: 74 1,7486::4140537

GEDCOM Source

@R353763923@ Alabama, Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,61266::0

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Alabama Department of Archives and History; Montgomery, AL; Alabama Surname Files; Box or Film Number: M84.0458 1,61266::138688

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@R353763923@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

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Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=163737921&pi...