Bartholomew Dupuy (1652 - abt. 1743)

Born 1652 in Sedan, Ardennes, Grand Est, France [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Suzanne (Lavillon) DuPuy — married 1685 in France

Descendants

Died about 17 May 1743 at about age 91 in King William Parish, Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

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Bartholomew Dupuy was a Huguenot emigrant. Join: Huguenot Migration Project Discuss: huguenot

Biography

Bartholomew Dupuy was a Virginia colonist.

Bartholomew Dupuy was the Protestant ancestor of a Huguenot emigrant to Manakintowne, Va..

Bartholomew Dupuy descended from Alleman DuPuy, the oldest son of the Crusader, Hugo Dupuy. He was probably born in Provence or Languedoc, in the south of France. LePuy en Velay is a city in Languedoc. By virtue of his descent, Bartholmew DuPuy had inherited the title "Count". The family were of hereditary French Nobility.

A Huguenot Palace Guard's Escape from France

When Bartholomew was eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the French army as a common soldier. He served for fourteen years, during which he fought fourteen pitched battles as well as skirmishes and duels. He also won the admiration and confidence of King Louis XIV, so he was promoted to Lieutenant, and transferred to the King's household palace guards. While in the King's service, in 1685, he was provided with a written "laissez-passer" pass containing the signature of the King, which prohibited any one from molesting his progress in leaving France (which became illegal for a Protestant to do when the Edict of Nantes was revoked).

He married Susanna Lavillon in 1685, a young Countess of noble standing, and also of the Huguenot Protestant faith. A detailed account of the experiences that he and his wife endured during the short time they remained in France after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and of their escape in December 1685 is given in "The Story of the Huguenot's Sword" that was published in "Harper's New Monthly Magazine:" April 1857. Its author was John Esten Cooke.

The sword, a possession of Bartholomew DuPuy since the time of his service, was what was known as a short sword with a triangular blade, not exceeding three feet in length. He wore it at the waist; and was wearing it on the evening upon which Captain Jarnilloc, backed by soldiers, came to his home at his chateau in Velours in Saintogne. But, Dupuy was also armed with a piece of parchment which stated that any annoyance of Dupuy would be at the peril of any officer who commanded it as this was the Royal Will of the King, which would be in effect until the first of December 1685; and, this directive was signed "Louis". The Dragoon had hoped to arrest Dupuy on a charge of heresy for his Huguenot beliefs. Others throughout the country were not only being persecuted, but beaten, robbed, tortured, and killed if they did not profess the Catholic faith on the spot. He now backed down; but not without searching the premises for any other heretics that might be hiding on Dupuy's property. Dupuy's friend, Mr. Fontaine, escaped discovery in the secret room where Bartholomew had hidden him just upon the Dragoon's arrival. Captain Jarnilloc and his company left, defeated for the moment.

Bartholomew had been planning his family's escape during the few short months since the Revocation had taken place. He now sent his friend, Mr. Fontaine, ahead with his betrothed, Anne Boursiquot, her sister, Elizabeth Boursiquot, and his little niece, Jeannette Forestier. He gave him instructions where to travel, finally ending up at the brig Portsmouth, which would carry him and his little troupe to England, where he was to await Dupuy and his family's arrival. Not thirty minutes after Fontaine's departure, Captain Jarnilloc returned, determined to smoke out the heretics that he felt sure were there. Dupuy informed him that they had left; and, he was immediately off in pursuit. However, Dupuy followed him, eventually catching up and challenging him with his short sword, soundly wounding him, but not mortally......just enough to interrupt the pursuit of Fontaine and his company.

Fontaine's subsequent adventure was frightful as he and his charges were left an extra day waiting for the boat Captain to leave. It became too dangerous and the Captain told him that he could not help him. Fontaine was forced to leave and travel along the coast, hoping to reconnect with the Portsmouth. However, unremitting patrols looking for escaping Huguenots continued to range about making it impossible to hail the ship from the shore. Another whole day passed in this manner before, only by the "Grace of God," they were able to board the ship, whereupon Fontaine fell upon his knees thanking the Lord above.

Meanwhile, Dupuy was to meet with the local Catholic priest to listen to his appeal for him to abjure and become a Catholic. Their arguments went on for hours with the priest ("cure" in French) finally agreeing to withhold informing upon Dupuy until the day after the King's amnesty would expire. The following morning, Dupuy sold his estate to Seigneur Agoust for one third of it's value in gold. He then bought a Page's costume for his wife and returned home whereupon they readied themselves to flee, he clad in his uniform as the King's guardsman, with his trusty sword thrust into his belt. Upon their heels came the Dragoons because Mr. Agoust had betrayed them to Captain Jarnilloc.

Jarnilloc raced after them and finally intercepted their trail. He then fired his pistol at them. The ball missed Dupuy; but, struck his wife in the chest. At this, Dupuy shot Jarnilloc straight through the heart. He grabbed his wife's horse's bridle and galloped away. He was shocked to see Susanna all of a sudden sit up erect, finding that she had not been wounded as the ball had been stopped by her book of psalms which she carried in her bosom.

Further adventures were helped along by the letter from the King, as most people met could not read; but could only recognize the Royal Seal. They continued on into Germany and relative safety. Next, they traveled to England, where they stayed until 1700, finally coming to America and settling in Virginia. The sword came to America, too, where it was passed down, and was long treasured as an heirloom by Count Bartholomew DuPuy's descendants from his grandson, John Bartholomew. It was worn in the Revolutionary War by Capt. James Dupuy of Nottoway County, Virginia; and, he, in turn left it to his grandson, Dr. John James Dupuy, son of Dr. William Jones Dupuy. It was lost in a raid by Federal troops during the Civil War by this last owner. It had been left at his mother-in-law's house, which was pillaged and burnt to the ground. Whether the sword was burned in the house or carried off by Federal troops is unknown.

VIRGINIA LAND HOLDINGS

208 acres on the south side of Lower Manakin Creek, King William Parish, Henrico County, Virginia as evidenced by the 1722 Vestry Book.

Will

WILL OF BARTHOLOMEW DUPUY Goochland Co., VA Dated: 7 Mar 1742/43; 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, Revokin 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 desire 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

Notes

"Bartholomew has had a lot of controversy about his ancestry and wives, many articles written pro and con what I have here. It was accepted by Lillian O. Russell who did the genealogy for my Uncle Rainey but about a decade ago it was seriously challenged in the "American Genealogist". I have been unable to get a copy of the article but what I have read by other people throws serious doubt on this genealogy. I have found the spouse with records in America and birth records in the Netherlands and Germany for their children, Marie Gaudier. I'll leave both spouses here and when I can find out more, I will correct or comment on this. The 2 others are different spellings of the same person and are probably a fiction concocted a 100 years ago." By: Philip Van der Walt

Merge Notice: Notes:

Merged Profile Dupuy-137 had as ... Place of death: Goochland, Cumberland County, Virginia - Van der Walt-440 01:25, 31 August 2015 (EDT) UPDATE: This place name is incorrect; Cumberland County was created from land formerly part of Goochland County, both in Virginia but the division was in 1749, six years after this man's death. Goochland was a County, never a Town or Parish. Chet Snow, 19 Nov 2019.

Merged Profile Dupuy-131 had as ... Date of birth: 1653; Place of birth: Upper Languedoc, France. Place of death: King William, Goochland Co., Virginia - Van der Walt-440 01:48, 31 August 2015 (EDT) UPDATE: Birthplace is not proper French place-name but "Languedoc" Province is more probable than Sedan, Ardennes, for this family. King William Parish in Virginia was in Henrico County in 1743, not Goochland. Chet Snow, 19 Nov 2019.

Sources

• Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s View Record Name Barthelemy DupuyArrival PlaceVirginiaPrimary ImmigrantDupuy, BarthelemyFamily Memberswoman & 3 boys & 2 girlsSource Publication Code3640AnnotationGeneral list of the French Protestant refugees settled in the Parish of Roy Guillaume d'Henrico in Virginia, including women and children, widows and orphans. Taken from no. 6710, W.S. Perry's Papers Relating to the History of the Church in Virginia, A.D.Source BibliographyJONES, WILLIAM MAC FARLANE, transcriber and editor. "Liste Generalle de Tous les Francois Protestants Refugies Etablys dans la Paroisse du Roy Guillaume d'Henrico en Virginia, y compres les Femmes, Enfans, Veuves, et Orphelins." In The Douglas Register...Kept by the Rev. William Douglas, from 1750 to 1797. Richmond [VA]: J.W. Fergusson & Sons, 1928, pp. 372-374. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1966.Household Members

• DuPuy Family Papers, Genealogical Guide 1963 Manuscript Collection, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, VA.

• "The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and His Descendants," by Rev. B. H. Dupuy, pg.178, Copyright: 1908, Author published.

• Source: S-2126971866 Repository: #R-2146323966 Ancestry Family Trees. Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=6289216&pid=134. Repository: R-2146323966 http://www.Ancestry.com

• Count Bartholomew Dupuy profile on Geni.com Includes sources and a transcript of his Will.

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Dupuy-178 was created by Walter Liebkemann from firsthand knowledge on Aug 29, 2011. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Walter and others.

• WikiTree profile Dupuy-193 was created through the import of Hudson Family Tree.ged on Sep 18, 2012 by Chris Hudson. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Chris and others.