Edward Benjamin Fontaine

Notes:

Rev. Edward Fontaine and his wife and John E. Fontaine are buried on Belvedere Plantation, next to Sub Rosa, near Pocahontas, Ms. T7NR1W-Sec 11 or 12 Hinds Co., Ms.

http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/FF/ffo4.html

FONTAINE, EDWARD (1814-1884). Edward Fontaine, early minister and amateur naturalist, was born in Greenwood, Virginia, on August 5, 1814, the son of Patrick Henry and Nancy (Dabney) Fontaine and great-grandson of Patrick Henry. He was admitted to the United States Military Academy, West Point, in July 1830 but was discharged in July 1832 because of a deficiency in math. He was admitted to the bar on February 28, 1835. That year he worked in Pontotoc, Mississippi, as a draftsman on the survey of Chickasaw lands acquired by the federal government.

He became active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was admitted to the ministry in 1838, and served in Texas at Houston and Galveston by 1840, but later that year he relinquished his ministry. He married Mary Ann Swisher in November 1840, and they had three sons. From May to October 1841 he was private secretary to President Mirabeau B. Lamar. There being no clergyman of any denomination in Austin, Fontaine resolved to do what he could for the religious welfare of his fellow citizens. He organized a Sunday school and preached to all comers, black and white, at informal services in the Capitol or outside in an oak grove. When the seat of government was moved away from Austin and Lamar's term had ended, Fontaine taught school in Independence and Gay Hill in 1842-43. He may have participated in the Somervell expedition in the fall of 1842. About 1843 he went to Mississippi, where he entered the Episcopal Church and was ordained to the ministry on May 14, 1848. In 1851 he returned to Austin as rector of the Church of the Epiphany. He supervised the building of a church, completed and consecrated in May 1855, that became part of the present St. David's Church, Austin. Fontaine's wife died in 1855. In 1859 he married Mrs. Susan Taylor Britton. They had several children, but only two lived to maturity. In Austin Fontaine was active as a clergyman, politician, and amateur naturalist. He traveled widely, served as chaplain of the Texas Senate in 1857-58, and advocated establishment of a state university and a geological survey.

The church suffered in antebellum Texas because of a division in the membership on questions of slavery and secession. Fontaine resigned his charge in Austin and moved to Mississippi in 1859. He was captain of Company H, Eighteenth Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers, and chief of ordnance of the Mississippi Army during the Civil War. He served subsequently as rector at St. Mark's, Mississippi, and at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. He was a member of the New York Historical Society, the Maryland Academy of Science, and the New Orleans Academy of Science. He delivered addresses and wrote papers about his various scientific interests. His lectures included "How the World Was Peopled" (1872), which contained information on the natural history of Texas, "Winds of the Gulf States" (1873), and "A Lecture on the Peculiarities of the Physical Geography of the Mississippi River and its Delta" (1874). He died at Belvedere, Mississippi, on January 19, 1884.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Austin History Center Files. Edward Fontaine Papers, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Louis Wiltz Kemp Papers, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Texas Collection, October 1943. Daisy Barrett Tanner, The History and Treasures of St. David's Church (Austin, 1976). Work Projects Administration Writers' Program, St. David's through the Years (Austin: St. David's Episcopal Church, 1942).

DuBose Murphy

The Texas State Historical Association, 1997, 1998, 1999.
Last Updated: February 15, 1999
Comments to: comments@www.tsha.utexas.edu

Edward married Mary Ann "Nancy" Swisher on 12 Nov 1840 in Gay Hill, Washington, Texas, USA. Mary (daughter of Henry Harvey "Harry" Swisher and Sina Boyd) was born on 7 Jan 1821 in Williamson County, Tennessee, USA; died on 13 Jul 1855 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; was buried in Pocahontas, Hinds, Mississippi, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Edward Fontaine was born on 4 Aug 1849 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA.
2. Patrick Henry Fontaine was born about 1845 in Belvedere Plantation, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; died on 16 Mar 1888 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
3. Jacques Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar Fontaine was born on 11 Oct 1841 in Washington County, Texas, USA; died on 1 Oct 1921 in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA.

Edward married Mrs. Susan Catherine Britton in 1859 in Hinds County, Mississippi, USA. Mrs. was born in 1829 in Granville County, North Carolina, USA; died on 28 May 1908 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Eaton Fontaine was born on 12 Dec 1860 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 20 Aug 1908 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; was buried in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS.
2. Patrick Henry Fontaine was born on 15 Dec 1869 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 10 Jan 1959 in Jackson, Hinds County, MS.
3. Susan Fontaine was born cal 1865 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, Henry County, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1841, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA
• Residence: 1845, No Township Listed, Pontotoc County, MS
• Residence: 1850, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA
• Residence: 1852

Notes:

First grandson of Patrick Henry (Orator) he moved from his home Greenwood, Henry Co. to Pontotoc, Ms. with his family to be Chief Surveyor for the Chickasaw lands which had become U.S. lands. He left a day journal which contains lots of family info. It is on microfilm at the Ms. State Archives along with his son Edward's journals.

Will of Patrick Henry Fontaine (1775-1852)

Being desirous of making a disposition of my property, I therefore make this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all others.

My debts must be paid. I think there will be a sufficient fund for doing so in bonds, notes, etc. due to me, if not let my executors sell as much of the perishable property as will be sufficient to do so.

I bequeath to my wife Nancy, during her natural life, my Seat known and called "Ridgeway", on which I now live, consisting of various lots and parcels of land, purchased of different persons and at different times, but all lying contiguous. That my said wife Nancy should enjoy and possess all the stock of horses, cattle and hogs, all the household and kitchen furniture, all the farming utensils, and all the growing crop, of every kind, to her proper use and behalf. I also give and bequeath to my said wife Nancy, the following slaves, to wit Jesse, Anthony, Ted, Easter, Grace, Jim and Violet.

It is my will and desire that all of the above enumerated property, real and personal, shall be under the control and management of my executors, so that she enjoy the whole and sole benefit thereof.

It is further my will and desire that the above mentioned slaves which I have hereby given and bequeathed to my said wife Nancy, during her natural life, shall, at her death, be equally divided among my children.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Louisa Winston, wife of Edmund Winston, "Ridgeway" as above described, after the death of my said wife Nancy, with everything appertaining thereto, together with the stock of every kind, farming implements, household and kitchen furniture, crop of every kind which may remain, be on or at "Ridgeway" at the decease of my said wife Nancy. The above bequest is all that I wish her to have of my real estate.

Having heretofore given to my daughter Nancy Brooks, and my son Charles D. Fontaine a section of land each, which I think of nearly equal value, I now proceed to give to my remaining children the same quantity, and of the same value, as near as I can:

I give and bequeath to my son Edward and his heirs forever my section of land lying on Mud creek near the bridge and on both sides of the Turnpike road, said land lying and being in Pontotoc County.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Martha Perkins, wife of the Reverend William Perkins, of the State of Missouri, and her heirs forever, five quarter sections of land lying on Tallahatchie river, to be laid off contiguous to each other.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary B. Perkins, wife of Jesse Perkins of Madison County Mississippi, and her heirs forever, five quarter sections of land lying on Tallahatchie river to be laid off contiguous to each and to be of the same value as nearly as can be, of the land bequeathed to my daughter Martha.

Having made advances to all of my children, so as to place them on terms of equality, I hereby will, order and direct that an equal distribution be made to all my children or their heirs, herein before mentioned, of all my negroes--my wife retaining a life estate in those given her, as aforesaid. If any one of the said negroes should be unwilling to go to the person to whom he or she may be allotted, then it is my desire and direction that my executor or executors should sell said negro slave in such mode and manner as in their discretion they may deem best, and pay over to the person entitled to said slave the amount for which he or she may be sold.

I desire to be buried in the burying-ground belonging to the Corporation of the town of Pontotoc, and that a plain stone, with suitable inscriptions be placed over my grave and that of my wife Nancy; for which purpose and for enclosing a family burial ground in a suitable manner, the necessary sum of money must be raised out of any part of my property, previous to any distribution thereof among my legatees.

I give and bequeath my old violin, and my walking cane given me by my cousin, William H. Roane, son of Judge Spencer Roane, to my son Edward. This cane was once the property of Judge Spencer Roane.

It is my wish and desire that my daughter Louisa and her family should live and reside at "Ridgeway" with my wife Nancy.

It is my wish and desire that my library be equally divided among my children, giving to my son Edward first choice.

It is my will and desire that all of my land not heretofore disposed of, be equally divided among my children, excepting from among them my daughter Louisa.

I hereby appoint my friend Richard Bolton of Pontotoc County, and my son Charles D. Fontaine of the same county my executors, and it is my desire that neither of them shall be required to give security as such.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal to this my last will and testament on this the eighteenth day of September, A.D. 1852

P.H. Fontaine (Seal)

Signed, sealed and declared
by Patrick Henry Fontaine to
be his last will and testament
in the presence and hearing of
us, who at his request and in
his presence have subscribed
our names as witnesses.
E.W. Rootes
J.W. Drake
W.W. Leland

The State of Mississippi } In the Probate Court of said
Pontotoc County } County .. At the October term
A.D. 1852 thereof

In the matter of a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and testament of Patrick Henry Fontaine deceased

Be it remembered that at a term of the Probate Court of the County of Pontotoc began and held at the Courthouse thereof in and for said County, on the first[?] Monday of October, A.D. 1852 personally appeared in Open Court, the above named Edmund W. Rootes, James W. Drake and William W. Leland subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and testament of Patrick Henry Fontaine late of said County deceased [. . .] date the eighteenth[?] day of September [?], A.D. 1852; who being first duly sworn depose[?] and say that the said Patrick H. Fontaine signed, sealed, published and declared said instrument as his last Will and testament in the presence of these deponents on the day of the date thereof; and that said testator was then of sound, disposing mind and memory, and more than twenty one years of age, and that these deponents subscribed said instrument as [?] thereto, at the instance and request and in the presence of said Testator, on the day and year aforesaid

Sworn to and subscribed } E.W. Rootes
in Open Court this 4th } J.W. Drake
day of October A.D. 1852 } W.W. Leland
W.P. Tindall }
Probate Judge }

Birth:
"Rock Castle", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Patrick married Nancy Dabney Miller on 23 Jan 1797 in Leatherwood, Henry, Virginia, USA. Nancy (daughter of John Dabney Miller and Sarah Curd) was born on 16 Aug 1775 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died on 5 Jun 1862 in Ridgeway, Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Pontotoc, Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Between 1774 and 1775, Scotchtown, Hanover, Virginia, USA
• Residence: Between 1779 and 1786, Leatherwood, Henry, Virginia, USA
• Residence: Between 1786 and 1791, Locust Grove, Prince Edward County, Virginia, USA

Notes:

They are second cousins.

Died:
malaria

John married Martha "Patsy" Henry on 2 Oct 1773 in Scotchtown, Hanover, Virginia, USA. Martha (daughter of Patrick Henry and Sarah Shelton) was born in Jun 1755 in Fork, Hanover, Virginia, USA; died in Oct 1818 in Leatherwood, Henry, Virginia, USA; was buried in Martinsville, Martinsville City, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

They are second cousins.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, Richmond City, Virginia, USA; Age 32 Planter

John married Sarah Curd in 1785 in Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Edward Curd and Mary Ann Morris) was born about 1757; died in 1800 in Richmond, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1759; "Rock Castle", Hanover, Virginia, United States

Notes:

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover County.Virginia, USA

Died:
"Rock Castle", Hanove County, Virginia, USA

Peter married Elizabeth Louise Winston on 20 Apr 1749 in Hanove County, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of William "Langloo" Winston and Sarah Dabney) was born on 17 Dec 1734 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died about 1772; was buried in Hanover, Hanover, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
"Beaverdam", Hanover County, Virginia, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Jun 1779, Henry County, VA

Notes:

Patrick married Sarah Shelton in Oct 1754 in Studley, Hanover, Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Jr. John Shelton and Eleanor Parks) was born in 1738 in Rural Plains, Hanover, Virginia, USA; died in Apr 1775 in Scotchtown, Hanover, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Feb 1775, Scotchtown, Hanover, Virginia, USA
• Death: Feb 1775, Scotchtown, Hanover, Virginia, USA

married Nancy Dabney. Nancy (daughter of John Dabney) was born about 1715. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Mary Ann Morris in 1748 in Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of William Morris and Mary) was born in 1727 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA; died before 8 Jan 1803 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA; was buried on 8 Jan 1803 in St Thomas's, Ardwick, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Mary Morris