Marie Chaillon

Marie married James Fontaine in 1641 in Saintonge, France. James (son of Jacques de la Fontaine) was born in 1603 in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France; died in 1666 in Jenouille Estate, Veaux, Hautes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Received degree of Master of Arts at the college of Guienne, finishing second in a class of fourteen.

Escaped to England with his fiancee, Anne Boursiquot, arriving on Decemmber 1, 1685, after eleven days at sea, Landed at Appledore, at the mouth of the Taw River, and proceeded to Barnstaple. Family moved from England to Cork, Ireland, arriving December 24, 1694. Moved to Bear Haven, Ireland, after death of son, Aaron, in 1699. Later, prior to 1710, moved to Dublin, Ireland. Is buried beside his wife in St. Stephens Green, Dublin.

James married Anne Elizabeth Boursiquot on 8 Feb 1686 in Par. Church, Barnstable, North Devon, England. Anne (daughter of Aaron Boursiquot and Jeanne Guillot) was born on 8 Feb 1686 in Barnstable, Devon, England; died on 29 Jan 1721 in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; was buried in St Stephens Green Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susan married Stephen GachotFrance. Stephen was born in France; died in France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Became a minister at Saurin, in Saintonge, and then moved to the church at Salles, in Aunix. Later recanted and became a Catholic to save his wealth.

Peter married OissardFrance. was born in France; died in France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Peter ForestierFrance. Peter was born in France; died in France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married Sieur des Meslars Leon TestardFrance. Leon was born in France; died in France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1720, Virginia

Notes:

Entered Trinity College in June 1712. Enrolled in the Inns of Court at the Temple, in London, to study law, but later returned to Dublin to prepare for the ministry.

Received B.A. degree in 1716 and Master of Arts degree in 1719 from Trinity College in Dublin. Married in 1720 and sailed for America in 1721 where he became Rector of St. Margaret's Parish in King William County, Virginia.

In 1723, became Rector of York-Hampton Parish and apparently remained there for the remainder of his life. On February 2, 1727, was appointed Chaplain of the House of Burgesses. In the same year, he was appointed to the faculty of William and Mary College where he established the Department of Oriental Languages (Hebrew).

Francis married Mary Glannison on 4 Jan 1720 in Westminster, Middlesex, England. Mary was born in 1679/1701 in IRL; died in 1733 in Williamsburg, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Francis married Susanna Brush Barbor in 1735 in Virginia, USA. Susanna was born in 1701 in Williamsburg West, James City County, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Sep 1756 in York County, Virginia, USA; was buried in Yorktown, York, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: Oct 1717, Yorktown, York County, VA

Notes:

Sailed to Virginia in April 1717, arriving at Williamsburg in October 1717 and proceeded to a plantation near West Point, King William County.

James married Lucretia Desjarrie in 1711 in Cork, Ireland. Lucretia was born in 1673/1695 in Ireland; died in 1735 in King William County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Elizabeth Harcum in 1738 in Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Ann and Matthew also reared Mary Ann Fontaine, daughter of Rev. Peter Fontaine.

Mary Ann remained at "Hickory Hill" until October 1755 when ill health forced her to move in with her brother, Peter, in Charles City County, Va.

Mary married Matthew Maury on 20 Oct 1716 in Dublin, Ireland. Matthew (son of Abraham Maury and Marie Fouquereon) was born on 18 Sep 1686 in Castlemauron-sur-lot, Agenois, Gascony, France; died in 1752 in Charles City County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Appointed Ensign on September 10, 1710 at the age of seventeen and sailed with Lord Shaw's regiment on February 1, 1711 when all troops stationed in Ireland were ordered to Spain. Returned home in 1713.

John was the first of the family to come to America. On December 7, 1714, he sailed on the ship "Dove" and landed in Virginia on June 5, 1715. Purchased a plantation in King William County, Virginia, remained in Virginia for four years, and then sailed for Dublin in July, 1719, arriving December 6, 1719. After a year in Dublin, he accompanied his brother, Francis to London. Studied watchmaking and by 1722 was in business for himself. Later joined partnership with brother, Moses. They made clocks and watches at "The Dial" in Middle Moorfields. He subsequently became a silk weaver, which was the occupation of his father-in-law. By 1748, had moved to South Wales and living at Llanllwch.

John survived all his siblings. He died at the age of 74 and was buried on November 26, 1767.

More about John can be found in The Journal of John Fontaine which was edited by Edward Porter Alexander and published by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 1972.

Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, VA, Page 36-37
John Fontaine, son of Rev. James Fontaine (Huguenot), and brother of the Rev. Peter Fontaine and of the Rev. James Fontaine, clergymen of the Church of England in Virginia, was an ensign in the British army. He came to Virginia in 1713, for the purpose of exploring the country and choosing lands for the settlement of the family when they should come over. He made the acquaintance of Gov. Spotswood at Williamsburg, and under his auspices visited the new settlement at Germanna, and accompanied Spotswood to his Indian school at Christanna, on the Meherrin River, and also on his expedition over the great mountains. He kept a journal of his daily doings, which furnishes the only authentic account we have of this stirring adventure. His plain, unvarnished tale dispels the mist which the popular fancy had peopled with hostile Indians haunting the march, assassins stealing into camp at dead of night, and committing murder, perpetrating massacres, and doing battle in the mountain passes. The recent publication of this journal rescues the facts from traditionary perversions and restores them to their true historical proportions. From him (an eye-witness) we learn that Gov. Spotswood came from Williamsburg by way of Chelsea (King William) and Robert Beverly's (Middlesex), where the Governor left his chaise, and bringing Beverly along came on horseback to Germanna, where, on the 26th August, 1716, they were met by other gentlemen, four Meherrin Indians, and two small companies of rangers. The names of the gentlemen of the party, deduced in part from the camps which were called after them, were: Gov. Spotswood, John Fontaine, Robert Beverly, the historian; Col. Robertson, Dr. Robertson, Taylor Todd, Mason, Captains, Clonder, and Smith, and Brooke, the ancestor of the late Judge Brooke. Campbell says;--"The whole company was about fifty persons. They had a large number of riding and pack-horses, an abundant supply of provisions, and an extraordinary variety of liquors."

The following is from; The MO Fountains and Their Descendants, written by Vida Leola Vance 1967, page 14 thru 18.

After marrying, he and his wife* went to London to live. John, liking action, became an ensign in Lord Shaw's Regiment of the British Army and took part in the Spanish War of Succession. Upon returning home, he began to search for employment. When this proved futile, he then discussed at length with the family the possibility of a future for all in the New World across the Atlantic. They decided that John should go to America and purchase land on which they could settle. It was with heavy hearts that James and Elizabeth accepted the decision. Knowing though, that their children were independent, that they were not ashamed to work at a trade when necessity compelled such and that they were intelligent and morally strong, they readily gave them their blessing as they were confident that they would achieve their goals in the New World.

May 1715 John Fontaine arrived in Virginia he was warmly welcomed by his Majesty's lieutenant governor and Commander-in-chief of the royal colony, Governor Spotswood. He was invited by the governor to accompany him on his expedition to claim the western lands for the King of England. A journal kept by John is the only known and reliable history of the journey. At the conclusion of the trip, Governor Spotswood presented John and each of his fellow travelers a small commemorative golden horseshoe. This earned them the title of Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.

Having had ample opportunity to select a suitable tract of land, John purchased an acreage in King William County. He immediately sent word to the family in Ireland, who had been waiting patiently for such news. John, though, did not remain in Virginia, he went to England where he married Madame Sabatiere and where later he died.

* no name or info on this wife

These passages are quoted from:
Chapter VI: "West of the Blue Ridge 1733-1750"

The Blue Ridge Mountains stood as a barrier against the Virginians for four generations. Only a few young men had climbed into them. On winter nights around the fireplaces, and in summer in the dooryards while families took the breeze and watched the fireflies, they speculated on what might be there beyond the Mountains. Rumors, about Indians, game herds and rich land, were told. Governor Spotswood organized an exploring party in the summer of 1716, to cross the Mountains and find out for sure what lay beyond. A troop of horsemen clattered out of Williamsburg that August with the 40-year-old governor at the head. They rode to the foot of the Blue Ridge and climbed it (along present day Route 33 from Stanardsville west), contending with hornets, blackberry thickets and the late summer sun. They reached the summit on September 5, then peered down at the grand sweep of the Valley of Virginia. John Fontaine, the expedition's chaplain, noted that "We drunk King George's health here and all the Royal Family." Then they descended into the Valley (near present day Elkton) and camped two nights by the Shenandoah River. Once back in Williamsburg, Spotswood advertised the Valley. He gave each member of the expedition a pin, a miniature golden horseshoe engraved "Sic Juvat Transcendere Montes" (What a Pleasure It Is to Cross the Mountains). So he dramatized the Valley and created a wave of interest. Presently a few brave families dared to move there.

John married Mary Magdalen Sabatier on 3 Apr 1728 in St. Anne Soho, Westminster, London, England. Mary was born in Wales; died in 1781 in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Entered Trinity College in June 1712. In 1715, Moses entered the Inns of Court at the Temple, in London, to study law. After just over a year, returned home to take his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Trinity College.

Disgusted with the study of law, Moses apprenticed himself to an engraver in London and became successful in this profession.

Elizabeth married Daniel Torin on 31 Oct 1729 in London, Middlesex, England. Daniel was born in London, Middlesex, England; died in 1767 in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 30 Mar 1716, Virginia, USA
• Death: Aug 1759, Westover, Charles City, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Entered Trinity College, Dublin, in June 1711 at the age of twenty and received his degree in 1715. Ordained by the Bishop of London and licensed as a minister to Virginia on March 12, 1715.

Arrived in Virginia on December 11, 1716 and, in 1720, became Rector of Westover Parish. Established himself on a plantation in Charles City County, Virginia, on the James River, and served as Rector of King William Parish until his death in July 1757.

Peter was born in 1691 in England and was ordained by the Bishop of London. He married Elizabeth "Lizzy" Fourreau on March 29, 1714 in Dublin, Ireland. On December 11, 1716, he arrived in Hampton, Virginia from Ireland and was a chaplain to the Virginia commission in 1728 and 1729. After Lizzy died, Peter married Joseph's mother Elizabeth Sarah Wade. In "Old Church Ministers and Families of Virginia" by Bishop William Meade, Meade records that Peter was the minister for Colonel William Byrd. Colonel Byrd often spoke of the reverend preaching to the heathen in North Carolina and baptizing their children. Reverend Fontaine's main mission in life was to preach the gospel. Peter was the son of two pious and valiant Huguenots who fled from France to England. Peter, in his annual Thanksgiving sermon, commemorated the Fontaines' religious persecution in France and the remarkable preservation when attacked by French privateers in Northern Ireland. From that sermon, I will repeat his words.

"Several months was our parent obliged to shift among forests and deserts for his safety, because he had preached the Word of God to a congregation of innocent and sincere persons, who desired to be instructed in their duty and confirmed their faith. The woods afforded him a shelter and the rocks a resting place; but his enemies gave him no quiet until, of his own accord, he delivered himself up to their custody. They loaded his hands with chains, his feet stuck fast in the mire, a dungeon was his abode, and murderers and thieves were his companions, until God by means of a pious gentlewoman, whose kindness ought to be remembered by us even to latent posterity, withdrew him from thence, and was the occasion that his confinement was more tolerable."

He exhorted to his congregation at the close of his sermon never to forsake their annual meetings which were to remember their parent's virtues and sufferings and the wonderful deliverance of God. He said, "Would to God, that you would make it your business to teach them to your children, that they may be qualified to perpetuate them to infinite generations to come, and thereby engage the protection and draw the blessing of the Almighty above them. He hath millions of millions to bestow on those who love and fear Him."

Peter married Elizabeth Ward Fourreau on 29 Mar 1714 in Dublin, Ireland. Elizabeth (daughter of Fourreau and Boulay) was born in 1700 in Portarlington, Ireland; died in Sep 1724 in Westover, Charles City, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Sarah Wade in 1740 in Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Joseph Wade and Sarah Lide) was born in 1715 in Charles City, Virginia, USA; died on 10 Aug 1784 in Louisa, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was apprenticed to a carpenter about 1736. Completed his apprenticeship in 1743 and moved to New Bern, North Carolina, with his brother, John, where they became house joiners. Later moved to Dobbs County, North Carolina sometime before 1769 and remained there until at least January, 1773. Subsequently moved to Charleston Precinct, and Edistoe, S.C.,

Francis married Ann Jasper about 1745 in New Bern, Craven County, NC. Ann was born in 1712/1734 in North Carolina, USA; died in 1756/1821 in South Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John was bound to a carpenter as an apprentice in 1746. In November 1750, he went to New Bern, North Carolina, with his brother, Francis, where they both were house joiners.

John married Elizabeth in 1753 in Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Alice Burwell on 14 Dec 1771 in Gloucester County, VA. Alice was born in 1745 in Brandon, Middlesex County, Virginia; died on 23 Dec 1775 in Williamsburg, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Elizabeth "Betty" Carter on 31 Dec 1777 in Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1755 in Bushy Park, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 3 Mar 1806 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Judith married Philip MoodyVirginia, USA. Philip was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James and his wife, Anne, were first cousins.

James married Anne Sabatiers Fontaine in 1752 in Virginia, USA. Anne (daughter of John Fontaine and Mary Magdalen Sabatier) was born in 1729 in Wales; died in 1753 in Carmarthen, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Richard Tankersley about 1737 in Caroline County, VA. Richard was born about 1716 in Caroline County, VA; died about 1758 in Caroline County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married William BarretVirginia, USA. William was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Upon the death of her mother, Anne lived with and was reared by her cousin, Mary Ann Fontaine Winston.

Anne married Thomas OwenVirginia, USA. Thomas was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He attended William and Mary College, and on July 31, 1742, was appointed usher of the grammar school. In February, 1742, he went to England and was ordained a minister. Returning to Virginia he became minister for one year of a parish in King William county and then went to Louisa to Fredericksville parish, which was afterwards in Albemarle county. As a minister he was highly regarded for his piety and learning. He opposed the two penny act of 1757 and brought suit against the collectors of the parish for the full amount of his salary in tobacco. This suit, involving the question of taxation, became historical. It was defended by Peter Lyons, afterwards president of the state supreme court, and opposed by Patrick Henry, who denounced the interference of the King in setting aside the law as treason to the people of Virginia. Mr. Maury lost his suit, but continued to hold the esteem of the people of Virginia. He was still minister of his parish when he died, June 9, 1769.

James married Mary Walker on 11 Nov 1743 in Louisa County, VA. Mary (daughter of James Walker and Ann Tunstall Hill) was born on 22 Nov 1724 in King and Queen County, VA; died on 20 Mar 1798 in Albemarle County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Saunders, James Edmonds. Early Settlers of Alabama. L. Grahm & Son. New Orleans. 1899, p 304-309:

Colonel Abraham Maury
was the younger son of Mr. Matthew Maury, who married Mary Anne Fontaine. He was born in King William county, Va., in 1731. His widowed mother said of him: "He is a youth of happy temper, very dutiful, chaste, and hearkening to good counsel." His uncle, Peter Fontaine, gave the same account of him. This was a happy presage of his success in life. I know that with many the impression prevails that these dare-devil boys are the boys that make their mark in life, especially in the military line. This is a grand mistake. General Henry Lee said of his son when he was a youth: "Robert was always a good boy." When he was at West Point he never received a demerit. The good boy was a good young officer; and became in due time the good commander-in-chief.-- (Cook's Life of General R. E. Lee). A dashing, rude boy may become an effective subaltern, but for high office a man must not only be brave, but thoughtful. He must have "men so equa in arduis." Arduous indeed were the duties which devolved on Colonel Maury, and well did he perform them.

A summary of his life is given in the Danville (Va.) Times, consisting of extracts of a letter, and headed, "Who Colonel Maury of the Old Trunk Was."

EVERHOPE, NEAR GREENSBORO, N. C., December 25, 1871.

MR. P. BOULDIN--DEAR SIR: I have received your letter making inquiries as to who Colonel Maury was, mentioned in a letter found in your old trunk, dated 18th April, 1758, and addressed to Captain (afterward) Colonel Bouldin, from Clement Reid.

I can think of but two children Mr. Matthew Maury had, besides the Rev. James Maury, rector of Fredericksville. One was a daughter, Mary, who married Daniel Claiborne, of an old and honorable family of Tidewater, Va.--the other a son, Abraham, born in 1731. He was a man of good character, great decision of mind, and possessed of excellent education. He was a graduate of William and Mary College; for it was a cardinal principle of the Fontaines and Maurys, of those days, to educate their children thoroughly. Abraham had the confidence of John Blair, "President and Commander-in-Chief of this Dominion," as he is called in the Acts of the General Assembly of that period. You may observe that Clement Reid in his postscript says to Captain Bouldin: "You must cause your lieutenant to keep an exact journal of your marches, and of the different routes you take, and of all your transactions relating thereto; that it may be returned to the president at Williamsburg, according to order."

John Blair was that president. Abraham Maury had formed his acquaintance whilst a student of William and Mary, and that great and virtuous man had full confidence in the intellectual, but modest and retiring student, and probably it was owing to this that Abraham Maury obtained the high and honorable distinction, in those days, of being made Colonel of Halifax county, at so youthful an age, for he is the "Colonel Maury of the old trunk." In 1758 he was but 27 years of age, but he had been appointed colonel at least two years previously! In 1752 Halifax was formed from Lunenburg. Peter Fontaine and Clement Reid were appointed receivers of the county debt. After that, Peter Fontaine was appointed Surveyor of Halifax county, being a frontier county; Abraham, who had a military turn, was made Colonel, and was very active in resisting all attacks from the various tribes of Indians, beyond the mountains, and in North Carolina. History (or at least none that I recollect to have seen), has not recorded his humble yet useful efforts; yet I remember, when a child, seeing aged men in the county of Henry who used to speak of Colonel Maury, and the way he used to keep the Indians down. * * *

Very truly yours, WM. S. FONTAINE."

The period during which young Maury was Colonel of Halifax county was the most disastrous of our colonial times. General Braddock had been defeated. The French and Indians had encroached on our frontiers until the settlers were driven back in some places 150 miles. Colonel Washington was thoroughly discouraged. In the agony of his great soul, in one of his dispatches to the Governor, he exclaims: "The supplicating tears of the women and the moving petitions of the men melt me into such a deadly sorrow that I solemnly declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to the peoples' ease!" In the central counties of Virginia the incursions of the savages had become alarming. In the county of Louisa alone sixty persons were massacred. When the people were called together to form volunteer regiments, the drum and fife excited no military fervor, for every man felt a reluctance to leave his home, when on his return he might find it a heap of ruins and his wife and daughters captives in the hands of the a ruthless enemy. It required the sanctions of religion to rouse the people to the performance of their duty. The eloquent and patriotic Dr. Davis when there was an effort to be made was nearly always in requisition. In one of his appeals he concludes by saying: "In short our frontiers have been drenched with the blood of our fellow-subjects through the length of a thousand miles, and new wounds are still opening. Now while I am still speaking, perhaps the savage shouts and whoops of Indians, and the screams and groans of some butchered family may be mingling their horrors and circulating their tremendous echoes among the rocks and mountains.

But it was all of no avail; a defensive policy was adopted of dividing a small appropriation amongst the frontier counties to purchase arms and ammunition, and leaving it to the colonels of each frontier county to repel the sudden incursions of the savages--and Washington, worn out with his fruitless efforts to unite the people, retired in disgust to Mount Vernon.

My readers, after this retrospect of the history of that gloomy period, can form some idea of what was then meant by being a colonel of a frontier county. Many of these colonels, in attempting to rescue the captives, were shot down by the savage in his ambush and scalped, and left where he fell, for his bones to decay, "unburied, unhonored and unsung." Others, in scouting by day and unceasing vigil by night, were broken in constitution. This was the case, I presume, with Colonel Maury, for he died before he became an old man. Mr. Fontaine says he has seen no history which records the deeds of these colonels of the frontier counties. No! the genius of history, horrorstruck, in profound gloom, sought the deepest shade, and "hung her harp upon the willows." What sorrows did our ancestors incur in winning this fair domain for us from the wilderness and the savage! In the far East there is a nation of people who worship their ancestors; and if in view of all which ours have suffered and achieved for us, we should drop into this heresy, it is hoped that "the recording angel while he writes it down, may let fall a tear and blot it out forever."

Col. Abraham Maury married Susanna Poindexter, a blood relation of Senator Poindexter of Mississippi. He was a prosperous merchant but built some county flouring mills, which were washed away by a freshet and this broke him. When he went again to Baltimore he frankly told his merchant his condition; but, knowing his integrity, the goods were sold him. On his return home he was attacked with small-pox contracted on the streets of Baltimore. Knowing that he must die, he ordered the return of the goods. The October preceding, his eldest son, Matthew Fontaine, had died from the effect of wounds received at the battle of Guilford Court House.(Dr. W. S. Ried.)

Col. Abraham Maury died on the 22nd January, 1784. He had seven children. 1. Matthew Fontaine, above mentioned, who married W. Tabb. 2. Elizabeth, who married W. Dowsing. 3. Susan, who married Joel Parish, Sr. 4. Abram T., who married M. Worsham. 5. Mary, who married Metcalf DeGraffenried. 6. Philip, who married C. Cunningham. 7. Martha, who married Chapman White. Except Elizabeth and her husband, W. Dowsing, (who moved to Columbus, Miss.,) all moved to Williamson county, Tenn. Richard Maury (the father of the Commodore) went with them; and, together, they formed a large colony of the best people that ever crossed the border of that State. I knew them personally, and was reared among them. Many of their descendants were among the early settlers of our county of Lawrence, in Alabama.

1. Matthew Fontaine Maury, the eldest child, was born in 1760; entered the army when a mere youth, was wounded at Guilford, C. H., and died in 1783 from the effect of his wound. He left two sons--Thomas and Abram. Their mother married a second time a man of property, named Stewart, who (the sons thought) mistreated them. They ran away, and sought the protection of their uncle, Major Abram Maury, and came with him to Tennessee. The two boys were prosperous, but died of consumption, unmarried. Col. Thomas Maury was a man of ability, and represented Williamson county (when quite young) in the Legislature.

2. Elizabeth Maury, born in 1762, who married W. Dowsing. They moved first from Virginia to Georgia, and thence to Columbus, Miss. He was the Registrar of the Land Office--a good officer and a good man. His descendants bear the names of Dowsing, Thompson, Bassey, Ware and Turner.

3. Susan Maury was born in 1764, and married Joel Parrish, Sr. He died before my recollection, but I knew her very well. She was a kind, indulgent mother. Her boys were old enough (Matthew Fontaine and Joel) to make fine soldiers under Jackson. Her eldest child, Caroline (the only daughter), was of queenly beauty, and married Hinchea Petway, one of the wealthiest merchants of Franklin. A man of fine sense and very genial disposition. He had a mortal aversion to onions, and when some friend would slip one into his coat pocket, as soon as he detected the nauseous scent he would take out his pen-knife, cut off his pocket and throw both away together. He was a man of great sagacity, and I don't know of his being mistaken but once, and that was when Bennett was hung for murder. An ambitious young physician conceived the idea of resuscitating him, and as he was cut down, he was taken and placed in a carry-all and carried away rapidly. Hundreds of people crowded around the office. When the young doctor found all efforts to bring the body to life futile, he fixed his galvanic points, and when everything was ready called in Petway and another merchant, and applied the points. The dead body opened its eyes, gave a ghastly stare at the two merchants, and stuck out one leg--and the merchants broke and ran, and reported that "Bennett was alive." In a short time it was reported that Sheriff Hunt had been bribed, and Bennett had been hung in stirrups, and there was great excitement, until his body was exhumed from its secret grave, in the woods, and exposed openly in the court house.

I am mistaken; for there was another instance in which Petway's sagacity was at fault. He built a costly brick house right across the south end of main street in Franklin, which had to be torn down. A man can not make a greater mistake than to fix limits to a young American town, located in a fertile country. When cotton rose to 25 cents per pound, and the county of Lawrence in Alabama was settled, Mr. Petway bought and opened up, a large plantation on the west bank of Town creek, where the brick house now stands. After residing there for a while, he sold out and bought a home in the vicinity of Nashville, where he died. He had one son, Ferdinand Petway, who was an itinerant Methodist preacher. He was a man of education and taste, and a good speaker, and a singer of unusually fine voice. He died in the Memphis Conference. The descendants of Mr. Petway are to be found in Davidson county, Tennessee. See Fontaine Chart. Col. Joel Parrish (a son of Susan Maury, who married Joel Parrish, Sr.,) married Sophia Saunders, eldest daughter of Rev. Turner Saunders (and sister of the writer.) Colonel Parrish and his wife lived in Nashville, and both died there before they attained middle age, leaving a family of young children who were brought to Lawrence county, Alabama, and reared by members of her family. Two daughters of this family married sons of Col. Benjamin Sherrod, and are mentioned ante. A son, Joel Parrish, married a Miss Bodie, and died in Lauderdale county without issue. A daughter, Sophie, married Mr. Alfred Gibson. She is a widow living in Mississippi, and has one daughter, Mary, and two sons, Joel and Willis.

The youngest son of the Parrish family in Tennessee was David Winston. He was about my age, and we were schoolmates. Our path to the Academy led through his mother's orchard, where the mellow Father Abraham apples lay, in profusion, on beds of Nimble Will grass. It then wound along through the shadiest places of the beech and poplar grove, and along side of Mr. McKey's orchard; and we had to do some skilful engineering to make it hit both orchards. David Winston Parrish, when grown, moved to Mississippi, and married Mary, daughter of Solomon Clark, of Pontotoc, one of the best men I ever knew. They had two children. One of them, Susan, married Judge Locke Houston, of Aberdeen, "a first-rate man, and one of the best lawyers in the State." They have four or five children, one of whom is a young lawyer, and another, Mrs. Mary Gillespie, a wonderful singer, and, now (1888) postmistress at Aberdeen. The second daughter of David Winston Parrish, is Sallie, unmarried. His widow married Judge Stephen Adams, then Circuit Judge, an excellent man of fair ability, who served two terms in Congress. They had two children, Edward, a very intellectual young man, who is connected with the cotton business in Mobile, and Belle Adams (Mrs. Professor Wills) principal of the Aberdeen Female College. "Belle was one of the prettiest and sweetest girls we ever had at Aberdeen (says my informant).

Mrs. Wills is a wonderful woman (for her size) as teacher, mother, and domestic manager. She has several children, all bigger than herself," and now lives in Auburn, Ala. (1896).

4. Major Abram Maury, son of Colonel Abraham Maury, whose history we sketched in our last, was born in 1766 in Lunenburg County, Virginia, and married M. Worsham, and his two oldest children were born in Virginia. At a very early time he emigrated to Williamson County, Tenn., with all his brothers and sisters, except Mrs. Dowsing. He had fortunately become the owner of a fine tract of land. He laid off the town of Franklin on one end, and was mainly instrumental in having Harpeth Academy erected on the other. When the latter was built I can not ascertain, but from the fact that the shingles were put on with wooden nails, I infer that it was before General William Carroll erected his nail factory at Nashville, and Mr. Clem another at Franklin. He was a man of fine person, good manners and of fair education and a leader in his county. All the Maurys were very much respected, but he was the wealthiest and had the means to foster public enterprises and of dispensing wide hospitality. Major John Reid, who married his eldest daughter, had been a member of General Jackson's staff and his confidential secretary through all his campaigns. This brought about an intimacy between the General and Major Maury, which (as you will see), had much to do with the fortunes of the Maury family. After the war with England closed I have often seen the General on his way to Major Maury's house with a small staff, all in neat undress uniform and with bear skin holsters.

This was while he was Major-General in the United States army, charged with the special duty of making treaties with the Indians for the cession of their lands. The red man when defeated by the general conceived a high respect for him; but when he beat the British at New Orleans it ripened into awe, and when "Captain Jackson" (as they called him) insisted on accession of their lands they were very apt to comply. It was General Jackson who procured a commission for young Matthew F. Maury in the navy. If this had not occurred, what would have been the consequences? Would the "Geography of the Sea" have been as little understood now as it was early in the century? After General Jackson's election to the presidency, Cary A. Harris, a son-in-law of Major Maury, was invested with the lucrative office of Public Printer at Washington City. And now we will briefly notice the descendants of Maj. Abram Maury:

(A) Elizabeth Branch married Major John Reid, above mentioned. He was of remarkably clear intellect, of much decision, and strong nerve. He dispatched business, under all circumstances, promptly, and enjoyed the confidence and friendship of General Jackson to such a degree that he requested him to write his life. He had written the first four chapters, when he sickened and died. The papers Major Reid had collected were then handed over, at General Jackson's request, to Major John H. Eaton, who finished the book. Dr. William J. Reid is a son of this marriage. His wife is Sarah Claiborne Maury. They live at the old homestead of Major Abram Maury. Their eldest daughter, Mary Maury, married Andrew J. Puryear, who died about four years ago. She has four children, two sons and two daughters. A son of Dr. Reid, John William, married Maud C. Perkins, and the younger son of Dr. Reid, is Maury Thorpe, a youth of fifteen years.

(B) Matthew Fontaine, who died at twelve years of age.

(C) Daniel Worsham, when grown, made a venture in the mercantile line in Courtland, in this county. He did not succeed well, and I think went back to Tennessee. He never married.

(D) Hon. Abraham Poindexter Maury had a brilliant career. He was born at Franklin 26th December, 1801, and early showed a decided literary taste. He was taught grammar by that accurate teacher, Rev. Lewis Garrett, and was for some time at Harpeth Academy under Dr. Blackburn. At about the age of seventeen years he was invited by the citizens of Franklin to deliver a Fourth of July speech. When quite young, at the instance of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, who had lived at Franklin and known him well, he went to St. Louis to edit a newspaper. After a year's stay he returned to Tennessee and went as a cadet to West Point. As he had more taste for literature and politics than mathematics, he returned to Tennessee, settled in Nashville and edited a paper entitled the Nashville Republican. Here he made a reputation as a journalist. He married Mary Eliza Tennessee Claiborne (a lady of great beauty and fine fortune), the daughter of Dr. Thomas Augustine Claiborne, and his wife, Sally Lewis, the daughter of William T. Lewis, of Nashville. Dr. Claiborne was a brother of Wm. C. C. Claiborne, first Territorial Governor of Louisiana, and subsequently elected to the office by the people for thirteen years. Dr. Claiborne, father of Mrs. Maury, after the death of his wife, became a surgeon in the United States Navy and died young.

Hon. Abram P. Maury, after his marriage, bought out the interests of his brothers and sisters in his father's farm at Franklin. Served in both branches of the Legislature, and then in Congress for two terms, commencing with 1885. He was the father of nine children: (1) His eldest daughter, Martha Thomas, is still living, the widow of Nicholas Edwin Perkins, whose father, Nicholas T. Perkins, captured the famous Aaron Burr. She had three children--Edwin Maury, unmarried; Leighla Octavia, married to Dr. Harden T. Cochrane, of Birmingham, Ala., and Maud Claiborne, married to John William Reid, above mentioned. (2) The second daughter of Hon. Abram P. Maury. Sarah Claiborne, was married to Dr. Wm. S. Reid, as we have mentioned above. The third, fourth and fifth died unmarried. (6) Abram P. married, before he was of age, the daughter of Wm. O'Neal Perkins, of Franklin, and died quite a young man, leaving a son, Wm. Perkins Maury, now superintendent of the public schools at Fort Smith, Ark., and a daughter, Martha Slaughter, who is married to Mr. Benjamin Mann, of Haywood county, Tennessee. (7) Septima died at the age of twenty-six. (8) Octavia died early. (9) Ferdinand Claiborne, the youngest member of the family, is a lawyer in Nashville, and was married some years since to Mrs. Ida Rains, the widow of General Rains of the Confederate service, who was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro.

(E) James Philip, another son of Maj. Abram Maury, was an excellent man. Never married.

(F) William Henry, lived and died in Fayette county. His descendants are to be found there.

(G) Martha Fontaine, married Cary A. Harris. He was made Public Printer by General Jackson as stated above. They had several children set down in the Fontaine chart.

(H) The youngest of Maj. Abram Maury's children was Zebulon M. Pike. He married Virginia Ashlen, a lady of Williamson county and died while being unjustly detained as a prisoner at Sandusky, Ohio, during the late war. His youngest son was drowned a few years ago, and one of his sons, James Henry, married Helen Deas Ross, daughter of Mr. Wm. H. Ross, of Mobile, and is a prosperous merchant in the city of Paris, France. (1887.) He afterwards returned to the United States, and to New Orleans, to live.

Abraham married Susanna Poindexter on 2 Sep 1759 in Rector Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg, Lunenburg County, VA. Susanna was born in 1742 in Fluvanna County, VA; died on 22 Jan 1801 in Franklin County, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Daniel Parke ClaiborneVirginia, USA. Daniel (son of Jr. Thomas Claiborne and Ann Fox) was born about 1725; died in Sep 1790 in Dinwiddie County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Mary L. LemoineWales. Mary was born in Wales; died in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Was apprenticed to a London watchmaker. Received his freedom in 1759 at the age of 24, and had an illegitimate son, Joseph, by Mary Bradneck. In 1762, John, Jr., was serving against the French on a sloop of war and was killed. Both John's uncles Moses and his father provided in their wills for Joseph Fontaine, alias Thompson.

David married M. M. PlowmanWales. M. was born in Wales; died in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died young.

William married M. HowellWales. M. was born in Wales; died in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Daniel and Moses were twin brothers. They died young.

Notes:

Daniel and Moses were twin brothers. They died young.

Notes:

Died in childbirth though her son, John, lived.

Her husband, James, was her first cousin.

Anne married James Fontaine in 1752 in Virginia, USA. James (son of James Fontaine, Jr and Lucretia Desjarrie) was born in 1721 in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Richards. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary died young.

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:

Mary Ann was reared by her Aunt, Mary Ann Maury, after the death of her mother.

Died:
"Half Sink", Henrico Co., VA

Mary married Isaac Winston about 1740 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Isaac (son of Isaac Winston and Mary Ann Dabney) was born about 1713 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died in 1766 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Moses married Elizabeth BallardVirginia, USA. Elizabeth was born about 1746 in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married William Mills in 1764 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. William (son of Robert Mills and Mary Hopkins) was born about 1747 in Maryland, USA; died before 14 Nov 1831 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Mary Pauline Goode on 8 Feb 1773 in Mecklenburg County, VA. Mary (daughter of Edward Goode and Judith Morton) was born on 12 Feb 1756 in Lunenburg County, VA; died on 15 Aug 1812 in Christian County, KY; was buried in Wall Cemetery, Wallaria, Trigg County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abraham married Sarah Ballard on 14 Aug 1783 in Charles City County, VA. Sarah was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Abt 1800, Harrods Creek, Jefferson County, KY

Notes:

Served as ensign from Louisa County, Virginia militia.

Spotsylvania Co., VA Land
Book and Page: J
Date Made: 8 Mar 1774
Property: 260 a. in Spts. Co.
Remarks:
Joseph Herndon and Betty, his wife; Charles Gordon and Mary, his wife, of Spts. Co. to Aaron Fontaine. 200 curr. 260 a. in Spts. Co. Wm. Smith, Edwd. Herndon, Peter Stubblefield. Augt. 18, 1774.
Name Title Description Residence
Fontaine, Aaron Grantee Spotsylvania Co., VA
Gordon, Charles Grantor Spotsylvania Co., VA
Gordon, Mary Grantor's wife Spotsylvania Co., VA
Herndon, Betty Grantor's wife Spotsylvania Co., VA
Herndon, Edwd. Witness Spotsylvania Co., VA
Herndon, Joseph Grantor Spotsylvania Co., VA
Smith, Wm. Witness Spotsylvania Co., VA
Stubblefield, Peter Witness Spotsylvania Co., VA

Spotsylvania Co., VA Land
Book and Page: K
Date Made: 15 May 1782
Property: 260 a. in Spts. Co.
Remarks:
Aaron Fontaine and Barbara, his wife, to David Sandidge of Spots. co. 222 curr. 260 a. in Spots. Co. No witnesses. June 20, 1782. Name Title Description Residence
Fontaine, Aaron Grantor Spotsylvania Co., VA
Fontaine, Barbara Grantor's wife Spotsylvania Co., VA
Sandidge, David Grantee Spotsylvania Co., VA

From http://jscott.tierranet.com/ancestry/fontaine/aaronfon.htm

This is transcribed from a copy of a newspaper article "Century of Old Fontaine Estate" by Mary Lytle Byers (maybe from Courier Journal?) from 1914 (this date based on wording in text) The copy was in poor condition. Unreadable text is shown as ..... in the transcription below. It could be more than one article, as the pieces were fragmentary and hard to read. J. Scott, April 1999

"Little of all we value here
Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year
Without both looking and feeling queer -- "

Hardly can be held to apply to Fontaine Ferry park which under the management of Col. Harry A. Bilger, soon will open for the summer season of 1914. It is probable that few persons recall that this is the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the famous fountain that gave the celebrated amusement resort its name and prestige. An article prepared by Charles Thurston who is one of the descendants of the Fontaines, tells some interesting incidents in connection with the origin of the place.

Mr. Thurston says:
"Col. Aaron Fontaine came from Virginia in 1798 with a family of twelve children and his son-in-law, Judge Fortunatus Cosby, and settled on Harrods Creek in Jefferson county, of this State. He afterward removed, on January 17, 1814, to the banks of the Ohio river west of Louisville and established his family on a large estate which was purchased by him from Mr. William Lytle, of Cincinnati, O. This estate was part of 3,000 acres purchased by his son-in-law, Judge Fortunatus Cosby, from Sarah Beard, July 7, 1806, the property being known as part of the Connolly and De Warnsdorff tracts.

"The estate purchased by Col. Aaron Fontaine from William Lytle embraced... acres and at the time of its purchase the property was called "Carter's ferry". It was afterward named "Fontaine Ferry" by Col. Fontaine in 1814 and the place was laid out in orchards lawns and grasslands. The house, of substantial construction, faced the Ohio River, where a boat was kept for pleasure and service. A fine cypress avenue opened on what is now Main and the old "Fountaine Ferry Road" was a famous drive leading into the country retreat. Here Col. Fontaine lived the life of a country squire in the good old days in peace, plenty and hospitality, 100 years ago.

"Col. Fontaine was a gentleman of the old school whose type almost has passed away. He was of French descent and a member of a noble Huguenot family in France. Among the number of the ancestors of this Huguenot was the noted Peverence Peter Fontaine, rector of Westover parish, Charles City County, Va., in 1716. It is said of Col. Fontaine that he was particularly courteous and polite to everyone with whom he came in contact and particularly so to his wife to whom he always doffed his hat before taking his morning toddy and insisted that she taste the toddy first.

"Col. Fontaine, previous to his emigration to Kentucky in 1798, married Barbara Terril, of Virginia, who traced her lineage to the royal house of Stuart and was the granddaughter of Col. William Overton, of "Glencairn," Hanover county, Va. Twelve children were born of this marriage as follows: Mary Ann, the wife of Judge Fortunatus Cosby; Mathilda, the wife of Thomas Prather; Martha, the wife of Alexander Pope; America, the wife of William S. Vernon; Sallie, the wife of Gov. George Floyd; Deborah, the wife of Judge Edmund Bullock; Maria the wife of Sterling Grimes; Barbara, the wife of John Sanders, Ann Overton, the wife of John I. Jacob, and Peter, John and Maury Fontaine, sons.

"Soon after the death of his first wife, Barbara Terrill Fontaine, Col. Fontaine married Mrs. Elizabeth Whiting Thruston, the widow of Col. John Thruston, of "Sans Souel," of Jefferson county, who was with Gen. George Rogers Clark in the campaigns against the British and the Indians at Kaskaskia and Vincennes. Mrs. Thruston had ten children when she married Col. Fontaine and four children were the result of this marriage.

"Mrs. Elizabeth Whiting Thruston's children were Charles M. Thruston, Sr., lawyer in Louisville from 1800 to 1856; Alfred Thruston, cashier of the Bank of Louisville in 1833; Algernon Thruston, Attorney General of Texas, killed at the side of Davy Crockett in "The Alamo:" Lucius Thruston, Louisville; Mrs. Kitty Luckett, Louisville; Mrs. Worden Pope, Louisville; Mrs. Mollie January, St. Louis, Mo.; Mrs. Fanny Rector, of Arkansas; Mary Thruston, of Louisville, and John Thruston, II, Louisville. The children of the marriage of Col. Fontaine and Mrs. Thruston were Aaron B. Fontaine, Alexander Fontaine, Henry W. Fontaine and Emmeline Dillon Fontaine.

.... have twenty six children .... ets of children in this ... family and the writer has ... distinction of being the ...grandson of Col. Aaron Fontaine and his two wives as well as Judge Fortunatus Cosby and his wife Mary Ann, and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Thruston, Sr., the latter being a granddaughter of Col. Fontaine and the daughter of Judge Cosby. It is unusual that a grandson should be related on both sides to all the heads of the three families by direct blood descent.

"There may be several omissions in this genealogy which the writer is notable to supply from his notes, but the data given is of sufficient scope to interest the large number of descendants of this extensive connection now living in Louisville.

"In conclusion it may not be amiss to mention some of the members of this family who have achieved something more than a local reputation. Among the number whose names are recalled are Gen. George Cosby, C.S.A., of California; Admiral Frank Coast, U.S. Navy; Gen. Gates Thruston, U.S.A., Nashville, Tenn.; Admiral Levin Powell, U.S.N., Washington D.C., Algernon Thruston, ex - Attorney General, of Texas; Henry Rector, formerly Governor of Arkansas; Alfred Thruston, first cashier of the Bank of Louisville; Judge Buckner Thruston, United States Senator from Kentucky from 1805 to 1809; Patrick ... (Fontaine?), member of Congress from the... district of Kentucky, and Charles .... Thruston, eminent as a lawyer in Louisville from 1800 to 1856.

The son of this Jean de la Fontaine became a minister of the Protestant churches of Royan and Vaux -- he was called the "prophet of the persecution," as by his untiring labor and exhortations he prepared his people for the great persecution of the Huguenots that followed the revocation of the edict of Nantes. This devoted pastor, though of simple tastes and abstemious habits, was a man of commanding figure and dignified presence. By his second marriage to a beautiful French girl --Marie de Chaillon -- an heiress and much his, junior, he became the owner of the estate of Jenouille and the Manor of Jaffe. It was here that his youngest son -- and a man destined to make the name renowned in history as "the fighting Huguenot" -- was born in 1653.

"The Fighting Huguenot."

Jacques Fontaine -- for the title had been dropped -- the most famous of the name, gives a personal account in his "Memoirs of a Huguenot" of his trial and persecution for the faith, his daring escape with his betrothed wife from France, and their subsequent life and adventures in England. After teaching school, inventing and manufacturing a new weave of cloth, he finally went to Ireland, taking charge of a French congregation in Cork. Here M. Fontaine was held in such esteem that he was presented with the freedom of the city. It was in an engagement with a French privateer, manned by Frenchmen and carrying eighty men and ten guns, off the coast of Ireland, that M. Fontaine defended his household and himself so bravely that through the influence of his friend, the Duke of Ormonde and Governor General of Ireland, he was granted a pension from Queen Anne in 1705, in recognition of his bravery and service.

The Coming to Virginia

It remained for three sons and one daughter of "the fighting Huguenot" to perpetuate the name and qualities of their ancestors in the new world. Capt. John Fontaine, and English officer; Pierre and Francis, both clergymen of the Church of England, and Mary Anne Fontaine, their sister, who had married Matthew Maury, of Castle Mauron, Gascony, landed in Virginia, and were given a cordial welcome by Gov. Spotteswoode. Mary Anne Maury became the ancestress of the many noted men and women of that name. Pierre Fontaine had the good fortune to become the rector of Westover parish and chaplain to that "prince of the lordly manor of Westover," the distinguished Col. William Evelyn Byrd. In a novel by Marian Harland, called "His Great Self," founded on the Westover manuscripts of Col. Byrd, Pierre Fontaine is shown to be a familiar member of the household, and an intimate friend of the beautiful Evelyn. He is described as "a polished scholar and courtly gentleman of winning manners, with an olive complexion, clearly chiseled features, soft, dark brilliant eyes, 'a true descendant of the handsomest man in Navarre.'"

Romance says he was in love with the ill-fated Evelyn Byrd, but realizing the hopelessness of his own suit aided her by every means in his power in her unfortunate love affair with her English lover, Lord Peterborough.

Both Pierre Fontaine and his brother, Capt., John Fontaine, were members of Gov. Spottesswoode's famous expedition across the blue Ridge in 1716, which ended on their return in the institution of the "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," Gov. Spotteswoode presenting to each member a miniature gold horseshoe inscribed with the motto "Sic Juvat transcendere Montes." The journal of Capt. John Fontaine had been preserved, in which he gives an account of the party reaching the top of the range of mountains, and drinking a health to King George and the royal family.

Some Noted descendants.

A grandson of the Rev. Pierre Fontaine, of Westover, Col. William Fontaine, was an officer in the Revolution, being present with his regiment at the surrender of Yorktown by Lord Cornwallis. A letter written to his relatives, soon after the glorious event, gives the personal description of an eye-witness.

Other noted representatives of the family were Charles D. Fontaine, of New Orleans, a great-grandson of Patrick Henry, and a celebrated statesman; Dr. Clement Rush Fontaine, an eminent physician of Virginia; Col. Walter Lloyd Fontaine and Lamar Fontaine, known as a "raconteur" and daring Confederate soldier.

Various descendants of the Fontaine family have distinguished themselves in the service of the army and navy while others in the church and the professions have reflected credit on the name.

The Kentucky Fontaines.

The Fontaines of Kentucky, brought to the Commonwealth the heritage of an honored ... and ancestry, were descended from Aaron Fontaine, son of the Rev. Peter Fontaine, of Westover, and born -- it is said -- in his father's seventieth year, 1753.

In his youth young Aaron Fontaine lived with his sister, Mrs. Isaac Winston

Aaron married Elizabeth Thruston Whiting on 18 Jun 1805 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. Elizabeth was born about 1771 in Virginia, USA; died in Jul 1822 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Aaron married Barbara Overton Terrell on 19 May 1773 in Louisa County, VA. Barbara (daughter of Jr. Richmond Terrell and Ann Overton) was born on 3 Sep 1756 in St Martins, Louisa County, VA; died on 10 Jul 1798 in en route to Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Moved to Wilkes County, GA about 1799.

Notes:

It appears that all of the children of Thomas and Clarissa, except Benjamin, were born in South Carolina. The 1850 census of Mobile, Alabama, gives Benjamin's place of birth as Georgia.

Family/Spouse: Clarissa Bruton. Clarissa was born about 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sally Threewitts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Mary Bruton in 1770 in Dobbs County, NC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Alexander Thomson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to Georgia Archives, Francis III was a Revolutionary Soldier and was killed by the Tories about 1780 or 1781. His wife, Jemima, sold provisions to the Revolutionary Army.

Francis married Jemima Johnson in 1770 in Davie County, NC. Jemima was born about 1755 in Virginia, USA; died in 1803 in Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Benjamin Risher on 20 Dec 1772 in Charleston, Charleston County, SC. Benjamin was born on 14 Nov 1752 in New Bern, Craven County, NC; died on 9 Oct 1810; was buried in Williams, Colleton County, SC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Caroline married John Robinson Wiatt on 4 Oct 1809 in Virginia, USA. John (son of Thomas Wiatt and Catherine Robinson) was born in 1787 in Boxley, Gloucester County, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Aug 1855 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Martha Nelson in 1764. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Barbara Clubb. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Tabitha Bennett. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: May Wood. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Boldin. Elizabeth was born about 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emigrated to Tennessee with the children of his Uncle Abraham Maury.

Richard married Diana Minor on 18 Jan 1792 in Louisa, Virginia, USA. Diana was born on 18 Aug 1768 in Topping Castle, Spotsylvania County, VA; died on 27 Jul 1843 in Franklin, Williamson, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Eggleston. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Matthew and Elizabeth had ten children. Matthew succeeded his father as Rector of Walker's Church and in teaching school.

Matthew married Elizabeth Simms WalkerAlbemarle County, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

George Washington appointed him Consul to the Port of Liverpool in the Kingdom of Great Britain. He was also an owner of the Commission Merchants "Maury & Latham (see an account of his life in INTIMATE VIRGINIANA, ed. Anne Fontaine Maury.)

James married Catherine Armistead on 15 Jun 1782 in Virginia, USA. Catherine (daughter of Robert Armistead and Ann Smith) was born on 31 Dec 1755 in Louisa County, VA; died on 24 May 1794 in Liverpool, England; was buried in St. Geroge's Churchyard, Fredericksburg, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Margaret Ruston on 16 Aug 1796 in Liverpool, England. Margaret was born on 15 Jun 1764. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Anne remained unmarried and lived in Liverpool, England with her father who was consul for forty-five years. Anne conducted genealogical research on the Fontaine family and, with G. P. Putnam, published the English translation of the Rev. Jacques Fontaine's memoirs. She also compiled a genealogical chart of the Fontaine and Maury families.

Family/Spouse: Thomas Strachen. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
yellow fever

Family/Spouse: Mary Grymes. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherin married James BarrettAlbemarle County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: T. Lewis. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Edward Herndon on 13 Jul 1809 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA. Edward (son of John Joseph Herndon and Philadelphia Foster) was born on 15 Jan 1761 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA; died on 17 Oct 1837 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married James LewisAlbemarle County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mildred Thornton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fontaine married Elizabeth Brooke in 1785. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: E. Grant. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abraham married Martha Branch Worsham about 1792. Martha was born on 11 Feb 1775 in Amelia County, Virginia, USA; died on 25 Jun 1844 in Williamson County, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Henry Tatum. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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:

Obvious error here! He couldn't have died at age 5. Perhaps a second son was named Edmund too?

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Notes:

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Sarah married Charles Rose about 1773 in Virginia, USA. Charles was born about 1751 in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Mary married Bowles ArmisteadVirginia, USA. Bowles (son of William Armistead and Mary Bowles) was born in 1752 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died before 21 Jun 1785 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married John LewisVirginia, USA. John was born in Virginia, USA; died in 1825 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James was a Major of a volunteer regiment of Cavalry in Kentucky and was mortally wounded in an engagement with the Indians there after the close of the Revolutionary War.

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Notes:

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Notes:

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: Between 1776 and 1781, Virginia, USA; Commanded a company in the 2nd Virginia regiment, and, 1779-81, served as lieutenant colonel of the Convention Guards.

Notes:

Spotsylvania Co., VA Land
Book and Page: O
Date Made: 21 Nov 1794
Property: 2 negroes.
Remarks:
Novr. 21, 1794. John Lewis of Spots. Co. to Wm. Fontaine of Hanover Co. and John Spotswood of Orange Co., Executors of Bowles Armistead, Decd., to indemnify them, conveys to them 2 negroes, etc., etc. Witnesses, Will.
Frazer, R. Frazer. Jany. 6, 1795.
Name Title Description Residence
Armistead, Bowles Deceased Spotsylvania Co., VA
Fontaine, Wm. Grantee Hanover Co., VA
Frazer, R. Witness Spotsylvania Co., VA
Frazer, Will. Witness Spotsylvania Co., VA
Lewis, John Grantor Spotsylvania Co., VA
Spotswood, John Grantee Orange Co., VA

Birth:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

Died:
"Beaverdam", Hanover Co., VA

William married Anne Morris in 1789 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Anne (daughter of William Morris and Elizabeth) was born on 14 Apr 1766 in St Martins Par., Hanover County, VA; died on 21 Jul 1852. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Elizabeth Povall on 9 Dec 1767 in Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Jr. John Povall) was born on 21 Aug 1751 in Virginia, USA; died on 1 Aug 1782 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: 19 Nov 1821

Isaac married Lucy Coles on 2 Jun 1770 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Lucy (daughter of William Coles and Lucy Winston) was born on 2 Jun 1751; died about 1826 in Lauderdale County, AL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Susanna Smith about 1765. Susanna (daughter of Obadiah Smith and Mary Burks) was born on 28 Apr 1746; died before 1769. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Smith. Elizabeth (daughter of Obadiah Smith and Mary Burks) was born on 28 Nov 1750 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA; died before 7 Aug 1769. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Tabitha married ThompsonVirginia, USA. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eliza married BeaversVirginia, USA. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Samuel Woodson on 5 Jun 1782 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA. Samuel (son of Matthew Woodson and Elizabeth LeVillian) was born on 24 Jul 1761 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA; was christened on 6 Sep 1761 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA; died in Hopkins County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Susannah Allen on 9 Jan 1801 in Henry County, VA. Susannah was born about 1780; died before 1850. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Sarah Shelton on 9 Sep 1803 in Henry County, VA. Sarah was born about 1780; died about 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Francis married Sarah Moore on 3 Nov 1807 in Henry County, VA. Sarah was born about 1786; died in Mar 1850 in Henry County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anstis married John S. Oakley about 1805. John was born about 1785 in Virginia, USA; died in Henry County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Hannah Hicks on 12 Mar 1812 in Christian County, KY. Hannah (daughter of Absalom Hicks and Elizabeth) was born on 19 Sep 1795 in Christian County, KY; died on 27 Oct 1871 in Boone County, MO. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Matthew married Rachel Wallace on 30 Nov 1834 in Hempstead County, AR. Rachel was born on 1 Jan 1808 in Tennessee; died on 2 Apr 1860 in Ozan, Hempstead County, AR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eliza married John G. PatrickVirginia, USA. John was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clement married E. EvansVirginia, USA. E. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edmund married M. DickensonVirginia, USA. M. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Walter married M. F. Nicholas in 1792 in Virginia, USA. M. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Walter married G. NicholasVirginia, USA. G. was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Yellow fever

Henry married Susan Elizabeth Bryson on 8 Jul 1834 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. Susan (daughter of James W Bryson and Ann Kinslaw Martin) was born in Virginia, USA; died in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emmeline married Patrick Henry Dillon on 1 Jul 1830 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. Patrick was born in Virginia, USA; died in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Went to TX

Family/Spouse: Delahurst. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alexander married Marion Nevin on 18 Mar 1835. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

AARON BENJAMIN FONTAINE (1811-1880) was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, on September 4, 1811, the youngest child of Aaron Fontaine and his second wife, Elizabeth Whiting (widow Thruston). He was reared and educated at home on his father's plantation, "Fontaine's Ferry," located just to the west of Louisville and on the south bank of the Ohio River. Aaron was only twelve years of age when his father died, and in accordance with the will, he was placed under the guardianship of two of his Thruston stepbrothers, both of whom were lawyers in Louisville. He and his older brother, Henry, studied law under one or both of his guardians. Aaron was admitted to the bar in 1831 and, almost immediately, married MARY ELLIOTT, the daughter of an Irish immigrant named Edward Elliott. She was born in Ireland in 1818 and brought to America as a small child. Shortly after their marriage, Aaron and Mary moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he held land which he had inherited from his father and the Thurston's had various commercial interests. They lived in Terre Haute for ten years while he practiced law and engaged in land speculation. During their sojourn in Indiana, four of their five children were born, In the mid-1840s, the family returned to Louisville, and Aaron became involved both in the practice of law and in diverse business interests. He died in Louisville on August 29, 1880, and Mary died there, more than two decades later, on April 24, 1904. They had five children.

Source: Ancestors and Descendants of Rev. Peter Fontaine (1691-1759) of
Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia, by Charles J. Ragland

Aaron married Mary Elliott on 19 Jan 1832 in Morgan County, IL. Mary was born on 25 Feb 1817 in Dublin, IRL; died on 24 Apr 1904 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Fortunatus Cosby in 1786/1817 in Louisa County, VA. Fortunatus (son of Charles Scott Cosby and Elizabeth Sydnor) was born on 25 Dec 1766 in Georgia; died on 19 Oct 1847 in Harrods Creek near Louisville, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married George Rogers Clark Floyd on 16 Apr 1810 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. George (son of John Floyd and Jane Buchannan) was born in 1781 in Floyds Station, KY; died in 1821 in Woodstock, Fayette County, KY; was buried in Breckinridge Family Cemetery, Louisville. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, Marengo, Alabama
• Residence: 1870, Bashi, Clarke, Alabama, USA

Notes:

Census Information
1850 - value of property $600.

Birth:
"Bien Venue", Louisa Co., VA

William married Elizabeth Garnett Pearson on 6 Apr 1818 in Clarke, Alabama, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of John Pearson and Nancy Leonard) was born on 25 Sep 1799 in Wilkes, Georgia, USA; died on 25 May 1864 in Clarke, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married John Jeremiah Jacob on 16 Jun 1811 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. John (son of William Jacob and Mary Monk) was born on 20 Oct 1778 in Baltimore City, MD; died on 1 Apr 1852 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Maria married Sterling Grimes on 24 Jun 1810 in Jefferson County, KY. Sterling (son of John Grimes and Elizabeth Wingfield) was born on 10 Jan 1782 in Georgia; died on 14 Dec 1826 in VA or GA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Matilda married III Thomas Prather on 12 Feb 1800 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. Thomas (son of Jr. Thomas M. Sprigg Prather and Jeanette Smiley) was born on 2 Dec 1770 in Virginia, USA; died on 3 Feb 1823 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Marriages--Kentucky to 1850
Jefferson County
Fontaine, Martha M. married Pope, Alexander on 04 Oct 1806 in Jefferson
County, Kentucky

Martha married Alexander Pope on 4 Oct 1806 in Jefferson County, KY. Alexander (son of William Pope and Penelope Edwards) was born on 6 Sep 1784 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Dec 1826 in Virginia, USA; was buried in Cave Hill, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Source: Register of St. James Northam Parish, Goochland Co., VA

Barbara married Charles Sydnor Cosby on 4 May 1819 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, USA. Charles (son of Anthony Sydnor Cosby and Cynthia Catherine Jack) was born in 1790 in Wilkes County, Georgia, USA; died on 7 Jan 1822 in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbara married John Wynal Sanders on 22 Oct 1827 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY. John was born on 28 Feb 1789; died on 3 Jun 1849 in LA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Peter and Catherine had three children.

Died:
Dropsy

Peter married Catherine Taylor on 30 Mar 1797 in Jefferson County, KY. Catherine was born in Virginia, USA; died in Apr 1813 in Louisville, Jefferson County, KY; was buried in Cave Hill with Jacob family; no marker. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Edmund Bullock on 19 May 1799 in Jefferson County, KY. Edmund was born in Virginia, USA; died in 1852 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Deborah Hobbs on 21 Mar 1799 in Nelson County, KY. Deborah (daughter of Joseph Hobbs and Ann Maynard) was born on 25 Jul 1778 in Frederick County, MD; died on 4 Nov 1867 in Brandenburg, Meade County, KY; was buried in Old Cem. on Bluff, Brandenburg, Meade County, KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

America married William Sidney Vernon on 16 Jan 1809 in Jefferson County, KY. William (son of Samuel Vernon) was born on 25 Dec 1779 in Newport, Newport County, RI; died on 12 May 1873 in Louisa County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Moved from Warrenton, GA to Tuscaloosa, AL in 1821. He was an attorney in Tuscaloosa in 1835 to 1838 and a State Senator in 1831.

Moved to Mobile, AL, in 1835.

Benjamin married Susanna Eliza Beall on 21 Dec 1818 in Warren County, GA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: George W. Hardwick. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On January 2, 1836, John was elected Mayor of Columbus, GA. February 26, 1840, John was elected President of the St. Joseph and Iola Railroad. John, Mary Ann, and several of their children and in-laws are buried in the Fontaine family plot in Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, GA.

Family/Spouse: Mary Ann Stewart. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Peachum. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Threewitts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elijah Hudson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Hugh Kerr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married John Goza about 1797. John (son of Aaron Goza and Agnes Humphreys) was born in 1770 in Virginia, USA; died in 1853 in Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Joshua Goza in 1798 in Warren County, GA. Joshua (son of Aaron Goza and Agnes Humphreys) was born about 1770 in Virginia, USA; died in 1834 in Copiah County, MS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nancy married Nathan Jackson Brewton on 18 May 1794 in Warren County, GA. Nathan (son of John Brewton and Isabella Emanuel) was born in 1762 in New Bern, Craven County, NC; died on 25 Nov 1855 in Tattnall County, GA; was buried in Hagan, Evans, Georgia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thompson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Mary Elizabeth Koger in 1804. Mary was born in 1782; died in 1814; was buried in Colleton County, SC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Mary R.A. Huff in 1823/1826. Mary was born in 1788/1806; died in 1823/1891. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lucy married Peter Stokes in 1827/1861. Peter was born in 1782/1802; died in 1827/1888. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married William Stocks in 1818/1852. William was born in 1773/1793; died in 1818/1879. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eleanor married Michael Razor in 1808/1842. Michael was born in 1763/1783; died in 1808/1869. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: William Smith. William died on 24 May 1818. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Laban Smith on 10 Jun 1819. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Isaac Braswell. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Harriet married Abraham Williams in 1815/1849. Abraham was born in 1770/1790; died in 1815/1876. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eliza married Benjamin Hughes in 1812/1846. Benjamin was born in 1767/1787; died in 1812/1873. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Edward B. Matchett in 1821/1855. Edward was born about 1793. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susan married Grooms in 1824/1858. was born in 1779/1799; died in 1824/1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Francis Catherine Wiatt

Other Events and Attributes:

• Departure: 1 Dec 1836, Liverpool, England
• Arrival: 6 Dec 1836, New York, New York; Age: 30
• Residence: 1850, Washington Ward 1, Washington, District of Columbia; Age: 44
• Residence: 1860, Washington Ward 1, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Age: 54
• Residence: 1861, Tennessee
• _MILT: 10 Jun 1861

Notes:

LLD, USN, CSN, Commodore, "Pathfinder of the Seas." Matthew's Physical Geography of the Seas (1855) was the first textbook on modern oceanography.

His wife, Ann Hull Herndon, was the daughter of the President of the Virginia Bank at Fredericksburg, Va. They had eight children.

Maury, Matthew Fontaine
(1806--73)
Oceanographer; born near Fredericksburg, Va. He entered the U.S. Navy (1825) and spent the next nine years on worldwide sea voyages. In 1839 a stagecoach accident left him permanently lamed. Considered unfit for active duty, in 1842 he was appointed superintendent of the Naval Observatory's Depot of Charts and Instruments. There he compiled information from numerous ships' logs, and gained an international reputation for his research in navigation, oceanography, and meteorology. By interpreting the crossing of the trade winds at the equator, he designed shipping routes which shortened an Atlantic-Pacific crossing by 40 days. In his most famous work, The Physical Geography of the Sea (1855), he proposed a transatlantic telegraph cable to be constructed on a level sea-floor plateau he had discovered between Newfoundland and Ireland. In 1861 Maury became a commodore in the Confederate Navy; while working to perfect underwater mines, he went to Europe where he also purchased and outfitted cruisers for the Confederate navy. After a brief self-exile in Mexico and Europe (1865-68), he returned to the U.S.A. to teach at the Virginia Military Institute (1868-73). He is known as the "Pathfinder of the Seas."

THE CAMBRIDGE BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
edited by David Crystal
Copyright (c) 1994, Cambridge University Press
Reproduced with permission.

Maury, Matthew (Fontaine)
Pronunciation: [mawree]
(1806--73)
Naval officer and hydrographer, born in Spotsylvania, VA. He entered the US navy in 1825, and voyaged round the world (1826-30). After an accident in 1839, he was appointed in 1842 superintendent of the hydrographical office at Washington, and in 1844 of the observatory. There he wrote his Physical Geography of the Sea (1856), and his works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and Great Circle sailing. He became an officer of the Confederate navy, and later professor of physics at Lexington.

THE CAMBRIDGE BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
edited by David Crystal
Copyright (c) 1994, Cambridge University Press
Reproduced with permission.

Saunders, James Edmonds. Early Settlers of Alabama. L. Grahm & Son. New Orleans. 1899, p 301-304:

Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury
was born in Spotsylvania county, Virginia, January 16th, 1806. His father was Richard Maury, who was the son of the James Maury (above mentioned).Mr. Richard Maury moved from Virginia to Williamson county, Tennessee, when his son Matthew was but a child. The country was then mostly a canebrake, but the soil wonderfully fertile. His farm was not large, and he had only a few slaves, but he was a solid, sensible and industrious man, and managed to rear and educate a family of ten children; commanding, however, whenever the crop required it, the labor of his sons. He made his home on Harpeth river, four miles below Franklin. His only amusement was a grist mill, which he erected on a small tributary of that stream, and which was a great convenience to the Perkinses, the Childress' and the Maurys. He rode this hobby very hard, little dreaming that his son "Matt" would mount one which he would ride around the admiring world, in the presence of Kings, Princes and peoples, and "take the purse" from all competitors--the renowned Humboldt being the judge.

I never knew young Matthew Fontaine Maury until he entered Harpeth Academy-- then under the presidency of Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D. D. He was fortunate in having such a teacher and guide. Dr. Blackburn was an eminent minister of the Presbyterian church. He was of commanding person, graceful manners, and a scholar of extensive learning--for an age in which science did not constitute so large an element as now. As an orator, I think he was the equal of Dr. Samuel Davies of Nassan Hall. He never wrote his sermons, but spoke extemporaneously, sometimes for more than two hours. Judge Guild (who was an orator himself) says of him, in his "Old Times in Tennessee:" "Dr. Blackburn's eloquence as General Jackson's chaplain, inflamed the hearts and nerved the arms of the Tennessee volunteers, who carried the victorious flag of our country through the great campaigns of Jackson. He was the most eloquent and powerful minister I ever heard. I have heard many of the pulpit orators that have arisen since then, and my first impression has not been diminished, but deepened by the accumulation of years. Few American orators have shown themselves his equal, and none his superior." About this pupil, young Maury, there was a striking feature, and that was an undivided concentration of mind upon whatever he was doing. He was no dreamer. On the play-ground he was active, strong and cheery, and a favorite with his fellows; and when "books were called" he devoted his attention, as singly and earnestly, to his lesson; and so gained the approbation of his teachers. He was a fine example of "a sound mind in a sound body." We were school-fellows for some years. At length my father moved to Alabama, and I went to a college in another State, and he went into the Navy.

About 1826 we happened to meet at Franklin, our old home. He wore the glazed cap, and the uniform, of a midshipman. There was quite a crowd of schoolmates around him, and a happy reunion took place. At length the young men began to look at their watches, for a quarter race was to come off. In a short time we were left alone, and had a most interesting conversation. He had been on a cruise in the Pacific Ocean--and talked, mostly, of the currents of the sea. I remember to this day, that he told me of a broad current of cold water which ran from South to North, up the Western coast of South America, and with so strong a current that a sail vessel to double Cape Horn would have to make an offing of one or two hundred miles from the coast to escape the resistance of the current. I mention this fact to show, that young as he was, he was a close observer of what he saw, and the tenacity with which his mind held on to a subject, and revolved it over and over again. It is this quality which distinguishes a great man from an ordinary one.

Mr. Maury became Lieutenant in the Navy in 1837. "He had a leg broken and many other injuries (I think from the overturning of a stage) and during his convalescence he spent several years in Fredericksburg in study, and preparing a series of articles ("The Lucky Bag," by Harry Bluff), for the Southern Literary Messenger which wrought a revolution in the Navy Department, and led to the establishment of the Naval Academy. (Mr. R. A. Brock, in Vol. 5, New Series of Virginia Historical Collections).

In 1842 he was made Superintendent of the Depot of the Charts and Instruments in Washington, which under his inspiration became the National Observatory. Here he made his renowned Current Charts and Sailing Directions, and wrote his "Geography of the Sea," which was pronounced by Humboldt "a new science." Conscious that his new system of navigation would not be perfected without accurate observations everywhere, he suggested a Congress of Maritime Nations at Brussels, where sailors on every sea were instructed to report to their governments--and in their turn these reports were sent to the National Observatory at Washington. What a triumph this was for the scientist at the head of it, who had barely attained to middle age! In recognition of his services in the cause of science, the leading powers of Europe showered honors and decorations upon him. The University of Cambridge, England, conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. President Tyler wanted him (though only a lieutenant) at the head of the Navy Department, and the position of the Hydrographer of the Southern Exploring Exposition was offered him. The Academies of Science of Paris, Berlin, Brussels and St. Petersburg conferred membership upon him.

But he was not only honored by the great and learned, but as well by the common sailors of every nation. At first they were incredulous. They had never heard of "sailing by great circles." They thought the proper course from port to port was "plumb straight." These old tars had often crossed the ocean and had never seen any current in it, and did not believe there was any. But when the sailing master would spread out the new chart on the binnacle, lay his course as if sailing to a different port than the desired one--when after a while they would fall into a current which would waft them along without an adverse wind, and the voyage would be a short and easy one, they would begin to see the riddle. But then again when on the return voyage the sailing master, instead of laying his course on the same track on which they had come, so smoothly from home, would take a route entirely different, they would be again mystified. After a while, however, they would feel a steady wind at the backs-the sails when once set would not need trimming for days--and when they would reach the home port, in shorter time, and with less labor, than ever before, they would frankly acknowledge their mistake. In this way, the name of Columbus, when he discovered a New World, was not more universally known than that of "Maury," and had these mariners lived in ancient Rome, a new God would have been added to the Mythology, and his image would have been the figure-head for good luck on every vessel which floated on the ocean.

When, in the war between the States, Virginia seceded from the Union, he resigned his commission in the Navy, and the charge of the National Observatory. When this became known, France and Russia invited him to become their guest, with every provision for his comfort and studies. He replied that his first duty was to Virginia, his birth place, and his home, since his marriage. His vindication of the South (to be found in Southern Historical Papers 1, Vol. 49) is a dispassionate and very able paper. In that contest we lost everything "but honor"--let us always keep that untarnished, by keeping in mind the grounds which justified our action. He was promoted to a Captaincy and a member of the Advisory Committee; the first act of which body was to recommend R. E. Lee as commander of the Virginia army. He gave much attention to torpedoes, believing in their efficiency as much as his cousin, Gen. Dabney H. Maury.

In 1862 he was sent on a special mission to England, and remained there until 1865. On the downfall of the Confederacy Maximilian persuaded him to make his home in Mexico; and he was appointed Honorary Counselor of State, a member of the Cabinet, and an Imperial Commissioner of Immigration, and was sent on special mission to Europe. Shortly afterward Maximilian fell, and he remained there until 1868. He was elected to the Presidency of the University of Alabama, which he declined; (President Clayton). He was elected Professor of Physics of the Virginia Military Institute, which he accepted, and declining the charge of the Imperial Observatory at Paris, he returned to Virginia. After a most useful life he died at Lexington, Va., February 1, 1873. He was a sincere, humble Christian. Whilst some men, who have had no original ideas, and have never risen above text-books, have become skeptics from an exaggerated idea of their learning, he wrote text-books--books for the advancement of science into unexplored fields, and yet held fast to the faith which sustained his ancestors, the pious Huguenots in their afflictions-and the last words he spoke were "all is well."

Commodore Maury married Anne, daughter of Dabney and Elizabeth Herndon. Her father was for many years President of the Virginia Bank at Fredericksburg, Va. A number of her brothers were men of distinction. William Lewis Herndon, when a Lieutenant in company with a friend of the same grade, explored the Amazon, the largest river in the world, from its head springs, in the Andes, which overlook the Pacific on the west for 4000 miles, to the Atlantic on the East, where through a mouth 100 miles wide, it pours out its immense accumulation of waters.

It was a feat equal to the navigation of the Congo River by Stanley, with this difference: Stanley, in his first expedition to the interior of Africa, projected his plan, and when he did attempt the descent of the Congo, he had provided a vessel made in segments, which were carried across the portage on the backs of Indians to the great river; whereas, Herndon, from a U. S. vessel lying in port on the Pacific, took thirty-five or forty men (I speak from memory), and without any boat, but with a few tools to construct canoes, and depending on his gun and fishing tackle to save his company from starvation, he boldly embarked on an unknown stream, where for 2000 miles he never saw a human face except that of a savage. He became a captain and heroically went down with the ill-fated steamer "Central America," of which he was the commander, September 12, 1857, after having seen every passenger transferred from the decks of the sinking ship, and saved it. It was from such blood, mingled with that of the Fontaines and Maurys, that the children of Commodore Maury sprang. From long observation I feel authorized to say that the children of distinguished men, especially the sons are, in a majority of cases, failures, because the fathers let their light shine outside, instead of inside their families; but this was not the case in the family of Commodore Maury. He made his children his companions. He elevated their minds to the plane of his own great thoughts. Mr. Brook says that his four youngest children assisted him in preparing his charts and geography of the sea for the press. From no other source except free intercourse with their father could they have acquired the knowledge requisite, to give him help in so novel a work. I will now notice each of his children in their order

1. Elizabeth Herndon married, in 1857, her cousin, Wm. A. Maury. He is a man of extensive learning; was a Professor of Law in Columbia College; had the degree of L.L. D. conferred upon him; is now Assistant Attorney General of the United States, and I am informed by one of the ablest lawyers of the bar of the United States Supreme Court, is a man of decided ability. 2. Diana Fontaine, in 1858, married Spotswood W. Corbin. 3. Richard Launcelot married, in 1862, Susan Gatewood Crutchfield. He enlisted as a private in the Confederate army, in April, 1861. He was promoted, grade by grade, for his gallantry to a colonelcy; was badly wounded at the battle of Seven Pines, and again badly wounded through the hips at the battle of Drewry's Bluff, which permanently disabled him; but he rejoined the army on the evacuation of Richmond, and surrendered at Appomattox Court House. He is now a prominent member of the Richmond, Va., bar. 4. John Herndon, born in 1842. "He was a lieutenant in the Confederate States Navy. Going out alone from camp, opposite Vicksburg, January 27, 1863, to reconnoiter the enemy, his horse returned without its rider, who is supposed to have been murdered by an ambushed foe. He lies in an unknown grave." 5. Mary Herndon was married in 1877 to James R. Worth. 6. Eliza Hall, married in 1878 to Thomas Withers. She was the author of a paper on the State Debt. She died in 1881. 7. Matthew Fontaine, born in 1849; married Rose, daughter of Capt. John A. Robinson. He is a civil engineer. 8. Lucy Minor married, in 1877, Meverill Locke van Doren of "Blenheim," Albemarle county, Va.

I am indebted to R. A. Brook, Esq., the indefatigable secretary of the Virginia Historical Society, for most of the statistics on which this article is founded.

Buried:
Hollywood Cemetery

Died:
Age: 67

Matthew married Ann Hull Herndon on 15 Jul 1834 in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Ann (daughter of Dabney Herndon and Elizabeth Hull) was born on 8 Aug 1811 in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 12 Feb 1875 in Richmond, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
yellow fever

John married Elizabeth "Eliza" Herndon Maury on 3 Apr 1817 in Washington City, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Elizabeth was born on 26 Aug 1793 in Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 25 Jan 1872. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married William Michie on 23 Dec 1790 in Albemarle County, Virginia, USA. William was born about 1770 in Louisa County, VA; died in 1851 in Louisa County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Clarkson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mildred married Henry FryVirginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Reuben married Elizabeth LewisVirginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

History of Albemarle County in Virginia
Chapter 7
MAURY, Catharine, father, Rev. Matthew, married LIGHTFOOT, Francis

Catharine married Francis LightfootAlbemarle County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ellen Magruder. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Family/Spouse: Jane W. Worsham. Jane was born on 18 Sep 1814 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Notes:

Birth:
"Poplar Grove", Williamson Co., TN

Charles married Anne Carrington on 29 Dec 1810. Anne (daughter of Jr. Paul Carrington and Mildred Howell Coles) was born on 9 Nov 1787 in Charlotte County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]