1814 - 1884 (69 years)
Generation: 1
1. | Edward Benjamin Fontaine was born on 5 Aug 1814 in "Greenwood", Henry, Virginia, USA; died on 19 Jan 1884 in Belvedere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Belvedere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds, Mississippi, USA. Notes:
Rev. Edward Fontaine and his wife and John E. Fontaine are buried on Belvedere Plantation, next to Sub Rosa, near Pocahontas, Ms. T7NR1W-Sec 11 or 12 Hinds Co., Ms.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/FF/ffo4.html
FONTAINE, EDWARD (1814-1884). Edward Fontaine, early minister and amateur naturalist, was born in Greenwood, Virginia, on August 5, 1814, the son of Patrick Henry and Nancy (Dabney) Fontaine and great-grandson of Patrick Henry. He was admitted to the United States Military Academy, West Point, in July 1830 but was discharged in July 1832 because of a deficiency in math. He was admitted to the bar on February 28, 1835. That year he worked in Pontotoc, Mississippi, as a draftsman on the survey of Chickasaw lands acquired by the federal government.
He became active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was admitted to the ministry in 1838, and served in Texas at Houston and Galveston by 1840, but later that year he relinquished his ministry. He married Mary Ann Swisher in November 1840, and they had three sons. From May to October 1841 he was private secretary to President Mirabeau B. Lamar. There being no clergyman of any denomination in Austin, Fontaine resolved to do what he could for the religious welfare of his fellow citizens. He organized a Sunday school and preached to all comers, black and white, at informal services in the Capitol or outside in an oak grove. When the seat of government was moved away from Austin and Lamar's term had ended, Fontaine taught school in Independence and Gay Hill in 1842-43. He may have participated in the Somervell expedition in the fall of 1842. About 1843 he went to Mississippi, where he entered the Episcopal Church and was ordained to the ministry on May 14, 1848. In 1851 he returned to Austin as rector of the Church of the Epiphany. He supervised the building of a church, completed and consecrated in May 1855, that became part of the present St. David's Church, Austin. Fontaine's wife died in 1855. In 1859 he married Mrs. Susan Taylor Britton. They had several children, but only two lived to maturity. In Austin Fontaine was active as a clergyman, politician, and amateur naturalist. He traveled widely, served as chaplain of the Texas Senate in 1857-58, and advocated establishment of a state university and a geological survey.
The church suffered in antebellum Texas because of a division in the membership on questions of slavery and secession. Fontaine resigned his charge in Austin and moved to Mississippi in 1859. He was captain of Company H, Eighteenth Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers, and chief of ordnance of the Mississippi Army during the Civil War. He served subsequently as rector at St. Mark's, Mississippi, and at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. He was a member of the New York Historical Society, the Maryland Academy of Science, and the New Orleans Academy of Science. He delivered addresses and wrote papers about his various scientific interests. His lectures included "How the World Was Peopled" (1872), which contained information on the natural history of Texas, "Winds of the Gulf States" (1873), and "A Lecture on the Peculiarities of the Physical Geography of the Mississippi River and its Delta" (1874). He died at Belvedere, Mississippi, on January 19, 1884.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Austin History Center Files. Edward Fontaine Papers, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Louis Wiltz Kemp Papers, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin. Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Texas Collection, October 1943. Daisy Barrett Tanner, The History and Treasures of St. David's Church (Austin, 1976). Work Projects Administration Writers' Program, St. David's through the Years (Austin: St. David's Episcopal Church, 1942).
DuBose Murphy
The Texas State Historical Association, 1997, 1998, 1999.
Last Updated: February 15, 1999
Comments to: comments@www.tsha.utexas.edu
Edward married Mary Ann "Nancy" Swisher on 12 Nov 1840 in Gay Hill, Washington, Texas, USA. Mary (daughter of Henry Harvey "Harry" Swisher and Sina Boyd) was born on 7 Jan 1821 in Williamson County, Tennessee, USA; died on 13 Jul 1855 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; was buried in Pocahontas, Hinds, Mississippi, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 2. Edward Fontaine
was born on 4 Aug 1849 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA.
- 3. Patrick Henry Fontaine
was born about 1845 in Belvedere Plantation, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; died on 16 Mar 1888 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
- 4. Jacques Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar Fontaine
was born on 11 Oct 1841 in Washington County, Texas, USA; died on 1 Oct 1921 in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA.
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Edward married Mrs. Susan Catherine Britton in 1859 in Hinds County, Mississippi, USA. Mrs. was born in 1829 in Granville County, North Carolina, USA; died on 28 May 1908 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 5. John Eaton Fontaine
was born on 12 Dec 1860 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 20 Aug 1908 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; was buried in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS.
- 6. Patrick Henry Fontaine
was born on 15 Dec 1869 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 10 Jan 1959 in Jackson, Hinds County, MS.
- 7. Susan Fontaine
was born cal 1865 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS.
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Generation: 2
2. | Edward Fontaine (1.Edward1) was born on 4 Aug 1849 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA. Notes:
Edward never married. He lived at Shadowlawn, Jackson, Mississippi with his Aunt and Uncle Mary and Abner Gale.
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3. | Patrick Henry Fontaine (1.Edward1) was born about 1845 in Belvedere Plantation, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; died on 16 Mar 1888 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1850, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA
- Residence: 1880, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head: Self
Patrick married Mary "Molly" Elizabeth Meade on 16 May 1868 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Mary was born about 1850 in Ohio, USA; died on 29 Jun 1889 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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4. | Jacques Mirabeau Bonaparte Lamar Fontaine (1.Edward1) was born on 11 Oct 1841 in Washington County, Texas, USA; died on 1 Oct 1921 in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA; was buried in Clarksdale, Coahoma, Mississippi, USA. Notes:
NOTE: This can't be totally accurate as Lamar's parents were not old enough for him to have been born in 1829. Edward was not the oldest son of P.H. Fontaine.
Early Settlers of Alabama, Page 297
Fontaine, of Mississippi.
833 NORTH STATE STREET, JACKSON, Miss., December 29, 1887.
James E. Saunders, Esq., Courtland, Ala.:
DEAR SIR--Your favor of the 26th inst. was handed me last night and took me somewhat by surprise, as I thought that all the Fontaines of the South knew that I was the oldest Fontaine of the numerous branches, genealogically speaking, now extant since the death of my father. Edward Fontaine, L. L. D. and D. D. & C. I am one of the Fontaines set down on the Fontaine chart. On the American chart descended as follows: John Fontaine X Martha Henry, eldest daughter of Patrick Henry, of Virginia; Patrick H. Fontaine (eldest son of John Fontaine and Martha Henry) X Nancy Dabney Miller, Edward Fontaine (eldest son of Patrick Henry Fontaine and Nancy Dabney Miller) X Ann Swisher (nee Mary), eldest son is myself; and I was born in Texas (10th October, 1829, one of the first male births in Stephen .F. Austin's colony in that State) before it was a republic. I married Lemnella S. Brickell, of Yazoo county, Miss. My eldest child is Henry Bourquoine Brickell F.; second, Jeanie Wilson; third, Edward L.; fourth, Mary Agnes; fifth, James Francis; sixth, Annie Gale; seventh, Lemnella Moore; eighth, Lamar, Jr. My youngest is now six years old and my eldest will soon reach his majority. I am a surveyor and civil engineer by profession.
During the war I served under Lee, Jackson, Beauregard, Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston. My last commander was P. D. Roddy, of North Alabama, and I was once in command of Tuscumbia, Ala.
Very respectfully yours,
LAMAR FONTAINE.
NOTE.--Author of "All Quiet Along the Potomac To-night," and "Charge of Rodes' Brigade at Seven Pines" and celebrated poems of the civil war.
Jacques married Llemuella Smith Brickell on 20 Jan 1866 in Yazoo City, Yazoo, Mississippi, USA. Llemuella was born on 7 May 1843 in Holly Springs, Marshall County, MS; died on 7 Jan 1922. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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5. | John Eaton Fontaine (1.Edward1) was born on 12 Dec 1860 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 20 Aug 1908 in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; was buried in Belvidere Plantation, Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS. John married Adelle Armenta Stokes about 1888. Adelle (daughter of George Stokes and Charlotte C. Greaves, daughter of John Madison Greaves and Margaret C. Williams) was born on 22 Dec 1844; died on 14 Feb 1923 in Memphis, Shelby County, TN; was buried in Elmwood Cem., Memphis, Shelby County, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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Generation: 3
8. | Mary Bogard "Bertie" Fontaine (3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born on 8 Dec 1869 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1880, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head: Daughter
- Residence: 1910, Covington, St Tammany, Louisiana, USA
- Residence: 1920, New Orleans Ward 11, Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Relation to Head: Mother; Residence Marital Status: Widow
- Residence: 1930, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head: Head
- Residence: 1935, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
- Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; Marital Status: Widowed; Relation to Head of House: Head
- Residence: 1943, Jackson; East Jackson; Pearl City, Mississippi, USA
Mary married Henry Dick Lester on 20 Dec 1892 in Madison County, Mississippi, USA. Henry was born on 17 Apr 1842 in Hinds County, Mississippi, USA; died in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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10. | Annie Meade Fontaine (3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born about 1872 in Louisiana, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1880, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head: Daughter
- Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Hinds, Mississippi
- Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Hinds, Mississippi
Family/Spouse: Joseph Gibson Ford. Joseph (son of Robert Augustus Ford and Martha Jane Galtney) was born on 18 Dec 1874 in Camden, Madison, Mississippi, USA; died on 13 Oct 1927 in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Annie married on 22 Sep 1898 in Hinds, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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11. | Louisa Fontaine (3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born in Feb 1880 in Louisiana, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1880, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head: Daughter
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21. | John Eaton Fontaine, Jr. (5.John2, 1.Edward1) was born on 23 Jul 1889 in Pocahontas, Hinds County, MS; died on 29 Aug 1962. Other Events and Attributes:
- Census: 1930, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH
Notes:
Died:
Allison's Wells, Canton, Madison Co., MS
John married Sydney Hosford Latimer [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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Generation: 4
24. | Maury Todd Fontaine Lester (8.Mary3, 3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born about 1910 in Louisiana, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1910, Covington, St Tammany, Louisiana, USA
- Residence: 1930, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head: Son
- Residence: 1935, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA
- Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
- Residence: 1957, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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29. | Joseph Gibson Ford, Jr. (10.Annie3, 3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born in 1903 in Mississippi, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Hinds, Mississippi
- Residence: 1930, Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana
Family/Spouse: Helen Ford. Helen was born about 1908. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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30. | William F Ford (10.Annie3, 3.Patrick2, 1.Edward1) was born in 1904 in Mississippi, USA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Hinds, Mississippi
- Residence: 1910, Jackson Ward 3, Hinds, Mississippi
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Generation: 5
Generation: 6
Generation: 7
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