The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants JOURNAL ARTICLE Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 74, No. 1, Part One (Jan., 1966), pp. 26-33 (8 pages) Published by: irginia Historical Society Page 1 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants ISAAC LEFEBURE (LEFEVRE) OF MANAKIN TOWN AND HIS IMMEDIATE DESCENDANTS by Cameron ALLEN* Lefévre is one of the most common of French surnames, not surprisingly, meaning as it does “metal-worker.” It has a wide variety of spellings: Lefebure, Lefebvre, Lefeubre, Lefeuvre, Févre, to mention only a few.1 Because of its prevalence among French people, it was almost inevitable that there should be a settler or two of the name in the Manakin Town refugee group. Thus, on the second shipload of Manakin Town settlers, The Peter and Anthony, galley of London, Daniel Perreau, commander, which arrived at Jamestown September 20, 1700, was to be found “Isaac Leffeure,” apparently without dependents.2 The succeeding winter the ship Nassau of Pool, Captain Tragian, landed sometime before March 9, 1700/01, a group of “Francois, Suisses, Genevois, Alemans, et Flamans,” among whom was numbered “Ester Lefebre.”3 No relationship is at present known to exist between Isaac and Esther, nor is it known what became of Esther. Isaac is listed, again without dependents, in the “Liste des Personnes du Second Convoy Qui Serent Toute I'Année a Manicanton 1 Xbre 1700."4 Though the transcription lists him as “Isaac le Feme,” a comparison with the Peter and Anthony list demonstrates that this perforce is Lefevre. The “List of the Refugees who are to Receive of ye Miller of Falling Creek Mill one bushel a Head of Indian Meale Monthly as Settled at or about King Williams Town to begin in ffeb. 1700 [1701]” lists as apparently residing together “Le Febvre, Martin & Robert” (Jean Martin and Louis Robert, the latter a widower).5 William Byrd’s “List of Ye French Refugees That Are Settled Att Ye Mannachin Town” (November 10, 1701) lists in one household “Isaac Lefavour & his wife & John Martin.”6 Quite evidently Isaac had taken a wife in the course of 1701. Her will, made as a widow, shows that she was born Madeleine Parenteau. As a young woman, she had preceded her future husband to America by several weeks. Governor Francis Nicholson’s “List of Ye Refugees” who arrived on the ship Mary and Ann of London, George Haws, commander, August 12, 1700, contains “Isaac Panetier, Jean Parransos sa seur.”7 This ship’s list reverses the given names of the two men, for later records make it clear that Panetier was Jean and that Parenteau was Isaac. The Falling Creek Miller's List of February 1701 lists “Laureau, Parontes & his sister.”8 Not being called upon to serve on the Vestry of King William Parish, Lefévre lived an unobtrusive life. He acquired little real property, the only tract of record being the sixty-eight acres formally patented to “Isaac Lefeavour” October 31, 1716, bounded by “the widow Chambonne.”9 This tract was presumably in his possession for some years previous to patent, as the will of Gideon Chambon, made July 29, 1715, probated October 3, 1715, disposes of land “entre celle (cette) de Isaac lefebure et Michel Cantepie.”10 Other than in the references to this tract, the name of Lefévre occurs rarely. On November 5, 1707, he witnessed the will of Josue Petit.”11 On October 27, 1712, he helped appraise the estate of Peter Sabatié.12 His name occurs on the almost annual tithe lists of King William Parish from 1710 [in that year under the guise of Jacque Febure, as is transcribed; thereafter as Isaac Lefebure or le Febure] through the year 1717. By about 1714 the “Liste Generalle de Tous les Francois Protestants Refugies, establys dans la Paroisse du Roy Guillaume . . .” shows him as “Isaac Lesebure” with a wife, one Page 2 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants son, and three daughters.13 The next extant list, that for 1719, fails to list him as a tithable; in consequence of which it may be gathered that he died sometime between 1717 and 1719. If he died testate, his will has been destroyed. His widow Madeleine did not long survive him. On April 19, 1720, “Madelinne le fevre veuve de Isac le fevre comme etant obligeé de maladie de crops” [sic] made her will, dividing her estate among “mes trois chers & bienemée fille Judie le feuvre Madelenne le fevre Elizabet le fevre jus que ase guy soit an age ou mariee.” She chose “mon trés cher & bienemée frere Isac parantos pour ensequteur & administrateur de mon testament.” The will was proved June 6, 1720, by the oaths of the three witnesses Jean Levillain, Jean Legreind (LeGrand], and Pierre David, and an English translation of the will was sworn to by Daniel Guerrant.14 On August 1, 1720, the Inventory of the Estate of Magdalin Lafevre decd. was presented upon oath by Isaac Paranteau.15 Issue of Isaac and Madeleine (Parenteau) Lefévre: *2 i. Judith [Judie] Lefévre, born about 1702, married after 1720 (the making of her mother’s will) and by 1723 to Pierre Dupuy; died about 1785, Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, Virginia. 3 ii. Magdelaine Lefévre, born about 1706, died unmarried in the year 1724." 4 iii. Lefévre, a son, living about 1714 (“Liste Generalle”); deceased by the date of the making of his mother’s will, April 19, 1720. *5 iv. Elizabeth Lefévre, born about 1712, married by 1732 to JACQUES BRIAN. She died in King William Parish, Goochland County, Virginia, sometime between July 1740 and 1744. 2. Judith Lefévre, born about 1702, married by 1723 Pierre Dupuy, born by 1694. (He was listed as a tithable by name in 1711, and probably by number in 1710 in his father’s household; and to be listed as a tithable one must have attained the age of 16 years.) Pierre was the son of Bartholomew Dupuy, probably by his wife Philippa — (not the “Countess Susanna Lavillon,” as the Dupuy genealogy has it.17) Judith’ s marriage to Pierre is known from the following deed: On May 16, 1732 “Peter Dupey and Judah his wife of the County of Goochland” sold to “JAMES BRYAN of the County aforesaid for £.20, all their right to 68 acres lying between the lines of Peter Sabotte and Gideon Chamboon in ye parish of King William in the County of Goochland which said tract was granted to Isaac Le feavor by patent 31 Oct. 1716 and came to ye sd. Judah ye wife of the said Peter Dupey as being coheir of said Isaac Lafeavor deceased.18 The Dupuy genealogy states that Pierre died sometime between September 28, 1736, and May 17, 1743.19 This is manifestly erroneous. Pierre settled on Flat Creek in Amelia County, Virginia, where he departed this life sometime between June 29, 1773, and September 25, 1777, the dates of the making and probate of his will. His will remembers his wife Judith, his three sons John Bartholomew, Peter, and James; his daughters Ann Jackson, Martha Jackson, and Judith Dupuy, and his grandchildren Elijah, Anthony, Charles, Ann, and Elizabeth Hundley.20 His widow Judith “in Nottoway Parish on Flat Creek” made her will September 15, 1783. She was dead by September 22, 1785 when inventory of her estate was made by Peter Dupey, Jr. Her will lists only her sons John Bartholomew and Peter, and her grandchildren Elijah, Charles, Ann, and Elizabeth Hundley.21 Page 3 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants Issue of Pierre and Judith CLefévre) Dupuy: (all births from the King William Register) 6 i. Jean Bartholomew Dupuy, born January 1723/24; named for his paternal grandfather.22 7 ii. Pierre Dupuy, fils, born February 12, 1728/29, baptized February 20 in King William Parish, godparents being Philipe Depui, “godmother,” and Etienne Chastain, husband of the child’s paternal aunt Martha.23 8 iii. Marie Dupuy, born February 20, 1730/31, baptized March 28, godparents being Philipe [Philippa] Vilain, her paternal aunt, and Jean Levilain, the latter’s husband.24 9 iv. Isaac Dupuy, born February 7, 1732/33; named for his maternal grandfather; godparents were the child’s maternal aunt ELIZABETH (LEFÉVRE) BRIAN and her husband Jaques; and Antoine Villain.25 10 v. Judith Dupuy, born October 11, 1734, named for her mother; godparents were Jean Lavilain, Jr., Magdelaine Salle, and Anne Bernard. This Judith died young.26 11 vi. Marie Magdelaine Dupuy, born September 28, 1736, named for her maternal grandmother. Her godparents were her paternal uncle, Jean Jaques Dupuy, her paternal aunt, Philipe Vilain, and Marie Chastain.27 (If this latter name were read as Marte Chastain, it would be her paternal aunt.) 12 vii. Judith Dupuy, born June 24, 1734 Ci.e., probably, 1738), baptized 8 August; named for her mother, in place of her deceased sister Judith. Her godparents were her maternal aunt ELIZABETH (LEFÉVRE) BRIAN and her husband JAQUES BRIAN, and Judith Sallé.28 13 viii. James Dupuy, named for his paternal uncle, Jean Jacques Dupuy, and/or his maternal aunt’s husband, JACQUES BRIAN. 14 ix. Ann Dupuy, married _____ Jackson. 15 x. Martha Dupuy, married _____ Jackson; named for her paternal aunt, Marte (Dupuy) Chastain. This listing of the Dupuy children inevitably invites comparison with that given in the Dupuy genealogy. That listing omits Ann and Martha and the second Judith, and adds a daughter Eliza, who is said to have married a Hundley. While obviously one of the Dupuy daughters did marry a Hundley, the present compiler has grave reservations as to whether that daughter was named “Eliza” — a name singularly not at home in the early eighteenth century. The Dupuy genealogy also lists Jackson marriages for daughters Marie and Marie Magdelaine, whereas the Peter Dupuy will shows the Jackson marriages to have been made by daughters Ann and Martha. The compiler has carefully refrained herein from giving the marriages of these Dupuy children, as that would necessitate considerably more study than he has devoted to the Dupuy family, but feels warranted in observing that each bit of information on early generations contained in the Dupuy genealogy should be weighed with the most exacting care before reliance is placed in it. Page 4 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants 5. Elizabeth Lefévre, born about 1712, presumably married by May 16, 1732, to JACQUES BRIAN on which date “JAMES BRYAN” purchased the one-half interest of Isaac La feavor’s co-heir “Judah Dupey”; by inference he had secured the other half interest by his marriage to Elizabeth by that date. In September 1736 “JAMES BRYAN and Elizabeth his wife of Goochland County sold to William Sallee for £40 all their right to 68 acres lying between the lines of Gideon Chamboon and the said William Salle . . . which said Tract of Land was granted to Isaac Lafeavor by patent 31 Oct. 1716.” No reference is made otherwise to the source of BRYAN’s title. In the absence of other extant deeds, it is fair to assume that BRYAN's right to the other half came by virtue of his marriage to Elizabeth Lefevre, the other known surviving heiress. That Elizabeth, wife of JAMES BRYAN, may be identified with Elizabeth Lefévre is further to be inferred from the fact that the couple JAQUE BRIAN and ELIZABETH BRIAN served as godparents to at least two of Judith (Lefévre) Dupuy’s children: Isaac Dupuy, born 1733, and Judith Dupuy, born 1738. ELIZABETH (LEFÉVRE) BRIAN died sometime in the early 1740's. The last certain reference to her as alive occurs on July 15, 1740, when she joined her husband James in a deed to David Lesueur.30 Her widower James married (2nd) about 1745 Clare (Claire, Clere, Clara, Cleek, Clark, Cloreck) _____, widow of Antoine Trabue, fils, son of Antoine Trabue, pére, by Magdelaine (Flournoy). Anthony Trabue died sometime between February 2, 1743/44, and March 20, 1743/44, the dates of the making and probate of his will.31 Therein he names his wife Clark, son John Trabue, and daughter Carolina Trabue. The first child Clare had by BRIAN, MARIE [BRIAN], was born May 15, 1746.32 Hence, ELIZABETH (LEFÉVRE) BRIAN must have died sometime between July 1740 and 1744. With two wives involved, particular care must be taken to assign the correct mother to each BRIAN child. The will of JAMES BRYANT, Sr., made September 28, 1783, proved October 10, 1783, in Powhatan County, Virginia, names wife CLARA [BRYANT], and “my children JAMES BRYANT, Jr., ISAAC BRYANT, JUDITH [BRYANT] STREET, ELIZABETH [BRYANT] SALLE, MARY [BRYANT] CHRISTAIN [CHRISTIAN], MARTHA [BRYANT] LESTUER [LESUEUR], ANNE [BRYANT] STEINSON [STINSON], and FANNY [BRYANT] FORSEE,” and grandchildren STEINSON [BRYANT], ELIZABETH [BRYANT], and FANNY BRYANT, children of his son Thomas.33 The mother of four of the nine children is definitely known from the King William Parish Register: Elizabeth was the mother of Isaac (born 1739); and Clare was the mother of Marie (born 1746), Thomas (born 1751), and Marte (born 1754). The marriage dates of Judith (married 1751), of James, Jr. (married 1758) and of Elizabeth (married 1759) require that Elizabeth be their mother. Furthermore, the living children seem to be named in James’ will in chronological order, after first dividing them by sex. The contributor feels fairly safe in saying then that the first four children named in the will were Elizabeth’s only four surviving children. Issue of JACQUES BRIAN, pére, by Elizabeth CLefévre): 17 i. JUDITH BRIAN, born about 1733, married William Street. The Douglas Register records the marriage of Billie Street and _____ _____ in 1751. Probably this was Judith.34 On May 18, 1789, this couple, of Powhatan County, sold their part of her father’s lands to her brother JAMES.35 18 ii. JAMES BRIAN [BRYANT], Jr., born about 1735, married June 11, 1758, in King William Parish to Jane [Jeanne] Guerrant, born about 1742, King William Parish, daughter of Pierre and Magdelaine (Trabue) Guerrant.36 This first wife Jane’s death occurred sometime between January 10, 1769, when her daughter “JEAN GERRAND” BRYANT was born37 and November 8, 1772, when Stephen Forsee made his will, naming daughter “JANE BRIANT.”38 Consequently, prior to November 8, 1772, James had married (2nd) Page 5 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants Jane Farci, born August 29, 1739, King William Parish, daughter of Estienne Farsi [Stephen Forsee] by his wife Marie Perrault [Perrow].39 JAMES BRYANT lived out his life in King William Parish. His will, dated March 21, 1807, was proved December 16, 1807, in Powhatan County, Virginia, by the oaths of witnesses Peter Dupuy, William Sublett, and John Woolrige [Wooldridge].40 It names wife Jane [BRYANT], children JOHN BRYANT, SALLY [BRYANT] LOCKETT, WILLIAM BRYANT, JANE [BRYANT] MARTIN, STEPHEN BRYANT, SILAS BRYANT, and POLLY BRYANT, and sons-in-law Edmond Lockett and James Martin. 19 iii. ISAAC BRIAN [BRYANT], born August 12, 1739, in King William Parish, godparents being David Lesueur and Judith Bingli.41 He was named for his maternal grandfather. He appears to have married Mary, daughter of Charles Perrow [Perrault], for his will, dated April 17, 1800, probated August 25, 1800, in Cumberland County, Virginia, stipulates: “I also lend unto my wife [Molly] all my part of the estate of Charles Perrow (deceased) now in the possession of his widow by virtue of her dower.” The will names children JAMES BRYANT, FANNY BRYANT, NANCY [BRYANT] ANDERSON, WILLIAM BRYANT, POLLY BRYANT, BETSY [BRYANT] RIDDLE, SALLY BRYANT, ISAAC BRYANT, and CHARLES BRYANT.42 20 iv. ELIZABETH BRIAN, born about 1741, married May 6, 1759, at Manakin Town to Isaac Sallé.43 Sallé was born October 5, 1734, in King William Parish, son of Pierre and Francoise (Bondurant) Sallé.44 This couple settled in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, where inventory of Isaac's estate was returned November 28, 1821.45 Page 6 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants FOOTNOTES * Mr. Allen lives in East Orange, New Jersey. 1 Albert Dauzat Dictionnaire Etymologique des Noms de Faille et et Prénoms de France (Paris, 1951), pp. 254, 378. 2 R. A. Brock, ed. Documents, Chiefly Unpublished Relating to the Huguenot Emigration to Virginia (Richmond, 1896), p.14 3 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 30. 4 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 23. 5 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 27. 6 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 46. 7 R. A. Brock, ed. Miscellaneous Papers, 1672-1865, Now First Printed from the Manuscript . . . (Richmond, 1887), p. 66 8 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 27. 9 Virginia Patent Book 10, p. 297, Virginia State Library. 10 Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds and Wills, 1714-1718, p. 50; Henrico County, Virginia, Miscellaneous Court Records [Deeds Wills, etc.], 1650-1807, v. 1 [1650- 1717], p. 265. 11 Henrico County, Virginia, Records [Deeds and Wills], 1706-1709, pp. 64-65. 12 Henrico County, Virginia, Records [Deeds and Wills], 1710-1714, p. 176. 13 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 74. 14 Henrico County, Virginia, Miscellaneous Court Records [Deeds, Wills, etc.] 1650- 1807, vol. 2 [1718- 1726], pp. 489-490; printed in The Huguenot, published by the Huguenot Society of Manakin, No. 3 (1927), p. 21. 15 Henrico County, Virginia, Court Minute Book, 1719-1724, p. 40 16 Brock, Document . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 111. (King William Parish Register). 17 Benjamin H. Dupuy, The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and His Descendants (Louisville, 1908), p. 94. 18 Goochland County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, etc. I, p. 324. 19 Dupuy, Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy, p. 179 20 Amelia County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 237. 21 Amelia County, Virginia, Will Book 3, p. 219. Page 7 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants 22 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 78. 23 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 81. 24 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 85. 25 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 87. 26 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 90. 27 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 93. 28 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 96. 29 Goochland County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, & c. 3, p. 7. 30 Goochland County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, & c. 3, p. 322. 31 Goochland County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, & c. 4, p. 321. 32 Brock, Documents … relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 107. 33 Powhatan County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, p. 88 34 W. Mac Jones, The Douglas Register (Richmond, 1928), p. 45, 299. 35 Powhatan County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, p. 537 36 Douglas Register, p. 13. 37 Douglas Register, p. 164. 38 Cumberland County, Virginia, Will Book 2, pp. 112-113. 39 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 98. 40 Powhatan County, Virginia, Will Book 3, p. 123. 41 Brock, Documents . . . Relating to the Huguenot Emigration, p. 98. 42 Cumberland County, Virginia, Will Book 3, p. 152. Page 8 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK ** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Isaac Lefebure (Lefevre) of Manakin Town and His Immediate Descendants ###### # # ##### ####### # # ##### ####### # # # # ## ## # # # ## # # # # # ## ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ###### # # # # #### ##### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## ### # # # # # # ###### # # ##### ####### # # ### ##### ####### # # Transcribed from original documents by Brent R. BRIAN & Martha M. BRIAN. This document and others can be found on our website: BMGEN We claim COPYLEFT on the documents that we publish that are our original work. COPYLEFT “rules” can be reviewed on the web site: GNU Free Documentation License In short, use what you like. But if you use our stuff, mention us as the source. Brent R. BRIAN Martha M. BRIAN BrianMitchellGenealogy@gmail.com Page 9 of 9 ** PAGE BREAK **