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From: "Elda S. Bardsley" <>
Subject: [HWE] Re: How I Got Here
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 15:47:10 -0400
References: <200204180800.g3I80aN26229@lists7.rootsweb.com>


Tracing the Larzelere family in America was relatively easy. The earliest reference to the presence in America of Jacques Largillier (Jacob Larzelere) is in the 1677 membership list of the Flatbush Church as "Jaques La Resieliere and wife Marie" (Flat.Fr.Fees:53), with the marginal notation that they transferred by certificate to the French Congregation, presumably that on Staten Island. No record of any marriage of Jacques Largilliere has been found. Marie Largilliere's maiden name appears in the record of the baptism of their daughter (New York Historical Manuscripts, Dutch:Old First Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn,New York: First Book of Records, 1660-1752,trans. and ed. A.P.G.Jos van der Linde, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983, p. 120):
1 June 1681 Marij of Jakop Larsiljeer, Marrij Granson

Although the mother's maiden name has been read as Grangen, Granger or Gremjon, in the manuscript at the Holland Society of New York her name is clearly Grancon with a cedilla under the c. In the French records searched for a place of origin, the name is spelled variously, even in the same document, with a c with cedilla, with one s or with two. Largilliere is the version of the surname in the administration of Jacob's estate (Richmond Deed Book B:195) and Mary's inventory which appears on the next page.

Seeking documentation of the place of origin or exile in Europe has been time consuming and without result thus far. Neither Jacques or Nicholas Largillier nor Marie Grancon appear in the published records of the Huguenot Society of London, the indexes of the Bibliotheque Wallonne in Leiden, the Geschichtesblattern des Deutsches Hugenotten Verein (1890-1914), nor accessible records of the Bibliotheque de la Societe de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Francais.

The most famous bearer of the name was Nicholas (de) Largillier, who was a painter, 1656-1746. The family was Catholic and had moved to Paris two generations before, apparently from Beauvais, in Picardie (Auguste Jal, Dictionnaire Critique de Biographie et d'Histoire,T. II, 1970, pp.737-8).

That Largillier(e) was also a Huguenot name is supported by the presence of Largilliers of different spellings and other given names in the registers and indices of the Walloon Library in Leiden and in the publications of the Huguenot Society of London. As one was identified as a native of Verchin, near Valenciennes, the appropriate Archives in Lille were searched, but no record of Jacques or Nicholas Largilliere was found. Other Largilliers appear in the records of the Reformed Church at Manheim. There was a near contemporary Jacques Largillier from Laon, who became a coureur de bois in Canada.

Although both seventeenth century and modern records in the Departement of Aisne, formerly part of Champagne, contain both Jacques' surname, Largilliere, and Grancon (Granson), the name of his wife, no record of Jacques or the right Marie has yet been traced. (Familles et Genealogies, Manuscrits francais, Nouvelles Acquisitions, no. 7418, p. 248, January 1688. Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris). Both families appear to have been Catholic while resident in Champagne. See also Indicateur Nobiliare, ou Table Alphabetique des Noms des Familles Nobles...,Paris 1818, p. 11, FHL Microfilm no.962688. Auguste Auguste Matton, L'Inventaire Sommaire des Archives Departementales de l'Aisne anterieure a 1790, Laon, 1889 F.H.L. Microfilm No. 873767.

Other possiblities for the original name include La Resilier(e), as above, which I have considered might be a punning pseudonym, implying termination or disconnection and appropriate for an exile. Larzillier and L'Arzilliers appear in both Walloon and modern French records. I have corresponded with persons named Largillier, Larzillier and Granson, finding no help.

Largelier is also a place name in France, and a Largilier from Langres was burnt at the stake in 1540 for protestant activities.

I should be grateful for any information or suggestions. May the rest of you have better luck. Elda



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