This will be a long post, so apologies.
All clues point to my Charles Bargeau having been from Spitalfields in Middlesex/London. I guesstimate that he was born in about 1735. He had brothers John, Joseph and Francis. There was, possibly, at least on other sibling, sex undetermined. Through FamilySearch, I've found a Francis Bargeau, son of John and Margaret, christened at Christ Church 21 September 1740. Also, a Francis Bargeau of Middlesex, son of John Bargeau of Spitalfields, Middlesex, deceased, was apprenticed to Robert Bayley, Draper, 17 April 1755. There is mention of a Charles Bargeau, son of John Bargeau, late of Spitalfields, being apprenticed as a goldsmith in 1749 in Volume 14 of the Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of London. A John Bargeau was buried in Spitalfields 20 May 1745, and a Margaret Bargeau 26 June 1743.
I first discovered Charles Bargeau in a collection of documents here in North Carolina known as The John Gray Blount Papers. There are 4 volumes and most of what I know of him comes from Volume 3. In this volume, there are a series of letters concerning him and a Legacy of South Sea Annuities which he inherited through the marriage agreement of the parents of a Mary Fitzgerald of Charles Street, St. James Square in London. In her letters, Ms. Fitzgerald calls him "uncle," though through which parent is never stated. At the time of the correspondence (1796-1799), Mr. Bargeau is living in Hyde County, North Carolina, near Lake Mattamuskeet, under the assumed name of Henry Williamson. There is one letter in particular, written by Henry Williamson to Mary Fitzgerald, dated 29 October 1796, where he talks about the fates of his brothers:
And, in fact, I've found a notice in the Gazeta de Lisboa, August 1796, concerning the Legacy, urging John, Joseph, and/or Francis or their heirs to appear in Chancery Court, London either on or by (my translation, via Google, is unclear) 28 November 1796. Also there is a book listing the proprietors of South Sea Annuities as yet unpaid as of 10 October 1842 which includes "Charles Bargeau, by the name of Henry Williamson Hyde, County of Mattamuskeet, North Carolina" being entitled to 3 dividends which were available for collection beginning in July 1796.
Henry Williamson/Charles Bargeau, died in late 1802, leaving his widow, Ann, and six children: Nancy Hall, Mary Swindell, Fannie Swindell (my ancestor), Thomas Williamson, Peter LaCuse Williamson, and Sarah Williamson.
The name Peter LeCuse may be a clue. I know the family of Le Keux were prominent silk weavers in the Huguenot community of Spitalfields and there were several named Peter. I've found a marriage between John Le Keux of Norton Folgate and Mary Bargeau of Christ Church 10 April 1735 in St. Michael, Cornhill and another marriage in St. George's between a Mary Le Keux (of Christ Church) and Keane Fitzgerald 29 October 1788. What the connect is, if any, I don't know.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Becky
All clues point to my Charles Bargeau having been from Spitalfields in Middlesex/London. I guesstimate that he was born in about 1735. He had brothers John, Joseph and Francis. There was, possibly, at least on other sibling, sex undetermined. Through FamilySearch, I've found a Francis Bargeau, son of John and Margaret, christened at Christ Church 21 September 1740. Also, a Francis Bargeau of Middlesex, son of John Bargeau of Spitalfields, Middlesex, deceased, was apprenticed to Robert Bayley, Draper, 17 April 1755. There is mention of a Charles Bargeau, son of John Bargeau, late of Spitalfields, being apprenticed as a goldsmith in 1749 in Volume 14 of the Proceedings of the Huguenot Society of London. A John Bargeau was buried in Spitalfields 20 May 1745, and a Margaret Bargeau 26 June 1743.
I first discovered Charles Bargeau in a collection of documents here in North Carolina known as The John Gray Blount Papers. There are 4 volumes and most of what I know of him comes from Volume 3. In this volume, there are a series of letters concerning him and a Legacy of South Sea Annuities which he inherited through the marriage agreement of the parents of a Mary Fitzgerald of Charles Street, St. James Square in London. In her letters, Ms. Fitzgerald calls him "uncle," though through which parent is never stated. At the time of the correspondence (1796-1799), Mr. Bargeau is living in Hyde County, North Carolina, near Lake Mattamuskeet, under the assumed name of Henry Williamson. There is one letter in particular, written by Henry Williamson to Mary Fitzgerald, dated 29 October 1796, where he talks about the fates of his brothers:
...all the Information I have respecting My Brothers -- John the eldest died at Lisben about 25 Years ago in the house of Messrs Mayne & Co. without issue--Joseph went to the East Indies about 44 Years ago & not since heard of by me -- Francis died a Midshipman on board the Griffen Man of War at Antigua, Thomas Taylor, Captain, about 24 Years ago...
Henry Williamson/Charles Bargeau, died in late 1802, leaving his widow, Ann, and six children: Nancy Hall, Mary Swindell, Fannie Swindell (my ancestor), Thomas Williamson, Peter LaCuse Williamson, and Sarah Williamson.
The name Peter LeCuse may be a clue. I know the family of Le Keux were prominent silk weavers in the Huguenot community of Spitalfields and there were several named Peter. I've found a marriage between John Le Keux of Norton Folgate and Mary Bargeau of Christ Church 10 April 1735 in St. Michael, Cornhill and another marriage in St. George's between a Mary Le Keux (of Christ Church) and Keane Fitzgerald 29 October 1788. What the connect is, if any, I don't know.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Becky
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