Blondel Family Crest from Guernsey

Blondel is a big family name on Guernsey. Marie Blondel married Thomas de Mouilpied probably around 1808 or 1809 since their first child Marie was born in 1810. A previous blog post goes into the Blondel/deMouilpied marriage and the connection to Blondel de Nesle, the Minstrel. Several de Moulpied cousins have pulled out the same photo from a drawing that shows the Blondel Crest. It was originally with the deMouilpied crest as seen here.

On Islands like Guernsey, the crests (not coats) may have changed through the generations, or so I have been told. There is suppose to be a Blondel crest in the St. Saviour's Parish Church which was the parish of many Blondels. I was told it was in a corner, up high, just in case you happen to be in there and would like to confirm the sighting and also know if it is the same. (a photo would be fantastic!) What is interesting is a fancy "buy your family crest now" website actually has a similar crest with all the same number of windows. Very interesting.The image above is also in French.

 So for all you Blondel followers, here you go.

deMouilpieds In South Wales

Some recent correspondences have brought together two de Mouilpied descendants from South Wales (UK.) Apparently a Nicolas de Mouilpied jumped ship before the 1900's and his son, also a Nicolas, went on to have 10 or 11 children. Some members have dropped the beginning de and also that first "i" resulting in the last name Moulpied. It is estimated the jumping Nicolas was born in 1883ish and his father, also probably a Nicolas b. 1840ish.

If you have any more information or genealogy on this branch of the family which settled in Wales, kindly be in touch. There are some enthusiastic de Mouilpieds (and Moulpieds) wanting to meet their local cousins.

Cheers.

Arthur Ward de Moulpied

I happened to be in York, Maine today for an event and remembered that a deMoulpied was buried there. I thought Charles Kenneth de Moulpied was buried there but it turned out to be Arthur Ward de Moulpied. Before I went, some Internet clues suggested the First Parish Cemetery. The church is located right on the main drag going into York Village; a beautiful 250 year old building.
After driving up and down the rows, just on my way out I found the grave stone of Arthur Ward de Moulpied, section O, Lot TS, Row Z. The church has a list of people buried there.

The second photo here is as you enter the cemetery, looking to the left. The third stone back on the left is Arthur's.
Arthur Ward de Moulpied was born, according to my records, on December 5, 1892. However, on his grave stone it says 1893. I guess we'll have to sort that out.

Aurthur died on February 21, 1938 at the age of 45 (or so), still a very young man, leaving behind two very young children, Deborah and David. (not me)




Arthur married Margaret E. Cheney, b. April 29, 1909; d. 1992.

Arthur was the second child born to Alfred de Moulpied, b. March 12, 1861, Quebec, d. September 5, 1925 in Manchester, NH; and Marcella Ward, b. Oct 1863, d. August 8, 1929.

Arthur lived most of his life in Manchester. He apparently liked his politics and worked as a reporter for the Manchester Union Leader. He also served as a State Representative for New Hampshire.

Arthur also liked York, Maine. I remember my father talking about spending summers at the beach when he was a child. So it must have been the thing to do.

It was a lovely day in York. I can see why it would be a great place to be.

Du Port, Lord of Mouillepied

Below is a page from an old book called Dictionnaire historique et critique by Pierre Bayle who lived in the late 1600's. He was a Huguenot and his writing reflects his perspective. This book was published many times, well after he was dead. Wikipedia has some information about the author and book.

In the lower left paragraph, there is a mention of du Port, Lord de Mouillepied. Google translates the paragraph to read:

He married lady originally from Poitou. Heidanus is called in Latin a carlottam Portuguese. I believe that means Charlott du Port, She was the daughter of Peter du Port, Lord of Boismasson and Mouillepied, adviser to the king and curator living in the armies of his majesty, the only son of the Joaclim du Port, Poitevin gentleman, Lord of Mouillepied. , The mother of Peter du Port was named Jeanne du Chene only daughter of Joseph du Chene (lord of the Veil, and advises the king's physician, Anne, daughter of Margaret Buda, who was the father learned Guillaume Bude.

You can go to the Dictionnaire and see it much better (page 403) , and even down load it. Since this was written in the late 1600's, 100 years after the de Mouilpied (early spellings in Guernsey use de Mouillepied) Huguenots went to Guernsey, at least there remained a du Port in France.

So who went to Guernsey? Were they sons who would not be inheriting property and did not work for the King? Were they sons who became protestant and fled? These are mysteries still to be solved. Let me know if you have more information .. demoulpied@gmail.com

Photos of de Mouilpied Homesteads on Guernsey

A co-worker of a relative in Australia was visiting Guernsey and, knowing her last name was de Mouilpied, was kind enough to locate the two well known lovely homes and take photos. Note on the second photo the cursive iron writing on the house at the entrance of the name Mouilpied. An additional photo is of a recently renovated project of the local "fountain" on the street of Les Mouilpieds. I can't quite read it all, but there seems to be a path to what used to be running water. The plaque also goes out a limb with its translation of "muddy feet", which isn't quite as nice as "spring-fed". Enjoy the photos.