Saturday, October 4, 2008

Who Was Charlotte de Mouilpied?

Charlotte b. April1, 1821, was Thomas de Mouilpied's 6th child, out of 7, and 3 years older than Joseph. At 27, Charlotte married Francis de la Mare, a Reverend from Jersey. This was his second marriage after his first wife, Marguerite Gavey, died during the birth of her second child. As an instant mother, Charlotte and her new husband set sail for Gaspe, Canada. Charlotte's first child, Theophilus, was probably born in Gaspe, around 1850, but later died in 1852 from diphtheria. Charlotte was busy having almost one child every year. Alpheus, whose grand daughter shared the lovely photos for the Thomas Slide Show, was born on April 23, 1853, Gaspe. Two more children would die before Charlotte would return to Guernsey, only momentary.

Charlotte's husband was sent to Mauritius and Africa to minister. It is thought that Charlotte also went, leaving the children behind in Guernsey. Upon returning from South Africa, Francis was washed over board in 1869.

In the meantime, Alpheus, at only 15, headed to America to make his fortune in 1868. Charlotte's other son, Clarence b. April 10, 1862 ( we have so many photos of him) headed to Rio de Janerio. The story goes that Clarence was told to stay on board to avoid yellow fever but he had a reputation for being naughty. And so Clarence did indeed become ill and died May 4, 1884, in Rio.

Charlotte stayed in Guernsey, living next door to her father's manor house until her death at 88 on May 31, 1902.

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