IMPORTANT (Alexandre Resseguie, AKA "Rességuié", AKA "de Rességuier") is presumed to be buried in this cemetery (not proven): in-as-much-as 2 of his children are KNOWN to be buried here, and also (at least) 1 grandson. There may be others...
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Father: Alexandre de Rességuier, b. France.
Mother: [Name?] [Surname?], b. France.
The above parents married about [date unknown].
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b. ~1679, probably La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France.
m. 19-Oct-1709 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT.
d. May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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Spouse: Sara Bontecou, b.~1681 LaRochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, d.May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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He was born in France. Alexander Resseguie died in Oct 1752.
Source: The Resseguie Family. A Historical and Genealogical Record of Alexander Resseguie, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and four generations of his descendants. Compiled by John E. Morris (Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm #1036449 item 6) Published by Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company of Hartford, Connecticut in 1888.
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He was married to Sara Bontecou on 19 Oct 1709 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut.
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Children:
Alexander Resseguie
Peter Resseguie
James Resseguie
Abraham Resseguie
Isaac Resseguie
Jacob Resseguie
Sarah Resseguie.
See [link]:
http://pages.prodigy.net/royjnagy/morris/d15.htm#P1
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"Alexander Resseguie was a settler in Norwalk Conn in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France who brought with him from the mother country a small hair covered trunk studded with iron nails containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law intending when the time was ripe he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates This hope was destined never to be realized for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission and the father disheartened abandoned the undertaking the trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son and at a subsequent period the latter were the most of them destroyed by fire Just how much of fact underlies this tradition we know not It is the opinion of the compiler that the family fled to England before coming to this country and that one Alexandre de Ressiguier from Trescleoux in Dauphiny who was known as a silk manufacturer in London in 1696 was the father of Alexander of Norwalk It is probable that an earlier residence of the family in America would have been a matter of record but no trace of the name of Resseguie save one has been found prior to the appearance of Alexander in Norwalk in 1709 Thus we are compelled to record him as the head of the family and the ancestor of the American Resseguies On the first day of April 1709 he purchased a tract of land of Samuel St John f and from this time for many years he was interested in ...
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Notes:
Sigourney and his associates were accompanied on their return to Oxford in 1697 by a French minister lately arrived from England This was Jacques Laborie a native of Cardaillac in the province of Guyenne who had been officiating for several years in certain of the French churches in London Laborie had ingratiated himself with Lord Bellomont the new governor who procured for him a yearly stipend of thirty pounds out of the Corporation money together with a commission to labor among the Indians near New Oxford He brought with him his wife Jeanne de Resseguier and his little daughter Susanne After ministering for some time to the French colony in New Oxford Mass and laboring as a missionary among the savages in the vicinity he went to New York and took charge of the French church in that city as Peiret's successor for two years Oct 15 1704 to Aug 25 1706 After this he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and as early as the year 1716 settled in Fairfield County Conn as a physician occasionally assisting the Church of England missionary The Huguenot Emigration to America by CW Baird It is possible that Jeanne de Resseguier was a relative of Alexander perhaps a sister and that her emigration to this country was the bond that drew him hither The residence of both in Fairfield County if not accountable for in this way was a rather singular coincidence t Copy of deed To all people to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that I Samuel St John of ye town of Norwalk in ye county of Fairfield within his majesties Colony of Connecticut in New England For and in consideration of ye sum of six pounds current provision pay of said Colony to me in hand before the Ensealing hereof well and truly paid by Alexander Resseguie of ye aforesaid Town and County the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented Have given granted bargained sold and by these presents do trooly fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell aliene convey and confirm unto him ye said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of Land lying within the Township of Norwalk aforesaid near unto and bearing South West from ye Land called ye Heth Containing by Estimation Five Acres and three Roods be it more or less Bounded in ye Southwest by ye Land of David Tuttle North West by ye said St Johns Land North East and South East by Common Land To Have and to Hold said granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances priviledges and comodities to ye same belonging or in anywise appertaining to him the Said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever To his and their only proper use com fitt and behoof forever And that the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupie possess and injoy Said Demised and bargained premises with ye appurtenances free and clear And freely and clearly acquitted Exonerated and Discharged of from all and all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and other Incumbrances Whatsoever Furthermore I the said Samuell Saint John for myself my heirs Executor and administrators Do Covenant and Ingage ye above Demised premises to him the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns against the Lawfull claims or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to Warrant Secure and Defend In witness whereof I have here unto sett my hand and Seale this first day of Aprill in ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nine and in ye Eighth year of her majesties Reign Queen Ann Signed Sealed and Delivered in ye presence of us witnesses Tho Hanford SAMUEL SAINT JOHN Joseph Sa1nt John s Samuel Saint John the Grantor and Subscriber to ye above Written Instrument personally Appeared on ye first Day of Aprill 1709 and Did acknowledg ye same to be his free and Voluntary Act and Deed Before me JAMES OLMSTEED justice of peace. Recorded Aprill 6th 1709 Per John Copp Recorder.
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acquiring land the records showing one hundred or more estates to which he held the titles located in what is now comprised in the towns of Norwalk Wilton Ridgefield New Canaan West port and Weston The ability to make these large acquisitions would seem to indicate the substantial character of the contents of the hair trunk On the 19th day of October 1709 Alexander Resseguie married Sara Bontecou daughter of Pierre and Marguerite Colli not Bontecou of New York She was born in France and reached New York with her parents in 1689 The summer preceding his marriage was probably spent in preparing a home which though its exact location cannot be pointed out was undoubtedly in the extreme southern part of Ridgefield a new town created from lands purchased of the Indians the year previous We have evidence that he soon began the career of a farmer and had in a short time wrested part of his land from the grasp of the forest and reduced it to a condition of tillage by the following extract from the Colonial Records.
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Newhaven August 9 1711 The Colony of Connecticut is debtor to sundry persons in money as followeth that is to say To Mr Allexander Russigue of Norwalk for 40 bushels wheat taken out of Mr Jno Williams sloop at New Haven at 4J 6d per bushel 9 o o o.
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Until his death he evidently pursued the even tenor of his way as a private citizen and pioneer farmer holding no office and probably wanting none and leaving but little trace of his life save the record of his possessions He died in October 1752 His wife survived him until May 1757 The place of their sepulchre is unknown but it was probably in the old cemetery in the southern part of Ridgefield in which but two ancient stones remain to mark the spot where many lie interred The following is the will of Alexander Resseguie :
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In the name of God Amen I Alexander Resseguie formerly of Ridgefield now of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut being weak of body but of a disposing mind and memory praised be God calling to mind ye mortality of my body and yt is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it and my body I recommend to be decently buryed at ye discretion of my execrs hereafter named nothing doubting but at ye generall ressurrection I shall receive ye same again by ye mighty power of God to bless me within this life I give demise and dispose of ye same as followeth my just debts and funerall charges being first paid I give and bequeath to well beloved wife Sarah ye use & improvement of ye one half part of my house & barn and homlot said building standing or lying in ye southerly part of Ridgfield Town during ye terme or time she shall remain my widow Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sons Alexander, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all my land and reall estate that I shall die possessed of or have any right to except what I have before given away by deed of gift to them and their heirs and assigns forever to be equally divided amongst them my said four sons Lastly I do hereby appoint constitute and fully impower my well beloved wife Sirah to be my executrix together with my loving son Alexander Resseguie executor of this my last will and testament and do hereby disannul & revoke all former wills and testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 3d day of October Anno Dom 1752 ALEXANDER RESSEGUIE Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by ye said Alexander Resseguie ye testator to be his last will & testament I presence of us ye subscribers Saml Olmsted Ezra H1ccok Thad Mead Norwalk October ye 24th ins AD 1752.
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Norwalk ye 24th ins 1752 Then personally appeared Saml Olmsted Ezra Hickock and Thadeus Mead ye evidences to within written will and gave oath yt they see Mr Alexander Resseguie now dec d sign seal and heard him declare ye same to be his last will and testament and yt they judged him to be sound in mind and judgment at ye same time and yt they signed as evidences at ye same time in presents of ye testator Before me SAMLL SMITH Justice of peace."
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Foot note:
This {referenced above} "trunk" is now in the possession of Col George E Gray of San Francisco It is eleven and one half inches long seven inches wide and four inches high the top oval The wood is worm eaten very little hair remains Upon the leather and the nails with which it is studded are of hammered iron The papers contained in the trunk were nearly all destroyed by fire by the wife of Timothy Resseguie 14 during a fit of temporary insanity.
SOURCE: The Resseguie family: A historical and genealogical record of Alexander ... pages 10-14. By John Emery Morris.
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"RESSEGUIE'S LANE" - Resseguie's Lane is an old and unusual place name - old in that it dates back more than 240 years and unusual in that it was among the very few 18th Century road names that made use of a family name. The term appears first in a 1754 inventory of the estate of Alexander Resseguie (pronounced ress-sik-kee) which mentions "two acres of land yt lies below ye lane called Resseguie's Lane." In the same year, two of Mr. Resseguie's sons, Abraham and Isaac, divided up the estate and mentioned the same parcel and lane. The next and last mention appears in a 1787 deed in which the proprietors gave the heirs of Benjamin Keeler 132 rods "lying at the southeast end of Ressigues Lane, so called." The lane was probably near the homestead of Alexander Resseguie, a home that stood near the Wilton line, quite possibly on Nod Road. Resseguie's Lane might be what we today call Pelham Lane. Alexander Resseguie may have been Ridgefield's wealthiest settler. According to The Resseguie Family by John E. Morris (Hartford, 1888), "Alexandre Resseguie was a settler at Norwalk, Conn., in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France, who brought with him from the mother country a small, hair-covered trunk, studded with iron nails, containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure, consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. "Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions, he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law, intending when the time was ripe, he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates. This hope was destined never to be realized, for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission, and the father, disheartened, abandoned the undertaking. The trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son, and at a subsequent period, the latter were, the most of them, destroyed by fire." The fire was said to have been set by the wife of Timothy Resseguie, a grandson, "during a fit of temporary insanity." Tradition notwithstanding, Mr. Morris believed that an "Alexandre de Resseguier" of France was a silk manufacturer in London in 1696, but there is no evidence of his having come to the colonies. Thus, he lists Alexander of Ridgefield as head of the American family.
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Alexander Resseguie was in Ridgefield in 1709, the year of the town's incorporation and the year of his marriage to Sara Bontecou of New York City, also a native of France. He was a farmer. Alexander managed to amass sizable holdings in Ridgefield and in Norwalk (no doubt in the part of town that is today Wilton). His inventory at his death in 1752 listed more than 4,000 pounds of value in real estate, mostly in Ridgefield, and included a couple of farms. His homestead alone totaled 2,200 pounds in value, a hefty sum, and he owned parcels of land throughout town, as well as "a Negro wench and child" valued at 350 pounds. Total value of his estate was 10,514 pounds. For 200 years, the name of Resseguie was well known in Ridgefield and Wilton, and was one of the few French names in a territory settled almost solely by the English. Among the most noted of Alexander's descendants was great-grandson Abijah Resseguie (1791-1887), who for 60 years ran the Keeler Tavern, called then Resseguie's Hotel. Mr. Resseguie had married Anna, the daughter of Timothy and Esther Keeler. Squire Timothy Keeler had long operated the inn, taken over by his son-in-law. (Their daughter, Anna Marie Resseguie, kept a diary, which was turned into a fascinating book, A View from the Inn: The Journal of Anna Marie Resseguie, 1851-1867, published by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society in 1993.)
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Samuel G. Goodrich wrote in 1856 that "he who wishes to eat with a relish that the Astor House, or Morley's, or the Grand Hotel de Louvre cannot give, should go to Ridgefield and put himself under the care of Mrs. Resseguie. When you go there - as go you must - do not forget to order ham and eggs, for they are such as we ate in our childhood. As to blackberry and huckleberry pies, and similar good gifts, you will find them just as our mother made 50 years ago, when these bounties of Providence were included in the prayer, 'Give us this day, our daily bread," and were a worthy answer to such a petition."
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At Abijah Resseguie's death at age 96, The Press noted that he had started out in life as a carriage maker and eventually had his own firm of Resseguie and Olmstead, which shipped hundreds of wagons to points around the country. He served in various town offices, represented Ridgefield in the General Assembly, and was an official of St. Stephen's Church for many years. He was fond of telling anecdotes of life in years past. "He was a witness of the last flogging which took place in Ridgefield - that barbarous punishment of the whipping post, and of the rejoicing of the people when that relic of barbarism was abolished," The Press said in 1887.
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"He was always ready to enjoy a witty story and as a story-teller, he was always popular on the long winter evenings...There was no end to his humor...To show how sturdy he was in his old age, it may not be amiss to state that he attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, and that at 80 years of age, he tired out the younger members of his party sight-seeing in Washington."
SOURCE [link]:
http://jackfsanders.tripod.com/names-R.htm
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By, Daughters of the American Revolution...
6439 RESSEGUIE-SWAN -- Alex. Resseguie a settler in Norwalk, Ct., 1709, m. Oct 19, 1709, Sara Bontecou dau of Pierre & Marguerite Collinot-Bontecou of NY. She was b. in France & came with parents to NY 1869. Tradition - Alex Resseguie 1st Gen. in America, was younger son of Alex., a Huguenot refugee from France. Alex Resseguie Jr., son of Alex & Sara Bontecou-Resseguie b. Aug 27, 1710 m. Thankful Belden, Feb 16, 1737-38, Wilton, Ct. Will of Alex Resseguie, dated July 27, 1793. Timothy Resseguie, son of Alex & Thankful Belden-Resseguie, b. Dec 28, 1754, Ridgefield, Ct. d. Jan 19, 1838, in Verona, Oneida Co., NY. He m. June 5, 1785, Abigail Lee, dau. of Jno. Lee. She was b. Oct 27, 1760, d. May 11, 1834, in Verona. Timothy Resseguie served in Rev. & m. after the Rev. Chloe Resseguie dau. of Timothy & Thankful Belden Resseguie, b. Dec 6, 1785, Ridgefield, Ct., d. June 28, 1849, Spring Township, Crawford Co., Pa. She m. Timothy Dwight Swan, b. Oct 17, 1774, Stonington, Ct., d. Apr 10, 1884, Durhamsville, Oneida Co., NY. Mr Swan was the g-uncle of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. At time of his m. he was a resident of Milton, Saratoga Co., NY., removed to Verona, NY. Mary Ann Swan, 4th ch. of Timothy Dwight & Chloe Resseguie Swan. b. Nov 17, 1810, d. Apr 20, 1881, m. Apr 14, 1835, Maj. Gay Perefield, resided in Wankon, Iowa. From Records of Resseguie Family compiled by Jno. E. Morris, pub. 1888, copied by Mrs. James H McKown, 5542 South Park Ave. Chicago, ILL.
SOURCE: Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 54, No. 1, page 112, January 1920.
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Father: Alexandre de Rességuier, b. France.
Mother: [Name?] [Surname?], b. France.
The above parents married about [date unknown].
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b. ~1679, probably La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France.
m. 19-Oct-1709 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT.
d. May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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Spouse: Sara Bontecou, b.~1681 LaRochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, d.May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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He was born in France. Alexander Resseguie died in Oct 1752.
Source: The Resseguie Family. A Historical and Genealogical Record of Alexander Resseguie, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and four generations of his descendants. Compiled by John E. Morris (Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm #1036449 item 6) Published by Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company of Hartford, Connecticut in 1888.
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He was married to Sara Bontecou on 19 Oct 1709 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut.
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Children:
Alexander Resseguie
Peter Resseguie
James Resseguie
Abraham Resseguie
Isaac Resseguie
Jacob Resseguie
Sarah Resseguie.
See [link]:
http://pages.prodigy.net/royjnagy/morris/d15.htm#P1
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"Alexander Resseguie was a settler in Norwalk Conn in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France who brought with him from the mother country a small hair covered trunk studded with iron nails containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law intending when the time was ripe he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates This hope was destined never to be realized for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission and the father disheartened abandoned the undertaking the trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son and at a subsequent period the latter were the most of them destroyed by fire Just how much of fact underlies this tradition we know not It is the opinion of the compiler that the family fled to England before coming to this country and that one Alexandre de Ressiguier from Trescleoux in Dauphiny who was known as a silk manufacturer in London in 1696 was the father of Alexander of Norwalk It is probable that an earlier residence of the family in America would have been a matter of record but no trace of the name of Resseguie save one has been found prior to the appearance of Alexander in Norwalk in 1709 Thus we are compelled to record him as the head of the family and the ancestor of the American Resseguies On the first day of April 1709 he purchased a tract of land of Samuel St John f and from this time for many years he was interested in ...
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Notes:
Sigourney and his associates were accompanied on their return to Oxford in 1697 by a French minister lately arrived from England This was Jacques Laborie a native of Cardaillac in the province of Guyenne who had been officiating for several years in certain of the French churches in London Laborie had ingratiated himself with Lord Bellomont the new governor who procured for him a yearly stipend of thirty pounds out of the Corporation money together with a commission to labor among the Indians near New Oxford He brought with him his wife Jeanne de Resseguier and his little daughter Susanne After ministering for some time to the French colony in New Oxford Mass and laboring as a missionary among the savages in the vicinity he went to New York and took charge of the French church in that city as Peiret's successor for two years Oct 15 1704 to Aug 25 1706 After this he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and as early as the year 1716 settled in Fairfield County Conn as a physician occasionally assisting the Church of England missionary The Huguenot Emigration to America by CW Baird It is possible that Jeanne de Resseguier was a relative of Alexander perhaps a sister and that her emigration to this country was the bond that drew him hither The residence of both in Fairfield County if not accountable for in this way was a rather singular coincidence t Copy of deed To all people to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that I Samuel St John of ye town of Norwalk in ye county of Fairfield within his majesties Colony of Connecticut in New England For and in consideration of ye sum of six pounds current provision pay of said Colony to me in hand before the Ensealing hereof well and truly paid by Alexander Resseguie of ye aforesaid Town and County the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented Have given granted bargained sold and by these presents do trooly fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell aliene convey and confirm unto him ye said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of Land lying within the Township of Norwalk aforesaid near unto and bearing South West from ye Land called ye Heth Containing by Estimation Five Acres and three Roods be it more or less Bounded in ye Southwest by ye Land of David Tuttle North West by ye said St Johns Land North East and South East by Common Land To Have and to Hold said granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances priviledges and comodities to ye same belonging or in anywise appertaining to him the Said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever To his and their only proper use com fitt and behoof forever And that the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupie possess and injoy Said Demised and bargained premises with ye appurtenances free and clear And freely and clearly acquitted Exonerated and Discharged of from all and all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and other Incumbrances Whatsoever Furthermore I the said Samuell Saint John for myself my heirs Executor and administrators Do Covenant and Ingage ye above Demised premises to him the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns against the Lawfull claims or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to Warrant Secure and Defend In witness whereof I have here unto sett my hand and Seale this first day of Aprill in ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nine and in ye Eighth year of her majesties Reign Queen Ann Signed Sealed and Delivered in ye presence of us witnesses Tho Hanford SAMUEL SAINT JOHN Joseph Sa1nt John s Samuel Saint John the Grantor and Subscriber to ye above Written Instrument personally Appeared on ye first Day of Aprill 1709 and Did acknowledg ye same to be his free and Voluntary Act and Deed Before me JAMES OLMSTEED justice of peace. Recorded Aprill 6th 1709 Per John Copp Recorder.
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acquiring land the records showing one hundred or more estates to which he held the titles located in what is now comprised in the towns of Norwalk Wilton Ridgefield New Canaan West port and Weston The ability to make these large acquisitions would seem to indicate the substantial character of the contents of the hair trunk On the 19th day of October 1709 Alexander Resseguie married Sara Bontecou daughter of Pierre and Marguerite Colli not Bontecou of New York She was born in France and reached New York with her parents in 1689 The summer preceding his marriage was probably spent in preparing a home which though its exact location cannot be pointed out was undoubtedly in the extreme southern part of Ridgefield a new town created from lands purchased of the Indians the year previous We have evidence that he soon began the career of a farmer and had in a short time wrested part of his land from the grasp of the forest and reduced it to a condition of tillage by the following extract from the Colonial Records.
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Newhaven August 9 1711 The Colony of Connecticut is debtor to sundry persons in money as followeth that is to say To Mr Allexander Russigue of Norwalk for 40 bushels wheat taken out of Mr Jno Williams sloop at New Haven at 4J 6d per bushel 9 o o o.
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Until his death he evidently pursued the even tenor of his way as a private citizen and pioneer farmer holding no office and probably wanting none and leaving but little trace of his life save the record of his possessions He died in October 1752 His wife survived him until May 1757 The place of their sepulchre is unknown but it was probably in the old cemetery in the southern part of Ridgefield in which but two ancient stones remain to mark the spot where many lie interred The following is the will of Alexander Resseguie :
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In the name of God Amen I Alexander Resseguie formerly of Ridgefield now of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut being weak of body but of a disposing mind and memory praised be God calling to mind ye mortality of my body and yt is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it and my body I recommend to be decently buryed at ye discretion of my execrs hereafter named nothing doubting but at ye generall ressurrection I shall receive ye same again by ye mighty power of God to bless me within this life I give demise and dispose of ye same as followeth my just debts and funerall charges being first paid I give and bequeath to well beloved wife Sarah ye use & improvement of ye one half part of my house & barn and homlot said building standing or lying in ye southerly part of Ridgfield Town during ye terme or time she shall remain my widow Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sons Alexander, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all my land and reall estate that I shall die possessed of or have any right to except what I have before given away by deed of gift to them and their heirs and assigns forever to be equally divided amongst them my said four sons Lastly I do hereby appoint constitute and fully impower my well beloved wife Sirah to be my executrix together with my loving son Alexander Resseguie executor of this my last will and testament and do hereby disannul & revoke all former wills and testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 3d day of October Anno Dom 1752 ALEXANDER RESSEGUIE Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by ye said Alexander Resseguie ye testator to be his last will & testament I presence of us ye subscribers Saml Olmsted Ezra H1ccok Thad Mead Norwalk October ye 24th ins AD 1752.
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Norwalk ye 24th ins 1752 Then personally appeared Saml Olmsted Ezra Hickock and Thadeus Mead ye evidences to within written will and gave oath yt they see Mr Alexander Resseguie now dec d sign seal and heard him declare ye same to be his last will and testament and yt they judged him to be sound in mind and judgment at ye same time and yt they signed as evidences at ye same time in presents of ye testator Before me SAMLL SMITH Justice of peace."
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Foot note:
This {referenced above} "trunk" is now in the possession of Col George E Gray of San Francisco It is eleven and one half inches long seven inches wide and four inches high the top oval The wood is worm eaten very little hair remains Upon the leather and the nails with which it is studded are of hammered iron The papers contained in the trunk were nearly all destroyed by fire by the wife of Timothy Resseguie 14 during a fit of temporary insanity.
SOURCE: The Resseguie family: A historical and genealogical record of Alexander ... pages 10-14. By John Emery Morris.
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"RESSEGUIE'S LANE" - Resseguie's Lane is an old and unusual place name - old in that it dates back more than 240 years and unusual in that it was among the very few 18th Century road names that made use of a family name. The term appears first in a 1754 inventory of the estate of Alexander Resseguie (pronounced ress-sik-kee) which mentions "two acres of land yt lies below ye lane called Resseguie's Lane." In the same year, two of Mr. Resseguie's sons, Abraham and Isaac, divided up the estate and mentioned the same parcel and lane. The next and last mention appears in a 1787 deed in which the proprietors gave the heirs of Benjamin Keeler 132 rods "lying at the southeast end of Ressigues Lane, so called." The lane was probably near the homestead of Alexander Resseguie, a home that stood near the Wilton line, quite possibly on Nod Road. Resseguie's Lane might be what we today call Pelham Lane. Alexander Resseguie may have been Ridgefield's wealthiest settler. According to The Resseguie Family by John E. Morris (Hartford, 1888), "Alexandre Resseguie was a settler at Norwalk, Conn., in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France, who brought with him from the mother country a small, hair-covered trunk, studded with iron nails, containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure, consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. "Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions, he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law, intending when the time was ripe, he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates. This hope was destined never to be realized, for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission, and the father, disheartened, abandoned the undertaking. The trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son, and at a subsequent period, the latter were, the most of them, destroyed by fire." The fire was said to have been set by the wife of Timothy Resseguie, a grandson, "during a fit of temporary insanity." Tradition notwithstanding, Mr. Morris believed that an "Alexandre de Resseguier" of France was a silk manufacturer in London in 1696, but there is no evidence of his having come to the colonies. Thus, he lists Alexander of Ridgefield as head of the American family.
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Alexander Resseguie was in Ridgefield in 1709, the year of the town's incorporation and the year of his marriage to Sara Bontecou of New York City, also a native of France. He was a farmer. Alexander managed to amass sizable holdings in Ridgefield and in Norwalk (no doubt in the part of town that is today Wilton). His inventory at his death in 1752 listed more than 4,000 pounds of value in real estate, mostly in Ridgefield, and included a couple of farms. His homestead alone totaled 2,200 pounds in value, a hefty sum, and he owned parcels of land throughout town, as well as "a Negro wench and child" valued at 350 pounds. Total value of his estate was 10,514 pounds. For 200 years, the name of Resseguie was well known in Ridgefield and Wilton, and was one of the few French names in a territory settled almost solely by the English. Among the most noted of Alexander's descendants was great-grandson Abijah Resseguie (1791-1887), who for 60 years ran the Keeler Tavern, called then Resseguie's Hotel. Mr. Resseguie had married Anna, the daughter of Timothy and Esther Keeler. Squire Timothy Keeler had long operated the inn, taken over by his son-in-law. (Their daughter, Anna Marie Resseguie, kept a diary, which was turned into a fascinating book, A View from the Inn: The Journal of Anna Marie Resseguie, 1851-1867, published by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society in 1993.)
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Samuel G. Goodrich wrote in 1856 that "he who wishes to eat with a relish that the Astor House, or Morley's, or the Grand Hotel de Louvre cannot give, should go to Ridgefield and put himself under the care of Mrs. Resseguie. When you go there - as go you must - do not forget to order ham and eggs, for they are such as we ate in our childhood. As to blackberry and huckleberry pies, and similar good gifts, you will find them just as our mother made 50 years ago, when these bounties of Providence were included in the prayer, 'Give us this day, our daily bread," and were a worthy answer to such a petition."
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At Abijah Resseguie's death at age 96, The Press noted that he had started out in life as a carriage maker and eventually had his own firm of Resseguie and Olmstead, which shipped hundreds of wagons to points around the country. He served in various town offices, represented Ridgefield in the General Assembly, and was an official of St. Stephen's Church for many years. He was fond of telling anecdotes of life in years past. "He was a witness of the last flogging which took place in Ridgefield - that barbarous punishment of the whipping post, and of the rejoicing of the people when that relic of barbarism was abolished," The Press said in 1887.
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"He was always ready to enjoy a witty story and as a story-teller, he was always popular on the long winter evenings...There was no end to his humor...To show how sturdy he was in his old age, it may not be amiss to state that he attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, and that at 80 years of age, he tired out the younger members of his party sight-seeing in Washington."
SOURCE [link]:
http://jackfsanders.tripod.com/names-R.htm
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By, Daughters of the American Revolution...
6439 RESSEGUIE-SWAN -- Alex. Resseguie a settler in Norwalk, Ct., 1709, m. Oct 19, 1709, Sara Bontecou dau of Pierre & Marguerite Collinot-Bontecou of NY. She was b. in France & came with parents to NY 1869. Tradition - Alex Resseguie 1st Gen. in America, was younger son of Alex., a Huguenot refugee from France. Alex Resseguie Jr., son of Alex & Sara Bontecou-Resseguie b. Aug 27, 1710 m. Thankful Belden, Feb 16, 1737-38, Wilton, Ct. Will of Alex Resseguie, dated July 27, 1793. Timothy Resseguie, son of Alex & Thankful Belden-Resseguie, b. Dec 28, 1754, Ridgefield, Ct. d. Jan 19, 1838, in Verona, Oneida Co., NY. He m. June 5, 1785, Abigail Lee, dau. of Jno. Lee. She was b. Oct 27, 1760, d. May 11, 1834, in Verona. Timothy Resseguie served in Rev. & m. after the Rev. Chloe Resseguie dau. of Timothy & Thankful Belden Resseguie, b. Dec 6, 1785, Ridgefield, Ct., d. June 28, 1849, Spring Township, Crawford Co., Pa. She m. Timothy Dwight Swan, b. Oct 17, 1774, Stonington, Ct., d. Apr 10, 1884, Durhamsville, Oneida Co., NY. Mr Swan was the g-uncle of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. At time of his m. he was a resident of Milton, Saratoga Co., NY., removed to Verona, NY. Mary Ann Swan, 4th ch. of Timothy Dwight & Chloe Resseguie Swan. b. Nov 17, 1810, d. Apr 20, 1881, m. Apr 14, 1835, Maj. Gay Perefield, resided in Wankon, Iowa. From Records of Resseguie Family compiled by Jno. E. Morris, pub. 1888, copied by Mrs. James H McKown, 5542 South Park Ave. Chicago, ILL.
SOURCE: Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 54, No. 1, page 112, January 1920.
IMPORTANT (Alexandre Resseguie, AKA "Rességuié", AKA "de Rességuier") is presumed to be buried in this cemetery (not proven): in-as-much-as 2 of his children are KNOWN to be buried here, and also (at least) 1 grandson. There may be others...
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Father: Alexandre de Rességuier, b. France.
Mother: [Name?] [Surname?], b. France.
The above parents married about [date unknown].
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b. ~1679, probably La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France.
m. 19-Oct-1709 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT.
d. May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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Spouse: Sara Bontecou, b.~1681 LaRochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, d.May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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He was born in France. Alexander Resseguie died in Oct 1752.
Source: The Resseguie Family. A Historical and Genealogical Record of Alexander Resseguie, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and four generations of his descendants. Compiled by John E. Morris (Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm #1036449 item 6) Published by Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company of Hartford, Connecticut in 1888.
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He was married to Sara Bontecou on 19 Oct 1709 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut.
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Children:
Alexander Resseguie
Peter Resseguie
James Resseguie
Abraham Resseguie
Isaac Resseguie
Jacob Resseguie
Sarah Resseguie.
See [link]:
http://pages.prodigy.net/royjnagy/morris/d15.htm#P1
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"Alexander Resseguie was a settler in Norwalk Conn in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France who brought with him from the mother country a small hair covered trunk studded with iron nails containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law intending when the time was ripe he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates This hope was destined never to be realized for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission and the father disheartened abandoned the undertaking the trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son and at a subsequent period the latter were the most of them destroyed by fire Just how much of fact underlies this tradition we know not It is the opinion of the compiler that the family fled to England before coming to this country and that one Alexandre de Ressiguier from Trescleoux in Dauphiny who was known as a silk manufacturer in London in 1696 was the father of Alexander of Norwalk It is probable that an earlier residence of the family in America would have been a matter of record but no trace of the name of Resseguie save one has been found prior to the appearance of Alexander in Norwalk in 1709 Thus we are compelled to record him as the head of the family and the ancestor of the American Resseguies On the first day of April 1709 he purchased a tract of land of Samuel St John f and from this time for many years he was interested in ...
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Notes:
Sigourney and his associates were accompanied on their return to Oxford in 1697 by a French minister lately arrived from England This was Jacques Laborie a native of Cardaillac in the province of Guyenne who had been officiating for several years in certain of the French churches in London Laborie had ingratiated himself with Lord Bellomont the new governor who procured for him a yearly stipend of thirty pounds out of the Corporation money together with a commission to labor among the Indians near New Oxford He brought with him his wife Jeanne de Resseguier and his little daughter Susanne After ministering for some time to the French colony in New Oxford Mass and laboring as a missionary among the savages in the vicinity he went to New York and took charge of the French church in that city as Peiret's successor for two years Oct 15 1704 to Aug 25 1706 After this he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and as early as the year 1716 settled in Fairfield County Conn as a physician occasionally assisting the Church of England missionary The Huguenot Emigration to America by CW Baird It is possible that Jeanne de Resseguier was a relative of Alexander perhaps a sister and that her emigration to this country was the bond that drew him hither The residence of both in Fairfield County if not accountable for in this way was a rather singular coincidence t Copy of deed To all people to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that I Samuel St John of ye town of Norwalk in ye county of Fairfield within his majesties Colony of Connecticut in New England For and in consideration of ye sum of six pounds current provision pay of said Colony to me in hand before the Ensealing hereof well and truly paid by Alexander Resseguie of ye aforesaid Town and County the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented Have given granted bargained sold and by these presents do trooly fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell aliene convey and confirm unto him ye said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of Land lying within the Township of Norwalk aforesaid near unto and bearing South West from ye Land called ye Heth Containing by Estimation Five Acres and three Roods be it more or less Bounded in ye Southwest by ye Land of David Tuttle North West by ye said St Johns Land North East and South East by Common Land To Have and to Hold said granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances priviledges and comodities to ye same belonging or in anywise appertaining to him the Said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever To his and their only proper use com fitt and behoof forever And that the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupie possess and injoy Said Demised and bargained premises with ye appurtenances free and clear And freely and clearly acquitted Exonerated and Discharged of from all and all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and other Incumbrances Whatsoever Furthermore I the said Samuell Saint John for myself my heirs Executor and administrators Do Covenant and Ingage ye above Demised premises to him the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns against the Lawfull claims or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to Warrant Secure and Defend In witness whereof I have here unto sett my hand and Seale this first day of Aprill in ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nine and in ye Eighth year of her majesties Reign Queen Ann Signed Sealed and Delivered in ye presence of us witnesses Tho Hanford SAMUEL SAINT JOHN Joseph Sa1nt John s Samuel Saint John the Grantor and Subscriber to ye above Written Instrument personally Appeared on ye first Day of Aprill 1709 and Did acknowledg ye same to be his free and Voluntary Act and Deed Before me JAMES OLMSTEED justice of peace. Recorded Aprill 6th 1709 Per John Copp Recorder.
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acquiring land the records showing one hundred or more estates to which he held the titles located in what is now comprised in the towns of Norwalk Wilton Ridgefield New Canaan West port and Weston The ability to make these large acquisitions would seem to indicate the substantial character of the contents of the hair trunk On the 19th day of October 1709 Alexander Resseguie married Sara Bontecou daughter of Pierre and Marguerite Colli not Bontecou of New York She was born in France and reached New York with her parents in 1689 The summer preceding his marriage was probably spent in preparing a home which though its exact location cannot be pointed out was undoubtedly in the extreme southern part of Ridgefield a new town created from lands purchased of the Indians the year previous We have evidence that he soon began the career of a farmer and had in a short time wrested part of his land from the grasp of the forest and reduced it to a condition of tillage by the following extract from the Colonial Records.
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Newhaven August 9 1711 The Colony of Connecticut is debtor to sundry persons in money as followeth that is to say To Mr Allexander Russigue of Norwalk for 40 bushels wheat taken out of Mr Jno Williams sloop at New Haven at 4J 6d per bushel 9 o o o.
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Until his death he evidently pursued the even tenor of his way as a private citizen and pioneer farmer holding no office and probably wanting none and leaving but little trace of his life save the record of his possessions He died in October 1752 His wife survived him until May 1757 The place of their sepulchre is unknown but it was probably in the old cemetery in the southern part of Ridgefield in which but two ancient stones remain to mark the spot where many lie interred The following is the will of Alexander Resseguie :
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In the name of God Amen I Alexander Resseguie formerly of Ridgefield now of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut being weak of body but of a disposing mind and memory praised be God calling to mind ye mortality of my body and yt is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it and my body I recommend to be decently buryed at ye discretion of my execrs hereafter named nothing doubting but at ye generall ressurrection I shall receive ye same again by ye mighty power of God to bless me within this life I give demise and dispose of ye same as followeth my just debts and funerall charges being first paid I give and bequeath to well beloved wife Sarah ye use & improvement of ye one half part of my house & barn and homlot said building standing or lying in ye southerly part of Ridgfield Town during ye terme or time she shall remain my widow Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sons Alexander, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all my land and reall estate that I shall die possessed of or have any right to except what I have before given away by deed of gift to them and their heirs and assigns forever to be equally divided amongst them my said four sons Lastly I do hereby appoint constitute and fully impower my well beloved wife Sirah to be my executrix together with my loving son Alexander Resseguie executor of this my last will and testament and do hereby disannul & revoke all former wills and testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 3d day of October Anno Dom 1752 ALEXANDER RESSEGUIE Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by ye said Alexander Resseguie ye testator to be his last will & testament I presence of us ye subscribers Saml Olmsted Ezra H1ccok Thad Mead Norwalk October ye 24th ins AD 1752.
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Norwalk ye 24th ins 1752 Then personally appeared Saml Olmsted Ezra Hickock and Thadeus Mead ye evidences to within written will and gave oath yt they see Mr Alexander Resseguie now dec d sign seal and heard him declare ye same to be his last will and testament and yt they judged him to be sound in mind and judgment at ye same time and yt they signed as evidences at ye same time in presents of ye testator Before me SAMLL SMITH Justice of peace."
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Foot note:
This {referenced above} "trunk" is now in the possession of Col George E Gray of San Francisco It is eleven and one half inches long seven inches wide and four inches high the top oval The wood is worm eaten very little hair remains Upon the leather and the nails with which it is studded are of hammered iron The papers contained in the trunk were nearly all destroyed by fire by the wife of Timothy Resseguie 14 during a fit of temporary insanity.
SOURCE: The Resseguie family: A historical and genealogical record of Alexander ... pages 10-14. By John Emery Morris.
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"RESSEGUIE'S LANE" - Resseguie's Lane is an old and unusual place name - old in that it dates back more than 240 years and unusual in that it was among the very few 18th Century road names that made use of a family name. The term appears first in a 1754 inventory of the estate of Alexander Resseguie (pronounced ress-sik-kee) which mentions "two acres of land yt lies below ye lane called Resseguie's Lane." In the same year, two of Mr. Resseguie's sons, Abraham and Isaac, divided up the estate and mentioned the same parcel and lane. The next and last mention appears in a 1787 deed in which the proprietors gave the heirs of Benjamin Keeler 132 rods "lying at the southeast end of Ressigues Lane, so called." The lane was probably near the homestead of Alexander Resseguie, a home that stood near the Wilton line, quite possibly on Nod Road. Resseguie's Lane might be what we today call Pelham Lane. Alexander Resseguie may have been Ridgefield's wealthiest settler. According to The Resseguie Family by John E. Morris (Hartford, 1888), "Alexandre Resseguie was a settler at Norwalk, Conn., in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France, who brought with him from the mother country a small, hair-covered trunk, studded with iron nails, containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure, consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. "Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions, he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law, intending when the time was ripe, he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates. This hope was destined never to be realized, for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission, and the father, disheartened, abandoned the undertaking. The trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son, and at a subsequent period, the latter were, the most of them, destroyed by fire." The fire was said to have been set by the wife of Timothy Resseguie, a grandson, "during a fit of temporary insanity." Tradition notwithstanding, Mr. Morris believed that an "Alexandre de Resseguier" of France was a silk manufacturer in London in 1696, but there is no evidence of his having come to the colonies. Thus, he lists Alexander of Ridgefield as head of the American family.
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Alexander Resseguie was in Ridgefield in 1709, the year of the town's incorporation and the year of his marriage to Sara Bontecou of New York City, also a native of France. He was a farmer. Alexander managed to amass sizable holdings in Ridgefield and in Norwalk (no doubt in the part of town that is today Wilton). His inventory at his death in 1752 listed more than 4,000 pounds of value in real estate, mostly in Ridgefield, and included a couple of farms. His homestead alone totaled 2,200 pounds in value, a hefty sum, and he owned parcels of land throughout town, as well as "a Negro wench and child" valued at 350 pounds. Total value of his estate was 10,514 pounds. For 200 years, the name of Resseguie was well known in Ridgefield and Wilton, and was one of the few French names in a territory settled almost solely by the English. Among the most noted of Alexander's descendants was great-grandson Abijah Resseguie (1791-1887), who for 60 years ran the Keeler Tavern, called then Resseguie's Hotel. Mr. Resseguie had married Anna, the daughter of Timothy and Esther Keeler. Squire Timothy Keeler had long operated the inn, taken over by his son-in-law. (Their daughter, Anna Marie Resseguie, kept a diary, which was turned into a fascinating book, A View from the Inn: The Journal of Anna Marie Resseguie, 1851-1867, published by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society in 1993.)
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Samuel G. Goodrich wrote in 1856 that "he who wishes to eat with a relish that the Astor House, or Morley's, or the Grand Hotel de Louvre cannot give, should go to Ridgefield and put himself under the care of Mrs. Resseguie. When you go there - as go you must - do not forget to order ham and eggs, for they are such as we ate in our childhood. As to blackberry and huckleberry pies, and similar good gifts, you will find them just as our mother made 50 years ago, when these bounties of Providence were included in the prayer, 'Give us this day, our daily bread," and were a worthy answer to such a petition."
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At Abijah Resseguie's death at age 96, The Press noted that he had started out in life as a carriage maker and eventually had his own firm of Resseguie and Olmstead, which shipped hundreds of wagons to points around the country. He served in various town offices, represented Ridgefield in the General Assembly, and was an official of St. Stephen's Church for many years. He was fond of telling anecdotes of life in years past. "He was a witness of the last flogging which took place in Ridgefield - that barbarous punishment of the whipping post, and of the rejoicing of the people when that relic of barbarism was abolished," The Press said in 1887.
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"He was always ready to enjoy a witty story and as a story-teller, he was always popular on the long winter evenings...There was no end to his humor...To show how sturdy he was in his old age, it may not be amiss to state that he attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, and that at 80 years of age, he tired out the younger members of his party sight-seeing in Washington."
SOURCE [link]:
http://jackfsanders.tripod.com/names-R.htm
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By, Daughters of the American Revolution...
6439 RESSEGUIE-SWAN -- Alex. Resseguie a settler in Norwalk, Ct., 1709, m. Oct 19, 1709, Sara Bontecou dau of Pierre & Marguerite Collinot-Bontecou of NY. She was b. in France & came with parents to NY 1869. Tradition - Alex Resseguie 1st Gen. in America, was younger son of Alex., a Huguenot refugee from France. Alex Resseguie Jr., son of Alex & Sara Bontecou-Resseguie b. Aug 27, 1710 m. Thankful Belden, Feb 16, 1737-38, Wilton, Ct. Will of Alex Resseguie, dated July 27, 1793. Timothy Resseguie, son of Alex & Thankful Belden-Resseguie, b. Dec 28, 1754, Ridgefield, Ct. d. Jan 19, 1838, in Verona, Oneida Co., NY. He m. June 5, 1785, Abigail Lee, dau. of Jno. Lee. She was b. Oct 27, 1760, d. May 11, 1834, in Verona. Timothy Resseguie served in Rev. & m. after the Rev. Chloe Resseguie dau. of Timothy & Thankful Belden Resseguie, b. Dec 6, 1785, Ridgefield, Ct., d. June 28, 1849, Spring Township, Crawford Co., Pa. She m. Timothy Dwight Swan, b. Oct 17, 1774, Stonington, Ct., d. Apr 10, 1884, Durhamsville, Oneida Co., NY. Mr Swan was the g-uncle of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. At time of his m. he was a resident of Milton, Saratoga Co., NY., removed to Verona, NY. Mary Ann Swan, 4th ch. of Timothy Dwight & Chloe Resseguie Swan. b. Nov 17, 1810, d. Apr 20, 1881, m. Apr 14, 1835, Maj. Gay Perefield, resided in Wankon, Iowa. From Records of Resseguie Family compiled by Jno. E. Morris, pub. 1888, copied by Mrs. James H McKown, 5542 South Park Ave. Chicago, ILL.
SOURCE: Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 54, No. 1, page 112, January 1920.
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Father: Alexandre de Rességuier, b. France.
Mother: [Name?] [Surname?], b. France.
The above parents married about [date unknown].
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b. ~1679, probably La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France.
m. 19-Oct-1709 Norwalk, Fairfield Co., CT.
d. May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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Spouse: Sara Bontecou, b.~1681 LaRochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, d.May 1757, Ridgefield, Fairfield Co., CT.
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He was born in France. Alexander Resseguie died in Oct 1752.
Source: The Resseguie Family. A Historical and Genealogical Record of Alexander Resseguie, of Norwalk, Connecticut, and four generations of his descendants. Compiled by John E. Morris (Genealogical Society of Utah, microfilm #1036449 item 6) Published by Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company of Hartford, Connecticut in 1888.
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He was married to Sara Bontecou on 19 Oct 1709 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut.
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Children:
Alexander Resseguie
Peter Resseguie
James Resseguie
Abraham Resseguie
Isaac Resseguie
Jacob Resseguie
Sarah Resseguie.
See [link]:
http://pages.prodigy.net/royjnagy/morris/d15.htm#P1
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"Alexander Resseguie was a settler in Norwalk Conn in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France who brought with him from the mother country a small hair covered trunk studded with iron nails containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law intending when the time was ripe he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates This hope was destined never to be realized for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission and the father disheartened abandoned the undertaking the trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son and at a subsequent period the latter were the most of them destroyed by fire Just how much of fact underlies this tradition we know not It is the opinion of the compiler that the family fled to England before coming to this country and that one Alexandre de Ressiguier from Trescleoux in Dauphiny who was known as a silk manufacturer in London in 1696 was the father of Alexander of Norwalk It is probable that an earlier residence of the family in America would have been a matter of record but no trace of the name of Resseguie save one has been found prior to the appearance of Alexander in Norwalk in 1709 Thus we are compelled to record him as the head of the family and the ancestor of the American Resseguies On the first day of April 1709 he purchased a tract of land of Samuel St John f and from this time for many years he was interested in ...
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Notes:
Sigourney and his associates were accompanied on their return to Oxford in 1697 by a French minister lately arrived from England This was Jacques Laborie a native of Cardaillac in the province of Guyenne who had been officiating for several years in certain of the French churches in London Laborie had ingratiated himself with Lord Bellomont the new governor who procured for him a yearly stipend of thirty pounds out of the Corporation money together with a commission to labor among the Indians near New Oxford He brought with him his wife Jeanne de Resseguier and his little daughter Susanne After ministering for some time to the French colony in New Oxford Mass and laboring as a missionary among the savages in the vicinity he went to New York and took charge of the French church in that city as Peiret's successor for two years Oct 15 1704 to Aug 25 1706 After this he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and as early as the year 1716 settled in Fairfield County Conn as a physician occasionally assisting the Church of England missionary The Huguenot Emigration to America by CW Baird It is possible that Jeanne de Resseguier was a relative of Alexander perhaps a sister and that her emigration to this country was the bond that drew him hither The residence of both in Fairfield County if not accountable for in this way was a rather singular coincidence t Copy of deed To all people to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that I Samuel St John of ye town of Norwalk in ye county of Fairfield within his majesties Colony of Connecticut in New England For and in consideration of ye sum of six pounds current provision pay of said Colony to me in hand before the Ensealing hereof well and truly paid by Alexander Resseguie of ye aforesaid Town and County the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied and contented Have given granted bargained sold and by these presents do trooly fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell aliene convey and confirm unto him ye said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece of Land lying within the Township of Norwalk aforesaid near unto and bearing South West from ye Land called ye Heth Containing by Estimation Five Acres and three Roods be it more or less Bounded in ye Southwest by ye Land of David Tuttle North West by ye said St Johns Land North East and South East by Common Land To Have and to Hold said granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances priviledges and comodities to ye same belonging or in anywise appertaining to him the Said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns forever To his and their only proper use com fitt and behoof forever And that the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupie possess and injoy Said Demised and bargained premises with ye appurtenances free and clear And freely and clearly acquitted Exonerated and Discharged of from all and all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and other Incumbrances Whatsoever Furthermore I the said Samuell Saint John for myself my heirs Executor and administrators Do Covenant and Ingage ye above Demised premises to him the said Alexander Resseguie his heirs and assigns against the Lawfull claims or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to Warrant Secure and Defend In witness whereof I have here unto sett my hand and Seale this first day of Aprill in ye year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nine and in ye Eighth year of her majesties Reign Queen Ann Signed Sealed and Delivered in ye presence of us witnesses Tho Hanford SAMUEL SAINT JOHN Joseph Sa1nt John s Samuel Saint John the Grantor and Subscriber to ye above Written Instrument personally Appeared on ye first Day of Aprill 1709 and Did acknowledg ye same to be his free and Voluntary Act and Deed Before me JAMES OLMSTEED justice of peace. Recorded Aprill 6th 1709 Per John Copp Recorder.
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acquiring land the records showing one hundred or more estates to which he held the titles located in what is now comprised in the towns of Norwalk Wilton Ridgefield New Canaan West port and Weston The ability to make these large acquisitions would seem to indicate the substantial character of the contents of the hair trunk On the 19th day of October 1709 Alexander Resseguie married Sara Bontecou daughter of Pierre and Marguerite Colli not Bontecou of New York She was born in France and reached New York with her parents in 1689 The summer preceding his marriage was probably spent in preparing a home which though its exact location cannot be pointed out was undoubtedly in the extreme southern part of Ridgefield a new town created from lands purchased of the Indians the year previous We have evidence that he soon began the career of a farmer and had in a short time wrested part of his land from the grasp of the forest and reduced it to a condition of tillage by the following extract from the Colonial Records.
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Newhaven August 9 1711 The Colony of Connecticut is debtor to sundry persons in money as followeth that is to say To Mr Allexander Russigue of Norwalk for 40 bushels wheat taken out of Mr Jno Williams sloop at New Haven at 4J 6d per bushel 9 o o o.
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Until his death he evidently pursued the even tenor of his way as a private citizen and pioneer farmer holding no office and probably wanting none and leaving but little trace of his life save the record of his possessions He died in October 1752 His wife survived him until May 1757 The place of their sepulchre is unknown but it was probably in the old cemetery in the southern part of Ridgefield in which but two ancient stones remain to mark the spot where many lie interred The following is the will of Alexander Resseguie :
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In the name of God Amen I Alexander Resseguie formerly of Ridgefield now of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut being weak of body but of a disposing mind and memory praised be God calling to mind ye mortality of my body and yt is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and bequeath my soul to God who gave it and my body I recommend to be decently buryed at ye discretion of my execrs hereafter named nothing doubting but at ye generall ressurrection I shall receive ye same again by ye mighty power of God to bless me within this life I give demise and dispose of ye same as followeth my just debts and funerall charges being first paid I give and bequeath to well beloved wife Sarah ye use & improvement of ye one half part of my house & barn and homlot said building standing or lying in ye southerly part of Ridgfield Town during ye terme or time she shall remain my widow Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sons Alexander, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all my land and reall estate that I shall die possessed of or have any right to except what I have before given away by deed of gift to them and their heirs and assigns forever to be equally divided amongst them my said four sons Lastly I do hereby appoint constitute and fully impower my well beloved wife Sirah to be my executrix together with my loving son Alexander Resseguie executor of this my last will and testament and do hereby disannul & revoke all former wills and testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 3d day of October Anno Dom 1752 ALEXANDER RESSEGUIE Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by ye said Alexander Resseguie ye testator to be his last will & testament I presence of us ye subscribers Saml Olmsted Ezra H1ccok Thad Mead Norwalk October ye 24th ins AD 1752.
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Norwalk ye 24th ins 1752 Then personally appeared Saml Olmsted Ezra Hickock and Thadeus Mead ye evidences to within written will and gave oath yt they see Mr Alexander Resseguie now dec d sign seal and heard him declare ye same to be his last will and testament and yt they judged him to be sound in mind and judgment at ye same time and yt they signed as evidences at ye same time in presents of ye testator Before me SAMLL SMITH Justice of peace."
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Foot note:
This {referenced above} "trunk" is now in the possession of Col George E Gray of San Francisco It is eleven and one half inches long seven inches wide and four inches high the top oval The wood is worm eaten very little hair remains Upon the leather and the nails with which it is studded are of hammered iron The papers contained in the trunk were nearly all destroyed by fire by the wife of Timothy Resseguie 14 during a fit of temporary insanity.
SOURCE: The Resseguie family: A historical and genealogical record of Alexander ... pages 10-14. By John Emery Morris.
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"RESSEGUIE'S LANE" - Resseguie's Lane is an old and unusual place name - old in that it dates back more than 240 years and unusual in that it was among the very few 18th Century road names that made use of a family name. The term appears first in a 1754 inventory of the estate of Alexander Resseguie (pronounced ress-sik-kee) which mentions "two acres of land yt lies below ye lane called Resseguie's Lane." In the same year, two of Mr. Resseguie's sons, Abraham and Isaac, divided up the estate and mentioned the same parcel and lane. The next and last mention appears in a 1787 deed in which the proprietors gave the heirs of Benjamin Keeler 132 rods "lying at the southeast end of Ressigues Lane, so called." The lane was probably near the homestead of Alexander Resseguie, a home that stood near the Wilton line, quite possibly on Nod Road. Resseguie's Lane might be what we today call Pelham Lane. Alexander Resseguie may have been Ridgefield's wealthiest settler. According to The Resseguie Family by John E. Morris (Hartford, 1888), "Alexandre Resseguie was a settler at Norwalk, Conn., in 1709. Tradition has it that he was the younger son of one Alexandre Resseguie, a Huguenot refugee from France, who brought with him from the mother country a small, hair-covered trunk, studded with iron nails, containing all of the family wealth he was able to secure, consisting largely of title deeds to property in France. "Hoping to some day regain his abandoned possessions, he educated his eldest son to the profession of the law, intending when the time was ripe, he should return to France and establish a claim to the family estates. This hope was destined never to be realized, for the son died just previous to the time of his intended departure on this mission, and the father, disheartened, abandoned the undertaking. The trunk and papers passed into the possession of the younger son, and at a subsequent period, the latter were, the most of them, destroyed by fire." The fire was said to have been set by the wife of Timothy Resseguie, a grandson, "during a fit of temporary insanity." Tradition notwithstanding, Mr. Morris believed that an "Alexandre de Resseguier" of France was a silk manufacturer in London in 1696, but there is no evidence of his having come to the colonies. Thus, he lists Alexander of Ridgefield as head of the American family.
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Alexander Resseguie was in Ridgefield in 1709, the year of the town's incorporation and the year of his marriage to Sara Bontecou of New York City, also a native of France. He was a farmer. Alexander managed to amass sizable holdings in Ridgefield and in Norwalk (no doubt in the part of town that is today Wilton). His inventory at his death in 1752 listed more than 4,000 pounds of value in real estate, mostly in Ridgefield, and included a couple of farms. His homestead alone totaled 2,200 pounds in value, a hefty sum, and he owned parcels of land throughout town, as well as "a Negro wench and child" valued at 350 pounds. Total value of his estate was 10,514 pounds. For 200 years, the name of Resseguie was well known in Ridgefield and Wilton, and was one of the few French names in a territory settled almost solely by the English. Among the most noted of Alexander's descendants was great-grandson Abijah Resseguie (1791-1887), who for 60 years ran the Keeler Tavern, called then Resseguie's Hotel. Mr. Resseguie had married Anna, the daughter of Timothy and Esther Keeler. Squire Timothy Keeler had long operated the inn, taken over by his son-in-law. (Their daughter, Anna Marie Resseguie, kept a diary, which was turned into a fascinating book, A View from the Inn: The Journal of Anna Marie Resseguie, 1851-1867, published by the Keeler Tavern Preservation Society in 1993.)
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Samuel G. Goodrich wrote in 1856 that "he who wishes to eat with a relish that the Astor House, or Morley's, or the Grand Hotel de Louvre cannot give, should go to Ridgefield and put himself under the care of Mrs. Resseguie. When you go there - as go you must - do not forget to order ham and eggs, for they are such as we ate in our childhood. As to blackberry and huckleberry pies, and similar good gifts, you will find them just as our mother made 50 years ago, when these bounties of Providence were included in the prayer, 'Give us this day, our daily bread," and were a worthy answer to such a petition."
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At Abijah Resseguie's death at age 96, The Press noted that he had started out in life as a carriage maker and eventually had his own firm of Resseguie and Olmstead, which shipped hundreds of wagons to points around the country. He served in various town offices, represented Ridgefield in the General Assembly, and was an official of St. Stephen's Church for many years. He was fond of telling anecdotes of life in years past. "He was a witness of the last flogging which took place in Ridgefield - that barbarous punishment of the whipping post, and of the rejoicing of the people when that relic of barbarism was abolished," The Press said in 1887.
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"He was always ready to enjoy a witty story and as a story-teller, he was always popular on the long winter evenings...There was no end to his humor...To show how sturdy he was in his old age, it may not be amiss to state that he attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, and that at 80 years of age, he tired out the younger members of his party sight-seeing in Washington."
SOURCE [link]:
http://jackfsanders.tripod.com/names-R.htm
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By, Daughters of the American Revolution...
6439 RESSEGUIE-SWAN -- Alex. Resseguie a settler in Norwalk, Ct., 1709, m. Oct 19, 1709, Sara Bontecou dau of Pierre & Marguerite Collinot-Bontecou of NY. She was b. in France & came with parents to NY 1869. Tradition - Alex Resseguie 1st Gen. in America, was younger son of Alex., a Huguenot refugee from France. Alex Resseguie Jr., son of Alex & Sara Bontecou-Resseguie b. Aug 27, 1710 m. Thankful Belden, Feb 16, 1737-38, Wilton, Ct. Will of Alex Resseguie, dated July 27, 1793. Timothy Resseguie, son of Alex & Thankful Belden-Resseguie, b. Dec 28, 1754, Ridgefield, Ct. d. Jan 19, 1838, in Verona, Oneida Co., NY. He m. June 5, 1785, Abigail Lee, dau. of Jno. Lee. She was b. Oct 27, 1760, d. May 11, 1834, in Verona. Timothy Resseguie served in Rev. & m. after the Rev. Chloe Resseguie dau. of Timothy & Thankful Belden Resseguie, b. Dec 6, 1785, Ridgefield, Ct., d. June 28, 1849, Spring Township, Crawford Co., Pa. She m. Timothy Dwight Swan, b. Oct 17, 1774, Stonington, Ct., d. Apr 10, 1884, Durhamsville, Oneida Co., NY. Mr Swan was the g-uncle of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. At time of his m. he was a resident of Milton, Saratoga Co., NY., removed to Verona, NY. Mary Ann Swan, 4th ch. of Timothy Dwight & Chloe Resseguie Swan. b. Nov 17, 1810, d. Apr 20, 1881, m. Apr 14, 1835, Maj. Gay Perefield, resided in Wankon, Iowa. From Records of Resseguie Family compiled by Jno. E. Morris, pub. 1888, copied by Mrs. James H McKown, 5542 South Park Ave. Chicago, ILL.
SOURCE: Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 54, No. 1, page 112, January 1920.
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