Overview of the Beuzeville Family
The Beuzeville family (also known both earlier and later as de Beuzeville) originated from France. My branch of the family emigrated to England in the early eighteenth century where they were involved in the silk industry. In 1796 the family was joined by marriage to the Byles family. In 1848 the family came to Australia, initially to again be in the silk business but later involved with the land and forestry. In Australia, the family has been quite prolific with one branch generally located in western NSW, and the other, my side, latterly located at Tumut and Beecroft (both NSW). In 1930 the Beuzeville and Byles familes were again joined when my mother and father married.
Esther Copley (nee)Beuzeville(1786) was a prolific author. Her works include some that are very useful for family historians, especially "Memorials of Practical Piety..."
James Beuzeville (1809) wrote of his knowledge of the family in A Memorandum in Respect of the Genealogy of the Family Beuzeville written in 1886. He comments that "It may be noted that the chief papers relating to the early part of the history of the family, as well as some of the latter were left in England on my departure therefrom in 1848, with my father - and no doubt are no in the cusody of his representatives."
The most extensive recent research was however conducted by W A W de Beuzeville in the 1920's. His records include many letters to contacts both in England and France. In 1923 he published some early findings but although he had summarised his work by 1934, it was never published. His son W.P. de Beuzeville, re-wrote the work with the aim of making it available to a wider audience, but was not able to complete the task. The paper is now available.
The origin of the name Beuzeville is unknown, Charpillon 1868, suggests that Beuze was derived from Boson, an influential family in Norman times. He states that the name did not occur before the Norman occupation. The first know reference to the name was in the first half of the 11th century; Theodore de Beuzeville had a son, Richard who lived in the region of William the conqueror, and was recorded as a witness to the transfer of land to the monestry of Preaux.
Charpillon notes that were eight localities, (in Normandy), which bore the name "Beuzeville". These include:
Charpillon's work in 1868 was concerned with the settlements in the Eure and discusses the early ocuurances of the name. Fouquier 1878, was interested in the same area and quotes extensively from Charpillon. de Feral 1974, on the other hand, is a study of Beuzeville-la-Bastille, (and which, incidently, lays claim to be the first village freed by the Americans in WWII)de Feral has a chapter on La Famille de Beuzeville. He suggests that the family drew their ancient origin from a diverging branch of the house of Aigneaux.
The records trace the my family back to Samuel de Beuzeville, who, in 1698 was living at Gruchet-le-Vallass, a couple of kilometres south of Bolbec. His name appears in a list of protesants living in the Pays-de-Caux at that time. Samuel had one son Jacques (1), born before 1685. and two daughters, Anne and Esther. Note: The names James(Jacques) and Peter(Pierre) have been given generation designations only as an aide memoire
French Connections
Beuzevilles' in France & England 1690-1848
Beuzeville families in Australia
Beuzeville families in Rest of World
List of Source Documents
Back to the family tree
Overview
French Connections
In south west Normandy:
Beuzeville-la-Bastille, and Beuzeville-au-Plain 15Km west of Carentan (in the canton of Sainte-Mere-Eglise)
Beuzeville-sur-Vey, (now simply Les Veys)10Km east of Carentan
In the Eure, (south of the Seine):
Beuzeville, an administrative centre ,
In the Seine-Maritime, (north of the Seine)
Beuzeville-la-Grenier,
Beuzeville-le-Guerard, and
Beuzevillette
Beuzevilles' in France & UK 1690-1848
Simplified Early Beuzeville Family Tree
Prior to emigration to Australia
Top of Page
Compiled by Wilfred P de Beuzeville (circa. 1960's), from family
papers and research by W.A.W. de Beuzeville (done in the 1920's).
This work
is reproduced largely "as written "by W P de Beuzeville. Minor editorial changes have been made and editorial notes have been inserted to clarify certain issues. The paper was never completed, but never-the-less provides a wealth of information as a springboard for further research.
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Jacques(1) was an elder and secretary of the French church of St.
Jean, Spitalfields, where his younger children were baptised.
He died in 1745, and his widow in 1754. They were buried in the
church yard of St.Dunstans, Stepney, and a tablet to their memory
was placed in the outer wall of the church. This tablet was sketched
by James (4) in 1833. By 1950 the lettering had weathered away,
but the tablet could be identified by the carved design.
| James(2) 1709 | 
My maternal line - see later
|
| Peter(1) 1711 |
My paternal line - see later
|
| Stephen 171? | Silk Weaver, Spitafields. Naturalised 1773. Unmarried d.1775 |
| Samuel 1717 | Minister of various Huguenot churches in London. m.1764, d. 1782 |
| Jean-Baptiste 172? | Collegiate French minister, Edinburgh. Died unmarried in 1771. |
| Abraham 1724 | . |
| Susanne 1728 | . |
| Judith 1729 | . |
| Esther 1730 | . |
| Daniel 173? | . |
Peter(1), silk manufacturer, Spitalfields, born
London 1711, died 1767. He married first, Elizabeth Roussel , (born
1709, died 1758), and secondly Susanah Davids, there was apparently
no issue from this second marriage.
He was admitted to membership of
the French Church, Threadneedle Street in 1728, and in 1745 he
signed a Memorial dated Sept.26, agreeing to arm and maintain
men in the field when called thereto by His Majesty in defence
of his person and government.
His first wife Elizabeth was the daughter of Francis Roussel and
his wife Esther, nee Heusse. This Francis together with his brother
Stephen, had a remarkable escape from France.
Peter and Elizabeth had two children
| Peter(2) 1741 |
My line - see later
|
| Moses 1745 | Died before 1760 |
Peter(2) received his religious instruction from his Uncle Samuel with a certificate being presented to him at the age of 19. Emma Byles quotes a delightful story from Esther's "Tales of My Mother describing the romance between Peter and Mary, they apparently waited 12 years to be married. Eventually they were married at St.Martin's-in-the-fields in 1768 , (Peter aged27) and lived first at Hackney (E.London). then from about 1789, in Cheshunt, 20Km to the north, ie with Peter aged 47. The house in Hackney was retained however with Peter residing there during the week with his daughter Bridget acting as his housekeeper. Every Saturday they came down to Cheshunt, and remained their with the family until Tuesday.
In "Memorials..." Esther describes her father as being engaged in "mercantile pursuits" Emma Byles confirms that these were in connection with the silk business. In 1793 the family returned to live in Hackney where an acquaintance was renewed with Mrs. Isabella Lepine, a daughter of John(1736) Byles. This association led to Bridget's marriage to Isabella's brother, John(1773) Curtis Byles.
In 1797, the year after this marriage, the family moved again and Peter, now aged 56 setting up his own looms at Twynford, south of Henley , with the family living in town at Southfield House.
James(4) b 1809
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A typical barque of the day |