NYCnuts

[ Above: “Unknown Man”, Rembrandt (c1632); NY Met. ]¹

Introduction

What follows is the result of many years of trying to extract information out of the name, “Jean Mousnier de La Montagne. These include his social rank, family origins, etc., as well as collecting the name variations used by others over the years in reference to LaMontagne, which likewise has its uses when searching documents for reference to this person. —J.A.R.M. (2023)

Variation in his name

The names, and variations in spellings used to represent the individual who in 1623 wrote his name as “Jehan Mousnier de la Montagne”, are numerous and somewhat varied. Yet early examples of how this individual wrote his own name, or represented himself on paper, are relatively few. Those that we do have are important clues in the possibly uncovering his French origins, both in the preferred spelling of his name, as well as providing hint to his social status, the latter of which may best be gleaned from his correspondence among peers, etc. How others represented LaMontagne in document, or how they addressed him in correspondence are also important clues, both from that same social perspective, as well as being an aid to future research that may help to identify some unexpected spelling of his name found on some yet undiscovered document. How LaMontagne signed his own name or identify himself, and how others would represent him in documents, evolved over the years, at least as far as it concerns the records that are still extant. Most of this metamorphosis in the presentation of his name was the result of his continued immersion into the Dutch speaking world. However, we have very little that survives of what might be termed personal correspondence and so we know very little on how friends and family would have addressed LaMontagne.

Above: From the Journal of the Amazon/Guiana expedition kept by LaMontagne, his name in his own handwriting—the only such example of his given name in his own hand.

Of his given name, “Jehan”

Over the years the given name used to represent LaMontagne carried numerous forms across two languages, among those Jean, Joannes, Johan, Johannes and Jan. Yet of all the representations we have only one variant of this name given in the hand of LaMontagne himself, and at that time it was so written by him as “Jehan”² — this the old French spelling of the name “Jean”.

Below are the only three examples we have of his surname being written in the hand of LaMontagne himself.

Above: from the Journal of the Amazon/Guiana expedition kept by LaMontagne⁴

Above: from a 1629 notary document signed by LaMontagne

Of the name “Mousnier”

The name “Mousnier”, was the family surname. Here too we have few examples of how this name was written, either by LaMontagne himself, or by others. In fact we have but three examples of how LaMontagne wrote his surname, and in each example it was given as “Mousnier”. We also have only three documents wherein his surname “Mousnier” was correctly written by a third party, two of which were baptismal entries from the registers of the Walloon Church of Leiden, and the third from a Leiden notary document. Within the Dutch world in which he lived he was mostly identified as “La Montagne,” both by himself and by others, and we find little use of his surname “Mousnier” in any form. However, when it is used it seldom resembles the original spelling, though phonetically speaking the Dutch interpretations do appear to be fairly accurate renderings.

Of the origin of the surname “Mousnier” there are conflicting sources. Some write that it is a variant of the name Monnier, which is derived from the Latin “moneta” meaning “coinage”or “mint”, from which the same in English comes the word “money”, and in French is derived the word “monnayer” [pronounced mo-nė-iè-r] or “monnayeur” / “monnayère” [pronounced mo-nė-ieūr] meaning coiner, minter, or mint master.⁵ ⁶

The Harrison’s have a second alternative origin of the surname “Mon(n)ier”, this being the French word “meunier”, or in English “miller”, derived from the Latin “molinarius”, and the old French “meulnier”.⁷ This alternative origin for the Mousnier surname seems most plausible when also considering what Cotgrave gave in his A dictionarie of the French and English tongues (1632),⁸ having for the French word “Musnier”, also “Mounier”, with it’s English translation of “Miller”, or that “pertaining to a miller”. This same origin is also supported by the symbols found in the heraldic arms of the Le Musnier family, descendants of Francois LeMusnier of Angouleme.⁹ Variations of the family arms include three fish known as “meunieres”, literally translated as “miller’s wife”, named so as they were the fish most often found near the old mill ponds, and today Fish à La Meunière” is the traditional recipe used by the ancient mill-house matrons in cooking that fish.

The dialects of the Poitevin, Saintongeais, and Angoumois.

The only indications we have of LaMontagne’s place of birth comes from the registration records of Leiden University, wherein on several separate occasions in regard to his place of nativity the term “Xanto”, or “Santo Gallo” was given.¹⁰ Such makes reference to the historic Province of Saintonge, but this term may pertain to a geographic region that extends beyond the bounds of this province so as to include the bordering area where the Saintongeais Dialect was spoken. Here are some words taken from the Dictionnaire du patois saintongeais:¹¹

Mounaie = Monnaie = Money.

Moùnier = Meunier = Miller

Moùniere Sésie = a sort of butterfly

MOINE, f. pour Moelle : “de la moine de seuil.” ( sureau). Insecte, grosse libellule, agrion. – Tourillon en bois pour faire jouer la verge du fléau à battre le blé.

ABOVE: Modern map showing the extent of the historical Province of Saintonge.

BELOW: The greater geographic area where the Saintongeais dialect was spoken.

Here it appears that the word “Moine” in the Saintongeais Dialect translates into the French “Moelle”, which translates into English as “marrow”. Whereas in French “moine” means “monk, hence the French surname “Lemoine”, is said to be literally translated as “The Monk”. Note here also the French word for mill, “moulin”, which may compound the confusion to one who does not speak the French.

Variations in the surname LeMusnier and Monnier

Le Musnier, Le Musnyer, Musnier, Musnyer, Mousnier, Meusnier, Musniere, Le Meunier, Meunier, Le Mounier, Mounier, Le Monier, Le Monnier, Monier, Monnier.

Representaions of his surname “Mousnier” found in the Dutch Records

Within the Dutch records spellings that were intended to represent the French surname Mousnier have included the following:

Le Moine,¹² Monier, Monnier, Monÿer, Monÿeer, Moenÿer, Moenÿe, Mony, Monje, Monij, Monjeer, Moine, Mognier, Lemonje.

Of the name “de la Montagne”, or of the Mountain.

In French, de indicates a link between the land and a person, whether it be either landlord or peasant. Since the sixteenth century, surnames among the French nobility have often been composed of a combination of patronymic names, titles, or noms de terres (‘names of lands’ or estates) joined by the preposition de, as used by the philosopher “Michel de Montaigne”. With regard to Jean Mousnier, his nom de terre may refer to his place of nativity, that of some ancestral estate of no titled claim perse, or a jurisdiction where he held some minor office for however brief of period…¹³

ABOVE: Signature of an early date, “Mousner de la Montagne”¹⁴

ABOVE: Signature of a later date, “La Montagne”

In the case of Jean Mousnier de la Montagne, if there indeed be any title connected to his name it would belong to a lesser order. If it was a landed title, there was still likely homage to be paid to an overlord, or perhaps part of larger holdings held by the head of the family and “loaned out” so to speak, for a generation or two upon which possession reverts back to the primary land holder. The name “de la Montagne” itself has the translation, “of the Mountain”. The great French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), whose name is more completely expressed as “Michel Eyquem Sieur de Montaigne”, was from Bordeaux, a city that borders the historic Province of Saintonge. His title “de Montaigne” was derived from his ancestors, and his estate was often referred to as “Maison de Montaigne”, simply meaning “House of Montagne”. Numerous person in the successive generations from the Eyquem family had used the title “Sieur De Montaigne”, among these was Raymond de Montaigne¹⁵ Bishop of Bayonne. Though this estate is outside the bounds of the suspected origins of Jean Mousnier there are several others places associated with the name or title “(de) La Montagne” in areas of interest that are in the neighborhoods of Angouleme and Saintes. We further suspect there to likely be several more places of this same name within these same bounds. One specifically of great interest might have connection to the LeMusnier/Musnier/Mousnier families of Angouleme.¹⁶

Another family from the area of Angouleme with likewise presence in Saintonge, and whose members likewise bore the title “Sieur de Montagne,” were those surnamed d’Aigle. The most prominent of this family was “Jacques de L’Aigle, Sieur Montagne” who was infamous for his role in the Massacre of Vassy (1562), which initiated the French Wars of Religion. This family seems to have sold much of their land holdings in this region soon after that event and, having gained more prestigious titles closer to the vicinity of Vassy, Jacques seems to have dropped the title “Sieur de l a Montagne” for those newly acquired. Yet with all this said, we make no conclusions and continue to search outside these families, and geographic bounds for the origins of Jean Mousnier de La Montagne.

Mention of the use of capitalized “La” vs. the lower case “la”

There is custom for the use of particules in regards to French surnames that are not strictly obeyed, included in this would be the use of the capital “La” verses the lower case “la”. The basic rules in regard to the capitalization of particules in French language are as follows: “de“, “le” and “la” are generally not capitalized, but “Du” and the double “de La” are. It does not appear that La Montagne was a strict observer of this rule, at least in the use of the particule “de La”. Though when he arrives in New Netherland his apparent preferred signature simply gives “La Montagne”, which would be in accordance with the above rules of particules.

La Montagne’s use of his “nom de terre”, or “de La Montagne”

There is only a slight variation in the spelling of his name used by LaMontagne, which would have been the dropping of the particle “de” from “de la Montagne”. He also appears to now capitalize the “L” in La Montagne”. This new variant was found in nearly all, if not all, of his writings after he arrived in New Netherland in the early part of 1637. From then on we have no sample of his name in his hand other than his signature, examples of which perhaps run into the hundreds. Nearly all of these are attached to documents in an offcial capacity during his tenure as the longest serving high-offcial in New Netherland, a service that spanned twenty-eight years. Even in his correspondence, though still in an official capacity yet of a more personal nature, these too carry the same signature. In total nearly all, if not all, of these samples are signed in the same simple manner, and with the same simple style, “La Montagne”.

ABOVE: Both samples from the same letter in the hand of LaMontagne. Notice how LaMontagne’s handling of “de la” and “La”.¹⁷

Of his potential nobility of one rank or another

As his name, and as his social station would suggest, it’s likely that LaMontagne came from a family of minor nobility—Among such in France were the noblesse de robe, and the noblesse de cloche. Those of higher rank were of the noblesse d’épée, or nobles of the sword. Many of the families of this knightly class had gained their rank during the Middle Ages, being of the chivalric orders, who in return for military service were granted possession of feudal landed estates. Members of this order were strictly prohibited from most commercial and manual labor, but could profit from their lands by operating mines and forges. These titles of nobility were generally hereditary, and new grants continued to be awarded through the succeeding centuries by the French Kings for loyal service. Here many opportunities, both legal and illegal, were available for wealthy individuals to eventually gain titles of nobility for themselves or their descendants. Of the lesser nobility, their rank was acquired through administrative and judicial offices that originated and multiplied with the growth in government institutions. Though these offces might raise one’s social status to a noble rank they were rarely themselves attached to any title or landed estate. One portion of French society who gained much by these institutions by way of maintaining a strong minority influence were the French Protestants. On the practice itself, here is what heraldica.org gives on French titles:

“French titles are thus born by one person at a time,¹⁸ because only one person can own the property… However, a family might possess several titles, and the head of the family might distribute them among his heirs, as he would share his inheritance between his children. Indeed, titles were a form of property, and could be bought and sold freely before the abolition of the feudal regime in 1789.”

Nobles of the Robe and Cloche

Attainment of nobility through office could happen either immediately or after a number of years, and could be personal or hereditary, gained after two or more succeeding generations of government office. Those who had acquired nobility through judicial office in one of the Parliaments, or courts of France, were members of the noblesse de robe. Within these institutions members were ennobled after 20 years or death in office for two consecutive generations. Some courts, such as Paris, ennobled “in the first degree”, that is, at the first generation; a variety of other judicial offices carried similar privilege. These judicial offices were bought and sold freely. The Parliaments wherein future investigation might more likely find any immediate family of Jean LaMontagne would be those of Bordeaux, Paris, and Toulouse. The Parliament of Paris had some preeminence over the other parliaments as it had historically held some legislative power and influence over the king. Also, in smaller regional cities could be found holders of other fiscal offices, such as members of the tax courts and state auditors, senior tax collectors, and the like. As with most of the other offices, these too could be bought and sold, providing potential opportunities especially suited for the younger scion of this lower order. There were also administrative offices and other various positions in the king’s household, and the several hundred offices of secrétaires du Roi, which were ennobled in the first degree.

In regard to the noblesse de cloche or nobility of the bell, throughout France there were historically 16 cities wherein titles through municipal privilege were allowed to be granted to certain office holders. Of these, the communities where we would be more likely to find representatives of LaMontagne’s immediate family would be Angoulême, Cognac, La Rochelle, Niort and Saint-Jean d’Angély. These offices were usually those of aldermen or members of the city council, but after 1667 the ennobling privilege was restricted to the office of mayor.

These hereditary offices had become a great source of revenue stream for the crown, conversely, these same institutions would gain in bureaucratic power, through which they became increasingly irritating to the French crown. However, this trend would swiftly be reversed under the more autocratic reign of Louis XIII (King 1610-1643), and that of his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu. Their centralization of power concentrated into that of the crown began in 1618 with the revocation of the paulette tax and by the sale of offices in 1620. This authoritarian power grab fell especially hard upon the Protestants, who would also soon loose their fortified cities to the crown forces through siege, battle and treaty.

With regards to the use of titles and of surnames, those of lesser nobility would often drop the use of the family surname in preference to the title, or a form of it. Those of the higher order nobility, while they would likewise use their titles, were much more inclined to retain their surnames as well. Michel de Montaigne, the great 16th Century French philosopher, wrote of this practice in his essay Of Names. He thought it a great detriment to French society as the lineage of noble lines were disappearing, being lost to titles that often had no family heritage, that would change from generation to generation and be exchanged between one family to another, and therefore held no real familial attachment or ancestral pride. This would seem to be the occurrence with our subject, dropping the family name of “Mousnier”, wherein he and his descendants would all adopt variations of his nome de terre. However, in LaMontagne’s case the preference in the use of the more common, more generic name “de La Montagne” may have been part of his continuing attempt to remain less conspicuous, perhaps shielding family living back in France from possible embarrassment or political repercussions.

Representations of his nom de terre, “de La Montagne” in the Dutch records.

Following LaMontagne’s arrival at Leiden by as early as 1619 and his entry into the Dutch world, the various spellings given by third parties of his common name “Montagne” are wide and varied. They include the obvious, and seem to approach the ridiculous including those among the following examples, which by no count are the only spellings to be found representing this person’s name on documents.

de Montagne, de Montaigne, des Montagne, des Montaigne, de La Montagne, de La Montaigne, de la Montangnie, “dit l Montaigne”, la Montaengne, La Montagne, La Montangie, La Montangne, La Montaney, Montangis.

Representations of his name in the registration records of Leiden University.

These records were recorded in Latin and as such may provide clues recognizing representations of his name in both the world of academia and in publication. These would include personal correspondence found in both spheres. In all fields and disciplines above named there have been found Latinized versions of the names listed below here representing Jean Mousnier de La Montagne. The following taken from the records of Leiden University where LaMontagne was registered on five separate occasions.

(1619) “Johannes Monerius Montanus”
(1623) “Johannes Mausnerius Montanus”
(1626) “Joannes Monerius”
(1633) “Johannes Monerius Montanus”
(1636) “Joannes Monerius”

Representations of his name as an author/translator of published works

In the publish works believed to have been either translated, or authored in part by Jean Mousnier de La Montagne, the only name that appears to have been given throughout these books was “Jean de la Montagne”. [For a list of these books, SEE Post, Works authored, or translated by LaMontagne]

Examples through the years on how Jean Mousnier de La Montagne represented himslf in document

Of LaMontagne’s signature, we have few early examples, and they differ from those of his time spent in New Netherland from 1637 until his death sometime after 1665. Aside from his signatures we have but one instance of LaMontagne writing his name in draft. Prior to 1637, the year when he arrived in New Netherland, there exists only three samples of LaMontagne writing or signing his own name as given below.

1621

ABOVE: signature of La Montagne found on the Round-Robin Petition

1623

ABOVE: the inscription in the Amazon/Giana Journal in the hand of La Montagne

1629

ABOVE: Signature of LaMontagne attached to a notary document.

c1637

The above signature of La Montagne is emblematic of the same simple signature that LaMontagne seems to have used during his entire period in New Netherland.

1662

Letter from La Montagne to Stuyvesant dated Aug. 18, 1662²⁰

Examples through the years on how Jean Mousnier de La Montagne was represented by others in document

1621

ABOVE: Walloon Church, Leiden ; baptism entry for Isaac Ragot; “Jean de la Montaign”.

1622

“Jan le Moine” is recorded in the 1622 Poll Tax Census of Leiden²¹

1626

There are four separate sources recording the Leiden marriage of LaMontagne and Rachel des Forest. The first example (a) is from the ecclesiastical marriage banns ²² and give his name as “Jean Moenÿe”; the second example (b) is from the marriage register of the Walloon Church ²³ (Vrouwekerk) and gives his name as “Jean Monnier“(?); the third example (c) is from the marriage register of Pieterskerk²⁴ and gives his name as “Jean Moenÿer”; the forth example is from the marriage register of the Hooglandse Kerk ²⁵ and gives “Jean Moenÿer”. Note that C & D were written in the same hand.

A.

B.

C.

D.

1627

Baptism entry for Jolant, child of Johannes Montaigne; Pieterskerk Leiden. The record gives, “Johannes Montaigne”.²⁶

1628

Baptism entry for Rachel Baudwin; “Jean l_ Moignier dit l_ Montaigne”²⁷

1629

Baptism of “Josse”, son of “Jean Mousnier”.²⁸

1629

Leiden Notary Document for “Jean mousnier” ²⁹

1629

Walloon Church Leiden, Registers of departing members; “Jean Monier”. ³⁰

1633

Baptism record of Jean, son of “Jean Mousnier”

1633

Register of Members for the Walloon Church of Leiden; “Jean Mogher”(?).³¹

1634

Dutch Reformed Marriage Banns, Leiden; entry for Jan du Forest; “Jean Monier”.³²

1635

1636

Request of “Jean de Mo Niet de La Montange” of the Amsterdam Chamber of the West-Indische Compagnie.³⁴

1638

1638

1639

1642

1645

1646

Entry, Leiden Orphans Court for children of “Jean Monij de La Montagne“.⁴¹

1647

*Patent of Johannes La Montangie for land on Manhattan Island* *(Harlem)*; New York State Archives; *New Netherland Council* *Dutch colonial patents and deeds*: May 9 1647; Identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0216a; “Johannes La Monyangie”⁴³

1652

Three different renderings of La Montagne’s name on two copies of same document.

1652

1654

Entry, Leiden Orphans Court for children of “Jean Monij de La Montagne“.⁴⁸

Download

1659

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-48.png — Spelling of “Lamontangie” by Ensign Smith in a letter to Lamontagne at Fort Orange, September 29 1659.⁴⁹

1659

1664

1665

1665

Entry, Leiden Orphans Court for children of “Jan Monier de La Montagne“.⁵³

1670

Two entries in the Leiden Bond Book that appear to be dated 1670 and 1678; both give Jan Mony de La Montagne.⁵⁴

“Jan Monij de La Montagne”

“Unknown Man”, Rembrandt (c1632); Metropolitan Museum of New York. Note: Rembrandt attended Leiden University, as well as giving lessons in art. This painting was just after that period being estimated to have been painted about the year 1632. The person depicted in this portrait, though unknown, is of the approximate age, social status, and countenance one might expect of LaMontagne. ↩︎
British National Libray, Sloane MS 179 B, Journal du voyage fait par les pères de famille envoyés par la Compagnie Hollandaise des Indes occidentales pour visiter la coste de Guiane (1623-1625). This image, and a translation of that manuscript, can be
found in the work titled, A Walloon Family in America, Lookwood de Forest and His Forbears, 1500-1848, volume II, Together with a Voyage to Guiana Being the Journal of Jesse de Forest and his colonists 1623-1625″, by Emily Johnston De Forest [AKA Mrs. Robert de Forest]. Boston and New York Published by Houghtom Mifflin Company (1914). [LCCN 14022574]. ↩︎
National Archives of Great Britain; SP 84/101 – Correspondence and papers of the Secretary of State: Holland; Folio 281: Carleton to Calvert – 2 letters and copies. Enclosing: Petition of Walloons in French to settle in Virginia. ↩︎
British National Libray, Sloane MS 179 B, Journal du voyage fait par les pères de famille envoyés par la Compagnie Hollandaise des Indes occidentales pour visiter la coste de Guiane (1623-1625). This image, and a translation of that manuscript, can be
found in the work titled, A Walloon Family in America, Lookwood de Forest and His Forbears, 1500-1848, volume II, Together with a Voyage to Guiana Being the Journal of Jesse de Forest and his colonists 1623-1625″, by Emily Johnston De Forest [AKA Mrs. Robert de Forest]. Boston and New York Published by Houghtom Mifflin Company (1914). [LCCN 14022574]. ↩︎
Alexander Spiers. The standard pronouncing dictionary of the French and English languages, in two parts. New York: D. Appleton and Company (1874)—SEE p188. ↩︎
Henry Harrison; Gyda Pulling Harrison. Surnames of the Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary. London: Eaton Press (1912)—SEE p26. ↩︎
Ibid ↩︎
Randle Cotgrave; A Dictionarie of the French and English Tougues; Printed by Adam Islip; London (1632). ↩︎
Charles d’Hozier; Armorial général dressé en vertu de l’édit de 1696 : Armorial général de France, généralité de Limoges : Limoges, Tulle, Brive,en Limosin, Bourganeuf, dans la Marche, Angoulême, en Angoumois / par Charles d’Hozier,… ; published by J. Moreau de Pravieux; original creator of the text Charles-René d’Hozier, (1640-1732); impr. de Darantière, Dijon(1895). Under Angouleme, Louis le Meunier, seigneur deLartige, “D’azur a un chevron d’or, accompagne de trois poissons d’argent poses en pal, deux enchef et un en point” A second Coat of Arms. A depiction of the arms of this family can be seen at Les Blasons de la Charente, Famille Le Musnier. NOTE, this family descendant of Francois LeMusnier of Angouleme, who is believed to be closely related to the Mousnier/Musnier family of that same place who are currently suspected of being the ancestors of J.M.d.L.M.—SEE Post titled, Lemusnier, Musnier, Mousnier of Angouleme… The suspected ancestors of Jean LaMontagne. ↩︎
Willem Nicolaas De Rieu; Album studiosorum Academiae Lugduno Batavae MDLXXV–MDCCCLXXV: accedunt nomina curatorum et professorum per eadem secula. Register of the University of Leiden 1575-1875. Hagae; Comitum apud Martinum Nijhoff (1875). [LCCN 02014639]. For an expanded examination on the term(s) “Xanto”, etc.— SEE Post, The nativity of Jean Mousnier de La Montagne, described with the term “Xanto” examined. ↩︎
P. Jônain (Jônain, Pierre Abraham). Dictionnaire du patois saintongeais; Royan, Niort, Paris (1869). ↩︎
The similar-sounding surname of Lemoine, Lemoyne etc., derived from the French word for monk, should also be included when searching for records, especially those written by a scribe that may not have been as familiar with the French Language. ↩︎
It is also quite possible that the name LaMontagne was attached to some landed estate, but in this case we believe it would have been only briefly held, perhaps just long enough for Jean Mousnier La Montagne to have gained a title through transmission of one sort or another. ↩︎
National Archives of Great Britain; SP 84/101 Correspondence and papers of the Secretary of State: Holland; Folio 281: Carleton to Calvert – 2 letters and copies. Enclosing: Petition of Walloons in French to settle in Virginia. ↩︎
Raymond de Montaigne, consecrated Bishop of Bayonne in 1629, comes to mind. He held a high position in the regional goverment of the Province of Saintonge based at Saintes prior to his retirement into the clergy. Mentioned here for effect, as having in his offce a man named George LeMusnier. LeMusnier appears to be closely related to the LeMusnier of Anglouleme. Note, that there also appears to be a place, or an estate in the near proximity west(?) of Saintes named “La Montagne”, but I believe all the is a minor red herring as yet only worthy of a note. ↩︎
These are the LeMusnier/Musnier/Mousnier families of Angouleme.—J.A.R.M. (2023). ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 12, document 87; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V12_87; Letter sent by LaMontagne in 1658 to the regional Governor of Trois-Rivières French Canada, Jacques Leneuf de La Poterie. ↩︎
The Round Robin petition contains two signatures with the name “Mousnier de La Montagne” ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 12, document 87; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V12_87; Letter sent by LaMontagne in 1658 to the regional Governor of Trois-Rivières French Canada, Jacques Leneuf de La Poterie. This seal that enclosed the letter appears to have been an official WIC seal, but perhaps it may give clue to LaMatagne’s Franch ancestry instead. In either case, it’s worth a closer look. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810. Volume 14. Identifyer, NYSA_A1810-78_V14_0071. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; 1622 Poll Tax Census of Leiden. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Church marriage register (NH) of Leiden, September 1626 – August 1633. , archive number 1004 , Baptism, marriage, burial and birth registers Leiden (DTB Leiden), inventory number 10 , page 16 ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Marriage register of the Walloon Church of Our Lady (Vrouwekerk) in Leiden, 19 Sept, 1604 – 9 Jan., 1638. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Trouwboek van de Pieterskerk (NH) te Leiden, 1625 – 1630. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Trouwboek van de Hooglandse Kerk (NH) te Leiden, 1625 – 1630. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Baptismal register of the Pieterskerk in Leiden, 1621-1644. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Baptismal register of the Walloon Church of Our Lady (Vrouwekerk), 1627-1646. ↩︎
Ibid. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Leiden Notary Document. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Walloon Church of Our Lady (Vrouwekerk) Leiden, Registers of attestation issued to departing members. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Walloon Church of Our Lady (Vrouwekerk) Leiden, Register of members. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Church marriage register (NH) of Leiden, August 1633 – 1637. Archive number 1004 , Baptism, marriage, burial and birth registers Leiden (DTB Leiden) , inventory number 11, page 38v. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Register van begravenen te Leiden, 1635-1636. [image 290 of 377] ↩︎
Request of “Jean de Mo Niet de La Montange” to the Amsterdam Chamber of the West-Indische Compagnie, 1635-1636 (image 355 of 443); request of LaMontagne for 100 morgen of land in New Netherland ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809-78. Volume 4, page 18, Identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p001; “Doctoor Johan [nes la Montagnie]” appointed to council. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809-78. Volume 4, page 18; Identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p018. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809-78. Volume 4, page 19; Identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V04_p019. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630-1664. Series A1880. Volume GG; Identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0031; Deed of Cornelis van Tienhoven to Coenraat van Ceulen; 22 Aug., 1639; “Johannes la Montaenje” ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Secretary of the Province. Register of the Provincial Secretary, 1642-1660. Series A0270-78. Volume 2, document 32a – 32b-c, side 2; Identifier NYSA_A0270-78_V2_032b ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630-1664. Series A1880. Volume GG; Identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0100; patent for Cornelis van Tienhoven; July, 1645; “La Montangie”. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; 0518 Inventory of the archives of the Orphanage in Leiden, (1343) 1397-1860 (1866) ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630-1664. Series A1880. Volume GG. Identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0171. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial patents and deeds, 1630-1664. Series A1880. Volume GG; Identifier NYSA_A1880-78_VGG_0216a; Patent of Johannes la Montagne for land on Manhattan Island (Harlem); New Netherland Council, Dutch colonial patents and deeds: May 9 1647. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 11, document 54; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V11_54; Letter from the directors in Amsterdam to Petrus Stuyvesant, April 4, 1652, page 26 of 28; “johan dela montagnie” ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 11, document 53; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V11_53; Letter from the directors in Amsterdam to Petrus Stuyvesant, April 4, 1652, page 11 of 24; “Jan de la Montangnie”. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New York (Colony). Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810-78. Volume 11, document 53; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V11_53; Letter from the directors in Amsterdam to Petrus Stuyvesant, April 4, 1652, page 22 of 24; “Johan de la Montangnie” ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial council minutes, 1638-1665. Series A1809. Volume 5; Identifier NYSA_A1809-78_V05_0095b. Order. To Cornelis van Tienhoven to pay Jan Momie de la Montagne his wages. ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; 0518 Inventory of the archives of the Orphanage in Leiden, (1343) 1397-1860 (1866). ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810. Volume 13; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V13_0041a; Spelling of “Lamontangie” by Ensign Smith in a letter to Lamontagne at Fort Orange, September 29 1659. ↩︎
New York State Archives. New Netherland. Council. Dutch colonial administrative correspondence, 1646-1664. Series A1810. Volume 13; Identifier NYSA_A1810-78_V13_0048; From letter of LaMontagne to Ensign Smith Oct. 21, 1659; letter perhaps a duplicate written in hand of secretary at Fort Orange(?). ↩︎
Court Minutes of New Amsterdam, vol. 4; Oct. 20, 1664; “H^r Joannes dela Montagne Senior” ↩︎
Court Minutes of New Amsterdam, vol.4; Jan. 31, 1665; “Joannes Monjeer de la Montagne Senior” ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Leiden Orphans Court for children of “Jan Monier de La Montagne” ↩︎
Leiden Regional Archives; Bronvermelding Eerste Register, fol. 351-499, bon over ‘t Hof., archiefnummer 0501A, ~Stukken betreffende afzonderlijke onderwerpen; Registratie van onroerend goed 1585-1816 (1819), inventarisnummer 6613, blad 438a. ↩︎

1595, Sept. 23	Samuel Petitus Xanto. 20, T.^{DU RIEU, p44}
1605, Feb. 2	Joannes Bardinus Sancto. 21. P.^{DU RIEU, p81}
1606, July 18	David Megatus Sancto-Gallus.^{DU RIEU, p83}
1607, Feb. 14	Japhetus Vigerius Santo Gallus. 22, T.^{DU RIEU, p85}
1609, May 29	Daniel Beguinus Angeliensis Xanto. 21, J.^{DU RIEU, p95}
1612, May 12	Johannes Rainsbergus Sanctogallensis. 17, T.^{DU RIEU, p106}
1619, Sept. 17	Gedeon Commaeus Xanto. 22, J.^{DU RIEU, p143}
1619, Nov. 19	*Johannes Monerius Montanus Xanto. 24, M.^{DU RIEU, p144}
1621, May 15	Johannes Affanor Xanto 20, P.^{DU RIEU, p153}
1621, May 19	Benjaminus Pritolaus Xanto S. Angeliacus. 20, T.^{DU RIEU, p153}
1621, June 26	Johannes Minenius Xantho 20, T.^{DU RIEU, p154}
1621, Oct. 4	Gulielmus Rivetus, Gulielmi fil., Taliburgensis Xanto. 16, L. Hon. ergo.^{DU RIEU, p156}
1621, Oct. 4	Andreas Rivetus, Andree fil., Picto Touarsium. 16, L. Hon. ergo.^{DU RIEU, p156}
1622, Aug. 2	David Primirosius Xanto. 22, T.^{DU RIEU, p162}
1623, Jan. 7	*Johannes Mausnerius Montanus Xantho. 27, M.^{DU RIEU, p165}
1625, Nov. 14	Benjaminus Regnaldus du Maisne Santo Gallus. 25 Mat.^{DU RIEU, p182}
1626, July 6	Jacobus Rangeardus Xanto-Gallus, 21, P.^{DU RIEU, p193}
1626, July 8	*Joannes Monerius Xanto-Gallus. 30, M.^{DU RIEU, p193}
1628, April 22	Stephanus Valandus Gallus Xanto. 22, Mat.^{DU RIEU, p209}
1629, March 15	Cosmus Bonninus Xanto. 20, P.^{DU RIEU, p216}
1629, Oct. 8	Isaac Teroudius Xanto. 19, Mat.^{DU RIEU, p221}
1633, May 21	*Johannes Monerius Montanus, Xanto-Gallus. 35, M.^{DU RIEU, p253}
1634, Nov. 20	Petrus Franciscus Xanto. 20, P.^{DU RIEU, p267}
1636, March 3	*Joannes Monerius Santo-Gallus. 38, M.^{DU RIEU, p275}
1647, May 21	Paulus Chesneau Xanto. 25, P.^{DU RIEU, p377}
1647, Aug. 2	Theodorus Chrispinus Xantonensis Gallus. 25, T.^{DU RIEU, p379}


ABOVE:Knight of the chivalric orders.	ABOVE: Battle of Poitiers, from Grandes Chroniques de France, c1415. The British Library.


Above: The ancient parlements of France	Above: A seal from the letter sent by LaMontagne in 1658 to the French regional Governor of Trois-Rivières Canada.¹⁹