the salmon family

THE SALMON FAMILY
Richard Salmon and Charlotte le Vosquet
Bp & d Gorges. Decede avant 1688
Inhumee 1709 vve, a Gorges( Camprond)
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Louis Salmon and Marie le Planquais
Bp 1663 Gorges.
m Gorges bp Gorges agee de 37 ans en 1699
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Louis Salmon and Marie le Vieux
Bp 1700 Gorges.
m 1730 Gorges . Marie bp Periers
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Louis Marie Salmon and Francoise Laplumey of Gorges
Bp 1734. d. 1809 Gorges
m Gorges. bp 1749 St Pat de Claids.d 1825 vve
Gorges en sa maison Saline de la Couterie.
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Jean Louis Salmon of Gorges and Ann Therese Charlotte Pegaux
Bp 1781 Gorges d 1851 Gorges.
m Gorges 1833
La portion Royaile district
Bp 1793 d 1868 vve
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Jean Louis Denis (Desire) Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet
Bp 1818 Gorges, La Royaile district; d 1857 St Martin, Jersey: m 1845Lithaire;
Agathe b Lithaire 1827; d 1900 The Hospice ,
Lithaire.
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Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon and Emelie Bisson
Bp 1846 ( Lithaire) d 1911 a Guernsey
B 1861 Jersey. D 1934 Guernsey
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Alice Beatrice Salmon and Edward John Torode
B 1903 Guernsey d Guernsey m 1941 Guernsey.b 1914 Guernsey d Guernsey
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Brian Edward Torode
b 1941 Guernsey
The information contained here is the result of research into the Salmon Family made between 1980
and 2012. Sources consulted include Parish Registers in both Jersey and Guernsey and France,
Census Returns, The Marriage, Birth and Death certificates obtained from the Greffiers of both
Islands, and from France in 2012 and 2013, local and national newspapers, Army records, family
memories, tombstones and memorials, family correspondence and visits to most of the towns and
villages mentioned oin the text. .
Brian Torode. July 12th 2009
Revised 30th July 2012 and 26th December 2012 and 24th March 2013; 1st April 2013 and
23rd August 2013 and 12th January 2014.
1
PREAMBLE- the Search for Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon- pre arrival in Guernsey.
Until December 2012 all one could say about the ancestors of my grandfather, Senateur Desire Jean
Baptiste Salmon, was the following:
We can deduce from the death certificate of Senateur, that his father Jean Louis Denis Salmon lived
in the region of France called La Manche corresponding to today’s Normandy. During the 1840s he
married Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet and sometime between 1846 and 1850 they had a son
Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon. Later family tradition has it that Jean Louis was in the wine
trade operating from Mont St Michel but this is pure imagination and not based on any factual
evidence as the following evidence will show, and illustrates how hand- me-down information can
so easily lead one away from the actual facts.
There came an opportunity for further research with the publication of the 1911 census return. There
it was recorded that Senateur Salmon was been born in St Brieuc in Brittany. This was also stated
on Senateur’s death certificate in 1911. Contact was made with a local (French) amateur
genealogist, Mme Pauline Moinet of Langeux in Brittany and she has since established that this
information was totally inaccurate and that Salmon forbears actually hailed from La Manche –
Basse Normandie. Her research put me in touch with the Martial Ozouet and through him, I found
the source of the Salmon - Ozouet connection. Since then, I have gained access to La Manche
Archives web site from where the majority of the pre-1900 information now comes:
archives.manche.fr.
The Salmon ancestry begins in the village of Gorges, a small village situated on the old Roman road
between Valognes and Coutances. The village itself is neighbour to several hamlets, the marsh lands
and fields separated by copses– the whole known as Le Marais. At the very beginning of the 19th
century the population numbered 1500 which had dwindled to 1000 in 1900 and today is about 300.
The village church dates from the 13th century , the main altar from the time of Louis XVI, the
pulpit from the 17th century and a beautiful Pieta from the 15th century- Our Lady of Gorges.
Nearby is an ancient pilgrimage Chapel of St Ann des Marais- being extensively restored in 2013 –
and where each year on 26th July the annual Fete for the whole Commune is celebrated.
In the Registers of the parish Church, from about 1672, mention is made of La Portion de
Camprond- Le Cure de Gorges pour Camprond in 1690s is G Hamelin, in 1708 is Pere Gamelin,
and H Sanson in 1733. Reference is also made to Le Manoir de Camprond and Les Planches de
Camprond. Burials, mariages, baptisms are also mentioned at Saint Germain - la -Campagne. St
Germain la Campagne was absorbed into Gorges in 1795, having only 111 inhabitants in 1793.
Reference to the church at St Germain is made as late as 1750 but its registers exist from 16941812. Reference is also made to addresses in La Conterie at Gorges or Section de la Conterie.
Pre 1792. Marriages were recorded only in Parish Registers. From September 1792 Civil
registration was required to run alongside Parish Registration where applicable.
The earliest reference that can be found occurs in the first year of the Gorges Registers.
Illegitimate male children were given the name of their mother as a first forename until well into the
1800s.
1674, the 30th day April/May? was baptised today ….born at Gorges …a daughter of Richard
Salmon and Charlotte le Vosquet, his wife who was named Jacqueline by Jacqueline de…….
2
RICHARD SALMON Great x 6 Great Grandfather and
CHARLOTTE LE VOSQUET
Richard and Charlotte came from Gorges where they were married. Richard and Charlotte had at
least four children:
Louis husband of (i) Anne Guidos (ii) Marie le Planquais
Catherine
Jacqueline
Desiree Louis (le jeune)
Nothing is known of Richard’s and Charlotte’s parentage as there are no Gorges registers pre 1674.
Their first child Louis was born 1663 as recorded in his marriage certificate, suggesting a probable
date for his parents’ marriage. Richard died pre 1688, suggested by the marriage in that year of his
son Desiree Louis, fils du feu Richard Salmon et Charlotte Vosquet. We have the date of
Charlotte’s burial at Gorges, on 9th June 1709 (The Register Page is dated 1709)
Le neuf juin au l’an a ete inhume dans la cimitiere de Ceans le corps de Charlotte le Vosquet veuve
de Richard Salmon, par le pere Cure de la portion de Camprond aux presence du mons Nicolas
Laisne………..et……..
On 9th June in the cemetery de Ceans, was buried the body of Charlotte le Vosquet widow of
Richard Salmon, by the Parish Priest of the district of Camprond, in the presence of Nicolas Laisne
and …..
The XII century church at Gorges is dedicated to Notre Dame and at one time there were three
chaplaincies – the Parish Church, the Seigneurial Chapel at Camprond and another administered by
Blanchelande. Camprond is a district of Gorges and the Manoir is situated to the west of the church
about two km. The former chapel was originally served by a Priest, a curate of Gorges,
independently of the church at Gorges.The Manor itself is of 16th century construction although the
family Camprond was established in the village during the 14th century. The Manor is now in
private hands, undergoing extensive renovation and since 2010 has been designated an historic
monument.
The children of Richard and Charlotte were:
1 .Catherine , Richard and Charlotte’s first daughter married Richard le Conte on 29 th January 1692. Richard
‘fils du feu Pierre et Francoise le Gueuillez- Richard son of the late Pierre, and Francoise le Gueuillez’.
They had a daughter Ann baptised at Gorges 18th December 1692.
2. Jacqueline was baptised 1674, ‘le 30eme jour du mois avril/mai? a Gorges fut baptise une fille pour
Richard Salmon et Charlotte Vosquet sa femme, qui fut nommee Jacqueline par Jacqueline de Planquais par
moi, Pere, Cure … du portion de Camprond… signed Sanson, Cure. –a daughter for Richard Salmon and
Charlotte Vosquet his wife, who was named Jacqueline…..
Nothing further is known about Jacqueline.
3. Desiree Louis, le jeune.The entry for his marriage in the Gorges Marriage Register is as follows:
Le neuf jour d’octobre 1688 apres le fiancailles et les publications faites, est signe le marriage Desiree
Louis Salmon, fils du defunt Richard Salmon et de Charlotte le Vosquet, de cette paroisse, et de Francoise
Augot, fille du defunct ( fille de) Marie Augot, de la paroisse de Laulne, lesquels baones ont ete publies dans
la dite paroisse de Laulne, comme il m’a paru par le certificate du Pere Cure de Laulne, date du sept
octobre 1688, que de celle de Gorges, ….. signe Cure de Gorges de la portion de…….pour labsence du Cure
3
de Camprond….leur ai donne la benediction nuptial forme proscripter par la sainte Eglise, en presence de…
Salmon, …. de Louis Marie, et la dite fille, ….Charlotte le Vosquet ….( followed by a whole illegible list of
witnesses)
The 9th day of October 1688 after the betrothal and publication having been made, the marriage of Desiree
Salmon son of the late Richard Salmon and Charlotte le Vosquet of this parish, and of Francoise Augot,
daughter of the late (daughter of) Marie Augot of the parish of Laulne, and of which the banns were
published in the said parish of Laulne, as shown to me on the certificate given by the Priest at Laulne, dated
7th October 1688 as with that of Gorges, …..signed Priest at Gorges, district of ……in the absence of the
Priest at Camprond,…I gave them the Nuptial Blessing in the form prescribed by the Holy Church, in the
presence of ….Salmon….de Louis Marie and the said young woman , …Charlotte leVosquet.(Followed by a
long list of witnesses)
The witnesses included two clear Salmon signatures and the mark of the said wife and the mark of Marie
Augot.
Desiree Louis and Francoise had five known children all born between 1692 and 1701 or even later;
Toussaint was baptised 11th April 1692, and her godfather was Louis l’aine, brother of her father, her uncle and
husband of Anne Guidos; Anne was baptised 18th December 1693, Marie Francoise was baptised April 1699, Louis
baptised 3rd April 1701 and possibly Simeon, who married Susanne Besnard 3rd September 1733. ‘apres les ceremonies
ordinaires de l’eglise et les proclamations faites dans cette paroisse, que dans celle de D..becille ou il n’est pas trouve
aucun empechement , ont ete marries par nous, Cure sousigne , Simeon Salmon et Sussanne Besnard et ont signees
Toussaint Salmon, Nicolas le Doux, Jacques Besnard et de Maitre Robert Henry le Riche et autres. The witness to this
marriage Toussaint Salmon , was Simeon’s sister.’
The first born child of the marriage between Richard Salmon and Charlotte le Vosquet was
LOUIS SALMON ( L’aine) my x5 Great Grandfather married (i)
ANNE GUIDOS and (ii) MARIE le PLANQUAIS
Son of Richard
Brother of Catherine
Brother of Jacqueline
Brother of Desiree Louis- le jeune.
Husband of (i) Anne Guidos
Father of Jacques
Father of Louis
Father of Laurens
Father of Richard
Father of Marie Ann (i)
Father of Marie Ann (ii)
It will be seen that my early Salmon ancestors came from the village of Gorges, La Manche, in the
region of Basse Normandie. It is situated in the mid point of the triangle formed by La Haye du
Puits, Carentan and Periers. The distance between Haye du Puits and Carentan is just 27 km,
between Carentan and Periers it is 19 km and between Periers and Haye du Puits just 18 km. Its
nearest and largest town is St Lo. Within this triangle are also other villages which will appear in
the following account, including St Patrice de Claids, Laulne, Mobecq, Le Plessis, Vesly and St
Germain de Campagne.
Gorges today-2013- has a population of c370 inhabitants and is very rural. Male inhabitants are
known as Gorgillons and female inhabitants as Gorgillonnes. Many of the properties are in poor
condition and many abandoned and derelict. This is due in no small way to the attraction of
employment in and the lack of public transport facilities to, the nearer towns.
4
However from the beginning of the 19th century Salmon ancestor births also took place in Lithaire
just 5 km north east of Haye du Puits on the Carentan Road- Jean Louis Denis my great grandfather
was born in Gorges but married Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet in Lithaire and their son, Senateur
Desire Jean Salmon, my grandfather was born there.
The French spelling in the following register entries are copied as found in the said registers.
Louis Salmon- l’aine- the elder, was born in Gorges in 1663 son of Richard Salmon and Charlotte
le Vosquet. His first marriage was to Anne Guidos and this took place on 8th October 1686 when
Louis was 23 years of age. The Register entry is very difficult to read. The page is dated 1686. What
can be read is as follows:
Le huit jour d’octobre du dit an, fut celebre par moi Cure sousigne, le Marriage entre Louis Salmon
fils Richard et Charlotte le Vosquet, age de vingt trois ans, de cette pariosse d’un part et de Anne
Guidos fille de Mat…et de Gillette la Proffre?, agee de vint et dix ans de cette paroisse et ont
assiste au marriage Jean ……..Richard……, …..Salmon, Charlotte, ……(the rest illegible)
The 8th day of October of the said year was celebrated by me, Priest signed below, the marriage
between Louis Salmon, son of Richard Salmon and Charlotte le Vosquet, aged 23 years, of this
parish and of Anne Guidos daughter of Mat.... and Gillette la Proffre?, aged twenty and ten years,
of this parish and there was present at the marriage Jean….. Richard……… Salmon, Charlotte …
(the rest illegible.)
This would give Anne’s year of birth as 1656 and we know that she died 18th March 1699 presumably aged 43. Her parents’ names are not legible on the marriage entry but suggest Matthew
and Gillette.
Louis and Anne Guidos had at least six children and six grandchildren.
1 Jacques married Francoise Lemelin on 24th November 1711. They married in Gorges and witnesses were
her brother Louis and her uncle Louis. Jacques and Francoise had four children- Ann Francoise baptised 8th
September 1712; Marie Francoise baptised 14 January 1715; Jean Baptiste baptised 9th April 1718; Francoise
baptised 21st July 1721.
2. Louis – nothing further is known of him
3. Laurens was baptised 2nd October 1689 and died 26th December 1714 aged 25.
4. Richard was baptised February 1693. His godparents were Richard le Conte and Catherine Salmon, his
father’s sister and her husband Richard. Richard married Marie Bruton and they had at least two children.
Jacques Richard baptised 27th October 1729 and Marie Francoise, buried 13th March 1733 in the presence of Louys
Salmon and Ann, son epouse( the child’s paternal grandparents). The Priest appointed to Gorges, district of Camprond,
G Hamelin, officiated.
5. Marie Ann died in 1698 and the sixth child born to Louis and Ann Guidos was also named Marie Ann
6. Marie Ann. She was baptised 3rd September 1698.
LOUYS SALMON (L’aisne-the elder) married (ii) MARIE LE
PLANQUAIS
Louis’ first wife, Anne Guidos died 18th March 1699, aged 49 and within a month Louis had
remarried. His bride was Marie le Planquais aged 37 – Louis was 36. Marie was the daughter
of Nicolas le Planquais and Thomassine Salmon but so far it has not been possible to find the
parents of Thomassine.
5
1699 – le vingt huit avril, fut marries par moi, Cure de Gorges pour Camprond, Louys Salmon de
cette paroisse , l’aisne, fils Richard et Charlotte le Vosquet, tous deux de cette paroisse, et de
l’autre part, Marie le Planquais, fille Nicolas et Thomassine Salmon de cette paroisse, la dite le
Planquais agee de 37 ans. .
1699, 28th April were married by me, Priest at Gorges, district of Camprond, Louys Salmon of this
parish, the elder, son of Richard and Charlotte le Vosquet, both of this parish, and on the other part,
Marie le Planquais, daughter of Nicolas and Thomassine Salmon of this parish, the said le
Planquais aged 37 years. .
Little so far is known about Louys Salmon and Marie le Planquais, apart from scant details about
their offspring. Marie had a sister named Thomassine after their mother, who was baptised in
Gorges 10th October between 1674 and 1686 , and a brother baptised 13th February 1673/4 named
Jacques. Louis had died before 1743 as he is identified as the ‘late’ father of his son Daniel, at
Daniel’s marriage in 1743.
Louys and Marie are known to have had at least seven children
1.Louis was baptised14th March 1700 Baptise par moy, Cure de cette paroisse, Louis, fils du legitime marriage de Louis Salmon, l’aisne et de
Marie le Planquais son epouse.
This would be a late birth in that Marie would have been aged 38 at the time. Louis was witness to the
marriage of his sister Anne in 1732.
2. Anne was baptised 18th July 1702 – fille Louis l’aine et de Marie le Planquais. Anne married Jacques le
Chevalier 24th. July 1732:
Apres les baons et fiancialles ceremonies de la sainte eglise Catholique, Apostolique et Romaine je, sousigne
Cure, ait marie Jacques le Chevalier venues (sic) avec Anne Salmon fille de Louis Salmon l’aisne, et de
Marie le Planquais… en presence de Jacques le Chevalier pere du dit epoux et de Louis Salmon frère de la
epouse et M Pierre Le Clerc et autres ci-dessous signees le ( blank) mois de Juillet mil sept cent trente deux,
signe J le Chevalier, Francoise le Chevalier , Salmon Louis, Pierre Leclerc..… avec les marques du dit epoux
et de l’epouse et de Marie Vieux, du Pierre Salmon et de Marie Salmon.
After banns and betrothal ceremonies of the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, I, signed below,
married Jacques le Chevalier who came with Ann Salmon, daughter of the elder Louis Salmon and Marie le
Planquais, in the presence of Jacques le Chevalier father of the said groom, and of Louis Salmon, brother of
the bride, and M Pierre Leclerc and others signed below, the…month of July 1732, signed J le Chevalier,
Francoise le Chevalier, Salmon Louis, Pierre le Clerc with the mark of the said groom and of the bride and
of Marie le Vieux, Pierre Salmon and Marie Salmon. (Pierre and Marie Salmon were brother and sister of
the bride and Marie le Vieux her sister in law.)
The 24th is the assumed date of marriage as the Register entry above this entry in the register and the one
afterwards are both 24th July.
Jacques and Anne had at least two children: Jacques Francois was born in 1733:
Le dix sept jour du mois de….mil sept cents trente trois je, pretre sousigne pour la place du ….Sr Cure de la paroisse,
ont baptise un fils ne du legitime mariage de Jacques le Chevalier et de Anne Salmon son epouse, lequel a ete nomme
Jacques Francois par Francois le Chevalier assiste de Marie Le Chevalier sa soeur, lequel ont signe avec nous –Marie
le Chevalier, Francois le Chevalier et M Sanson, Cure..
The 17th day of the month of …..1733, I, Priest signed below, taking the place of Monsieur the Priest of this parish,
baptised a son of the legitimate marriage of Jacques Chevalier and Anne Salmon his wife, the which was named
Jacques Francois by Marie le Chevalier, Francois le Chevalier and M Sanson, Priest.
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Another son, ‘son of the legitimite marriage of Jacques le Chevalier and Anne Salmon, named by Francois Salmon’
was baptised on St Martin’s day 11th November 1734. The name of the child is not given.
3.Pierre was baptised 2nd April 1705 (fils Louis aisne and Marie Le Planquais)
4.Marin was baptised 27th April 1708 (fils) (mother given as Jacqueline Le Planquais- clerical error?) He
married Jeanne le Vieux and they had at least one child – Marie who married at St Germain de Campagne in
1755:
Le 26 aout 1755 apres les fiancailles et les publicatiosn des trois baones du future marriage d’entre Guillaume du
Quesney Labr., age d’environs 22 ans, fils du Jean et de Louise Barbe Causgard, les pere et mere d’une part; et Marie
Salmon, age d’environs 22 ans, fille de Marin Salmon journaliere et de Jeanne le Vieux, les pere et les mere (sic)
d’autre part, tout de la paroisse de Gorges, suivant le certificate du Pere Gamelin, Cure de Gorges, pour la portion de
Camprond, a nous addresse en dupli du vingt cinq de…..mois par lequel il constate qu’il ne peut trouver aucune
opposition ni empechement canonique, ,….de la requisition du pere Cuves de Camprond, j’ai signe et Louis Clement
pere Cure de St Germain de la Campagne les ont marie et leur a donne la benediction nuptiale des ceremonies de notre
Mere la sainte Eglise a ce ….duement obfiscues en la presence de consentement des parents et les temoins en après
denommes savoir et du cote de epoux en la presence du Pierre de Quesney son frère, lequel a declare ne savoir signe ,
de Francois de la Rose, Labr, son cousin; du cote de la dite epouse en la presence du consentement du Marin Salmon
son pere , de Jeanne le Vieux sa mere, qui a declare ne savoir signe, de Louis Salmon jnr son oncle, tous de la paroisse
de Gorges, de Francois le Vosier, pere de Michel Sadoc, domestique, d’Antoine Clement ecolier, de la paroisse de St
Clement, lesquels qui ont avec nous et les dites parties signe,
Guillaume Duquene, Marie Salmon, F de la Rose, L Salmon, Michel sadoc, C lement, L Lemonier, Clement.
The 26th August 1755 after the betrothal and the three times publication of banns of the future marriage between
William du Quesney, labourer, aged about 22, son of John and Louise Barbe Causgard, the father and mother on one
side; and Marie Salmon aged about 22, daughter of Marin Salmon day worker and Jeanne le Vieux the father and
mother on the other side, all of the parish of Gorhges, following the certificate of Father Gamelin, Priest of Gorges, the
district of Camprond, addressed and copied to me the 25th of the month of ….the which states that there has been no
opposition nor canonical impediment …. At the request of the Priest at Camprond, I signed, and Louis Clement, priest
of St Germain de la Campagne married them, and gave them nuptial blessing of the ceremonies of our Mother the Holy
Church, at this… in the consenting presence of the parents and the witnesses named below’; know this, on the
husband’s side, in the presence of Pierre Quesney his brother, who said he did not know how to sign his name, and
Francis le Rose, labourer, his cousin, and on the side of the bride, in the presence and with the agreement of Marin
Salmon her father, and of Jeanne le Vieux her mother, who said she could not write, and of Louis Salmon junior her
uncle, all of the parish of Gorges, and of Francois le Vosier, father of Michael Sadoc, domestic and Antoine Clement,
scholar, of the parish of st Clement who with us and the said parties, have signed.
5. Catherine Marguerite was baptised 20th February 1711-‘fille Louis aisne.’ Catherine must have died in
infancy as another
6. Catherine was baptised 24th December 1714, ‘fille Louis aisne’
7. Daniel was baptised 2nd October 1718. He married at St Germain de la Campagne in 1743:
Le 21 fevrier, 1743, après la publication de trois boanes fait dans les eglises des paroisses de Lestelle et de
St Germain de la Campagne, au prones des grandes messes, par trois divers jours de dimanche, ou ferter(?)
sans qu’il ne sait trouver d’empechement ni d’opposition pour le marriage, des personnes de Daniel Salmon
fils du feu Louis Salmon et de Marie le Planquais, de la paroisse de Gorges age de 25 ans, ou environs, et
Marie le Bacheley, fille du feu Marin le Bacheley et de Marie Allaire, de St Germain de la Campagne, age
de 28 ans ou environs tout declare de condition de journalier, de l’autre part: Nous Cure de St Germain de
la Campagne, sous signe, avons (sic) recu la foi de marriage des dits Daniel Salmon et Marie Bacheley, et
temoins, donne la Benediction nuptialle suivant les rites et ceremonies de la sainte Eglise, catholique et
apostolique, et…. En presence de plusieurs de leurs parents et amis, sous signes.
+marque du dit Daniel Salmon qui a dit ne savoir signe ; + marque de Marie le Bacheley qui a dit ne savoir
signe; Loius le Bacheley, Louis et Marin Salmon, frères ont dit ne savoir signe.
The 21st February 1743, after the third publication of Banns in the churches of the parishes of Lestelle and St
Germain de la Campagne, during the sermons at High Mass, on three separate Sundays, ou ferter(?) without
any impediment nor opposition, to the marriage of the persons of Daniel Salmon son of the late Louis
Salmon and of Marie le Planquais of the parish of Gorges, aged 25 years or thereabout, and of Marie le
Bacheley, daughter of the late Marin le Bacheley and of Marie Allaire of St Germain de la Campagne, aged
28 or thereabout, both stated to be day workers, on the other side. We, Priest at St Germain de la Campagne,
7
signed below, received the marriage vows of the said Daniel Salmon,and Marie le Bacheley and witnesses at
a nuptial Benediction following the rites and ceremonies of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and …
in the presence of their parents, and friends signed below.
Mark of the said Daniel Salmon who did not know how to sign, ; mark of Marie le Bacheley who said she did
not know how to sign; Louis le Bache;ley, Louis and Marin Salmon, brothers, who said they did not know
how to sign.
Daniel and Marie had a son, baptised in 1744 at St Germain : Le 13 mai 1744 a ete baptise par moi, Cure du dit
lieu, sousigne, un fils ne du meme jour, pour Daniel Salmon et Marie Bacheley, son epouse, nomme Jean Francois, par
Pierre le Bacheley accompagne de Catherine le Bacheley sa soeur. Signe Pierre Bacheley, Susanne, + Marque de
Catherine.
Another son was born and baptised three years later: Le 12 mai 1747 a ete baptise Louis Salmon, fils Daniel Salmon et
Marie le Bacheley, nomme par Anne Pemor.
This Louis only lived seven months and his death and burial is recorded: Mourut age au moins de 7 mois, hier pendant
la nuit, et inhume le 28 october dans la cimitiere de cette lieu, en presence de Pierre le Doux de la paroissse de Gorges
et Jacques de Bacheley de cette paroisse.
Yet another son was born the following year: Daniel, ne le 7 avril 1748, fils de Daniel Salmon et de Marie le Bacheley
est baptise le meme jour et nomme par Julien Laurens, ecolier. This same Daniel lived for only three weeks and died
and was buried at St Germain de Campagne, inhume le 3 mai, 1749, Daniel, fils Daniel Salmon et Marie le Bacheley, sa
femme, age de 3 semaines, par moi, Guillaume le Forestier, cure de Gorges.
A fourth son was born in 1750 at St Germain: le 27 decembre fut ne at baptise le meme jour, Pierre Francois Jacques
Salmon, du legitime marriage de Daniel Salmon et de Marie le Bacheley. Pierre Francois mourut a St Germain de la
Campagne 1819:
Wednesday 21st April 1819 at 6 in the evening, before me Guillaume Michel Delalande, commune de Gorges, canton de
Perier, arrondissement de Coutances, Department de la Manche. Jean Laine aged 61 and Jean Guerillian aged 45,
both cultivateurs, living in this Commune, declared that Pierre Francois Jacques Salmon, born 27 December 1750 of
the lawful marriage of Daniel Salmon et Marie Lebachelier, born at St Germain de la Campagne, uni a cette date
commune de Gorge, cultivateur, married to Anne Ledoux, died yesterday at 8 am at his home, near the church at St
Germain de la Campagne, reunited……as…..said. The first informant has died, the second, a friend signed the Death
Certificate with me.
Jean Laine Delalande, Jean Guerillian
Louis and Marie’s son Louys, born 1700, married in 1730, Marie le Vieux.
LOUYS SALMON my x4 Great grandfather and MARIE le VIEUX
Son of Louys Salmon and Marie le Planquais.
Husband of Marie le Vieux
Father of Jeanne
Father of Marie
Father of Louis Marie
Father of Jacqueline
Father of Juliette
The Gorges marriage of Louys to Marie le Vieux took place the day following that of his sister
Anne, and appears in the registers as follows:
Aujourd’hui le 25 juillet 1730 après la publication des baones du future mariage entre Louys
Salmon fils Louys et de Marie le Planquais, et de Marie le Vieux fille Jacques et de Jeanne
Batteur(?) de la paroisse de St Lotubin(?) de Periers… (illegible)….
Signed Pierre Salmon, L’aisney ….Salmon
8
So far it has not been possible to ascertain the actual date of the birth of Louys- baptised 14th March
1700- nor Marie le Vieux, although we do know that she died pre 1766. We do have evidence for
the birth/baptism of four of their children.
1 Jeanne- Le huit septembre 1731, je, vicaire sousigne de Gorges pour Camprond, ait baptise une fille nee
en et du legitime mariage de Louis Salmon et de Marie le Vieux son epouse, qui a etee nomee Jeanne en
presence de Jeanne le Vieux qui ont declare ne peut pas signer.
We know from the marriage of Jeannne’s sister Juliette (see below) that Jeanne married a Francois
Traisnel and that by 1766 she was a widow.
2. Marie-Le trois septembre 1733- Marie Salmon, baptised by us, in the Parish Church of Gorges, …Cure,
signed below, the daughter of Louys and Marie le Vieux his wife, who had as godfather Nicolas le Doux and
Jacqueline le Dinde his wife who acted as Godmother.
Signed E Hameline, Jacqueline le Dinde- (La Dainte) - + marque, du dit le Doux.
3. Louis Marie In October the following year 1734, a son, Louis Marie, was born details of which are given
below.
4. Jacqueline- Two years later another daughter – Jacqueline was baptised:
The 23rd February 1736 was baptised in the Parish Church of Gorges, the daughter of Louis Salmon and
Marie le Vieux his wife, who was named Jacqueline by Jacqueline Laurent of St Germain de la Campagne,
her godmother, who signed with us.
5. Juliette ( born c.1740) Le 29 jour de juillet au dit an, (1766) après le fiancailles et la publication des
trois baones du future marriage d’entre Pierre Cardel, journalier age d’environs 30 ans, fils feu Pierre et de
la feue Anne Masieur (?) son pere et mere, d’une part, de la paroisse de……. Et Juliette Salmon, couturiere,
agee d’environs 26 ans, fille Louis Salmon et de la feue Marie le Vieux son pere et mere, de l’autre part, de
la paroisse de Gorges, demeurant depuis …...de droit, en la paroisse de St Germain de la Campagne, sans
qu’il y soit trouve aucun empechement ny opposition suivant, le certificate du Pere Samuel, Vicaire, …. moi
Cure de St Germain de la Campagne, signe, les ayant marries et leur ayant donne la Benediction nuptial , en
face de notre mere l’eglise, les ceremonies duement observe en la presence de leur parents et les temoins
signe, après denommees, savoir du….epoux, en presence de Jean Cardel frère de l’epoux, Philippe Renauld
labr, Francois Crockard, aussi labr, les touts de la paroisse de St Eny du Coste, de la dite epouse, en la
presence de Louis Salmon son pere, Francois Salmon son frère, de la paroisse de Gorges, de Jeanne Salmon
veuve ) du feu Francoise Traisnel, sa soeur, et de Maitre Francois Alix, prestre (?) de la paroisse de
Bricqueville pres la Mer, temoins qui ont signes avec nous, et les dites parties du marriage:
P Cardel, J’te Salmon, F Salmon, L Salmon, N Cardel, F Brachare, P Cignaulet, P Salmon, Alliz, Clement.
St Germain de la Campagne seems to have been a popular target for young men and women seeking a
spouse!
LOUIS MARIE SALMON, my x3 Great Grandfather and
FRANCOISE LEPLUMEY
Son of Louis and Marie le Vieux
Brother of Jeanne
Brother of Marie
Brother of Jacqueline
Husband of Francoise Leplume/ Leplumey
Father of Marie Louise Francoise
Father of Francois
Father of Pierre Francois and
Father of Jean Louis Salmon
9
The Parish Registers of the town of Gorges, Basse Normandie, give us the earliest information we
have of Louis Marie Salmon where his baptism is recorded as follows:
Louis Marie Salmon-The 3rd October 1734 was baptised Louis Marie Salmon, son of Louis and
Marie le Vieux his wife. God- parents were Marie (Marin?) Salmon and Simeonne Lanson who was
unable to write her name.
Signed, le Cure de Camprond, at Gorges.
Louis Marie married Francoise Leplume(y) at Gorges and they had four children.
1, Marie Louise Francoise was born 26th September 1776 in Gorges. She died 20th April 1838, the widow of
Jean Laisne.
Deces de Marie Louise, veuve Jean Laisne
L’an mil huit cent trente huit le vendredi, vingt avril a huit heures du matin, par devant moi Jean Malherbe
Maire, Officier de l’Etat Civil de la Commune de Gorges, Canton de Periers de la Manche, sont comparu
Romain Handel age de 38 ans, instituteur et Auguste Fontaine age de 30 ans cenuisier(?)*, tous deux
domicilie en cette Commune, le premier, voisin de la defuncte, le second ami, lesquels nous ont declare que
hier a six heures du matin Marie Louise Francoise Salmon domiciliee en cette Commune, ou elle est nee le
26 septembre 1776 maudienne*, veuve de Jean Laisne, fille du feu Louis Salmon et feue Francoise le
Plumey, couleur vivante*, journaliere et domiciliee a Gorges, est decedee en ce matin, section de la
Conterie, ainsi que nous nous en sommes assure et les declarants, ont signe avec nous le present acte de
deces.
Birdel, Fontain, et Malherbe.
Translated literally this reads
Death of Marie Louise Salmon, widow of Jean Laisne
The year 1838 Friday 20th April at 8 am, there appeared before me, Jean Malherbe, Mayor, Officer of the
Civil State of the Commune of Gorges, Canton of Periers de la Manche, Romain Handel aged 38, school
teacher, and Auguste Fontaine aged 30, cenuisier(?), both living in this Commune, the first as neighbour of
the deceased and the second a friend, who declared that yesterday at 6 am Marie Louise Francoise Salmon,
living in this Commune where she was born the 26th September 1776 maudienne (?), widow of Jean Laisne,
daughter of the late Louis Salmon and the late Francloise le Plumey, couleur vivante, journaliere, and living
in Gorges, died in the district of La Conterie, thus we were assured and the informants signed with us the
certificate of death.
2. Francois was born in 1786 and died in 1809, aged 23, and he was a witness at his father’s death in that
year.
3. Pierre Francois died in 1808 at Metz on 19th December. He was aged 21 suggesting a birth date of 1787.
The record of his death is taken from the Parish Register at Gorges:
Mairie de la Ville de Metz du 19, mois de decembre de l’annee mil huit cent huit, ont decede dans
lelendux(?) de la premiere section, a l’hopital militaire des suites de la fievre, Pierre Francois Salmon,
fusilier au 4eme battalion du dixieme compagnie du 76eme regiment de ligne, age de 21 ans. Natif de
Gorges, Department la Manche, fils Louis Salmon et Francoise Leplume. Vu par l’adjoint municipal faisant
les fonctions d’officier publique de l’Etat civil.
Signe Y Rubortain avec parasle (?) pour extrait conforme par moy, Francois Guillard, faisant les fonctions
de l’officier public de l’Etat civil delegue pour cet effect. F Guillard, Adjoint.
Town Hall of the town of Metz, 19th December 1808, died in (lelendux) of the first section, in the military
hospital as a result of fever, Pierre Francois Salmon, fusilier in the 4 th battalion of the 10th Company of the
76th Regiment of Line, aged 21 years. Native of Gorges, Department of La Manche, son of Louis Salmon and
Francoise Leplume. Seen by the Municipal Deputy, officiating as Public Officer of the Civil State.
Signed Y Rubortain with parasle(?) ) for the extract compiled by me, Francois Guillard, carrying out the
duties of public Officer of the civil State delegated for this purpose. F Guillard Deputy.
An additional report was submitted as follows:
10
Mairie de la Ville de Metz- Bulletin. Departement de la Moselle, Bulletin de deces donne par les articles 80
et 82 du Code Civil:
Sexe- masculin.
Du 19 du mois de decembre de l’an mil huit cent huit, est decede dans l’entendue de la premiere section a
l’hopital militaire de la suite de la fievre, Pierre Francis Salmon, Fuselier au 4eme Batallion, 2ieme
Compagnie de soixante seizieme regiment de ligne. Age de (blank) natif de Gorges, department de la
Manche.
Vu par l’Adjoint Municipal faisant les fonctions de l’Officier publique de l’Etat civil.
Town Hall of the town of Metz- Bulletin. Department of the Moselle, Bulletin of death given under articles 80
and 82 of the civil Code.
Sex-masculine
The 19th December 1808 there died in the ….. of the first section in the military hospital as a result of fever,
Pierre Francois Salmon, Fusilier in the 4th Battalion, 2nd Company and the 76th regiment of Line. Age – blank
– native of Gorges, La Manche Department.
Seen by the Municipal Deputy, carrying out the functions of public Officer of the civil State.
‘Between 1790 and 1810 France was enjoying military victories under Napoleon, who had led French
armies to victories over the armies of Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, Spain and the Netherlands between
1792 and 1797. By 1810 he was at the height of his power but between 1810 and 1814 he suffered defeat in
the Spanish and Russian Campaigns.
Metz was one of four Military Training Hospitals in 1800-1814 out of 16 military hospitals in total. Up to
1809 civilians were in charge of nursing and many were of suspect morality, being more occupied with the
contents of the pockets of their wounded soldiers than the care they were supposed to give. The sick and
wounded slept in the same beds with no food, no therapy, no bandages, not washed, not changed not fed.
Convoys coming back from the Front in Spain in 1808 increased the mortality rate and many hospitals
became hospices where the wounded were sent to die.
In the 1999 ‘Publications de la Societe d’Archaeologique et d’Histoire de la Manche, Conscrits de La
Manche, Infanterie de Ligne’further details are found about Pierre Francois :
SALMON, Pierre Francois, fils de Louis et de Francoise Leplumey ne a Gorges le 26 mai 1788 taille 1m65,
yeux verts, cheveux bruns, visage portant des traces de petite verole; Domestique. Au corps le 20 aout 1808.
A l’hopital de Metz le 18 decembre 1808;est mort de fievre le lendemain.
SALMON, Pierre Francois, son of Louis and Francoise Leplumey, born at Gorges 26 th
May 1788, 1m65cm tall, green eyes, brown hair, face carrying traces of small pox marks;Manservant;
Joined the Corps 20th April 1808; Hospital at Metz 18th December 1808 and died of fever the following day.
The survivors of the 1808 Conscripts from La Manche, of the 76 th Regiment of Infantry of the Line, were
incorporated into the 116th Regiment. The majority of those conscripts were never again to see Normandy.
The number of Conscripts thus transferred and their fate is given as follows:
Dead= 6
Died of illness = 36
Deserters = 47
Mutes=4
Destiny unknown = 21
Prisoners at Bailen = 201
Ran away or returned 1814 = 15
Recognised dead at Isle of Canbrera or on the prison ships= 2
Presumably Pierre Francois is numbered amongst the 36 who died of illness.
4. Jean Louis – my great great grandfather was baptised at Gorges on 10 th January 1781.
Louis Marie died in 1809 aged 76 and the death register provides the following details:
11
L’an mil huit cent neuf , le trente avril, par devant nous Francois Guillard, adjoint du maire de la
Commune de Gorges, delegue par lui pour faire les fonctions de l’etat civil de la dite Commune de
Gorges, canton de Periers, Department de la Manche, sont comparu Francois Salmon et Jean
Laisney, tous deux domicilies dans la commune de Gorges, le dit Francois Salmon, domestique age
de 23 ans et aussi Jean Laisney journalier age de 51 ans, lesquels nous ont declares que Louis
Marie Salmon, domicilie en cette commune, age de 76 ans, ne a Gorges du ligitime mariage de
Louis Salmon et Marie le Vieux, domicilie en cette Commune de Gorges, est decede aujourd’hui a
10 heure du matin, chez lui, section de la Conterie, le premier temoin fils de Louis Salmon qui a
declare ne savoir signer.
The year 1809, the 30th April, there appeared before us Francois Guillard, deputy mayor of the
Commune of Gorges, delegated by him to carry out the functions of the civil state of the said
Commune of Gorges, canton of Periers, La Manche Department, Francois Salmon and Jean
Laisney, both living in Gorges, the said Francois, a domestic aged 23 and also Jean Laisney a day
worker aged 51, who declared to us that Louis Marie Salmon, living in this commune aged 76, born
in Gorges of the legitimate marriage of Louis Salmon and Marie Le Vieux, living in this Commune
of Gorges, died today at 10 am at home, district of la Conterie, the first witness being the son of
Louis Salmon who declared that he was unable to write his name.
The widow of Louis Marie Salmon, Francoise Leplumey was baptised 15th May 1749 and her
death at the age of 76, occurred in 1825. She died a widow her husband Louis having pre-deceased
her by 16 years.
L’an mil huit cent vingt cinque, le lundi le 17 janvier a 9 heures du matin par devant nous
Guillaume Michel Delalande , le maire officier de l’etat civil de la Commune de Gorges, canton de
Periers, arrondissement de Coutance, Departement de la Manche, sont comparu Jean Laisne age
de 68 ans, journalier, et Romain Hardel age de 25 ans instituteur, tous les deux domicilies en cette
Commune, lesquels nous ont declare que Francoise Leplume, filleuse, domiciliee en cette
Commune, veuve du feu Louis Salmon et nee en celle de St Patrice de Claids, le 15 mai 1749, fille
du legitime mariage de Jacques Leplume et de Marie le Planquais sa femme, est decedee hier a six
heures du matin en sa maison Saline de la Couterie, les deux declarants, le premier gendre de la
decedee et le second, voisin, lesquels ont signe avec nous le present acte de deces après que la
lecture leur en a ete faite .
Jean Laisne, Handel, Delalande.
The year1825, Monday 17th January at 9 am there appeared before me, William Michael Delalande,
Mayor of the civil state of the Commune de Gorges, Canton of Periers, district of Coutanche, and
of La Manche Department, Jean Laisne aged 68, day worker, and Romain Hardel, teacher, aged 25
both living in this Commune, who declared to us that Francoise Leplume, spinner, living in this
Commune, widow of the late Louis Salmon and born in that of St Patrice de Claids, 15th May 1749,
daughter of the legitimate marriage of Jacques Leplume and Marie le Planquais, his wife, died
yesterday at 6 am in her house Saline de la Couterie, both informants, the first son in law of the
deceased and the second a neighbour, and both of whom signed with me, the present certificate of
death after having had it read to them.
Jean Laisne, Handel, Delalande.
The informant Jean Laisne, the deceased’s son in law,was the husband of Marie Louise Francoise
Salmon.
12
JEAN LOUIS SALMON, my x 2 Great Grandfather, and ANN
THERESE CHARLOTTE PEGAUX or PIGAULT
Husband of Ann Therese Pigaux or Pigault
Father of Jean Louis Denis Salmon
Father of Aimable Paul Salmon
Father of Amand Francois
Father of Felix Pierre Eugene
The entry in the Baptism Register for the birth of Jean Louis Salmon is as follows:
Registre pour servir a inscrire les Baptemes et mariages qui se feront en l’Eglise Paroiselle de
Gorges, pendant l’annee mil sept cent quatre vingt un, presente le sieur tresorier du dit lieu M le
Bailley d’ …….au nombre ….. pour Ct a ….. Cotee et paroisse au desir et conformament a la
declaration du Moy du neuf avril 1736.
Le mercredy dix de janvier au dit an 1781, a ete baptise par moi soussigne desservant la portion
royaile de la paroisse de Gorges un fils ne de ce jour du legitime marriage de Louis Salmon et de
Francoise Laplumey son epouse de cette paroisse pour la portion du Camprond, lequel a ete
nomme Jean Louis par Louis Villard qui a signe avec nous assiste de Victoire Nicole, marraine, qui
a declare ne pouvoir signe le dit jour et an que dessus.
Signe – Le maire ……Lecui…..Desservant.
Register in which to write in the Baptisms and marriages which will take place in the Parish
Church at Gorges during the year 1781, present Monsieur le Tresurer of the said place M le Bailley
…..to the number of….for Ct …….Cotee and Parish as desired and conforming to the declaration
by me, the 9th April 1736.
Wednesday 10th January of the said year 1781 was baptised by me, Parish Priest of the Royaile,
part of the parish of Gorges, a boy born this day of the legitimate marriage of Jean Louis Salmon
and Francoise Laplumey his spouse of this parish- district of Camprond, the which was named
Jean Louis by Louis Villard who signed with us, assisted by Victoria Nicole, godmother, who
declared not being able to sign, the said day and year as above.
Signed Le Maire …… Lecui….. Parish Priest
Jean Louis Salmon married in January 1833, Anne Therese Pegaux in Gorges, Banns having
been previously published as follows:
Le onze jour du mois de novembre 1832, par devant nous, Guillaume Michel Delalande,maire,
Officier de l’etat civil de la commune de Gorges, canton du Periers, arrondissement Coutance,
devant la porte d’entrée principale de notre Maison commune a 10 heures du matin, anonce et
publie pour la premiere fois et pour le deuxieme fois, le dimanche le dix huit du meme mois a
l’heure qu’il y a la promesse de marriage entre Jean Louis Salmon age de 51 ans, journalier,
domicilie en cette Commune , fils aine du feu Louis et du feue Francoise Leplumey, et d’Anne
Pigaux agee de quarante ans, journaliere domicilie en cette commune, fille majeure, de Jean
Pigaux et du feue Marie le Doux. Laquelle publication lue a haute et intelligible voix a ete date,
affiche a la porte designes en accord de cette acte.
Signe Delalande.
Le present legitime clos et arête par nous Maire de la commune de Gorges a la Mairie le premier
jour de janvier mil huit cent trente trois.Delalande.
The eighth day of the month of November 1832 there appeared before me William Michael
Delalande, Mayor, Officer of the Civil State of the Commune of Gorges, in the Periers canton,
13
district of Coutanches, in front of the main entrance of our Mairie, at 10 am, were announced and
published for the first time, and for the second time, on Sunday the 18th of the same month at the
time of the promise of marriage between Jean Louis Salmon aged 51 , day worker, native of this
Commune, elder son of the late Louis and of the late Francoise le Plumey, and of Anne Pigaux aged
40, day worker native of this commune, elder daughter of Jean Pigaux and the late Marie le Doux.
The which publication read in a loud and intelligible voice and dated and affixed to the door
designated in accordance with the law. Signed, Delalande.
The present legitimately closed and finalised by me, Mayor of the Commune of Gorges in the
Mairie the 1st January 1833- Delalande.
The actual marriage is recorded on 12th January 1833
L’an 1833, le mercredi le 12 jour du mois de janvier a sept heures du matin par devant nous Jean
Paul Adam, premier conseiller municipal de la Commune de Gorges, remplacant par defaut
l’adjoint, le maire empeche par maladie, et delegue par lui pour faire les fonctions d’officier public
de l’Etat civil de la dite commune, canton de Periers, arrondissement de Coutance, Department de
la Manche, sont comparu en notre Maison Commune Jean Louis Salmon ne a Gorges le 10 janvier
1781, journalier, domicilie meme commune, majeur, fils du feu Louis Salmon, decede en la
commune de Gorges le 30 avril 1809 comme il est constate par l’acte de deces delivre a Gorges ce
jourd’hui et du feue Francise Leplumey, aussi decede en la dite Commune de Gorges le 16 janvier
1825 comme il en est contstate par l’acte du deces delivere a Gorges ce aujourd’hui, et Anne
Therese Charlotte Pigaux, nee en la Commune de Gorges le 4 floreat l’an seconde de la Republique
Francaise, journaliere, domicilie a Gorges , fille majeur de Jean Pigaux ou present et consentant et
du feue Marie LeDoux decede en cette Commune de Gorges le 8 avril 1815, comme il est constate
par l’acte de deces delivre a Gorges ce aujourd’hui.
Lesquels nous ont requis de proceder avec la celebration du marriage projete entre eux et dont
lecture a la contere(?)……que nous nous sommmes assure et les declares ont signe avec nous, le
present acte après que lecture leur en a ete faite.
Signed Ucnvey, Hurdell, Delalande.
Marriage of Jean Louis Salmon and Anne Therese Pegaux (sic) ;
The year 1833, Wednesday 12th January, at 7 am before me Jean Paul Adam, first Councillor for the
Commune of Gorges, standing in, in the absence of the Deputy, the Mayor prevented by illness, and
delegated by him to carry out the duties of Public Officer of the Official State of the said Commune,
Canton of Periers, District of Coutanche, Department of La Manche, there appeared in our Office,
Jean Louis Salmon born at Gorges the 10th January 1781, day worker, living in the same Commune,
the elder, son of the late Louis Salmon, who died in the Commune of Gorges the 30 April 1809 as is
witnessed in the certificate deliverd at Gorges today, and of the late Francoise le Plumey, also
deceased in the said Commune of Gorges, the 16th January 1825, as it is stated in the certificate of
death produced today; and Anne Therese Charlotte Pigaux (sic) born in the Commune of Gorges,
the 4th floreat of the second year of the French Republic , day worker, living in Gorges, elder
daughter of Jean Pigaux, present and agreeing, and of the late Marie le Doux, deceased in this
Commune of Gorges, the 8th April 1815 as is stated in the certificate of death, delivered at Gorges
today.
These persons desired us to proceed with the celebration of the marriage proposed between them,
and to whom had been read …and we were assured and had it declared, and they signed with us,
the actual certificate after it had been read to them.
Signed – Ucnvey, Hurdell, Delalande.
The second year of the French Republic was 1793.
However Jean Louis and Anne Therese had two children prior to their 1833 marriage.
14
The first of these illegitimate sons was Jean Louis Denis Salmon, my great grandfather, born in
1818 and baptised 7th May.
Le sept mai audit an (1818) a ete par nous, pretre vicaire de Gorges, soussigne, baptise un fils ne
de mardi cinq du presseur, de Anne Pigaut fille de Jean et de Marie le Doux de cette paroisse d’un
pere inconnu lequel a ete nomme Jean Louis par Jean La Rose, custos de cette paroisse assiste de
Marie Pigaut aussi de cette paroisse, et l’enfans a ete presente par Louise de la Lande, Sage
Femme, du Plessis laquelle avait declare ne savoir signer aussi que la marraine et Jean La Rose a
signe avec nous au present.
The 7th May1818… when has been by us Parish Priest of Gorges signed below, baptised a male
child born 5th March in emergency(?) of Anne Pigault, daughter of John and Marie le Doux, both of
this parish, and of an unknown father, which was named John Louis by John La Rose, sexton of
this parish supported by Marie Pigaut also of this parish, this child has been presented by Louise
de la Lande midwife from Plessis, who declared not knowing how to sign her name, thus the
godmother and Jean La Rose signed with us in the presence of
(signed) Le… (?)Parish Priest; J La Rose
(More of which below).
The second illegitimate son was Aimable Paul Salmon, my Great-uncle born 22nd June 1822
The birth registration of Aimable Paul also took place at Gorges.
L’an mil huit cent vingt deux, samedi le 22 juin, par devant nous , Guillaume Michel d’etat civil
maire, officier de l’etat civil de la commune de Gorges, canton de Periers, arrondissement de
Coisonee (?) Departement de la Manche, est comparu Jeanne Catherine age de soixante quatre
ans, cultivatrice, domiciliee en cette Commune , qui nous a declaree qu’aujourdhui vers dix heures
du matin, Anne Pagault fileuse, domiciliee a cette Commune est acouchee en sa maison d’un enfant
du sexe masculine ou elle donne le nom et prenom de Anne Aimable Paul, les dites declaration et
presentation faite en presence de Guillaume Lambard age de vingt quatre ans , cultivateur et
Charle Mesmedrey(?) age de vingt cinq ans journalier, tous deux domicilies dans cette commune
lesquels ont signes avec nous le present acte de naissance après lecture faite. La declarante a
declare ne savoir signer. G Lambard Ch Mesmedrey D Lalonde.
The year 1822, Saturday 22nd June before us, William Michel state Mayor, officer of the civil state of
the Commune of Gorges, Canton of Periers, Coisonee arrondissement, Department of La Manche,
appeared before us, Jeanne Catherine, aged 64, grower, living in this commune, who declared to us
that today at ten in the morning, Anne Pigault, spinner, living in this commune, was confined to bed
in her house where she gave birth to a male child to whom she gave the name and surname of
Anne, Aimable Paul, the said declaration and presentation were made in the presence of William
Lambard aged 24 years , a grower, and Charles Mesmedrey, aged 25, day worker, both living in this
Commune, and who both signed with us this registration of birth, after having had it read to them,
but the informant did not know how to sign.
G Lambard,
Ch Mesmedrey
D Lalonde.
The name Anne prefixing the boy child’s other forenames is explained above – under illegitimacy.
(Aimable Paul was unable to sign his name at his brother’s marriage.)
The first legitimate child of Jean Louis and Anne Pigaux , Amand Francois, was born 19th March
the year of their marriage – 1833 just two months after the marriage had taken place, when the
father was 52 .
15
Le 19 Mars 1833 le mardi, le 19ieme jour de mars a 5 heures du soir, est compare devant moi,
Guillaume Michel Delalande maire, Jean Louis Salmon, age de 52 ans journalier ne et domicilie en
cette commune, lequel nous a presente un enfant du sexe masculine ne aujourd,hui a 10 heures du
matin, de lui declarant, en sa maison, section de la Couterie et d’Anne Pigaux son epouse et auquel
il a declarer vouloir donner les prenoms d’Amand Francois. Les dites declaration et presentation
faite en presence de Jean Bulot age de 62 ans, cultivateur et de Romain Hurdel, age de 33 ans,
instituteur, tous deux domicilie dans cette commune signe avec nous le present acte de naissance
après lecture leur ont ete faite . Signed Bulot, Hurdel.
Tuesday 19th March 1833 at 5 pm, there came to me, William Michael Delalande, Mayor, Jean
Louis Salmon, aged 52 years, day worker, born and living in this commune, who presented to us a
child of the male sex, born today at 10 am , his own, in his house, in the Couterie district, and of
Anne Pigaux his wife, and to whom he wished to give the names of Amand Francois. The said
declaration and presentation of the child was made in the presence of Jean Bulot aged 62, grower
and of Romain Hurdel aged 33, teacher, both living in this commune and who signed with us the
actual birth certificate after having had it read to them. Signed Bulot, Hurdel.
The second of the legitimate sons was Felix Pierre Eugene born in 1838 when the father was 57although the register entry says 48. Ann Pigaux is also described as being 48 but in fact was only
45.
L’an mil hiuit cent trente huit le dimanche le 9eme jour du mois de septembre a cinq heures du soir
par devant nous Jean Malherbe, maire officier de l’etat civil de la Commune de Gorges, canton de
Periers, Departement de la Manche, sont comparu Jean Louis Salmon age de 48 ans, journalier,
domicilie en cette commune, lequel nous a presente un enfant du sexe masculine, ne aujourd’hui a 8
heures du matin de lui declarant, a la maison, section de la Courtoise et de Anne Pigaux age de 48
ans, son epouse auquel il a declare vouloir donne le prenom de Felix Pierre Eugene, les dites
declaration et presentation faite au presence du temoins Bardel age de 38 ans, instituteur, et
Auguste Fontaine age de 30 ans, tous deux domicilies en cette Commune, et ont les temoins signe
avec nous le present acte de la naissance après que la lecture en a ete faite.
Le pere a declare ne savoir signer le mot masculine ci dessus ayant surcharge Bon.
Fontaine Burdel T Malherbe.
The year 1838, Sunday the 9th September at 5 pm, before us Jean Malherbe, Mayor, Officier of the
Civil State of the Commune of Gorges, Canton of Periers, department of La Manche, there
appeared Jean Louis Salmon aged 48, day worker, living in this commune, who presented before us
a child of male sex, born of him, today at 8 am in his home, district of Courtoise, and Anne Pigaux
aged 48 his wife, to whom he wanted to give the name Felix Pierre Eugene, the said declaration
and presentations having been made in the presence of witnesses Bardel aged 38, teacher, and
Auguste Fontaine aged 30, both living in this commune, and the witnesses signed with us the actual
certificate of birth after it had been explained to them.
The father stated he could not write the word masculine below having surcharge Bon(?)
Fontaine Burdel, T Malherbe.
It will be noticed that in 1833 Jean Louis gives his age as 52 and in 1838 as 48! At his death 13
years later in 1851 his age is given as 56 yet at his son’s marriage in 1845 he is aged 66.
Jean Louis, husband of Anne Pigaux died at Gorges in 1851.
Le deuxieme jour de fevrier a 9 heures du matin, 1851 est comparu devant moi Jean Burvings,
adjoint au maire et delegue par lui remplir les fonctions de l’officier Department de la Manche,
sont comparus Barbey, Francois age de vingt cinq ans domestique, et Burvings, Auguste, age de
trente neuf ans, cultivateur, tous les deux domicilies a Gorges, et amis du defunct, lesquels nous ont
16
declare que hier a huit heures du soir, Salmon, Jean Louis, ne a Gorges le dix janvier mil sept cent
quatre vingt un, sans profession particuliere, domicilie a Gorges fils du feu Salmon, Louis, et de
la feue Leplumey, Francoise, marie a Pigaux, Anne, age de cinquante six ans, journaliere
domiciliee a Gorges, est decede en cette commune, ainsi que nous nous sommes assure et les
declarants ont signe avec nous, le present acte après que lecture leur ont a ete faite.
Barbey, Burvings,
The second day of the month of February, 1851 at 9 am there appeared before me, Jean Burvings,
deputy to the Mayor and delegated by him to fulfil the functions of officer of the Civil State, of the
Commune of Gorges, canton of Periers, Department of La Manche, Francois Barbey aged 25
years, domestic, and Auguste Burvings, aged 39, cultivateur both living at Gorges, and friends of
the deceased, who declared that yesterday at 8 pm, Jean Louis Salmon, born in Gorges, 10th
January 1781, of no particular profession, living in Gorges, son of the late Louis Salmon and the
late Francoise Leplumey, and married to Anne Pigaux, aged 56 years, day worker living in Gorges,
died in this commune, as we were assured, and the informants signed with us the present certificate
after having had it read to them.
But what do we know about Anne Pigaut/Pigaux? Ann Therese Charlotte Pegaux, was like her
future husband, born in Gorges, about 1793. According to the baptismal register at Gorges we learn
that Anne was the daughter of Jean and Marie Pigault nee le Doux, of Gorges.
Her birth is recorded on 4th April 1793 (confirmed 7th February 2013 by the Municipal Secretary at
Gorges) at Gorges and the register entry is as follows:
Aujourd’hui, quatre florial l’an seconde de la republique francaise, une et g………ssible, a six
heures apres midi par devant moi Pierre Piquet officier municipal elu le vingt neuf jour,
Les actes destine a constater les naissances, mariages et deces des citoiens est comparu en la salle
publique de la maison Commune, Jean Pigaut marechal domicilie dans la municipalite de Saint
Germaine de la Campaigne pres l’eglise, lequel assiste de Louis Pigaut age de 36 ans et de Anne
Pigaut agees de vingt huit ans frère et soeur du dit pere, tous deux de la Commune du Plesis, a
declare a moy, Pierre Piquet, que Maria Ledoux son epouse en legitime marriage est acouche a
trois heures du matin dans sa maison- situe pres legalise d’un enfant femelle auxquelle il a donne le
prenom de Anne Terese Charlotte d’apres cette declaration que Louis Pigaut et Anne Pigaut ont
sussigne conforme a la verite et la representation qui m’a ete faite de lenfants denomme gay
redige(?) en vertu des pouvoirs qui moi sont delegues le present acte que Jean Pigaut pere du dit
enfant et Louis Pigaut et Anne Pigaut ont signe avec moy fait a la maison Commune de Gorge ce
jour , mois et an cy dessus, Pierre Piquet officier public.
Louis Pigaud, Anne Pigaut, Jean Pigaut.
Today, the fourth florial of the second year of the Republique Francaise, une et g…..issible at six o
clock in the afternoon, before me, Pierre Piquet municipal officer appointed the 29th …..
The registrations intended to confirm the births, marriages and deaths of the citizens is presented in
the public room of the Commune Building , Jean Pigaut farrier living in the municipality of Saint
Germaine de la Campagne, near the church, who accompanied by Louis Pigaut aged 36 and by
Anne Pigaut aged 28, brother and sister of the said father, both of the Commune of Plesis, declared
before me Pierre Piquet, that Maria Ledoux married legitimately, was confined to bed at 3 in the
morning in her house- situated near the church, , and gave birth to a female child to whom the
forenames Anne Terese Charlotte was given, and after this declaration, that Louis Pigaut and Anne
pigaut countersigned, conforme to the truth, and the presentation that they made to me of the child
denomme gay ridge in virtue of the powers invested in me, the present registration has been made
that Jean Pigaut father of the said child, and Louis Pigaut and Anne Pigaut have signed with me, at
the Communal House of Gorge, this day, month and year as above, Pierre Piquet , public officer.
Signed Louis Pigaut, Anne Pigaut, Jean Pigaut.
17
In 1868, the death of Anne Terese Charlotte is recorded at Gorges, where she is described as the
widow of Jean Louis Salmon.
Deces de Pigaux, Anne Therese Charlotte, agee74 ans, veuve Salmon, Jean Louis.
L’an mil huit cent soixante huit le vingt cinquieme jour d’octobre a midi, par devant nous, adjoint
municipal delegue pour remplir les fonctions d’officier de l’etat civil de la Commune de Gorges,
canton de Periers, department de la Manche, sont comparus Picot, Jacques, age de trente six ans,
garde champetre, voisin de la defuncte , et Halley, Aimable, age de quarante six ans, instituteur,
tous les deux, domicilies a Gorges, lesquels nous ont declare qu’aujourdhui a deux heures du matin
Pigaux, Anne Therese Charlotte , fileuse, domiciliee a Gorges, ou elle est nee le quatre floreal l’an
second de la Republique Francaise, fille du feu Pigaux, Jean et du feu Ledoux, Marie, et veuve de
Salmon, Jean Louis, est decedee en cette commune ainsi que nous nous en sommes assure, et les
declarants ont signe avec nous le presente acte après que lecture leur en a ete faite.
Signed Halley, J Picot, Burvings.
Death of Pigaux, Anne Therese Charlotte, aged 74, widow of Jean Louis Salmon.
The year 1868, the 25th day of October at midday, before me, Deputy to the municipality, delegated
to fill the function of Officer of the civil State in the Commune of Gorges, canton of Periers,
Department of La Manche, there appeared before me Picot, Jacques aged 36, rural policeman and
neighbour of the deceased, and Halley, Aimable, aged 46 , teacher, both living in Gorges, who
declared that today at 2 in the morning, Pigaux, Anne Therese Charlotte, spinner, living in Gorges
where she was born on the fourth floreal in the second year of the French Republic, daughter of the
late Pigaux, Jean and the late Ledoux, Marie and widow of Salmon, Jean Louis, died in this
commune as we have been assured and the informants have signed with us, the present acte after it
had been read to them.
Signed, Halley,
J Picot, Burvings.
JEAN LOUIS DENIS SALMON, my Great Grandfather, and
AGATHE MARIE CELESTE OZOUET
Son of Jean Louis Salmon and Ann Therese Charlotte Pigaux
Husband of Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet
Father of Senateur Desire John Baptiste Salmon
Brother of Aimable Paul Salmon
Brother of Felix Pierre Salmon
Brother of Amand Francois Salmon
Jean Louis Denis was the first of Anne’s illigitimate children born 5th May 1818 at Gorges. He is
described as being the offspring of an unknown father but at his marriage on 28th November 1845 to
Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet, we read:
(extract) Jean Louis Denis Salmon, journalier, living in Lithaire, born at Gorges 5 March 1818,
proven by his birth certificate, full age, son of Jean Louis Salmon, aged 66 years, journalier, born
and living at Gorges at present, and consenting, and of Anne Therese Charlotte Pegaux, his wife,
aged 52 born and living in Gorges also present and consenting.
18
Therefore, we can rightly say that Jean Louis Denis Salmon, born on 5th May 1818 at Gorges, was
the son of Jean Louis Salmon and Ann Therese Charlotte Pegaux. He later lived at Lithaire where
he worked as a journalier – day-worker or journeyman - and it is with him that the SalmonLithaire connection began.
The birth registration of Jean Louis Denis is recorded as follows:
L’an mil huit cent dix huit le mercredi, sixieme jour du mois de mai a huit heures du matin par
devant nous Guillaume Michel Lalonde, maire officier de l’etat civil de la Commune de Gorges,
Canton de Periers, arrondissement de Coutances, department de la Manche, est comparu Jean
Laine age de soixante ans, journalier domicile en cette commune, lequel nous a declare que hier a
quatre heures du soir, demoiselle Anne Pigaut, fileuse, domiciliee en cette commune est acouchee
en son domicile, d’un enfant du sexe masculine qu’il nous a presente et auquel il a declare vouloir
donner le nom et prenom d’Anne, Jean Louis Denis, les dites declarations et presentations faites en
presence de Pierre Mitusi age de soixante un ans, et de Pierre L’Hotelier, age de cinquante ans,
tous deux journaliers et domicilies en cette commune et ont les declarant et temoins signe avec
nous le present acte de naissance après qu’il lecture en a ete faite.
Signed Jean Laine Pierre Michel Delalonde Pierre l’Hotelier
The year 1818, Wednesday the 6th day of May at 8 hours in the morning, before us William Michel
Delalonde, Mayor Officer of the civil Sate of the Commune of Gorges, canton Perrier, Coutanche
arrondissement, department of La Manche, there appeared Jean Laine aged 60, journalier, living in
this commune, who declared to us that yesterday at 4 in the evening Miss Anne Pigaut, spinner,
living in this said commune, was delivered in her home, of a child of the male sex, which he
presented to us, and to whom he declared wishing to give the name and surname, Anne, Jean Louis
Denis, the said declarations and presentations made in the presence of Pierre Mitusi, aged 61 and
of Pierre L’Hotelier aged 50, both journaliers et living in this commune and having declared and
witnessed, signed with us the present registration of birth after it had been read to them.
Signed, D Lalonde
Jean Laine Pierre Mitusi Pierre L’Hotelier
The addition of the forename ‘Anne’ is indicative of the fact that he was illegitimate in which case
the mother’s name was given as an indication of the child’s parentage. This is also indicated by the
fact that the mother is Mademoiselle, Miss, Anne Pegaux, and the illegitimiacy is again confirmed
at his baptism when Jean Louis Denis Salmon was baptised at Gorges and the baptismal record
gives the following information:
Le Sept mai audit ( mois?), ou, a ete par nous pretre vicaire de Gorges soussigne, baptise un fils ne
le mardi cinq dupreseur, de Anne Pigaut fille de Jean et de Marie, le (sic) deux de cette paroisse et
d’un pere inconnu lequel a ete nomme Jean Louis par Jean La Rose, custos, de cette paroisse
assiste de Marie Pigaut aussi de cette paroisse cet enfans (sic) a ete presente par Louise de la
Conde, Sage femme du Plessis la quelle a declare ne savoir signer ainsi que la marriene et Jean La
Rose a signe avec nous au presenc (sic)
(signed) Le…. (?) p vicaire
J La Rose
The 7th May… when has been by us priest curate of Gorges signed below, baptised a male child
born Tuesday 5th in emergency(?) of Anne Pigault, daughter of John and Marie both of this parish,
and of an unknown father, which was named John Louis by John La Rose, sexton of this parish
supported by Marie Pigaut also of this parish this child has been presented by Louise de la Conde
midwife from Plessis, who declared not knowing how to sign her name, thus the godmother and
Jean La Rose signed with us in the presence.
(signed) Le… (?) priest, vicar
J La Rose
19
However at the marriage of Jean Louis Denis to Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet in 1845 the marriage
contract clearly states that he is the son of Jean Louis Salmon and of his wife Anne Therese
Charlotte Pigaux. Presumably Jean Louis and Anne Pigaux formally recognised him as their child
but no written evidence for this has been found apart from their marriage contract.
Jean Louis Denis Salmon married Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet on 28th November 1845 at
Lithaire and banns were published on 20th and 27th July that year. His bride came from Lithaire and
her parents were Leonor Pierre Michel Ozouet (1791-1841) and Aimee Celeste Henriette Le
Forestier (1805-1879). Agathe worked as a knitter and was described at the marriage as being
supported by her widowed mother who was aged forty-five and born at Mobecq.
Marriage of Jean Louis Denis Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet 28th November 1845:
L’an mil huit cent quarante cinque, le 28 novembre a cinque heures du soir, par devant nous,
Michel le Savident , adjoint faisant pour le bureau de maire, les fonctions de l’etat civil de la
commune de Lithaire, canton de la Haye du Puits, departmernt de la Manche, sont comparus
publiquement en la maison commun, Jean Louis Denis Salmon, journalier domicile a Lithaire, ne a
Gorges le 6 mai 1818, commme il est constate par son acte de naissance, majeur, fils de Jean
Louis Salmon age de soixante ans, journalier, ne et domicile a Gorges , ci present, et consentant,
et de Anne Therese Charlotte Pegaux, son epouse, age de 52 ans, nee et domicile a Gorges, ci
presente et consentant ; et de demoiselle Agathe Marie Celests Ozouet, tricotteuse nee a Lithaire
le 26 Fevrier 1827 comme le constate son acte de naissance, fille mineure assiste de Celeste Aimee
Henriette le Forestier, age de 40 ans, travaillant a la ménage , nee a Mobecque, domiciliee a
Lithaire, veuve de Leonore Pierre Michel Ozouet, charpentier nee et domicile a Lithaire et decede
en meme lieu le 29 aout 1841, comme il est constate par son acte de deces, pere de la future
epouse; lesquels nous ont regues de proceder \a la celebration du marriage propose entre eux, et
dont la publication ont etye faites devant la principale porte de notre maison communale les
dimanches le 20 et 27 juillet dernier, a l’heure de minuit(?)Aucune opposition au marriage ne nous
ayant signifie faisant droit a leur requisition après avoir donne lecture de toutes les pieces ci
dessous mentione et de la chapitre six du livre du code civil, intitule Du marriage
et avons demande au future epoux et a la future epouse s’ils veulent se prendre pour
mari et femme, chacun d’eux nayant repondre separant et affirmativement declarons au nom de la
loi que Jean Louis Denis Salmon et Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet sont uni par le marriage Depuis
nous avons address l’acte en presence de Aimable Paul Salmon, age de 24 ans, journalier a
Lithaire, de Jacques Auge, 49 ans, coiultivateur de Lithaire de louis Francois Martin age de 22
ans, cultivateur a Lithaire, et de Jean Cousin age de quarante ans, instituteur a Lithaire, lesquels
après qu’ils leur en a aussi etc donne lecture, sont signe avec nous et les parties contractantes de
code interpellee,, excepte le pere et la mere de l’epoux, et Aimable Paul Salmon, le frère de l’epoux,
qui ont declare ne savoir signe.
Translated literally as:
The year 1845, 28th November at five in the evening, before us, Michel le Savident, Deputy,
deputising for the Mayor in the civil function of the Commune of Lithaire, Canton of Haye du
Puits, Department of La Manche, there appeared publically before the communal house, Jean
Louis Denis Salmon, journalier, living in Lithaire, born at Gorges 6 May 1818, proven by his birth
certificate, full age, son of Jean Louis Salmon, aged 66 years, journalier, born and living at Gorges
at present, and consenting, and of Anne Therese Charlotte Pegaux, his wife, aged 52 born and
living in Gorges also present and consenting:
And of Miss Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet, knitter, born at Lithaire, 26th February 1827, as her birth
certificate proves, living at home, of minor age, supported by Celeste Aimee Henriette Le Forestier,
aged 40, working from home, born at Mobecq, but living at Lithaire, widow of Leonore Pierre
20
Michel Ozouet, carpenter, born and lived at Lithaire, and who died at the same place 29th August
1841 as is given in his death certificate, father of the future bride. These agreed to the celebration
of the marriage, between them both, and of which the publication had been made before the main
door of the Communal House, on 20 and 27 July last, at the hour … No opposition had been made
and we allow their request, after having read them all the details above mentioned, and from
chapter 6 of the Code Civil , Contract of Marriage, we asked the future spouse and spouse, if they
wished to take one another for husband and wife, both replying separately, we came to declare in
the name of the Law, Louis Denis Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet are united in
marriage, since we have declared in the presence of Aimable Paul Salmon aged 24 years,
journalier, in Lithaire, and Jacques Auge, 49, grower, of Lithaire, and Louis Martin, aged 22
grower in Lithaire, and of Jean Cousin, teacher aged 40, of Lithaire. The which after having taken
the oath, signed with us the contract except for the father and mother of the groom, and Aimable
Paul Salmon, brother of the groom, who declared that they did not know how to sign …………
During the following year, eight months after the marriage, their son Senateur Desire Jean
Baptiste Salmon was born at Lithaire. At that time Jean Louis Denis was described as a twentyeight-year-old journalier, born at Gorges. The baby was born on 22nd July 1846 and presented the
next day.
According to Lozouet Family History website Jean Louis Denis Salmon died on 23rd June 1857 at
St Martin’s, Jersey. This is confirmed in the Marriage Record of Agathe’s second marriage in 1886
in Lithaire to Louis Prosper le Bouvier. A copy of the death certificate had been seen by the French
Consul in Jersey and a copy sent by him to the Lithaire Mairie in order for the marriage to proceed.
This death in St Martin may have been the reason for Senateur in 1901 having stated on his census
return, that he came from St Martin. At the time of his father’s death he was just 11 years of age.
How or why Jean Louis Denis came to Jersey cannot be stated with certainty, but the following
details taken from Michael Montiel’s work (2005) on French emigration to Jersey in the 1800s
paints what must have been a fairly routine process:
Beginning in the early 19th century French Immigrants sought to benefit from and contribute to the
booming Jersey economy. The first French workers arrived in the 1820s to work in the Ronez
Quarries, helping to provide for the building of St Helier and the harbour. The building work had
declined by the 1840s and the number of French worker residents had drastically declined by 1851.
The other main attraction was, agriculture but this too was on the decline by the 1840s and
between 1851 and 1911 substantial immigration of workers from Brittany and Normandy sought
other short term work in the Island planning to return to France, but in fact many settled in the
Island. They were mainly agricultural workers who worked in the rapidly growing agricultural
sector of new potatoes. The season only lasted 6 weeks and as Jersey locals were insufficient in
number to provide the labour, French workers were encouraged to come to the Island before their
own French agricultural season got under way. Higher wages and regular food was also a strong
attraction in the late 1840s when there was a famine in Normandy in 1847 due to backward
agricultural methods. Migrant work being seasonal began after the census had been taken – hence,
many workers do not appear in the ten yearly Census. French workers were encouraged rather
than British workers as they worked for less money in order to escape the poverty of \Normandy
and Brittany that existed at the time. Yes, they spoke a different tongue, they had a different religion
and regarded themselves as part of a different community to the locals, settling mainly in the
country, agricultural parishes, but the wages and proximnity to their homeland was an attraction
they coulkd not easily resisit.
21
... Emigration was particularly strong in the 1870s – as late as the 1870s & 1880s, estimates of
French workers in the Island were between 8,000 and 10,000 at the time when Senateur Desire
Jean Salmon arrived in Jersey.
Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet , who had been born on 25th February 1827 at Lithaire, became the
widow of Jean Louis Denis Salmon after his death in 1857- a marriage that had lasted 12 years.
COPY BELOW MOVED TO OZOUET
Between that date and 1861, Agathe formed a relationship with Louis Prosper Le Bouvier alias
L’Eveille and they had a child, Philippe Jean born in the Parish of St John, Jersey on 14th September
1861, and baptised on the 22nd of the month.
Philippe Jean, fils Louis Prosper L’Eveille and Agata (sic) Maria Celeste Ozouet ne le 14
septembre 1861, est baptise le 22 du dit mois; parrains Jean Richcoeur et Josephine Aimee Ozouet
sa femme.
His burial is recorded on 8th October in St John’s, aged only 23 days.
Philippe Jean L’Eveilley decede le 7 Octobre 1861 et inhume le 8 jour du dit mois, age de 23 jours.
A second child, Louisa Josephine, was born at Vingtaine du Douet in the Parish of St John, Jersey.
and baptised in the cburch on 8th December 1863
Louisa Josephine , fille Louis L’Eveille et Agatha Ozouet est baptise le 8 decembre 1863. Parrains
le pere et Josephine Ozois.
Josephine Ozouet was in fact the sister of Agathe.
The birth certificate of this child gives her father as Louis Prospere L’Eveilly and her mother as
Agate Marie Celeste Ozouet. The father was working at the time as a day labourer. The informant
was Louis L’Eveilly, father of the child, who lived at Vingtaine du Douet and the birth was
registered on 15th December 1863 by Joseph Hamon, Registrar, a week after her baptism.
A third child, Jean Louis died 20th July 1870 aged 19 days and was buried on the 22nd of the month.
Jean Louis L’Eveilley est mort le 20 juillet 1870 age de 19 jours et inhume le 22 juillet 1870.
(It is interesting to note that when a John Francis Salmon, son of John Senateur (Salatin) Salmon
and Rachel Bisson, was baptised in 1873 at Holy Trinity Church, Jersey, the god-parents were
‘Louis Leveille et sa femme’.
The child died 18 months later of pneumonia at 12 Dumaresq Street, St Helier.)
So what do we know about this Louis Prosper LeBouvier alias L’Eveill(e)y, for they are one and the
same person as will be shown later at his marriage to Agathe Marie Celestte Ozouet?
Louis Prosper was born 13th June 1821 at Bricqueville sur Mer, the son of Louis Cyprian le Bouvier,
aged 33 and his wife Jeanne Fossard . Louis Cyprian was a pedlar of song sheets by trade and he
and Jeanne had a second son Jean, born at Bricqueville 24th May 1832. Jean became a sailor –
probably a merchant seaman as he died in Newfoundland 17th May 1849 – aged only 17.
22
Jean le Bouvier,matelot, ne Bricqueville sur Mer, le 24 mai 1832 fils Louis Cyprian le Bouvier,
labourier, et de Dame Jeanne Fossard son epouse est mort le 17 mai 1849, Newfoundland.
Louis Cyprian died at Bricqueville on 8th May 1844 and his widow survived him until 6 May 1879.
His son Louis Prosper le Bouvier was a very complex personality. He was a stonebreaker by trade
and twice married. His first marriage was in 1843 to Marie Virginee Hinet, a widow. At the time
Louis Prosper was aged 22 and Marie who had been born 28th July 1812 was 9 years his senior.
Marie was the daughter of Yves Antoine Hinet a grower in Brehel, who had died in 1824, and
Gilette Alix, living in 1835.
Marie had been born at Lingreville and her first marriage took place there on 30th December 1835.
Her husband was Ange-Frederic Liot, a shoemaker by trade, who was born 9th December 1807.
Ange was the eldest son of Nicolas Francois Liot who died at Lingreville 19th April 1820, and Rose
Huet a grower. At the time of his death, their son Ange Frederic was only 13 years of age.
In the marriage registration certificate, signed at the Mayoral Office in Brehel, Marie Virginee is
described as a grower living with her widowed mother Gilette. Ange-Frederic was 28 at the time
and Virginee 23.
Le 30 avril a l’heure du midi, devant moi, Pierre Gallienne adjoint municipal de la Commune de
Brehel, chef lieu du canton, sont compare…. En notre Maison Commune, Ange Frederic Liot
cordonnier, demeurant a Lingreville ou il est ne le 9 decembre 1807, fils majeur du defunt Nicolas
Francois Liot, cultivateur decede au dit Langrevillle le 19 avril 1820, et de Rose Huet, cultivatrice,
demeurant au dit Lingreville present et consentant d’une part, et Marie Virginee Hinet, cultivatrice,
demeurant a Brehel et nee le 28 juillet 1812, fille du defunt Yves Antoine Hinet decede au dit
Brehal le 13…1824, ett de Gilette Alix, cultivatrice demeurant au diit Brehal, ausssi present et
consentant d’autre part. Lesquels nous ont requis de proceder au marriage.
The bride could not sign her name.
Thus mothers of both Ange Francois and Marie Virginee were present at the marriage which sadly,
was short lived as Ange Frederic died after 7 years on 28th June 1842 at Lingrevile in the Commune
of Agon.
His death registration made 29th June 1842, described him as a Customs Official. His wife is named
Virginee Seraphine Hinet. His death place is given as the Rue d’Agon , Lingreville. No children of
the marriage have so far been found.
1842, le 29 jour du mois de Juin, a 8 heures du matin, par devant nous Guillaume Marie Helierse,
Maire Officier de l’Etat civil, de la Commune d’Argon, Canton de sst Malo de la Lande,,
De;partement de la Manche, sont camparus les suites Victor Charles Francois Lehubiz, age de 34
ans, Prepose des Douanes- Customs Officer- et Pierre Falaize age de 69 ans, cultivateur, tous deux
domicilies a Agon, et proches voisins du defunt, ci apres nomes lesquells nous ont declare que ce
jourd’hui a 30 minutes du matin, Ange Frederic Liot, ne a Lingreville Depertement de la Manche,
le 9 decembre l’an 1807, Propose des Douanes, domicilie en cette commune fils du feu Francois
Liot, et de Rose Hue son epouse, domiciliee a Lingreville, epouse de Virginiee Seraphine Hiney, est
decede en sa maison, situe en cette commune au village de la Rue D’Agon, ainsi que nous nous
sommes assure; et les declarants ont signe avec nous le present acte apres que lecturre leur en a ete
faite.
It was only six monts later, 12th January 1843, that Marie Virginee married Louis Prosper le
Bouvier.
23
L’an 1843, le douze jour du mois de janvier, a l’heure de midi, devant Paul Auguste Bournouf,
adjoint official du commune de Brehal, chef ville du Canton, Departement de la Manche, sont
comparu en notre Maison Commune, Louis Prosper le Bouvier, toilier, demeurant ou il est ne a
Bricqueville, le 13 juin 1821, fils mineur de Louis Cyprian le Bouvier, debitant de chanson, et de
Jeannne Fossard, domiciliee a Bricquevillle sur Mer, ci present et consentant d’une part;
Et de Virginee Ceraphine Hinet, debitante de cidre, demeurant et domiciliee a Brehal ou elle est
nee le 19 juillet 1812, fille maajeur du defunt Yves Antoine Hinet, decede a Brehal le 12 juin 1824,
et du defunte Gilette Allix, ausssi decedee a Brehal le 18 fevrier 1838, veuve de Ange-Frederic Liot,
decede a Agon, le 28 juin 1842 d’auutre part.
Lesquels nous ont requis de proceded a la celebration du marriage, projete entre eux, et don’t les
publications ont ete faites, devant la principale porte de notre maison commune, et devant celle de
Bricquevillle, sur les dimanches le 27 novembre et le 2 decembre dernier a l’heure de midi, aucun
opposition au dit marriage n’ayant ete signifie, faisont droit a leur requisition, apres avoir donne
lecture de toute leur pieces….chaqun ayant repondu affirmativement, Louis Prosper et Virginee
Hinet, sont uni par le marriage, de quoi avons redige l’acte en presence de Sieur Desire Victor
Belin et trois autres temoins, avec la mere et l’epoux signe avec nous, le present acte apres lecture,
l’epouse, le pere de l’eppoux ayant declare ne savoir aucune raison. Signe le Bouvoir, Jeanne
Fossard,Berin, Fouchard.
Jeannne Fossard was of course, Louis Prosper’s mother.
Their first child, Louis Francois was born in Brehal on 11th November, 1843.
Brehal, 1843, le 11 novembre a 3 heures du soir, est compare le sieur Louis Prosper le Bouvier, age
de 21 ans, qui a presente un enfant du sexe masculine, ne du jour d’hier, a une heure du
matiin, de lui et de Virginee Hinet son epouse , don’t il a vouloir donnee le prenom, Louis
Francois..
A further child – Augustine Francoise was born in 1846 , at Brehel.
Le 10 fevrier 1846 a trois heures de l’apres midi Louis Prospeer le Bouvier, tisserant, age de 25 ans
nous a presente un enfant du sexe feminine, nee aujourd’hui a 2 heures du matin, de lui declarant,
et de Virginee Ceraphim Hinet, son epouse, agee de 33 ans, et auquelle il a declare vouloir donner
le prenom Augustine Francoise.
Augustine died 11th May 1871.
Le onze mai 1871 a 5 heures du soir, sont compare a la Mairie a Brehel, Garabis , Jacques
Frederic, age de 37 ansm custos, et Faubrat, Louis Felix, age de 65 ans, tous deux domiciliee a
Brehel, voisins de la defunte ci-apre nomee; lesquels nous ont declare que le jour de hier, a 6
heures du soir, Lebouvier, Augustine Franncoise, nee a Brehel le 10 fevrier 1846, journaliere
celebatrice, domiciliee a Brehel, fille le Bouvier, Louis Prosper age de 50 ans, domicilie a Brehel et
du feue Hinet, Marie Virtginee ( ou Virginee Serapphine) est decedee en cette commune; ainsi que
nous nous sommes assure, et ont les declarants signe avec nous, le present acte apres lecture leurs
ont avait fait.
A third child, Alexander Pierre was born in 1852 again in Brehel.
1852, le 7 juillet a huit heures du matin, devant Paul Auguste Burnouf, adjoint municipal, sont
compare Le Bouvier, Louis Prosper age de 31 ans, tisserand, qui nous a presente un enfant du sexe
masculine, ne le 5 de cette mois a 8 heures du soir, de lui declarant en sa maison au Bourg de
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Brehal, et de Hynet, Virginee Seraphine age de 36 ans, ouvriere domiciliee avec lui, son epouse, et
auquell il a declare vouloir donner le prenom de Alexandre Pierre Louis le Bouvier.
So at the age of 31 Louis Prosper and Marie Virginee aged 40 were the parents of 3 legitimate
children- all of whom bore the surname Le Bouvier. While Marie Virginee and Louis Prosper were
still married they lived at Brehel. Marie died in 1871 at Brehel.
Marie’s death registration, 8 March 1871, described her as aged 50, the widow of Ange Frederic
Liot by her frst marriage and wife by her second marriage to Louis Prosper le Bouvier.
1871, le 8 mars, a 7 heures du matin, a la Maison Commune de Brehal, sont camparu Jean
Francoiis Fouard, Conseillier en chef de la municipalite, adjunct de M le Maire, Officier official de
l’Etat, Commune de Brehal, Chef Ville du canton, Departement de la Manche, sont camparu,
Fautretat, Louis Felix, age de 65 ans, garde champetre et Garabis, Jacques Fromens, age de 65
ans, custos, tous deux demeurant a Brehel, voisins de la defunte, nommee en suite, Lesquells nous
ont declare que ce jour d’hier a six heures du soir, HINET, Marie Virginee nee a Brehel, le 19 juillet
1812, sans profession, domiciliee a Brehel, veuve en premieres noces de Liot, Ange Frederic,
epouse en seconde le Bouvier, Louis Prosper, agee de 50 ans, domiciliee a Brehal, fille du feu
Hinet, Yves Antoine et du feue Alix, Gilette, est decedee en cette commune ainsi que nous nous
sommes assure. Et ont les declarants signes avec nous le present acte apres lecture.
So from May 1871, Louis Prosper le Bouvier was a widower and therefore free to remarry if he so
desired.
As we have seen, the marriage to Marie Hinet, produced three children, yet before Marie Virginee
died in 1871in Brehal, Louis Prosper was living in Jersey, using the alias L’Eveilley to replace Le
Bouvier, and in 1861 he fathered a child, Philippe whom I have detailed above, a daughter Louisa
Josephine in 1863 and another son Jean Louis, in 1870 the mother of each of whom was Agathe
Marie Celeste Ozouet, the widow of Jean Louis Denis Salmon who had died in 1857.
Why L’Eveille? Why a name change? Why living and Jersey while his legal wife- and his
mother - was still alive, at least until 1871 – in Normandy?
In the Jersey 1881 Census he is listed under the surname Le Bouvier
That Louis Prosper le Bouvier and Louis Prosper L’Eveille are one and the same person
cannot be disputed. His later marriage in 1886 to Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet acknowledges
the fact and recongnises Louisa Josephine as their child.
The French Consul in Jersey had in fact examined and forwarded to Lithaire and authenticated the
details in the name LeBouvier.
Agathe married Louis Prosper Le Bouvier at Lithaire on 18th May 1886, 29 years after the death of
her husband Jean Louis Salmon and fifteen years after the death of his second wife, Martie Virginee
Hinet.
Register entry No 41 a Lithaire 1886.
Mariage de Louis Prosper le BOUVIER, et Agathe Marie Celeste OZOUET, l’an mil huit cent
quatre vingt six, a quatres heure de l’apres midi , (translation- there came to us Lavaisy, Amadie
Desire, Mayor , State Officer of the civil Commune of Lithaire, Canton of Haye du Puits,
Department of La Manche, at the Commune Hall, Le Bouvier, Louis Prosper, aged 65 about, stone
breaker, born at Bricqueville- sur- mer , le 13 Juin 1821, living in Lithaire, of full age, son of the
late le Bouvier, Louis Cyprian, who died at Bricqueville 8th May 1844 as is indicated on the
25
extracts from the Registers of the Civil State of the Commune of Bricqueville, handed in by the
Mayor on 19th May 1880, the which are attached to the current certificate, and of Frossard, Jeanne,
who died at Brehel 6th May 1879; and widower of Henet , Marie Virginie, who died also at Brehel,
7th May 1871 as also the two extracts of the Register at Brehel, bear witness. Delivered as they were
by the Municipality, dated 29th May 1880 which copies are attached to the current certificate.
And Marie Celeste Ozouet, aged 59 about, stone breaker, born at Lithaire 25th February 1827 of
full age, daughter of the late Ozouet, Leonor Pierre, who died 29th August 1841 at Lithaire, which
refer to the two copies of the Registers of the Civil State and Commune of Lithaire, which we have
before our very eyes, and the late Forestier, Celeste, who died in the parish of St John, Island of
Jersey, 3rd August 1879; widow of Salmon, Jean Louis Denis, who died in the parish of St Martin,
Island of Jersey, 23rd June 1857 also verified by the two extracts from the State Civil Register of the
Island of Jersey, delivered by the Registrar the first to the Parish of St John, the date being 17th
September 1857, the second to the parish of St Martin, dated 7th May 1883 and seen by the French
Consul in Jersey, 3rd November 1886 the which extracts will be attached to the present documents.
We are therefore requested to proceed with the celebration of the marriage between them and for
which the banns have been published before the main door of our Commune House, on Sundays
20th and 27th June of the current year at midday. Replying to our enquiry, the bride and groom
declared that there had not been a previous marriage contract, no opposition to the marriage had
been made , doing honour to their request after having read aloud the details mentioned above and
from Chapter VI of the Acte of the Code Civil titled ‘On Marriage’; we have enquired of the future
bride and groom if they would likle to be joined as husband and wife, each replying separately and
positively, they declared in the name of the law, that le Bouvier Louis Prosper and Ozouet Agathe
Marie Celeste ‘ sont uni par mariage’.
As soon as the two newly-weds declared they were married, they also declared the birth to them of
a child, registered in the Civil State, Rules of the Parish of St John, Island of Jersey, dated 8th
December 1863, delivered by the Registrar 1886 and seen by the French Consul in Jersey date of 3rd
November 1886 which copy is attached to the present Certificate under the name of le Bouvier,
Louisa Josephine, the which birth they wish to legitimise as their daughter.
We have drawn up the Certificate in the presence of Moucheron, Bien Aime Joseph aged 55,
grower, proprietor, and Lequerriez, Auguste Francois, 42, also grower proprietor; and the second
Certificate in the presence of sister Eugenie aged 35, teacher and Fauvel, Jean Thomas aul, aged
24, domestic, all four living in Lithaire who after having had the papers read to them, signed with
us and the contracting party. Signed Louis le Bouvier, ayoet le w, Fauvel, Moucheron.
The above information poses many unanswered quations, for example:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Agathe was living in Jersey by 1861- where was her son, my grandfather Senateur Jean who
would have been 15 at the time?
Why had Prosper Louis le Bouvier left his wife in France (Brehel) in order to move to
Jersey where he immediately started his liaison with Agathe?
What reason was there for Louis Prosper to adopt an alias?
Surely fellow French workers in the island community would have known something about
Louis Prosper and his background in France and gossip would have reached Brehel.
Having been known in Jersey as L’Eveilley, why change to his true name Le Bouvier in the
1881 Censuss.
Before trying to answer these questions, one needs to look at Agathe’s position in Jersey
after the death of her husband Jean Louis Denis Salmon in 1857.
Agathe’s second husband died at Lithaire in 1890 and she was left a widow for the second time.
No 12, L’an mil huit cent quatre vingt dix, le 25 mars a 5 heures du soir.
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Jean Pierre Dupin, Mayor, Officer of the Civil State of the Commune of Lithaire, Canton of Haye
du Puits, Department of La Manche, met with Fremont, Louis Desire aged 44, farrier, and
----Louis Augere, aged 38 teacher, both living in Lithaire, neighbours and not relatives of the
deceased, who informed us that yesterday at 1 am, Le Bouvier, Louis Prosper, born at Bricquevillesur- mer, le 10 juin 1821, son of the late Louis Cyprian le Bouvier and the late Jeanne Frossard,
and husband of Ozouet, Agathe Marie Celeste, aged 63, working from home, died at home in this
commune village de la Poterie, as we have been assured and the informants signed the certificate of
death with us.
As yet it is not known whether Agathe had any other children but we do know that she died a
widow in 1900 at the Hospice in Lithaire:
L’an mil neuf cent, le 12 fevrier, a neuf heures du matin, par devant nous Roger Jean Francois,
Maire Officier de l’Etat Civil, de la Commune de Lithaire, Canton de la Haye du Puits,
Departement de la Manche, sont compare Lucien Jean Bienaime, Instituteur , age de 36 ans, et
Martin Celestin Adolphe Jacques, Garde Champtre age de 43 ans, tous deux domicilies a Lithaire,
non parents mais voisins de la defunte, ci-apres denommee, lesquels nous ont declare que hier a six
heures du soir, Ozouet, Agathe Marie Celeste, sans profession, age de 72 ans, domiciliee a Lithaire
ou elle est nee le 25 janvier 1827, veuve de Le Bouvier, Louis Prosper, fille du feu Ozouet, Leonore
Pierre et du feue Leforestier, Celeste, est decedee a l’Hospice de cette C ommune, ainsi que nous
sommes assure et ont les declarants signe avec nous le present acte de deces après qu’il leur en a
ete fait lecture.
However, the son of Jean Louis Denis Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet – Senateur Desire
Jean Baptiste Salmon, was my maternal grandfather.
This marriage was a civil marriage and as far as can be ascertained there was no subsequent
religious ceremony. Both Leonor and Celeste Aimee were able to sign their names and both of
Celeste’s parents were present. Celeste was underage at the time of the marriage.
Aimee Celeste Henriette Le Forestier, was Great II Grandmother to
Brian Torode.
Aimee Celeste Henriette Le Forestier was born on 4th July 1805 at Mobecq, the daughter of Jean
Louis Francois Le Forestier, a weaver, and his wife Jeanne Aimee Charlotte Biard. From her
marriage to Leonor Pierre Michel Ozouet in 1823, she bore three childrenAgathe Marie Celeste Ozouet, my great II grandmother and Eugenie Pelagie and Josephine Jeanne
Aimee.
The marriage of Leonor and Aimee was a relatively short one, and he died after 18 years and
Aimee was left a widow.
27
In the year 1841, the 30th August, at 6 in the morning, there appeared before me Bonaventure
Martin, Mayor and Officer of the Civil State, of the Commune of Lithaire, Canton of Haye du Puits,
Department La Manche, Francois Auguste Catherine, brother in law of the deceased, aged 42
years, and Jean Cousin, aged 36, teacher. Both living in Lithaire, both of whom have declared that
Leonore Pierre Ozouet aged 50 years carpenter, born and living in Lithaire, spouse of Celeste le
Forestier, son of his father Simeon Ozouet and Marie le Monnier his spouse, journalier, born
Doville, and residing at Lithaire, died yesterday at midday in his house near the Piegnerie, and the
witnesses signed the Acte of decease in the presence of us and it was made public.
Signed F Catherine and …………Maire.
In this death announcement it is worth noting that Leonard is spelt with a final ‘e’and his trade is
given as that of carpenter. After marriage they had settled in Lithaire and lived in a house near La
Peignerie.
At the time of Leonard’s death in 1841, their three children were aged as follows: Agathe 14,
Eugenie 11 and Josephine 9 which Aimee had to bring up on her own.
1.Agathe born 1827, was my great grandmother who married Jean Louis Denis Salmon in
November 1845-( See below.)
2.Eugenie Pelagie Esther, my Great II aunt, was born on 19th September 1830 at Lithaire. In
1846 at the age of 16, she was godmother to Senateur Jean Baptiste Desiree, the first child of her
sister Agathe and her husband Jean Louis Salmon at his baptism in Lithaire. Why Eugenie moved
to Jersey is not known.
However, the 1851 Census informs us that at that time there was living in St Martin’s Parish,
farming 8 acres, a Francois Ruault, aged 47 with his wife Elizabeth, a Jersey woman born in St
Clement’s Parish, and aged 60. Also living with them was Elizabeth Nicolle aged 24, a land
proprietor born in St Martin’s parish, described as Francois’ step daughter. Ten years later, 1861,
Francois is living at Les Buttes, in St John’s parish and in the household one finds Eugenie Ozouet,
28
aged 30, an unmarried servant and dairy maid. Francois is now a farmer of 10 acres aged 67 and of
French nationality.
Also living in Jersey in 1861 is Eugenie’s mother, Aimee Celeste Le Forestier, and Eugenie’s sister
Josephine. Josephine has married a John Baptiste Richecoeur and Aimee Celeste is living with them
By 1869 Francois Ruault’s wife had died and he had returned to France, together with Eugenie
where they were married at St Lo d’Ourville .
Their marriage is recorded on 21st June 1869 at Saint-Lo-d’Ourville. Francois Eustache Ruault
(1803-1870) was 26 years older than Eugenie . At the time of the marriage he was 65 and Eugenie
was 39.
Francois is described as ‘journalier’ born 29th March 1803 at Denneville. Journalier would suggest
a dramatic change in fortune compared with his position in 1851.
No 26: 21 Juin. L’an 1869, le 21 juin, devant nous Valentin Sanson, Maire Officier de l’Etat civil de
la Commune de St Lo d’Ourville, Canton de Barneville, Departement de la Manche, ont comparu
en notre Maison Commune, Ruault, Francois Eustache, journalier, ne a Denneville le huit
Germinal l’an 12 de la Republique Francaise, ( 1803), domicilie en cette commune, fils majeur du
feu Malo Ruault, en son vivant journalier, decede en cette commune le 27 juin 1848, et du feue
Jeanne le Marquand decedee a Surville le 30 Novembre 1811, le tout ainsi que nous l’avons
constate, en parcourant les extraits de naissance et deces que nous avons sous les yeux, et qui
paraphes par nous et les parties contractantes, resteraient annexes au present acte. Le futur et les
temoins affirment avec serment que ses aieuls sont decedes et qu’ils ignorant le lieu de leur dernier
domicile d’une part. Et Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther, menagerie, domiciliee en cette commune,
nee a Lithaire le 19 Septembre 1830, fille du feu Ozouet, Leonord Pierre Michel, en son vivant
charpentier, decede a Lithaire le 29 aout 1841, le tout ainsi qu’il resulte des extraits de naissance et
deces a nous remis, et que paraphes par nous et les parties contractantes , resteront annexes au
present acte, et de Celeste Aimee Henriette le Forestier, menagere age de 63 ans, domiciliee en
cette Commune, etait presente et consentante d’autre part. Lesquels nous ont requis de proceder a
la celebration du marriage projecte entre eux et dont la publications ont ete faites, devant la porte
principale de notre Maison Commune, les dimanches six et treize courant a l’heure de midi.
Repondant a notre interpellation, le futur epoux ainsi que la personne presente qui autorise les
marriages nous ont declare qu’il n’a point ete faite de contrat de marriage entre les dit futurs.
Aucun opposition au dit marriage ne nous ayant ete signifie, faisant droit a leur requisition apres
avoir donne lecture de toute les pieces au dessus mentionnes et du chapitre VI du Livre du Code
Napoleon, intitule Du Mariage, avons demande au future epoux et a la future epouse s’ils veulent
se prendre pour mari et pour femme. Chaqu’un d’eux, ayant repondu separtivement et
affirmativement, declarons au nom de la loi, que Ruault, Francois Eustache et Ozouet Eugenie
Pelagie Esther, sont uni par le Marriage de quoi nous avons dresse l’acte en presence de Messieurs
1. Lancelot, Louis, rentier; 2. Chatel, Jean, cultivateur 58; 3. Lecouillard, Felix, sacristan, 47, 4.
Enfin Louis Francois Vermonty, Instituteur, 27 ans, tous les quatres domiciles en cette commune, et
amis des epouses, lesquels après que lecture du present acte leur a ete donnee, sont signe avec
nous, et les parties contractantes, a l’exception de l’epoux, de l’epouse et de la mere de l’epouse,
qui ont declares ne savoir signe,
Vermont, Jean Chatel, Le Cuillard, Sanson, La ….
No 26: 21st June 1869, 26th June 1869 there presented themselves before us, Valentin Sanson,
Mayor, Officer of the Civil State of the Commune of St Lo d’Ourville, Canton de Barneville,
Department of La Manche, Ruault, Francois Eustache , day worker born at Denneville the 8th
Germinal year 12 of the French Republic, (1803) living in this Commune, elder son of the late Malo
Ruault, when alive, day worker, who died in this Commune 27th June 1848, and of the late Jeanne
Lemarquand, who died at Surville, 30th October 1811, everything we have established by going
through the copies of births and deaths which we have under our eyes at present, ,and which
summarised by us and the contracting couple, will remain attached to this present certificate; the
29
future couple and the witnesses agreed on oath that their elders have died and that they cannot
remember the place where they last lived; on one side; and Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther,
housekeeper living in this Commune, but born at Lithaire 19th September 1830, daughter of the late
Ozouet, Leonard Pierre Michel, a carpenter when he was alive, died at Lithaire 29th August 1841,
all this also coming from the copies of births and deaths, which have been sent to us, and which,
summarised by us, and the contracting parties, will remain attached to this present document,; and
of Celeste AimeeHenriette le Forestier, housekeeper, aged 63 living in this Commune, was present
and consented to this, so that we were requested to proceed to the celebration of marriage proposed
between them, and for which the publication has been made on the principal door of Commune
House, on Sundays 2nd and 9th of this present month at midday. In reply to our invitation, the future
couple as also the person present who authorises marriages, declared to us that he had at no time
had there been made any contract of marriage between the said couple.
No opposition to the said marriage had been made, thus allowing their request. After having
explained all the a bove mentioned matters, and those of Chapter VI of the Book of the Napoleonic
Code, titled ‘On Marriage’ we asked the future bride and groom of they wanted to take one another
for husband and wife. Each replied separately and in the affirmative, and we declared in the name
of the Law that Ruault, Francis Eustache and Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther, are united in
marriage for which we have drawn up the document in the presence of; Messieurs: 1. Lancelot
Louis, rentier, aged 68. 2. Chatel, Jean, grower, aged 58. 3. Lecouillard, Felix, sexton, aged 47; 4.
Finally Louis Francois Vermont, teacher, aged 27. All 4 living in St Lo d’Ourville, and friends of
the couple, wbo after the papers had been read to them, signed with us and the parties concerned,
with the exception of the groom, the bride and the mother of the bride, who said they could not
write.
Vermont, Jean Chatel, Le Couillard, Sanson, La…
One of those mentioned as present at the wedding is Aimee Celeste , the mother of the bride, who
had either returned from Jersey, to live in France or who had returned especially for the occasion.
The marriage was short lived- 18 months- and Francois Eustache Ruault died 28th October 1870.
Le 28 octobre 1870 a 8 heures du matin par devant nous, Valentin Sanson , Maire, Officier de
l’Etat civil, de la Commune de St Lo d’Ourville, Canton de Barneville, Departement de la Manche,
sont comparu les Messieurs, Vermont, Louis Francois, Instituteur age de 29 ans et Ferrand, Jean
cultivateur age de 36 ans, domicilies en cette Commune, et amis du defunct lesquels nous ont
declare que ce matin a une heure, Francois Eustache Ruault, journalier, ne a Denneville, le 8
Germnal l’an 12 de la Republique Francaise, domicilie en cette commune village de Pas Saint
Martin, epoux de Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther, menagere, fils du feu Malo Ruault et du feue
Jeanne Lemarquand, en leur vivant journaliers a St Lo d’Ourville, est decede en son domicile
susdesigne, ainsi que nous sommes assure et ont les declarants signe avec nous le present acte de
deces après lecture.
Vermont, Sanson, Ferrand.
28th October at 8 am, before us Valentin Sanson, Mayor, officer of the Civil State of the Commune
of St Lo d’Ourville, Canton of Barneville, Department of La Manche, there came Messieurs
Vermont, Louis Francois, teacher aged 29 and Ferrand, Jean, grower aged 36, living in this
Commune and friends of the deceased, who informed us that this morning at 1 am, Francois
Eustache Ruault, day worker, born at Denneville the 8 Germinal year 12 of the Republic Francaise,
who lived in this Commune,in the v illage of Pas Saint Martin, husband of Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie
Esther, housekeeper, son of Malo and the late Jeanne Lemarquand, when alive day workers at St
Lo d’Ourville, died this morning at his home named above, and of this we were assured by the
informants and they signed with us the present certificate of death after having had it read to them.
Vermont, San son, Ferrand.
30
Eugenie remarried after the death of Francois Ruault. Her second husband was Prosper Francois
Alexandre Goubert (1815-1881). The contract was made on 4th November 1873 at La Haye-du-Puits
and the marriage took place on 13th November 1873 at Saint-Lo-d’Ourville. Prosper was a retired
Customs Officer born 23rd December 1815 at Canville-le-Rocque. He died there on 9th April 1881.
Prosper also had been married previously to Jeanne Francoise Boucard who had died on 18th
October 1871. Prosper’s father was Bon George Goubert and his mother Marie Rose Brochard.
Widow Eugenie was described as a Rentier – a woman of independent means.
Le 13 novembre 1873 a 9 heures du matin par devant nous, Valentin Sanson, Maire Officier de
l’Etat Civil de la Commune de St Lo d’Ourville, Canton de Barneville Departement de la Manche,
sont comparu en la Maison Commune pour contracter le mariage, Goubert, Prosper Francois
Alexandre, ne le 23 decembre 1815 a Canville, comme le constate l’acte de naissance , domicilie
retraite de…..fils majeur du feu Bon George, et du feue Marie Francoise Brochard, decedee a
Canneville , l’une le 7 novembre 1857, l’autre le 24 mars 1850 comme indique leur actes de deces;
veuf de Jeanne Francoise Boucard, decedee a Canville le 18 octobre 1871 aussi que le constate
l’acte de deces. A ce moment le future et les temoins nous affirment avec serment, qu’ils ignorant
le dernier domicile et le lieu de deces de ces aieuls; et La Dame Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther,
rentier, domicile en cette Commune, nee a Lithaire le 19 septembre 1830, fille majeur du feu
Leonard Pierre Michel Ozouet, charpentier, decede a Lithaire le 29 aout 1841, ainsi qu’il resulte
des extraits de naissance et de deces , et de Celeste Aimee Henriette Le Forestier, menagere
domiciliee a Lithaire, ci present et consentante; veuve a Ruault, Francois Eustache, journalier,
decede a St Lo d’Ourville le 28 octobre 1870; lesquels nous ont requis de proceder a la celebration
du marriage projete entre eux, et dont les Publications ont ete faites entre eux, dans notre
Commune, comme celle de Canville les dimanches 2 et 9 novembre dernier, comme le certificat de
publication sans opposition le constate. Aucune opposition au dit marriage ne nous ayant ete
signifie et les futurs naux ayant remis sur notre …. Le certificate du contrat de marriage passé par
devant M Dauvin, notaire a La Haye du Puits, le 4 novembre, passé, faisont de leur requisition
après avoir donne lecture de toutes les pieces ci dessus mentionnes et du Chapitre VI du Code
Civil relative au marriage, avons demande au future epoux at la future epouse s’ils veulent se
prendre pour mari et femme, chacun d’eux ayant repondu separativement et affirmativement, nous
declarons au nom de la loi, que Goubert, Prosper Francois Alexandre et Ozouet Eugenie Pelagie
Esther sont uni par le marriage, le tout ceux ont dresse l’acte en presence de 1. La Langeux,
Jacques, proprietaire, age de 59 ans, beaux frère de l’epoux; 2. Larry Gustave Oitwater, 28 ami de
l’epoux, domicilie a Canville; 3. Pigaut, Aimable 58; 4. Cahour, Alexandre, Instituteur 30, ami de
l’epouse, domicilie a St Lo d’Ourville lesquels ont signe avec nous et les parties contractantes
après lecteur faite, moins l’epouse et sa mere, qui ont declare ne savoir signer. Deux mots pages
nul.
Pigaut, Larry Gustave, V Sanson.
The 13th November at 9 am there came before us, Valentin Sanson, Mayor and Officer of the Civil
State in the Commune of St Lo d’Ourville, Canton of Barneville, Department of La Manche, in the
Communal House, in order to be married, Goubert, Prosper Francois Alexandre, born 23rd
December 1815 at Caneville, as attested in his birth certificate, living in the Retraite de… elder son
of of the late Bon George, and of the late Marie Francoise Brochard , both died at Caneville, the
one on 7 November 1857 the other 24th March 1850 as indicated on their death registration,
widower of Jeanne Francoise Boucard, died at Canville 18th October 1871, as is also confirmed by
the death registration. This time, the future couple and the witnesses swear on oath that they are
unaware of the last address and place of death of their elders; and Mrs Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie
Esther, of independant means, living in this Commune, born at Lthaire 19th September 1830, elder
daughter of the late Leonard Pierre Michael Ozouet, carpenter, who died at Lithaire 29th Augiust
1841, as is shown by the extracts from the birth and death records, and of Celeste Aimee Henriette
Le Forestier,
31
Housekeeper living in Lithaire who is present and consenting; widow of Ruault Francis Eustache,
day worker, who died at St Lo d’Ourville, 28th October 1870; These persons requested us to proceed
with the marriage celabration proposed between them, and for which the publication had been
made between them in our Commune as in that of Canville, on Sundays 2nd and 9th ofNovember last,
as the certificate of publication bears witness.
No opposition to the marriage contract had been made and the future ….having sent on our … the
certificate of the contract of marriage was passed before M Dauvin, solicitor, at Haye du Puits, 4th
November past, agreeing to their request after having explained all the issues mentioned above and
of Chapter VI of the Civil Code relative to marriage, and having asked of the future couple if they
wished to take one another for husband and wife, and each having answered separately and
affirmatively, we declared in the name of the Law, that Goubert, Prosper Francois Alexandre and
Ozouet, Eugenie Pelagie Esther, are united in marriage, both having signed the marriage act in the
presence of La Langeux, Jacques, proprietor, aged 59, brother in law of the groom; Larry Gustave
Oitwater 28, friend of the bridegroom, living in Canville, 28; Pigaut, Aimable, 58; Cahour,
Alexandre, Teacher 30, friend of the bride living in St Lo d’Ourville, all of whom signed with me
and the contracting parties after have had the documents read to them, minus the bride and her
mother who said they did not know how to. Pigaut; Larry Gustave; V Sanson.
Aimee Celeste was again present at this second marriage but by that time was living in Lithaire.
This was another rather short marriage – Prosper Goubert died in 1881 at Canville le Rocque, his
birthplace but where Eugenie died and when is as yet undiscovered. She did not die in Canville
prior to 1892.
Death of Prosper Alexander Goubert- Samedia le 9 avril 1881, a 8 heures du matin, par devant n
ous, Bon Canu, Maire, Officier de l’ Etat Civil de la Commune de Canville Canton de la haye du
Puits, Departement de la Manche, sont compare en notre Maison Commune, Jean Regnire, age de
52 ans, Pierre Bruman age de 70 ans, cultivateur, tous deux domiciliees en cette Commune, voisins
de Prosper Francois Alexandre Goubert, qui nous declarant que hier a 8 heures du soir, le dit
Prosper Goubert, age de 65 ans, retraite de la Douane, ne et domicilie en cette commune, fils du
Bon George Goubert, et de Marie Rose Brochard, epoux de Eugenie Ozouet, est decede en sa
maison situee en cette Commune, village de la Rue de Canville, ainsi que nous en sommes assure,
et les declarants ont signe double, avec nous, le present acte de deces après qu’il leur en a ete
donne lecture.
Signe, Bon Canu, Jean Regnire et Pierre Bruman
Death of Prosper Alexander Goubert – Saturday 9th April 1881 at 8 am, before us Bon Canu, Mayor
, State Official of the Civil State of the Commune of Canville, Canton of La Hay Du Puits, Dept de
la Manche, there came to our Commune House, Jean Regnire, aged 52, Pierre Bruman aged 70,
grower, and both living in this Commune, neighbours of Prosper Francois Alexander Goubert, who
declared to us that at 8 pm yesterday the said Prosper Goubert, aged 65 retired Customs Officer
born and living in this Commune, son of Bon George Goubert and of Marie Rose Brochard,
husband of Eugenie Ozouet, died in his house situated in this Commune, district of Rue de Canville,
as we have been assured, and the informants both signed with us the present acte of death, after
they had had it read to them. Signed, Bon Canu, Jean Regnire and Pierre Bruman.
Canville is on the east coast almost directly east of the island of Jersey, just south of Carteret and
half way between that town and Haye du Puits to the south.
3.Josephine Jeanne Aimee , my Great II aunt was the third child of Leonore Pierre Ozouet and
Aimee Celeste Forestier. Josephine was sister to Agathe and Eugenie. She was born at Lithaire in
1832, five years after Agathe and two years after Eugenie.
32
Josephine appears to have been the first of the family to have arrived in Jersey. She is recorded in
the 1851 Census living in the home of John Bines and his family, a landed proprietor of 6 acres in
St Mary’s Parish. John is aged 44 . Living with them is Josephine Jeanne Ozoue (sic), born France,
aged 18, a house servant.
By 1861, Josephine now aged 28, has married and is living in Trinity Parish. Her husband is John
Baptiste Richecoeur aged 31, an agricultural labourer born in France. Of much interest is the fact
that Josephine’s mother, Aimee le Forestier aged 55, is living with them and described as a mantua
maker.
Also of interest is that Josephine’s sister Eugenie aged 30, is also now living in Jersey, in St John’s
Parish, an unmarried servant and dairymaid in the home of what was to become her future husband,
Francois Ruault.
It would appear that in the 1850s, Agathe, elder sister of Josephine and Eugenie, had also arrived in
the island with her husband and son John Senateur Salmon. Here her husband Jean Louis Denis
Salmon died in 1857 in St Martin’s Parish…. As testified by the French Consul……. By 1863,
Agathe was living in St John’s Parish where she gave birth to an illegitimate child, Louisa le
Bouvier. It seems likely that Senateur John, Agathe’s son now aged 17, had returned to France as no
reference can be found to him in the Jersey Census returns and no other mention of him can be
found in Jersey until 1873. By 1871, Josephine aged 38 and her husband John aged 41, were living
in St John’s Parish where John is described as a farmer of 13 acres.
Aimee le Forestier, Josephine’s mother had made several return journeys to France between 1861
and 1873, but obviously always returned to Jersey where she died in 1879.
Josephine was still living in Jersey in 1881, but her husband’s fortunes seemed to have taken a turn
for the worse. He is now aged 50 but farming only 4 and a half acres. They are still living in St
John’s Parish and still without children. Josephine’s sister Agathe is living at St Lawrence with the
father of her child Louisa who is now aged 17 and also the father himself, Louis le Bouvier. In this
year also Josephine’s nephew John Senateur Salmon, Agathe’s son, moved to Guernsey.
Josephine and her husband John Richecoeur were still living in St John’s Parish in1891, where John
is aged 61, a farmer living with his wife Joesephine aged 58. Also living with them is John’s
brother, Jacques, single aged 26, (which seems rather unlikely,) and a female visitor Marie
Bantasse, aged 78. Both of these are described as agricultural labourers. They had moved to La
Grande Route in St Lawrence Parish in 1901, and by 1911 were living in two rooms at le Coin Est,
St Lawrence. John is described as a worker but living on private means and Josephine is a
housewife. They had been married 53 years and had no children.
We know that Aimee Celeste, mother of the three girls, continued to live for some time in Lithaire
after the death of her husband and she was present at the marriage of her daughter Agathe, in
Lithaire, to John Louis Salmon in 1845. She attended both marriages of her daughter Eugenie in
1869 and again in 1873. However as we have seen above, in the Jersey 1861 census return, she is
listed, under her maiden name of Le Forestier, as a border in the house of Jean Baptiste Richcoeur
and his wife Jospehine, Aimee’s daughter. Aimee is then aged 55 and she is described as a widow,
born France. Her occupation is given as mantua maker – a costume pattern maker or a coat pattern
maker.
She is not listed in the 1871 Jersey Census so may have returned to France and then before 1879
returned to Jersey where she died. From the marriage contract, we know that she was present at the
two marriages of her daughter Eugenie- one in 1869 and the second in 1873.
BT to Martial Ozouet 1 Jan 2013;
33
Aimee Celeste (ou Celeste Aimee) Henriette Leforestier se trouve au Census a Jersey en 1861. Elle n'etait pas la en
1871 mais vous dites qu'elle est morte a Jersey en 1879. Avez vous l'acte de deces? Voyez le document attache pour lire
ce que j'ai decouvert d' Henriette . BET.
Letter from Martial Lozouet 1st January 2013
Cette fois, la réponse est vraiment facile et claire : sur l'acte de mariage de leur fille avec M. LEBOUVIER en 1886,
il
est stipulé les dates et lieux de décès des parents. Je n'ai pas les photos des actes. Je n'ai d'ailleurs
aucune photo d'acte de Jersey.
Aimee Celeste Henriette Ozouet nee Le Forestier died in Trinity Parish, Jersey in 1879
The death certificate states that on 3rd August 1879 at Vingtaine du Nord in St John’s Parish, Island
of Jersey, Celeste Le Forestier, widow of Eliodore (Leonord) )Ozouet, aged seventy-five-years and
one month, a day labourer, died of old age. The informant was Emmanuel Beaugeard of Vingtaine
du Nord, who was present at the death.
The death was registered on 4th August 1879 by Philip Le Boutillier, Registrar.
The first child of Leonore Pierre Ozouet and Aimee Celeste Henriette Leforestier was my
Great grandmother, Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet, born 1827.
34
SENATEUR DESIRE JEAN BAPTISTE SALMON, my GRANDFATHER
Son of Jean Louis Denis Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet
Father of at least two children of Rachel Bisson of Jersey -John Francis Salmon and Lydia Rachel
Quenault (Querault)
Husband of Emelie Bisson of Jersey
Father of Alice Beatrice Torode, nee Salmon.
Also Father of John, Walter, Albert John, Henry Francis, Nicholas Mauger, William John, Albert
William, Emily, George, Francis, Frederick, Alfred, Arthur and possibly
Father of Walter John the illegitimate son of Emelie Bisson
Previous to making contact with the French researchers Martial Ozouet and Mme Moinet and
previous to having access to the La Manche Archives, information about my grandfather Senateur
Salmon was partially based on hearsay, family tradition and minimal written evidence. According to
his death certificate, Desire Jean Batiste Salmon was the son of Jean Louis Desire Salmon and his
wife Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet and he was born in the region of France called La Manche
corresponding to today’s Normandy. Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon died 5th August 1911 at
7.05pm, and his age was recorded as about sixty-five years. His place of death is given as Lunatic
Asylum, St Peter Port, Guernsey. This would mean that he was born in about 1845 or 1846. His
trade is given as Mason, and his normal place of residence is given as Pedvin Street, St Peter Port.
The cause of death is given as general debility (vide inquest of 8.8.11). His death was registered on
August 7th 1911.
35
In the 1881 Census he was described as thirty-one years old which would mean that he was born in
about 1850. The 1891 census gives his age then as forty-two-years-old and his place of birth as St
Martin’s Parish, Jersey.
From these details I concluded that he was born some time between 1845 and 1850 and that he had
connections with both La Manche and also the Parish of St Martin in Jersey. At the time of the 1911
census it was said that he was actually born at St Brieuc. (See below references to Birth and
marriage certificates)
Thanks to the La Manche research we now know that Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon was
born at Lithaire, La Manche, on 22nd July 1846 and was presented to be registered on the next
day. His father was Jean Louis Denis Salmon who had married Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet on 28th
November 1845 and banns were published on 20th and 27th July that year. His mother came from
Lithaire and his maternal grandparents were Leonor Pierre Michel Ozouet (1791-1841) and Aimee
Celeste Henriette Le Forestier (1805-1879). His mother Agathe worked as a knitter and was
described at her marriage as being supported by her widowed mother who was aged forty-five and
born at Mobecq.
L’Acte de Naissance a Lithaire de Salmon, Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste le 23 juillet 1846.
L’an mil huit cent quarante six le 23 juillet a huit heures du matin, devant moi Louis Bonaventure
Martin, maire, officier de l’etat civil de la commune de Lithaire, canton de Gorges du department
de la Manche est comparu Jean Louis Denis Salmon age de 28 ans, journalier ne a Gorges,
domicile a Lithaire, lequel nous a presente un enfant du sexe masculine, ne hier a 10 heures du
matin en sa maison pres de la Piegnerie, et de lui declarant, et d’Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet
agee de dix neuf ans travaillant dans le ménage, ne et domicile a Lithaire, son epouse, et auquel il
a declare vouloir donner les prenoms SenateurDesire Jean Baptiste, les actes de declaration et
presentation faite en presence de Jean Cousin age de 41 ans, institeur a Lithaire, et de Louis
Fremont age de 35 ans, marechal a Lithaire, et le pere et les temoins ont sousigne dans le livre, le
presente acte de naissance, après qu’il leur en a ete fait lecture.
Signed, j salmon , Cousin, L Fremont Martin.
Translated as: The year 1846, the 23rd July, at 8 in the morning, before me, Louis Bonaventure
Martin, Mayor Official of l’Etat civil, de la Commune de Lithaire, Canton de Gorges, of
the said Department of la Manche, there came Jean Louis Denis Salmon aged 28 , journalier,
born at Gorges, living at Lithaire, who presented us with a child of masculine sex, born
yesterday at ten hours of the morning, in his house near la Piegnerie, who declared that it
was his own child and that of Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet aged 19, his wife, working from
home, born and living at Lithaire, to whom he stated that they wanted to give the forenames
of Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste, the said declaration and presentation made in the presence
of Jean Cousin aged 41 years, teacher at Lithaire, and of Louis Fremont, aged 35 years
farrier at Lithaire and the father and witnesses signed in the book, with me, the Birth
Certificate, after having had it read to them.
At the time of the birth of Senateur Salmon his father, Jean Louis Denis, was described as a twentyeight-year-old journalier, ( day worker, journeyman) born at Gorges.
Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon was baptised at Lithaire in 1846 – the old church-and the
Registers record the occasion :
36
No:2003. Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste, fils legitime de Jean Salmon et de Marie Ozouet domicilie
a Lithaire, ne le vingt deux juillet 1846, a ete solemnellement baptise le meme jour, le parrain, Jean
Cathrine, la marraine Eugenie Ozouet.
(signed) Jean Cathrine. ? Cou… Vicaire de Lithaire
2003. Senateur Desire Jean Baptiste, legitimate son of John Salmon and Marie Ozouet inhabitants
of Lithaire, born 22nd July 1846, has been solemnly baptised the same day the godfather being John
Cathrine and the godmother Eugenie Ozouet. (signed) Jean Cathrine. ? Cou… Vicar of Lithaire
In his youth Senateur had both of his parents alive as well as an uncle, Aimable Paul Salmon, and
his paternal grandparents were still living in Lithaire. His maternal grandfather, Leonor Pierre
Michel Ozouet, a domestic carpenter of Lithaire, had died before Senateur was born, on 30th August
1841.His mother had had two sisters, Eugenie Pelagie Esther (1830-) (who married in 1869 and
again in 1873 at Saint-Lo-d’Ourville and Josephine Jeanne Aimee (1832-1921in Jersey)
.
Senateur’s maternal grandmother, Aimee Celeste Henriette Le Forestier, wife of Leonore Pierre
Michel Ozouet, was a widow and boarder in Trinity, Jersey at the time of the 1861 Census return
and she was to die at St John’s Jersey on 3rd August 1879.
The death certificate reveals that on 3rd August 1879 at Vingtaine du Nord in St John’s Parish,
Celeste Le Forestier, widow of Eliodore ( Leonore) Ozouet, aged seventy-five-years and one month,
a day labourer, died of old age. The informant was Emmanuel Beaugeard of Vingtaine du Nord,
present at the death. The death was registered on 4th August 1879 by Philip Le Boutillier, Registrar.
Senateur’s mother, the widow of Jean Louis Denis Salmon, Agathe Marie Celeste Ozouet, formed a
relationship with Louis Prospere L’Eveilly ( Le Bouvier) and they had a child, Philipp Jean born 14
September 1861 and a daughter Louise Josephine Le L’Eveilly ( Le Bouvier) , who was born on 8th
December 1863 at Vingtaine du Douet in the Parish of St John, Jersey.
The birth certificate of these children give the father as Louis Prospere L’Eveilly and the mother as
Agate Marie Celeste Ozouet. The father was working as a day labourer. The informant was Louis
L’Eveilly, father of the child, who lived at Vingtaine du Douet and the birth was registered on 15th
December 1863 by Joseph Hamon, Registrar.
The baptism records for the children are as follows:
St John’s Parish: Philippe Jean son of Louis Prospper Leveilley and Agathe Marie Celeste baptised
22nd September 1861
Philippe Jean died 23 days later.
St John’s Parish: Louisa Jospehine Leveilley baptised 8th December 1863. Daughter of Louis
Prosper and Agathe.
Of dubious interest is gthe fact that when John Francis Salmon, son of John Senateur (Salatin)
Salmon and Rachel Bisson, was baptised in 1873 at Holy Trinity Church, St Helier, Jersey, the godparents were ‘Louis Leveille et sa femme’
L’Eveille is not a Jersey name and it wold seem that in view of the evidence so far obtained, Louis
Prosper used it as an alias for reasons unknown but supposed, above.
37
From the beginning of the 19th century, to the middle of the twentieth, French workers – mainly
agricultural- emigrated from Brittany and Normandy, to Jersey in search of work , intending to
return to their homeland at the end of the season. However some decided to settle in Jersey and
between 1851 and 1891 the number of people recorded in the Census who had been born in France
rose by over 3000- in 1851 amounting to 3.5% of the population, in 1861 amounting to 5% , and in
1871 amounting to 7.2% of the total population. The employment offered to these migrant workers
consisted largely of potato picking and construction work – in the early years, on the new harbour.
By working for just a few months in Jersey, French workers could earn far more than they would
have done in a whole year in Brittany.
Most of the workers travelled to Jersey from the port of St Brieuc. The 1920s Alien Registration
Records in Jersey show that 55 persons gave their place of birth as St Brieuc and the 25 Communes
within 45 km of St Brieuc provided 737 further immigrants. Although this does not relate directly to
the time of Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon, it does give some indication of the numbers from La
Manche who found work in and remained in Jersey. The actual figure for those born in La Manche
– the birthplace of Desire Jean, amounted to 181.
In a similar study, 37% of the French people married in St Martin’s Parish Church between 1850
and 1940 were from La Manche- 11 marriages in all. (information from Mark Boleat ‘French
Workers and the Jersey Population.’ He quotes extensively from Michel Monteil: L’emigration
francaise vers Jersey 1850-1950. L’Universite de Provence 2005)
The Communes in La Manche, from which the Normandy immigrants came, were in a 15 km strip
between Carteret and Lessay, Carteret probably being the port of embarkation. There are a few
exceptions- Granville and Muneville sur Mer 60 km to the south and Bricquebec which is north east
of Carteret , some distance away from the other listed Communes. The birthplaces listed of French
people from la Manche registered as aliens, include Hay du Puits, St Lo d’Ourville, Barneville,
Denneville, Bricquebec, and Creances- many of which appear in the story of the Salmon and related
families.
Pursuing the tantalizing reference in the Guernsey 1891 Census Return to John Salmon being
linked with St Martin’s Parish, Jersey, it is interesting to note that in the 1841 Census there lived in
the Parish of St Martin a Pierre Salmon, born in France, a twenty-five-year-old farmer, which
suggests he had been born in 1816. He was living with an Ester Le Feuvre, ten years his senior, and
Ester Gallichan, aged sixty-five-years. Both of these ladies were born in Jersey. In the 1851 census,
a Pierre Salmon is living at Grove Cottage St Helier . Details are as follows:
Ann Renouf, widow, aged 53 householder, born St Martin
Clement Renouf, son, 22, Clerk, born Grouville.
Peter Salmon, visitor 41, married, annuitant (living off own means/pension), born France.
There is no mention of Peter in the 1861 Census. He may or may not be connected to our Senateur
Desire John Baptiste Salmon- further research still needs to be done.
However, to add further complication, the earliest reference we seem to have of this name, Desire
Jean Ba(p)tiste Salmon, is at his death. Before then he is known simply as John or as John Senateur
Salmon. This latter name was used on the occasion when we find our first definite reference to him.
On 13th October 1873 he registered the birth of his son John Francis, before John de Gruchy, the
Jersey Registrar. The mother of this child was given as maiden name Rachel Bisson and the child
had been born on 3rd October 1873 in Trinity Parish, Jersey. John Senateur Salmon was described as
a Day Labourer of Vingtaine des Augres. Based on the information given above, he would have
been about 23 at the time. He would appear from the copy certificate to have signed his name. As
no previous mention of him occurs in any previous Census Return, this would suggest that he
arrived in the Island of Jersey between 1871 and 1873.
38
The son, John Francis was born in Trinity on 3rd Octoiber 1873 and baptised at Holy Trinity
Church, Jersey, on 14th December 1873. On this occasion the father is referred to as John Salatin
Salmon. This is probably not significant but an error on the part of William du Heaume, the Rector.
The godparents of the child were Louis Leveille and his wife, presumably the mother and future
stepfather of Senateur Salmon, and the details are as follows:
‘John Francis Salmon - date of birth 3 Octobre 1873; date of Baptism 14 Decembre.1873;
Father’s name: John Salatin Salmon; Mother’s name: Rachel Bisson; Father’s occupation:
domestique; Godparents: Louis Leveille et sa femme.’ No address is given.
This would suggest that Senateur was definitely in Jersey in 1873.
John Francis died in St Helier aged 1 year, 1 year 6 months, on 15 th april 1875 at 12, Dumaresq
Street, of pneumonia.
Just over two years later, on 6th January 1876 another child, Lydia Rachel (Bisson), was born at 12
Dumaresq Street in St Helier Parish, Jersey. She was described as the daughter of John Senateur
Salmon and Rachel Bisson. John Senateur Salmon was described as a Carter. The birth was
registered on 13th January 1876 and the informant was Carterette Pinel of Seaton Place, who had
been present at the birth. Carterette was the wife of, Elie Pinel, brother of Rachel’s mother Anne
Pinel and therefore Rachel’s aunt.
There is no recorded marriage between John Salmon and Rachel Bisson at Trinity. Rachel was,
however, the mother of further illegitimate children namely:
Amelia Jane (Bisson) who was born on 17th September 1877- no father’s name is given. The markx – of Mary Ann Bisson, present at birth at 14 Journeaux Street, is given. Amelia’s birth was not
registered until nearly three weeks after the birth.
John (Bisson) who was born on 31st July 1879 : again no father is named and the mark – x – is
made, of Carterette Haps, present at birth, of 56 King Street. John’s birth was not registered until
20th August –again three weeks after birth. John’s baptism details are:
Birth July 31st 1879, John illegitimate son of Rachel Bisson, baptised August 24 th 1879. Godparents
Peter Haps and Emelie Bisson, sponsors. I U Pilbeam, Curate officiated. No other details are given.
The Sponsor, Emelie Bisson, was the sister of the said Rachel.
This baptism was in fact a double baptism, and gives rise to further mysterious associations:
Birth 13th January 1879 , John, illegitimate son of EMELIE Bisson, baptised 24th August 1879.
Godparents Peter Haps and Mary Ann Bisson.
And Rachel Bisson was also mother to Mabel Mary Ann (Bisson), in 1890. Interestingly, a John
Salmon was a godfather of Mabel Mary when she was baptised on 2nd August 1892 – was this John
Senateur Salmon or perhaps Rachel and John’s son, John Francis who would have been aged 17 at
the time? This is however unlikely as he probably died before 1881 as he is not included in that
year’s Census. The other sponsors were Mary Ann Bisson, and Amelia Bisson. Robt Jones, Curate,
officiated. Amelia would have been only 13 years of age at this date and the half sister of the child,
Mabel Mary Ann.
SENATEUR DESIRE JEAN BAPTISTE SALMON and EMELIE BISSON .
39
St Martin’s Parish shares a border with Trinity Parish and it was in Trinity Parish that there was a
family of Bisson at this time. Rachel Bisson was born on 2nd March 1851 and was the third
daughter of John Bisson, a blacksmith, and his wife Anne Pinel. This Rachel Bisson would seem to
be the mother of the children of John Senateur Salmon referred to above.
Rachel Bisson had a younger sister, Emelie Bisson, ten years her junior, who was baptised at
Trinity on 29th September 1861.
Emilie born 30th Juillet 1861, baptise le 29 Septembre 1861. Pere, Jean Bisson, mere, Anne Pinel.
Father’s occupation Forgeron (Blacksmith) Godparents Jean Bisson, father, and Emilie Esnouf.
The Registration of Birth certificate on 9th November 1861 records the above details with
additionally, the name of the informant, John Bisson, pere de l’enfant, of Vingtaine de la Ville a
l’Eveque ( Trinity Parish)
There is an entry in the St Helier’s Parish Register of the birth of Walter John Bisson on 17th
August 1877 to Emelie Bisson at 14 Journeaux Street, St Helier. This child died aged one week on
25th August and is described as illegitimate. Rachel Bisson, Emelie’s sister, also gave birth to her
illegitimate children, Amelia and John at this same address, 14 Journeaux Street, in 1877 and 1879
respectively a situation that suggests the following hypothesis:
Senateur John Salmon may have had a relationship with both sisters and he transferred his
affections from the older one, Rachel, to the younger one Emelie. At the time of the birth of the
illegitimate child, Walter John, to Emelie Bisson, she would have been only sixteen-years of age. At
this time John Senateur Salmon was aged thirty one years and he could have been the father of
young Walter John Bisson as well as Rachel’s children as they were all living at the same address.
Whether this is true or false, we do know that by 1879 John Senateur Salmon and Emelie Bisson
were living as man and wife. As with the elder sister, Rachel, there seems to be no record of a
marriage in either Jersey or Guernsey. The first ‘legitimate’ child of John and Emelie, was named
John Salmon. He was born in St Helier on 13th January 1879 when his mother would have been
only eighteen and his father thirty three. John Salmon junior was the first of their fourteen childrenif one discounts the illegitimate Walter John mentioned above, but the only one born in Jersey. The
second child, another Walter, was born in Guernsey in 1880. At that time there was a shortage of
work in Jersey and many French settlers moved to Guernsey to find work in the quarries or in shipbuilding. In later life John Salmon (senior) was described as a mason and evidence suggests that he
had originally gone to Jersey to work in the quarries.
Standing against this evidence for a romantic liaison with both sisters is the fact that members of
each family acted as godparents for their respective children and Rachel Bisson seems to have kept
in contact with the Salmon family in Guernsey. As mentioned above, John Salmon was probably the
named sponsor to Mabel Mary Ann, the youngest illegitimate daughter of Rachel Bisson, when she
was baptised in 1892. Lydia Rachel Bisson was godmother to William John Salmon when he was
baptised in St Peter Port in 1885. Whatever the relationship was between John Salmon and the two
Bisson sisters, things seem to have remained amicable.
CENSUS RETURNS - GUERNSEY.
In the 1881 census we find Desire is simply referred to as John Salmon , born St Martin, Jersey,
probably his misunderstanding of the question – Where are you from? and having just left Jersey, he
gave St Martin as the answer. It was also the Parish in Jersey where his father had died in 1857. He
and Emelie were living at 43 Cornet Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey. The couple were described as
40
married, John was a thirty-one-year-old mason ( actually 35) and his wife, Emelie, aged twenty-one,
was born in Trinity, Jersey. Their children were John, aged two years, born in St Helier ( see below)
whilst Walter, aged just six months, was born in St Peter Port, suggesting their arrival in Guernsey
after January 1879 but before September 1880.
However the Strangers’ Register for Guernsey gives the following details for :
Salmon, Jean Baptiste
Occupation: Mason
Birthplace: Lithaire, Canton du Haye du Puits , arrondissement de Coutances, Dept de la Manche
Last Residence: Jersey
Arrived: 17 July 1878
Wife: Emily Bisson, born Trinity
(Baptism certificate information)
Children : John William born Jersey
(b St Helier 17th Jan 1879)
Walter John born Guernsey
(b Gsy 16 Sept 1880)
William John born Guernsey
(b Gsy 16th October 1885)
Albert William born Guernsey
(b Gsy 15th February 1888)
Emily Ada born Guernsey
(b Gsy 20th May 1890)
George Henry born Guernsey
(b Gsy 5th July 1892)
This would suggest that they were definitely settled in Guernsey by September 1880 at the latest but
not as early as 1878 as stated in this Strangers Register, UNLESS:
Emily Bisson would have been preganant with John William by May 1878 and it is possible that
Jean Baptiste moved over to Guernsey on his own, in search of work, during that year, without
taking Emily with him. Whether he returned for a while to Jersey for the actual birth is pure
conjecture but Emily had cerainly joined him in Guernsey by September 1880 when Walter John
was born there.
OR- The States of Guernsey Strangers’ Register was introduced in April 1892 to record details of
non – natives, not in possession of real property and occupying apartments at a weekly rental of less
than 3/6 or houses with a an annual rental of less than £7. Registration was compulsory with a non
registration fine of £2. The Registration Order was revised in 1895 and made compulsory on’ tout
laboureur, ouvrier ou domestique etranger presentement dans l’isle ou arrivant dans l’isle pour
y gagner sa vie.’ This would have included Jean Baptist and when asked when he arrived in the
Island, 1878 was probably an ‘about’ answer to this 1892/1895 registration. The next surviving
child born after George Henry was Alfred John in 1898.
Persons registering were obliged to give details of occupation, birthplace and from March 1893,
place of last residence and date of arrival in Guernsey as well as full name of any dependents
including wife’s name. Strangers were then issued with a certificate without which they could not
get employment or parish relief. Between 1892 and 1914 certificates were issud to individuals who
had arrived in the island as early as 1833. Of those issued with certificates between 1892 and1914,
there were 117 masons and 10% of the total number of male certificate holders. There was also a
greater number of children born in Jersey to French migrants to Guernsey between 1892 and 1914
than there were adult migrants.
Arrival dates in the Strangers Register reveal seasonal trends. Every year, arrivals were at a low ebb
in the Spring, particularly in May when potato digging was in full swing in Jersey. They then rose
sharply in July and remained high through August and September – Guernsey’s tomato picking
season.
Other persons living in the same house, 43, Cornet Street, at this time ( Census 1881) were
Maturin Ange, Head, married aged 48 a day labourer; born France.
Marie
wife, married aged 41 hawker born France.
In another part of the house were:
41
Peter Goring, Head, unmarried, aged 49, general labourer, born Alderney;
Elizabeth Cluet, visitor, unmarried, aged 40, Labourer’s housekeeper, born Weymouth.
Also:
Victor de Get, aged 56, labourer born France.
William Gould, married, aged 34, china hawker, born St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Rachel Gould, married aged 39, born St Andrew’s Guernsey.
Thomas A Mauger, stepson, aged 15, Light Porter and Assistant, born Guernsey.
Nicolas A Mauger, stepson, aged 12, light Porter and Assistant, born Guernsey.
John A Mauger, stepson, aged 4, deaf and dumb from birth, born Guernsey.
In February and March 1885 John and Emelie’s twins, Henri and Francois died at an address in
Burnt Lane but by October 1885 the family had moved to 10, Hauteville, St Peter Port, a house
which was situated on land behind the shop at the junction of Pedvin Street with Hauteville facing
down Pedvin Street towards Trnity Square.
The 1891 census shows the family living at 10 Hauteville and occupying three rooms there. This
was in Canton four, Holy Trinity Parish, St Peter Port. Again, simply referred to as John, the head of
the household is now a forty-two-year-old stone mason (actually 46) who gave his place of birth as
St Martin’s Parish, Jersey. This again may well be explained by the fact that he was asked, “Where
are you from?”
His wife, Emelie was aged thirty-two years old and the children were
John, aged thirteen, a port messenger, born in St Peter’s, Jersey;
Walter, aged twelve, also a port messenger;
William aged five, a scholar;
Bertie, aged three, and
Emeline is ten months.
The latter four were all born in St Peter Port, Guernsey.
The house was obviously let as rooms and living in rooms at the same address were also:
George Bond(?)
Elizabeth,
Anne,
Edwin J Duperques,
Ellen,
And three children,
married, aged 51,
married, aged 32,
daughter aged 5,
married, aged 37,
married, aged 30,
all born Guernsey.
born England, newsagent.
born Guernsey.
scholar born Guernsey
messenger, born Guernsey
born Alderney.
Of the thirteen Salmon children who were born in Guernsey between 1880 and 1903 the majority
were baptised at either Holy Trinity or its mother church, St Peter Port Parish Church.
The 1901 Census is
irritating in that John Salmon’s birth place is just given as France: The current address is still 10
Hauteville, where they continued to live in three rooms, although the children now numbered seven
but the eldest son John had married and left home:
John S Salmon, Head, mar, aged 54,
Emily
wife mar aged 40,
Walter
son,
aged 20,
William J
son
aged 15,
Albert J
son
aged 13,
Emily A
dtr
aged 12
George H
son
aged 8
Alfred J
son
aged 3
Arthur J
son
aged 1
mason,
born France.
born Trinity, Jersey.
born St Peter Port, Guernsey.
born St Peter Port, Guernsey.
born St Peter Port, Guernsey.
born St P P, Guernsey.
born St PP, Guernsey
born St P P, Guernsey
born St P P, Guernsey.
plasterer,
port errant,
port errant,
42
Since the 1891 Census John Salmon junior had left home, George and Alfred and Arthur were new
additions to the family. The Albert J referred to is on fact Albert William, an explanation for which
is given below.
Little is known about the family on account of their acute poverty. Cornet Street was an extremely
poor area in which lived many immigrant workers, particularly of French extraction. In nearly every
reference to John ( father) he was described as a mason but in the marriage certificate of his
youngest son, Arthur James, issued in 1920 he was described as a deceased plasterer.
Walter Salmon (junior) related an unlikely story that the father of his Aunt Emily’s first child Percy
Salmon, was a soldier in the Middlesex Regiment who was stationed at Fort George. Her father,
Desire Jean Salmon, was furious and he refused to allow the couple to marry. A violent argument is
said to have broken out and as a result Emily’s father was placed in the Asylum. Percy was born in
February 1910 so these events, if credible, would have taken place during the previous year.
The Census of 1911, taken before the death of Desire Jean Batiste/Jean Desire Batiste Salmon in the August
of that year, lists the following:
Address 26, Pedvin Street, St Peter Port, all living in 3 rooms.
Emily Salmon, Head, aged 53, married 35 years. Born Jersey, Trinity Parish. 13 children born alive, 10 still
living, 3 dead. Father born Jersey, Trinity Parish.
Albert John,
son,
23, single, tin worker
born St Peter Port
Emily Ada,
daughter, 21 single
born St Peter Port
George Henry,
son,
18, single, shop porter,
born St Peter Port
Alfred James,
son
14,
errand boy,
born St Peter Port
Arthur James,
son
11,
scholar,
born St Peter Port
Alice Beatrice,
daughter, 7,
at school,
born St Peter Port
Percy Alan,
son,
1
born St Peter Port.
In each instance, the father is stated to have been born in France.
(Percy was in fact the son of Emily Ada, not Emily senior; Albert John is in fact Albert Williamexplained later. The enumerator’s certificate is signed by Emily Salmon in her own hand.)
So Walter and William had left home by this date and Alice and her nephew Percy were new
additions to the household.
This Census also should tell us that John and Emily had had 14 children, of whom 9 were still
alive- the twin Henri Francis and Nicholas Mauger were born in 1884 and died in 1885; Albert
John, born 1882 had died in 1887 and Frederick Charles born 1896 had lived for only five weeks
and Francis Henry born 1894 lived for only 6 months.
The 1911 Census for St Peter Port Hospital and Asylum, Rue des Freres, St Peter Port, lists No 32,
Desire Salmon, married, no age given , general labourer, born France, St Brieuc. Father’s
birthplace unknown, French Nationality. Infirm under 1 year.
Most of what we do know about Desire John is to be found in the circumstances concerning his
death. His death certificate records the following:
‘No 221: Desire Jean Batiste Salmon Died 7.05pm August 5 th 1911 aged 65 at the Lunatic Asylum,
St Peter Port. Mason of Pedvin Street. Born La Manche, France. Cause of Death – General
Debility. See Inquest 8th August 1911.’Parents Jean Louis Desire Salmon and Agathe Marie Celeste
Ozouet.
The Register of Deaths at the Greffe records:
43
Number 1853: Salmon, Jean Desire Baptiste, died August 5th 1911 at 7.05 am, Mason.
Buried August 9th 1911 aged 66. Town Asylum. Parents Jean Louis Desiree Salmon and Marie
Ozouet. Minister R U Pilbeau, Curate.
The Guernsey Star of Thursday August 10th 1911, recorded that an inquest had been held the
previous Monday: ‘to enquire into the death of Jean Desire Salmon who died Saturday last at
7.15am (sic) in the Town Asylum. The court returned a verdict of natural causes.’
The Inquest, written in French, gives the following information (translation)
The 8th August, 1911, before William Carey, Esquire, Bailiff, also present Jean Nant Brouard, and
Lionel Slade Carey Esquires, Jurors.
The Law being informed that Desire Jean Batiste (sic) Salmon, had died on Saturday 5 th August,
1911, at 7.05pm in the mental hospital belonging to the town and parish of St Peter Port and the
Crown Officers having called a doctor, Dr Corbin, and other witnesses for the purpose of
establishing the cause of death, the Court having heard these witnesses on oath, and the
conclusions of His Majesty’s Procureur, give permission to whom it concerns, to bury the body of
the said Salmon since it was clear that death was due to natural causes.
Desire was buried in a communal grave at Candie Cemetery on 9th August 1911, grave reference
B69Y (that means Land B, Square 69Y), Registration Number 12036, this being the eleven
thousandth seven hundredth and forty-ninth interment in the parish. His was the third body in the
grave and four more were added after him in the same year. The names of all those interred in this
plot are as follows:
Francois Charles Litre, 53 years, reference 12025
Hervelin Goulvestre, daughter of Lucie Goulvestre, aged one month
Jean Salmon, aged sixty-six, died 5th August 1911
Gwendoline Slitson, aged five months, died 17th August 1911
Stanley Albert Broadley, aged one and a half months, died 20th August 1911
Winifred Mary Hill, aged two years, daughter of William George Hill, 30th August 1911
Dorothy Magdaline Robert, aged two months, daughter of Arthur John Robert, died 6 th September 1911
In July, August and September 1911 the weather was unusually hot and dry and there were three
epidemics affecting children. Sixty-four children under five years died of Enteritis, forty-seven died
of Measles and twenty-one of whooping cough.
As a result of an enquiry by his grandson, Brian Torode, the Medical Officer of Health for Guernsey
helped to expand on the circumstances surrounding Desire’s death. The letter dated 18th May 1983
gives the following information:
‘In 1911 the Registration of Deaths in Guernsey was a new concept and information as to cause of
death often unreliable. To live to the age of sixty-five or so at the turn of the century was no mean
feat in itself. There is no suggestion as to why he was admitted to the Asile des Alienes for which
Mental Hospital in not really a good translation. So little treatment was available for the relief of
mental illness in those days that mental hospital is too modern a phrase.
The most likely explanation is that your grandfather developed the confused mental state so
common among the ageing even nowadays – or perhaps he may have suffered a stroke and become
as much mentally as physically disabled.
44
There were five deaths in the Town Asylum that year and three persons under the age of sixty-six
died of senile decay, one of whom may have been Mr Salmon. If so this would explain the natural
causes diagnosis accepted at the inquest. Senile decay is not mental illness and would be included
as natural causes. Yours sincerely (signed) Geoffrey White, Medical Officer of Health, Guernsey.’
The details of Desire Salmon are recorded on the memorial stone of his widow, Emelie, at the
Foulon Cemetery, where it states that he died on 5 th August 1911 aged sixty-seven years. His death
certificate, however, gives his age as sixty-five and the Burial Register ages him at 66. Sixty five is
the actual age.
His grandson, Walter Salmon, was not keen on discussing family history but he did say that he had
heard that his grandfather had a long white beard, had fought in the Crimean War and died with his
boots and military uniform on! This certainly does not tie in with the evidence obtained to date and
is no doubt pure creative thinking.
So we need to look again in more detail at the children and probable children of
Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon (aka John Senateur or John Salatin Salmon)
RACHEL BISSON, Great Aunt of Brian Torode, and Mother of John Francis and Lydia
Rachel
Rachel Bisson was born on 2nd March 1851 and was the third daughter of John Bisson, a blacksmith, and his
wife Anne Pinel. She was baptised on 16th March 1851 at Trinity Church, Jersey.
On 3rd October 1873 John Francis was born in Trinity Parish, Jersey. He was described as the son of John
Senateur Salmon and Rachel Bisson. The child was registered on 13th October 1873 and the informant
was the father, John Senateur Salmon, a day labourer of Vingtaine des Augres. Rachel would have been 22 at
this time.
In the baptismal register of Holy Trinity Parish, Jersey, is the baptism of this John Francis. The details are as
follows:
‘John Francis Salmon - date of birth 3.10.1873; Date of Baptism 14.12.1873; Father’s name: John Salatin
Salmon; Mother’s name: Rachel Bisson; Father’s occupation: domestique; godparents: Louis Leveille et sa
femme.’ The godparents were presumably the mother of Senateur Salmon and the man who was to
become his step-father.
On 6th January 1876 Lydia Rachel, daughter of Rachel Bisson, was born at 12 Dumaresq Street, St Helier.
The witness and informant was Carterette Pinel of Seaton Place, St Helier. The father was again described as
Jean Senateur Salmon, a Carter. Carterette was Rachel’s aunt, the wife of Elie Pinel, Rachel’s mother’s
brother.
These two children of John Senateur Salmon were followed by two illegitimate children born to Rachel
Bisson. On 17th October 1877 Amelia Jane was born at 14 Journeaux Street, St Helier, and Mary Anne
Bisson was present at the birth. John Bisson was born on 21st July 1879 at 14 Journeaux Street, St Helier. It
is recorded that Carterette Haps of 56 King Street was present at the birth. In the Baptismal Register for St
Helier’s Parish Church we find the baptism entry, No. 3315, for John, the illegitimate son of Rachel Bisson
who was born on 31st (sic) July 1879. The baptism, by the Curate, I.U. Pilbeam, took place on 24 th August
1879 and the godparents and sponsors were Peter Haps and Emelie Bisson. Fathers’names are not given for
either of these two children.
Presumably John Francis Salmon (Bisson), Lydia Rachel Salmon (Bisson), Amelia Jane Bisson and John
Bisson were the children of the same mother. Was the father of the illegitimate children, Amelia and/or John
Bisson, also John Senateur Salmon?
45
This same Desire Jean Salmon/John Senateur Salmon eventually became emotionally involved with Rachel
Bisson’s sister, Emelie, who was ten years her junior. They lived as man and wife and in late 1879 or 1880
moved to Guernsey with a young child.
Meanwhile Rachel Bisson had a further illegitimate child, Mabel Mary Ann Bisson, who was born on 22 nd
November 1890 at St Helier. This child was baptised on 2 nd August 1892 and the sponsors were Mary-Anne
Bisson, Amelia Bisson- aged only 13, and John Salmon, aged 11.
In the 1911 Census, Rachel is living with her sister Mary Ann Bisson, at Prince Edward Place, 11, Cannon
Street, St Helier. Mary Ann is Head of house aged 62, an ironer and an employer. Her birth place is given as
Trinity. It also states that her father was born at St John’s. Rachel her sister is aged 60, single and her
occupation is given as ironer, working from home. Her father was born in St John’s parish but Rachel herself
was born in Trinity. Living in the same house with her is her daughter Mable ( sic) Mary Ann aged 21,
single and working from home as a tailoress. Mabel is described as niece of the Head of house, (Rachel’s
sister Mary Ann,) and her father’s place of birth is given as ‘unknown’. Of interest is the fact that there is
also a Violet May Bisson living here, aged 12, born St Helier and still at school. She also is a niece of Mary
Ann and again, her father’s birthplace is given as unknown. Is she another daughter of Rachel?
An Edmond Jenkins lives with the female household as a border . He is aged 8, at school and was born in
Wales.
The household lived in 5 rooms and Mary Ann Bisson signed the Census return in her own hand.
Rachel Bisson remained unmarried and died on 1st February 1927, aged seventy-four-years, at St Saviour’s
Hospital, St Helier. Her address was given as 11 Canon Street, St Helier. The burial took place at Sion
Cemetery in Jersey.
I (Brian) do remember my mother talking about aunty Rachel of Canon Street.
The children of John Senateur Salmon and Rachel Bisson were:
JOHN FRANCIS SALMON (BISSON), half Uncle ( see above, details under Rachel – repeated here as
relative to John Francis)
On 3rd October 1873 John Francis was born in Trinity Parish, Jersey. He was described as the son of John
Senateur Salmon and Rachel Bisson. The child was registered on 13 th October 1873 and the informant was
the father, John Senateur Salmon, a day labourer of Vingtaine des Augres, and was able to sign his name.
This is the first reference to Jean Senateur.
John Francis was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Jersey, on 14 th December 1873. On this occasion the
father is referred to as John Salatin Salmon but this is probably not significant but simply an error on the
part of William ou (sic) Heaume, the Rector. The details are as follows:
‘John Francis Salmon - date of birth 3.10.1873; date of Baptism 14.12.1873; Father’s name: John Salatin
Salmon; Mother’s name: Rachel Bisson; Father’s occupation: domestique; Godparents: Louis Leveille et sa
femme.’No address given.
Louis Leveille et sa faemme refers to John Salmons mother Agathe Celeste Ozouet and her ‘partner’ Louis
Prosper le Bouvier.
LYDIA RACHEL QUIROT, (nee Salmon/Bisson) half Aunt
On 6th January 1876 Lydia Rachel, daughter of Rachel Bisson, was born at 12 Dumaresq Street, St Helier..
The father was described as Jean Senateur Salmon, a Carter. The witness and informant was Carterette
Pinel of Seaton Place, St Helier. She was wife of Elie Pinel, Rachel’s uncle.
Lydia Rachel Bisson was godmother of William John Salmon when he was baptised at St Peter Port in 1885 (
she was only 9 at the time) and also George Henry Salmon when he was baptised in St Barnabas Church, St
Peter Port in 1892.
46
Lydia Rachel married Philip QUIROT who was born in 1876 and they had five children. Lydia aka Linda
died at 12 Dumaresque Street, St Helier, in 1943.
Their children were half cousins of Brian Torode:
DORIS JOYCE QUIROT, half cousin
Doris Joyce ( Lilian?) Quirot was born in 1905 and died in 1915.
PHILIP QUIROT, half cousin
Philip Edward Quirot was born in 1902 and died in 1946.
CYRIL RAYMOND QUIROT, half cousin
Cyril Raymond Quirot was born on 3rd December 1909
CLARENCE JOHN QUIROT ,half cousin
Clarence John Quirot was born on 30th January 1910
PHYLLIS DOREEN QUIROT ,half cousin
Phyllis Doreen Quirot was born on 26th March 1912.
47
EMELIE SALMON, nee Bisson, Grandmother to Brian Torode, wife of SENATEUR
DESIRE JEAN BA(P)TISTE SALMON, and sister of Rachel Bisson.
Daughter of John Bisson and Anne (nee Pinel)
Wife of Desire Jean Baptise Salmon alias Jean Senateur Salmon
Mother of Alice Beatrice Torode, Brian’s mother.
Mother of John, Walter, Albert John, Henry Francis, Nicholas Mauger, William John, Albert William, Emily,
George, Francis, Frederick, Alfred , Arthur and Alice.
Also Mother of Walter John Bisson pre marriage to Desire Jean Baptiste salmon.
Emelie Bisson was the eighth child of the nine children of John and Anne Bisson. John Bisson and his wife
Anne Pinel had married at Trinity Church in Jersey in 1844.
Emelie was born at Trinity on the 30th July 1861 and her birth certificate gives the following information:
‘Number 661. 30th July 1861, Emelie, girl, father John Bisson, mother Anne Pinel. Father’s occupation
blacksmith. Informant John Bisson father of the child, Vingtaine de la Ville a L’Eveque. Date registered 9 th
August 1861. Signed Francis de la Lande, Deputy Registrar.’
Emelie was baptised by the Reverend William de Heaume, Rector of Trinity Parish, 29 th September 1861,
and her godfather was John Bisson her father. Her godmother was Emelie Esnouf.
Her mother, Anne Pinel, died when Emelie was only nine-years-old.
48
There is an entry in the St Helier’s Parish Register of the birth of Walter John Bisson on 17th August 1877 to
Emelie Bisson at 14 Journeaux Street, St Helier. This child died aged one week on 25 th August and is
described as illegitimate. However, it is likely that this child was the first child of John Senateur Salmon and
Emelie Bisson even though there is no marriage for them at Trinity.
Since 1873 John Senateur Salmon had had a relationship with Rachel Bisson and they had two children, John
Francis, who was born in 1873, and Lydia Rachel, who was born in 1876. This Rachel Bisson was an older
sister of Emelie, ten years her senior, who was born on 2 nd March 1851. Interestingly, Rachel had two further
illegitimate children, Amelia Jane and John, who were born at this same address as Walter John Bisson, 14
Journeaux Street, in 1877 and 1879 respectively.
There is certainly evidence to suggest that Desire Jean had had a romantic relationship with both sisters and
that he transferred his affections from the older to the younger one. At the time of the birth of this Walter
John Bisson, Emelie Bisson would only have been sixteen-years-old. At this time Desire Jean Salmon was
aged about twenty-six-years and so he could most certainly have been the father of young Walter John
Bisson.
Whether this is true or false we do know that by 1879 Desire Jean Salmon and Emelie Bisson were living as
man and wife. As with the elder sister, Rachel, there seems to be no record of a marriage in either Jersey or
Guernsey although in the 1911 Census Emelie states that she had been married 35 years- ie since 1876.Their
first ‘legitimate’ child, John Salmon, was born in St Helier on 13 th January 1879 when his mother was only
eighteen and his father about twenty-eight or twenty-nine-years-old. John was the first of the fourteen
children of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon but the only one born in Jersey. The second child Walter was
born in Guernsey in 1880. At that time there was a shortage of work in Jersey and many French settlers
moved to Guernsey to find work in the quarries or in ship-building. As Desire was later described as a mason
he probably did just that.
Between 1841 and 1901 French nationals numbered 40% of the English contingent living on Guernsey. As
the 1870s progressed numbers rose rapidly, especially in the 1880s and 1890s. By 1901 the French
community was four times its 1840 size- nearly 2000 strong.
Up to the 1870s most lived in St Peter port and were occupied as dealersd or small artisans, razor grinders,
tinners , chair and basket makers and menders or colporteurs.
Following 1871 as numbers nebgan to rise, the stone trade became the foremost employer of French males.
In 1881, 1891 and 1901, quarrying and farmwork claimed the majpority of French residents, 42% of whom
lived in St peter Port and the others mainly kin the northern parishes.
A Strangers’ Register was set jup in 1892 ot record non-natives in possession of real property or occupying
rented apartments on a rental of leas than 3/6 weekly. The Register coincided with the States assuming
stranger and poor relief – and removal!
In 1895 the Register imposed the obligation to register, on every labourer, worker, or domestic presently in
the island and on future arrivals.
From March 1893, occupation, borthplavce, date of biorth, place of last residence, and date of arrival in
Guernsey as well as full details of any dependants including the wife’s maiden name.
ON completion, the named person was supplied with a work or a relief permit. Some [ermits were issued to
individuals who had arrived as far back as 1833, but laxity in registration was common. Many of those
registered were hyoung adults, agewd 20/30 And 40% swere accompanied by wives and or children. The
buildking sector accounted for 10% of those registered- 117 masons and 50 carpenters, who at turn of
century were most likely to be employed on major public projects such as alterations to the Royal Court.
Quarrying accounted for 10% of ceetificate holders of whom gthree quarters were unskilled stone cutters or
quarrymen.
Many arrivals had previous connections with jersey, although the majority were from Brittany, b ut 20%
came form Normandy and many form quarrying centres.
Between 1872 – 1911 there was a big decline in the populatopn of Brittany and Normandy. Brottany was
linked to Normandy in a loose knit migration field with no dominant focus. In many respects the Channel
islands were as much a neighb ouring region as was Normandy to Brittany and vice versa. Kin tbhis
particular case, immigration was quite clear;ly ‘ only a rural oiut-migration that crossed a border. ( A Prost
and PE Ogier in Migrants in Modern France. Above all quoted form Rose Marie Crossan’s Guernsey 18141914)
49
In the 1881 census we find Desire is simply referred to as John Salmon and he and Emelie were living at 43
Cornet Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey. The couple was described as married, John was a thirty-one-year-old
Mason and his wife, Emelie, aged twenty-one, was born in St Helier, Jersey. Their children were John, aged
two years, born in St Helier whilst Walter, aged just six months, was born in St Peter Port.
Poverty, Prostitution and punch-ups were part of everyday life for Islanders living in Cornet Street a century
ago. But it wasn’t the men who were the worst troublemakers – the female Corneteers seemed to be the worst
culprits, as Rob Batiste reports.
Cornet Street in the early 1900s was the worst example of Guernsey’s early twentieth century have-nots,
ravaged by poverty and living conditions that were a daily nightmare. Hardly a week went by when the
Police Court reports were not relating the sorry story of Cornet Street and, a lot of the time their womenfolk
arrested on disorderly or assault charges. If it were not their fists or foul mouths getting them into trouble it
was parents being taken to task by the Courts for not sending their children to school or failing to dress or
feed them adequately, a point the great Victor Hugo had tried to help address years earlier when he fed the
grimy faced local kiddies in his own soup kitchen.
As dens of iniquity went, Cornet Street and offshoots like Rosemary Lane had no other Sarnian rival- with
the routes to the bays such as Fermain not yet serviced by Le Val des Terres – a day on the south coast beach
involved a scary hike through Guernsey’s answer to Albert Square. To look at it these days, you are excused
the thought ‘What was all the fuss about?’
It widens agreeably as you near the Island Archives building on the right, the Martel and Maides auction
house on the left. And if you go back many centuries it was the place where the fashionable aristocracy lived
before they were edged further up the valley into Hauteville.
Cornet Street gets its name from the owner of the whole Hauteville district, Perrota de Cornet. The scene
from her windows-apart from the sea, the islands and Castle Cornet, was of the green valley of Le Bordage
that was then watered by a stream from the upper part of Fountain Street. If you owned a house in Cornet
Street in that period, you were likely to have several acres of land to go with it. But all this was about to
change. In 1350, King Edward III of England authorised the building of fortifications around St Peter Port
and the owners’ peace was disturbed for ever more. As well as the fortifications, more and more houses went
up in the area and by the middle of the 19 th century it had been transformed into a narrow-laned eyesore.
Squalor ruled.
The problem of what to do with this throw back to the 19 th century gripped the minds of the States and in the
early days of 1927 its decision was to play a big role in the island’s social history over decades and now into
the 21st century.
Under the particularly apt headline ‘A Crying Need’ the States report laid out fair and square the extent of the
problem that the Homes for Workers Committee had pondered for five years. The old tenements just had to
come down but what was to be done with the 61 families in 30 houses that split Cornet and Rosemary Streets
and housed 152 adults and 152 children.?
The Rector of St Peter Port said that it was hopeless to build houses anywhere. ‘They simply would not
appreciate it, they would always herd together’ he said.’ Arrangements would have to be made to resituate
two thirds of the Cornet Streeters and the other third would crowd back into Pedvin Street, Back Street or
any other odd corner. Those people preferred to knock about in the neighbourhood and to live uncomfortably
in their own way.’ Deputy G Carey was commendably optimistic though. To shouts of Hear, Hear from the
Chamber he did not believe that Cornet Street people were as bad as they were painted – not the locals
anyway. ‘It is so worthy that the Rector should try to reform them (cue: laughter) rather than take a
pessimistic view. Deputy Carey drew parallels with Rangoon and considered that the families should be
spread about in the Bouet and other places giving them a change of environment and the change of heart that
the clergy deemed so necessary for them. ( More laughter and Hear Hears.) His proposal was that the Bouet
site be developed immediately for 21 families and sites sought for the others .
(Guernsey Weekly Press 3 December 2009).
A further quotation from ‘Ebenezer le Page’ by G B Edwards pp 42/43 describes the Cornet Street area at
the turn of the 1900s up to WW1:
When I went to town, my mother warned me ‘Now mind you boys don’t go up Horn Street, or they’ll throw
rotten eggs at you. I wondered what my mother oculd know about Horn Street. It put ideas into our heads
50
and we went down to the Green Shutters to have a look at the whores. There wasn’t none of them on show.
All the shutters were closed so they was all busy. But Mme Hamon herself was standing in the door. She said
‘Bon soir messieurs, and we replied Bon soir Mme. Then we went for a walk along Havelet and up
Hauteville and came back the short cut down Horn Street. My mother and father was standing against the
railings by the Market, looking over at the fire swallower and the cheap jack and the Salvation Army down
below. And the German Band was playing round the corner of the Commercial Srcade. We was following
our noses to the French Halles for to buy hot chestnuts we could smell roasting, but my mother spotted us
and called us over. Where have you two been? she asked
‘Aw, we’ve just cpme down Horn Street’ said Jim’ but they didn’t throw no rotten eggs at us.’ My father
doubled up laughing and even my mother had to smile.
As a matter of fact, La Rue des Cornets was rough, but there wasn’t many proper whores living there in those
days. It wasn’t until the Green shiutters was closed down by the States at the begining of the First World War
so as the pure English boys who came over for their army training wouldn’t be led in to temptation, that the
whoers went into private business in Cornet Street. They was very well behaved in public, I will say that for
them. They used to sit very quietly in the cemetery on the seats facing the Town Church, and wait for
customers. There were old tombstones all round against the walls and a lovely big tree growing in the
middle. The road have been widened since then, the tombstones are all gone, and so have the old whores. St
Peter Port is not St Peter Port without the old whores. ‘
In February and March 1885, John and Emelie’s twins, Henri and Francois, died at an address in Burnt Lane
but by October 1885 the family had moved to 10, Hauteville, St Peter Port, a house which was situated on
land behind the shop at the junction of Pedvin Street with Hauteville.
This was in canton four, Holy Trinity Parish, St Peter Port. Again, simply referred to as John, the head of the
household is now a forty-two-year-old stone mason and surprisingly gives his place of birth as St Martin’s
Parish, Jersey. This may well be explained by the fact that he was asked, “where are you from?” His wife,
Emelie was aged thirty-two-years-old and the children were John, aged thirteen, a port messenger, born in St
Peter’s Jersey; Walter, aged twelve, also a port messenger; William aged five, a scholar; Bertie, aged three,
and Emeline is ten months.
The 1891 census shows the family still living at 10 Hauteville and occupying three rooms there. However,
standing against the evidence for a liaison between this Frenchman and these two sisters- Rachel and Emelieis the fact the family acted as godparents for each others’ children, and Rachel Bisson seems to have kept in
contact with the Salmon Family when they moved to Guernsey. Whatever the relationship was between John
Senateur Salmon and these two sisters it all seemed to be very amicable!
51
Of the thirteen children who were born in Guernsey between 1880 and 1903 the majority were baptised at
either Holy Trinity or its mother church, St Peter Port Parish Church.
Little detail is known about the family probably because of their acute poverty. Cornet Street was an
extremely poor area as we read above, in which lived many immigrant workers, particularly of French
extraction- perhaps the reason why Desire and Emile first lived there. Most of what we do know about
Desire John is to be found in the circumstances concerning his death in 1911.
From 1911 Emelie would have spent her life bringing up a large family. Most of the boys enlisted in the First
World War and four of them were to lose their lives.
JOHN WILLIAM
WALTER
B1879 JERSEY D1956 GUERNSEY
b1880 d 1916 WAR
ALBERT JOHN
b1882 d1885
m Lilian Vance 1899 b 1878 d 1967m 1903 Rosa Druce
NICHOLAS MAUGER & HENRI FRANCOIS
WILLIAM JOHN
Twins: born 1884 died 1885
b1885 d1970
m 1907 Alice Druce
ALBERT WILLIAM
EMILY ADA
52
GEORGE HENRY
Aka ALBERT JOHN
b1890 d 1969
b1892 d1918 War
B1888 d 1918 War
m 1913 Rita Cavey
FRANCIS HENRY
FREDERICK CHARLES
ALFRED JAMES
B1894 d 1894
b1896 d1896
b1897 d1916 War
ARTHUR JAMES
ALICE BEATRICE
B1899 d1980
m 1920 Millie le Conte
b 1903 d 1993
m1941 Edward John Torode
Walter Salmon died 1st January 1916, aged thirty-six
Alfred James Salmon died on 10th September 1916, aged nineteen
George Henry Salmon died on 12th April 1918, aged twenty-five
Albert William Salmon died on 13th April 1918, aged thirty-five
For an Island with a population of 40,000 people Guernsey was as well prepared when war broke out as
anywhere else in the British Empire. As the Island was independent it even had its own defence force – The
Militia.
This was made up of two battalions of about 1,000 men each, one from Town and one from the Country.
There were also gunners and engineers as well as a Cadet Company formed by boys from Elizabeth College.
In 1914 about 2000 men were serving in the Militia and its reserves. Militia training was compulsory for all
fit men between the ages of 16 and 60. The part time soldiers got paid and by 1914 they were as highly
trained as any peace-time force could be.
Ancient Guernsey Law did not allow the Militia to be sent overseas, other than to rescue the King or to
recapture the British Mainland from enemy invaders. However it was considered to look after the island
when the regular Garrison Soldiers stationed at Fort George were called to join the fighting in France.
Nothing was introduced however, to stop individual men volunteering for battle and by the end of 1914
national newspapers reported that 9% of all men eligible for military service in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark,
had joined the Army or Navy ‘a proportion unsurpassed anywhere in the British Isles.’ Many former soldiers
rejoioned their regiments and many of the French workers who were working as farm labourers or domestic
servants left to join the French forces.
In March 1915 the States offered to send some of the Guernsey Militia to the Western Front. The men were
to serve together as Companies within existing regiments and as the Royal Irish Regiment and the Royal
Irish Fusiliers had been popular garrison regiments on the Island before the war, 246 Guernsey officers and
men joined these and the artillery. These men, and others sent to replace those killed and wounded, fought at
Loos and the Somme in 1916. The heavy casualties at the Somme included uncles Alfred and Walter Salmon.
By 1916 the Lieutenant Governor peruaded the States to introduce a Rebiment with the name Guernsey in its
title. By December 17th 1916 the Guernsey Militia was suspended and offered to the War Office as a service
battalion – and the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry came into being. Officers came from the Irish Regiment to
join the new Regiment and a group of Guernsey Quarrymen formed a Company in the Royal Engineers. On
June 1st 1917 the RGLI set off for England and after more training they were, by October, on their way to the
Western Front at Ypres in Belgium. From there the Guernseymen went to a Training Camp at Arras in France
before the next big battle at Cambrai in November 1917. The RGLI went into battle with 1200 men and
Officers- on December 3rd only 501 remained alive. The RGLI mascot was a donkey-what else?- named
Joey.
If a soldier was killed in battle his friends tried to bury him where he’d fallen. B ut in some places the ground
was fought over many times and bodies were churned up and lost in the mess of battle. When the war had
ended peaceful cemeteries across Europe and Belgium with rows and rows of white headstones were built to
commemorate the fallen.
53
In January 1918 the RGLI was in the front line at Passchaendaele near Ypres in Belgium. Many of the men
killed or wounded at Cambrai had been replaced by others who were not from the island. The RGLI was not
involved in a big battle this time but there was till a trickle of casualties from shelling and shooting.. As the
big German attacks continued the RGLI was moved south to France to the town of Hazebrouck to help
defend the important railway junctions there. Firece fighting ensued and the RGLI took terrible casualties..
When the fighting had died down, and the survivors regrouped, there were 55 men and two Officers
remaining. The RGLI had marched into this battle with 483 men and 20 Officers. This was the death of the
Regiment. For the rest of the war, the RGLI with too few men to make a proper fighting force, provided the
guard for General Haig’s headquarters at Montreuil.
When the war was over, in May 1919 the survivors of the RGLI sailed home to Guernsey on the SS Lydia,
one of the railway steamships that had served the island before the war. 1 in 5 of those who had served did
not come back.
( The above is copied from ‘Guernsey and the Great War’ Guernsey Museum and Art Galleries2013. Text
David Mosley, Edited by Lynne Ashton.)
The following article was published in the Guernsey Weekly Press, dated Saturday 4 th May 1918:
‘Mrs E. Salmon, 2 Tower Hill, St Peter Port, received a letter from Lt. Gordon Hall, R.G.L.I., informing her
that her 5th son, Corporal George Salmon, R.G.L.I. was killed in action on April 12 th…
Mrs Salmon has 3 other serving sons – William, 3 rd son, R.I. Fusiliers; John, eldest son, in a Divisional
Ammunitions column; and Albert in the RGLI. Two other sons have been killed in action – Walter, 2 nd son,
and Fred the youngest RI Fusiliers.’
These newspaper articles seem unaware that Albert William had been dead for three weeks by this time.
The Fred referred to is in fact the nineteen-year-old Alfred James who had died in September 1916, of his
wounds.
Emelie, herself, died on 15th July 1934 at 11.30pm at 42 Pedvin Street, St Peter Port. Her death was
registered on July 16th . The cause of death was given as senile decay and syncope. She is described as
widow of John Salmon and aged 78. Her parents are given as John Bisson and Annie Pinel. She was buried
after a private funeral at the Foulon Cemetery ‘in her seventy-eighth year’. In fact if she was born in 1861
she was only seventy-three-years-old at the time of her death!
Guernsey Evening Press 17th July 1934:
SALMON- On July 16th 1934 at her residence, 42 Pedvin Street, Emily Salmon in her 78 th year. Private
funeral.
Walter, the illegitimate son of Emelie Bisson was an infant uncle to Brian Torode
WALTER JOHN BISSON, my Infant Uncle
There is an entry in the St Helier’s Parish Register of the birth of Walter John Bisson on 17 th August 1877 to
Emelie Bisson at 14 Journeaux Street, St Helier. Sarah Le Cras was the Informant. This child died aged one
week on 25th August and was described as illegitimate.
The children of Desire Jean Baptiste and Emelie Salmon were Aunts and
Uncles to Brian Torode
54
JOHN SALMON, my Uncle: Child 1
John Salmon was possibly the first of the children of both Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon and Emelie Bisson. It
has not been possible to date their marriage but in the 1881 Census Return their first child, John Salmon,
then aged two-years, is given as being born in St Helier. In the 1891 census return his place of birth was
given as St Peter’s Jersey and his age was then thirteen. According to one of his daughters his date of birth
was actually the 13th January 1879 but this has not been corroborated in Jersey or in Guernsey.
At the time of the 1891 census John was working in Guernsey with his younger brother, Walter, as a Port
Messenger. Eight years later John married Lilian Vance, who was born on 10 th July 1878. She was baptised in
August 1878 at Notre Dame, St Peter Port but confirmed on 18 th May 1916 at the Town Church. They had
three children, Florence who was born in 1900, John who was born in 1907 and Doris in 1910.
Marriage Record 1899;
‘John William Salmon, major (ie over 21, full age) Cabinet Maker of 10 Hauteville, St Peter Port, son of John Senateur
Salmon.
Lily England Vance, major, spinster, domestic servant, witness signed John Senateur Salmon and Herbert Maurice
Mauger.
In the 1901 Census the details for John and Lilian are as follows:
13 Hauteville;
Salmon: John William, Head married, aged 21. Cabinet maker, born Jersey
Lily
Wife married aged 21
born Guernsey
Florence
aged 11months
born Guernsey
55
The 1911 Census adds the following information:
2, Cliff Terrace, St Peter Port, living in 2 rooms.
John Salmon, aged 32, head,
born St Lawrence Jersey, French Polisher, Father born France
Lilian, wife, aged 31,
born Guernsey, Les Rouettes Brayes, married 12 years.
Three children. All living.
Florence
aged 11 at school, born St Peter Port.
John
aged 4, at school, born St Peter Port.
Doris
aged 1,
born St Peter Port.
During the First World War, John Salmon served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers, joining to replace his brother,
Walter, who had been killed in 1916. His Army Record provide the following details:
‘John ( Jack) Salmon, Of 2 Cliff Street Terrace, Guernsey. 9 th Jan 1916 . Aged 36years 11 months. 5 feet 6
and a half inches in height. Girth 37 inches. Range of expansion 2 inches. Tattooed on both forearms. Driver
and Storeman.
Next of Kin Mrs J Salmon.
Married at Register Office Guernsey, on 16th Oct 1899, Lilly England Vance, spinster.
Children are Florence b1,May 1900; John Henry b10 January 1907; Doris May b3April 1910 .
Joined Guernsey 9th Jan 1916.
Gunner RA No 912 (?) 2nd Draft. Drawn from men in the Training Reserve and Training Batallions. This
consisted of 28 other Ranks, the first 6 of whom were posted to the 1 st Battalion with Reinforcements 9 on
19.03.1918’.
Has served previously in KGA&E.. Married . Signed name as Jack.
‘I hereby acknowledged receipt of British War Medal 30 th Jan 1921. First Division of Royal Field Artillery.
Received Medal at Woolwich. Aged 36years 11 months . 27 th Sept 1921 at Woolwich
Victory medal awarded in respect of services with the CFA Reg number 91269.
56
In civilian life he worked for Messrs Luff as a cabinet maker and then as a French Polisher, at which he
became a professional. The family later lived at 9, Brock Road, St Peter Port.
On Friday 24th February 1956 John Salmon died at the P.E. Hospital and the following details were published
in Guernsey Evening Press:
‘Salmon: Friday 24th Feb. 1956 at PE Hospital, John William, 9, Brock Road, in his 78th year. Funeral at
Foulon Chapel, Monday 27th Feb. at 2.30pm. Flowers to le Foulon.’
John Salmon was described in the records of his death as ‘the son of John Senateur Salmon’ and he was
buried in his mother’s grave at the Foulon Cemetery.
Grave Stone:
‘In loving memory of John Salmon d. August 5, 1911 aged 67. Also of Emily Bisson, widow of the above, d.
July 16, 1934, aged 78 years. Also of John William Salmon, husband of Lillian E. Vance, d. 24 Feb. 1956,
aged 77 years. At Peace.
Footstone: Also of Lillian England Salmon, nee Vance, died May 25th 1967 in her 89th year.
Lillian died in P.E. Hospital on 25th January (May?) 1967, after staying for seven or eight years with her
daughter, Doris. In her will she stipulated that Norah Radford (Emily Salmon’s daughter) should be given
first refusal on the Brock Road House.
John’s and Lillian’s children were cousins of Brian Torode:
FLORENCE PIPET, cousin
Florence Salmon was born on 1st May 1900 and entered Notre Dame du Rosaire School on 7 th Jan 1906,
when she was living with her parents at Cliff St Terrace. Florence married Ughtrid Pipet. He was five years
older than she was and was born on 22 nd April 1895. They had a son who was born in 1924. Florence died
on 19th September 1989 at the Catel Hospital, Guernsey.
Their child was:
Rex Ughtrid Pipet was born in 1924. He joined the Army in 1954 and severed all connections with the
family.
JOHN ( Jack) HENRY SALMON, cousin
John Henry Salmon ( Jack) was born on 10 th January 1907. He entered Notre Dame du Rosaire School on
10th January 1910, when his parents were living at 3, South Esplanade. He married Mabel Emily Hoskins and
they had two children. After Mabel’s death, John married for the second time, Lilian May Eason and had a
stepson, Roy. John Salmon died of Cancer on 6th March 1987.
‘Salmon – On 6 March 1987, at his home, 17 Les Palmiers, Grand Bouet, St Peter Port. John Henry, D.S.M.,
husband of the late Lilian May, loved father of Gordon, Trevor and Roy and loved brother of Florence and
Doris, peacefully in his 80th year.’
‘Mr John H. Salmon. The funeral service for Mr. John Henry Salmon, who died at his home, 17, Les
Palmiers, Grand Bouet, St Peter Port, in his 80 th year, was held at the Salvation Army Hall, Clifton, and was
conducted by Major Mrs L. Noyon. The organist Mr C Shone accompanied the singing of The Lord’s My
Shepherd ( Crimond), The Old Rugged Cross and Eternal Father, Strong to Save. The mourners were Mr and Mrs G
Salmon, son and daughter in law (representing Michael, David, Joanne and Lee, grandchildren); Mr Mrs T Salmon,
son and daughter in law ( representing Mrs Florence Pipet, deceased’s sister) Mr Mrs R Eason, son and daughter in
law (representing Neal, Paul and John, grandsons.) Miss A Salmon, granddaughter ( representing Jeffrey and Robert,
grandsons)
57
Mrs D Baker, sister, representing Mrs E Ogier; Mr Mrs G Nicholas, brother in law and sister in law, representing Mrs L
Brown; Mr Mrs H le Moignan, cousins; Nora and Stan Radford, cousins, representing Jack and Doris Salmon, cousins;
Graham and Elizabeth Baker, nephew and niece.
John and June Salmon, nephew and niece, representing Gary, Theresa and Lee, great nephews and great niece; Mrs K
le Prevost, niece, representing Mr A M le Prevost, nephew and Erica and Tania great nieces; Mrs B Greening, niece.
Mrs C Shone, representing Mrs Joy Nicolle; Mrs Iris le Poidevin, representing Henry and Robert; Mr Mrs T D
Winstone, representing Mrs C Prout; CSM and Mrs Williams; Terry and Anne Watt; Mrs R le |Page, representing Mr R
le Page; Mrs G Bougourd.
Mr Mrs N Atkins, representing Mrs D Falla and Over 60s Club; Mr J Brown; Mr G Wills; Mr Mrs E Ogier; Mr K
Clyde representing Mr S Clyde and family; Mr J Hubert also representing Mrs J Hubert and Miss Sarah Hubert in
London; Mrs D Duquemin, Mrs W Besnard; Mrs K Duquemin representing Mr Keith Duquemin and family; Mrs O
Trebert; Mrs M Lihou.
Mr W Stanford also representing Mrs J Stanford; John Hunter, representing Community Nurses; Mrs I Bretel
representing Mr J Bretel, Brigadier A Bishop and Mrs E Le Moignan.
Flowers were from : son Gordon, Joy and children; Ann, Trevor, Jeffrey, Robert and Angela; Chris and Roy; Doris,
Graham and Elizabeth; Neal, Paul and Jon; Nora and Stan.
Jack and Doris; George, Lena and family; John and June, Gary, Theresa and Lee; Karen, Arthur, Erica and Tania;
Cliff and Myra; Ron, Audrey and family.
Edna Ogier; Mrs G Bougourd and family; John, Joan and Sarah; Frank and Kay; Henry, Iris and Robert; Bert and
Min; Glad, Molly and Family.
Ruth Fordham; Dot and Bill Torode, Bognor Regis; Mr Mrs Shorto; Mrs Benest and Mrs Bichard; Soldiers and Friends
of Clifton Hall; The over 60s Club; Clifton Hall Salvation Army.
DORIS BAKER, cousin
Doris Salmon was born on 3rd April 1910. She entered Notre Dame du Rosaire School on 7 th April 1913,
when her parents lived in Victoria Road. On 20th September 1934 she married Wilfred Baker (born 3-121907) at Notre Dame Church, St Peter Port. Wilfred died on 12th December 1978.
WALTER SALMON, my Uncle : Child 2
58
Walter Salmon died in 1916, aged thirty-six
Walter Salmon was the second son of the Salmon children, and he was born on 16 th September 1880 at
Cornet Street. In the Census Return for 1881 his age was given as six months old, and his place of birth was
Guernsey. His birth does not appear to have been registered at the Greffe. In the 1901 Census he is described
as a plasterer and was living with his parents at 10 Hauteville.
The 1911 Census provides the following information:
Sutherland House, Victoria Terrace, living in 4 rooms ( Same address as brother John ). 3 children alive, one
died.
Walter John, married 7 years
Lilian May,
Walter William John
Cyril Henry
Cecil Henry Druce,
aged 30,
aged 5,
aged 3
aged 2
aged 14
plasterer bricklayer, born St Peter Port, Father born France.
scholar
born St Peter Port
born St Peter Port
born St Peter Port
brother in law
Walter married Rosa (Roseline) Augusta Druce in 1903/4 and they had six children, of whom a son Walter
William John was still alive in 1984. Rosa was the daughter of William Isaac Druce and in 1907 her sister,
Alice Beatrice, married Walter’s younger brother, William John Salmon.
The above mentioned son, Walter William was admitted to the Town Hospital in 1910 :
59
22 July 1910 Walter William John Salmon aged 5 years 1 month, son of Walter William Salmon and Rosa
Augusta Druce admitted on recommendation of Dr E B Bostock, sanctioned by the Vice President.
8th August 1910. Discharged by sanction of the Vice President.
Walter senior was the first of the Salmon brothers to sacrifice his life in WWI.
Walter enlisted in Guernsey in 1915 and during the First World War, served with the ‘B’ company, 9 th
Battalion Royal Fusiliers, City of London Regiment, as Private 10809. In the Army Lists at St Catherine’s
House, London, the following is recorded:
‘Salmon, Walter J. Pte. 10809. Royal Fusiliers, London. Died 1916. Vol.1.18 Page 455’
Walter was wounded in France and died of his wounds on 1 st January 1916, aged 35 years, by which time he
had been made Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Victory Medal; the British Medal and the 1915 Star.
He had been in France barely six months having arrived on 15 th June 1915. From September 1915 his Unit,
part of the 12th Eastern Division was involved in battles in the Loos area during which period 117 Officers
and 3237 men from the Division were killed or wounded. On 21 st October the Division had been relieved and
moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune. It took over the Hollenzollern Redoubt front after a very short rest of 5
days and spent a cold, wet and miserable month before being relieved on 15 th November by 15th Scottish
Division, whereon it moved into reserves at Lillers. On 9 th December his Batallion was given the unusual
task of assisting in a round-up of spies and other uncertain characters in the streets of Bethune. The next day
the Division moved up and relieved 33rd Division in the front line North of the La Basse canal at Givenchy.
Between the 12th December 1915 and 18th January 1918, in a quiet period of trench holding, the Division
nonetheless suffered the loss of 102 Officers and 670 men killed , wounded or missing. Walter Salmon was
wounded at some time during this period and died of his wounds on 1 st January 1916.
He is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais in Northern France. For much of the First World War,
Bethune was comparatively free from bombardment and remained an important railway and hospital centre
60
as well as a corps and Divisional HQ. The 33 rd Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) was in the town until
December 1917 and this may well be where he was taken after being wounded, especially since an ‘In
Memoriam’ notice in a local newspaper notes that he died in a ‘casualty clearing station’. He earned the 1915
Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal for his service. Bethune Town Cemetery 16. Area IV Plot G
Grave 74 ( Courtesy Liz Walton 2010)
After Walter’s death Rosa remarried and subsequently had little to do with most members of the Salmon
Family, who were apparently upset at her re-marriage. However, she did remain close to the family of
William John Salmon who was married to her sister, Alice Beatrice.
On 26th October 1919 Rosa’s second marriage took place at St Saviour’s Parish Church (Folio 85. No 170.).
John Thomas Ozanne, a thirty-eight-year-old bachelor married Rosina (sic) Augusta Salmon, nee Druce,
widow of Walter Salmon, of Holy Trinity Parish. She was described as the daughter of William Isaac Druce,
a Mariner. They were married by the Recteur, H.M. de Ste Croix.
The children of Walter and Rosa Augusta Salmon were cousins of Brian Torode:
WALTER born 1907 – see below.
ROSA ALICE BEATRICE SALMON, Infant cousin
Rosa was born on 20th February 1904 and died on 29th August 1904
LILLIAN MAY GUEZO, cousin
Lillian Salmon was born in 29th December 1905 and married Francis Ernest Guezo. She died on 2 nd March
1982 at P.E. Hospital, aged seventy-six years.
61
‘2.3.1982: death of Lillian May Salmon, Widow of Francis Ernest Guezo at the P.E.H. Born St Peter Port.
Aged 76, daughter of Walter John Salmon and Rosa Augusta Druce’
WALTER SALMON, cousin
Walter Salmon was born on 30th May 1907. He married his first wife, (?) Le Vailian and they divorced. His
second wife was Eva Agnes Le Page, a former hospital sister.
On 14th April 1983, Eva wrote to me from Touraine, Forest, Guernsey.
Dear Mr Torode,
Your letter with its very interesting content received, however I’m afraid that we shall not be of much help to
you in your research – we have answered where possible. My husband’s recollection of ‘family’ just goes
back to 1913 and he remembers his uncles as follows:
Jack; In Artillery, returned from France.
Walter: his father, killed in 1914, in France.
Bill?
George: killed in 1914 war
Bert: killed in 1914 war
Fred: killed in 1914 war
The names of the godparents seem to us much like Jersey names with the exception of Lily Salmon and Lydia
Bisson, so it would appear there is a Jersey connection.
We have a photograph of my husband’s father and mother but as it is mounted we regret we cannot send it,
and regrettably we have no other old photographs.
We are so very sorry not to be of more help, but it was nice to hear of you and will be glad to get any further
news from you.
Yours sincerely,
Eva Salmon, with kindest regards.
On 17th August 1984 I visited my cousin at Touraine, Les Nouettes, Forest. This was a large house with
greenhouses. Walter was not interested in family history but revealed that Desire, his grandfather, had a long
white beard. He also claimed that he served in the Crimean War and died with his boots and military
uniform on!!
In the Notre Dame du Rosaire School Registers there is listed a Walter Salmon, son of Walter, born 29 th
January 1928 who entered Notre Dame on 25th May 1938, and whose parents were living at the Catel. This
is presumably Walter’s (born 1907) son by his first marriage.
CYRIL HENRY SALMON, cousin
Cyril Salmon was born 12th Feb 1909 and married Hilda Mauger. He died in 1970.
MILDRED SALMON, cousin
Mildred was born on 19th September 1912.
EDWARD SALMON, cousin
Edward born 8th March 1914, married Zena England.
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ALBERT JOHN SALMON, my Uncle : Child 3
Albert John Salmon , not to be confused with ALBERT WILLIAM Salmon his brother, who
assumed the name Albert John Salmon in memory of this brother who had died an
infant.
Albert John Salmon, the child of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon, was born on 26 th December 1882 at
Vauvert, St Peter Port. . By now his mother was twenty-one years-old.
The Greffe: Birth Certificate
‘Albert John Salmon, b.26th December 1882 at Vauvert. Father: Mason, John Senateur Salmon and Emelie
Bisson’ Registered January 9th 1883
Details recorded in the Register of Baptism at the Town Church St Peter Port, give the following
information:
Albert John, son of Jean Senateur Salmon and of Emily Bisson his wife, born 26 th December 1882 and
baptised privately, was presented in St Barnabas Church, 23 rd January 1884. Sponsors, Victor Diguet and
the parents of the child.
Albert did not reach his 5th birthday but died on 1st March 1887
1st March 1887, death of Albert John Salmon, aged 4, son of John Senateur Salmon and Emily Bisson. Died
at Hauteville, ‘suite de brulures’
Suite de brulures suggests death by scalding.
Albert’s brother Albert William was born just a year later and in adulthood adopted the name Albert John,
probably in memory of his deceased brother Albert John.
NICHOLAS MAUGER SALMON, my Infant Twin Uncle: Child 4 (Twin)
Nicholas Mauger Salmon and Henri Francois Salmon were twin brothers who were born to Jean Salmon and
Emelie Bisson on 23rd October 1884. ( Greffe Folio 605 No 387) They were baptised at the Town Church in
St Peter Port on 5th November 1884. Their godparents were Nicholas Mauger Gavey, Jean Bougeron and
godmother, Francoise Jeffrey.
Nicholas Mauger died at Burnt Lane on 16th March 1885 of Bronchitis and his brother Henri Francois died
on 8th February 1885 at the same address and of the same complaint.
HENRI FRANCOIS SALMON, my Infant Twin Uncle: Child 5 (Twin)
Henri Francois Salmon and Nicholas Mauger Salmon were twin brothers who were born to Desire and
Emelie on 23rd October 1884. ( Greffe Folio 605 No 388) They were baptised at the Town Church in St Peter
Port on 5th November 1884, sons of Jean Salmon and Emilie Bisson his wife. Their godparents were
Nicholas Mauger Gavey, Jean Bougeron and godmother Francoise Jeffrey.
Henri Francois died at Burnt Lane on 8th February 1885 of Bronchitis and his brother Nicholas Mauger died
on 16th March 1885 at the same address and of the same complaint.
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WILLIAM JOHN SALMON, my Uncle: Child 6
William John Salmon, the sixth son of Desire and Emelie Salmon was born on 16 th October 1885 at 10,
Hauteville, St Peter Port to where the family had moved. ( Greffe Folio 806 No 412) The house was on land
behind the shop at the junction of Pedvin Street with Hauteville.
William was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, privately, by Rev N Cathcart, Vicar of Holy Trinity, but the
date is not given. However he was presented at the Town Church on 5 th August 1888. His Godparents were
his own father, his mother’s niece, Lydia Rachel Bisson, and Thomas Palot. No occupation given of either
father nor mother.
Register entry No 388: Private Baptism in Trinity Church, born 16 th October 1885, William John Salmon,
son of John Salmon and Emily Bisson. Presented in the Church of St Peter Port, August 5 th 1888. G Lee
Rector.
William, who was a plasterer, married Alice Beatrice Druce, the daughter of a deceased mariner, on 14 th May
1907 at the Ebenezer Chapel and they had two children – Elsie May who was born in 1911 and John who
was born in 1919. Alice Beatrice was the sister of Rosa Augusta who had married William’s brother, Walter
Salmon, in 1903/4.
64
The 1911 Census records the following information about this family, living in three rooms.
Address: Sutherland House, Victoria Terrace, St Peter Port.
William John
aged 25, married, plasterer. Born St Peter Port, Father born France.
Alice, wife
aged 24, married 4 years. Born St Peter Port. 2 children born and still alive.
William John, son
aged 3, born St Peter Port
Elsie May, daughter
aged one month, born St Peter Port
Georgina Druce, sister in law , aged 11, still at school, born St Peter Port.
Details from the Marriage Certificate:
‘William John Salmon, bachelor, plasterer, 85 Mount Durand, son of John Senateur Salmon, mason
Alice Beatrice Druce, spinster, daughter of William Isaac Druce, deceased. According to the rites and
ceremonies of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Witnesses: William Druce, Ethel Guille. Ralph Philipson,
Minister’
William was the last of the Salmon brothers to enlist. After the war he returned to Guernsey and took up his
trade as a builder, living on the Foulon Road.
Salmon, W. Private Royal Irish Fusiliers 22089. 6 th Draft. Embarked Southampton 23 January 1918. Joined
base depot 24th January, 70 other Ranks mainly from North Staffs Regiment, from Draft 1.
(Book, Dieux Aie). Army Records describe him as ‘Corporal’ 22089. He received the Victory Medal and the
British Medal.
Because of his sister-in-law’s break with the Salmon Family after her re-marriage to John Thomas Ozanne in
1919, William and his wife grew away from his family too and there was little contact. He was a religious
man and was Warden of Salem Methodist Church.
His wife, Alice Beatrice, died in 1970 and was buried in the Foulon Cemetery New Ground.
William was a retired builder and he died on 14 th July 1970 at his home, ‘Windermere’ on Route Isabelle. He
was then eighty-four-years-old and was described as the ‘son of John Senateur and Emily Salmon.’ His
remains were laid to rest in the Foulon Cemetery.
Guernsey Evening Press;
‘On 14. July 1970 at his home Windermere, Route Isabel William John in his 85 th year. Funeral will meet at
Salem Methodist Church on Friday at 2.30. No flowers by request. Donations to St John’s Ambulance
Transport’
65
Their children were cousins of Brian Torode:
WILLIAM JOHN SALMON, cousin
William John Salmon was born on 28th November 1907. Entered Notre Dame du Rosaire School 12th
October 1910 when parents were living at 85 Mount Durand. Left to go to Vauvert School and he died in
1914 of typhoid at their new home in Lower Vauvert.
ELSIE MAY POMEROY, cousin
Elsie May Salmon was born on 9th November 1911 and she married Ted Pomeroy. She had a son, John
Pomeroy. Elsie died on 27th September 1983.
JOHN SALMON, cousin
John Salmon was born on 13th November 1919. He married Doris Elsbury and they had a daughter.
ALBERT WILLIAM (JOHN) SALMON, my Uncle : Child 7
66
Albert William Salmon died on 13th April 1918, aged thirty-five
In all his military records, and newspaper reports, Albert William is referred to as Albert
John. In fact he seems to have adopted the second name John in memory of his late brother
Albert John who was born 26th December 1882, baptised privately, and died 1st March 1887.
The entry below uses the name Albert John where published as such, but in fact all the
information is in fact relating to Albert William.
From the Greffe Folio 2287 No 10, we learn that Albert William Salmon was born on 15 th February 1888 at
Hauteville. His father was described as a mason, John Salmon and his mother is given as Emilie Bisson. His
borth was registered on 24th February that year.
He was baptised by Rev G E Lee Rector, at the Town Church on August 5 th 1888 son of John Salmon and
Emily Bisson. His Godparents were his father, and Thomas Palot and Mary Bisson. ( Baptism Certificate)
Albert became a copper smith when he started work, in the Trinity Square area. Albert married Reta Cavey
who came from a Jersey family, but who was born in Guernsey, and they had two daughters, Beatrice May
Emily and Reta.
Marriage Record from the Greffe:
17 May 1913: Marriage:- Albert John Salmon, major, bachelor, tin smith, 26 Pedvin Street, son of Senateur
Desire Jean Baptiste Salmon, mason.
Rita May Cavey, minor, daughter of Elias (?) Mathew Cavey, Carter, Cornet Street. Winesses: Emely
Salmon, Frank (?) Cavey, father of Reta. (?)
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During the First World War Albert (Bertie) served with the Royal Irish Regiment then he transferred to the
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry serving as 145 Pte A J Salmon. He appears to have joined directly, not via
another regiment.
He had not only suffered the experiences of Cambrai but also the loss of three brothers before he himself was
killed in action on 13th April 1918 on the Lys. Albert John Salmon was the fourth of the Salmon children to
die in battle. He died at the Battle of the Somme on 13 th April 1918. He is buried at Trois Arbres Cemetery,
Steenwerck in Northern France. The Guernsey Evening Press reporting Albert’s death noted that he was the
fourth son to have been killed out of seven in service.
In the Army Records the following information is given:
‘SALMON, Albert J. Private 145; Channel Islands Militia Battalion, 1 st R.G.L.I. Killed in Action 13th April
1918, aged 35 - vol M.6 Page 496. He was awarded the following medals: RGLI/101B Victory Medal; and
the British Medal. His grave is at Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France Nord, Area II, Plot 0,
Grave No 28 (Dieu Aix Book)
The Globe Newspaper, London, of May 21st 1918, contained the following:
‘The following N.C.O. and men of the R.G.L.I. OFFICIAL
Death: Private A.J. Salmon, wife, Mrs Salmon, of 2, Tower Hill, St Peter Port.’
His daughter Reta has a large bronze medallion on which is inscribed, He died for Freedom and Honour –
Albert John Salmon.’
Reta Cavey moved to Plymouth after Albert’s death, where she had relatives, and there she married Cecil
Burdett, for whom she had twelve children – Gladys Enid, Winifred Beatrice, Cecil Edward, Emily Grace,
Daniel Elias, Gerald Victor, Barbara Jane Rosalie, Doreen and four who died as infants. Cecil Burdett died in
68
1936. Reta then married Percy Walter Wilson Hendy, born 1883 whose first wife was May Hubbard, born
1889.
Albert and Reta Salmon’s daughter, Reta, married Percy Hendy in Plymouth in 1934, by which time Reta
Cavey was again a widow, and she met and later married her daughter Reta’s husband’s father who was a
widower, Percy Walter Wilson Hendy. They had two children – Kenneth and Doris, so Reta Cavey in fact
mothered sixteen children in all, for three husbands.
Albert John and Reta Salmon had sons and daughters who were cousins of Brian Torode:
BEATRICE MARY EMILY SALMON, cousin, born December 25th 1913 and who died two years later on
11th March 1915
RETA M HENDY, cousin.
Born 20th March 1916 and died September 1986
Reta Salmon married Percy Hendy on 6th August 1934 and they lived in Plymouth. They had five children.
Reta wrote to me in the 1980s as follows from 187, Blandford Road, Efford, Plymouth, Devon PL3 6JZ
Dear Brian,
I have just received our letter on 21st January. It has been to three different places as you had the wrong
name and address and I never received the letter from aunty about uncle Eddie for I would have certainly
answered it.
Well my dear cousin, I don’t think I can help you a lot. I was 2 years old when my mother brought me to
Plymouth where she married again and had a large family so she couldn’t give me a lot of her time. When I
was 10 years old I went o an orphanage in Broadstairs, Archbishop Tait School for Girls. I stayed there until
I was 16 years old. I married at 18, and started my own family – four boys, 3 girls, only one girl lived.
John is 48, Terence 46, Paul 44, Barry 35. Margaret known as Peggy is 41. They are all married. I have
twenty grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren. I don’t have a photo of our grandparents but I am enclosing the
ones I have. Perhaps uncle Archie ( Artie) in Jersey would be able to help you there. I would like to have the
photos back when you have finished with them. Percy my husband said why don’t you come down and visit
us so we could have a nice long talk about our family as I am sure I don’t know as much as you do.
I will write to aunty (Alice) but I’ve been in hospital for the past 12 months, had rather a big operation but
I’m feeling better now so you see why I’ve not corresponded with anyone. I would like it very much if aunty
Alice would come for a holiday as at the present time I can’t travel far, having to attend out-patients every
fortnight. We all hope you are keeping well are you still teaching or have you found a better paying job. Of
course Percy and I are both retired – he’s 74 and I’m nearly 67 so we are also getting on.
Give our love top your mum when you write. Is Ivy still living at 22? Well Brian, if there is any other way I
can be of use, let me know.
Sincerely your cousin
Reta Hendy.
Next letter – undated.
Dear Brian,
I have found the rest of the photos. The children had put them away whilst I was in hospital. Hope they will
be of use to you. I have written to aunty and invited her over for a holiday, I think it would do her good to
have a change. See if you can get her to come over, we would look after her as she did Percy and I when we
went over on our holiday. Now we are on a pension we find it hard to put by any savings but if we can
manage we will try and get over for a visit later in the year.
I haven’t much to write about as I don’t go out very much this cold wet weather.
Well my dear, write to us again. Please send the photos back when you have finished with them. Cheerio for
now,
Your cousin Reta.
69
Gran and granddad lived at 42 Pedvin Street. I was born there. I also had a sister Beatrice 2 years older
than me. I think all the family lived there at one time, they did when I was at school. Have you written to
Somerset house, London as you may get some knowledge from them.
Love Reta.
PS I do have a photo of my parents but can’t think where it is but will send on when found. Would like the
photos back.
Reta.
Another letter.
Dear Brian
Many thanks for returning the photos – I hope you received the other ones I sent. I’ve written to aunty Alice
and will again soon.
Do you think aunty Alice would be able to put Percy and myself up for a week or more if not, we will try the
Sandor Guest House where we stayed before. If you could let us know early so that I can book up for August.
I don’t know if you are still a Bachelor as I know were (sic) single on our last visit to Guernsey. I’ve been
trying to think who Cecil is but the only one I can think of is my stepfather Cecil Burdett. Perhaps my mum
wrote and told aunty about it and this is how she got muddled up.
On the family tree you put Albert William as my dad but it was Albert John. He was killed in the Battle of the
Somme in 1918. Did you know though, aunt Emily wasn’t married – she had a family two girls, Nora and
Ellen – I think she had a son also called Jack and he was a merchant seaman or in the navy. Perhaps the two
girls could tell you.
Well my dear, I am just about ready to get our Sunday dinner out, one of my granddaughters is down for the
day. Sally is giving me a hand with the cleaning one of the granddaughters comes down every day to get any
shopping I may need, but I’m feeling so much better that this week I was able to do my own shopping. Did I
tell you that Percy is 74 years old and I am 67 come this March.. We will have been married 49 years next
August 6th. Not bad for this day and age is it.
Well my dear cousin, write soon – I love receiving letters.
Cheerio for now, your affectionate cousins, Reta and Percy.
( NB: Reta is mistaken – her father was Albert William aka Albert John in memory of his younger brother
deceased, Albert John died 1887)
And on 11th March 1883:
Dear Brian,
We are booked at Sandor for August 8 th to 15th, so we may just manage to have a few hours together but it
still goes you will be welcome if you can manage to get down for the Easter week end. The break will do you
good. Sorry to hear aunty isn’t too well again. I’ve asked Mrs Allchen to let her know we have booked up.
We were hoping to see the Festival of Flowers but we couldn’t get a booking – never mind there’s always
next year.
You’re telling me the Salmons are stubborn. I get that way myself at times. Percy says it’s my high and
mighty look! Still it takes all sorts to make the world go round.
Glad you manage to have a day off during half term. I’ve past through Bath when I’ve been out with my
sisters. Sorry I don’t know any cousins other than Nora and Ellen. Aunty did take us to the RAFA Show and
the Band Leader was called Edward (Ted) Salmon. Other than that you may know (more) than I do.
If you can get Nora and Ellen’s address I will visit them during the holiday.
Sorry about the posh Salmons – they’re welcome to that way. I would sooner be my own comfortable self,
airs and graces make me mad and sarcastic. It’s no good trying to be what you aren’t especially with a large
family.
I will be writing to aunty again and will send family photos as soon as they are developed. Love Reta and
Percy.
25the April 1983
70
Dear Brian, sorry you couldn’t make it at Easter. I thought that perhaps aunty was poorly and you stayed
with her so it was great to know she is in good health.
It’s certainly been a rotten wet Easter, we had it as well, as we are very open to the elements from the sea
and moors. Well my dear, I’ve been very busy knitting for the family, my granddaughters are getting very
fashion conscious now that they are teenagers.
Please Brian, will you spell our surname correctly as there is another family living in our Road called
Hendry – ours is HENDY and my name is spelt with an e, Reta, apparently it’s the French version.
I haven’t had the photos of my children developed yet as my third son Paul doesn’t live in Plymouth but
Newton Abbot and we only see him once in a while. He has bought an old cottage 500 years old he is busy
decorating and putting on a new roof.
I will be writing to aunty later as now I’m stopping to serve up high tea. It’s too late for tea but not late
enough for dinner.
I expect you were pleased to find some more cousins. Did you watch the London marathon on TV? One of
the runners was a Frenchman with two companions, onions and all, he said he was called Pierre Salmon
and was a true Frenchman when the commentator asked him. Wonder if he was a chip off the Family Tree.
Get down when you can, I know you lead a busy life. By the way, you didn’t ever say if you were married. Do
you know cousin Ellen’s address or Nora’s, if so could you forward them to us.
We are all looking forward to meeting you
Love and regards
From Reta and Percy and the family.
EMILY ADA SALMON, my Aunt: Child 8
71
Emily Ada Salmon was the elder daughter of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon. She was born on 20 th May
1890 at 10 Hauteville. (Greffe Fol 57 No 225)
She was baptised by the curate, Thomas Lewis, at the Town Church on 29 th June 1890, and her Godparents
were her mother and father, John Senateur Salmon, together with Marion Colledge. Her father’s occupation
is not given. Emily did not marry but had six children. As a girl, Emily was much admired for her lovely
auburn hair.
Walter Salmon junior, related a story that the father of his Aunt Emily’s first child Percy Allan Salmon, was a
soldier in the Middlesex Regiment who was stationed at Fort George. Her father, Desire Jean Salmon, was
furious and he refused to allow the couple to marry. A violent argument is said to have broken out and as a
result Emily’s father was placed in the Asylum. Percy Allan Salmon was born in February 1910 so these
events probably took place during the previous year.
Emily died in 1969, and is buried at the Foulon Cemetery. The death certificate read that she was the
daughter of John Senateur Salmon and Emily Ada Bisson.
The Guernsey Evening Press reported:
‘April 27 1969 at P.E.H. Emily Ada Salmon of 30, Millbrook, La Vrangue, aged 78. Funeral at Foulon
Chapel, Wednesday April 30th at 2 o’clock. Flowers to the Chapel.
Emily Ada’s children were cousins of Brian Torode:
PERCY ALLEN SALMON, cousin
72
Percy Allen Salmon was born 8th February 1910. He is the natural child of Emily Salmon and was born at
No 8 Hauteville. His birth was registered 26th January that year and he was baptised on 19th February 1910.
He was enrolled at Notre Dame du Rosaire School, St Peter Port on 10 th February 1920.
NORAH RADFORD, cousin
Norah Salmon was born on 19th December 1917. She was enrolled at Notre Dame du Rosaire School, St
Peter Port on 3rd September 1923, her address being Pedvin Street. She married Stanley Radford, from
Bridgewater, Somerset. No issue.
Guernsey Weekly Press Friday 6th October 1989:
The last troops to leave Guernsey before the Germans occupied the Island in 1940 were men of the 341
Machine Gun Training Unit of the Cheshire Regiment. Little has been recorded about them but one man in
their ranks has recalled those early days of the war. This is his story recounted by Herbert Winterflood, of
his wartime adventures and close association with Guernsey, to which he returned after the war to marry a
local girl.
A man who was left for dead after being ambushed by 12 Germans during the Second World War, who was
one of the large group of soldiers to leave Guernsey just prior to the Occupation, is still alive and well.
He is Stan Radford of St Anora, Brock Road, St Peter Port who first came to Guernsey with 341 Machine
Gun Training Unit of the Cheshire Regiment. He later took part in the D Day Landings and finished his
army career looking after German prisoners – including two form Guernsey – in the UK.
The Machine Gun Training Unit served in Alderney and Guernsey during the final stages of the war, but
records seem to have been buried in a filing cabinet somewhere in England.
Stan was living in Bridgewater when he was conscripted and crossed to Guernsey form Southampton on 15 th
December 1939. The fare was £1.11s.7d. and his pay was 10 shillings a week because of his ‘overseas’
posting. If he had remained in the UK it would have been just 4sh.
He then went to Alderney on the Courier, experiencing a frightful passage and celebrated Christmas there.
Training was carried out at Fort Albert and Fort Tourgis the areas around these fortifications being ideal for
military exercises. After completion of training Stan was among the troops who returned to Guernsey where
they were stationed at Fort George and Les Beaucamps. They were able to take advantage of facilities
provided for the Royal Guernsey Militia who were involved in guarding key points on the island. The men
form the Cheshire Regiment also did their share of guard duty. The water tower at Forest Road was one of
their responsibilities and they also had a sandbag post outside the Telephone Exchange in the Grange. ‘I
remember our Bren Gun carriers being parked in Upland Road,’ says Stan.
Withdrawl:
As Hitler’s troops swept across Europe towards the Channel ports, arrangements were made for British
troops still stationed in the island to withdraw to the UK. Just before the evacuation Stan remembers orders
to leave Guernsey. For him it was a sad occasion for he had become friendly with a Guernsey girl, who was
later to be his wife. Through the five years of the occupation he kept in touch with her through the Red Cross
messages and married her in England after the Island was freed.
He recalls his hurried departure form the island in 1940. Equipment was taken to St peter Port Harbour on
the evening prior to departure . The troops then returned to Les Beaucamps, filled their pockets with spare
ammunition and marched to the White Rock during the early hours of the next morning.
Marching
‘It was a lovely trip across to Southampton and on landing we marched to a wooded area and from there to
Wiltshire where I was transferred to the 8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment’, recalls Stan. This was the time
for promotion and soon he was wearing the three stripes of a sergeant. He took a curse in handling a 20mm
Hispano anti-aircraft gun, in aircraft recognition and a third in physical training. During the early years of
the war he remained in the UK being moved to various defence points. Then came the massive build up of
forces for D-Day with a landing by Stan’s 43 rd Wessex Division at Avranches. A report published as the men
battled on recorded that the Germans knew the 43 rd Wessex as the SS Panzer Division of the British Army.
The troops were known to the Germans as the ‘dragon men or yellow devils’.
It was stated that the 43 rd had been a spectacular success in the vanguard role of every important Second
Army operation. But for the swift establishment of the bridgehead over the Seine at Vernon, over which the
Armour was able to pass Brussels and Antwerp, a large part of Holland would not have been liberated.
Ambush
The spectacular advance by the Allied Forces into Germany ended for Sergeant Radford when he was
trapped in an ambush on a dark Sunday night in the Fatherland. He remembers driving with a private up to
73
the front line with supplies for his infantry platoon. On the way back Stan stood on the running board of the
vehicle to guide the driver to the base. Suddenly out of the blackness of the night a German patrol of 12 men
who had infiltrated behind the British lines opened fire. The driver was captured but Stan who had sustained
leg injures fell into the mud and was left for dead.
Eternity
For what seemed like an eternity he struggled to move towards base but his injuries prevented him. Then he
heard squelching in the mud and tried to call out for help hoping the passers-by were friendly. But his voice
had no strength. He felt the need to act quickly as the troops would soon be lost in the blackness of night.
His sergeant’s torch was the answer. Quickly he fumbled for it and switched it on. The officer in charge of the
marching troops spotted the light and Stan was soon being taken to safety. Unfortunately the stretcher
bearers stumbled into a shell hole as they made for a clearance station, one injuring himself. However
Sergeant Radford was brought to safety. One of the bearers on leaving the base was shot by mistake by one
of his own men and found himself being sent back with Stan for medical treatment.
Stan was moved from one hospital to another and eventually arrived back in England for more treatment.
Captions to photographs: (i) One of Stan pictured recently in his neat garden in Brock Road St Peter Port.
(ii) One of uniformed Stan as he looked in 1940. The picture was taken by Happy Snaps at the slipway
opposite Woolworth’s with the Old Harbour as a backcloth.
(iii) Bren Gun Carriers were used by the British Army in Guernsey just prior to the Occupation. This one is
leaving White Rock and approaching the Weighbridge.
MILLIE FRANCIS SALMON, cousin
Millie Francis was born on 13th December 1920. She was enrolled at Notre Dame du Rosaire School, St
Peter Port on 27th April 1926
Her mother was living in Pedvin Street at the time. Millie died in 1975.
ELSIE OGIER, cousin
Elsie Salmon was born in 1927. She married Basil Ogier and they had two children. Elsie died in 1958.
1969.
PAMELA POLS, cousin
Pamela Salmon was born in 1936. She married Gerhardus Pols who was born in Holland in the same year.
They had two sons.
GEORGE HENRY SALMON, my Uncle : Child 9
74
George Henry Salmon died on 12th April 1918, aged twenty-five
George Henry Salmon was the ninth child of John Senateur Salmon and Emelie Bisson. His birth certificate
shows that he was born on 5th July 1892 at 10 Hauteville, St Peter Port. ( Greffe Folio 99 No 294)
A copy of his birth certificate , issued 10th August 1918, is as follows:
No 294; date of birth July 5th 1892; sex mas; name of Father and mother before marriage; John Senateur
Salmon and Emily Bisson; where born, Hauteville; occupation of father; mason. Birth registered July 27 th
1892.
He was baptised by Robert Jones, Curate, at St Barnabas Church in St Peter Port on 2 nd August 1892, and
John Salmon, Walter Salmon and Lydia Rachel Bisson were his godparents.
In the Town Church Registers 15 July 1911 we read:
George Henry Salmon aged 19 years, son of John (Henry) Salmon and Emily Bisson, admitted on
recommendation of Dr Bisson, sanctioned by the V ice President.
Again, 30th August 1911 Discharged by sanction of the Vice President.
George Henry did not marry but worked for Luff & Co as a grocer in the commercial Arcade. He enlisted in
the Royal Irish Regiment for service during the First World War and was given the number Private 3/7904.
He later transferred to the R.G.L.I. as Private 2516, and was later promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
On enlisting, he was living with mum at 2 Rue des Pres.
Guernsey Service Company attached to RI Regt . 22 yrs 9 months. 5 foot 4 and three quarters, Girth 35
inches – 2 inch expansion range. Shop Assistant. Unmarried. Previously served in Royal Guernsey militia.
Enlisted 9th April 1915. Posted 1st May, transferred to RIFusiliers 7 th Division . 17th Feb 1916 France.
At the time of his death on 12 th April 1918 at the age of 25, his mother, Emelie Salmon was a widow and she
was living at 2, Tower Hill, St Peter Port. His death is listed at St Catherine’s House in volume M6. Page
486. A letter was sent to his mother from his commanding officer which read as follows:
75
‘I regret exceedingly to inform you that your son, L/Cpl George Salmon, was killed in action. He was a keen
soldier, a very good N.C.O. and a very good man. We shall miss him and we all deplore his loss. Please
accept the sincere sympathy of his Company and myself. Signed, Lt. Gordon Hall’
George was the third of the Salmon brothers to sacrifice his life in the cause of peace and died only
18months after his brother Alfred, on April 12 th 1918 aged 22. George was a single man living at home when
war broke out. He served with the 1st Service Battalion of the RGLI as 2516 Pte George H Salmon. He had
previously served with the 3rd Royal Irish Regiment (7904) and the 87th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers
(21856). George was a shop assistant living at home with his parents in St Peter Port, when he signed up on
9th April 1915. He transferred to the RIF on 4 th October the same year, and 6 months later was tried for
allegedly wounding / shooting himself in the right hand. Tried- 42 days detention. . However he must have
recovered and remained with the Unit until he was transferred to the RGLI on its formation at the end of
1916. 18th March 1917. Awarded Parchment Certificate for Gallantry and devotion to duty. On leave Sept –
Oct 1917. He survived the Battle of Cambrai but was killed in action at the Lys on 12 th April 1918. Acting
Corporal. Like most of the men who fell there, he has no known grave, but is commemorated on the
Ploegstreet Memorial near Ielper in Belgium. 1718.
(Courtesy Liz Walton 2010)
There is no known grave, but George is remembered at Ploegsteert. Hainhault, in Belgium and an illustrated
Roll of Honour in my possession contains the following memorial:
‘1914-1918: For King and Country to the Glory of God and in Everlasting Memory of SALMON, Pte
George 2516, 1st Bn Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. 12th April 1918, Age 25. Son of Mrs Emily Salmon, 40,
Pedvin St. St Peter Port, Guernsey. Who gave his life in the Great War that we might live, and whose name is
carved in stone at Ploegsteert War Memorial, Belgium.’ ( Panel 11.)
The following article was published in the Guernsey Weekly Press dated Saturday 4 th May 1918:
‘Mrs E. Salmon, 2 Tower Hill, St Peter Port, received a letter from Lt. Gordon Hall, R.G.L.I., informing her
that her 5th son, Corporal George Salmon, R.G.L.I. was killed in action on April 12 th. Lt Hall wrote:
He was a keen soldier, a very capable NCO and a good man. We all miss him and deeply deplore his loss.
Please accept the sincerest sympathy of his Company and myself in your sad bereavement.
Cpl Salmon left here 3 years ago with the Guernsey Company R. Irish Fusiliers and was drafted into the
RGLI about a month ago. He was slightly wounded in the hand over a year ago. Cpl. Salmon was formerly
employed by Mr Luff, Arcade, as a grocer. He came home on furlough last September.
Mrs Salmon has 3 other serving sons – William, 3 rd son, R.I. Fusiliers; John, eldest son, in a Divisional
Ammunitions column; and Albert in the RGLI. Two other sons have been killed in action – Walter, 2 nd son,
and Fred the youngest RI Fusiliers.’
The Guernsey Star of the 1st May 1918 reported further:
‘L/Cpl. George Salmon, was killed in action, on 12.4.1918. He is the son of Mrs Salmon of 2, Tower Hill,
and was in the R.G.L.I.. He volunteered three years ago for the Royal Irish Fusiliers and was only lately
transferred to the R.G.L.I. with the remains of the Guernseymen who were serving with the R.I.F. He was
formerly employed by Luff and Co, Commercial Arcade. Two other brothers have already been killed in
action, Walter and Frederick, while John, William and Albert are serving in the Army, the latter in the
R.G.L.I.’
The official War records read as follows:
‘Salmon G. Pte Royal Irish Regiment 3/7904. RIF 21856 and RGLI 2516 2nd Draft RGLI 02.03.1918. Killed
12.04.1918 Ex RIR.
2nd Draft RGLI 02-03-18. Killed in action 12-04-18 France and Flanders
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2nd Draft were drawn from men in the Training Reserve and Training Batallions. Consisted of 28 other ranks,
the first of which was posted to the 1st Batallion with reinforcement 9 on 19-03-1918.
2516 Pte Salmon G. killed in action 12.04.1918. Ex R.I.F. Memorial at Ploegsteert, Belgium.
Medals: P9 – meaning those who qualified for the use of the WW(i) medals before serving in the RGLI, are
noted as P9 – their medals are named to their previous unit (Dieux Aie Book): Victory medal and British
Medal, Reg no 21900 and 2516.
FRANCIS HENRY SALMON, my Infant Uncle : Child 10
Francis Henry Salmon, tenth child of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon was born on 10 th May 1894 at 10
Hauteville ( Greffe Folio 135 No 191) His mother was thirty-three-years-old. He was baptised privately on
4th July 1894, by G C M Evans, Curate, and presented at the Town Church on 15 th July 1894. His Godparents
were his father, John William Salmon and Marie Augustine le Monnier.
Francis Henry Salmon died of bronchitis, at the age of six months, on 18 th November 1894, at 10. Hauteville.
FREDERICK CHARLES SALMON, my Uncle : Child 11
Frederick Charles Salmon born 1896, died 1896
Frederic (sic) Charles Salmon, eleventh child of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon, was born on 17 th January
1896 at 10, Hauteville. ( Greffe Folio 1168 No 40). His father’s occupation is given as mason. His birth was
registered on 3rd February that same year.
He was baptised privately on 18th February , by the Curate, H Swinburne of St Peter Port. Private baptism
was carried out when the child was not expected to live. His father is named John Senateur Salmon and
Emily Bisson is his mother.
Frederick (sic) Charles died at home in Hauteville, on 25 th February 1896 at the age of five weeks, the cause
of death being acute bronchitis. His death was registered the following day. His parents were given as John
Senateur Salmon and Emily Bisson
ALFRED JAMES SALMON, my Uncle: Child 12
Alfred James Salmon, the twelfth child of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon was born on 8th May 1897.
(Greffe Folio 11 No 1179). A copy of his birth certificate issued on 16 th July 1924, gives the following
information:
No 179. date of birth May 8th 1897; Alfred James; sex mas; name of father and mother before marriage,
John Senateur Salmon and Emilie Bisson; born 10 Hauteville; occupation of father, mason; date registered
May 19th 1897.
He was baptised at the Town Church on 13th June 1897 by the Rector, G E Lee. His godparents were Walter
Salmon, William Salmon and Mary Ann Talbot, his mother’s sister. His father is named John Senateur
Salmon, his mother Emily Bisson.
He attended school at Notre Dame du Rosaire from 29 th October 1906 until 23rd May 1910, when he left to
start work. . He was a gardener by trade. He enlisted in Guernsey in the First World War and is recorded in
the Army Lists at St Catherine’s house, London:
‘SALMON, Alfred J. Pte Regimental number 21901, Rank Private , Princess Victoria Royal Irish Fusiliers,
died of wounds France 10th September 1916, vol 1.76 Page 127.’ Formerly 8881, Royal Irish Regiment. Born
St Peter Port Guernsey.
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Alfred was the second of the Salmon brothers to sacrifice his life for peace. Like many Guernseymen he
served first with the 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment as Private 8881 A. Salmon, then with D Company of
7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, with the Service Number 21901. His Service record shows that he signed
up in Guernsey in June 1915 when he was a 19 year old gardener living with his parents at Rue des Pres, St
Peter Port. He went to England in 1915 for training at Purbright Camp in Surrey, before crossing to France
for further training. By April 1916 the Unit was considered to be fully trained and went into the front line
near Loos, where they lost several men to gas attacks. At the end of August 1916, they were moved to the
Somme. Alfred Salmon received gunshot wounds to his back there and died of these wounds at 5 th CCS at
Corbie in Picardy a few miles east of Amiens on 10 th September 1916. Unfortunately the telegram notifying
his family was initially delivered to the wrong address. Then there was some confusion as to whether it was
Alfred or George who had died. It must have been very distressing for the family, with telegrams travelling
back and forth between France, Ireland and Guernsey, until Alfred’s death was confirmed.
He is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, Ploegsteert Memorial and Cemetery.
Plot 2 Row C Grave No 60(Courtesy Liz Walton, 2010)
We also find more details in Dieux Aie Appendix 13 Page 60:
‘D Company, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 7 th Btn Salmon A J Pte. R. Irish Regt 8881, Royal Irish Fusiliers 21901.
Died of wounds 10.09.1916. aged 19 years.
He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal.
ARTHUR JAMES SALMON, my Uncle: Child 13
Arthur James Salmon was the youngest son of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon. He was born on 29 th
December 1899 at 10, Hauteville, St Peter Port. (Greffe Folio 61 No 12) He was baptised privately on 7 th
February 1900 by James Cairus, Curate, and presented at the Town Church on 22 nd April 1900. His
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godparents were Walter Salmon, William John Salmon and Lillian England ( John’s wife). His father is
named John Senateur Salmon and mother, Emily Bisson.
Arthur attended school at Notre Dame de Rosaire starting on 21 st November 1907 and he left there for work
on 13th January 1913.
He served in the Army during World War I, just old enough to serve with the RGLI, going over to France just
before the Armistice and after four of his brothers had died.
R.G.L.I.:
Pte A J Salmon No 3782, St Peter Port, R17 Dt Bn. (which means remained in France with the Details
Battalion after the main Body of the R.G.L.I. had returned to Guernsey.)’ He was awarded the Victory medal.
Living at 2 Tower Hill aged 18 years 5 months. Mum next of kin. Unmarried
Embarked Guernsey 15th Oct 1918. Awarded 14 days FPNo2 for neglecting to obey an order.
Joined up 25th May 1918. 5 feet 5. Girth 34.5 – range 4.5 inches. 118 lbs. Development fair. 2 marks on left
arm.. Address for pay, 42 Pedvin Street. Born 1899. Demobbed 31 st March 1920 . Pension given. Offence –
neglecting to obey an order 20th Feb 1919- 12 days FP, No 2. 1922 Awarded British War Medal.
First joined 18th May 1918. No disability claim on demobilisation.
Home from 18th May 1918 until 16th October. France form 17 th Oct 1918 – 20th Sept 1919. Home 21st Sept
1919 until 21st Oct .
and after discharge he worked for Messrs Luff and Company.
On 23rd June 1920 Arthur James Salmon married Millie Le Conte, the daughter of Laurier Francois Le Conte.
Millie was born on 21st April 1903 and was baptised at Notre Dame Church on 23 rd April 1903. Her father
died before her marriage and her stepfather legally adopted her. She attended Notre Dame du Rosaire School
fr0m 28th February 1908. Her address at the time was 13 Cornet Street.
The Marriage Certificate reads as follows:
23rd June 1920 Book 21, Folio 347, No 137.
Arthur James Salmon, 21, Porter, of 40 Pedvin Street, son of John Desire Salmon, plasterer, deceased.
Milly Le Conte, 18, spinster of 5 Burnt Lane, daughter of Etienne Le Conte, Labourer, deceased. Witnesses –
Anna Le Conte, mother, Havelock Meidell.
Their married address was 19 Vauvert.
All of Arthur and Millie’s five children were baptised at Notre Dame Church, St Peter Port.
Arthur Salmon died on 2nd November 1980 at PEH, aged eighty years, and he was described as the ‘son of
John Senateur Salmon and Emilie Bisson’, born St Peter Port.
Their children were cousins of Brian Torode:
JOAN BLACKWOOD, cousin
Joan Margaret Francisca Salmon was born on 14th August 1921 and baptised at Notre Dame on 11 th
September 1921. She attended Notre Dame School. She married John Blackwood and had five children.
JAMES ARTHUR SALMON, cousin
James Arthur Salmon was born on 27th March 1923 and was baptised at Notre Dame on 29th April 1923. He
entered Notre Dame du Rosaire School on 13 th September 1926. He died on 27th March 1937 aged fourteenyears and his funeral took place at Notre Dame Church.
ROBERT FRANCOIS SALMON, cousin ( Frankie)
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Robert Francois Salmon was born on 17th April 1924 and he was baptised at Notre Dame. He entered Notre
Dame School on 3rd September 1928 when his parents’ adxdress is given as Vauvert. He married Christine
Priaulx and they had three children.
EDWARD SALMON, cousin ( Teddy)
Edward Salmon was born on 16th June 1926 and baptised at Notre Dame. He entered Notre Dame School 5 th
January 1931 when his parents were living in Mansell Street. He married Ruth Williams–Hall and they had
a daughter.
Guernsey Evening Press Edward George ‘Ted’ Salmon died aged 80, suddenly but peacefully on 5 th
November 2006 at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. Loved husband of Ann and of the late Ruth, much loved
father and father in law of Jane and Keith, dearly loved papa of Jackie, Garry and Louisa, great grandfather
of Taome, Reece, Charlie, Brandon, Marni, Pierce, Chezzie, Lunaka and TC. Loved brother of Joan and the
late Arthur, Robert and Ann. Funeral Service, prior to cremation, at St Joseph’s Church, on Tuesday 14 th
November 2008 at 11 am. Family flowers only but donations may be sent to Guernsey Jumbulance Holidays.
ANN TOSTEVIN, cousin
Ann Salmon was born on 10th March 1939. She married Brian Tostevin who was born on 22nd October 1935.
ALICE BEATRICE TORODE, my Mother: Child 14
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Alice Beatrice Salmon was the youngest child and second daughter of Desire Jean and Emelie Salmon. She
was born on 25th September 1903 at 10, Hauteville, St Peter Port. (Greffe Folio 127 No 318) She was
baptised at the Town Church by the Curate A B Crane, on 1 st November 1903, and her godparents were John
William Salmon, Alice Beatrice Druce and Lily England Salmon. Her mother was forty-two-years-old at the
time of her birth and her father, John Senateur Salmon, was fifty-three.
Alice attended Notre Dame du Rosaire School from 1 st December 1908 until 26th March 1915 when she left
to go to Vauvert.
She started work at Falla’s, the Florist, and in 1941 she married Edward John Torode at the Greffe, on 8 th
February, at the age of thirty-eight years. They had only one child – Brian Edward Torode who was born on
4th July 1941.
Edward and Alice lived variously at 19 Saumarez Street with Edward’s sister Florence; at Uxbridge, Les
Croutes, just below St Stephen’s Church; and at 2, Emma Place, Victoria Road, St Peter Port from where
Edward died and Alice moved to her Nursing home at Les Capelles.
Edward John Torode died on 15th January 1981 leaving her a widow. Alice bought a grave space for her and
her husband at General Cemetery, Foulon Vale, St Peter Port.
After the death of her husband Alice deteriorated rapidly both physically and mentally. The house became in
dire need of repair. Eventually Alice was admitted to a private nursing home at Les Capelles. She was very
happy there and dearly loved by the staff.
Alice died peacefully on 22nd January 1993 at Coolderry House.
Register of death, No 57.
Date and hour of death 22nd January 1993 at 8.05 pm. Alice Beatrice Salmon widow of Edward John Torode;
age 89; father and mother’s maiden name, John Senateur Salmon and Emilie Bisson; died at Coolderry
House Residential Home, La Marette Road, Route des Capelles, St Sampson’s, Guernsey. Born, St Peter
Port, Guernsey; cause of death – rupture of aortic aneurysm, certified Dr D S Brand. Registered Jan 26 th
1993.
To the Memory of Edward John Torode 1913-1981. At Peace.
Also of Alice Beatrice, (nee Salmon) His Dear Wife, 1903-1993.
Much loved parents of Brian.
Their only child was
BRIAN EDWARD TORODE
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