Francis Newman
1759 - 1818*

 Relationship to me: Great Great Great Great Uncle Gen -5

 
Portrait of Francis Newman
as Colonel John Francis Newman
from Jerry Gandoflo (USA)
(see note below)
 Born 1759, at Hinckley in Leicestershire  
 Died died 5th March 1818 according to Cliff Ranson; buried in Port Tobacco, Maryland, USA (*1817 per Jerry Gandolfo)
 Age 58 or 59  
 Father:      Henry Newman c1726-1798
 Mother: Ann Underwood d.1853
 Brothers: Edwin Sandys Newman c1762-1836
 Sisters:   probably Susan Bird Newman (see below) d.1853 (see below)
 Married: (1) Frances Charlotte Newman, his first cousin, eldest daughter of his uncle Francis b.1758; d.Piddletrenthide Dorset 1834
  (2) Lydia Sheridan (née Fergusson) d.c1796 in USA
  (3) Elizabeth Hannah Friers (see below)    
 Children: (1) Francis, born May 1779, died June 1779. Buried North Cadbury
  Henry, stillborn December 1780. Buried North Cadbury 26th Dec 1780.
  Frances Charlotte 1784 - ????
  Augusta Catherine, born Nov. 1785, died May 1786. Buried at North Cadbury Church May 28th.  1785 - 1786
  (2) Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman 
alias (Captain) Francis Newman*		 1786 - 1851
  Elizabeth Rachel Newman* m. Woodyear 1792 - c 1865
  (3) John Francis Newman*  
  Francis Hollis Newman* c 1805 - c1870
  Emily Newman*  
  Susan Bird Newman*  
  Francis Olis Newman*  

Note: A major rewrite of this page is in progress - yet to be published.

Introductory Notes

Notes from Gerry Gandolfo about the portrait of Francis Newman:

Miscellaneous Notes:

Francis Newman

Francis Newman is without doubt the most colourful character in this family tree. His dramatic life story is still unfolding, but it may be briefly summarized as follows:

Francis Newman was born in 1759 at Hinckley in Leicestershire, England where his mother's family lived. His father Henry was rector of both Shepton Beauchamp and Sparkford, both villages in South Somerset. His father's elder brother Francis had inherited the Newman estates and advowson rights at Cadbury and Sparkford. In

I will present it largely in the order of my discoveries about him (for which I take no credit, and for which I thank those who have provided me with information about him, whose names are mentioned in the text below):

Until Feb 2002 my knowledge of Francis was summarized as follows:

This was the man that lost the Newman family's fortune and its North Cadbury estate. I don't know much more than what is said on earlier family trees - that he was "committed for crime to the High Court, found guilty and migrated to America where he died in 1817 without male issue". The North Cadbury estate was sold in 1799 to James Bennett of London to pay Francis's debts. Bennett subsequently caused all Newman memorials in North Cadbury church to be expunged, and I believe he also had all traces of the Newman family removed from Cadbury Court.

However in Feb 2002, Jerry Gandolfo from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA provided me with a much fuller and more interesting story about Francis as follows:

Francis and Lydia's first home in the USA: Le Grange Estate, MarylandSpeaking of Francis Newman, (brother of Edwin Sandys Newman), you state, he “migrated to America where he died in 1817 without male issue.” No doubt, this Francis Newman was colorful character. In 1786 he appeared in France with a Nioman Furgusson [or Lydia Fergusson] where the two did have a son, Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman! Francis Newman, with Lydia, moved to, and purchased, the La Grange Estate, Maryland, USA around 1796 (photo right). She died shortly thereafter. [Note: the words of his Will indicate that Francis continued to live at The Grange until his own death in 1817.]

Francis Newman then married Elizabeth Hannah Friers with whom he had eight more children, including four more males (including one named Francis Hollis Newman).

His first son, also called Francis Newman, became an artillery officer in the U.S. Army. When the U.S. purchased the colony of Louisiana from Napoleon (1803), he moved with the army to New Orleans. There he married twice, to cousins, both members of a prominent Spanish Creole family (Ronquillo y Solís). During the War of 1812 he commanded Fort Petit Coquilles and participated in the repulse of the British invasion of Louisiana in 1815. (Family history holds this act, bearing arms against Britain, was the reason the family was cut off from any English inheritances.) He had thirteen daughters and two sons. (He died in New Orleans in 1851.) One son, also named Francis Newman, became a Captain in the rebel (Confederate) army during the American Civil War and was killed in battle at Vicksburg in 1863. Before he died, he married a French Creole, the granddaughter of a French Privateer, Ezilda M. Daubert. They had several children including one named Hollis Louis Newman. Hollis Newman married Elena Ford-Rely and lived in New Orleans where his daughter Norita D. Newman was born. She married Andrew [André] A. Massicot (great-grandson of another French Privateer). Norita Newman became the family historian and wrote a book, “The Beast, The Sheep, and The Chariots,” (semi-factual, semi-fictional) about her great grandfather, Francis Newman (brother to Edwin Sandys Newman). Norita and Andrew Massicot’s daughter, Ynola Lucille married Charles Bradley Gandolfo in 1934. These were my parents. There are related Newmans all over the USA (especially Maryland, Louisiana, Alabama and Ohio).

Jerry wrote to me again in March 2002 with further information relating to Francis Newman as follows:

Alias: Colonel John Francis Newman, Sir John Francis Newman, Francis Newman: (It appears that Francis Newman acquired his titles or rank as well as his estates in England by virtue of the marriage to his cousin, Frances Newman.) In any case, the Newman Baronetcy became extinct in 1747 and was actually associated with Sir Richard Newman of Fifehead Magdalen. The rank of Colonel is more of a mystery. Could it be inherited from Colonel Richard Newman, surveyor-general to King Charles I and II, and veteran of the Battle of Worcester (1651)? Or, was it simply an honorary title often associated with men of social rank in America? Was he a British Colonel, an American Colonel, or maybe even a French Colonel? Or, is there another answer?) [Note: there is another answer - he aggrandized himself by assuming titles that were not his - including "Sir Francis Newman", "Sir John Francis Newman", "F. Newman, Sir and Baronet" etc. Colonel Francis Newman is likely to be similarly fictitious.]

Born: 1759; Christened: 1759 at Shepton Beauchamp [source: Ancestry.Com but not referenced]. Attended: Rugby then Cambridge, 1777 [source: Ancestry.Com but not referenced]

Moved to North America: After some period of time, and/or excursions to France, Newman appears to have migrated to Maryland, USA about 1793*. (This was 10 years after the end of the American Revolution, 1775-1783.) He obtained and lived at two estates or, plantations, called Benfield and La Grange. The latter, located in Port Tobacco, Maryland (a few miles east of Washington, D.C. along the Potomac River) is most closely associated with him. The La Grange plantation has two interesting footnotes associated with it. First, the evil overseer of the novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is said to have been based on a real overseer from La Grange. Second, while Admiral Bird is given credit for being the first man to reach the North Pole, many now accept it was a Negro who accompanied him, Matthew Hanson, who was actually first. Matthew Hanson was also originally from the Newman estate at La Grange. Francis Newman may have worked as some sort of tax collector in Maryland and may have had some problems associated with his accounting. (His son, Captain Francis Newman, also worked as a collector in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA). [* The date of Francis' emigration to Maryland must have been later than this, since his first will was signed in London on 5th Feb 1794 (see note below).]

Death and Estate: Francis Newman apparently (sic) died in Maryland in 1817. He is buried in Port Tobacco, Maryland. In 1794 he wrote a will which after his death was probated, amended, nullified and reprobated. The book, "British Roots of Maryland Families," states of his will, "He mentioned estates in Great Britain…" The original will from 1794 essentially recognizes Lydia Ferguson and their son (Captain) Francis Newman as heirs. It starts out, "The last will and testament of me, Francis Newman, of Hoadley Park in the County of S'ants Esquire…" The aforementioned book identifies Colonel Newman of Headley Park, Hampshire, and Cadbury Castle, Devon, but late of La Grange. After directing his estate to settle his debts and funeral expenses, Francis Newman essentially bequeathed the rest to Mrs. Lydia Ferguson and their son, John Elizabeth Francis George Newman. His executors were instructed to invest his liquid holdings and provide an annuity from the dividends and interest derived therefrom. Appointed executors were Lydia Ferguson, Sir Robert Sloper, Thomas Jones and James Meadowcroft. The will is dated 5 February 1794 and witnessed by J. Meadowcroft, Bedford Row, George Owen, Grays Inn Lane and Charles Few, 7 Theobald Road. (I'm not sure if these locations are in Maryland or England). [Note - they are all clustered together in North London, just north of Chancery Lane.] The will was amended on 12 September 1820 after neither the widow of Francis Newman nor James Meadowcroft responded to a citation to appear for the probate. The amended will granted limited rights to Frances Charlotte Newman Cox, Francis Newman's daughter by his cousin, Frances Newman. Then in August 1822 the will was nullified by a new will produced by attorneys for Francis Newman's 3rd wife, Elizabeth Hannah Friers Newman (presumably the same as the copied version of Francis' Will dated Sept 1817.) The two sources I have seen on this item must be from a common source since there is no further mention in either as to what the estate consisted of, or how its final distribution was allocated.

Subsequently, in July 2002, I received information from Cliff Hanson, another descendent of Francis, who has pieced together another part of Francis's life. He wrote as follows:

Captain Francis Newman was born Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges at the château de Dorne in France in 1780. His father was the notorious Francis Newman in your tree, who was born at Hinckley in Leicestershire, England. His father was Rev Henry Newman who was the Vicar of Sparkford in Somerset. The Vicars brother was Sir Francis Newman of North Cadbury Court. The latter had three daughters - the eldest, Frances Charlotte - married her first cousin, Francis Newman,the notorious. They had four children, three of whom died in infancy, and the fourth, Frances Charlotte, married a surveyor of London.

Francis the notorious deserted his wife and went to France where his son was born. When the French Revolution started, Francis returned to London with his "wife" and child, and later went to live in Cambridgeshire. During this time charges were being brought against the notorious Francis by his uncle, Sir Francis and his wife Frances Charlotte in the Chancery Court, which dealt with squabbles between families where large estates were concerned. I have copies of the proceedings. The problems mainly arose because the young Francis was trying to pre-empt his future inheritance and also used this to borrow money which eventually ended with his incarceration for debt. Strangely enough it was his wife Frances who raised a mortgage on her father's estate which rescued him from debtors prison.

When Francis, the notorious, was free he sailed to America with his "wife" Lydia and his son. He lived firstly in Baltimore and then acquired the plantation at Port Tobacco. where he lived as Colonel Newman until his death on 5th March 1818. Lydia died in Baltimore in 1796.

Frances Charlotte died at Piddletrenthide in Dorset, England in 1834. There is no record of any divorce, and it may have been assumed after a long separation.

Colonel Francis next 'married' Elisabeth Hannah Friers of Virginia in 1799. They had five children - two boys and three girls.

In Jan 2003, Jerry Gandolfo followed up with a good deal of further information which I will quote verbatim as follows (first repeating the statement copied above relating to the military uniform worn in the portrait of Francis:

"I have a couple of interesting details to share with you regarding Francis Newman of Cadbury (who came to Maryland, USA). First of all, using the portrait I sent you, I've finally been able to identify his uniform. It is of a US Army Infantry officer from the War of 1812 (1812-1815). I'm sending an attachment with the portrait inset into a 1898 print from the US Army Ordinance service which illustrates the official US Army officer uniforms for that period. Note the uniform is a match. The silver epaulettes are distinct to the Infantry service. Also, the portrait painter, Charles Bird King was active in the Washington, DC area (La Grange at Port Tobacco, Maryland is on the outskirts of Washington) beginning in 1816. Francis Newman died in 1818. The war, which lasted from 1812 to 1815 was fought mainly in Canada, Maryland and New Orleans. Hence, I now feel safe to conclude that this Colonel Newman was a Colonel in the US Army in the War of 1812 (also lesser known as the Second American Revolution or the War with Great Britain).

Meanwhile, I've become acquainted with another Francis Newman of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA (another fourth or fifth cousin). He has hired one Charles Dagenais, a genealogist in Paris, to find out what Francis Newman of Cadbury was doing in France in 1786 when Jean Elisabeth Francis Georges Newman was born. Dagenais has noted that the godfather on the younger Newman's French baptismal certificate was Jean-Antoine de Charry, marquis des Gouttes. Des Gouttes was a French Admiral who was defeated by the British Admiral Edwin Boscawen in 1758 at the Battle of Louisbourg in Canada during the Seven Year War. Boscawen would have, as was the custom at the time, have taken des Gouttes as prisoner and put him under house arrest with a family of suitable and equal status in England.  Earlier, Boscawen had been sent to India with a Major John Mompesson (see my notes on the Mompesson family). Also, as Francis Newman of Cadbury's mother died early, I've learned from Lydia Consiglio (another Newman cousin and certified genealogist, deceased) that he was raised by his grandmother, the former Miss Ellinor Mompesson. Francis Newman of Cadbury meanwhile was born in 1759, about the exact time des Gouttes would have been under "gentleman's" arrest in England. Dagenais' theory is that there is a connection here.

Meanwhile, this made me look for Francis Newman's wife "Mrs. Lydia Ferguson." If she was "Mrs." Ferguson, her maiden would have been something else. Thanks to Francis Rivet, another Newman cousin, I've seen papers that suggest Lydia Ferguson was born Lydia Jennings of a very rich family in the colony of Virginia (immediately across the Potomac River from Port Tobacco, Maryland). Turns out, not only was there an English colonial governor of Virginia named Jennings; there were also governors named Sandys and Payne! I haven't had the time to pursue this yet, but these familiar names do add intrigue to the mystery of Francis Newman's relation to Lydia Ferguson and his ultimate immigration to North America.

Jerry followed that up with the following:

There is an adage in the US, a sort of warning about doing geological research; it goes something to the effect, "don’t be surprised if you find a horse thief." Most people who came to America two and three hundred years ago did so under desperation. The popular story is that they were pioneers seeking freedom and opportunity. The truth was, most were running from something. There was really no good reason to leave the relative comfort Europe if you were safe, secure, and innocent in exchange for the unmapped, hostile wildernesses of North America. At least it appears Francis Newman was at worst an adventurer, opportunist, and Casanova with "joire de vivre" (lust for life), rather than merely a fugitive running from a dull and indicted past.

In New Orleans there was a system up until about a hundred years ago called the "placage." This is a French word from the verb placer, meaning to place. In the days when a family’s wealth was split every time a parent died and offspring married, marriage was in itself a financial tool. Marriages were arranged to either obtain replacement wealth and estates from the new brides dowry or inheritance, or marriages were kept with in the family (between cousins) in order to keep the wealth in the family. Gentlemen of mean could expect (as could their unfortunate wives) to be contracted into arranged marriages having nothing to do with any personal attraction. There developed a class of women of mixed African/European descent called "les sirens." There women were world renowned for their beauty and charms. They attended balls where they met the better gentlemen of the city, and if an attraction of the heart ensued, a match was made. Since interracial marriage was at the time illegal, and since these men understood their fate was to become grooms in an arranged marriage, they developed a system whereby the lady was "placed" into an apartment and the two formed a lifelong loving relationship. The system was the "Placage" and the ladies were called "placées." The personal misfortune of arranged marriages of course was not unique to New Orleans and no doubt, I suspect, played a determining role in Francis Newman’s marriage to his cousin Frances Newman. His relation to Lydia Ferguson, while not exactly a "placage" may well have represented the same need to form a union of the heart, in spite of the pre-existing union of the family and the estate.  It often appears throughout history, including the very recent history of persons blessed by fortunes of birth but cursed by the same status, that a more intimate and satisfying, if unofficial, relationship occurs. Perhaps this is some of the things you found to be true in your recent reading about the early genealogical studies and practices of the past centuries.

As far as Francis Newman becoming a Colonel the US Army, given the possibility that Lydia Ferguson, (as well as his third wife Elizabeth Friers), was from a well to do American family, this is very possible. The "regular" American army was not a reality until 1802 with the founding of the US Military Academy at West Point. Even after this event, while the "regulars" provided the cadre for the military, the vast bulk was made of militias and volunteers. Militia units were self-formed in times of war, and elected their own officers. Often rank was determined by an individual's social, or economic, or political status rather than any military reason. Individuals who recruited their own units and outfitted then could often commission themselves to any rank they desired. During times of war, ranks are rapidly elevated. Often the simple skill of literacy was sufficient to earn one an officer’s commission in the militia (as this was would have been a desirable, if not necessary skill among officers). Staff officers, were most likely to achieve higher ranks (such as colonel), and were almost always awarded on the bases of education, social rank and political connections. (Consider when the Marquis de Lafayette arrived during the American Revolution at the age of 19 to support the rebels, George Washington immediately put him on his staff with the rank of Major General. Also, Alexander Hamilton, whose face is on the US ten dollar bill, was made a Major General on Washington’s staff at age 24). Francis Newman’s son, Francis Newman (the one born in France) was commissioned a Lieutenant in the "regular" army in 1800 and by his retirement in 1815, in spite of constant duty and combat service, was only then a Captain. The neighborhood, in which La Grange (the Newman plantation in Maryland) existed, clearly indicates his neighbors, and hence his social circles, were among the most influential in the US at the time.

The War of 1812 (1812-1815) is not well known. The US used the distraction of the Napoleonic wars and the excuse of British impressing US citizens on the high seas into the British navy as an excuse to declare war. This was the second war between the US and Britain; the first having been the American Revolution ( 1776-1783). Most historians now agree the real motivation for the war was a desire to invade and annex Canada. The US attempted the invasion but failed. In the meantime Napoleon and Britain reached a short period of peace leaving the full might of the British army to turn its attention to North America. In 1814 British forces landed in Maryland, marched on Washington, DC and burned the Capital and the White House. Next, they turned towards Baltimore (Maryland) to rid it of its nest of privateers. Attacked by both land and sea, Baltimore held out and the British then deiced to redirect their interest towards the conquest of New Orleans. It is probably during this 1814 campaign in Maryland that Francis Newman obtained his rank. When the British forces came to New Orleans, Newman’s son, Captain Francis Newman, was commander of Fort Petit Coquilles and fought in that campaign. The war ended in 1815 with a return to the status quo in effect before the war.

The Battle of Louisburg in Canada occurred in 1758 in the Seven Years War between England and France. (The US did not exist then.) This was the event in which Admiral Edward Boscawen captured the Marquis des Gouttes. Des Gouttes signed the younger Francis Newman’s baptismal certificate as godfather at Moulins, (about 200 kilometers south of Paris in central France, just north of the infamous town of Vichy (of WWII collaborationist fame) France in 1786.

Jerry also provided me with a chronology of Francis's life and times as follows (to which I have added some supplementary notes gleaned from others);

Francis Newman Chronology:

1734: January: Charles Newman and Hannah Sandys, parents of Francis Newman’s father, Henry Newman, are both deceased,. Result is that Henry Newman is raised by his paternal grandmother, Ellinor Newman, (née Mompesson), wife of Francis Holles Newman.

1747: (also, 1748, 1748, and 1750): A voyage to the East Indies, and back to England; was made under the command of Edward Boscawen and Major John Mompesson.1756: Great War for Empire, Seven Years War, 1756-1763.

1756: October 12: Henry Newman and Ann Underwood, parents of Francis Newman are married at Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset.

1758: July: The Siege of Louisboug in Canada in which the Commodore Marquis des Gouttes was taken prisoner, possibly, by the British naval commander, Edward Boscawen; and during which the British ship, "Prince of Orange," was commanded by Captain Jno. Fergusson.

1759: (or,1757): Francis Newman born at Hinckley in Leicestershire, England where his mother's family lived.

1759: Francis Newman Christened at Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, England.

1761: January 4: Charles III of Spain allies with France in the Seven Years War.

1761: British Admiral, Edward "Old Dreadnought" Boscawen dies (was born in 1711).

1762: Edwin Sandys Newman, brother to Francis Newman born.

1762: November 3: Secret Treaty of San Ildefonso, Louis XV of France transfers the colony of Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River, and the Isle de Orléans, to Carlos III of Spain.

1763: February 10: Treaty of Paris: France gives up eastern half of Louisiana, Canada, and the Ohio Valley. Spain trades all the Floridas to Britain for the return of for Havana.

1775: April: Battles of Lexington and Concord mark a de facto state of war between the American colonies and Britain.

1776: July 4: United States of America declares independence from Britain.

1777: Attended Rugby College, then Cambridge College, England

Date Unknown: Married to Frances Newman, his first cousin

1778: February 6: The United States and France sign a treaty making them allies against Britain.

From Cliff Ranson: Early 1779:Marriage of first cousins, Frances Charlotte and Francis at North Cadbury.

1779: Francis Newman, a son by Frances Newman is baptized in May, buried in June

1779: June 21: Spain, allied to France, declares war on Britain.

1780: Henry Newman, a child by Frances Newman, is baptized, then buried in December.

From Cliff Ranson: Early 1783: Francis in financially distressed circumstances. He was jailed for debt, and released when his wife Frances raised the money as a mortgage on the property.

1783: April 15: The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolution.

1784 - 7th April: According to the Newman-Rogers' Bible, Frances Charlotte Newman was born at Hursdon, Devon. At the time her parents Francis and Frances lived at Furston House in the Parish of Cadbury, Devonshire (not be confused with the village of Cadbury in Somerset).

1784 - 9th May: According to the Newman-Rogers' Bible, Frances Charlotte was baptized at Cadbury, Devon.

1784 - May: According to Chancery Proceedings C12/629/31 (pages 43/44), Francis Newman admitted it to be true that some time in or about the month of May 1784, he left his wife and remained separated from her until October 1784 when he and she met in London; and that sometime around the beginning of 1785 he "with the privity consent and approbation of" Frances Newman, left her and went to France.

1785 - November: Augusta Catherine Newman, a child by Frances Newman, is baptized 17 November 1785 at North Cadbury, England. Presumably she was conceived during the short period that Francis and Frances stayed together before he left for France early in 1785.

1786: May: Augusta Catherine Newman (Frances's last baby) is buried at North Cadbury, England. Francis remained in France throughout 1786 as confirmed by Chancery Proceedings C12/629/31 page 44.

1786: August 16: Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman, a child by Lydia Ferguson, is born at (?) château de Dorne, France.

From Cliff Ranson: Oct 1786: Frances Charlotte went to Wales, she said to settle her husband's affairs. She claimed expenses of £16/13/11 (see the Chancery papers).

23 November 1786 A Bill of Complaint (amended 24 Jan 1789 and 14 Jan 1790) lodged by Frances the wife of Francis Newman; Frances Charlotte Newman, a spinster under the age of 21, the daughter and only child of the said Francis Newman and Frances Newman his wife; and Francis Newman (the Elder) of North Cadbury. The Bill was against Francis Newman (the Younger) and others, and concerns the Lease and Release of parts of the South Cadbury Estates and Sparkford including provision for a payment of £100 a year to Frances Newman. Very briefly the complainants allege that Francis and the others mishandled the Estate and did not pay the annuity.The answer to the complaint given by Francis the Younger is more interesting (see pp, 44/45) [From Cliff Ranson (Feb 2003) Chancery Court: ref C12/629/31]

1787: February 10: Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman, a child by Lydia Ferguson, is baptized at Moulins, France. Marquis des Gouttes signs the certificate as a godfather.

1787 - October: According to Chancery Proceedings C12/629/31 page 44, Francis Newman "admits that he remained in France until October 1787 or thereabouts when or about which time he returned to England".

Cliff Ranson confirms this in Feb 2003 with the following note:

Whilst in France Francis lived at the château de Dorne near Nevers. He lived with Naomi Furgusson and they had a child, a son who was christened with great pomp at Moulins Cathedral on February 7, 1787. This is a translation of record obtained from City of Moulins Archives Registered No.489 (Baptisms-Marriages, 1785/1788) 0f the Parish of St. Peter of the City of Moulins year 1787:

" In the year of 1787, and on this 7th day of the month of February was baptized under authority of myself, Rector of the college of Moulins by permission of the Pastor:-

JEAN ELISABETH FRANCOIS GEORGES, born August 16th 1786 of the Parish of Dorne at the Palace of the said place, Diocese of Nevers, son of the marriage of the High Lord FRANCIS NEWMAN, Knight,Baron and Lord Cadebury, Sparkford and Lord and Sovereign of Fullen, besides his other lands. and My Lady Nioman Furgusson his wife, of that Parish, and having doubt of the validity of the private baptism which was administered at the said Palace, because of the nearness of death. The Godfather was the High Lord John Anthony deChary, Marquis des Gouttes, Chief of Cadres of the Marines, and the Godmother was the High Lady Elizabeth Claudinede Neuchaize, Abeyesse and Countess of Alix. Both Godfather and Godmother have, with me, signed as well as the father here present. (S)Marquee des Gouttes; (S) de Neuchaize, Abeyess and Countess of Alix; (S) F. Newman, Sir and Baronet; (S) Villefort, Vicar of St. Peter; (S) Berrut Collegii, Rector.

Francis could not claim any of the titles, of course, Naomi Furgusson became Lydia Fergusson when they returned to England to escape the French Revolution.

1787: American General James Wilkinson, of Maryland, is in New Orleans, Louisiana (then a Spanish colony), where he takes a secret oath of allegiance to Spain, (becomes secret agent number 13.)

1789: June 14: Storming of the Bastille in Paris marks beginning of the French Revolution.

1789: August 27: Declaration of the Rights of Man is published in Paris, France.

1789: Memoir indicates Francis Newman is established at Port Tobacco, Maryland. Rev. Josiah Henson, a former slave, published an autobiography in London in 1877 in which he states, "I was born June 15th, 1789, in Charles County, Maryland, on a farm belonging to Mr. Francis Newman, about a mile from Port Tobacco." [Note: I am sure this is wrong. All the evidence points to Francis being in England at this time - see below].

16th September 1789: Francis the Younger swears to the truth of his Answer to the Chancery court hearing at Bath in Somerset. We know that he lived in Broad Street, London and later at Studley Camps in Cambridgeshire before he sailed to Boston or Baltimore. [From Cliff Ranson (Feb 2003)]

Francis's presence in England is further confirmed by the Bill of Complaint in the Chancery Court dated 26 Nov 1791 brought by Francis Newman "late of Broad Street, City of London but now of Shudy Camps co. Cambridge" and others against James Rogers. It therefore seems clear that Francis had not by then established himself in Maryland. This followed an earlier Chancery Proceeding C 12/178/26 dated 29th January 1791 in which Francis Newman made "a further answer" to a bill of Complaint by James Rogers and Catherine (née Newman, Francis's first cousin) his wife relating to deeds for South Cadbury Manor. It appears that James Rogers refused to pay Francis an amount of £6,922 for the properties of Sparkford and Cadbury that Francis would inherit on the death of his uncle (Francis Newman the elder), because of fraudulent misrepresentation by Francis Newman relating to concealment of encumbrances on the properties!

Sept or Oct 1792: Elizabeth Rachel Newman is born somewhere in England. It remains uncertain who her mother was and whether she was legitimate at the time of her birth (refer to discussion above).

1793: January 21: Louis XVI, King of France, is executed.

1793: February 1: French Convention declares war on Spain.

1794: The Gênet Affair. French ambassador to the United States, Edmond C. Gênet, with the support of American Generals James Wilkinson and General George Rogers Clark, plan for a revolt in Louisiana to overthrow the Spanish regime and re-establish Louisiana as part of the French Republic. in Philadelphia, French Jacobins call for revolt in Louisiana.

5 February 1794: Francis makes out a Will, signed and witnessed in London, England. Presumably he was still living in England at this time.

Between Feb 1794 and Aug 1796 (when Lydia died): Francis, Lydia, Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges, and Elizabeth Rachel, set sail for the USA.

1795: April 5: France makes peace with Spain.

From Cliff Ranson: 1796: Francis (the Elder) died at North Cadbury Court and was buried at Piddletrenthide, where he owned two houses Westholme and Eastholme. [Note: in fact it was West House in Piddletrenthide, Dorset, that Francis retired to, or it may have been West House in the nearby village of Cerne Abbot (as stated in Chancery Proceedings C12/204/33). In fact, Google Maps shows a house named East House in the village of Piddletrenthide which is about 2 miles east of Cerne Abbot, so it is possible that West House was in Cerne and that Francis owned both houses.]

1796: August 8: Lydia Ferguson, age 38, buried in Baltimore, Maryland

1796-1799: War between France and Britain.

1798: March 1: Henry Newman, father of Francis Newman is buried at Piddletrenthide, England

1798: Francis Newman is married to Elizabeth Hannah Friers of Rhode Island , USA. [Cliff Ranson has the date as 1799 and the spelling of his wife's name as 'Fryers']

1799: November 9: Napoleon Bonaparte comes to power in France.

1799-1802: War of the Second Coalition against France.

1801: February 9: Treaty of Lunèville, Spain secretly cedes Louisiana to back to France.

1803: January 25: Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman, a child by Lydia Ferguson, is commissioned a Second Lieutenant in artillery of the U.S. Army (aged 17).

1803: May 16: France and Britain at war.

1803: December 30: Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman is among American military contingent, commanded by General James Wilkinson, that formally receives the Colony of Louisiana from the French Republic at New Orleans, Louisiana.

1805-1807: War of the Third Coalition against France.

1812: June 19: United States Declaration of War against Britain starts the War of 1812 (also called the War of the Second American Revolution). At the same time American forces under General James Wilkinson invaded Canada, were defeated, and Wilkinson subsequently court marshaled. In response, the British, having a period of peace with Napoleon, sent the full weight of their armed forces to punish the United States.

1814: August 21: The British Navy lands British Army units in Maryland where they proceeded to Washington, DC and burnt the White House. President James Monroe fled the capitol. They are blocked from an advance on land to Baltimore by the Maryland militia in the Battle of Bladensburg. The British Navy failed to reduce Ft. McHenry in Baltimore harbor, and the presence of the American flag after a night’s bombardment was the inspiration for the American national anthem. The same force, with reinforcements from Jamaica is sent to invade New Orleans next. Note: It is most likely that Francis Newman achieved his rank or title of "colonel" as a product of this war. The British route of march through Maryland to Washington, DC would have put them in the general area of Port Tobacco, and if Francis Newman was in the Maryland militia, he may well have participated in the campaign to deny them access to Baltimore. (Eventually, Francis Newman’s granddaughter, Emile Telesphora Newman, daughter of Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman and Barbara Ronquillo, married President Monroe’s nephew, Hugh Rose.)

1814: October 14: Captain Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman, U.S. Army, is put in command of Fort Petite Coquilles (until 13 March 1815), during which time, he is active in hostilities against the British Navy and Army during the Battle of New Orleans.

1815: January 8: The British Army is routed at Chalmette, La. (The Battle of New Orleans), causing the British Navy and Army withdraw from Louisiana.

1815: February 15: Treaty of Ghent is ratified, ending the War of 1812.

1816- 1818: Charles Bird King, a portrait painter, (related to Susan Bird?), is in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland area. He (probably in this time frame) produces a portrait of "Colonel" Francis Newman in full military uniform. (Note: the epaulets shown on the uniform indicate an officer’s rank).

1817: Francis Newman has his son, Jean Elisabeth Francois Georges Newman, purchase land in Huntsville, Alabama on his behalf. He died before moving there, however, his widow Elizabeth, and their son John Francis Newman moved onto purchase which eventually became Oaklawn Plantation.

1818: November 5: Francis Newman died at La Grange, LaPlata, Maryland, USA; Buried at Stone Street Newman Cemetery, Port Tobacco, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

From Jerry Gandolfo: Elizabeth Hannah Friers: Married about 1798. May have gone to Huntsville, Alabama, USA about 1820 after Francis Newman died in 1817. Appears to have settled in Washington, D.C., USA. Died about 1855, age about 90. [sources: Susan Fitzgerald and Eleanor N. Hutchens]

In January 2005 I received further information from French researcher Charles Dagenais who undertook the original research into Francis's sojourn in France. Charles corrected many spellings and clarified several points including:

Theories and Facts

Charles believes unequivocally that Francis did not meet Lydia in France or live with her there, but that the couple left England with the intention of emigrating to America but were forced to stop in France because the pregnant Lydia became ill. Charles goes on: "This info about the accidental arrival in France of Francis Newman and Lydia Ferguson was handed to me by my client at the very beginning of my research on a photocopied typewritten report done decades earlier by a now deceased American genealogist based on two elements a) an old familial testimony of that interrupted trip (including a mis-transcription of the phonetics of "Caen" which turned into "Cannes", totally misleading me through unexplainable absurd mediterranean itineraries until I cleared it up) and b) an English translation of their son's baptism record.

Besides the unexpected (and mis-transcribed) french port, the ports in UK and New-England were mentionned but my archives are unreachable at the moment, and I rely only on my memory. Lydia fell ill shortly after departure, the captain refused to sail back to England but, instead, consented to sail to the nearest French coast which happened to be the major port of Caen, famous at the time for its trade with England. No exact dates were given, but learning that Lydia Ferguson's ailing pregnancy was the cause of this stop-over and knowing the baby's birthday and discounting the estimate duration of the medical stabilization in Caen and the subsequent weeks of travelling to Moulins, the sum provides us with a fairly plausible speculation for a time frame.

Meeting Lydia: I'll state my conclusion first, and then defend it afterwards. Both Lydia and Francis were unhappy within their respective couples, Lydia Ferguson née Jennings, born in USA in a family of numerous sisters (or only sisters), returned to England, met Francis, and the couple decided to live their new life together in USA which was familiar to her but new to him. The medical incident on board the ship sailing to America postponed their plans, they returned to England after the French episode, he managed to escape some judicial difficulties and they resumed their original plan to settle in America. The "Lydia is a Jennings from an american family without brothers, settling back in England" statement is an old familial testimonial record brought to my knowledge by Jerry Gandolfo, if my memory is right. However it is my finding, simply on an online genealogical website, of a record showing a chronologically-fitting family Jennings (in Virginia, I think) with many daughters, one of them, Lydia, some brothers although dead in infancy and/or childhood, and documenting only their births, no dates of marriage, no dates of death, a sign of a family that didn't stay long enough in USA to have further administrative processes to record. The judicial difficulties have been documented by other researchers, you have to take into account that all of this pre-France and post-France periods of Francis Newman's life are beyond the scope of my initial mandate with my client, although some crucial answers to questions pertaining to "my" period laid outside those fences.

Accommodation around Moulins: You are right to say "Anyway, it is probably that I've simply misinterpreted its meaning since 'lived at the Chateau Dorne' could simply mean that Francis stayed there while he was visiting France" . It's exactly what happened. In my desperate quest for a valid reason explaining why would a British couple end up in the middle-of-no-where in France (which Moulins still is today, if I may) before I settled for the curative water theory, I checked whereas Lydia had local relatives. In spite of a handful British immigrants involved in either steel or silk pre-industrial workshops, nothing could sustain that hypothesis. The Newmans really arrived unexpected and their accommodation at the château of Dorne (a few miles around Moulins on the way to Nevers, although considerably closer to Moulins) proves it. It belonged to the marquess of Verneuil, who purchased it a few decades earlier (documented by me, National Archives of France) and never cared to reside in it but rather left it to the questionable management of a live-in caretaker (judicial squabbles about his dishonest management are documented). The highly probable picture is that the caretaker turned a wing of the château into a rental gimmick, and the Newmans were his clients at that period of time: needless to say to that they never met the owner, and the owner never saw the color of their money!!! Cliff Ranson's quotation is just his interpretation of the basic info contained in the baptism record of 1787, the château of Dorne is mentionned as the birth place (and a first unreliable christening performed in Dorne is also mentionned, thus this current more formal "second" ritual many months later performed in downtown Moulins); I am not at the source of his info, he just read the same document we all know and which is translated more than once on your website. Another factor sustaining that the Newmans were unexpected in Moulins is that des Gouttes (do I remember that he is something like the governor of the city?) and the Rector of the College, father Berrut, also signing the baptism certificate, are the usual socialites of Moulins, always involved in any administrative act of importance. The same two men also are mentionned in Adam Smith's book on his economics studies on pre-Revolution France, when he stopped for a few nights in Moulins in 1789.

You said: "In any case, why would "owing their status to a catholic king" support your theory that the Newmans were freemasons?" Actually, I don't know either, it is those knowledgeable friends' conviction that there would be a cause-to-effect relationship in being likely an English freemason when one mingles in political/historical areas where both anglican/catholic religions intertwine. This needs further explaining, I have to ask them. About the Newmans owing their status to the favors of a catholic king, I admit you certainly know more on that subject than I do, but I have to get the accurate info in order to validate some aspects pertaining to the Newman's journey in France.

1787, 1789, is France a dangerous place for (foreign, English) aristocrats to travel?  I know that I have a clear opinion expressed by a contemporary on that subject, I have to look up. The answer is yes and no, even my aforementioned English entrepreneurs in steel/silk in Moulins had their fair share of problems (ended up temporarily in prison, managed to save their head...) during Revolution but I can bring some clear documentation on it.

Mompesson-Boscawen-des Gouttes
The link between Mompesson and Boscawen is documented, so is the one between Boscawen and des Gouttes. I think I found them on the net actually, although I also spent some time at the library for details. I can look up what I have in my archives. And, as I mentionned in a recent e-mail, I just found a link between Moulins-Somerset-Boscawen (since he was the grand-son of that british lady who gave birth to a royal bastard in Moulins-BLA).

OAKLAWN PLANTATION: 2709 Meridian Street, Huntsville, Alabama

One of the most outstanding homes in Huntsville is Oaklawn Plantation, located on Meridian Pike. Its spacious rooms, fifty-foot halls, and superb view of the city places it among the most beautiful buildings in Madison County [Alabama].

The property was deeded to John W. Walker, president of the [Alabama] Constitutional Convention which met in Huntsville in 1819. John Robinson is given credit for building the mansion around 1844, although the structure may have been started earlier by John F. Newman**, William Fleming or Lemuel Mead, all previous owners of the property. John Robinson's sister-in-law, Mrs. William Robinson, built neighboring Quietdale.

Bricks for the house are believed to have been made of clay from nearby pits. The floors are of wide boards, and the doors are more than five feet wide. After John Robinson moved into the home with his wife Carolyn J. Otey, the grounds were landscaped with boxwood, holly and other shrubs. He built servant's quarters, stables and carriage sheds, and lived there as one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the country.

During the Civil War, Oaklawn was used as Federal officers' quarters and, therefore, remained undamaged throughout the conflict. Unfortunately, Forest Field, home of Jim Robinson, brother, of John, was destroyed by fire during this period. In his book, Forest Field, Robert Bentley substituted a photograph of Oaklawn because the two houses were so similar in design.

After the death of the Robinson, their children, John J. and Carrie Robinson, continued to live on the plantation. Later, Mary L. Windham acquired the property. After being vacant for a number of years, the house was used as a hospital during the Spanish-American War [1898].

The house was then acquired by Alberta C. Taylor, followed by Elizabeth C. Newman [E.N.H.* hand note, "I don't know."]. Around 1919, after a long period of vacancy and neglect, the house was deeded to Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Dilworth who refurbished the home. The plantation again took on the splendor of former days.

[Hand Note Added] "By sheer coincidence, I breakfasted this morning with a granddaughter of these Dilworths and with the widow of George Newman Robinson, Jr. - E.H.N. 2/9/02."

* E.N.H. = Eleanor Newman Hutchens, of Huntsville, Alabama, (descendant of Dr. Francis Hollis Newman, whose step-niece, Eliza Newman [Francis Newman and Barbara Ronquillo y Solís; parents], married Dr. P.B. Robinson of Huntsville.)

** John F. Newman is the brother of Francis Hollis Newman, and half-brother of Captain Francis Newman. John and Francis Hollis Newman were born, probably, in Port Tobacco, Maryland [Colonel Francis Newman and Elizabeth Hannah Friers; parents]. Captain Francis Newman was born in château de Dorne, France [Colonel Francis Newman and Lydia Ferguson; parents]. Captain Francis Newman appears to have gone to Huntsville, Alabama shortly after the War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans [1815] to purchase what may be this property on behalf of his father, Colonel Francis Newman, who was still in Maryland.

Colonel Francis Newman died in 1818 and eventually, John F. Newman assumed the family's role in relation to property in Huntsville. After returning to Louisiana, by 1823, there is a record of Captain Francis Newman selling some slaves he acquired in Alabama. For more details of the Newman's real estate ventures in Huntsville, see the document in the "File" section of the Group for Madison County, Alabama.

Source: Transcribed from a photocopy, page 73, from an unknown publication, provided by the courtesy of Eleanor Newman Hutchens.

Susan Bird Friers: There is no certainty that Susan Bird Friers was Francis's sister. It is however rendered probable by the final codicil to Francis's Will which includes a statement saying that: "In the event of the death marriage or refusal of my wife to stand to and abide by this my last Will I hereby name and appoint my sister Susan Bird Friers and my son John Francis Newman to be my executrix and executor to this my last Will who shall thereupon have the all the same powers and authorities before delegated to my said wife and in the same event I hereby commit the guardianship and custody of my infant children namely Francis Hollis Newman Emily Newman Susan Bird Newman and Francis Olis Newman for and during their minority unto my sister Susan Bird Friers". The will refers again to Susan as his sister in at least three other places. It is therefore probable that Susan was Francis' sister who travelled to the USA and married Elizabeth Hannah Friers's brother.

The only doubt about this comes from Jerry Gandolfo who thinks that Susan Bird Friers may have been Francis's sister-in-law - i.e. the sister of Elizabeth Hannah Friers. On 1st March 2002 Jerry wrote: "Susan Bird Newman - married Friers (suspect error: may have been sister-in-law, was in Maryland USA, not England, and 3rd wife, of Maryland, was maiden named Friers; also had daughter named Susan Bird) Susan Bird Friers died in 1853. [source: British Roots of Maryland Families]."

In her historical novel “The Beasts, The Sheep and The Chariots”, Jerry's grandmother, Norita Massicot obviously accepted the notion that Francis's sister had travelled with him to the USA and lived with his family, by including of Sara Cadebury in her story.

Last Updated: 20th Oct 2008 - Information about Elizabeth Rachel Newman added. Also estimated date for Francis Newman's departure to the USA put back to sometime between Feb 1794 and August 1796.
Updated: 14rd Jun 2005 - Links to a copy of Francis Newman's Will added.
Updated: 27rd Jan 2005 - Charles Dagenais's name corrected and email address added. Spelling of Marquis des Gouttes's name corrected in several places.
10th Feb 2005 - spellings of La Grange and chateau do Dorne corrected.
12th June 2005 - notes added about Newman-Rogers' Bible which includes references to Francis and his (English) family