Chevalier Road in Saint Hélier, Jersey
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
My connection to the Chevalier family is through my 3rd great-grandmother, Lucy Ann Shevalier. She married Nicholas Hollenbeck, and their granddaughter, Rose Hollenbeck, was my great-grandmother. She married Albert Leonard, my great-grandfather. Grandma Lucy's lineage is as follows:
Lucy Ann Shevalier (1828-1905), born in Marathon, New York, died in Willet, daughter of
Peter Shevalier/Chevalier (1794-1850), born in New York, died in Marathon, New York, son of
Jeremiah Shevalier/Chevalier (1765-1824), born in Amenia, New York, died in Virgil, New York, son of
Peter Shevalier/Chevalier (1735-1808), born in Connecticut, died in New York, son of
Elias Shevalier/Chevalier (1712-1808), born in St. Hélier, Jersey, died in New York, son of
Pierre Chevalier (bef. 1686-1728), born in St. Hélier, Jersey, died in New York
I always love discovering the native countries of my ancestors, to learn more about the places they lived and why they left, if possible. Naturally, after learning that Lucy's great-great-grandfather came from St. Hélier, Jersey, I had to do some research.
The first evidence for the existence of a settlement in St. Helier is in the Assize Roll of 1229. However, the parish church, the Town Church, is known to contain features that date to at least the 11th century. St Helier's growth has been marked by waves aligning with waves of migration to the island. The earliest such period of growth for the town seems to be between the Reformation and the Civil War as many French Protestants sought refuge in Jersey, Jersey being a Francophone Protestant state, especially following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. (Wikipedia)
Why my Chevalier ancestors left Jersey may never be known, but historians say that towards the end of the 17th century, many islanders emigrated to New England and north east Canada. (Source).
In Jersey's archives, the journal of Jean Chevalier provides a detailed account of life in Jersey in the mid 1600s. I published another blog in which I translated the text from French to English. Click here.
While taking a virtual tour of Saint Helier, I noticed a road - Chevalier Road! Tap or click the white arrows to have a look around:
If you're related to the Chevalier/Shevalier family, connect your branches on Wikitree!
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