Napoleonic

February 1809-1810

From the Gazette de L'Isle de Guernesey 1809 and 1810.Pigeons are a nuisance; Robert Jago Fund (the Sandwich); rabid dog; shingle stealing (Braye du Valle); potatoes and horses for sale; French POW craftwork for sale; Lenfestey, Girard, Hallouvris, defamation; Pallot, Blondel, Le Page, Le Mesurier, defamation.

Desertion

February 1809: They left HMS Diomede and the Navy wanted them back—including their tattoos.

Two hundred years ago, in October

From the local newspapers. Mr French, Music teacher; Lost by William Bird; Finucane; Helier Allez; Monsieur Ferey; Valet position required; Chaumontel pears; wet-nurse; Hospital-Lane; Pierre Mansell; Daniel de Mouilpied, Nicolas Robert, Susanne Le Ray; Oysters.

September at the turn of the 18th century

Bread Prices; Guernsey-Jersey packet and post; Josue Priaulx; Santissima Trinidad or La Preciosa; Savoir-Vivre Club; public dance at the Rohais; John Caire; Kerbey and Courtney, teachers; Millers overcharging, letter; Mr Read's Ball; gas lamps for Town.

July two hundred years ago ... or thereabouts

Excerpts, mostly from the Gazette de L'Ile de Guernesey, on this day (or thereabouts) two hundred years ago.

This week in June two centuries ago ... or thereabouts

Extracts, mostly from the Gazette de Guernesey, on this day (or thereabouts) two hundred years ago.

The Family of Major-General John Gaspard Le Marchant

Elegiac verse from the Mercure, 1812, Priaulx Library Collection

'I am determined to rise to the head of my profession and nothing but death will stop me.' J. Gaspard Le Marchant was born into one of the most influential and possibly the wealthiest family in Guernsey. His was one of the most illustrious careers in the history of the the British Army, in which he single-mindedly founded the Royal Military College and revolutionised the training of officers. Highly esteemed by Wellington, he died a glorious if unnecessary death in 1812 at the Battle of Salamanca, following which a monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral at public expense.

The English Butcher and the Brewer, April 1801

Thomas Bishop posting of Frederick Mansell, 1801, Priaulx Library Collection

'Let me come at him, I will do for him, Damn him, a Butcher, I will do for him.'

Nicolas Lenfestey des Brehauts

From The Guernsey Free Churchman, January 1925 p. 7. The life of the Methodist preacher, by George Rabey.

Lines written on quitting the Vauquiedor, October 1813

From Le Miroir Politique, Saturday 23 October 1813. 'Original Poetry: the following Lines are the production of a Lady, whose poetical talents are not wholly unknown to this Island. A copy of them having fallen into our hands, we have not hesitated to insert it, from a persuasion that it will be acceptable to our numerous readers.' The Vauqiédor estate was acquired by Thomas Fiott de Havilland who transformed it into Havilland Hall.

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