Born: c. 1719/1720, Berne, Switzerland
Died: March 1, 1805, Cripplegate, London, England
Parents: Father Unknown
Mother was related to the Prince of Orange, hence to King George II
Wives: 1st wife Elizabeth Baddelley (c1733-1777)
2nd wife: Elizabeth Hillyer (c1740-1816)
Children: 2 or 3 sons, Charles (maybe Albert) & Frances
1 daughter
Dr. de Valangin had 2 sons who came to America. The painting at right was given to the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria Virginia in the 1810's by Francis. It is still hanging in the lodge and is on their web site.
"Dr. Frances de Valangin - an eminent physician of London, England. Painted in the year 1740 presented by his son, Dr. Francis de Valangin of Fairfax Co., Va. in 1812. Who also presented through Major Timothy Montford, Manager of the Alexandria Museum, a very ancient Masonic Truncheon, a staff which for centuries was the property of gentlemen of first standing in Society in Europe members of Masonic Fraternity.
I.E. Corbitt - Alexandria, Va. - Alexandria-Washington Lodge"
Click here to read an article which gives a good overview of his life. His Grandson was Albert de Valangin, who married Wilhelmina Baarticheer in Baltimore in 1820. Albert was kidnapped by his uncle and brought to America around 1810. Albert & Wilhelmina's daughter was my Great Great Grandmother, Charity de Valangin Patrick.
One of our many mysteries include the estate of the late Dr. deValangin. As late as 1885, our ancestors were still trying to get a hold of it, even though he had died 80 years previous. Someday I may go to London and see if I can pry it loose!
Click here to read this fascinating letter.
His son, charles was mentioned in George Washington's diary from October 29, 1799
29. Morning perfectly clear and Calm. Mer. at 44. Extremely pleasant all day.
Mer. 52 at Night. Colo. Griffen Mr. Law and a Mr. Valangin (an Engh. Gentleman
introduced by Mr. Barthw. Dandridge). The latter went away afterwards.
"Charles W. Valangin, the son of Dr. de Valangin of London, came to the United
States with the intention of making it his permanent residence. He planned to
travel throughout the states before deciding where to buy a farm. A man "of
liberal Education," Valangin had "made Law & Physic his more particular Studies"
and was especially interested in agriculture. Dandridge had written him a letter
of introduction to GW because he knew of GW's desire "to encourage improvement
of our husbandry by the introduction of farmers of good character" and felt
Valangin's information on modern English farming methods would make him a
welcome visitor to Mount Vernon. Dandridge wrote that Valangin brought with him
samples of many varieties of English seed which Dandridge "advised him in the
first instance to entrust to yr. care & which he will do with pleasure"
(Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr., to GW, 1 July 1799, DLC:GW). "
The de Valangin name has been passed down through the family to this day. The is an unusual pride in the name. My great uncle John de Valangin Patrick, his son, and my distant cousin, Barbara Seelaus, all proudly display the name. From what I can tell it refers to being from the hamlet of Valangin, in the Canton of Neufchatel, Switzerland. Interestingly, it may actually be the Pahud name which had the royal connection. I guess I need to go to Switzerland to find out. ;-)
I did get a chance to visit London in July, 2006 and visited St. Giles Cripplegate church. Despite assurances from the folks at the church that there was no memorial to Dr. deValangin in the church, I persevered. I was rewarded with a beautiful memorial to his wife and 2 children.
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