Since the Treaty of Paris in 1259, when Henry III renounced his claim on the Duchy of Normandy, the Bailiwick of Jersey has been an internally self-governing Crown Dependency, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems. It has never been part of Britain, England, the UK, the EU (or of France). It is divided into twelve parishes.
Regarding our families, Le Brun means Brown and probably follows from a nickname for someone with brown hair, complexion or clothing. It is a relatively common name in Normandy and is first recorded in Jersey in 1299, spelt Broune. Picot is a diminutive of 'pic' or point, which formed a French first name. The surname could have been based on this or on a nickname based on personal characteristics, employment, or someone who lived by a pointed hill. It was first recorded in Jersey as Le Picot in 1270.
Jersey is blessed with very old records, which many researchers have perused. Some caution is still needed on the oldest records. Often there are people with the same names living not far away at the same time! For the record, my oldest direct ancestors we know about in this part of the family are: Philippe Le Brun (1627), Jeanne Noel (1627), Elizabeth Le Geyt Rauvet (1654), Noel de Ste Croix (1600), Jean Lorans (1641), Elizabeth Le Masurier (1716), Jacques Gallichan (1545), Philippine Richardson (1574), Jean De La Haye (1565, Rouen, France), Jeanne du Mon (1590), Elizabeth Le Sebiner (1636), Nicollas Renouf (1630), Abraham Gybault (1580), Thomas Bisson (1576), Catherine Decarteret (1585), Marie Laurens (1631), Pierre Picot (1678), Jeanne Barrette (1670), Madeline Baudet (1736), Jean Picot (1680), Marie Dorey (1680), Jean Baudains (1712), Elizabeth Le Masurier (1712), Pierre Maret (1587), Anne Romeril (1590), Thomas Malzard (1579), Mathie Sarre (1586), Mathieu Maugier (1588), Marie Le Moigan (1590), Abrahm Esnouf (1570), Edouard Baudains (1669), Jean Romeril (1640), Mabel Le Boutillier (1647), Edouard Baudains (1658), Sara Billot (1660), Isaac Vibert (1641), Rachel Le Brun (1643) and Sara La Brocq (1678).
A very significant event in Jersey's history happened during the lifetime of many of these family members. The Battle of Jersey (6 January 1781) was an attempt by French forces, during the American Revolutionary War, to invade Jersey and remove the threat the island posed to French and American shipping. Jersey provided a base for British privateers, and France, engaged in the war as an ally of the United States, sent an expedition to gain control of the island. St Helier was captured but the British army managed to expel the invaders. Nevertheless, this period permanently moved Jersey towards Britain's influence and away from France's.
A striking feature of the island is the ring of thirty or so defensive towers built by Jersey's Lt-Governor, General (later Field Marshal) Henry Seymour Conway. He was horrified at the state of Jersey's defences when he first came to the island in 1778. Military roads were constructed to link the fortifications with St. Helier harbour, and these had an unexpected effect on agriculture once peace restored reliable trade links. Farmers in previously isolated valleys were able to swiftly transport crops grown in the island's microclimate to waiting ships, and then on to the markets of London and Paris ahead of the competition. In conjunction with the introduction of steamships and the development of the French and British railway systems, Jersey's agriculture was no longer as isolated as before.
The population of Jersey rose rapidly, from 47,544 in 1841 to 56,078 20 years later, despite a 20% mortality rate amongst new born children. Life expectancy was 35 years. Both immigration and emigration increased. St Helier expanded with many new streets and houses in a Georgian style; the Theatre Royal was built, as were Victoria College, and Victoria Harbour. Jersey issued its first coins in 1841, and exhibited 34 items at The Great Exhibition in 1851. The world's first ever Pillar box was installed in 1852, and a paid police force was created in 1854.
Pierre Le Brun (1786) married Susanne Picot (1788) in St Helier in 1808. On the church record, Pierre is described as being of St Lawrence Parish; Susanne of Trinity.
The couple had eight children:
- 43.1.1 - Susan Le Brun (1809)
- 43.1.2 - Pierre Le Brun (1812)
- 43.1.3 - Jane Le Brun (1818)
- 43.1.4 - Nancy Le Brun (1822)
- 43.1.5 - Maryanne Le Brun (1826)
- 43.1.6 - Sophia Le Brun (1827)
- 43.1.7 - Moses Le Brun (1830)
- 43.1.8 - John Le Brun (1831)
More on these individuals in Chapter 43.
In 1841, the family were living in the Vingtaine du Mont Cochon, St Helier, along with Susanne's mother. Their names were by now anglicised as Peter and Susan: he was a shoemaker. By 1851, the family were living in First Tower (named after one of Conway's defensive structures). He was now a baker, and the children are variously employed as a laundress, blacksmith and carpenter. Peter was still baking in 1861, aged 76, but his wife was not present. He died in 1870.
Thanks to Aunt Antoinette, we know that it was Susanne who started the bakery:
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Thanks to Aunt Antoinette, we know that it was Susanne who started the bakery:
"Susanne, born in Trinity in 1789, was brought to her new home at First Tower by her father and it was said that he almost wept because the area then was nearly all sand dunes. [There is, apparently, a tapestry in the family which shows a little of that topography].
"Pierre owned quite a lot of land there and donated the plot where First Tower Methodist Chapel was built. They lived in a small cottage - Almon Cottage [which remained in the family until it was sold and pulled down in 1990s.]...
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| Almon Cottage |
"As there was nowhere to buy bread, Susanne began baking it and taking it around fishermen’s cottages for sale... "
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| Susanne Le Brun (nee Picot) |
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