His grave site is uncertain. He is said to have been exhumed (From Barber Hill cemetery, Charlotte VT) in order to prove an inheritance, and was reburied somewhere else..(Canada?).

There are so many stories about him, I don't know what to enter.

He is said to have run away from home in France at age 17, and sailed to Barbados on a French warship. He is said to be of the French minor nobility, descended from Charles Emanual Durand , who was enobled by the King of Spain when he controled Besancon France.

ALL ACCOUNTS SHOW HIM A PERFECT GENTLEMAN , THOUGH SMALL OF STATURE.

IT IS ALSO SAID THAT HIS OLD AGE , HE WISHED TO RETURN TO HIS ESTATE IN

FRANCE , BUT ILLNESS PREVENTED HIS RETURN.

SEVERAL TIMES , THE FAMILY HAS TRIED TO ACCERTAIN HIS ANCESTRY , BUT

THE RECORDS OF THAT BRANCH OF THE DURAND FAMILY SEEM TO HAVE BEEN

DESTROYED DURING THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.

birth date from request for pension,rev war by son Alexander.

Pvt. Francis Durand served in the NY Militia 1776, 1777, and 1778. He was Discharged As Pvt. From NY Line, 1st Co, 3rd Reg Nov 1778. Francis would have been about 40 years old at that time.

Francis was remembered by those who knew him as somewhat small

ID: I19540

Name: Francois Joseph "Francis" Durand

Sex: M

Birth: MAY 1741 in Besancon, France

Death: ABT 1818 in Charlotte, Chittenden county,Vermont

Note:

The name Durand is an ancient and honorable one in France. On the roll of titled and distinguished Frenchmen are many Durands, including lawyers, artists, scientists and statesmen.

The Durand families in France are divided into many branches, distinguished usually by the name of the province in which they live.

The Besancon branch with which we are connected is now known as that of Durand Devigney, a name coming from a connection by marriage; Antone Joseph Durand marrying Claudine Lancet deDevigney in 1685.

The family was enobled in the sixteenth century, Etienne Durand receiving his Title of Nobility in 1502. His two sons, Jean (John) and Gaspard, Doctors in Law (Docteurs es Droits), were confirmed in this Title of Nobility. Gaspard was head of several branches of the Durand family. He was Mayor of Versoul (a town near Besancon) in 1568 and again in 1580. Antone Joseph and Chaarles Emmanuel, brothers, and as we judge, sons of Gaspard, were both lawyers and members of the Parliament of Besancon. They were also registered in the Armorial Bureau.

Charles Durand* is mentioned as confirmed in his nobility in 1704 and as a substitute in the Parliament of Besancon. We also find the name of Francis Victor Durand, born in 1733, son of Charles Durand. There is a record of Monsieur Durand, no given name, who attended the assembly of

the nobility of Besancon in 1798. He may have been one of those already named. We have the name of Jean Baptiste Vincent Durand, a soldier, who came over to America in 1777, the same year as Lafayette, and doubtless at the same time. Some genealogists of the future, with more sources of

information, may be able to place this list of names in proper order in the Durand family record. It seems assured that all the Durands of Besancon were of kin.

The family originally came to Besancon early in the 17th century from Baumes-les- Dames, a little town to the east of Besancon, on the same river, noted as the seat of the Benedictine convent of ladies of noble birth.

*According to an examination of Durand records in Bescancon, Charles was a son of Charles Emmanuel. Etienne Durand, first mentioned of the family, held official position

in that town, and received his Knighthood there in 1502. Gaspard Durand, his son, was Mayor of Versoul, a town of some size, also very near Besancon. Antone Joseph and Chaarles Emmanuel, sons or graandsons of Gaspard, we find, however, definitely settled in Besancon. It had been a city of note for centuries, and capital of the province through many changes of government and succession of rulers. Important law courts were established there, also a university of long standing. There was much to attract ambitious young men to this city,

Charles Emmanuel was evidently one of the notable men of Besancon in his day. He heldd a high official position in the province, and as counseller at laaw, was an authority in legal affairs. For his

distinguished services, he was knighted by the King of Spain, who at that time held sway over that region. This part of ancient Burgundy had come into the possession of Spain in the 16th century, on the death of Emperor Charles V. After many complications, Spain ceded it to France in 1678. Charles Emmanuel must have gained his recognition by the King of Spain and received his knighthood before that date. It is not until 1698, twenty years after the cession, that he was married to Jeanne Claude Calice, maaking his marriage come late in life. He must have been fifty, perhaps nearer sixty years old. An earlier marriage may be assumed. Charles, recorded as son of

Charles Emmanuel, must have been the son of a previous marriage, since he received his knighthood in 1704. For other reasons also, we must place his birth earlier than 1698. It is possible, however, that it was another Charles who received knighthood in 1704. The children of Antone Joseph, brother of Charles Emmanuel, who was married in 1685,, were growing up in the city at the same time, and there may easily have been similar family names to confuse our records. This family of Antone Joseph also shared in official honors, furnishing mayors to the city and governors to the province during many years. The family of Antone Joseph still has descendants living in Besancon. The descendants of Charles Emmanuel, so far as we know, are all in America.

Our ancestor, Francois (Francis) Joseph Durand, traced his lineage back to Chaarles Emmanuel. It seems to be settled that he was a grandson. But the succession at this point is not clear. If it were

not for a few dates, we should go wildly astray.

A mystery hangs over the family descent from this time, that perhaps will never be solved. Several pages were torn from the public record of the family at this most interesting point. The official in charge of the documents told Mr John M. Durand, who was making the investigations, that these pages may have disappeared at the time of the French Revolution. Almost anything dreadful may have happened during the French Revolution; but, at this later date, it seems to indicate, we

know not what, of family treachery or serious family disensions.

Mr J. M. Durand, looking over these record, finds Charles, son of Charles Emmanuel, date of birth unknown; then Francois Victor, son of Charles born 1733, right where we should look for Francois Joseph, born about 1740, we find only the torn record. Mr Durand was much inclined to think that Francois Victor was our Francois Joseph. We may be safe in thinking him an older brother; as his age would hardly fit our other information concerning Francois Joseph. The name need not be a difficulty, for a Frenchman had many names not all in general use, nor always coming down to us the same.

We know there were few children in this home to succeed to its wealth and honors, and of these few, one was tragically lost. Francois Joseph, the youngest son, left home without the knowledge of his parents, when only sixteen, and never returned. We can imagine the closing years of

the family were saddened by this loss.

Our story, or rather one story of the event, is that he enlisted on a French Man-of-War, which was just casting off its lines to sail, when his father came in haste to the wharf to take him back home. It was too late; the boy was gone, to the lasting regret we believe of parents and son. In his old age, it is said Francois (Francis) Joseph wept when telling this story. The family in France have this indefinite record that, we may believe, refers to Francois (Francis) Joseph, "One was lost in the service of the King".

Francois (Francis) Joseph told his children that he came to America during the French War, which began in 1756, and ended in 1763. It was known in America as the French and Indian War, America being on the side of England and against France in Canada. Among the memorable events of this war was the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe, and the scattering of the French Acadians of Nova Scotia, made famous in Longfellow's "Evangeline".

It is difficult to understand how, during this war, a French boy, enlisted on a French Man-of-War, came to be settled in Connecticut and married before the close of that war. One can imagine that the feeling against the French would be strong, and that he would not be allowed to

enter the country.

It is said that Francois (Francis) Joseph stopped for some time on his way to America in the West Indies. The French held a part of these islands and they were doubtless a naval base. It was a general custom of both Spanish and French Cruisers to take this indirect course by the West Indies in coming to America. It may be, that here, Francois (Francis) Joseph was discharged from military service on account of his youth, and the lack of his Father's consent to his enlistment. We are told that he was small of stature and perhaps looked young for his years. He may also have won friends in the Islands who opened the way for him to come to New England. There is much roon for conjecture and imagination just at this point; but, all may happened in a very simple and natural way, which will sometime, be made clear.

The tradition of the family, that Francois (Francis) Joseph came to this country because of Huguenot oppression, was a matter of pride to his American descendents and explained every difficulty. While that tradition seems to be fairly sustained by facts, it is probable that religious differences in the family at home were the real cause of his leaving France. We know that Charles Emmanuel was a Catholic, and no doubt all the related families also, living as they did for more than

a century under Spanish dominion. Their environment was strongly Catholic and every consideration of wealth and official honors held them to the religion. Family names several generations later still show them as devoted Catholics.

A slight inquiry in regard to the Durands, (the rest of this line has been cut off) Andrew Durand, the church records which were being examined, were in a foreign language, doubtless French. Much of the history of the Huguenot exiles is gathered from their church records in the French language.

Not many years after coming to Norwalk, Francois (Francis) Joseph was married to Patience Weed of New Canaan, Connecticut, 22 December 1762. The marriage took place in the Congregational Church of New Canaan, of which she was a member. We hope that she had a practical bringing up,

that would be a help to him in circumstances so different from those of his old home.

We know almost nothing of that home of Francois (Francis) Joseph in Norwalk. He dropped the name of Francois, which to him could be his name only as pronounced in French ("Frahnswah"), awkward in America and an unwise distinction. The name however, was renewed in that of his oldest son, Joseph (Francois) called by his first name. The second son was called Alexandre, from that time the French names were dropped and the names of the other children were strictly of New England. It is known that (I'll just use the Francis Joseph from now on) Francis Joseph bought and sold land in Norwalk, and it also appears that he had a home at Stamford, near Norwalk, where many of the Weed (his wife's family) were livingl In the census of 1790, Joseph Durand is listed as Norwalk and Stamford. Norwalk was almost entirely burned by the British in 1779, only a few houses remaining which may account for the Stamford home. In this Connecticut home, the family was brought; the older sons were married and their children were growing up about them, when a

change came. After the close of the Revolution, a wave of emigration struck New England, especially Connecticut. Vermont had long been in an unsettled condition disputing boundaries with New York on one side and New Hampshire on the other. She was loyal to the Colonial cause, yet,

after the was was refused admission to the Union of States. As a counter move, she organized an independent State, threatening union with Great Britian, which would have been a serious complication. At last in 1789, she was admitted as a state. Almost immediately, settlers flocked

in from the older communities. The Durands of Norwalk and other Connecticut towns joined the emigration. The family of Francis Joseph moved to Charlotte, Vermont, at that time the largest town in the state; where he and his son, Alexander, remained permanently. Others of

family found a home in Elizabethtown, New York, not far across Lake Champlain, in the borders of the Adirondacks. It would have been strange, however, if Francis Joseph had not come under the influence of the Protestant religion; including at that time the best and noblest element of France. Certainly, no one ever heard of his being a Catholic in this country. He settled in the vicinity of exiled Huguenots, and was married soon after to a New England girl, Patience Weed, whose

very name suggests Puritanism. Whatever broought him to these shores, religious convictions, family differences, patroitism or a boy's reckless love of adventure, once here, he must have faced many hardships continuing through the years.

The story of Huguenot oppression as a cause of exile was only too true of others of the Durand name, Three Durand brothers of Dauphiny, of title and fortune barely escaped with their lives. The fascinating story of Rene Durand, one of these brothers, is told at some length in "Baird's History of the Huguenot Emigration to America", translated from a history written by himself, which is in the Congressional Library, Washington, D.C. Pierre, another brother, lived for some time in New

York City aafter coming to America, belonging to the French Church there in 1796. Later, he moved to Milford, Connecticut and made a permanent home. There are also many descendants of the third brother, Jean.

We also read of one Mary Durand, who was a prisoner for her religion for thirty years. Her brother, a young pastor, suffered martyrdom. Several of the churches of Huguenot refugees in London were ministered to by noted Durand preachers, also exiles.

One story of Francis Joseph is that he came to Norwalk, Connecticut. The nearby towns of Derby and Milford had long been settled with Durand families, descended from Pierre and his brothers. We hope that among them that Francis Joseph found friends and perhaps relatives. We hope , sometime, to find a relationship with these other Durand families.

Referring to the Durands of Derby, we find in the census of 1790, nine heads of families of that name living in the town.

In the Colonial record of Connectucut dated May 1709, we find this entry " The Assembly to nominate and appoint Dr. Jacob Reed of Simsbury, Dr. Durand of Derby and Mr. Wheeler of Strathfield, to be churgions and physitions to go with this army in the expedition to Canada".

A family tradition links the name of Durand with that of Lafayette, a branch of the Durands even claiming that he was a cousin. Thereby hangs a tale that will not down. We accept the more modest and reasonable claim that Francis Joseph was a friend of Lafayette, and helped him during the Revolution, possibly as an interpreter, as he had been some time in this country before the war broke out.

However, we find no record of his holding any official position during the war, nor have we any positive knowledge of his having any connection with Lafayette. The probable truth is that Francis Joseph was in French employ and under French pay if serving Lafayette as an interpreter, and

there would be no Colonial record. We know that Lafayette often paid and equipped the Colonial troops, and it seemms most reasonable that Francis Joseph's personal services to hom as an interpreter were cared for by himself; yet, the Colonial record of such services would be

invaluable to his descendants. Surely, he must have filled that position, for the tradition comes to us from all sides. Lafayette was located not faar from Norwalk the first winter, and with such very

patriotic relatives on the side of his wife, as Weed*, it would be strange, indeed, if one so well fitted should not have served Lafayette in every way possible. *Twenty three of the Weed family from Stamford alone fought in the Revolution.

A story appeared in a History of Lorain County, Ohio that needs correction, explanation or elimination. This is the story: "Simeon Durand was a native of France. At the age of 16 years, he and his brother Merari accompanied Lafayette to America, one of the two acting as his interpreter and continuing to serve in that capacity until the close of the Revolution" It is unfortunate that such a story should have appeared in print. The two younger sons of Francis Joseph were named Simeon and Merari; but, they were never in France and were mere little boys. Joseph and Alexander, both very young, enlisted before the close of the war and may have been of service to Lafayette. It is well to look for some other of the Durand name to whom the story may refer.

History gives us that of Jean Vincent Baptiste, of Besancon, born of an honorable family, second lieutenant at the military school of La Fere, who obtained permission to join the American army in 1777, where he served with distinction for two years, especially distinguishing himself at the siege of Yorktown and St. Christopher. He wrote and account of his campaigns in America. In 1791, he rejoined the army of the Prince of Conde on the Rhine. Here, he also proved a distinguished officer. On his resignation, the title of Lieutenant General was given him, also that of Commander of the Order of St. Louis. Later, he held many civic positions of high honor in his own city of Besancon and was greatly loved and admired by his fellow citiziens. He died on his estate, Cere, near Besancon October 1829. The thought of Jean Baptiste Vincent as the logical hero of the

Lafayette story is confirmed at this late date by the reading of a letter from Governor Durand of Besancon to Durands in America, written about fifty years ago: "M grandfather, Antonio Joseph, Mayor of Besancon, married in 1734, and had three sons 1. Gabriel Ignatius Durand, Colonel of Artillary, married to Miss Vallefrancene. He died, leaving no children. 2. Jean Baptiste Vincent Durand, Colonel of a Regiment bearing his name; afterwards a general officer, married to Miss Lauve-- (letters not clear). He left only one son, myself who am the only representative of the family. My father and these two uncles all served in the French army before the Revolution of 1789 (he means the French Revolution) and these also as officers of artillery. Made the campaign in America at the time of the War for Independence (1777). My grandfather, Antonio Joseph Durand, had several brothers and sisters, but they left no children. One of them in the family was supposed to have been killed in the King's service. They might have been mistaken as to his fate, of this, we are ignorant. Could it have been he who emigrated to America?" These, evidently. are the Durand brothers who came to America with Lafayette, we know that Jean Baptiste Vincent came in 1777 with Lafayette, so safely assume that all came then. The original Durand

story includes the statement that one of the brothers was a Lieutenant and wore a uniform and history confirms that Jean Baptiste Vincent Durand was a Lieutenant. They were, we judge, cousins or second cousins of Francis Joseph. The Antonio Joseph referred to as grandfather, by the writer of the letter must have been a son of Antone Joseph, brother of Charles Emmanuel, who was grandfather of Francis Joseph. We would be inclined to consider them the same were it not that Antone Joseph was married in 1685 and Antonio Joseph in 1734. The names are probably the same,

except for difference of pronunciation. Governor Durand was about eighty years old when this letter was written. It is valuable as one written communication with the family in France. There may be other letters, but we don't know where they are* *This would account for the story of the Durands who came over with Lafayette, leaving the clear for the later service of Francis

Joseph as friend and interpreter.

Strange to say, another version of the Lafayette tradition comes at this late day from Atlanta, Georgia, from one who had never come in contact with the northern Durands. A letter from Walter Y Durand of Washington, D.C., dated August 1924 from Atlanta, GA, speaks of meeting accidently a young man named John Durant Barbor (middle name originally Durand), who said that one of his Durand ancestors came over with Lafayette, also named Barbour and that both had acted as interpreters. The Durands and Barbours have been closely connected ever since. We hope to learn more of these southern Durands. A number were settled in South Carolina.

Dates of the life of Francis Joseph are somewhat uncertain, that these correspond most closely to what we know. Birth 1740 to 1741 (possibly a year or two later) Coming to America (when 16 years old) 1757 to 1759, probably 1757 Marriage 1762 Birth of first child 1765 Death 1817 or 1818.

The name Durand is a common one in France and very ancient. There are several variations; the Latin, Durandus; the Italian, Durante*. An early Norman proprietor naamed Durand founded Duransville, called in the charters Duran's Villa, near Bernai, in or before the eleventh century,

Bernai is a town of northeastern France, not far from Besancon. It is beautifully situated amid green wooded hills, and described by Madame de Stael as 'basket of flowers'. This is of great antiquity. It was the summer home of wealthy residents of nearby cities. The motto uupon the Durand coat of arms 'ENDURANT J'ESPERE' ( enduring, I hope) is a good motto on which to found the character of a worthy family.

Bescancon, the home of Francis Joseph Durand, is one of the oldest towns in France, situated in a beautiful valley of the Doubs river, near the mountains of Switzerland. It is a walled town, and has many remains of Roman architecture. Under the name Versoni, it was the chief town of the Sequani in the time of Julius Caesar and was occuupied by that great general in 58 B.C. *The Italian poet Dante was baptised Durante, shortened by friends to Dante. It was a rich and prosperous city under the Roman emperors and has continued to be a town of importance to this day. It is situated on a peninsula formed by the river Doubs, which makes a horseshoe curve (U) at this point. The neck of the peninsula is occupied by a height crowned by a citadel, which was the one of a group of fortresses for the defense of the city. The river is bordered ny fine quays and places by

the shady promenades , which are a feature of Besancon. The Doubs river, in the first part of its course, passes through wooded gourges of great granddeur, then expands into a picturesque lake

and later descends over the Foubs Falls of 88 feet. Some distance below Besancon the river leaves the region of hills and mountains, enters a wide plain. broadens to 260 feet and empties into the Saone at Verdun. It is 269 miles long, covering a distance from source to mouth in a

straight line of only 50 miles. Besancon was the seat of an archbishopric that dates from the second century and the archbishop attained the distinction of being a prince of the empirel The Hotel de Ville dates from the sixteenth century, to which many of the fine buildings now remaining were familiar to Francis Joseph, as were also the Roman remains which are of great archaeological interest There is a triumphal arch dating back to 167 A.D., an amphitheatre and an aqueduct

which entered the toen by a gate cut in the rock below the citadel, also there is an arch of a Roman bridge, forming part of a modern one. Besancon has its place in history. It was here that the vision appeared to Emperor Constantine, of a flaming cross suspended in the sky bearing the words 'IN HOC SIGNO VINCES' (by this sign, conquer). This incident is prominent in history as influencing the spread of Christianity throughout the world, by giving it the support of Constantine himself,

converted by this heavenly vision.

The great French novelist, Victor Hugo, was born in Besancon and we find there a statue erected to his memory. Palissy, famous for his contribution to the manufacture of beautiful china and also famous for his ardent devotion to the cause of Protestantism in France, was born in Besancon. In an old history in French of the Besancon churches, is a picture of the city that must date back to the fourteenth century. In this history, we find mention of Durands, who were high dignitaries of the

church through many years. In records of the University, there also appear many distinguished teachers and officials who were Durands. Remembering this dignified and beautiful city of his youth, with its halo of antiquity and culture, we do not wonder that Francis Joseph

looked back with longing to it in his old age and found it difficult to be reconciled to his home in the new country of Vermont. We can scarcely realize how keen that longing must have been. The

thought of it recalls to me a lonely grave in the North Carolina mountains, marked by a beautiful white marble monument and upon it this inscription:

Le Mort

Ne le Janvier-----------------1861

A Ramortin, Dept. de Loire-et-Cher, France

"C'est avec Regret que je quitte ma famille,le seaul joyau

que avons ici-bas. J'ai aussi le regret de n'avair Pu

Revoir Ma Belle France

( Le Mort--name of the man )

Born January 1861 at Ramortin, Department of the Loire-et-Cher, F.

(It is with regret that I leave my family, the only jewel we have here below. I have also the regret of not having been able to see again my beautiful France.)

The closing sentence expresses a regret that many of our American French carried to their graves. To be able to return was a hope long cherished by the Huguenot exiles. This more recent exile, whose inscription I copy, had built a beautiful home overlooking wonderful mountain scenery, had planted vineyards and established a most orderly

old world farm; but, never coould it quite satisfy. To me, the sentiment of that French inscription is associated with what Francis Joseph must have had for his old home. I fear he never succeeded in

making a home at all alike the one he left.

The story of the Durand fortune appeals to us all. The thought of must have sustained Francis Joseph through many trials. It is a strange thing to have carried in mind all those years. He told his family of the large estate in France belonging to his family, saying it was enough to make all of them rich. He begged them to be sure to secure it for themselves. Studying those troublesome times in France, we can see it would have been of little use to attempt the settlement of private

estates, until about the time Francis Joseph planned to return for that purpose in 1801. There is a story, doubtless true, that he had heard that his father and older brother were dead, and the estate was being held for the legal heir, who was himself, as there were only the two sons. Crossing the ocean by a sailing vessel at that time was a serious undertaking. When he started to return to France, he was in ill health and when he reached New York the ship on which he was to sail had

already gone and it would be a long time to wait for another. That might haave meant an expense he could not well meet. A little support and encouragement then might have saved the fortune for the family and given Francis Joseph many happy years. As it was, he returned to his home sick and discouraged, where his children welcomed him as if he indeed had the fortune. It is thought that at that time his presence would surely have secured the estate*.

In 1858 or 1859, a Frenchman named Durand came to America seeking the heirs of this estate, saying himself and sister were also heirs; but, could not get their share until the heirs of Francis Joseph had been found. This Frenchman came to Camden, Ohio where Merarii Durand, son of

Simeon Durand, then lived. It is a pity we have not a more complete report of this visit, which was certainly of much importance.

*1. A number of times money was raised to represent the claims of the estate; but, with the family so scattered, only a limited number were included on any one attempt and the work was not done to the best advantage. The family were victimised by unscrupulous agents or failed for lack of money and proof. With the passing of Francis Joseph himself, the best, perhaps the only time, for pressing the claim with success was past.

*2. He spoke often of General Durand and who must have been General Jean Baptiste Vincent Durand.

This visit of the French heir doubtless stirred the American heirs to take up the matter, though very tardily. Charles S Durand, grandson of John Davis Durand, gave several years of close work to finding the heirs and the evidence to establish the claim. He seems to have had only very

small financial backing. After preparing himself as a medical missionary, he went to France about 1889 on his way to India. His report was, that the claim was outlawed and that the estate had reverted to the government. Several members of the Durand family have since made investigations in France; but, evidently without success. When talking to his family about the estate, Francis Joseph told them it it was ever necessary to prove his identity, that his skull had been trepanned before leaving France and a silver plate inserted, which would be sufficient proof to the family.

When the matter of claiming the estate was being considered, it is said that the body was disinterred and the silver piece was found, as he said. This is mentioned in family letters.

It is due to the family that some one, some time, should gather these scattered items of Durand history to make a complete record.

Friends and members of the family living near Francis Joseph must have preserved some memories of him that that would be a most valuable addition to our knowledge of his life. He was remembered by those who knew him as somewhat small in stature, but a genuine Frenchman in politeness, a polished gentleman, courteous and scholarly. His oldest granddaughter, who knew him well, speaks of him as well educated, a student, and the most polished gentleman in the whole country.

The two older sons of Francis Joseph married in Norwalk; Sineon, the third son, married in Vermont and Merari in Elizabethtown. The oldest son Joseph Francis, known as Joseph, did not stay long in Vermont, going to Elizabethtown, New York in 1794, when he was about thirty years old.

He may have indeed have gone immediately to Elizabethtown from Connecticut; but, we find in the census of 1790 a Joseph Duren listed in Xonckton, Addison County, Vermont, very near Charlotte, Vermont where Francis Joseph settled, who may have been his son Joseph. It is also recorded in G. L. Brown's book "Pleasant Valley" ( Elizabethtown) that Joseph Durand came into the Bouquet Valley by way of Tappen Line Trail, carrying two bushels of wheat on his shoulders from the shores of Lake

Champlain. Joseph seems to have settled advantageously in Elizabethtown and built a home. Later, he built another house, still occupied, on the east side of the Bouquet River. Joseph's son, Milo, lived on what is now known as the 'Durand Farm", which was originally settled in 1814 by Nathan Perry, cousin of the Lake Erie hero. Milo married a daughter of Nathan Perry. The children and

grandchildren of Joseph Francis married into the old families of Elizabethtown: the Calkins, Rowes, Kelloggs, Perrys; most of which have distinguished connections. Joseph Francis was remembered as a man much liked and respected by all who knew him. Alexander remained in Charlotte, Vermont and made a home for his father in his old age. The wife of Francis Joseph was evidently not living at this time. The old homestead of Alexander still stands in the eastern part of town.

This is to page 28 of the book Genealogical Register of the Family of

Francis Joseph Durand The Press of The News Printing Co. Oberlin, Ohio

Change Date: 5 MAR 1999

Marriage 1 Patience Weed b: 22 MAY 1738 in of New Canaan, Connecticut

Married: 22 SEP 1762 in New Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut

Note: Congregational Church 1

Children

Joseph Francis Durand b: 23 SEP 1763 in Canaan, LItchfield county, Connectibut

Alexander Durand b: 23 FEB 1767 in Norwalk, Connecticut

Simeon Durand b: 21 OCT 1768 in Norwalk, Connecticut

Merari Durand b: 19 JUL 1770 in Norwalk, Fairfield county, Connecticut

Anna Durand b: 9 AUG 1772

Elizabeth Durand b: 11 JUL 1774

Charlotte Durand b: 11 MAY 1777

Emelia Durand b: 10 JUN 1778

Mary "Polly" Durand b: 21 OCT 1780

Sources:

Type: Person

Contact: Martha L. Sturges

Location: 150 Coleman Court, New London, Ohio 44851

Date: January 1999

Text: Volume 1, Page 45

From France to America, Francois Joseph Durand