First time published 1st September 2003

By Carsten Berg Høgenhoff, Oslo

5th Chapter, 2nd Part
Bartholomeus de Créquy, Sr. de la Roche

Contents

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter (All in Norwegian)

The officer Bartholomeus de Créqui, Sr. de la Roche may possibly lead us to new knowledge about the de Crequi dit la Roche family's origins. He is with certainty a member of the de Créqui dit la Roche family,and the possibilities point in the direction that he may be a brother or half brother of Jean de Créqui dit la Roche.

One path leads towards Sedan, France. Our findings are, among other sources, from the CBG archives in The Hague, as well as from the Walloon church records. Some records also remain in the Protestant church archives in Paris. However, all of these are to a large degree copied from archives in Sedan, France, and both the CBG, Walloon and Paris archives offer mere reference cards to the Sedan archives. These, on the other hand, were largely damaged during two World Wars, and in many cases the references lead nowhere. This is sad, but true, and it tells us something about the difficulties we may be facing. It is a bit like being shown a wonderful meal through the window, but not being let in the door to enjoy it...

See also Norsk Slektshistorisk Tidsskrift (NST) vol. XXXIX 2003, where Bartholomeus and the so-called Sedan-path is presented and discussed on p. 78-86. The article is in Norwegian, but with English summary on p. 87-90 - see also SIEC Newsletter No 6 on these pages. In NST, it is made very clear that the theories connected to Bartholomeus are indeed speculations based upon very fragmented information, and I repeat these words of warning here.

At the end of this article, some documentation of the following findings are presented.

The few known facts about Bartholomeus are: 

• 1630: On 7th May 1630, captain or master petardier Bartholomy la Roche gezegd Créqui is granted a six months leave from the Dutch army in order to go to France [1].
• 1638: In a letter to Casimir I, on 19th July 1638, Bartholomeus seems to ask for work, or at least he asks for a new assignment, in a letter to Hendrik Casimir I, known as Casimir I. See complete text in French original text and in English and Dutch translations below. Casimir I was a governor of the house of Orange, and an ancestor to the Royal House in The Netherlands today [2].
• 1642: On 8th April this year, he is dismissed from his positions as a master petardier in The Netherlands, and one General Lieutenant Daniel de St. André is appointed as his successor upon the order of the Prince of Orange. It is made a point of the fact that he has been missing for 12 years, since his leave in 1630 [3].
• 1647: On 8th October 1647, Barthelemy de Créqui, Sieur de la Roche, Chevalier, is re-installed in his position as a captain over the petardiers in The Netherlands. It is made a point of the fact that he gets his job back because his professional skills are highly appreciated [4].
• 1654: Ridderheer Bartholomeus de Créqui, Chevalier, Sieur de la Roche signs a document as a witness at Gertrude Rengers' funeral at Monster on 19th April 1654. See original document and translation below. [5].
• 1655: Bartholomeus de Créqui, resigns as captain over the petardiers in The Netherlands, and Jean de Créqui, Sieur de la Roche, succeeds him in his profession [6].

Furthermore, there is some information possibly connected to him:

• 1585: On 21st March 1585, a baby boy named Bartelemy de Créqui is baptized in Sedan, France as the son of Jean de Créqui and Jeanne Fomelan/Femmelart [7].
• 1646: Jeanne de Créqui is born in London, England. She dies in Sedan, France in 1681. It is information from her funeral that connects her to her presumed father, the artillery captain Bartholomeus de Créqui, and to London [8]. 
• 1647: On 7^th April 1647, Elisabeth de Créqui, daughter of Bartholemi de Créqui and Marie Roguin, is married to Godfroy Dehaves in the Protestant parish of Sedan, France [9].
• 1681: See 1646 [8].

Theories

The metal caster Jean de Créqui in Sedan had the son Bartholomeus de Créqui born in 1585, and this Jean may have been Ahasverus’ grandfather. Three pieces of information put together give ground for such a possible conclusion.

1. The Dutch artillery captain Bartholomeus de Créqui dit la Roche may be the same artillery captain Bartholomeus de Créqui who in 1646 possibly fathered the daughter Jeanne in London, England. Jeanne died in Sedan, France in 1681.
2. Bartholomeus de Créqui de la Roche was dismissed from his position as Captain master of the petardiers in The Dutch army in 1642, after he had been on an irregular and prolonged “six months leave” to France from 1630. He regained his position in 1647 under the name Barholomeus de Créqui, Chevalier, Sieur de la Roche. He may have served on the Royalist’s side in the English Civil War around 1646; this can explain why a daughter was born in London. He may also have had a family in Sedan, France in the meantime, as we see that an Elisabeth de Créqui, daughter of Barthelemi de Créqui and Marie Roguin, got married in the Protestant church in Sedan on 7^th April 1647. There is still research to be done in this area.
3. Despite the information we can read out of Het Staatse Leger (see Documentation below) about Bartholomeus' "disappearance" in 1630, a the letter from 1638 places him in Holland. No further details are known, but the letter raises some questions about the accuracy of the information in Het Staate Leger. An investiogation of the documents referred to in HSL is of great interest.
4. In a document signed on April 19^th 1654 at the day of Gertrude Rengers’ burial, Ahasverus de Créqui dit la Roche and his sister Judith abandoned their late mother’s house and left it to their siblings Jean , Bartholomeus, Gertrude and Marie. A witness in this document was Jonkheer Bartholomeus de Créqui, Chevalier, Sieur de la Roche, who must be the same as the artillery captain mentioned 1630, 1642 and 1647.

All in all we may possibly connect the family in The Netherlands to Sedan and (maybe) also to Bartholomeus born there in 1585, and he may be the (half?)brother of Ahasverus’ father Jean.

Weighted against the other existing theory about ancestry, based upon Charles Delgobe and Axel Kielland, we find that the two theories do not exclude each other, given the possibility that Jean de Créquy from Sedan was married twice: to Jeanne Femmelart (Sedan) and to Delordelie/de Cordelie (Delgobe/Kielland). Neither Delgobe/Kielland nor our Sedan-path are proven, but both are of interest for further investigations.

---

Documentation

1630  Bartholomeus is granted a six months leave to go to France

Source: Het Staatse Leger, Part IV, Chapter 4 The Artillery, Page 262, again referring to Res. S.G. 29-4-, 7th May 1630. [S.G. = Staten General]. The Dutch text, in translation: In 1630, the captain or master petardier Bartholomy la Roche gezegd Créqui had gone for a six month leave to France, but not returned by 1642. Staten General [= the Government] appointed General Lieutenant Daniel de St. André as his successor, on the order of the Pince [of Orange], but re-employed Créqui in 1647 as a proof of his professional skills.

1638  Letter from Bartholomeus de Créquy, Sr. de la Roche, to Casimir I on 19th July 1638 [2]:

Illustrations: Our so far earliest known signature of Bartholomues, from the letter to Casimir I of 19th July 1638. Below right and left: Letter and front page. Copyright: Koninklijke Archief (Royal Archive) in The Hague, A24, Inv. Nr. 131. [2]
 
It is not obvious how the letter presented below should be understood. Hendrik Casimir I van Nassau-Dillenburg (Casimir I) was stadholder of Friesland 1632-1640, and the letter is addressed to him. Is Bartholomeus without a job, using the opportunity write to Casimir - whom he has obviously worked for earlier. Or: Is he already under Hendrik Casimir's command, and simply asking for a transfer back to Casimir's troops to continue with his duties? Whether the actual letter is written in his own hand or by a secretary or scribe is uncertain, but compared with his signature, he has probably not written the actual letter himself. However, René Lesage's comments about his good level of culture as seen through the text and signature, are still of interest, as we must believe it is indeed Barholomeus's own words and language we see in the letter.

French original text:

A Son Excellence

MonSeigneur le Conte Henry de Nassau gouverneur de Frise

(Lettre traduite de Annette Sweerts:)

A Son Excellence

MonSeigneur le Conte Henry de Nassau gouverneur de Frise

MonSeigneur, Ayant apris que vostre Excellence avait Commende de luy faire transporter quelque bagage de cest ville et quelles desirait de faire quelque service à la ville de Resze, cela ma fait prendre la hardiese decrire la presente a vostre Excellence pour la suplier tres humblement de monorer de ses commandements en me faisant savoir si je dois faire encore quelques service en cette ville. Car si votre Excellence na pas besoin de mon service pour le present, je la supplie humblement de vouloir permettre de men pouvoir retourner aupres de son Altèse pour pouvoir vacquer a mon devoir. En guise du commandement qui ma naguere fait lorsque jensuis partis Vostre Excellence me faisant savoir sa volonte. Elles peut etre assure que je ne manquerai dobeissance Car je suis vertitablement le Vostre Excellence

MonSeigneur,

Le bien humble tres affectionne et tres fidelle serviteur

B de Crequy Sr delaroche De Nimarghen le 19 juillet 1638  

(Lettre traduite en français actuel [René Lesage]):

Monseigneur,

Ayant appris que votre Excellence avait commandé de lui faire transporter quelque bagage de cette ville et qu’elle désirait séjourner en la ville de Resze, cela me fait prendre la hardiesse d’écrire la présente [lettre] à votre Excellence pour la supplier très humblement de m’honorer de ses commandements en me faisant savoir si je dois encore séjourner en cette ville.

Car si votre excellence n’a pas besoin de mon service pour le [moment], je la supplie très humblement de me permettre de retourner auprès de son Altesse pour pouvoir vaquer à [exercer] mon devoir. En guise du commandement qui n’a naguère été fait lorsque j’en suis parti, votre excellence me faisant savoir sa volonté.Elle peut être assuré que je ne manquerai [pas] d’obéissance. Car je suis véritablement de votre excellence …

Monseigneur

Le bien humble très affectionné et très fidèle serviteur

B. de Créquy, Sr [seigneur] de la Roche

De Nimarghen

Le 19 juillet 1638

 

---

Notes René Lesage

1. La lettre est bien datée de 1638
2. La lettre est signé de B. de Créquy, intitulé seigneur de la Roche ; telle est la signification de l’abréviation française Sr
3. B. a dû entrer préalablement au service d’une personnalité qu’il qualifie d’altesse. De qui s’agit-il? [Editor's comment: "Your Highness" must, as far as can be judged, be Henri (Casimir I) de Nassau, gouverneur de Frise, see 5].
4. Il est ensuite passé au service d’Henri de Nassau, gouverneur de Frise
5. Le projet de déplacement d’Henri de Nassau laisse notre B.dans l’expectative. Il ne sait que faire et il écrit pour connaître ses intentions à son égard.
6. B. de Créquy s’exprime correctement en français et dispose d’un bon niveau culturel, comme on peut l’apprécier à travers son style et la qualité de sa signature. A souligner que la calligraphie est « moderne » et la lettre se lit aisément, ce qui n’est pas le cas habituel pour des documents de cette période.

English (Front page) To His Excellency Sir the Count Hendrik van Nassau governour (Letter) Sir, I am informed that Your Excellency did command him to do transport some luggage from this town and should wish to prove some services to the town Resze (Resse?) This gave me the courage with this missive to Your Excellency  to beg insistent very humble to honour me with these assignments and let me know if I can render any services to this town. Because if Your Excellency do not need my service at the moment I beg very humble to allow me to be able to return to Your Highness, to be able to to carry out my duty and in this way to fulfil his command as I did upon leaving. Your Excellency will let me know his wish Please be assured that I am not lacking in obidience Because I am truly yours,  Excellency Your very humble very affectionate and very dedicated servant B de Crequy Sr delaroche Nijmegen (?) 19th July 1638 René Lesage's notes: The letter shows a true date 1638. The letter is signed by B. de Crequy, known as seigneur de la Roche; Such is the meaning of the French abbreviation Sr. B. must have before hand entered into the service of a person entitled "Your Highness". Who could this be? [Editor's comment: "Your Highness" must, as far as can be judged, be Henri (Casimir I) de Nassau, gouverneur de Frise, see 5]. He then went into the service of Henri de Nassau, Governor of Freseland. The moving project of Henri de Nassau leaves our B. in a state of uncertainty.. He doesn't know what to do and writes inquiring as to his intentions toward him. B. de Crequy expresses himself correctly in French and displays a good cultural level, as we can appreciate it throughout his style and the quality of his signature. We must underline that the calligraphy is "modern: and that the letter is easily read, which is not a usual case for documents found in that period. Dutch Aan Zijne Excellentie Mijnheer de Graaf Hendrik van Nassau stadhouder van Friesland Monseigneur, of Hoogwaardigheid, Ik vernam dat Uwe ……Excellentie bevolen Had hem enkele bagages uit deze stad te doen vervoeren en zou enkele diensten wensen te bewijzen aan de stad Resze Ik waag mij met dit schrijven aan Uwe Excellentie om hem vol nederigheid te verzoeken mij met deze opdracht te vereren en mij te laten weten of ik nog enkele diensten kan bewijzen voor deze stad.Want indien Uwe Excellentie voor het ogenblik mijn dienst niet nodig heeft verzoek ik zeer nederig mij toe te staan te kunnen terugkomen , bij Zijne Hoogheid om mijn plicht te vervullen en zo op deze manier zijn bevel te voldoen zoals ik deed alvorens te vertrekken. Uwe Hoogheid wil me zijn wens doen laten weten. Zij mag verzekerd zijn dat ik niet aan gehoorzaamheid zal ontbreken Want ik ben waarlijk de Uwe Excellentie Mijnheer, Uw zeer nederige zeer toegenegen en zeer toegewijde dienaar B de Crequy, Sr delaroche Nijmegen (?) 19 juli 1638 (?)

1642  Lieutenant General de St. André gets his job

See 1630 for details.

1647  Bartholomeus gets his old job from 1630 back

See 1630 for details.

1654  Gertrude Rengers' inheritage: Sharing of her house on 19th April 1654. Witnessed by Bartholomeus de Créquy, Chevalier, Sr. de la Roche [5]: 

Illustrations to the right, top: B. de Créquy, Chevallier, Sr. de la Roche's signature, and below, the complete document with the signatures of Cyrus de Parcevalm his wife Judiet de Créquy and A(hasverus) D(e) Créquy dit La Rochie, and to the left, bottom, the signatures of the witnesses: Bartholomeus, the Notary Mr.  Jeremias Lemmens, and the Notary's son-in-law, Vranc Claes Colen [5]

This document is central to this genealogy. Here, we are presented with six living siblings at their mother Gertrude Rengers' funeral on 19th April 1654. They divided their mother's house between them, as Ahasverus together with his sister Judith and her husband Cyrus de Parceval gave up their right to the household to the benefit of the remaining four siblings: Jean, Bartholomeus, Gertrude and Maria. A seventh sibling, a brother, was dead by 1651 [x].

What interests us in this chapter, is the witness: Jonkheer Bartholemees de Créquij ridderheer from The Hague ("ridderheer" being a somewhat strange title). He signs the letter with B. de Créquy, Chevallier, Sr. de la Roche. 

The document ties him, without doubt, closely to Ahasverus and his family. Barholomeus must be a somewhat elderly man at this stage, his career taken into consideration. He is certainly not, as is also certified by signatures and letters, not to be mistaken for Ahasverus' brother who is also named Bartholomeus. So who is the elder Bartholomeus? An uncle? We truly do not know, but with this name he must be a close relative as he is present at Gertrude Rengers' funeral and witnesses the transaction.

The text, in Dutch transcription (somewhat shortened) is:

De Jonckers Sierius de Parsevael getrouwt hebbende Judick de Créqui en Joncker Ahasverus de Créqui voor hem selven, als kinderen van sa: Joncker Johan de Cr*e*qui Sr. de la Rosse en Joffrouw Geertruijt Rengers. Ze abandonneren de boedel van hun vader en moeder en laten hem hun twee broeders Joncker Johan en Bartholomees de Créqui en hare twee susters Joffrouwen Geertruijt en Maria de Cr*e*quij om de boel met hun vieren te behouden. get.: Joncker Bartholomees de Créquij ridderheer te 's Gravenhage en Vranck Claesz Colen  [Bartholomeus signs: B.de Créquy chevallier de la Roche].

1681  CBG Index at Jeanne de Créquy's funeral at Sedan [8]: 

Eglise Wallone Index, CBG, den Haag, NL. Enterree/decede a Sedan le 28 Feb 1681, Jeanne de Crequ, native de Londres, agee de 35 ans, fille putatieve du feu Barthelemy de Crequi, Capt. d'Artillerie. A l'enterrement assisterent son cousin Pierre Piette et Pierre Boulande.

Questions

Sources:

[1] Ten Raa, F.J.G. & de Bas, F: Het Staatse Leger (HSL), Part IV, Chapter 4 The Artillery, Page 262 (in Dutch).
[2] Koninklijk Huisarchief (Royal Archives), The Hague. A24, inv, No. 131. Click for copy of letter.
[3] HSL [1]
[4] HSL [1]
[5] Gemeentearchief 6038, 19th April 1654, (Notary Archives) Village of Monster, National Archives, The Hague. Click for copy of letter.
[6]
[7] Eglise Wallone, CBG index, Den Haag.
[8] Eglise Wallone, CBG index, Den Haag. See also 1681.
[9] According to Sigurd Lambek, based upon the Eglise Wallone archives.