Jean Sinel of Jersey - 1731

Jean Sinel

Page 217 from the Annual Bulletin Volume 2 of The Société Jersiaise 1897

Methodist imprisoned for refusing Sunday drill practice

Jean Sinel was baptised on 17 Jan 1731 in Condé-sur-Vire, Normandy, moved to Jersey where he died in St Helier in April 1783

Methodist Drill Practice

From Jersey Heritage document Religious Roots –Your family and the changing face of worship in Jersey

Methodism began to spread in the Island in the late 1700s. A problem arose in the 1790s when Methodists started to refuse to drill for the Militia on a Sunday. This became more acute at this time as the perceived threat from France was increasing. All men between the ages of 17 and 65 were expected to serve in the Militia. When Charles Blampied of Trinity refused to drill in 1794 he was imprisoned for 8 days. He later experienced further spells in prison and was imprisoned for an entire month in 1796. Ironically Blampied’s relatives were Huguenots and had originally come to the Island in order to flee religious persecution in France.

Methodists including Jean Lucas, Pierre Le Sueur, Jean Sinel, Thomas Baudains and Philippe Perchard were also imprisoned for various amounts of time for defaulting on their military service. In addition Francois Balliaut was reported for refusing to carry out his military service on the basis that as a Methodist preacher he should not be expected to carry arms.

Matters came to a head at the end of 1798. The States introduced a Law stating that any person who refused to serve in the Militia should be banished from the Island. The Methodist Church protested vociferously and sent a petition to the Privy Council citing the examples of Guernsey and Alderney where a separate corps of men who did not want to train on the Sabbath Day had been formed. The English Government found in favour of the Methodist Church and refused to ratify the Law and the Methodists were allowed to drill on a different day.

Abjuration

From this time their (Huguenots) presence in the islands is well documented because they were required formally to renounce Roman Catholicism in a procedure known as Abjuration. Records of those who undertook these abjurations in Jersey from 1685 onwards were published in the Annual Bulletin of La Société Jersiaise in the late 19th century. (See 1. Above) Some of the Huguenot refugees were professionals - several surgeons are included in the list; some were wealthy merchants, whereas others were humble labourers. Some children were sent away on their own, by parents whose circumstances did not allow them to flee, but who were terrified that their children would be taken from them and placed in Catholic convents. A number of clergymen were among the refugees, and several obtained appointments as Rectors and Ministers in Guernsey, Jersey and Sark, although they were not always popular.

9 September 1767: Sinel, Jean; Bayeux - St Helier

French record

"Le 24 mai 1695, Etienne et Guillaume Sinel, de Condé-sur-Vire, prennent en fief ferme deux vergées de la pièce de l'Aune, de Du' Suzanne Robert, veuve de Jean de Brébeuf, écuyer, sieur du Pont"

Though no suggestion those two Sinels were Protestant it does show the surname was present in Condé-sur-Vire, about 30 miles SW of Bayeux.

Register entry translations

Baptism of Jean

B (baptism) Jean Sinel - "Sunday 14 January 1731 by we the undersigned curate, Jacques Michel, was baptised Jean Sinel, born to the legitimate marriage of Philippe Sinel and Guillimette Michel, named by Jean LaForge, assisted by Madeliene Michel, Godfather and Godmother. J.Laforge, J.Michel, + The Mark of Madelienne Michel"

Burial of Guillimette

I (Inhumation) Guillimette Michel - "Sunday 14th January 1731, by we the undersigned curate, was buried in the cemetery the body of Guillemette Michel, wife of Philippe Sinel, age of 34 years, after having participated in the saints sacrements in the church with the said Philippe Sinel, her husband, Joachim Chouquay and several others. P. Dela Rue, Joachim Chouquay, * The Mark of Philippe Sinel"

Father's burial

I (Inhumation) Philippe Sinel - "24 August 1732, by we the undersigned curate, was buried in the cemetery the body of Philippe Sinel, age of 50 years, after having participated in the saints sacrements in the church in the presence of Mr Jacques Ruault, Mr Jacques Durand and several others. Jacques Ruault, J Durand, P De La Rue."

Elder brother's baptism and marriage

"24 June 1729, by me Jacques Michel, Priest, was baptised Jean Philippe Sinel, born to the legitimate marriage of Philippe Sinel and Guillemette Michel, named by Jean Baptise Desmontiers, Esq, Gentleman of Carville."

"Saturday 3 March 1753, after the publication of banns made in the greater surrounding parishes, for three consecutive Sundays, without opposition, we the undersigned curate, assisted Jean Philippe Sinel, son of Philippe Sinel and Guillemette Michel, the mother and father of the first party, and Marie Le Servet, daughter of Jean Le Servet and Marie Brioult, the mother and father of the other party, both of this parish, who by mutual consent, we have taken by the word of those present, to be joined in marriage, and have administered to them the benediction nuptials, in the presence of Jean Sinel, Henry and Pierre Le Servet, Francois Duval and several others."

Burial of Jacques Sinel circa 1655-1730

"Monday 16 January 1730, by me the undersigned curate, was buried in the cemetery the body of Jacques Sinel, age of around 75 years, after having participated in the sacrements in the presence of Jean Sinel his son, Francois Duval and several others."

Family tree

Descendants of Jean Sinel