The Bichard family

The Bichard family

The prominent family grocery business at Charing Cross

This article by Henry Coutanche first appeared in the journal of the Channel Island Family History Society

Three family lines

There have been at least three distinct lines of the Bichard family in Jersey over the period covered by church records.

One family flourished in St Ouen but became extinct in the male line at some time in the 18th Century. Another line was pre-eminent in St Peter for many generations.

Some of the descendants moved to St Helier and St John, among those in the St Helier branch, Lieut-Col John Bichard of the Royal Jersey Militia, of Les Sts Germains, St Lawrence. He was a familiar and respected figure in the first half of the 20th century.

A seafaring line can be found in St Brelade over a period of about 150 years, probably an offshoot of the St Peter branch. As well as producing several sea captains, this branch will be remembered as owners of Bichards_of_Charing_Cross the family's grocery business which flourished in Charing Cross for many years.

One line which has remained well represented for many generations in the same parish is that which still thrives in St Lawrence. The descendants of |Jean Bichard, who married Marguerite Gibaut at St Lawrence Parish Church on 30 June 1672, have been mainly involved in farming, and have been owners for some centuries of three properties in the western part of the parish – Seaview, Cap Verd and Ville au Bas.

As its name suggests, Seaview is well situated on a height enjoying a magnificent view of St Aubin's Bay. It has a number of interesting features, including a sundial, whose date is difficult to read but appears to be 1674; a tourelle staircase and volieres a pigeons, all suggesting a house of some significance.

The present house bears the datestone JBC SLB 1820, representing Jean Bichard and Susanne Le Brocq, who married in 1792. They do not appear to have made any alterations to the house until their children were nearly all grown up.

Seaview remained in the possession of succeeding generations of this senior line, until it was sold in 2007.

Cap Verd is thought to have been named after a ship of that name. It is a property of great antiquity. Jean Gibaut, Constable of St Lawrence from 1551 to 1558, lived there, as did a descendant, Philippe Gibaut, in 1658.

It is not clear when the Bichards acquired the property and whether it is their oldest possession in the parish. Family tradition and the fact that it was eventually inherited by the cadet line, suggest that Seaview has probably had the longer family connection.

Cap Verd can be followed through five succeeding generations from Charles Bichard (1757- ) before being sold.

Emigration

Most of the male descendants of this line have emigrated, although several family members pay regular return visits to the island.

One of the Cap Verd descendants, Philippe, grandson of Charles, continued the Gibaut tradition and became Constable of St Lawrence, in 1877, elected to succeed Edouard Gibaut. He died prematurely in 1880 before completing his term of office.

Ville du Bas was the home of Philippe Bichard, son of the Jean who rebuilt the house at Seaview. Two of Philippe's sons went to sea and the second, William, retired early and became Deputy Harbourmaster for St Helier.

He succeeded James Hamon as Harbourmaster in 1883 and held the post until his death in 1896.

In 1871 the fourth and youngest son of Philippe, Francois, was a novice aboard the John Milton (Capt Le Boutillier) when he was taken ill as the vessel left New York. When the ship reached Port Elizabeth he was put ashore, but failed to recover. He was only 17 years old.

The third and youngest son of Jean Bichard and Susanne Le Brocq was Pierre. As a younger son he had little chance of inheriting the house and sufficient land to become a farmer like his father, and had to fend for himself. Like many others of his own and succeeding generations, it was he who made the greater headway in the world.

Pierre chose law as his career. He became a lawyer's clerk and for most of his career was attached to the office of Advocate John William Dupre, who as well as being an Advocate, served successively as Solicitor-General and Attorney-General.

At this time these office holders were allowed to conduct their own practices at the same time, unlike the Crown Officers of today.

Manoir de Malorey

In December 1838 Pierre sold to Francois Rive, son of Jean, a property in St Lawrence which he had inherited from his father. This was, as described in the contract of sale, the house commonly called Manoir de Malorey.

This ancient holding, a sale of which dated 1387 is extant, has been associated with a number of prominent families including de Garis, Hamptonne, and Bisson.

Why Pierre should have decided to abandon a property of such antiquity is unclear, although a hint may be gleaned from the relatively modest consideration of 72 quarters of wheat rente, which suggests a small dwelling, perhaps in need of repair. The present house post-dates the Bichard ownership.

Pierre married Marie Mauger, daughter of Edouard and Marie Elizabeth, nee Wright, sister and eventual heiress of the Rev Samuel Wright, Rector of St John.

The newly married couple settled in St Peter, later becoming the owners of the property Woodville. By that time, 1842, Pierre Bichard had qualified as a solicitor (Ecrivain). He was well respected in the parish, and was organist at the parish church.

Pierre died at 50, leaving his widow to bring up five young children. She must have been a woman of courage and determination, wanting to provide the best for her growing children.

Her eldest son, another Pierre, was a pupil at Francis Patterson's private Pembroke House School in David Place.

It is likely that she was helped by her family, several of whom had emigrated to Australia and New Zealand to seek their fortunes, though without much success.

The Lycee St Louis in Paris

Collection of letters

Thanks to a small collection of letters found recently at St Peter, Pierre's movements can be followed in detail. The first is dated 17 November 1858 and was sent from Paris. Somehow his mother found sufficient means to send him to further his studies there. A school report reveals that he was at the Lycee Imperial Saint-Louis.

He was a slightly above average pupil, quiet, even reserved, and apparently in very good health.

This letter perhaps reflects his mother's financial position. He expresses his delight at receiving a letter from her and adds the little sting in the tail that he '… ought to have received one before today'.

His mother had obviously instructed him to write to Mr Le Hardy, presumably to help with his future legal career, and his response was to state that he did not have a penny and had been punished several times for not having writing paper or books for his work.

His position was obviously precarious, but in pleading for money he was also aware of his mother's situation. 'Upon my word I promise you I do really want it'.

He was obviously somewhat homesick as he wanted a newspaper to keep him in touch with local news.

The next letter, in French, is dated 12 April 1861. In it he reported that he had failed a most difficult examination, in common with the majority of his colleagues. Should he stay on, or return to Jersey?

He left the decision to his mother, who was obviously understanding, for the correspondence continued. The remaining letters had a common sad link. There was something wrong with his health and he was in a dilemma. He was obviously concerned about what was the matter with him, as well as wishing to please his mother and continue his studies, particularly as fees had been paid in advance and were unlikely to be recoverable.

On 9 May 1861 he wrote that he had 'a nasty little cough, followed by spitting. I breathe heavily, not as freely as before'. After a bout of coughing: 'It is fearful to hear how my heart beats just like a hammer on an anvil'.

Although he continued to be anxious about his health, the remaining letters show that he remained in Paris for at least another six months.

On his return to Jersey he entered the office of Robert Pipon Marett, then Solicitor-General and later Bailiff. He qualified as an Advocate, took his oath and was sworn in on 28 September 1865.

His legal career was cut short, almost certainly as a result of the illness he had shown symptoms of in Paris, and he died unmarried in 1876 at the age of 34.

Another letter in this small collection is from Kangaroo Gulf, dated 22 March 1864. Signed Eliza Mauger and written to her sister, it catalogues the difficulties being experienced by various members of the family who had emigrated to Australia and New Zealand.

William was at the Ovens mine, where the diggings were all described as very poor, and flour was up to three pounds a bag. Eliza wanted Charles to find a nugget of gold so that they could go home again.

This St Peter line died out on the male side with the death of the Advocate. Efforts to trace descendants of the sisters have so far proved fruitless.