Jean Jacques FLOURNOY

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  General Notes:

Jean Jacques Flournoy (Jody's 5th Great Granfather), a Huguenot, was born Novem­ber 17, 1686; came to Virginia from Geneva, Switzerland, about ---; married, June 23, 1720, in Virginia, Eliza­beth, born December 25, 1695 (widow of Orlando Jones), daughter of James Williams (a lawyer), a native of Wales, and of Elizabeth Buckner, his wife, a native of Virginia, the blood of these races blending in his children. A full genealogy of the Flournoy family is now being published in "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography."

FLOURNOY & George WASHINGTON: Genealogical Gossip Posted by: Nora Tocus </cgi-genforum/email.cgi?876257309> (ID *****7309) Date: November 12, 2002

The following information establishes a familial (by marriage, not blood) connection between FLOURNOY and Martha CUSTIS, the wife of President George WASHINGTON:

1) The immigrant Jean-Jacques FLOURNOY (b 17 November 1686 Geneva Switzerland d 23 March 1740 VA) arrived at Williamsburg VA ca 1717 and worked there as a watchmaker. He is on a land deed dated 1719 purchasing lots #16 and 17 at Williamsburg..

2) Reverend Rowland JONES, a scholar of Merton College at Oxford University, was called to Williamsburg as first pastor of Bruton Parish Church, which he dedicated on 6 January, 1684.

3) He was accompanied to Virginia by his young son Orlando JONES b 31 December 1681 who was to grow up and in 1714 serve as Burgess representing King William CO in the Virginia House of Burgesses at Williamsburg.. Orlando m1 31 January 1703 Martha MACON (1687-1716 d/o Gideon MACON and Martha WOODWARD) and had, among other children, a daughter Frances JONES b 1710 who would marry Col. John DANDRIDGE. In turn, their daughter Martha DANDRIDGE would m1 Daniel Parke CUSTIS and m2 George WASHINGTON. Thus Orlando JONES was the grandfather of George WASHINGTON's wife.

4) Martha MACON d 4 May 1716 widowing Orlando JONES who then m2 Mary Elizabeth WILLIAMS (b 1695 d 25 March 1740 d/o James WILLIAMS and Elizabeth BUCKNER of King and Queen CO VA). There were no children of this marriage and Orlando JONES d 12 June 1719 at York CO VA. Mary Elizabeth WILLIAMS JONES then m2 Jean-Jacques FLOURNOY 23 June 1720. They raised a large family (descendancy is available in other postings on this forum). Jean-Jacques FLOURNOY d 23 March 1740 "of a malignant fever then prevalent in the country" and Mary Elizabeth followed him two days later.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone with additional information about Jean-Jacques FLOURNOY. While his family was ancient I do not find evidence that he brought money to America. On the 1719 deed at Williamsburg he is titled "Watchmaker". By 1738 he had acquired nearly 2000 acres of land and on documents is styled "Gentleman". References speak of Mary Elizabeth as the "wealthy young widow" who married FLOURNOY so it is tempting to assume that Jean-Jacques married into money and certainly this may be so. However Orlando JONES' will does not support this since he allowed Mary Elizabeth his house only so long as she would live in it as his widow with his children. There is however some mention of her dower rights. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on this bit of eighteenh-century gossip. Please contact direct.

pg 60
"John James Flournoy, second son of Jacques and Julie (Eyrand) Fleurnoir of Geneva, Swtizerland, was born 17 December 1686 in Geneva. He was the second and last immigrant to come to America of the Flournoy family. He joined his uncle, Jacob Flournoy, in Mankintowne circa 1719. On 23 June 19(nine marked through and replace with seven)720 he married Mary Elizabeth Williams JOnes, born 25 December 1695, the daughter of James Williams and his wife, Elizabeth Buckner, the daughter of John Buckner and his wife Deborah Ferrers. Mary Elizabeth was the widow of Orlando Jone, the sone of REv. Rowland Jones of Bruton Chuch in Williamsburg, Virginia. John James Flournoy died 25 March 1740 and Mary Elizabeth died 26 March 1740. They had the following children: (1). Elizabeth Julia, (2). Gideon, (3). John, (4). Rachel, (5). Samuel, (6). Matthew, (7). David, (8). Thomas and (9) Mary. The two young sons, Gideon and John, went to Geneva in 1736 and they founded the Flournoy families there.
"This record does not include John James Flournoy's families lines since they have been published in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volumes II, III, IV, and othe publications."

Jean married Mary Elizabeth WILLIAMS, daughter of James WILLIAMS and Elizabeth BUCKNER, on 23 Jun 1720 in Gloucester, VA. (Mary Elizabeth WILLIAMS was born on 25 Dec 1695 and died on 26 Mar 1740 in Goochland Co., VA.)