The Bondurant Family History
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Languedoc Region
Genolhac
Manakin
Jean Pierre Bondurant Grave
Daniel Boone
Westward Migration
Bondurant ancestors ran inns on the Régordane road To the Mediterranean Sea
Restored Manakin Huguenot Church in Virginia, at site of the church attended by Jean Pierre Bondurant. |
Our earliest documented Bondurant ancestors came from the Rouergue region of Languedoc in Southern France. This region was influenced by Provence, Italy, and Muslim Spain more than the French court in Paris. It spoke a different language called Occitan or Oc. The Cévennes mountains was a hotbed of Cathar and later Huguenot religion. This area was the scene of repeated religious persecution starting in the 1200’s and continuing through the French revolution in the late 1700’s.
The Bondurant Family lived in the region of Rouergue and the Cévennes mountains of the Central Massif. Historically, commerce traveled from the north of France to the ports on the Mediterranean Sea over an old Roman road called the Régordane Road. Our Bondurant ancestors moved to towns along this road such Viélvic, Génolhac, and Malihiéres. The Bondurants ran inns on this road. The road passed down la Grand Rue in Génolhac and bisected Belle-Poile where a restored Bondurand Inn resides today. Jean Pierre Bondurant, our ancestor, lived in Génolhac in a house on la Grand Rue prior to his escape to America.
Escape To Switzerland
Jean Pierre was born on 18 September 1677 to parents, Jean Pierre Bondurant and Gabrielle Barjon. He was baptized as a Huguenot in the Génolhac temple and later baptized as a Catholic following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. His parents died in 1694 and 1695. He inherited extensive land holdings including the house in Génolhac and two mills. In 1697, he sold the two mills and fled the kingdom of France to join his uncle, Pastor Guillaume Barjon in Aarau, Switzerland where he recanted his Catholic faith.
Immigration To America
In 1700, Jean Pierre Bondurant found his way to London, England and boarded the ship Peter and Anthony bound for America.
(Opens new window) On 20 September 1700, the ship arrived at Jamestown, VA and the new arrivals were taken up the James River to the shoals (present day Richmond, VA).
They settled initially in Manakin Town, a deserted Monacan Indian village.
First Generation In America
Jean Pierre practiced medicine in Henrico County, VA for many years. During this period, he bought and sold a 200 acres plantation near Matoaca. In 1725, he purchased 400 acres located on the South side of the James River in King Williams Parrish from the King of England. Jean Pierre married Ann Ford and they had five children: Joseph, John, Ann, Frances, and Peter. The property was divided among his sons in his will filed in 1734.
Jean Pierre died in 1734 and is buried in a graveyard on Birdsong Lane (Road No. 1217) near Powhatan, in Powhatan County, VA.
The Bondurant Family Association erected a fence and placed a commemorative plaque at the gravesite.
This Bondurant Family History page summarizes the contents of the Book
"The Bondurants of Génolhac, France" by Mary Bondurant Warren |
Languedoc Region of France
Jean Pierre Bondurant lived at this house on la Grand Rue in Génolhac, France before fleeing to the US.
Jean Pierre Bondurant emigrated to Virginia in 1700 aboard "ye Peter and Anthony" from London. |
