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French immigration to Puerto Rico

 
Wikipedia: French immigration to Puerto Rico
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French immigration to Puerto Rico
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Notable Puerto Ricans with French surnames

Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier.jpgJose guatier Benitez.JPG
MGtavarez.jpgFermín Tangüis.jpg
First row:1.Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier 2.José Gautier Benítez
Second row: 3.Manuel Gregorio Tavarez 4.Fermín Tangüis

The French immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of the economic and political situations which occurred in various places such as Louisiana (USA), Saint-Domingue (Haiti) and in Europe.

Another factor which encouraged French immigration to the island was the revival of the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815. The Spanish Crown decided that one of the ways to end the pro-independence movement in Puerto Rico was to allow Europeans of non-Hispanic origin who swore loyalty to the Spanish Crown to settle in the island. Therefore, the decree was printed in three languages, Spanish, English and French.

The French who immigrated to Puerto Rico intermarried with the locals and settled in various places in the island. They were instrumental in the development of Puerto Rico's tobacco, cotton and sugar industries and distinguished themselves as business people, politicians and writers.

Contents

Situation in Louisiana

Map of New France

In the 17th century, the French settled the area in the so-called "New World" which they named New France. New France included an expansive area of land along both sides of the Mississippi River between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains, including the Ohio Country and the Illinois Country. Louisiana was the name given to an administrative district of New France. [1] Upon the outbreak of the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years' War (1754-1763), between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its North American Colonies against France, many of the French settlers fled to the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Hispaniola (The island which now consists of the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and Puerto Rico. These islands were part of the Spanish Empire, which welcomed and protected the French from their English enemy.[2]

Frenchmen in the defense of Puerto Rico

When the British attempted to invade Puerto Rico in 1797 under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby, many Frenchmen offered their services to Spain and came to the defense of the island. Among them was M. Daubón, captain of the ship "L'Espiégle" and Captain Lobeau of the ship "Le Triomphant". Among the French surnames of those who fought on land were the following; Bernard, Hirigoyan, Chateau, Roussell, Larrac and Mallet. It must also be mentioned that the British landed a force of 400 French prisoners, who were ordered to fight against their will.[3] The invasion failed and the British retreated on April 30 to their ships and on May 2 set sail northward. Many of the Frenchmen who fought preferred to stay and live in the island. The descendants of the families which they established continue to live there today.[3]

Situation in Saint-Domingue (Haiti)

In 1697, the Spanish Crown ceded the western half of the island of Hispaniola to the French. The Spanish part of the island was named Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic) and the French named their part Saint-Domingue (which was later renamed Haiti). The French settlers dedicated themselves to the cultivation of the sugar cane and owned plantations, which required a huge amount of manpower. They imported slaves from Africa to work in the fields. However, soon the population of the slaves outgrew those of the whites. The slaves lived under terrible conditions and were treated cruelly. In 1791, the slaves were organized into an army led by the self-appointed general Toussaint Louverture and rebelled against the French.[4] The ultimate victory of the slaves over their white masters came about after the Battle of Vertières in 1803. The French fled to Santo Domingo and made their way to Puerto Rico. Once there, they settled in the western region of the island in towns such as Mayagüez. With their expertise, they helped develop the island's sugar industry, converting Puerto Rico into a world leader in the exportation of sugar.[5]

Situation in Europe

Type of steamship in which French and Corsicans arrived in Puerto Rico

France and Corsica (an island ceded to France by Genoa in 1768) were going through many economic and political changes during the 19th century. One of the changes occurred with the advent of the Second Industrial Revolution, which led to the massive migration of farmworkers to larger cities in search of a better way of live and better-paying jobs. Starvation spread throughout Europe as farms began to fail due to long periods of drought and crop diseases.[6]

There was also widespread political discontent. King Louis-Phillipe of France was overthrown during the Revolution of 1848 and a republic was established. In 1870-71, Prussia defeated France in what became known as the Franco-Prussian War. The combination of natural and man-made disasters created an acute feeling of hopelessness in both France and Corsica. Hundreds of families fled Europe and immigrated to the Americas, including Puerto Rico. All of this came about when the Spanish Crown, after losing most of her possessions in the so-called "New World", was growing fearful of the possibility of losing her last two possessions, Cuba and Puerto Rico.[7]

Royal Decree of Graces of 1815

Royal Decree of Graces, 1815

The Spanish Crown had issued the Royal Decree of Graces (Cédula Real de Gracias), on August 10, 1815 with the intention of encouraging trade between Puerto Rico and other countries who were friendly towards Spain. The decree also offered free land to any Spaniard who would be willing to move to the island. The decree was revived in the mid 19th century with several changes. The Spanish Crown decided that one of the ways to end the pro-independence movement was to allow Europeans of non-Spanish origin to settle the island. Therefore, the decree was printed in three languages, Spanish, English and French. Those who immigrated to Puerto Rico were given free land and a "Letter of Domicille" with the condition that they swore loyalty to the Spanish Crown and allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church. After residing in the island for five years the settlers were granted a "Letter of Naturalization" which made them Spanish subjects.[8] Hundreds of Frenchmen and Corsican families (the Corsicans are French citizens of Italian descent) moved and settled in Puerto Rico. The Corsicans settled the mountainous region in and around the towns of Adjuntas, Lares, Utuado, Guayanilla, Ponce and Yauco, where they became successful coffee plantation owners. The French who immigrated from mainland Europe settled in various places in the island. They were instrumental in the development of Puerto Rico's tobacco, cotton and sugar industries. Among them was Teófilo José Jaime María Le Guillou who in 1823 founded the municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico.[9]

French influence in Vieques

In 1823, Teófilo José Jaime María Le Guillou immigrated from France to Puerto Rico and settled down in the island of Vieques. He is considered as the founder of the municipality of Vieques. In 1832, Le Guillou proceeded Francisco Rosello as the military commander of Vieques after the Rosello's death. Between 1832 and 1843, Le Guillou who had been given the title of "Political and Military Governor of the Spanish Island of Vieques" by the Spanish Crown, developed a plan for the political and economic organization of the island. [10] He established five sugar plantations in the island named Esperanza, Resolucion, Destino, Mon Repos and Mi Reposo.[11]

Le Guillou, who was the most powerful landlord and owner of slaves in the island, requested from the Spanish Crown permission to allow the immigration of French families from the Caribbean Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe which at the time were French possessions. Attracted by the offer of free land which was one of the incentives stipulated in the revised Spanish Royal Decree of 1815, dozens of French familles, among them the Mouraille's, Martineau's and Le Brun's, immigrated to Vieques and with the use of slave manpower established sugar plantations.[10] By 1839, there were 138 "habitaciones" which comes from the French word "habitation" meaning hacienda or plantation.[11] These habitaciones were located from Punta Mulas and Punta Arenas. Le Guillou died in 1843 and is buried in the town of Isabel II of Vieques which was founded in 1844.[11]

Currently

The French eventually intermarried into the local population, adopting the language and customs of their new homeland.[12] Their influence in Puerto Rico is very much present and in evidence in the island's cuisine, literature and arts.[13] French surnames such as Betancourt and Gautier are common in Puerto Rico. This immigration from mainland France and its territories to Puerto Rico was the largest in number, second only to Spanish immigrants and today a great number of Puerto Ricans can claim French ancestry; 16 percent of the surnames on the island are either French or French-Corsican. The descendants of the original French settlers have distinguished themselves as business people, politicians and writers. "La Casa del Francés" (The Frenchman's House), built in 1910, is a turn-of-the-century plantation mansion, recently designated as a historical landmark by the National Register of Historic Places, located on the island of Vieques. It is now a guest house.[14]

Surnames

The following is an official list of the surnames of the first French families who immigrated from mainland France to Puerto Rico in the 19th Century. This list was compiled by genealogists and historians of Projecto Salon Hogar who have done an exhaustive research on the matter.[15]

Surnames of the first French families in Puerto Rico
Abesto,Abre Resy, Affigne, Affrige, Agapit, Agrand, Albet, Alegre, Alers, Alexo, Alfonso, Allinor, Ambar, Ambies, Amil, Andragues, Andrave, Anduze, Anglada, Angur, Aran, Ardu, Arnaud, Arril, Artaud Herajes, Auber, Aymee, Bablot, Baboan, Bacon, Bainy, Balsante Petra, Baner, Bapeene, Bargota Boyer, Baron, Barrera, Bassat, Baux, Baynoa, Beabieu, Beaupied, Begonguin, Beinut, Belnar, Beltran, Belvi, Bellevue, Benevant, Benito, Berantier, Bergonognau, Bernal Capdan, Bernard, Bernier, Berteau, Bertrand, Betancourt, Bicequet, Bidot, Bignon, Binon, Binot, Bitre, Blain, Blanchet, Blaudin, Blondet, Boirie, Boldnare, Bollei, Bonafoux Adarichb, Bonch, Bonifor, Bontet, Bordenare, Boreau Villoseatj, Borras, Bosan, Botreau, Boudens, Boudovier Bertran, Bougeois, Boulet, Boulier, Boullerie, Boure, Bourjae, Boyer, Boyse, Boyset, Braschi, Brayer, Brevan, Brison, Broccand, Brochard, Brun, Bruny, Bruseant, Brusso, Bueno, Bufos, Bugier, Buis, Bulancie, Bullet, Burbon, Buriac, Burtel, Busquets, Cachant, Calmelz, Callasee, Cambet, Camelise, Camoin, Camy, Capifali, Cappdepor, Carbonell, Cardose, Carile, Carle, Caro, Casado Jafiet, Casadomo, Catalino, Catery Judikhe Vadelaisse, Caumil, Caussade, Cayenne, Cecila, Cerce, Ciobren, Ciriaco, Clausell, Coillas, Coin, Combertier, Compared, Conde, Constantin, Coriel, Cottes Ledoux, Coulandres, Couppe, Cristy, Croix, Crouset, Cruzy Marcillac, Curet, Chadrey, Chamant, Chamanzel, Chansan, Chanvet, Charle, Charles, Chariot, Charpentier, Charron, Chasli, Chassereau o Chasserian, Chatel, Chatelan, Chavalier o Chevalier, Chavarnier, Chebri, Cherot, Chevalot, Chevremont, Chicatoy Arenas, Choudens, Dabey, Dacot, Daloz, Daltas, Dalvert, Dambe, Damelon, Dandelor, Danloits, Dapie, Datjbon Duphy, Daunies, Debornes, Debrat, Declet, Defontaine, Delange, Delarue, Delema o Delima, Delestre, Delmas o Delinas, Delorise, Denasps Gue, Denichan, Denis, Denton, Desaint, Desjardins, Despres, Desuze, Detbais, Deuview, Dodin Dargomet, Doisteau, Dollfus, Domincy, Domon, Donz, Doval, Dubine, Dubois, Dubost, Du-Croe, Dudoy, Dufan, Duffant, Duffrenet, Dufour, Dugomis, Duha o Dulia, Dumartray, Dumas, Dumestre, Dumont, Dupay, Duplesi, Dupont, Dupret, Durey, Durad, Duran, Durant, Durecu, Durecu Hesont, Durruin, Duteil, Dutil, D'Yssoyer, Eduardo, Eilot, Eitie, Enrique Ferrion, Enscart, Escabi, Escache o Escachi, Escott, Esmein, Espiet, Espri Saldont, Faffin Fabus, Faja, Falasao o Tasalac, Falist Oliber, Farine De Rosell, Farrait, Faulat Palen, Feissonniere, Ferrer, Ferry Pelieser, Ficaya, Fineta, Fleuricun, Fleyta 0 Fleyeta, Fol, Follepe, Foncarde, Fongerat, Fontan, Forney, Francolin, Frene, Froger, Furo, Garie, Garo o Laro, Gaspierre, Gaston, Gautier, Georgatt, Gevigi, Gineau, Giraldet, Giraud, Girod, Girod Danise, Glaudina Godreau, Golbe, Gonzaga, Gonzago, Goriel, Goulain Jabet, Gregori, Gremaldi, Greton, Grivot, Grolau o Grolan, Guestel, Gueyt, Gullie o Gille Forastier, Guillon, Guillot, Guinbes, Guinbon, Guuiot, Guinot, Gure, Habe, Hardoy Laezalde, Hilario o Ylario, Hilnse, Hory, Hubert Chavaud, Icaire, Ithier, Jayaoan De Roudier, Joanel, Jourdan, Jovet, Juliana, Julien, Kercado, Kindell, LaRue, LaSalle, Labaden Laguet, Labault De Leon, Labergne o Labergue, Labord, Laboy, Lacode o Lecode, Lacon, Lacorte, Lacroix, Lafalle, Lafebre, Laffch, Lafont De La Vermede, Lafountain, Laguerre, Laporet, Lagar Daverati, Lagarde, Lairguat, Lalane, Lambert Beniel, Lamida, Lamond, Landrami, Landro, Lang, Lantiao, Lapierre, Laporte, Larbizan, Larohe, Larracontre, Larrony o Labrouy, L'Artigaut, Lasy o Lasey, Lasenne, Lassere, Lassise, Laugier, Lavergne, Laveiere o Lavesier, Layno, Lazus, Le Guillou, Lebron, Lebrum, Ledaut, Ledir o Lediz, Ledoux, Lefaure, Lefebre, Lefran, Legran, Legre, Le Guillon, Lelon, Lesirges, Libran, Liciz Getas, Logellanercies, Lombarda, Longueville, Loubet, Loubriel, Lourent o Saint Lourent, Lubes, Luca, Luca O'Herisson, Luis, Maillet, Malaret, Marqués, Malerve, Mande, Mange, Maoy, Marciel, Mareaty, Maren, Maria, Martel Belleraoch, Martilly, Martin, Mase, Mates Caslbol, Maturin, Mayar, Mayer, Mayostiales, Maysonave, Meaux, Medar, Menases, Mengelle, Mentrie, Merced, Micard, Michar Sibeli o Libeli, Michet, Midard Garrousette, Miguncci, Millet, Miyet, Moget, Molier, Moncillae, Monclova, Mondear, Monge, Monroig, Mons, Montas, Montrousier, Morell, Moret, Morin, Mosenp o Moreno, Mouliert, Moulinie, Mourei, Moysart, Misteau o Msiteau Chevalier, Naclero o Nadero, Nairsteant, Neaci, Nevi, Nod o Noel, Nogues, Noublet, Nunci, Nurez, Oclave, Odeman, Odiot, Ogea, Oliney, Orto, Oschembein, Osoglas, Panel, Paret, Parna, Patterne, Paulin Cesuezon, Pedangais, Pedevidou, Perrosier, Petit, Peyredisu, Pibalan, Pilagome, Piletti, Pilioner, Pinaud Marchisa, Pinaud Marquisa, Pinplat o Puiplat, Pipau, Pitre, Plumet, Plumey, Poigmirou, Polok, Pomes, Ponteau, Porrata Doria, Posit, Potier Defur, Pouyolk, Pras, Preagnard, Preston, Principe Boussit, Privat, Pujols, Punan Sordeau, Raff, Ramel, Raplis De Pierrugues, Raty Menton, Raymond, Regnaire o Reguaire, Regnan, Reis, Reive, Renuchi, Resu, Rey, Richard, Rined De Boudens, Rinire, Rirwan, Riset, Ritter, Rivier, Roberson, Robiens, Robledo, Roblin, Rochette, Ronde, Ronse o Rouse, Rormi o Piormi, Roudier, Rous, Rousset, Roy, Royer, Rufait, Ruffin, Sabatel Mariel, Sabathie, Saladin, Salcedo, Saldri o Saldu, Saleinon, Sallaberry, Samanos, Saneburg, Sanlecque Botle, Sanocouret, Sansous, Sante Ylaide o Haide, Santeran, Santerose, Santie o Santiecor, Sapeyoie, Satraber, Saunion, Savignat Bruchat, Schabrie, Seguinot, Segur, Sellier, Sena Feun Fewhet, Senac De Laforest, Serracante Cacoppo, Simon Poncitan, Simonet, Sofi Mase, Sotier, Souche, Souffbont, Souffront, Soutearud, Stefani, Steinacher, Stucker, Suquet, Tablas, Tafa, Taret, Taura o Faura, Teanjou, Teber, Telmo Navarro, Tellot, Terrefor, Terrible, Terrior, Thillet, Tibaudien, Timoleon, Tinot, Tolifru, Tollie, Tomet, Tomey, Totti, Tourne o St. Tounne, Tourne, Trabesier, Traver, Turpeand o Turpeaud, Umosquita, Ursula, Vanel, Veuntidos, Verges, Viado, Vignalon, Vignon, Villanueva, Vilencourt, Villard, Vigoreaux, Vizco, Vodart, Vora Bonel, Walleborge, Yarden o Garden, Ybar, Ylario, Yorde o Forte Godiezu, Yormie, Yuldet, Zanti,

Notable Puerto Ricans with French surnames

The following is a list of notable Puerto Ricans or people of Puerto Rican descent with French surnames. This list also includes people of Puerto Rican and French descent born in the United States and Frenchmen/women who adopted Puerto Rico as their homeland as well.

References

  1. ^ New France
  2. ^ Historical Preservation Archive: Transcribed Articles & Documents
  3. ^ a b "Historia de Puerto Rico" de Paul G. Miller, Rand McNally, editor, 1947, pp. 221-237
  4. ^ Toussaint L'Ouverture: A Biography and Autobiography by J. R. Beard, 1863
  5. ^ The Haitian Revolution
  6. ^ Second Industrial Revoltion in France by Hubert Bonin, Retrieved July 31, 2007
  7. ^ Documents of the Revolution of 1848 in France, Retrieved July 31, 2007
  8. ^ Archivo General de Puerto Rico: Documentos
  9. ^ Puerto Rico por Dentro
  10. ^ a b Enlaces de Vieques (Spanish)
  11. ^ a b c "Guias para el Desarollo Sustentable de Vieques" (Spanish), By Grupo de Apoyo Tecnicos y Profesionales, Special Commission on Vieques, Pg.5
  12. ^ Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico, Retrieved July 31, 2007
  13. ^ Puerto Rican Cuisine & Recipes
  14. ^ NOTES FROM THE FORT MUSEUM
  15. ^ Historia de Puerto Rico En orden afabético, Retrieved January 20, 2009

See also

Puerto Rico portal

External links

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see also
Migration of minorities in France (i.e. Basques) can be considered as separate (ethnically) or French migration (by nationality).

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