Claude Prud'homme

CLAUDE Prudhomme FamilySearch Family Tree

Birth: Between 1579 and 1580 - Meaux, Seine-et-Marne, Ile-de-France, France

Death: Nov 30 1650 - Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Parents: Claude Nobel Prud hon, Marie Anne Prud hon (born Dragueville)

Son: Louis Prud'homme

Brother: CLAUDE Prudhomme

Notes on surname Prudhomme;

Prudhomme was first found in Guyenne in South-West France where they held a family seat in Seigneurie of St.Maur and were members of the Aristocracy of that region for many centuries...Prudhomme, from the early French meaning "Righteous Man," an occupation, a Judge or Referee between departments of France, people of classes, members of a council and civil and governmental affairs of the early development of France as a nation.The landed area of France was first inhabited by the Iberians which were the Aquitanians and Basques and Celts (Gauls) all became the area of the Franks of the era B.C. "It was during the Hundred Years War between France and England, 1337-1453, that the name Prudhomme appears first as an occupation of an individual and then as a family name.With the ascension of Henry IV of Navarre to the Crown of France in 1589, there is a strong possibility that the first Prudhomme to be titled so was of the Valos-Orleans family which began about 1337. "The hiring of a Prudhomme or righteous or wise man originated with Pepin the Short in 751 A.D., a son of Charlemagne, whose death in 800 A.D. led to a division of the Frankish Empire and the Treaty of Verdun in 800 A.D."

COAT OF ARMS: The surname of Prudhomme is found in various forms of spelling -- Prudhomme, Prudame, Pruden, and Proudman among them.The name was originally a nickname, indicating a superior craftsman. The azure shield of the Prudhomme coat of arms is symbolic of purity, truth, loyalty, sincerety and perseverance.Silver or argent is compared to the moon, the pearl and the lily and also denotes purity, truth, justice and sincerety. The tower, as an armorial bearing, was only awarded to those commanders who had either stormed and captured an enemy's stronghold, or who had successfully defended a fortress or town against the onslaught of the enemy. The more simple a coat of arms the more ancient the grant, and the antiquity of the Prudhomme arms is shown in its simplicity.

According to "Memories of the Old Plantation Home," by Laura Locoul Gore, the original Prudhommes came to Natchitoches from Quebec in 1699.See p. 122.Also according to the book,"[b]efore coming to French Canada, Nanette's great-grandfather Prudhomme had been court physician to the French King Louis XV.Such a noble connection ensured the Prudhomme famly a firm social standing in Louisiana under both French and Spanish rule." There are a number of problems with this story.First, the official reign of Louis XV was from 1723 to 1774.Although he actually became king in 1715, he was only five years old at the time.If the Prudhommes came to Natchitoches from Quebec in 1699, then they could have had no direct connection to the court of Louis XV.It is possible that they were physicians to the court prior to the reign of Louis XV.Or, possibly, the title "court physician" has become intertwined in the family lore with the post of"King's doctor" held by the son of JPP Prudhomme, Jean Baptiste Prudhomme.

According to the Wise book, "Dr. [Jean Baptiste] Prudhomme [1735-1786] was known as the "King's doctor" (Chirurgien du Roi) [at the old French military post of Fort Jean Baptiste, where the city of Natchitoches now stands].He was knighted for his services by King Louis XV and was given land along Cane River which extended from Natchitoches to Cloutierville (about 25 miles).He married (1st), Marie Francoise Chever and they had no children.He married (2nd), 13 July 1758, Maria Josepha Collautin of Natchitoches, born 1738; died 16 February 1788 in Natchitoches. "-- Wise, p.133. Note that the title of "chirurgien" or "chirurgien pour le roy" may not be as significant as it sounds.See Appendix A, Glossary of Foreign Terms, p. 417, Natchitoches 1729-1803, Abstracts of the Catholic Church Registers, by Elizabeth Shown Mills.Mills states that the term refers to "a surgeon or doctor appointed or authorized by the government to serve at a colonial post.Since all officials served "pour le roy" or "for the king," the latter phrase is more of a figure of speech than a title of singular honor.Neither a degree in medicine nor a medical license was required of these early surgeons at Natchitoches."

Source: http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/m/e/t/Mildred-Methvin/GENE1-0001.html