Petit de Coulange Family Notes

              (Compiled by Mrs. Bynum Blackmon, 105 Cula Vista, El Dorado, Ark.)

LOUIS JOSEPH DE VILLEMQNT
(BROTHER OF DON CARLOS (Charles Melchior) De Villemont) who was Commandant at
Arkansas Post 1794 to 1802.)1

Parents:    Jean Pierre (Pedro) Girard de Villemont and Marie Louise (Francisca) 
Petit de Coulange2

Louis Joseph De Villemont, brother of Don Carlos, was born in approximately the year 
1762, probably in Goinis in Burgona (Joigny-Burgunday) 60 miles Southeast of Paris, 
the same proven location of Don Carlos* birthplace, and home of his parents.

He was a Gendarme de la Reine, Queens Bodyguard, Luneville, France, probably around 
the year 1782.3   Luneville is located on the Northeast Point of France, in the Province 
of Lorraine.   The French King at that time was Louis XVI (Reign 1774-1792) and his 
Queen was Marie Antoinette.   They were both executed in 1793, during the French 
Revolution, which began in 1789.4

A French Cross of Honor, with the date 1693 inscribed (probably date of Order), is in 
possession of DeVillemont's heir, Bynum 0. Blackmon, 105 Chula Vista, El Dorado, Ark. 
It was awarded to Louis De Villemont probably sometime during the period from 1782 to 
1792, which covers the period of his service in the Queens Bodyguard of Louis XVI and 
Marie Antoinette.   The Cross has four wings, each with two gold points.   These are 
gold, set in white enamel.   The center is round, with engravings on both sides. One 
side is a full-length figure of a King, engraved in gold, complete with a crown and 
white ermine robe.   Around the edge of the center are the letters:    L U D   M   INST 1693. 
The other side of the center is a gold sword standing on its point, with a wreath around 
the blade, and on a background of red and gold.   Around the edge of it are the letters: 
KRIL VIRTUTIS HR AE M.   Consideration should be taken, when reading this description, 
that some of the letters are worn, and may not be exact.

Louis De Villemont also served sometime after 1796 as Captain of Louisiana to 
Talleyrand.   Charles Maurice de Talleyrand (Born 1754-1838) was a famous French 
statesman.   From 1796 to 1804 he served as French Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
It was during this period that Louis de Villemont served under Talleyrand. Louis 
made many voyages throughout America (by order of the Spanish King) and his knowledge 
was so great that his abstracts and memoirs were preserved.

The following is quoted from Surrey - 6 PP AE, Etats Unis sup. 7:186: June 6, 1802: 
Prair X, Sedan France.   Louis Villemont, ex-Captain of La, to Talleyrand. His 
knowledge of Louisiana, through voyages (by order of the Spanish King) to the U.S., 
Canada, New Mexico, Upper Louisiana, Great Plains, Missouri River to the St. Pierre 
river, his abstracts and memoirs were sent to Seer of Indies and his collection to 
the intendance of La. (Canadian peltry trade (fur) with La., Miss., designated as 
upper and lower La., approval of retrocession.)

Also from Surrey; AE Etats, Unis Sup, 7:189: ©July 3, 1814:   Mess., X, Sedan. Louis 
Villemont, ex-captain of La. to Talleyrand.   Memoir on La. 24 PP.

Family records show that Louis De Villemont was a wealthy planter in the Bonne Carre 
Section of Louisiana at one time.

Also in the possession of the heirs are two large portraits of Louis De Villemont,
size 22" X 26", showing him dressed in a suit of armor, and also showing the identical
Cross of Honor on his breast.   One picture is the original oil, which is flaking and
in poor condition.   The other is a black and white charcoal replica of the oil. The
original oil was found behind the black and white copy with a newspaper, a 1893 copy of
the Arkansas City Journal.   Evidently some member of the family had the copy made and
then covered the original in an effort to preserve it.   No artist's name is on either.
1.2,3. - P. 236 - Old Families of Louisiana - Stanley Arthur
4 - World Book Encyclopedia