La Maison de Bence de Sainte-Catherine

  BENCE de SAINTE-CATHERINE

 

Origins 

According to the "Dictionnaire historique et héraldique de la noblesse française : rédigé dans l'ordre patronymique d'après les archives des anciens parlements" (Volume 2). Paris:1897 by D. de MAILHOL, the BENCE family originated from Italy and come to France during the time Catherine de Medici (1519-1589).

 Their name was originally BENENCASA/BENINCASA and the family originated in Siena, Italy. The family is said to be related to Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) whose original name was Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa. Therefore, in the mid 17th century, the Martinique branch of the family, adopted the name BENCE de SAINTE-CATHERINE in honor of their saintly relative (Source 1, 697-698).

Saint Catherine of Siena (Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa)

Coat of Arms (Blason)

(Source 1)

"D'argent a l'aigle employée de sable, accompagnée en chef de trois trèfles rangés des sinople" 

[ Source 1, 698)

 

 

Abbreviated Genealogy  

Pierre Bence (1657-1707)

He was born in Paroisse Saint-André de Rouen on May 5, 1657 and died in Le Marin, Martinique. 

Pierre married on January 20, 1684 in Le Marin, Martinique Isabelle GAREY and issued: 

1) François-Pierre (1685)

2) Françoise-Marguerite (+1728) 

François-Pierre Bence de Sainte Catherine (1685)

He married twice: 

- June 13, 1719 to Marie-Françoise CORNET (1701) and issued 

1) Marie-Angélique (1723-1793)

2) Nicolas-François Bence de Sainte-Catherine (1726-1773)

- January 12, 1729 to Anne Le MESLE. No issue from this marriage.

Nicolas-François Bence de Sainte Catherine (1726-1773), Member of the Sovereign Council of Martinique

 He married September 11, 1753  in Le Lamentin, Martinique Madame Marie-Rose GAIGNERON JOLLIMON (1731-1784) and issued:

Biographical Note:
Marie-Rose GAIGNERON JOLLIMON was the daughter of Joseph GAIGNERON-JOLLIMON, Sieur de Jollimon (1700-1746) and Angélique PAPIN de L'EPINE (1709-1779). 

1) Marie-Rose-Françoise (1757) married on July 12, 1786 to Joseph de GIMAT (1747-1793)

2) Nicolas-Pierre-François (1764-1843)

3) Angélique (1766-1827) married on May 9, 1785 to Michel de LEYRITZ (1758) and issued.

La Maison de Leyritz

4) Pierre-François

Nicolas-Pierre -François Bence de Sainte Catherine (1764-1843), Member of the Sovereign Council of Martinique, Procurer General   

Pierre-Nicolas (Nicolas Pierre) de Bence de Sainte Catherine (1764-1843) Source 2

Married on June 9, 1789 to Marie-Madeleine-Angélique DUVAL de SAINTE-CLAIRE (1772-1815) and issued:

Angélique Duval de Sainte-Claire (1772-1815), Source 2

Biographical Note:
Marie-Madeleine-Angélique DUVAL de SAINTE-CLAIRE was the daughter of François DUVAL de SAINTE-CLAIRE (1736-1795) and Marie-Madeleine-Désirée GAIGNERON JOLLIMON (1746-1799)

1) François-Marie-Joseph-Arthur (1791-1871)

2) Marie Madeleine Calixte Reine Anna (1792-1846) married Pierre-François-Marie-Dieudonné DESSALLES, (1785-1857) and issued

La Maison DESSALLES

Anna de Bence de Sainte Catherine (1792-1846)

3) Cecile (1797-1843)

François-Marie-Joseph-Arthur Bence de Sainte Catherine (1791-1871), Member of the Sovereign Council of Martinique  

Arthur Bence de Sainte Catherine (1791-1871), Source 2

 He married on July 2, 1814 in Fort-de-France, Martinique Claire-Laure-Emilie DESSALLES (1798-1815) and issued a child that died in infancy in 1815. 

La Maison DESSALLES/des SALLES

He married secondly in 1821 to Marguerite Elizabeth Rose dit Rosélia d'ARNAUD (1801-1868) and issued:

Biograpnical Note:

Marguerite Elizabeth Rose dit Rosélia d'ARNAUD was the daughter of Pierre-Grégoire d'ARNAUD and Rosette Le MERLE de BEAUFOND (1780-1801)

1) Olivier (1821-1838)

Olivier de Bence de Saint Catherine (1821-1838) Source 2

2) Anna (1822-1894) married Charles de la GRANDIERE (1808-1888) and issued.

3) Marie (1834-19-24) married on April 2, 1859 to Louis de BASQUIAT de MUGRIET (1830-1918) and issue.

______________________

Sources Consulted 

1) "Dictionnaire historique et héraldique de la noblesse française : rédigé dans l'ordre patronymique d'après les archives des anciens parlements" (Volume 2). Paris:1897 by D. de MAILHOL (695-701)
 Digital Edition in Mocavo (http://www.mocavo.com)

The digital version of the blason of the Bence de Sainte Catherine was specially made by "Amorial de France" (https://armorialdefrance.com/ ). We are grateful to the Blog Administrator and creator.

2)  DeSalles, Pierre. "La vie d'un colon à la Martinique au XIXème Siècle-Correspondance" (1808-1834). Ed. Henri de FREMONT, Second Edition, 1988.Volume 1
The following images were taken:
a. Olivier, Pierre-Nicolas
b.  Arthur Bence de Sainte Catherine (owner of the image was Dominique O'ZOUX a descendant of Arthur)
c. Angelique Duval de Sainte Claire (owner Henri de FREMONT, editor of the volume)


3) Bence de Sainte-Chatherine entry in roglo.edu database.