Looking for SOLOMON HENRY DESLANDES (born 29 Jan 1738, in St, Jaques, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France)?

Question

Solomon was married to BRIDGET WEST (born approx. 1745, in London, England.) He died 24 Sep 1792, in a workhouse in Holborn, Middlesex, England.

Son of PIERRE DESLANDES (born 6 Dec 1711, in France?.) & ANN STANBRIDGE (flagged as a possible alias as herself and Pierre were alleged activists.). They also had another son JEREMIAH DESLANDES (born 3 Oct 1774, in Ludgate, London, England.).

Grandson of NICOLAS DESLANDES (DOB unknown, possibly France as well.).

Any information would be great, including any individual mentioned here. I am trying to trace this line back as far as I can.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Madeleine, 

After some digging, here's what I found: 

• Solomon Henry Deslandes (resid. at St Clement Danes, London) married Bridget West (resid. at Saint John The Evangelist, London) in 1767. (Banns dated 22 Nov 1767) [FindMyPast] [FindMyPast 2]
• [almost certainly Solomon] Henry Deslandes resid. at Naked Boy Court in Saint Clement Danes, Westminster - Westminster Rate Books (Naked Boy Court now extinct, see this source on the street name, and this source on its whereabouts) [1767 - FindMyPast] [1771 - FindMyPast]
• Henry Deslandes, formerly of Naked Boy Court in the Strand, imprisoned at Fleet Prison in 1778. His occupation is noted as schoolmaster. [FindMyPast]

While searching FamilySearch, I found quite a few sources on Henry Deslandes that matches his wife's name (Bridget) and himself to a couple of baptism records. Here's the link to his profile as well, where I've connected the sources found with his name. So, his kids, including Jeremiah, would be: 

1. Elizabeth (b. 28 Feb 1777, christ. on 30 Mar 1777 at St Sepulchre Newgate, London, England);
2. Henry (b. 3 Jun 1778, christ. on 29 Jun 1778 at the same);
3. Peter (b. 20 Apr 1780, christ. on 27 Jul 1780 at the same);
4. Thomas Howes (b. 7 Aug 1783, christ. on 24 Sep 1783 at the same);

Someone matching Henry's name also appears on a prisoner of war list, though I doubt it would be him since he seems to be having kids and being present in London while this is happening. I'd suggest a deeper look at ThreeDecks.org for some possible options for the ship if you're interested, but I couldn't find a plausible match. However, it's possible:

• Henry Deslandes, prisoner of war, being held in the department of Dinan. (Taken from the ship Resolution as of 1779.) [FindMyPast]

For Henry's father, Pierre, I found approximately five children with Anne Stanbridge through FamilySearch's records. I connected the relevant documents to each profile, and the profiles are linked below:

1. Jean Benjamin (b. 15 Oct 1744, bp. 16 Oct 1744 at Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France);
2. Marie Elizabeth (b. 31 Mar 1746, bp. 1 Apr 1746 at St-Remy, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France, d. 30 Sep 1750);
3. Charles Guillaume Jacques (b. 23 Sep 1747, bp. 25 Sep 1747 Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France);
4. Magdalene Marie (b. 15 Aug 1748, bp. 16 Aug 1748 at St-Remy, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France, d. 20 Dec 1750);
5. Elizabeth (b. 23 Dec 1751, bp. 24 Dec 1751 at St-Remy, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France).

It's a lot to go off of, so I do hope you have success in going further back! I'm not that familiar with French record-keeping practices unfortunately, but there must be enough documentation kicking around to go further. Best of luck!

All the best,

Hilary

Answer 2

Here is his baptism record: AD76, Dieppe Saint-Jacques, B 1738-1739, 4 E 244, image 4/59 (3rd right):

Le 30 [janvier 1738]

Salomon Henry fils de Pierre Deslandes, marchand, et d'Anne Stanbridge, né du jour précédent, [parrain et marraine] Michel Rambure et Catherine Anne Delamare, qui a dit ne sçavoir écrire, a été baptisé par Mr Hoüard sousvicaire, le père absent.