From research by Louise Robeson:
Rene La Force was the leader of one of the Huguenot groups that came to settle in Virginia. The story is that the group bought land from Governor William Byrd of Virginia or from one of his representatives in France, sight unseen, which was described as just the kind of land they were looking for. They were a group of farmers, horse breeders, and owners of vineyards-Catawba grapes. After making the trip to Virginia, they came to inspect the land and start the settlement near Danville, Virginia, but found the land had been misrepresented. Dr. Rene La Force was a proud and stubborn man and the group of French settlers refused to settle there; instead, they joined the settlement at Manakin-Town, Virginia about 1699. They had to buy this land on credit as they had spent their money on the other property and evidently Byrd thought he had made a just deal because he did not give them new land in exchange. Byrd wrote in his Secret Diary that Rene La Force refused to stay and sup with him when he came to pay the mortgage on the land they bought. About 1783-85, Rene III and Rene Jr's sister Judith Burton Paul moved to Orange County, North Carolina, Casewell District. This may have been part of the original land bought by Dr. Rene because that part of North Carolina was once part of Virginia.
From research by Frances H. Casstevens:
"The de la Force family is of Guyenne origin, belonging to the de Castelnau branch of the noble house of Caumont. Rene La Force, the emigrant, came from France about 1700 and settled first a few miles from Danville, Virginia; he is reputed to have been a doctor of medicine. Shortly after his arrival in this country, he joined the Huguenot Colony in Henrico County and settled 900 acres of land, adjoining the lands of Chastain and Dutoi. The Rent Rolls of 1704 show him possessed of 1341 acres of land. In 1728, when two new counties were taken from Henrico , he was appointed Justice of Goochland County. He had three children, Rene who married Agnes Mosby; Sarah, the wife of William Harding of Goochland; and Rachel." (from article by Mrs. Hale Houts, a descendant of William Harding and Sarah La Force, published in THE HUGUENOT, No. 7).
The date of arrival of Dr. Rene La Force to the American colonies has not been determined. He did not arrive on the two ships bringing the Huguenots to Manakin Town, but may have arrived earlier at some other Huguenot settlements such as those in New York, South Carolina, Georgia or North Carolina. He may have lived in England, Holland or Germany before coming to America, as many of the French Huguenot families were forced to flee to safety wherever they could find safe haven. Genealogist Charles Hamlin, however, believed that Rene is the "Rene Massoneau" listed as arriving on the Mary & Ann in August 1700 (see THE HUGUENOT 6, 1933. PP. 82-86). Hamlin also gives the name as "Rene Massoneau LaForie," which he said was a misreading of La Force. Hamlin also stated (in a letter to F.H. Casstevens) that Rene was on a list of naturalizations in VA 5-12-1707 as "Rene Massoneau La Forie (see Charles Hamlin, VIRGINIA ANCESTORS & ADVENTURERS, Vol. 3, pp. 58-59).
Rene borrowed money from William Byrd and is mentioned in Byrd's secret diaries. Rene visited Byrd's house on several occasions about 1705 (William Byrd, THE SECRET DIARY OF WILLIAM BYRD OF WESTOVER (1709-1712), pp. 227, 274, 351, 354, 392).
Rene attained some measure of wealth and was an educated man. His name is found as a witness to several wills and inventories in Virginia in the early 1700s. He was appointed one of the first justices of the peace when Goochland County was formed from Henrico in 1728. He died shortly thereafter. His will is recorded in Goochland County, VA., as is that of his widow, Sarah. Her maiden name is unknown, but she is more than likely of French Huguenot origin also.
In HUTCHINS/HUTCHENS by Rita H. Townsend there is a copy of a court settlement involving a dispute over the land of Sicely Hutchins Sherman, wife of Henry Sherman, and widow of Isaac Hutchens, and various other Hutchens descendants. One of the parties involved was Ann Hutchens, daughter of Sicely Sherman, and widow of John Crowley, then the present wife of Christopher Branch. The date of this court suit is unknown but it was sometime between 1688-1728, (possibly in 1694, per Louise Robeson). Rene La Force's name was mentioned: "Wee find five shillings damages Rene LaForce." Rene was either the purchaser of the land in question or his name was attached in his legal duty as justice of the peace.
In a list of Virginia land grants, Rene La Force is listed as having 1,000 acres on the North side of the James River in 1723 (Patent Book 11 in "Abstracts of Land Patents of Henrico County and Goochland County, 1624-1732, in Foley, EARLY VIRGINIA FAMILIES, Vol, p. 60). That land adjoined Thomas Wadkins, Thomas Farrar and his own land.
The name "Rene" in its various forms - Ren, Renny, Raney, etc. - has been carried down through the generations in the La Force, Harding, Buchanan, Teague, and other families that are descended from the original ancestor.
Sarah left a will, dated 16 December 1756, probated 18 July 1757, Goochland County, VA. In the will, Sarah named her daughter Sarah Hardain. William Hardain was one of the executors.
Rene fled Virginia about 1777 because he was a Tory. He took his family to Kentucky as many like him did, unfortunately he was accidently killed along the way. His wife Agnes and the rest of the family that left Virginia, settled at Martin's Station on the Licking River, a few miles from present day Paris, Kentucky. Sarah left a will, probated 23 March 1797, Goochland County, VA.
Agnes accompanied her husband on the trek from Virginia to Kentucky about 1777. Following the death of Rene, Agnes settled at Martin's Station (or fort) on the Licking River, near present day Paris, Kentucky.
In June 1780, Ruddell's Station was attacked by about 700 Indians from various tribes, a company of Canadians, thirty Tory volunteers, and a company of British Soldiers from Detroit under the command of Capt. Henry Bird of the British Army. Two days later, Martin's Station, some 5 miles away, was also attacked by the same force and all of the surviving captives were marched to Detroit, some 600 miles north. Among the captives were Agnes La Force, some of her children, a son-in-law (John Mahan), and thirteen slaves. The slaves were taken by the British and the Indians, but upon protest to Sir Frederick Haldimand in Montreal, some of them were returned.
William Dummer Powell (later a judge in Detroit) was in 1780 a young lawyer of Montreal. Passing along the street one day he encountered a detachment of soldiers convoying a band of women and children to the Provost prison. The young attorney's inquiry elicited the information that the prisoners were Kentuckians taken captive on Bird's invasion and sent down from Detroit to Montreal. Powell actively interested himself in the welfare of the captives, and to this circumstance we owe the story of Mrs. Agnes La Force.
Her husband was a Virginia Loyalist who about the year 1777 sought refuge from the persecutions of his neighbors by removing to the wilds of Kentucky. He was a man of means, with several sons and sons-in-law and a considerable number of slaves. The removal to Kentucky was a wholesale family migration, and, although La Force was accidentally killed en route, the others persisted in the enterprise and built a palisaded settlement, where they dwelt in fancied security until a detachment of Bird's marauders appeared. "Relying upon british faith," records Powell, "they open'd their Gate on condition of Protection to their Persons and their property from the Indians; but they had no sooner surrendered and received that promise than her sons and son-in-laws had to resort to arms to resist the Insults of the Indians to their wives and Slaves. Several lives were lost and the whole surviving Party was marched into Detroit, about six hunderd miles, where the Slaves were distributed among the Captors and the rest marched or boated eight hundred miles further to Montreal and driven into the Provost Prison as Cattle into a Pound."
"In consequence of Powell's able championing of her cause, Mrs. La Force gained the ear of Governor Haldimand, who, on learning that she had been despoiled of her slaves, her only remaining source of support, directed that the commandant at Detroit find the slaves, "in whose ever possession they might be," and forward them to Montreal for restoration to their rightful owner. But this intervention availed Mrs. La Force nothing, for, although De Peyster [Major Arnet DePeyster] transmitted a list of thirteen of the slaves, several of whom were in possession of officials of the government at Detroit, he professed his inability to recover them. Thus was the might of the British government defied by a group of its own officials and certain influential citizens of Detroit. The expressive word "graft," coined by Americans of a later generation, would seem most fitly to characterize this situation."
Agnes and her children were liberated in 1782 or 1783.
List of Mrs. La Force's 13 Negro Slaves at Detroit:
Scipio in possession of Simon Girty; Tim and Ishener in possession of Mr. Le Due; Stephen in possession of Capt. Graham; Joseph and Keggy in possession of Capt. Elliot; Job in possession of Mr. Baby; Hannah in possession of Mr. Fisher; Candis in possession of Capt. McKee; Bess, Grace, Rachel, and Patrick in possession of the Indians.
Source: Milo Quaife, "When Detroit Invaded Kentucky," The Filson Club History Quarterly, 1 (January, 1927), 58-59. Also William Renwick Riddell's "Life of William Dummer Powell, First Judge at Detroit and Fifth Chief Justice of Upper Canada" (Lansing, 1924) The papers of William Dummer Powell are located in the Burton Historical Collection in the Detroit Public Library..
Trephenah lived in Chatham County, North Carolina. Samuel LaForce was appointed surveyor of road, 8 December 1796 in Botetourt County, VA. He was also exempt from paying his Slave, Moll, on account of her age, 14 July 1789 in Botetourt County.
Samuel left a will in Claiborne County, TN dated 13 May 1822. Rene "Leferce" on Grand Jury, 8 May 1783, Botetourt County, VA. (Annals of Southwest Virginia, by Sujers).
Rene left a will in Fayette County, Kentucky Will Book, Will--1804. Lists his children David , Reynold, Robinson, and Mary La Force as legatees.
Botetourt County, Virginia, It's Men and It's History 1780-1786, Barney La Force was in Captain Watterson's Company in the 18th District in 1781.
Agnes was taken prisoner by the British on 26 Jun 1780 and held in Montreal until the end of the Revolutionary War. (See More About Agnes Moseby)
Military service at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Norfolk, Virginia.
William left a will, dated 7 January 1766, recorded Deed Book 9, p. 154, 1765-1769, Goochland County, VA.
LAFORCE DOCUMENTS
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Deed #17
1 April 1707 Abraham MICHAUX of King William Parish, Henrico County,to Rane LAFORCE, of
Henrico Parish, Henrico County, for 11,574 lbs, as by patent 2 Nov 1705 granted to said Michaux,
being on south side of James River on both sides of Lower Manakin Town Creek.
Wit: Joseph Pleasants, John COX
Recorded 1 Apr 1707
http://www.geneologydatanetwork.com/hdeeds.htm
Deed # 39 pg. 68
2 Nov 1707.
William BYRD of Charles City Co., Esq., to Robert HUDSON of Henrico Co.,
planter, for $250.00 46 acres near a place called Rocks-Dale where said Hudson liveth.
Witnesses: William Randolph, Rene Laforce, William Randolph, Jr, Thomas Eldridge
Signed: William Byrd
Recored 1 Dec 1707
Deed #73 pg. 146
William COCKE of Henrico County, Virginia, planter, for 2480 lbs. Tobacco to Theodorick
CARTER, of same, 124 acres on south side of Chickahominy Swamp, the round hills, and next to
lands taken up by John BEAUCHAMP and Richard COCKE, Sr., dec'd.
Dated: 1 Mar 1708
Witnesses: Giles CARTER, Edward MOSEBY
Signed: William COCKE
Recorded: 1 Mar 1708
Sarah, wife of William, relinquished her dower right by her attorney, James COCKE
1 Mar 1708
Witnesses: Rene LAFORCE, Ann PERRIN
Signed: Sarah COCKE.
Deed #30 pg. 92
1 Aug 1711: John ARCHER and Martha his wife, of Henrico Co., Virginia, to William RANDOLPH, of same, for 20 lbs, 6 several tracts, 961 acres in Bristol Parish, which by will of Peter FIELD, Gent., dec'd were devised to said Martha. Witnesses: Robert BLAWS, Seth WARD Rene LAFORCE Signed: John ARCHER, Martha ARCHER Recorded: 1st Mon in June 1711.
http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/archives/miamis9/M49-50_32a.html LaForce captured by Washington
Power of Attorney pg, 41:
To William RANDLOPH to acknowledge my dower in land my husband sold to Rena
LAFORCE.
Witness: W.J. RANDLOPH
Signed: Susanna MICHAUX
Dated: 23 May 1707
Deed # 39 pg. 68
2 Nov 1707. William BYRD of Charles City Co., Esq., to Robert HUDSON of Henrico Co.,
planter, for $250.00 46 acres near a place called Rocks-Dale where said Hudson liveth.
Witnesses: William Randolph, Rene Laforce, William Randolph, Jr, Thomas Eldridge
Signed: William Byrd
Recored 1 Dec 1707
Deed #41 pg.72
1 Jan 1707. Richard HOLMES of Bristol Parish, Henrico Co., Virginia , to Peter ASHBROOKE,
Sr. of same, for 2500 lbs. Of tobacco, 257 acres on south side of James River on Swift Creek,
adjacent to John BOLLING, Edward BOWMAN, John BOWMAN. Said land was granted to said
HOLMES by patent 2 Nov 1700.
Witnesses: John Bolling, Rene Laforce
Signed: Richard Holmes
Recorded: 2 Feb 1707
Anne, wife of Richard HOLMES relinquishes her dower.
From Augusta County, Virginia Chalkley's Court records
MAY, 1767 (D).
August 8, 1765.--Rene Laforce's deposition (aged about 42). In 1764 he
ordered Robert Cauthon to deliver to Joseph Martin an obligation of Mathew
Lindsey's, payable to Rene. Before Joseph Woodson and William Miller.
August 8, 1765, Agnes Laforce's deposition (aged about 40). August 8,
1765, Robert Cauthon's deposition (aged about 29 years). August 14, 1765,
William Ford's deposition (aged about 64 years). August 14, 1765, George
Chowning's deposition (aged about 32 years).
From Henrico County -Deeds and wills 1706-1845
Deed #17
1 April 1707 Abraham MICHAUX of King William Parish, Henrico County,to Rane LAFORCE, of
Henrico Parish, Henrico County, for 11,574 lbs, as by patent 2 Nov 1705 granted to said Michaux,
being on south side of James River on both sides of Lower Manakin Town Creek.
Wit: Joseph Pleasants, John Cox
Recorded 1 Apr 1707
Deed #25
Power of attorney to William RANDOLPH to acknowledge my dower in land my husband sold to
Rena LAFORCE, dated 23 May 1707.
Susanna MICHAUX
****************************************************
From the Ancestry.com Message Board by Maragret in reply to Debra LaForce Simpson
Dr. Renald Rene de Castlenau de La Force was born about 1660 in Guyenne, Fr. He was reportedly a veterinarian in France but regarded as a people Dr. in America. No one has discovered how or when he arrived in America, but it was before 1700. He was in Henrico Co Va on the James River, was in the Huguenots colony near Danville Va but maybe near by in NC. At any rate. He settled in Botetourt Co, Va / Goochland area. He was named as one of the first magistrates by Gov. Wm. Gooch on 4/23/1728 and died soon thereafter on 9/27/1728. He owned a tract of 1000 acres and another of 900 acres. His will states that he owned a plantation and slaves. His wife was Sarah b. about 1702 and they had 3 children with a fourth being born after his death.
Renald Rene Jr
Sarah (Frances's line) b. 1725 m. William Harding
Rachael b. 1727, died 1754/5 unmarried (we think)
Judith b. 1728/9 m. Robert Burton d. 1820
Virginia Land Grants
Laffoon, Matthew & Nathaniel Aug. 10, 1759 Lunenburg County 400 Great Creek, Patents 34, P. 440
Laffron, S. D. Dec. 3, 1880 Grayson County 80 Iron Mountain
Lafon, John Nov. 9, 1827 Giles County 4 Clover Hollow
Lafon, W. P. July 22, 1898 Giles County 1.5 Clover Hollow
Laforce, James Oct. 1, 1858 Russell County 390 Sand Lick Ridge/Dumps Creek
Laforce, John W. Jan. 1, 1859 Russell County 434 Dumps Creek
Laforce, Rene June 1, 1750 Goochland County 900 s.side James River
LaForce, Rene Feb. 20, 1723 Henrico County 1000 n.side James River
LaFurreer, Anthony Apr. 1, 1641 Upper Norfolk County 300 Western branch Nansemond river, 9 mi. up
card #5
Lockhart, Benjamin Apr. 28, 1711 Nansemond County 130 see James, Joseph, Benjamin, John
sons of Capt. James Lockhart, decd.
card #7
card #39
Lockhart, Patrick Oct. 8, 1803 Botetourt County 1000 on Sinking Creek, branch of New River adj. Benjamin Peck &c
card #41
Descendants of Dr. Rene La Force (revised 3/20/2000)
Generation No. 1
1. Dr. Rene1 La Force1,2 was born abt. 1660 in Guyenne, France (?), and died 27 Sep 1728 in Goochland Co., VA3. He married Sarah unknown Bef. 1720 in VA. She was born abt. 1700, and died 1757 in Goochland Co., VA3.
Notes for Dr. Rene La Force:Rene La Force was reportedly a French Huguenot who fled France because of the persecution of the Protestants there.
The name "La Force" varies from Le Force, Leforce, Laforce, Lefors, Lafoon (?), La Forie, La Fore, to La Foree, etc.
Jacques Nompar de Caumont, Duc de la Force, was born about 1539 ,and died 1634, age 95, at Chateau de la Force at Perigord. His father, Francois de Caumont, and one brother were murdered in 1572. Jacques Nompar fell under the other two and was assumed dead, but survived the massacre. He was disguised and led away to safety by friends. He later became Marshall of France (from BIOGRAPHIE UNIVERSELLE, ANCIENNE ET MODERNE, Vol. 14, pp. 384-385, Paris, 1856, by Michaud).
Some La Force descendants settled in New York and later in Canada. Two La Forces went with LaSalle on an exploration of the Mississippi river and never returned. Other members of the family removed directly from France to Louisiana. In Canada, the La Forces are descended from a line called Pepin dit La Force, "dit" meaning called or known as. The progenitor of the Pepin dit La Force line landed in Canada ca 1634. There Pierre, son of Guillaume, became known as Pierre dit La Force, and one of his brothers was known as dit Descardonnet (per Paul Truax).
In Virginia, there is mention of a Peter La Force as early as 1688, when he is listed as one of 10 persons transported by Thomas Tyas (in Foley, EARLY VIRGINIA FAMILIES, Vol. III, p. 670). Also, one Sarah La Force married Booth Napier ca 1700. Sarah and/or Peter may possible be related to Rene La Force, the subject of this genealogy.
"The de la Force family is of Guyenne origin, belonging to the de Castelnau branch of the noble house of Caumont. Rene LaForce, the emigrant, came from France about 1700 and settled first a few miles from Danville, Virginia; he is reputed to have been a doctor of medicine. Shortly after his arrival in this country, he joined the Huguenot Colony in Henrico County and settled 900 acres of land, adjoining the lands of Chastain and Dutoi. The Rent Rolls of 1704 show him possessed of 1341 acres of land. In 1728, when two new counties were taken from Henrico, he was appointed Justice of Goochland County. He had three children, Rene, who married Agnes Mosby; Sarah, the wife of William Harding of Goochland; and Rachel." (from article by Mrs. Hale Houts, a descendant of William Harding and Sarah LaForce, published in THE HUGUENOT, No. 7).
The date of arrival of Dr. Rene La Force to the American colonies has not been determined. He did not arrive on the two ships bringing the Huguenots to Manakin Town, but may have arrived earlier at some other Huguenot settlements such as those in New York, South Carolina, Georgia or North Carolina. He may have lived in England, Holland or Germany before coming to America, as many of the French Huguenot families were forced to flee to safety wherever they could find a safe haven . Genealogist Charles Hamlin, however, believed that he is the "Rene Massoneau" listed as arriving on the Mary & Ann in August 1700 (see THE HUGUENOT 6, 1933, pp. 82-86). Hamlin also gives the name as "Rene Massoneau LaForie," which he said was a misreading of La Force. Hamlin also stated (in a letter to me dated January 1, 1893) that he (Rene La Force) was on a list of naturalizations in VA 5-12-1705 as "Rene Massoneau La Forie (see Charles Hamlin, VIRGINIA ANCESTORS & ADVENTURERS, Vol. 3, pp. 58-59).
Dr. Rene La Force borrowed money from William Byrd and is mentioned in Byrd's secret diaries. La Force visited Byrd's house on several occasions ca 1705 (William Byrd, THE SECRET DIARY OF WILLIAM BYRD OF WESTOVER (1709-1712), PP. 227, 274, 351, 354, 392).
In a deed recorded in Henrico Co., VA. on April 1, 1707, Anbraham Michaux of King William Parish, Henrico Co. sold "Rane" LaForce land lying on the south side of the James River on botrh side of Lower Manakin Town Creek.He attained some measure of wealth and was an educated man. His name is found as a witness to several wills and inventories in Virginia in the early 1700s. He was appointed one of the first justices-of-the-peace when Goochland County was formed from Henrico in 1728. He died shortly thereafter. His will is recorded in Goochland County, Va., as is that of his widow, Sarah. Her maiden name is unknown, but she is more than likely of French Huguenot origin also.
Some References:Deed books of Henrico and Goochland County, VA. See also Cumberland Co., VA Deeds.
Will Books, Goochland County, VA (will of Rene La Force, Book 1, p. 37; will of Sarah La Force, Book 7, p. 143)
A grant of 1,000 acres in Henrico County on the north side of the James River was received by Rene La Force on February 20, 1723.
Sources:W. Mac Jones, editor, THE DOUGLAS REGISTER, originally published 1928, rpt. Baltimore: Genealogical Publ. Co., 1996.
Francis Burton Harrison, Burton Chronicles of Colonial Virginia. Privately printed, 1933, reprinted by McDowell Publications, 1979.
According to the Burton Chronicles, "...Rene Laforce of Bedford county, a scion of one of the Huguenot families which had settled in Manikin Town on the James river in 1701. He [Rene LaForce] was mentioned in an investigation by the House of Burgesses into an unpleasant incident in Virignia history--the charges against a Burgess, Prosser by name, for irregular transactions in lands. Prosser was expelled from the House. One of his land "deals" had involved Rene Laforce, apparently as a dummy, but the latter vigorously protested his innocence."
Suggestions for corrections/revisions should be sent to my e-mail address is: fcasstev@YadTel.net.
Frances H. Casstevens, March 20, 2000
More About Dr. Rene La Force:elected office: 1728, Justice-of-the-peace, Goochland Co., VA
Occupation: doctor, farmer
Place of burial: Goochland Co., VA
http://www.genealogy.com/users/c/a/s/Frances-H-Casstevens/GENE23-0001.html?Welcome=1051123846
Guyenne : http://www.tourisme.fr/carte/carte-departement-lot-et-garonne.htm
Dr. Renald Rene de Castlenau de La Force was born about 1660 in Guyenne, Fr. He was reportedly a veterinarian in France but regarded as a people Dr. in America. No one has discovered how or when he arrived in America, but is was before 1700. He was in Henrico Co Va on the James River, was in the Huguenots colony near Danville Va but maybe near by in NC. At any rate. He settled in Botetourt Co, Va / Goochland area. He was named as one of the first magistrates by Gov. Wm. Gooch on 4/23/1728 and died soon thereafter on 9/27/1728. He owned a tract of 1000 acres and another of 900 acres. His will states that he owned a plantation and slaves. His wife was Sarah b. about 1702 and they had 3 children with a fourth being born after his death.
Renald Rene Jr
Sarah (Frances's line) b. 1725 m. William Harding
Rachael b. 1727, died 1754/5 unmarried (we think)
Judith b. 1728/9 m. Robert Burton d. 1820
Dr. Renald Rene La Force I
Posted by Dawn on July 24, 2010 · Leave a Comment
We believe Dr. Rene was born in Guyenne France @ Château de Castelnaud. This Château was a de Caumont de la Force property. For a few generations de Caumont de la Force’s were Dukes of la Force & Marshals & Peers of France. We believe he was an extended family member (cousin) as he was not in the direct line & so did not get the title.
According to at least one or two cousins;
In 1721 in London in the Hospital Providence, which was founded for Huguenot emigrants, was a Francois Rene Caumont from this very area. He would have been of the age to have been our Rene’s father.
Also, there is a connection of Rene to Sarah La Force who married Booth Napier in Henrico County, VA (same county as Rene and county where our Rene, Jr and Sarah were born). The county lines changed when Goochland was formed–so they lived in the same geographic area, it just was new county. They had a son Rene Napier so it makes sense to me that she was his sister.
Also, the wife of Daniel Perrot (captain of one of the ships that brought the Huguenot settlers to Manakintowne), was Mary La Force (info from an estate settlement in Holland). This was another sister and was probably her hubby’s ship that brought Rene and his group of 200 Huguenots to VA. He came prior to the settlement so is not listed on ship logs but is listed by the Huguenot Society as a Founding member of the Colony.
I do not think he met Sarah on ship over–I think she came as a daughter of one of the Charter settlers and he met her there. I have a deed that indicated they were married prior to 1720 but not her maiden name. Pastor Finney of Manakintowne was appointed Power of Attorney for her which indicated she was a member of the Colony and may not have spoken any English–or could not read and write.
The reason Judith is not mentioned in Rene’s will: he died in Sept 1728 and she was born between that Sept and March–which is when the 1st of the year started at that time, so was after his death. The reason Sarah did not include Rachael in her will was that Rachael died before Sarah.
Some more confusion to the story: Rene was also referred to as of the Castlenau branch of the Caumont de La Force family. If I remember correctly this would have been because land they held came through the female line—but not necessarily Rene’s mother.
Dr. Renald Rene La Force came to Virginia prior to 1694 as the leader of a group of about 200 French Huguenots who were fleeing because of persecution. They bought land near what is Danville, Va (on the “word” of a representive of the government of the Commonwealth of VA). When they arrived to take possession of the land, they discovered it was still occupied by Indians and totally unsuited for raising Catawaba grapes and raising cattle. Evidently, the government (William Byrd, governor) did not see fit to reimburse them for the land because they had to go into debt to him to purchase new land near the area where Manakintowne was settled around 1699-1701. Rene collected the monies from his group and took them to Byrd to make payments. Byrd invited him to “sup” with him but Rene refused. This is a characteristic of my branch of La Forces. They are stubborn and would not dine socially with someone they felt had wronged them or those they were responsible for. (from William Byrd’s Secret Diary)
Rene also kept a Diary. Judith’s daughter Mary Burton m. to Dr. William Patton Fearne was the last to have possession of it. Dr. Fearne,Jr had it published in 1898 but we have NOT been able to find a copy of it. What a treasure that would be.
I do not have a copy of the part of William Byrd’s Diary that tells about Rene and his group. This info was given me by one of Sarah’s descendants. He tells about them buying the land elsewhere and having to buy new land but I don’t think he admits that one of their land agents ripped them off, but he wrote it like he was insulted that Rene refused his invitation. You know he was one of the most influential men in Colonial VA. But we La Forces have a sense of Justice and aren’t easily swayed by “influential men”. William Byrd’s Secret Diary is found in most of the major libraries, especially where they have a good history section. I don’t know if it can be gotten by interlibrary loan–probably not as it would be a reference book
I think they came directly to the Commonwealth of Va since this was where the land they first purchased was located. It is my opinion that they bought new land as soon as they discovered the first land was not suitable to their needs. What I wonder is: what became of this land? I have searched the old records of NC and have not found any transactions there. Have not had the opportunity to search Pittsylvania Co, VA for records. However, this is where Judith lived (at least for awhile with husband Capt Robert Burton. He was older than her and she is married to Samuel Paul and living in Caswell then Orange Co, NC ca 1780 so Burton must have died either in Pitt. Co, Va or Orange Co, NC.
Some of Sarah and William Harding’s son’s went to what is now Yadkin Co, NC. Hardings still live there.
I don’t think Rene, Jr and Agnes ever lived in NC. I think the person that did the interviews got that wrong. They met Daniel Boone’s group in Moccasin Gap and continued on with them so everyone may have assumed the entire group was from NC. Agnes just says after they left the “great Commonwealth” that could have been either state–but we know that they bought that land in Botetourt in Aug of 1780 and sold it in Sept 1780. I think they intended to settle there but changed their minds because of the political climate or because they saw an opportunity for a new start in Kentucky Co, VA.
Dr. Renald Rene La Force I
Sarah Unknown
Renald Rene La Force II
Judith La Force
Sarah La Force
Rachel La Force
According to this site, the lords of Caumont carried the titles Sires, Lords, Barons, & Marquis de Caumont until 1637 when duc de la Force was added. Their origin was unknown & is forever lost in time. It’s also not known if they gave their name to their land or their land gave their name to them. But about the 10th Century they were very powerful therefore became known.
A monk who died in 1008 said that during the siege of Toulouse by the Normans in 855, the city was defended by the Lords of Caumont.
In the Middle Ages, there were 3 branches of Lords of Caumont:
- The Lords of Caumont, senior branch
- The Lords of Lauzun
- The Lords of Ste Bazeille
To learn more about the Château visit this site: Château de Caumont.
