Kilmon Family History & Genealogy

This is the story of how two families, one in "New France" (Amery) and the other in Virginia, came together.

Before we get started, lets talk about the "dit" names and what is meant by Emery dit Coderre.

At the beginning of the 1660s, the small population of New France is increasingly menaced by the Iroquois. The King of France decides to send the Régiment Carignan-Salières to subdue the natives. The Regiment of 1,000 men arrives in Québec in the Spring of 1665. It is made up of 20 companies composed of a captain, a lieutenant, an ensign, two sergeants, three corporals, five enspassades, and 40 soldiers. Antoine Emery dit Coderre was in one of these companies called the Contracoeur Company, named after its captain, Antoine Pecaudy de Contrcoeur. Contraceour was born in 1596 and was granted letters of nobility from Louis XIV in 1661. At the age of 71 he married a 15 year old girl from Quebec, Barbe Denys. In 1672 he received the concession of the Seigneury of Contraceour consisting of two square leagues of land (almost 14 square miles) on the South Bank of the St. Lawrence River between Fort St-Louis and Fort Richelieu and Antoine received 90 arpents (76 acres).

The Régiment de Carignan-Salières faces the Iroquois then the Dutch of Schenectady in New York State. In 1667, peace is reestablished in the region. The soldiers are then offered settlement in the colony and farmland on the banks of the St-Lawrence. More than 400 agree to remain here. They form an important part of French Canadians’ ancestors.

In 1669, Louis XIV creates the official structure of the militia. There are no longer any regular troops in the country but a large proportion of the population has served in the army. The martial spirit is still present. All the [male] inhabitants of the country from 16 to 60 years old are divided into companies under the orders of captains, lieutenants, and ensigns. The officers of the Régiment de Carignan become seigneurs. The former soldiers become militiamen. The new seigneurs continue to call the tenant farmers by their noms de guerre. The soldier-censitaires hand down their nicknames to their wives and children. Since the sons do not serve in the regular army, they do not have to change their family names.

One cousin in the Emery family went to France to research the origin of the name Emery and how the alias Coderre was added:

Fleurent Emery, in his paper "The Dawn of a Beautiful History", published in Memoires de la Societe Genealogique Canadienne-Francaise (Vol 37 No. 1 Spring 1986) and translated by my cousin Cyrille Lavigne, quotes from Pierre Chessex, who in his work entitled "The Origin of Person's Names", cites AMALARIKO as an example of an official Germanic name, determines its origin and even gives the meaning of its elements.
"During the 6th century A.D. a son of Alaric II became King of the Visigoths, taking the name AMALARIKO. If we can believe the experts, this Germanic name was formed from the adjective "amala" meaning "active, hard-working", and the suffix "riko", which means "chief, king". AMALARIKO could therefore have meant "the on who is very active, or even better, "the hard-working king".
We find this official name under different spellings; AMALRIC, AMULRICK, AMELRICH, AMALRICO, HAMELRICK, EMELRICK etc. It was latinized into AMALRICUS and AMALDRICUS and used by various kings and celebrities of latter middle ages. In Franc and in French Switzerland, this name was known as AMALRIC, AIMERIC AMAURY and AYMERY. By dropping its initial letter, AMAURY became MAURY, and was used firstly as a Christian name and then as a family name. Similarly, AYMERY became EMERY, a French family name, evolving from a first name. In Italian, the same Germanic name became AMERICO or AMERIGO. It was the first name of the Florentine navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, who visited the New World, which had already been discovered by Columbus, four times. After his voyages, Vespucci published his famous reports (1499, 1501 and 1502), following which the German cartographer Martin Walzemuller decided to give the New World the Florentine's first name; America. Thus, the double and immense continent discovered in the 15th Century bears the name of the ancient King of the Visigoths."

So what we find out is that one of our family names is the same derived from that which our country was named after.


Fleurent Emery continues:
"This name, which was originally individual and for life, thus became over the years a family name and was widely used as a first name in France due to the popularity of Aimerie de Narbonne."

Fleurent Emery visited France between Aug 12 and Oct 21, 1984 and he found the baptismal record of THONY EYMERY in the registers of the parish of SARRAZAC. Under the heading, "Origin of the Surname CODERRE" he wrote, "After planning the trip which would bring me to SARRAZAC, I left PERIGUEUX by train, early in the morning of 20 August 1984, travelling as far as the town of THIVIERS, some 40 kilometres away, and from there I proceeded on foot another 11 kilometres to the birthplace of our ancestor. It was a splendid day and all along this route (D.81) through forests and valleys, I relived the 17th Century, stopping only to pick a few small ripe apples. Some 8 kilometres from THIVIERS, at a right-hand fork in the road, there was a road sign indicating: LE BUISSON, LE PETIT CHAMP, LE VIEUX SARRAZAC.

I decided to explore this secondary road, an unplanned side trip, in the hopes of finding some trace of our ancestors. I saw only a few clusters of ruined houses before I came to the end of the secondary road and found another road sign, pointing this time in the opposite direction, indicating: LE VIEUX SARRAZAC, LE PETIT CHAMP, LE BUISSON.

It was then that I met a farmer who explained that along the road I had just walked there were still groups of houses which in France retain the name of the location. He also said the he was actually the owner of one of the houses on the site called LE VIEUX SARRAZAC, in front of which we were now chatting. And while explaining this custom, he pointed to another cluster of buildings known locally by the name "LE CODERC" (See Footnote No. 1) The farmer noted my amazement, so I hurried to explain my nearly audible: "EUREKA!!".

It was obvious that our ancestor, ANTOINE EYMERY, added in New France, whether by personal choice or otherwise, a nickname that he must have cherished as fond memory of his little natal corner; a nickname that prevails to this day, having the family name of the beautiful and great line of CODERRES.

The same farmer assured me that on his land, about 50 metres from the road on the opposite side of the buildings at LE VIEUX SARRAZAC, there stood, half buried the remains of a stone vault, said to be a part of the first church at SARRAZAC. Subsequent research, based on the erection date of the present church, indicated to me the place where THONY EYMERY (your 9X great grandfather, Steph)was really baptized; in the actual village of LE VIEUX SARRAZAC, a few hundred metres from the paternal roof. After extending my thanks and bidding goodbye to this kind farmer, I hurried to LE CODERC to photograph there all the old buildings with the permission of the owners. I then made an extensive exploration of the surrounding area as far as the neighbouring creek, called; "LE LAVAU", which flows under the road leading to the village of NANTHIAT, following which I made my way back to the village of SARRAZAC. Just at the entrance to this pretty village, a road sign (at the junction of Routes D81 and C203) indicated the way to LE CODERC. The 1.3 kilometres shown on this sign represented exactly the bit of road that I had just covered.

It is undeniable that the ancestor of all the EMERY dit CODERRES and CODERRES in America lived in the village of LE CODERC in his youth, since on the baptismal extract that I have for his brother Pierre, born in 1628, this place of residence is clearly shown."

Footnote (1) According to the "Petit Histoire de Perigueux" by R. Benoit, the word CODERC is derived from the Perigourding word COUDERC, which means " courtyard, open place, covered part of a playground or common pasture land".

OK, so now that you know where our French family name comes from, lets do that side of the family starting with your 10X great grandparents Me'gny Emery (b. 1620) and Marguerite Pasquier (b. 1621) married in 1641 in Sarrazac, St. Hilarie, Ev de Perigueux, Dordogne, France. They had two sons, Antoine Emery dit Coderre, your 9X great grandfather, born Aug 6, 1643 in Sarrazac, France, died Feb 10, 1715 in Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada and Geoffrey Emery, born August 24, 1646, Sarrazac. Antoine was, at age 22, a member of the famous Carignan Regiment and was ordered by King Louis XIV ro Canada to help fight the Iroquois. He left with his Company, the Contracoeur, from La Rochelle on the ship La Paix on May 13, 1665 and arrived at the Port of Taddousac in New France (Canada) on August 17, 1665. The Company helped with the building of Fort Chambly on the St. Lawrence River and wintered in Montreal. Megny was also a soldier in the Carignan Regiment and came to Canada in 1688 and fought at Battle of Contracoeur.Antoine married twice. He first married Marie De Vault on February 24, 1668 and they had 11 children. Marie died December 6, 1687. Seven months later, on June 5, 1688, the 45 year old Antoine married 15 year old Marie Anne Favreau dit Deslauriers (b. 1671 d. april 3, 1737), the daughter of your 10X great grandparents, Pierre Favreaux dit Deslauriers (b. 1636 d. May 26, 1708) and Marthe Madeleine Benoit, a fille du Roi (b. 1653 d. June 18, 1725). I have attached a copy of the marriage contract dated June 5, 1688. Antoine's new father in law was one of his fellow soldiers who sailed with him in 1665. Antoine and Marie had an additional 10 children. To encourage populating the colony, Louis XIV paid a family 300 livres a year when they had 10 children, 400 for 12. The more children they had, the more money they received. 100 Livres was the equivalent of $1,425.00 today. This means that Antoine received the equivalent of $8,500.00 a year from the King.
Your 10X great grandmother Marthe Benoit was a Fille Du Roi, "Daughter of the King. The filles Du Roi were women who were paid and given dowrys by the King to sail to Canada and marry French colonists. We will only consider the 10 children Antoine had with Marie Anne Favreau since they are our direct line. The nine children were:


Pierre Emery dit Coderre, born 1689
Antoine Emery dit Coderre, born June 4, 1690
Anne Marie Emery dit Coderre, Born Mar 19, 1692
Louis Emery dit Coderre, born June 1, 1694
Catherine Emery dit Coderre, born Feb 24, 1696 Married Michel Bouvier, son of Urbain Bouvier in 1717. Related to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Joseph Emery dit Coderre, born Feb 24, 1698
Francois Emery dit Coderre, born 1700
Jean Emery dit Coderre, born Jan 23, 1703
Gabriel Emery dit Coderre, born 1705
Jacques Emery dit Coderre, borm Aug 2, 1708

Joseph Emery dit Coderre married twice. First to Marie Perrin (b. 1702 d. Jan 13, 1729) on July 16, 1725 and they had 2 children. She died young. and second to Marie Louise Brunet dit Bourbonnais (b. Nov 7, 1717) on April 30, 1737. It is through the Brunet dit Bourbonnais (meaning "House of Bourbon") that we are related to the French Kings of the House of Bourbon. Also attached is our coat of arms family flag that we inherit from your 7X great grandmother Marie Louise Brunet dit Bourbonnais. I also have her lineage going back to your 13th and 14th great grandparents in France in the 1500's. The family names of your direct ancestors are Beauvais dit Jeme ou St. Gemme, Tichot, Crevier dir Cronier, St. Martin Perche, Solde, David, Denoyan, Coillard. I mention these families because you inherited their genes as well as the genes of the Kilmons, Cavedos, Emerys, Darbys and Havilands. Eventually we'll weave everything in a tree that makes sense.
Joseph and Mary Louise, married April 30, 1737 and had 3 children, Francoise Emery dit Coderre, b. Sept 1740; Genvieve d. 1755; Etienne Joseph Emery dit Coderre b. Sept 11, 1744 d. April 5, 1784 married Marie Jeanne Parent 16 Jan 1774 and had one child Luc Emery dit Coderre b. Jan 11, 1775 d. Jan 12, 1853 at Goode Pointe, Ontario. Luc married Charlotte Tiriac dit LaForest b. 1778 d. Nov 5, 1846. He was called “St. Luc” and was one of the original founders of Dover Township. St. Luc Bay on Lake Clair was named after him. This area was settled by francophone (French-speaking) farmers and soldiers including the Emerys in the mid-nineteenth century. These include Pain Court, Tilbury and Grande Pointe, where French is still spoken by the Emerys and a significant percentage of the population. These communities are designated French language service areas under Ontario's French Language Services Act. Luc and Marie Jeanne had 11 children,

Charlotte b. Sept 30, 1803 d. June 19, 1886;
Luc Emery dit Coderre b. Sept 1805 d. 1-12-1885
Rosalie b. 9-11-1808
Emerence b. 1807 d. 6-25-1854
Marie b. 1810 d. Nov 13, 1855
Alexis b. 1812?
Genevieve b. 8-12-1817
Joseph b. 10-5-1819
Suzanne b. 2-27-1813
Victoire* b. 2-17-1815
Francois

Luc Emery (senior) was 37 years old and a soldier when he participated with the British forces under General Isaac Brock, Canadian regulars and Chief Tecumseh, a force of 500, in the siege of Fort Detroit, held by 2,500 Americans led by General William Hull. Hull surrendered because of a ruse thought up by Tecumseh which made Hull believe he was outnumbered. Hull surrendered to the French, British and Indians on August 16, 1812. Luc's next two children, Suzanne and Victoire were born in York after the victory at Detroit. Luc must have fought in both campaigns. Luc married Marie Charlotte Hebert (b. 9-30-1805 d. 6-19-1886) on 11-13-1828. They had 16 children:

Charlotte b. Oct 4, 1829 d. Sept 1, 1830
Marie b. May 30, 1831 d. Feb 13, 1855
Luc b. 1833 d. Aug 10, 1848
Alexis b. Oct 25, 1834 d. Feb 20, 1873
Charles b. Oct 29, 1836 d. Dec 15, 1894
Francois Sept 21, 1838 d. July 10, 1912
Joseph b. May 2, 1840 d. Nov 3, 1840
Jean-Baptiste b. Sept 15, 1841
Joseph b. Aug 29, 1843 d. Oct 25, 1931 Joseph became a Protestant faith healer and must have been rejected by his strict Catholic parents. He was raised by his grandparents and Jean-Baptiste ("Johnny") moved away with him. Joseph was left one dollar in Luc's will in 1885
Helene b. March 13, 1845 d. Aug 22, 1876
Adele April 28, 1847
Felice b. Jan 1, 1849
Jacques ("James/Jimmy") b. Aug 18, 1850 d. Sept 26, 1908
Antoine b. April 7, 1852 d. April 17, 1936 twins
Edesse b. April 7, 1852 d. Mar 9, 1932 twins
Elizabeth ("Betsy") b. May 9, 1854

Charles Emery married Catherine Primeau (b. Feb 27, 1845 d. Aug 16, 1913) on July 7, 1874. They has twelve children:

Joseph married Georgina
Cephar d. 1936 married Susan Luzon
Noah married Helen Carter
Theodore married Mardine LePuse
Delphis
Gilbert married Belle Newman
Leon
Mary married Noah Carter
Maggie married Jim Newman
Valerie married Archie Barnet
Emma b. 1877 married Levi Walton Kilmon. He was also a seaman and great grandad Thomas' cousin. They met the Emery sisters in Chatham, Ontario.
Julie Rose b. Feb 6, 1864 d. Dec 1940 in Baltimore. Married Thomas Henry Kilmon b. Aug 7, 1857 d. 1945 Moved to Baltimore 1910. She got to hold me as an infant and I remember my great grandad, Tom.

Thomas Henry Kilmon and Julie Rose Emery had 10 chilfren:

Rosabelle "Rosie" b. Dec 9, 1883
Charles Emery Kilmon b.Jan 24, 1887 d. 1975 married Lola Kirby b. 1887 d. 1977 Aunt Lola gave me some of this information
Thomad Addison Clark Kilmon b. Oct 16, 1890 d. 1949 married Susanna Harrison b. Virginia, daughter of Thomas Henry Harrison, d. 1924 and Ella James d. 1935. I need to research Grandmom's side. They had 3 children:

Thomas Henry Kilmon "Uncle Tom" b. 1910 Died in California living with Dad. Need date. Married Hilda ? 2 children, Delores and Kenneth.
Mary Frances Kilmon "Aunt Frances" b. 1917 d. 1985? First marriage Lawrence Kline. 2 children Russell Kline and Charles Kline (died ?) Second marriage Vernon Brooks, no children.
Charles Russell Kilmon, Sr. b. Baltimore 1915 d. Whittier, Ca 2000, married Margaret Betty Darby b. 1917 d. 1977.
Franklin Scott Kilmon
Frances Ellen b. Sept 10, 1892 d. 1967 married Irvin Allen Crowe b. 1879 d. 1949
Samuel Trippe Kilmon b. May 29, 1895
Margaret Clare McElderry Kilmon b. June 9, 1897 d. Sept, 1893 Married Jack Thomas
Marian Valetta Kilmon b. March 11, 1902 d. 1984 married Wilber Harris. One of her 5 children was Edith Harris who married Bill Ford. They lived in Woodberry and although cousins, I called them "Uncle Bill" and "Aunt Edith." Uncle Bill, who taught at Johns Hopkins, is the one who taught me Greek and taught me the value of disciplined scholarship.
Annie Viola Kilmon b. Sept 16, 1906 d. Dec 4, 1906
William Henry Edwin Kilmon b. August 24, 1904 d. Sept 29, 1905

Charles Russell Kilmon, Sr. and Margaret Betty Darby had two children Charles Russell Kilmon, Jr. b. Aug 5, 1938 and Joseph Addison Kilmon b. Oct 31, 1940. Divorced 1944 Charles Sr. remarried, another Margaret, two children, Michel Patrick Kilmon and Timothy Kilmon, Whittier, California. . I'll ask Pat for specifics.

Charles Russell Kilmon, Jr. Married Beverly Haviland. They had 4 children:
Charles Russell Kilmonm III "Rusty"
Denise
Stephanie
Joseph LeRoy "Joey"