Social History

Baptism and godparents, 17th century

Insight into the 17th-century parent's mind, from Pierre Le Roy's MSS notebook. Published in 1893, it was edited by the Reverend George Lee, who gives the original French and a translation. Pierre was the schoolmaster of St Martin's parish.

Lords of Manors

Fiefs and their Seigneurs. From Guerin's Almanack, 1890, in the Library's News Cuttings on Guernsey IV, p. 79, Staff.

Les Paysans and Le Lorier

A Farmer's Vacation 1873, the Longue Pierre, Priaulx Library Collecition

From Report and Transactions of the Societe Guernesiaise 1892; Report of the Archaeological Section, by J James Carey.

The Journal of Jane Maria Barlow, 1833-38

Jane Saumarez nee Barlow as an old lady from the Priaulx Library Collection

Primary concern: Prettiness of self and other girls. Where are all the beaux? Were all the men really either tall or handsome in the 1830s? Obviously not: 'De Beauvoir De Lisle renewed his attentions which I am sorry for, I shall be obliged to draw a line.' A very annoyed Savery Brock bursts a blood vessel. Guernsey has very bad pavements. The photograph from the Library Collection shows a very benevolent-looking Jane in her old age, many years after this diary was written.

A sorry tale: the duel between Thomas Andros and Kenneth Beauvais, 1780

A duel mentioned by Elisha Dobrée in his Diary (which covers the years 1753-1789). Kenneth Beauvais was mortally wounded, though it was considered a duel 'with general good consequences.'

J H Ingrouille, 1916

At the meeting of the Loyal Guernsey Lodge of Oddfellows, held at Lower St Julian's last evening, the officers wore mourning regalia as a tribute of respect to the late Mr J H Ingrouille, who was one of the founders of this great Friendly Society. The following may be read with interest by local Oddfellows: Mr John Ingrouille was the survivor of half-a-dozen Guernseymen on whom rested the honour of starting the great Friendly Society movement in this island. In the upper room of the café in the States Arcade, then a hotel kept by Bro. Rougier, was formed by the six, the Loyal Guernsey Lodge…

1831, a dreadful summer for accidents

From Henry Tourtel of St Martin's Commonplace Book, 1817-1831, in the Library.

A fast worker: Ozanne versus Peddle, February 1837

An appeal to the Royal Court. From the Comet, February 16, 1837.

The notorious Frenchman D'Orlean, 1836

'I have cured persons whom the Doctors had given up; if I am guilty it is of that.' The King versus D'Orléan, the conclusion of a protracted case which opened in the Royal Court, Saturday, December 10th, 1836. Much of the evidence was heard in camera. D'Orléan was practising as a veterinary surgeon. The folk of the country parishes—Judith Lainé, the Bichards, Rihoys, Reniers, Mahys, Galliennes and Ogiers, in this case—are as usual regarded as ill-educated and credulous by Guernsey's sophisticated urbanites. The details of the case are reported in the Comet of February 6, 1837.

James Ollivier, 1836

'A most audacious fellow.' From the Comet, July 14th 1836.

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