Joseph Ludwig Maffre (1817 - 1881)

Born 10 Aug 1817 in Somers Town, London, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Son of Joseph Maffre Sr. and Lucy (Thomas) Maffre

Husband of Marie Julie Theophile (Perrault) Maffre — married 28 Jun 1843 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Husband of Jane (Carruthers) Maffre — married 22 Apr 1858 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Husband of Therese Totennhoan (Leseuer) Maffre — married 1865 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Descendants

Died 2 Aug 1881 at age 63 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Biography

Joseph Jr. was born in 1817 to Joseph Maffre and Lucy Thomas in the Somers Town area of London, England. He was baptized in St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Chapel, located a few blocks to the north of their home at 25 Wellesley Street. His godparents were Marc François Jouan and Mary Jouan Gree dit Lavigne.

In 1836, at age 18, Joseph joined the 71st Highland Light Infantry when they were stationed in Dublin. They sailed to Canada in 1838 following the Nov-Dec 1837 Rebellion and were stationed in St Johns, south of Montreal. In 1841, he transferred to the 1st King Dragoon Guards in Chambly, Quebec. In 1841, his father started a private music practice in Montreal and began working to get his son released from his military obligations. He was discharged in April 1842.

In 1843, Joseph married Julie Theophile Perrault in Montreal. From 1844 to 1857, they lived at 58 Sanguinet Street, close to Joseph's father and the music business. It was while at this location that they had eight children, three of whom reached adulthood.

Joseph's parents died in July 1849, probably from the cholera that was killing the troops of the 19th and 71st Regiments who were garrisoned in unclean quarters in the city. In 1850, he set himself up as a Professor of Music and may have begun teaching music during the summers in Waterloo, Quebec. In July 1852, a fire destroyed nearly 400 houses in Montreal, one of which was Joseph's. In 1855, Henry Prince published the Mermaid Polka that reads “as played by Maffré & Prince’s Quadrille Band”.

Julie died 1857 in Montreal due to tuberculosis at age 38. After her death, Fred 4, Charles Antoine 5, and Georgiana 10 were raised by their 64-year-old great-aunt Julie Couvrette. Leopold Alfred 13 was apparently raised by his father and stepmother. Mme Couvrette's nickname was Ta-Ta which is possibly childspeak for tante, meaning aunt. By this time, Mme. Couvrette's husband had died and she may have already been living with the family. Certainly Julie and her children would have needed caretaking during Julie’s illness.

In 1858, Joseph married in Montreal to Jane Carruthers who was born in Scotland. In 1859, they had twin daughters, one of whom died at 8 months. From 1862 to 1872, he lived in an apartment building at 72 St. Maurice Street. In 1863, Jane died after only 5 years of marriage. Their daughter Anna was adopted by Raphael Cook and his wife in New York. His other children were much older and wouldn’t have needed as much looking after: L.A. was 20, Georgiana was 17, Charles Antoine had probably died by this time, and Fred was now 11.

In 1865, Joseph married Theresa Leseuer, an Indigenous woman who was born in 1843 and hailed from near Cowansville. They had two children. Joseph may have met Therese when he was leading a tour of musicians through the Eastern Townships. In about 1871, he may have begun spending more of the year in Waterloo than in Montreal.

In 1880, age 63, Joseph was knocked down and seriously injured by a horse leaving the livery of the American House Hotel, located on St. Henry and St. Maurice in Montreal. Passersby recognized him, wrapped him in a buffalo robe, and brought him home.

Joseph passed away in 1881of an aneurism a few days short of age 65.

The Catholic Register, volume 14, miscellaneous 9, p. 311-312

Certificate D. [Joseph Ludwig] Maffré was born 10 August 1817, at 6 o’clock in the evening at Weselley [Wellesley] Street, number 25, in the parish of St. Pancras, son of Joseph Maffré and of Anne [Lucy] Thomas his wife, married in Lymington 1814. The father, son of the late Barthelemy Maffré and of Cecile Ordi, was born in Bastia in Corsica and baptized on the fonds of the Cathedral of St. Omery [Santa Maria] in October 1794. The Godfather was Jouan. The Godmother was [crossed out]. Of the Vine.

Certificate E. Extract from the Baptismal Registry of the Chapel of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, in the canton of Sommerstown in the London district.

Born the 10th in the month August and year 1817, and the 12th same month and year baptized was Joseph Ludwig Maffre, son of Joseph and Lucy Maffre (formerly Thomas) married. Godfather was Mark Francois Jouan. Godmother designate was Mary Gree. Of the vine, by me J. Nevincka M.A. [Missionary Apostle]

I, Claude Guerry, priest, bear witness to the preceding extract in all things conforms to the Register: in whose faith this testimony my hand writes below. Sommer’s town, the Vigesimá Sectâ month of August, year 1817. C. Guerry, Priest.

The Montreal Transcript, July 18, 1857

DIED.

In this city, on the 15th instant, Marie Julie Perrault, wife of Mr Joseph Maffre, Professor of Music, aged 37 years and 11 months.

Advertiser and Eastern Townships Advocate, January 26, 1865

MARRIED.

MAFFRE—LESSARD.— At Montreal, by the Rev. Mr. Elliot, Mr. Joseph Maffre of Knowlton, to Miss Therese Lessard, of Montreal.

Montreal Evening Post, January 10, 1880

SERIOUS ACCIDENT—About five o’clock yesterday afternoon an aged man named Joseph Maffre, professor of music, while passing the gate of the American House yard, on St. Henry street, was knocked down by a horse which was being driven out into the street. He was picked up bleeding, and seemed to be severely injured. As he was recognized by some parties present, he was sent without delay to his residence.

1861 Canadian Census in Montreal:

• Jos Moffre 39 Musicien born England married
• His family is not listed

1881 Canadian Census in St. Anne Ward, Montreal:

• Joseph Maffre 64 musician
• wife Terase or Jeran (ethnic origin: Indian) 38
• son Joseph 11
• daughter Lucian 10

Sources

• 1817 Pylewell House Roman Catholic Chapel, Hampshire baptism record [1] 1817 Non-conformist records 1817 England Births
• Notre Dame Cathedral wedding records
• 1843 Trinity Chapel Anglican Church marriage records
• The Montreal Transcript, July 18, 1857
• 1861 Canadian Census as Jos Moffre
• Advertiser and Eastern Townships Advocate, January 26, 1865
• Montreal Evening Post, January 10, 1880
• 1881 Canadian Census[2]
• Findagrave profile

Genetic Genealogy

• All relationships between Marjorie Mikasen and George Thomas and Hannah Burnett are confirmed by a GEDMatch.com test match between Marjorie Mikasen and L.C., fifth cousins once removed. The common ancestors are Mikasen’s 4X great grandparents. The common ancestors are L.C.’s 5X great grandparents. The shared autosomal DNA is 32.7 cM shared over 2 segments