The Bangle Files Dictionary

Are you confused with the various names mentioned in the Bangle Files’ posts? Since the beginning, I have mainly written about the people of the first three generations. Who are they?

Generation 1
• Adam Bangle (Marie Davis)

Generation 2
Adam and Marie Davis’ Children
• John (1-Josephte Allaire/2-Louise Couvillon)
• William (Marie Tourville)
• Henry
• Catherine (Jacob Schmidt)
• Peter

Generation 3
John’s and Josephte Allaire’s Children
John*
• Josephte (Joseph Fontaine)
• Catherine
• Mary (William Hogan)

John’s and Marie-Louise Couvillon’s Children
Louis* (Angélique Duhaut-Jasmin)

William and Marie Tourville’s Children
• William (Thérèse Lippé)
• Andrew (Mary Ann Bullock)
• Marie-Madeleine (Benjamin Cormier)
• Pierre
• Charles (Mary Ann Bullock)
• Joseph (Joseph*/Theodate Yeaton)
• Elizabeth (François-Xavier Zace)
• Reine (André Perreault)
• Félix (Philip*/Polly Ann Loing)
• Catherine (1-John B Miner/2-Francis Gomo)
• Angèle (Louis Brien-Desrochers)

Catherine and Jacob Smith’s Children
• Catherine Smith
• Jacob Smith (1-Françoise Aucoin/2-Zoé Desfosses)
• Mary Smith
• Elizabeth Smith
• Ann Smith
• Christine Smith
• Magdelen Smith
• George Smith

* Relationships yet to be confirmed; still under investigation. Deceased infants have not been listed.

You will find below a Bangle Dictionary to help you understand the various posts published for The Bangle Files.


BangleBangle is the spelling I have come to adopt for the standardization of our featured family's surname. The signature of Adam Bangle makes me wonder if he was literate, because his name seems to be Bingel or Bengil, depending on the document. In the United States, Bangle was largely used. In Québec, the priest would first write Pingle or other variations as the B is pronounced as a P in German. Afterwards, Bengle and Bingle were mostly used in Québec. Adam's grandsons Andrew and Charles used Bangle, but—interesting fact—they were both married to women of English heritage. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, AdamAdam Bangle (?-1800) is the patriarch of our Bangle family. He came from Germany in 1764 aboard the Jennefer, arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Less than a year later, he settled in New York State, along the Mohawk River, in the current county of Montgomery. A loyalist during the War of Independence, after spending some time in Charlottenburgh, Ontario, he reappeared around 1786 in Terrebonne, Québec, along with his wife, Marie Davis, his sons John, William, and Peter, and his daughter Catherine. The fate of his son Henry is unfortunately unknown. Adam died on May 9, 1800—probably in Terrebonne—and was buried the next day in Montréal. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, CatherineCatherine Bangle (1770-aft 1844) is the only daughter (as far as we know) of Adam Bangle, the patriarch, and Marie Davis. Born on October 23, 1770, near Palatine, in today's Montgomery County, NY, she was baptized nearby at the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, in the village of Stone Arabia. As the daughter of a Loyalist family, she left with her parents who first went to Ontario and later settled in Terrebonne, Québec. At age 16, she married Jacob Schmidt on June 22, 1787, at Christ Church Cathedral, in Montréal—they had 8 children. Catherine died after 1844, probably in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, HenryHenry Bangle (1768-?) was born in the Mohawk River Valley. He was in Charlottenburgh, Ontario, with his parents Adam Bangle and Marie Davis, when they moved up north as Loyalists. His death place and date are unknown, although we assume he died before 1800 as his father’s will do not mention his name while precisely mentionning that he has another son—John » and explaining why he did not include John in the will. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, JohnJohn Bangle (?-?) was born in Germany and probably came with his parents, Adam and Marie, when they emigrated to the United States in 1764. John has participated in the Revolutionary War for New York Province and Pennsylvania. He was taken prisoner and sent to the Province of Québec and later on joined the British loyalists. Sources suggested that he went back to New York. We know for sure Bangles’ land was confiscated and all moved to Terrebonne, Québec. He first married Josephte Allaire, date unknown, then Marie-Louise Couvillon in 1796. As for the rest, he is our mystery man: first marriage not found, elusive children, lost will, imprisoned wife, sentence of prison for murder. This investigation is endless. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, PeterPeter Bangle (~1773-1790) was born about 1773, probably in the Mohawk River Valley. He was in Charlottenburgh, Ontario, with his parents Adam Bangle and Marie Davis, when they moved up north as Loyalists. Peter died in Montréal in 1790 at age 17. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Bangle, WilliamWilliam Bangle (1765-1821) was the first child of Adam and Marie to be born in America, on September 6, 1765, in Palatine, NY. He joined the King's Royal Regiment of New York during the Revolutionary War. In 1786, at age 19, he arrived in Montreal and, at age 28, he married Marie Tourville, most probably in Terrebonne, Québec. The couple had twelve children. William's occupations were diverse: miller, laborer, voyageur and farmer. William also owned a few lands in or near Terrebonne. His family later moved to the Berthierville and Joliette areas. William died on February 2, 1821, at age 55. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Charlottenburgh (Ontario)Before ending up in Terrebonne around 1786 and after joining the King's Royal Regiment of New York as loyalists during the course of the Revolutionary War, in 1784, the Bangles settled in a military camp located along the Saint Lawrence River, in Charlottenburgh, Glengarry County, Ontario, which is one-hour drive from Montréal today. We have the proof that Adam (wife Marie and daughter Catherine) as well as sons William, Henry and Peter were present in this camp. We know that Peter Bangle died in Montréal in 1790 but we have no evidence up to now as to Henry's fate. [Updated March 6, 2018]
DavisDavis is the other surname that John Bangle went by—his mother's maiden name—like "dit names" used by French Canadians. His daughters, and possibily his son John—if relationship is proven—alternately used this surname. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Davis, MarieMarie Davis (~1731-1805) was born about 1731, in Germany. We know that she was married to Adam Bangle when she arrived with him in America in November 1764 as she gave birth to William in September 1765, and that their son John, born in Germany, was most likely their eldest. Marie died on October 28, 1805, in Sorel. We can thank the Québec notaries and the Catholic Church, because without them we would have never ascertained Marie's maiden name. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Engagement ContractEngagement contracts involving the Bangles intervened between a fur company and a voyageur and were signed before a notary public. We know that William—as well as his nephew John Davis (Bangle) Jr.—made it to Upper Canada. There were two types of voyageurs: those who made the trip up to Grand Portage and came back to Montréal in the fall; and the others, the hivernants, who spent the winter and made the return trip almost 18 months later. These journeys were no piece of cake. The money earned was probably worth it and hopefully relieved some of the hardship. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Fontaine, JosephJoseph Fontaine (~1780-1830), whose occupation was master blacksmith, was the husband of Josephte Bangle (~1783-1832), daughter of John Bangle and Josephte Allaire. His parents, Joseph Fontaine and Marie-Louise Royer, were married on February 12, 1787, in Saint-Pierre Church, in Sorel in the presence of their four children, all born out of wedlock. It was a second marriage for both spouses who were from Saint-Jean (île d'Orléans). Joseph was the youngest child of the couple, born around 1780. From Joseph Fontaine and Josephte Bangle's marriage, eighteen children were born. Joseph died on January 18, 1830, in the town of Sorel. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Mohawk RiverAbout a year after having crossed the pound from Germany, Adam Bangle settled on a land along the Mohawk River in Montgomery County, NY. Thanks to various documents, we can pinpoint where he and his family lived. First of all, the church the family joined was in Stone Arabia which is located north of the river. Then again, Adam was listed on a tax list for the district of Canajoharie which is located south of the river. Let's appreciate the information since this river is 149-mile-long and is the largest tributary of the Hudson River in New York State. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Notarial ContractQuebec's notarial contracts—the earliest being dated 1626—help family historians to gather precious information about their ancestors. These contracts include deeds, wills, marriage contracts, donation records, inventories of a deceased's estate, indenture records, service agreements, exchange of goods, settlements, as well as guardianship papers. Each party is provided with an original copy and an additional copy kept by the notary, called minute, is the one we may consult nowadays. Although you have to know the notary's name to find a specific contract, life became quite easier since Ancestry put an index online—even if it's far from being perfect. [Updated March 6, 2018]
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania has been a major gateway for German immigrants during the 18th century. Adam Bangle and his wife Marie Davis (and probably their son John as well) arrived in Philadelphia in the fall of 1764 aboard the Jennefer to start a new life. For the most part, an immigrant would be indentured upon his arrival in order to pay for the trip. We know that about ten months later, the family was settled along the Mohawk River. Interestingly enough, John Bangle, who fought in the Revolutionary War for New York, also appears on a muster roll for Pennsylvania in 1777. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Quebec ProvinceAfter living in New York and Ontario, the Bangles will ultimately end up in current's Quebec territory, more precisely in Terrebonne. At that time (in 1786), the British colony was called the Province of Quebec. Then, under the Constitutional Act of 1791, the Province was divided in two provinces, namely: Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario). Then again, under the Act of Union of 1840, the two entities were combined and became the United Province of Canada. And finally, in 1867 (the Confederation), the Province of Quebec was created, which corresponds, more or less, to today's province (excluding Labrador). [Updated March 6, 2018]
ReligionThe Bangles joined the Dutch Reformed Church of Stone Arabia in 1765 in today's New York State. By settling in Terrebonne (Québec), Catherine Bangle and Jacob Smith had their children baptized in the Catholic Church, but they never abandoned their faith. Neither did John and William, although their children, born to a Catholic mother, were baptized according to the Roman Catholic rites as well. The absence of a Protestant Church in Terrebonne, the social pressure, and maybe the insistence of the priest might explain why these three couples chose to have their children joined the Catholic Church. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Sorel (Quebec)At the turn of the 19th century, John Bangle's family and mother, and later on, sister Catherine and Jacob Smith's family, settled in Sorel (Québec). The Seignory of Sorel was bought by Governor Frederick Haldimand in 1781 to accommodate loyalists who came to Canada from America after the Revolutionary War in 1777. Various military regiments were stationed in Sorel. There was also an Invalid Establishment, mainly for loyalists, veterans, and their family. The town was once known as William Henry from 1787 to 1860, after His Royal Highness's visit to the town. Afterwards, the place changed its name back to Sorel. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Terrebonne (Quebec)About a 30-minute drive from Montréal today, the village of Terrebonne was the home of the Bangles. Adam and his wife Marie had bought a house in the heart of the village in the early 1790s. The families of John and Josephte Allaire, of William Bangle and Marie Tourville, and of Catherine and Jacob Smith also settled there—no surprise here as several Germans were living in the parish, as evidenced by the Catholic records. William was said to be miller in the early years. The historical site of Île-des-Moulins includes the bakery's original building from 1803. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Tourville, MarieMarie Tourville (1778-1853), daughter of Charles Tourville and Marguerite Dufour, was born in Terrebonne (Québec). At age 16, she married William Bangle around 1794—Terrebonne church records were lost for that year. The couple had twelve children and live in Terrebonne and nearby. Later on, the family moved to the Berthierville and Joliette areas. Marie was 42 years old when she lost her husband William in 1821. She remarried Basile Laurence in 1824—her second husband died in 1844. Marie died in L’Assomption on March 22, 1853. She was 74 years old. [Updated March 6, 2018]
Zace, François-XavierFrançois-Xavier Zace (1809-1857) joined the Bangle clan by marrying Elizabeth, daughter of William Bangle and Marie Tourville, on August 12, 1828, in Berthierville, Québec. Born in said town on January 18, 1809, he lost his father, Jean-André Szass, when he was just 2. His mother was Théotiste Hénault dit Canada. François-Xavier and Elizabeth had 11 children and their places of birth indicate how the family moved around—Berthierville, Bedford, Saint-Césaire, Stanbridge, and Terrebonne (Québec); Williston, Montpelier, and Burlington (Vermont); and Bourbonnais and Kankakee (Illinois) where they settled about 1856. François-Xavier died in Bourbonnais on September 7, 1857. [Updated March 6, 2018]