Dessessart
01-08-2006, 04:54 PM
Hello:
I just found this great place while doing a genealogy search. Looks to be very active, so I thought I'd check in. Does anyone have any info/knowledge/thoughts, etc on the origination of the character, M. Dessessart, in "The Three Musketeers?"
There was an actual Dessessart. He was a well-known (of his time) comedian, actor, politician, revolutionary. He helped to found the Comedie Francais & his portrait still hangs in the lobby there, as I understand it.
The Dessessart family ran in the same circles as Alexandre Dumas. They were both French w/heavy connection to St. Domingue. Both were of mixed race backgrounds & came from similar socio-economic worlds. I find it hard to believe that Dumas just pulled that name outta the hat to use it as the name for his Captain of the guards, D'Artagnan's superior.
"D'artagnan . . . he serves under Monsieur Dessessart.” [text quote]
I'm a professional writer & Dessessart descendant. My g-g-grandmother was an illegitimate daughter, in Louisiana, to one of the mentioned Dessessart's grandsons. Her name was Allecia Dessessarts -- by the time they came here & settled, the name was spelled in a variety of ways, but in Opelousas, LA, where they settled, it had taken on an extra "s."
The family has a fascinating history & I'd love to find the connection. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thx -- Linda Alexander
I just found this great place while doing a genealogy search. Looks to be very active, so I thought I'd check in. Does anyone have any info/knowledge/thoughts, etc on the origination of the character, M. Dessessart, in "The Three Musketeers?"
There was an actual Dessessart. He was a well-known (of his time) comedian, actor, politician, revolutionary. He helped to found the Comedie Francais & his portrait still hangs in the lobby there, as I understand it.
The Dessessart family ran in the same circles as Alexandre Dumas. They were both French w/heavy connection to St. Domingue. Both were of mixed race backgrounds & came from similar socio-economic worlds. I find it hard to believe that Dumas just pulled that name outta the hat to use it as the name for his Captain of the guards, D'Artagnan's superior.
"D'artagnan . . . he serves under Monsieur Dessessart.” [text quote]
I'm a professional writer & Dessessart descendant. My g-g-grandmother was an illegitimate daughter, in Louisiana, to one of the mentioned Dessessart's grandsons. Her name was Allecia Dessessarts -- by the time they came here & settled, the name was spelled in a variety of ways, but in Opelousas, LA, where they settled, it had taken on an extra "s."
The family has a fascinating history & I'd love to find the connection. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thx -- Linda Alexander