B. about 1595 in France
M. about 1620 in France
Wife: Anne de Gauthier
D. before 29 Mar 1642 in Paris, France
The first few decades of the 17th century were turbulent times in France, with its kings often engaged in religious warfare. This caused a need for men with the skills to design and maintain military fortifications, and Bonaventure Desnaguets was hired as an engineer.
Bonaventure was likely born somewhere near Paris in about 1595; nothing is known of his family. His surname has been spelled many ways: Desnaguetz, Desnaguelz, Desnaguez; one researcher speculated that it had Flemish origins. After he came of age, Bonaventure married a woman named Anne de Gauthiers, possibly in Paris; the “de” may suggest a noble status. They had five known children, one of whom was buried on June 24, 1627. The other four children lived at least until 1642.
During this time, Bonaventure worked as an Ingénieur du roi pour l'artillerie en France, which translates as “King’s engineer for artillery in France.” The king at that time was Louis XIII, who reigned from 1610 to 1643, and was very active in confronting the Protestants in France. This meant civil war, and the construction of forts and barricades in various parts of the country. For this, the king had about 50 men who could plan what was needed; from the description of Bonaventure’s role which specifies “artillery,” it can be assumed that he had something to do with setting up and maintaining the weapons used in the fighting.
Bonaventure passed away while still a young man, and he was buried at St-Paul’s Church in Paris on March 29, 1642. His children Anne, Antoine and Gaston were present at the burial. Wife Anne died in September of 1644. The memory of this couple survives because oldest daughter Catherine-Françoise married a man who took her to Canada, where she left many descendants.
Children:
1. Catherine-Françoise Desnaguets — B. about 1621, Paris, France; D. before 10 Sep 1691, (probably) Paris, France; M. Pierre Petit (~1621-?), after 21 Mar 1646, Paris, France
2. Charles Desnaguets — D. 24 Jun 1627, Paris, France
3. Anne Desnaguets — B. before 1642, (probably) Paris, France
4. Antoine Desnaguets — B. before 1642, (probably) Paris, France
5. Gaston Desnaguets — B. before 1642, (probably) Paris, France
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