William Finlay Phillips and Louise Langevin
This is the only Photo we have of Louise Elizabeth Langevin Phllips with son Frank, her daughters Sophie and Caroline and Clara Plante phillips.
William Finlay Phillips, the first born son of William and Henrietta Phillips, was born in March 17th, 1822 at Bastican, Champlain, 119 miles south down the St Lawrence River from Quebec.
William and Henrietta may have lived at Bastican early in 1822 due to William's Grain and Flour business, though I have found no records of this. It seems unlikely for a woman expecting her first child to travel at this time. By November 1822, the Phillips were living (nearby or ) in Quebec city. The letter written to Williams sister Maria, living at Lorrette with Rachel Phillips-Seixas and her children(copied below), mentions the baby (William Finlay) and talks of 'sending my servant out to bring in the stitch bed' implying the servant will travel a reasonably short distance out to Lorrette, which was then in the countryside outside the Quebec city confines.
#2: Sunday 24th Nov 1822: To Mrs Languedoc, Lorrette.
My dear Maria,
I send my servant out to bring in the Sitch bed as I cannot do without it in my kitchen. I will thank you to hand in also some sellery and he can bring a few handles of hay over all to keep the vegetables from freezing.
Have the goodness to send me my black cloth shoes and other things which were left in my chest of drawers.
Henrietta and the baby are quite well. Give our love to my dear Mother and Angelina and kiss the children for us. We would have gone out to Lorrette had my cabriole been fit to ride out in, but we will go out some time this week. We purpose walking out to Mrs Stewart by and by. Mrs S continues the same, she is tolerably well – but- ? John is with her in case of need.
Your affectionate brother
William Phillips
Baptismal record for Willam Finlay Phillips
William Finlay was baptised on April 16th 1822 at the Anglican Cathedral Holy Trinity Church in Quebec City. His godparents were present and signed the church register. Godfathers were his Uncles William Price and Chas Stewart, Godmother was his Aunt Margaret Finlay.
William Finlay grew up (near or ) in Quebec city. It is unclear how he met Louise Langevin. My suggestion is through the social circles within Quebec.
Henrietta's father, Charles Grey Stewart, was a prominent member of Quebec society as Collector of Customs, William was Inspector of Flour, Brother-in-law William Price had begun William Price Company in 1821 exporting timber to London. Other members of the family were merchants prospering in the City. His cousin Anne Finlay, now Mrs Morogh was an heiress with property in the provence.
Louise Langevin's uncle, Sir Hector Louis Langevin lived in Quebec city and was Mayor of the city in 1858-61. Sir Hector played an important part in the politics of Quebec and Canada, being involved in the Confederation and a scandal involving the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Langvin Wing at the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa are named for him. He was also Willam Finlay's grandson ,Wendell A Langevin Phillips, Godfather. Here is another link with a more detailed account of Sir Hector's life.
Louise Elizabeth Langevin was born in Berthier, not far from Bastican. Perhaps William or Henrietta had relatives living in Bastican and the young couple met in that society.
William Finlay and Louise Elizabeth Langevin were married in the Catholic Church in the Parish of St Genevieve at Berthierville on the 27th July,1851. The records show a good turnout of Louise's Langevin and Armstrong relations, thirteen signed the register, the Phillips name is noticibly absent. It is at this point in history that entries ceased in the Family Bible. I can only assume this is because the family became Catholic.
In 1652 the Canadian Census shows William F Phillips and Louise Langevin living in Champlain County at 72 St Francois Xavier de Bastican. Follow this link to census records, Williams age has been mistranslated as 50. He was 30.
William Finlay and Louise Langevin Phillips children:
- Charles William Edward Phillips b 15 Nov 1852 - 5th Feb 1905 Westmount, Montreal (unmarried)
- Percy Alfred Phillips b 3 May 1855 Roman Catholic Bishop of Denver (unmarried)
- Mary Louisa Phillips b 8 April 1854 - ?
- Connie Anne Elizabeth b 1st Jan 1857 "Dead"
- Emily Eleanor Sophy b 18 Dec 1857, married William Labelle (children: Charles Frederick, Eugene, Leo, Emile and Eva.
- Henry Ernest Stewart b 20 Sept 1859 "Dead"
- Frank Finlay Phillips b 9th Feb 1861 married Clara Plante (Wendell, Percy, Jeanette)
- Caroline Henrietta Stewart b 5th Sept 1865 " Dead"
William, born an Anglican, brings his children up in his wife Louise's faith. They are the first Roman Catholic Phillips family in this line.
