Le Comte Alexandre Francois de Grasse
Timeline
1765-1845
Alexandre-Francois Auguste,
Marquis de Grasse, arrived in Charleston, South Carolina on August 14,
1793 aboard the ship "Thomas." Accompaning him on this voyaue
was his wife, daughters, four sisters, and stepmother. According to
tradition, they were hospitably received by John B. Holmes at his
dwelling, now 15 Meeting Street.
He was the son of Admiral de Grasse (1723-1788),
who commanded the French fleet which helped in causing Cornwallis’
surrender at Yorktown and the triumph of the Americans.
While in Charleston, two of Augustus de Grasse’s
daughters were baptized (one of whom had been born in Santo Domingo), two
of his sisters married, and two other sisters died.
1765
Le Comte Alexandre Francois de
Grasse is born on February 14, the only son of Admiral Francois De Grasse
of the Parish of St. Louis, at Versailles, France.
1789
A member of the French Army he
goes to Santo Domingo a year after the death of his father.
Marries the daughter of Jean Baptiste Delahogue.
1793
July 7, his daughter is born at Cape Francaise.
On August 14 de Grasse arrives
in Charleston aboard the ship Thomas after 17 days of sailing from
Cape Francois.
1794
July7 his four sisters arrive aboard the ship Thorn
at Boston
1795
Congress appropriated a
$1,000.00 each to Amelia, Adelaide, Melinie, and Siliva daughters of
Admiral de Grasse, in consideration of "extraordinary services"
rendered to the United States in the year 1781.
Comte de Grasse father in law become a founder in
a Masonic Lodge named La Candeur at Charleston and is founded in large by
French Roman Catholics.
1796
December 12, a patent is
issued to de Grasse by Hyman Long designating him to be a Deputy Grand
Inspector General.
A fire destroyed the building at Church and Broad
Street along with all the Masonic records. The lodge is temporary inactive
for some time.
1798
de Grasse is listed as Master of La Candeur
Masonic Lodge.
1799
August 4 - de Grasse demitted
from Loge La Candeur and six days later on August 10 becomes a founder of
Loge La Reunion Francaise at Charleston.
August 23 - his sister Amelie Maxime Rosalie dies
of Yellow Fever at Charleston she is buried at St. Mary’s Church
cemetery.
September 9 - his sister Melanie Veronique Maxime
dies of Yellow Fever she is buried in St. Mary’s Church cemetery.
De Grasse goes to Santo Domingo to offer his
services to General Hedouville and is captured, put in jail, and his
feet/hands put in irons. An American Consul intervention with proof that
he is an American citizen is freed to go only if he broads the next ship
to Charleston.
1800
Mr. Delahogue had a school and
he placed an ad in the Charleston City Gazette on October 16, which
announces the following:
Those persons who may desire their children to learn
the principles of Fortifications and Artillery will pay an additional
price per month. He [Delahogue] has made arrangements for this purpose
with Mr. Augustus de Grasse, his son-in-law.
1801
January 10, - de Grasse put a
notice in the Times paper in Charleston informing the public that
he has opened his new "Fencing Room" located at his house on
Federal Street. Also listed is the times and hours it is opened.
Founder of the Supreme Council for the
Scottish Rite Bodies.
Grand Marshal of the South Carolina Ancient
Grand Lodge.
1802
February 21 - Brother de
Grasse, Deputy Inspector General was appointed by the Supreme Council as
the new Grand Inspector General, and Grand Commander of the French West
Indies. Establishes a Supreme Council for the West Indies.
Also appointed at this time was Illustrious
Brother Jean Baptiste Marie De La Hogue, Deputy Inspector Grand Commander
of the West Indies.
1805
Establishes a Supreme Council for Italy
located at Milan on March 5.
1809
Establishes a Supreme Council
for Spain located at Madrid in October.
1816
De Grasse military career ends at the age of
51.
De Grasse is still the Grand
Commander of the Supreme Council of France.
1818
Disagreements arose in the
France Supreme Council and the Grand Orient.
1821
De Grasse resigns as Grand Commander of
France.
1840
He describes himself as being
76 years old, a worthy father, and after a life so full, he has reached
old age without his rights to the gratitude of his country having ever
been recognized. In the memoir of his father he wrote that as a military
man he and his father were victims of political upheavals in the life of
France.
1845
June 10 Count Grasse,
Alexandre Francois Auguste, Major, age 80, was registered at the Infirmary
de l’Hotel des Invalides (Military Hospital) died around 12:30AM of
chronic bronchial pneumonia.
