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Comte de Grasse
Le Comte Alexandre Francois de Grasse
Time Line
1765-1845
Alexandre-Francois Auguste, Marquis de Grasse, arrived in
Charleston, South Carolina on August 14, 1793 aboard the ship
"Thomas." Accompanying him on this voyage 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.