Claude-Mathias Phaneuf facts for kids

Claude-Mathias Phaneuf (1690–1773) was born Matthias Farnsworth III. He was an English prisoner of war who later became a French citizen. He is known as the ancestor of the Phaneuf family name.

In 1704, when he was 14, Matthias was taken from his home near Groton, Massachusetts. Abenaki warriors captured him during Queen Anne's War and brought him to Montreal.

The Story of Claude-Mathias Phaneuf

Matthias's Early Life in Groton

The Farnsworth family originally came from England. Matthias Farnsworth, the first of his family in America, settled in Lynn, Massachusetts around 1657. He later moved to Groton in 1660.

His son, Matthias Farnsworth Jr., married Sarah Nutting. They had four children before Matthias Jr. passed away in 1693. Matthias Jr. had also fought in a conflict called King Philip's War.

Matthias Farnsworth III was born in Groton in 1690. During his childhood, Groton faced many attacks. Other children, like Lydia Longley, were also taken from their homes. Around his 14th birthday, Matthias III was captured by an Abenaki group. They took him all the way to Montreal.

Later, Matthias III's nephew, Ebenezer, was also captured. This happened in Charlestown, New Hampshire. Ebenezer's story is told in a book by Susannah Willard Johnson.

A New Life in New France

A map showing the land given to Claude-Mathias Phaneuf

In late 1704, Matthias arrived at Sault-au-Recollet. This was a mission, a special community, run by François Vachon de Belmont. At the mission, boys learned from Sulpician missionaries. Girls were taught by the sisters of Notre Dame.

Most children brought to Sault-au-Recollet stayed only for a short time. They would then return to their families. But Matthias stayed at the mission. He chose to become a Catholic, just like Lydia Longley had done years before.

On January 10, 1706, Matthias was baptized with the name Mathias-Claude Farneth. His godfather was Claude de Ramezay, an important person. His godmother was Elisabeth Souart. Even though children often lived with their godparents, Matthias stayed at the mission.

In October 1706, he asked the king to become a French citizen. He used the name Mathieu Claude Farnets. In 1711, he received a land grant from the Sulpicians. This land was 40 arpents, given for his service at the mission. He received a ribbon farm, which is a long, narrow piece of land. It was next to his future wife's family.

In September 1713, Mathias agreed to marry Catherine Charpentier. She was his neighbor's daughter. He signed the contract as Claude Mathias Fanef. Claude de Ramezay also signed as a witness. They married a month later and had 12 children. Later in life, they moved to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu. Matthias passed away there in 1773. His gravestone reads Claude-Mathias Phaneuf.

Why Did His Name Change?

You might notice many different spellings of his name. This happened for a few reasons. First, his original English name, Farnsworth, sounded a certain way. When French speakers heard it, they wrote it down as Farneth.

Second, Matthias was likely unable to read or write at age 14. This meant he couldn't correct how his name was spelled. Finally, the language barrier between English and French caused changes. Over time, his name was written as Farnets, Fanef, Faneuf, and finally Phaneuf.