Eleanor Oglethorpe de Mezieres facts for kids
Eleanor Oglethorpe (1684–1775), later known as the Marquise de Mézières, was an English woman who supported the Jacobite cause. This meant she wanted the old royal family, the Stuarts, to return to the throne of England. After King James II was removed from power in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution, Eleanor moved to France.
She became an important helper and advisor to James III, often called "The Old Pretender," after his father died in 1701. In 1707, Eleanor married Eugène Marie de Béthisy, Marquis de Mézières. They had seven children. Their family tree now includes members of royal families across Europe.
Eleanor's Family and Early Life
Eleanor Oglethorpe's mother, also named Eleanor Oglethorpe (born Wall), worked for the royal family under King Charles II and King James II. When James II was sent away to France, her mother followed him.
Eleanor's father, Theophilus Oglethorpe, also wanted to help King James. However, because he was Protestant, he was eventually not given important roles. Theophilus and the elder Eleanor went back to their home, Westbrook, near London. There, they secretly continued to work for the Jacobite cause.
Eleanor's brother was James Edward Oglethorpe. He grew up at their Westbrook home. Later, he became a leader in the government. He also started the Georgia Colony in America. James was an officer in the army of Frederick the Great and a well-known person among smart thinkers in London. James spent a lot of time in Paris with his sister Eleanor after serving in the army.
Secret Jacobite Activities
Eleanor and her sisters, Molly and Fanny, all married into noble French families. They were all strong supporters of the Jacobite cause. Eleanor's house in Paris was a busy place for Jacobite supporters. It was also a safe place for people involved in secret plans.
When Lord Bolingbroke joined the Jacobite cause, Eleanor and her husband worked with him in Paris. Later, when Bolingbroke secretly worked against the cause, Eleanor found out. She discovered his secret messages to officials in London. These messages were hidden in a house she owned, which was being used by the British ambassador.
Back at Westbrook, Eleanor's mother and older sister Anne helped plan Jacobite plots. Their goal was to remove King George I from power. It seems they also ran a secret smuggling operation from their home. This helped them raise money for the cause. A hidden tunnel from the town of Godalming to Westbrook allowed for secret meetings. It is even thought that James III's son, the Young Pretender, might have stayed there during a secret trip to England.
Because of their secret Jacobite plans, many stories were told about the Oglethorpes. One story said that James III was actually born an Oglethorpe boy. The story claimed he was switched at birth when the real royal baby died in 1689. Another story said Eleanor's sisters, Anne and Fanny, were sometimes called "Queen Oglethorpe." People believed they might become queen.
The French Mississippi Company
Eleanor Oglethorpe was one of the first people to support the French Mississippi Company. She helped find people to move to the lower Mississippi region. This company was meant to help France's Louisiana colony grow. It aimed to increase settlement and trade there.
However, too many shares in the company were sold. This created an investment bubble that burst in 1720. Luckily, Eleanor and her husband sold their shares before the collapse. This greatly increased their wealth.
