Jean du Quesne, the Younger facts for kids
Jean du Quesne the younger (1575–1612) was an important person in the history of a well-known English family. He was the son of Jean Du Quesne the elder, whose family were Huguenots. Huguenots were French Protestants who had to leave their homes because of religious difficulties.
A Family's New Start in England
Jean Du Quesne the elder came from a noble family in Flanders (part of modern-day Belgium). He had to escape to England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This was because Protestants faced tough times in the Low Countries.
His father first settled in Canterbury, England. There, he became a leader in the French Church. This church helped other Huguenot refugees find a new home.
Jean du Quesne: The First English Du Cane
Jean du Quesne the younger was born in London. This made him the first member of his family to be born in England. In 1600, he officially became an English citizen.
His family later became known as the "Du Cane" family. They grew to be very important in London. They were involved in trade, insurance, and finance. They even had close ties to the Bank of England and the East India Company.
Family Life and Important Connections
On January 22, 1599, Jean du Quesne married Sarah de Francqueville. They had nine children together.
One of their sons, Peter (born 1609), was the first to change the family name to "Du Cane." This was a way to make the name sound more English.
Another of their children was Marie. She married James Houblon, who also came from a well-known Huguenot family. Their son, John Houblon (1632–1712), later became the very first Governor of the Bank of England. This shows how connected these families became in England's history.
