Marge,
I have information below from 2 sources. Some of it is additional
information from what you have below. I am related to Gilles through my
maternal grandmother.
Melinda
CASTEEL:
Captain du chastel De Blangerval was a French Hugenot nobleman who arrived
in Philadelphis, PA and toook oath of allegience ot william Penn 10
September 1663. He became very wealthy by pirating Spanish shipping.
He was commander of the sloop ³RESOLUTION² under letters of marquee in Queen
Anne¹s War.
The coat of arms of Captain Edmund du Chastel De Blangerval of Flanders is
recorded and verified.
from
piratesinfo.com:
Posted by: Captain Roberts (Moderator)
Date: 08 October 2005, 06:41PM
Ok, here are a few pirates for the list, though so far I can only be certain
of the nationality of one of these men. I'm continuing to look through
geneological records for more info on these men as that is where I first
stumbled upon this (while trying to find an answer to the recently posed
question about Arbuckle Thompson). I've included the actual source at the
bottom of my message. BTW, when was the master list last updated?
Charles Goss
Edmond Du Castell - England
George Thompson
Adam Birth
James Miller
Pirate and Privateer. At the close of the seventeeth century the port
of Philadelphia was a veritable haven for the pirates that preyed upon
the Spanish and French shipping in time of war under letters of
marque; and in time of peace on any ship they dared board. It was the
practice of wealthy Philadephians to outfit ships with arms, rum and
supllies and send them to the pirates of Madagascar who could offer in
exchange the cargos taken from India merchantmen. So great was the
complaint of Colonial shippers that the Admirality sent Captain Thomas
Robinson from England with a commission to put an end to pirarcy in
Philadelphia.
The report of the commissioner to has superior, the Earl of
Romney, describes his visit to Philadelphia on June 6. 1697, and
complains of his lack of success in "That there were warrants out for
apprehending Charles Goss, Edmond Du Castell, --George Thompson--, Adam
Birth, and James Miller and Pyrates notwithstanding which they were
publickly and dayly seen up and down the streets of Philadelphia
without any notice taken of them.("Archives of Maryland," vol. 23,
page 161; Vol. 25, page 569.)
'The Pyrats were much alarm'd at that time," wrote Matthew
Vanderheydens on July 15, 1697, "beingI was tould Occasion'd by
Captain Thomas Robinson his Comming up there with some Commission to
call them to Accot... Ibid, Vol. 23, page 163.)
Apparently Captain Du Chastel continued his career as a "merchant"
and privateersman or pyrate as the commissioner called him with honor
and profit; because during Queen Anne's War he was given command of
the sloop "Resolution" under the letters of marque as the following
abstract indicates: "1707- Nov. 9. Where as her Majesty on the 4 May
1702 declared war against the Kings of France and Spaine and whereas
Capt. George Roach, John van Lawer and the Hurst Merchants hath
equipped the sloop Resolution for a private man of war, Capt. Edmund
Du Castell is commissioned Commander. p. 52 ("Publications of the
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania," vol. 6 page 287; original in
Liber A.A.A. of Commission Office of Secretary of State, Trenton, NJ,
pp 52-53; also in microfilm in college of W.P.A. Historical Records
Survey for New Jersey
Captain Roberts
Dramaturge & Entertainer
from
genealogy.com 11-17-2007:
CASTEEL ANCESTRY -
(The following account of the ancestry of the Casteel family of Maryland and
West Virginia is a condensation of the family history as published in the
Boston Transcript, 1938, written by Attorney W. Blake Metheny, of Preston
County, West Virginia).
CAPTAIN EDMOND du CHASTEL de BLANGERVAL, member of a distinguished Flemish
family, was the immigrant ancestor of the Casteel family in America. He
arrived in Philadelphia and took the oarth of allegiance to the proprietor,
William Peen on September 10, 1683. The founder of the de Chastel, or van
der Casteel, family, was Gilles du Chastel, conseiller to Louis, Count of
Flanders. Gilles died in 1403.
Captain Edmond du Chastel appears to have married Christian Boude or Boone,
in 1693. She was the daughter of a Swedish immigrant.
Captain Chastel became a wealthy merchant in Philadelphia. He also engaged
in the lucrative business of privateering and during Queen Anne's War in
1707, was given command of the sloop "Resolution," under letters of marque
to prey upon French and Spanish commerce.
By his will, "proved" at Philadelphia March 25, 1712-13, Captain du Chastel
left all his property to his widow, Christian. Her will, proved November 25,
1714, devised property to her sons, Samuel and Edmund Castell (II), and to
her daughter, Christian, who married James Allen.
Source of this info comes from information in
a tree on
ancestry.com
Blangerval is the name of a small village in the Department of du Nord
(northern France) in the historical region of Artois (very close to Flanders
and the Belgium border). It means Blander valley. If you can locate a
detailed map, find the seaside town of Le Touquet-La Plage (about 15 miles
south of Boulogne-sur-Mer) and follow the river Canche up to Blangerval
Descended from a Huguenot family which fled Flanders
One of the four richest persons living in Philadelphia, within four years of
arriving.
The first Casteel in America
He was a Huguenot nobleman
He arrived in Philadelphia soon after the founding of the city in 1682. He
took the oath of allegiance from the proprietor William Penn on September
10, 1683.
On September 22,1701, Captain Edmond du Chastel was appointed administrator
cum testamento annexeo of the nuncupative will (will made by word of mouth
before witnesses by a dying person, and afterward reduced to writing
witnesses of George Lloyd late of the island of Barbados Practioner in
Physick Deced", dated September 17, 1701, and proved September 22,1701. In
this will Captain Du Chastel is designated with Henry Charlott as the good
friends of the Testor charged with arranging his burial, it beign probable
that Dr. George Lloyd had served as ships surgeon to Captain du Chastel
because even at that time the priviledge of making a valid nuncupative will
was limited to those serving in the military or naval service.
The red wax seal affixed to Captain Du Chastel's own will is located on the
fold of the document and has been damaged beyond recognition; although the
general outline of the two seals are the same. The seal described above
bears a octagon-shaped impression approximately 1/2 inch in diameter on
which the arms are cut. This impression was evidently made by the "Gold Ring
with the seal" which the Captain's widow, Christian Du Chastel, left to her
son Samuel Du Chastel by her will, dated September 27, 1714, proved November
25, 1714. In the inventory filed with this will there was listed a "Large
Dutch Bible in the parlour. Inasmuch as the Du Chastel De Blangerval family
resided in Flanders, a part of the Spanish Low Countries, it is probable
that this was a Flemish Bible.
The Du Chastel home in Philadelphia was located on Front Street at Morris
Alley (now called Gatzmer Street) adjoining the home of the first Anthony
Morris in what was then a fasionable district of the City. From the
inventories of the estates of the Captain and his widow it appears that
their residence was a comfortable two story dwelling with a room for the
servants on the second floor. In size and style it probably resembled the
Morris mansion.
As judged by the assessment of that year there were but four colonists
possessing greater wealth that Captain Du Chastel and Anthony Morris.
At the close of the seventeenth century the port of Philadelphia was a
veritable haven for the pirates that preyed upon the Spanish and French
shipping in time of war under letters of marque; and in time of peace on any
ship they dared board. It was the practice of wealthy Philadephians to
outfit ships with arms, rum and supplies and send them to the pirates of
Madagascar who could offer in exchange the cargos taken from India
merchantmen. So great was the complaint ofthe Colonial Shippers that the
Admirality sent Captain Thomas Robinson from England with a comission to put
an end to pirarcy in Philadelphia.
The report of the commissioner to his superior, the Earl of Romney,
describes his visit to Philadelphia on June 6, 1697, and complains of his
lack of success in "that there were warrants out for apprehending Charles
Goss, Edmond Duke Castell, George Thompson, Adam Birth and James Miller and
Pyrates notwithstanding which they were publickly and dayly seen up and down
the streets of Philadelphia without any notice taken of them".
"The Pyrates were much alarm'd at that time", wrote Matthew Vanderheydens
on
July 15, 1697, "being I was told Occasion'd by Captain Thomas Robinson his
comming up there with some commission to call them to Accot.."
Apparently Captain Du Chasteel continued his career as a "merchant" and
privateersman or pyrate as the commissioner called him with honor and profit
because during Queen Anne's war he was given command of the sloop
"Resolution" under the letters of marque as the following abstract
indicates: "1707, November 9, Where as her Majesty on the 4 May 1702
declared war against the Kings of France and Spaine and whereas Capt. George
Roach, John van Lawer and the Hurst Merchants hath equipped the sloop
Resolution for a private man of war, Capt. Edmund Du Castell is commissioned
Commander".
The will of Capt. Du Chastel is very brief and reads in part as follows:
"Philadelphia ye Day of Aprill 1702 The Last Will and Testament of Edmond Du
Chastell being in health and perfect memory and extending to take a voyage
to sea not knowing how it will please God to Dispose of me... give to my
brother Adam one Silver Spoon and unto Eve daughter to John and Mary Jordon
one silver spoon andeach and every of my brothers and sisters....one gold
ring...Item unto Christian Du Castell my well beloved wife all my estate
both real and personal in whatsoever part or parts of the World they shall
happen to be situate in & besides what shall happen to be this provence.
(Signed) Edmond Du Castell.
This will was proved March 25, 1713. There is an accompanying inventory of
his personal property.
The next generation dropped the prefix "du" from the name and adopted the
spelling "Casteel". The name means "of the Castle" and has been
spelled with
many variations. The Dutch and Flemish form is "van den Casteel"; the
French, "du Chastel". In Flanders however the Flemish tongue showed its
influence upon the Frecnh form which was "dou Castiel" in 1296, "dou
Chastiel" in 1732 and "du Kastiel". Two dozen variations in spelling are
given for the word "Chasteau".
From: Marge <marcastn(a)bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: <casteel(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 11:30:30 -0500
To: <CASTEEL-L(a)rootsweb.com>, <CasteelPrivateers(a)yahoogroups.com>,
<JamesJohnCasteelCuzens(a)yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [CASTEEL] Early (1680-1714) Philadelphia records related to Capt.
Edmond du Chastel
Seeking any additional reliable information (with sources) of Philadelphia
residents, ships, and pirates during the period 1683-1714 for a CASTEEL family
book.
Edmond du Chastel has been reported to have signed allegiance to William Penn
on September 10, 1683..... On May 1, 1693, he married Christian Bom in
Philadelphia..... On September 22, 1701, he was appointed administrator of
the nuncupative will of "George Lloyd late of the island of Barbados, dated
September 17, 1701, and proved September 22, 1701.... His own will was dated
April _, 1702, proved March 25, 1713 or 14..... Christian Bon du Chastel, his
widow's will was dated September 27, 1714, proved November 25, 1714..... The
Du Chastel home in Philadelphia was located on Front street at Morris Alley,
later called Gatzmer street, adjoining the home of the first Anthony Morris in
what was then a fashionable district of the city.... Edmond Duke Castell is
listed as a pirate for whom Captain Thomas Robinson from England came to
Philadelphia on June 6, 1697 to confront with no success.... Captain Du
Chastel continued his career as a "merchant" and privateers or pirate!
with honor and profit because during Queen Anne's War he was given command
of the sloop "Resolution" under the letters of marquee as the following
abstract indicates: "1707- Nov. 9. Where as her Majesty on the 4 May 1702
declared war against the Kings of France and Spain and whereas Capt. George
Roach, John van Lawer and the Hurst Merchants hath equipped the sloop
Resolution for a private man of war, Capt. Edmund Du Castell is commissioned
Commander....
Capt. Edmond du Chastel is believed to be the immigrant ancestor of the early
CASTEEL family line in US. We're seeking additional documented information on
the following:
1. When and how did he arrive in the US?
2. Are there records of additional activities at sea or in Philadelphia?
3. Exactly when and where did he die?
4. Are there other records of the sloop "Resolution" or other men named above?
Thanks!
Marge Casteel
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