Bignon of Jekyll Island and Richmond County

Poulain du Bignon died 1822 in Glynn County, Georgia.[1] Beginning with Poulain du Bignon, five du Bignon generations made Jekyll Island one of the most romantic Golden Isles of Georgia. The tabby ruins of the old Horton house, later du Bignon home, still stand as a famous landmark on the river side of Jekyll Island. Across the street is the old burial grounds, surrounded by a rock wall. The burial plots inside these walls are raised slightly above the ground, as is typical in this region for this era. Bricks support large cement covers. The bricks were probably made by Thomas Salter, who came over with General Oglethorpe and made brick on Salters Island, west of Savannah. The inscriptions are scarcely visible. They survived on this spot from 1794 to 1886. Christophe Poulain du Bignon, a native of Lamballe, Britanny , was a much-decorated French naval captain whose loyalty to Louis 16th in the French Revolution forced him to flee his patrimonial lands. In 1792 on his ship, the Sapelo, he brought his family to the hospitable Georgia Coast. With four other French royalists, he purchased first Sapelo Island and then Jekyll. By 1794 he acquired Jekyll as his own plantation and enlarged Major Horton's house as his manor. Sea Island Cotton recouped his fortunes and supported a Georgia dynasty of landed aristocracy like that established by his forebears. In 1822 Poulain was buried near du Bignon Creek with a live oak tree as his monument. His son, Henri du Bignon, added honors to the island plantation as he made the Goddess of Liberty reigning queen of coastal racing boats. And when Henri's grandson, John Eugene du Bignon, sold Jekyll to a group of millionaire capitalists, with them forming the Jekyll Island Club, Poulain du Bignon's island began a new chapter in its fabulous history. Known issue:

Henri du Bignon was born 1785 in France, died after 1850 on Jekyll Island. Issue:

Eliza du Bignon, born 1810 Georgia.
John du Bignon, born 1812 Georgia.
Catharine du Bignon, born 1823 Georgia.
Eugenia du Bignon, born 1825 Georgia.
Henry du Bignon, born 1827 Georgia, worked in the counting house.
Joseph du Bignon of Savannah, was born in Jekyll Island. He represented Glynn County in the Georgia legislature. He married Felicite Reffault (born 1815), listed with her children on the 1850 Glynn County Census. Felicite was the daughter of Mary Riffault (born 1781 in St. Domingo), listed with above family. Issue:

Mary du Bignon, born 1839 Georgia.

Josephine du Bignon, born 1841 Georgia.

Henry du Bignon, born 1843 Georgia.

Louisa du Bignon, born 1845 Georgia.

Felicite du Bignon, born 1847 Georgia.
John E. du Bignon, born 1849 Georgia was born 1849 on Jekyll Island, and at one time was the owner of Jekyll Island, and was President of the Brunswick Club. In 1876 he married Frances, the daughter of Colonel Charles Lyon and is wife, Frances C. Slatter of Swiss descent, in Glynn County. Issue: Josephine du Bignon married W. Jennings Batts.
Joseph du Bignon was born 1787 in France, Merchant. He married Miss M. Cleo Lazarde (born 1796 in St. Domingo) on 24 April 1811 in Richmond County. Listed on the 1820 -1850 Richmond County Census. Issue:[2]

I. Bernard Bignon, born 1815 Georgia, merchant. Wife, Celeste, born 1820 in Georgia (her parents were born in France). On the 1880 Richmond County Census, Bernard indicated that his father was born in France and mother was born in St. Domingo. Also, living with him was his brother, Adolphus P. Bignon, and sister, Pamela Bignon. Issue:

Adele J. Bignon, born 1853 Richmond County.
Louis A. Bignon, born 1851 Richmond County.
Joseph H. Bignon, born 1857 Richmond County, machinist.
Emma C. Bignon, born 1861 Richmond County.
Albert B. Bignon, born 1863 Richmond County, clerk of a jeweler in Augusta.
II. Adolphus Bignon, born 1823 in Georgia, Merchant.

III. Adolphus P. Bignon, born 1826 Georgia, Clerk.

IV. Henry Bignon, born 1828 in Georgia, Physician, listed on the 1880 Glynn County Census, resident of Brunswick.

V. Pamela Bignon, born 1830 in Georgia. Unmarried.

VI. Armand F. Bignon, born 1832 Georgia, Clerk; dentist in 1880, resident of Augusta. Wife, Emily, born 1835 Georgia. Issue:

Mary A. Bignon, born 1862 in Richmond County.
Henry L. Bignon, born 1863 in Richmond County.
Cecile C. Bignon (daughter), born 1866 Richmond County.
Kate D. Bignon, born 1869 Richmond County.