François Bouquey Lagrave, marin saint-émilionnais au XVIIIe siècle
Aux archives départementales de la Gironde se trouve un petit livre manuscrit. Il est l’oeuvre d’un marin saint-émilionnais, François Bouquey Lagrave (1733-1809). Issu d’une famille de notables, il fait carrière dans la marine marchande. Durant la Guerre de Sept ans, en 1756, rentrant de Saint-Domingue, il est fait prisonnier, ramené à New-York puis en Angleterre, enfin libéré en 1763. Il est reçu comme capitaine en 1764. Son dernier voyage date sans doute de 1773. Il se retire à Saint-Emilion où il est élu maire en 1790. Durant la Terreur, un de ses frères est guillotiné pour avoir aidé les fugitifs Girondins, mais on ne sait guère quelle fut sa vie après sa retraite.
François Bouquey Lagrave, An 18th Century Sailor from Saint Emilion
In the departmental archives of Gironde is a small handwritten book. It is the work of a sailor from Saint-Emilion, François Bouquey Lagrave (1733-1809). Born into a notable family, he pursued a career in the merchant navy. In 1756, during the Seven Years’ War, while returning from Santo Domingo he was taken prisoner, brought back to New York and then to England, and finally released in 1763. He was recognized as a captain in 1764. His last voyage probably dates from 1773.
He retired to Saint-Emilion where he was elected mayor in 1790. During the Terror, one of his brothers was guillotined for helping the fugitive Girondins. That said, little is known of his life after his retirement.
