Francis Fontaine

From Special Collections Research Center Wiki

Francis Fontaine held the second divinity chair at the College of William and Mary, which was frequently referred to at the time as the professorship in Oriental languages, and served concurrently as rector of Yorkhampton Parish in nearby Yorktown, Virginia. Holding such concurrent positions was the norm for College instructors of the time and the Yorkhampton Parish position was frequently filled by members of the faculty.

The exact dates of Francis Fontaine's appointment to the College and arrival in Virginia is complicated by frequent confusion with his brother John, a friend of Gov. Spotswood, and his father Fames, a clergyman.

Rev. Francis Fontaine, son of James Fontaine, graduated at Trinity College, University of Dublin, in the summer of 1716 and M.A. in the sumer of 1719. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXII, 195, 197. He came to Virginia with his wife. He was a teacher of Oriental languages at William and Mary College. Left will York County, Virginia, made April 23rd. 1745, mentions the following: wife, Susanna Fontaine, and six children: oldest son Francis Fontaine whom he disinherits; Mary Fontaine; John Fontaine; Thomas Fontaine; youngest son James Maury Fontaine; Judith Barbor Fontaine.

References

• Morpurgo, J. E., Their Majesties' Royall Colledge : William and Mary in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
• The Provisional List of Alumni
• University Archives Faculty-Alumni File Collection

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