Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon

(1739- 1825)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

1. Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon Marker

Inscription. Horton - Du Bignon House
Du Bignon Burial Ground
Beginning with Poulain du Bignon, five du Bignon generations made Jekyll Island one of Georgia's most romantic Golden Isles. This tabby ruin and burial ground alone remain from Jekyll Island's century (1794-1886) as the du Bignon Plantation. Christophe Poulain, native of Lambelle, Brittany, 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 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 1825 Poulain was buried near du Bignon Creek with a live oak tree as his monument. His son Henri 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.

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Erected 1965 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 63-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, Non-US • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 31° 6.113′ N, 81° 24.927′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. It is on Riverview Dr. near Major Horton Dr., on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jekyll Island GA 31527, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles,

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Horton House Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); Poulain du Bignon and du Bignon Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Tabby (within shouting distance of this marker); Major William Horton (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site

Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon Marker at cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009

2. Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon Marker at cemetery

(about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.

Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon Marker, as seen from Riverview Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009

3. Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon Marker, as seen from Riverview Drive

Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon cemetery and graves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009

4. Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon cemetery and graves

Joseph du Bignon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009

5. Joseph du Bignon

This Tablet is Erected To perpetuate the memory of Joseph DuBignon Who departed this life On the 27th April 1850, In the thirty sixth year of his age, Remarkable for his noble and social Virtues, as a son, a Brother, and a Husband. A Patriot and friend, he was Suddenly, And in the dawn of his Usefulness, Taken from a devoted Wife, Endearing Children, Parents, Sisters, and Friends Who are left to mourn His premature Death
Requiescat in Pace
========================
What tho' our bitter tears shall fall. Above thy Grave like Autumn;s rain. Yet, would we not thy Spirit call. Back to these scenes of care again; For bless'd is he, and doubly bless'd, Who nobly all Life's paths hath trod. Content to find his final rest Within the bosom of his GOD.
========================
"Rest in peace".

Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon family tree excerpt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jekyll Island Museum, March 18, 2009

6. Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon family tree excerpt

The du Bignon Family
Bold Italic Names are those buried in the du Bignon Family Cemetery

Birthplace of Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Vasseur Nicole, October 25, 2008

7. Birthplace of Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon

This manor, near Morieux in Brittany France, belonged to the Poulain du Bignon family in the 1650s. The manor house, completely renovated in 2008, is currently a Manor House Apartment.
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,864 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 1, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on May 3, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Vasseur Nicole of Morieux, Bretagne 22400. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.