Leroy Family of Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium

I am creating this blog in hopes some of my distant cousins will discover this blog and be able to contact me. I have been researching my Leroy family for eight years and have gathered a lot of information.

My third great grandfather was Dr. Henri Eloi Joseph Leroy;born December 1st, 1787 and died January 4th, 1865.

In the beginning of my research I never realized I would find such an interesting and well known and loved human being. It has been an exciting journey and I continue to search for information on the Leroy family. Am sure we all share in the same thoughts wanting to have known some of our wonderful and interesting ancestors, but I do feel fortunate I have found out as much as I have about this man, Doctor Henri Leroy.

My reseach was jump started by my beloved Aunt Mary, who back in the 1940s got interested in genealogy and knowing where her Mother's grandparents came from she started writing letters to Belgium in search of some answers about the Leroys.

Dr. Leroy was descended from one of the first families of Belgium. He was filled with honor and national credit the most exalted positions in his native city of Soignies, where he reached the very apex of distinction in his chosen profession of medicine. When still in the prime of his life he was made the recipient of the much coveted m"Croix de fer." Afterwards he was decorated by the Belgian monarch with the order of "Knight of Leopold."

Biography of Dr. Henri Eloi Joseph LEROY as it appears in the Biographie Nationale, published by the Royal Academy of Medicine in Belgium. LEROY (Henri-Eloi-Joseph), physician, was born in Soignies (Belgium, prov. Hainaut), December 1st 1787. After brilliant studies at the local secondary school, he started in 1807 higher studies at the School of Medicine in Brussels. In 1810 he took to Paris where he attended the lectures at the faculty of medicine. In 1812 however, his parents afraid of the political events, call him back home to Soignies. The young LEROY nevertheless will sit for the exams to get the degree of health officer, attending to obtain the full degree. After accomplishing his examinations with full distinction, recommended by Tourte, a professor in Strasbourg, head of the jury, he was nominated in charge of the military hospital of (the city of) Mons by the prefect of the department of Jemappes. Unfortunately in 1814 he gets typhus fever in the hospital, and he is compelled to give up this function to recover from this serious illness. Hardly recovered, LEROY was nominated as a member of the commission established to lightening the share of the war injured and war prisoners. After the events of 1815(i.e. the battle of Waterloo), LEROY leaves Mons and moved to Soignies, where firstly, he prepared his medical doctor degree. He obtains this certificate at Leiden(Netherlands) May 17 1816. Immediately he is appointed as a physician of the poor in the towns surrounding Soignies; he performed this function until 1837. In 1830 also he was appointed as physician of the hospital and the municipal charity organization of Soignies. As a gratitude for his benevolent service during the cholera epidemy of 1832 he was honoured with the "first class medal". For his community he was not only useful providing medical care, but also LEROY had the chance to participate in the realization of measures of better hygiene. In fact he was mayor of the city at that time. At the moment the (Belgian) revolution broke out in Brussels, he organized a company of volunteers, participating in the "battle of the Park." He takes care of the provisioning of the capital. The provisional government appoints him mayor, and later, he is honoured with the "Iron Cross" as a recompense for his patriotic dedication. In 1831 he also was charged to accomplish the functions of commissioner of the district of Soignies. He occupied this function until 1847, but emission as mayor in 1836. In 1844 he was appointed Knight of Order of Leopold. Since 1823 LEROY was member of the Medical Commission of the province of Hainaut, and was president from 1939 to 1841. In 1825 he was nominated corresponding member of the Brussels Society of Medical and Natural Sciences, and in 1833 effective member of the Society of Sciences, Letters and Arts of Hainaut. In 1860 he becomes the title of honorary member of the Royal Belgium Academy of Medicine. LEROY published some papers in the Bibliotheque medicale et etrangere in the Journal de medicine of Brussels. One describes an observation of acute peritonitis, another is a memoir about skin diseases, another one handles about the advantage of bleeding in treating young children with convulsive affections. LEROY died January 4th 1865 in Soignies, aged 77 years. His funeral was attended by an immense mass of people. The Academy was represented by the members Thiernesse and Tallois. The last one evoked in an emotional address the career of charity, the dedication and the scientific value of his venerable colleague.
(This was translated from French to English for me by a kind stranger living in Belgium.)

Obituary for Dr. Leroy:
Madam Leroy, born Marouse; Madam Francois, born Leroy, Mister Francois & their children Madam Bourdeaux, born Leroy, Mister Bourdeaux and their children; Madam Bouilliava, born LE ROY, Mister Bouilliava & their children; Madam V. DeBacker, born Leroy and her children; Madam Devries & their children; Mister Maximilien Leroy, Madam Leroy been born The L'Ecluse; Mister Adhemar Leroy Madam Leroy, born Bosteela: Madam Molyson, born Francious, Mister Moyson & their son; Madam V. Autboine, born Leroy and her children; Mister Francois Leroy, Madam Leroy, born DePage, their children and small children, have the pain to be part of the death of Mister Henri-Eloi-Joseph-LE ROY, Knight of order Leold, Decorated Cross Iron, Doctor of Medicine, honorary Member of the Royal academy Soignies, former President of the provincial medical Commission of Hainaut and Member of this Commission, member of several Corporations survived by his spouse, father, father-in-law, Hieul Bisaieul, Frere, brother-in-law , Uncle and Big Uncle. He was born in Sognies 12-1-1787, died 1-4-1865, munides Helps Religion Pray for Him The Mass O'Enterremen survival of the L'iabumation aurd hen on Mondays g Tansier 1865, to 11 o'clock in the morning; The viewing on December 16, to 3 o'clock; The service on Tuesday 17th at 11 o'clock. The Masses Trentaine, the days siuvants.

He married THERESE CATHERINE JOSEPHE MAROUSE Bef. 1814, daughter of MAXIMILINE MAROUSE and MARIE WINS. She was born 04 Sep 1787 in Sainte Waudru Parish, Mons, Belgium, and died 04 Jul 1878 in Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium.
More About HENRI LEROY and THERESE MAROUSE:Marriage: Bef. 1814

Children of HENRI LEROY and THERESE MAROUSE are:

1. HERMANSE MARIE THERESE LEROY, b. 01 Mar 1814, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. She married LAMBERT FRANCOIS 25 Jun 1841 in Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium, son of FRANÇOIS FRANÇOIS and MARY BRIZLANT. He was born 05 Feb 1819 in Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium, and died 30 Jun 1877. Children of HERMANSE LEROY and LAMBERT FRANCOIS are: i. FIDELINE5 FRANCOIS. ii. ALICE FRANCOIS, b. 10 Jul 1854, Belgium; d. 15 Sep 1876, Tournai, Hainault Province, Belgium; m. ERNEST GRADE. iii. FINNA FRANCOIS.9. iv. FERNAND FRANCOIS. v. MARIE FRANCOIS.



2. LAURE MARIE THERESE LEROY, b. 12 Oct 1815, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. She married LOUIS A. BOURDEAUX. Children of LAURE LEROY and LOUIS BOURDEAUX are: i. HENRI5 BOURDEAUX, b. Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. ii. LOUISE BOURDEAUX, b. Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium.


3. CLEMENTINE LEROY, b. 06 Jul 1817, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium; d. 11 Feb 1901, Ghlin, Hainaut Province Belgium. She married JEAN BAPTISTE BOUILLART, son of VINCENT BOUILLART and MARIE AGNESSENS. He died Bef. 11 Feb 1901.
More About CLEMENTINE LEROY:Burial: Saint Vincent Cemetery, Soignies, Hainaut Prov., Belgium Children of CLEMENTINE LEROY and JEAN BOUILLART are: i. REGINE5 BOUILLIART, b. 07 Jan 1843, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. ii. HENRIETTE ISMERIE BOUILLIART, b. 07 Jan 1843, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium.


4. MAXIMILIEN LEROY, b. 26 Sep 1820, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium; d. 05 May 1912, Brussels, Belgium. Maximilien never married.

5. LOUISE JULIE ALBERTINE LEROY, b. 10 Apr 1822, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium; d. 23 Oct 1906, Titusville, Brevard Co., FL. She married JULES EDWARD DEBRADY Bef. 1842 in France, son of UNKNOWN DEBRADY and UNKNOWN. He was born Abt. 1820 in France, and died 18 Dec 1885 in St. Tammany Parish, Madisonville, LA.
More About LOUISE JULIE ALBERTINE LEROY:Baptism: 11 Apr 1822, Godfather:Jules Vincent Joseph Pieinan, Godmother: Hermance LeRoy, acting for Louise De Touber; signed: Pieiman. Children of LOUISE LEROY and JULES DEBRADY are:. i. LEONTINE THERESE BRADY, b. 1842, England; d. Bef. 1880., ii. ADHEMAR BRADY, b. Abt. 1844, Cork, Ireland; d. 1922, Brevard Co., FL. iii. JOSEPHINE M. BRADY, b. Apr 1846, England; d. 06 Aug 1929, Miami, FL. iv. LAURA P. BRADY, b. 19 Dec 1847, NC; d. Aft. 1929, Miami, Dade Co., FL. v. HENRI LAURI BRADY, b. 04 Aug 1849, NC; d. Bet. 1900 - 1910, Summerfield, Dallas Co., AL.. vi. EDWARD L. BRADY, b. 18 Jul 1859, Selma, Dallas Co., AL; d. 28 Sep 1929, Miami, Dade Co., FL. vii. LOUIS ALBIN BRADY, b. 31 Mar 1865, Summerfield, Dallas Co., AL; d. 02 Sep 1947, Titusville, Brevard Co., FL.

6. LYDIE HELENE LEONTINE LEROY, b. 01 Jun 1824, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium; d. 25 Mar 1908, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. She married ANDRE DE BACKER 08 May 1844 in Erbiseul, son of FRANCOIS DEBACKER and ANNE GAMBON. He was born Abt. 1821, and died Bef. 07 Sep 1866.

7. LEONTINE OCTAVIE MARIE THERESE LEROY, b. 04 Mar 1826, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium. She married LOUIS DE VRIES 11 May 1846 in Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium, son of GUILLAUME DEVRIES and MARIE SERVAIS. He was born Abt. 1815 in Brussells, Belgium. Child of LEONTINE LEROY and LOUIS DE VRIES is: i. JUDSE MAX DE VRIES.

8. ADHEMAR GASTON ABEL LEROY, b. 14 Apr 1832, Soignies, Hainaut Province, Belgium; d. 05 May 1912, Brussels, Belgium. He married ROSINE BOSTEELS. Children of ADHEMAR LEROY and ROSINE BOSTEELS are: i. SON LE ROY. ii. DAUGTHER LE ROY.

I am looking forward to hearing from any descendent to Dr. Leroy or any of his children.

And now for a little bit of information on my Great-Great Grandmother who made her home in America. Notes for LOUISE JULIE ALBINE "CHER MAMA" LEROY:

In a letter from Albine's daughter-in-law to my Aunt Mary Wooten in the late 1940s, most of Albine's brothers and sisters were believed to have been killed during World War 1. Adhemar LeRoy, Albine's brother was the only one to survive this conflict. The family never heard from the rest of their family.

Albine brought with her from Europe, a 15 year old girl, always listed as a friend by the name of Rebekah Smith. Rebekah was born in Ireland in 1835 and always is listed in the Brady household. Rebekah died 6 years before Albine and this must have devastated Albine.

From the Selma Daily Reporter of July 25, 1861:

"Home School" for English and French. MY husband, Prof. Jules Brady, having volunteered in the Confederate Army for the War, I have concluded to open the school known as Prof. Brady's Home School, on the first Monday in October next. The French dept. will be under my charge, Music under my daughter, Miss Leontine Brady. A competent English teacher is engaged. French will be spoken in conversation altogether. Rates of board and tuition as heretofore. The location of the school is on a very elevated and healthy place, where there is a beautiful grove and splendid scenery, and very cool in the summer. The distance from Selma is 9 miles, from Summerfield, 2 miles. Applications for admission should be made early to the principal, Mrs. A. Brady at Selma or Summerfield, Dallas Co. July 16, 1861.

There is a brief biography of Albine in the Titusville History Books:

" A widow with seven children came to homestead in La Grange in 1873. She had once known wealth and high position. Albine LeRoy Brady's father, Dr. Henry LeRoy was a physician to the King of Belgium. But Albine had married an Irishman and moved to Canada, leaving behind her luxuries; she and her husband later settled in Summerfield, AL. Word handed down through several generations was Dr. LeRoy did not approve of the marriage of his daughter Albine and Jules Brady.

As a widow with a big family, she pulled up stakes and moved to Florida with great hopes for the future. The way was often rough, but the Brady name was to be known throughout the area."
Comments: I know now Albine was not a widow, but her husband left her after the war, removed to LA and started another family. Upon Jules death in LA, Albine protested the will. Do not know if they were ever legally divorced or if he were a bigamist. Also there is contradicting information on where the children were born, how old they are, etc. The census records keep changing age and place of birth, so same as Albine's husband Jules, we don't have proof of what year they came to America, how many children came with them and how many were born here. In the census of 1860 it states two children born in North Carolina, but have not found proof to document this either, two in England and the rest in Alabama. In the write-up about her death it states she moves to Florida in 1876, she is living in the home of her son Adhemar Brady in 1880 census records in Florida, and appears in the 1885 Florida census records.

Article written by Father Curley, who late became Bishop of St. Augustine and still later on Bishop of Baltimore until his death.
Death of Mrs. Albine Brady
" On Tuesday evening, at 8:30, fortified by the last rites of her church, surrounded by her children and grand children, Mrs. Albine Brady passed peacefully from this to a better and happier life at the ripe age of 84.

The deceased was descended from one of the first families of Belgium. Her father, Dr. Henri Eloy Joseph LeRoy, filled with honor and national credit the most exalted positions in his native city of Soignies, where he reached the very apex of distinction in his chosen profession of medicine.

Nothing can give to readers of this imperfect sketch a better idea of the lofty social standing and remarkable qualities of the LeRoy family than the fact that the father of our departed citizen was deemed worthy of the highest decorations for distinguished services which his country could confer. When still in the prime of life hew was made the recipient of the much coveted "Croix de fer." Afterwards he was decorated by the Belgian monarch with the order of "Knight of Leopold," and finally the highest honor of the literary and scientific world was conferred upon him when he was made a member of the "Royal Academy of Science."
Educational advantages of the first order were enjoyed by the children of Dr. LeRoy, and it required but little perspicuity to discern after a short conversation with her that Mrs. Brady was a lady of exceptional culture, keen mind, great ability and of marked personality, qualities which shone forth with undimmed lustre even in her declining years. She came to America shortly after her marriage and made Florida her home in 1876.

In her passing from our midst our town has lost one whose life was a bright beacon of brilliant example, serving the animate others in their efforts to love and serve God. Her deep, intense love for her children was scarcely ever equaled. Her humble submission to God's will in her affliction when sight failed her, was most admirable and made a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of meeting her. Her life was actuated in its every moment by love of God. Her faith was dearer to her than life, for from that noble faith she drew ineffable consolations always, but particularly when life's sun was fast sinking behind the hills of time, to rise on the unending shore of eternity.
"Death loves a shining mark, " and certainly when its cold unrelenting hand settled on our dear departed one it came to to take to a higher sphere a shining light, effulgent with every good quality of head and heart. Gone to enjoy the eternal beauties of the Beatific Vision! Gone! But ne'er to be forgotten! Gone! Yes, but with us lingers still The sweet aroma of her lovely life to be a powerful incentive to noble lives as was undoubtedly hers. To her children, one and all, we extend our warmest sympathy and sincerest condolence in their sorrow." M.J.C.