of the Boyne. In crossing the river he narrowly escaped a watery grave, but was taken safely to the opposite bank by a tall dragoon. His valour attracted general remark, and as a reward for conspicuous bravery, he was made an aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It is said that the Karl of Granard forthwith gave his consent to the marriage of his daughter with the young ensign, which he had previously interdicted. It is unnecessary to pronounce a decision on this romantic suggestion, it being enough to be able to say that he did marry Lady Jane Forbes, daughter of Arthur, second Earl of Granard. On the disbanding of the French regiments, he was admitted into the regular line, and became a major in the 14th Foot, called Tidcomb’s, after its colonel.
On retiring from the service, Major Champagné settled at Portarlington. His life was spent in doing good. He was beloved by his family, and a bountiful friend of his refugee neighbours, many of whom were his neighbours or connections. His account-book has already been quoted from, to tell his generosity to Madame Cavalier and her gallant husband. Here is another specimen of his dealings. He lends Mesdemoiselles de Champloriers two guineas, and supplies them with “eight car-loads of hay at 2s. 6d. per load;” he makes this note, “Miles. Champloriers pd. me two guineas against my will, but accepted of the hay.”[1] As the late Sir Erasmus Borrowes testifies, “a system of mutual aid most gracefully adorned the character of the refugees.” Major de Champagné owed money to the late husband of Madame D’Arrabin, for which she had a bond. The account-book says, "Delivered to Mrs. D’Arrabin some time in August 1715 a large burned china pounch Boull, valewed att tenn pounds, on account of what I owed to her late husband. October the 3d, 1722, she allowed me six pounds more for ye above said boull, which perfected the full interest to that day.” In 1724 she reduced the interest on the bond by £11 12s. 6d., “whether I would or not.” He died on the 2d May 1737, aged sixty-four. Lady Jane Champagné, “relict of Major Champagné, sister of the Earl of Granard,” survived till October 11, 1760.
Major Champagné’s son was the Very Rev. Arthur Champagné, Dean of Clonmacnois (February 1761), and Chaplain of the English Church of Portarlington. He was born in 1714, and dying on the 20th August 1800, was interred in the cemetery of that town. His wife was Marianne, daughter of Colonel Isaac Hamon, and their family consisted of three sons and three daughters.
Of the sons, Lieutenant-General Forbes Champagné was born 2d July 1754 — he rose to that rank in the army 25th July 1810, and died in October 1816, aged sixty two. General Sir Josias Champagné, G.C.H., was born 26th September 1755, he became a full general 19th July 1821, and died in January 1840 in his eighty-fifth year. The other son was Rev. George Champagné, Rector of Twickenham, and Canon of Windsor. The two generals appear side by side during an important period of their career. The two lieutenant-colonels of the 60th Foot in 1793 were, Forbes Champagné, 18th December, and Josias Champagné, 19th December, and they were both made Major-Generals on the same day (25th Sept. 1803). Forbes held military commands in Ireland at Armagh, Enniskillen, and Athlone. Josias became eminent as an Indian officer.
Of Dean Champagné’s daughters, Henrietta de Robillard married in 1783 Sir Erasmus Dixon Borrowes, sixth Baronet of Gilltown. Jane married in 1767 Henry, third Earl of Uxbridge, and was the mother of General the Marquis of Anglesey, K G, G.C.B., G.C.H., etc., Jane Countess of Galloway, Charlotte Countess of Enniskillen, Lady Louisa Murray, and Mary, Baroness Graves. Marianne Champagné married in 1778 Sir Charles Des Voeux, first baronet of Indiaville, son of the Rev. Anthony Vinchon Des Voeux.
- ↑ The Champagné MSS. in the possession of Sir Erasmus Borrowes, Bart., and the Papers in the “Ulster Journal,” by the late Sir Erasmus, who, if his life had been prolonged, would have printed the above-named M5S., with their valuable information concerning the families of Champagné, La Rochefoucauld, &c.
