Breton Branch
Quiberon, (Morbihan, Brittany), is the cradle of the ROHU family. In his history of the Quiberon peninsula and its surrounding area, the historian Alfred le Quer suggests that the surname Rohu derives from ‘Roaud’. A Rouad was Treasurer to Duke Jean the second (1286-1305) in Quiberon. The Rohu family hereditarily retained the Parish Lieutenancy during the 17th century when, says le Quer, it was a powerful family: ‘the most powerful’.
We pick up the story in the commune of Plouharnel where Guillaume Rohu was born in 1646. Since then, Rohu descendants have been continuously associated with Plouharnel, nearby Carnac and its environs. Guillaume's grandson, Jules Joseph Rohu, was born in 1727. Jules married Louise le Bagousse in 1757 and they had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Tragically, Jules Joseph died at sea in 1773, aged 46. His widow and surviving children lived through some of the most turbulent years in the history of France - the Revolution in 1789, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800's and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814.
Members of the Rohu family supported the Royalist cause during the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1795, when French émigré and British forces landed in Quiberon in support of the Chouan revolt. The invasion was defeated by Republican forces, dealing a decisive blow to the Royalist cause.
We pick up the story in the commune of Plouharnel where Guillaume Rohu was born in 1646. Since then, Rohu descendants have been continuously associated with Plouharnel, nearby Carnac and its environs. Guillaume's grandson, Jules Joseph Rohu, was born in 1727. Jules married Louise le Bagousse in 1757 and they had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Tragically, Jules Joseph died at sea in 1773, aged 46. His widow and surviving children lived through some of the most turbulent years in the history of France - the Revolution in 1789, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800's and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814.
Members of the Rohu family supported the Royalist cause during the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1795, when French émigré and British forces landed in Quiberon in support of the Chouan revolt. The invasion was defeated by Republican forces, dealing a decisive blow to the Royalist cause.
Vincent Michael Rohu (1759-1804)
Following the defeat of the Royalists in Quiberon, Vincent Michael brought recusant priests (priests who were proscribed by Napoleon) to the Isle of Houat and other ones to Spain for their safety, Vincent then sailed to join the Comte D’Artois who had fled to the island of Yeu. Artois went to England and took Vincent-Michel with him. Later, Vincent-Michel returned to Brittany having heard that his wife had died, to care for the children. He was recognised and imprisoned in the prison of Saint Brieuc where he died in 1804. The Comte Artois would eventually be crowned Charles 10th of France on the restoration of the monarchy.
Bonaventure-Marie Rohu (1761 - 1822)
Bonaventure-Marie Rohu was Mayor of Plouharnel at the time of the invasion at Quiberon. He was detained by the Comte D'Artois on a British warship and brought back to England following the defeat. He remained for the rest of his life in England, the first Rohu to leave France.
Jeanne-Armelle Rohu (1763-1833)
After the defeat at Quiberon and during the reprisals that followed, the family house at Pont Neuf, Plouharnel was pillaged and burnt by ‘the Blues’, the Napoleonic Republican soldiery. Jeanne-Armelle fled with her mother to various places of refuge where they had to remain concealed to preserve their lives. It was she who took into her care the children of her older brother, Vincent-Michel. She eventually returned to Pont Neuf where she died, unmarried.
Jules-Marie Rohu (1769-1795)
Jules-Marie was Captain of the parish of Erdeven. He was killed by ‘the Blues’ in the course of an engagement at Kergoet near Erdeven.
Jean Pierre Rohu (1771-1849)
Jean Rohu was Lieutenant to General Georges Cadoudal, leader of the Chouans who were in opposition to Napoleon and wished to restore the Monarchy. Jean was Mayor of Plouharnel from 1815 to 1826. He was awarded the Legion of Honour and the Order of St Louis by the King in recognition of his services. He died in August 1849 in the village of Kerroue near Saint Helene where his wife, Anne Le Gouriff and his brother-in-law, Francois Le Gouriff were born. This Francois was Mayor of the parish of Saint Helene.
Joseph Rohu (1773-1849)
Joseph was a posthumous son to Jules-Joseph. He served in the Royalist Army and rose to the rank of Adjutant-Major. He was arrested by the Republicans and imprisoned at Vannes. He later served in the ship Algeciras and fought at the Battle of Trafalgar. The ship was captured by the English and brought to Cadiz where he was handed over to the Spanish, for Spain was, at that time, at war with France. He was sent as a prisoner to the Canary Islands. After the war, he returned to France during the Restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy and spent the remainder of his life in his native village of Pont Neuf where he died on 22nd July 1849.