Somewhat strange, the beginnings of this very French name, many of the de Montbruns (both Canadian and Trinidadian) that are alive today can at best only recall (or are still experiencing as in my case) beautiful Trinidad Colonial homes, Trinidad's laid back social lifestyle, and of course who could forget, Trinidad Carnival. It's hard to believe that it all began in a completely different place.

The story of the de Montbruns of Trinidad (at least the Trinidad line that I belong to) actually begins in Cumaná, Sucre State, Venezuela with Dominique de Montbrun (b.1764 in France, we assume) and his Spanish-born wife "Dona Maria del Carmen Zamoran de Montbrun" reportedly from 'noble' family (for the reader who is keeping track of the relationship of this individual, this would be our generation's Great Great Great Great Grandfather). Dona Maria del Carmen Zamoran de Montbrun, was specially decorated by King Ferdinand VII for her fidelity to the cause of Spain. She was actually Dominique's second wife, he also had a wife named Manuela. With Manuela, Dominique had one daughter and two sons; Maria Francisca, Fray Juan Antonio and Sebastian de Montbrun. We are uncertain as to what eventually happened to Manuela. With Dona Maria del Carmen, Dominique had five more children; Pedro de Montbrun, Jose Maria de Montbrun, Jose Leandro de Montbrun, Maria de la O de Montbrun and Agustina de Montbrun. We do not know much else of this couple, only what has been mentioned of her in the newspaper coverage of one of her children's death, General José Leandro de Montbrun (our generation's Great Great Great Grandfather).

From the union of General José Leandro and his wife, also named Maria (like his mother), came nine children (six girls and three boys), namely, Pedro Luisa, Luisa Rafaela, Jose Maria, Maria Joasefa, Maria del Carmen, Luisa Laureana, Domingo, Etelvina and Jose Leandro. One of the General's sons namely Dr. Domingo de Montbrun KNT (our generation's Great Great Grandfather) married Emilia Otero of Venezuela and migrated with their two sons, Domingo Antonio and Pedro Luis and two daughters, Josepha and infant Carmen Luisa, to Trinidad in about 1865 during a time of civil unrest in Venezuela, and so began our line of the Trinidad de Montbruns (a special thanks to Andres Montbrun of Venezuela for the invaluable assistance he provided on the structure of General José Leandro's family).

General José Leandro de Montbrun, born March 13th, 1797, truly was a man of many talents, and in addition, a very, very fortunate man. José Leandro became paymaster (in our language, the equivalent of the accountant) aboard the Spanish Man-Of-War "Rita" defending the Spanish territory of Venezuela from the rebels of Simon Bolivar, at the tender age of 17 (no doubt, the position and influence of his parents may have assured this relatively comfortable position). Unfortunately, an unexpected turn of events led to the capture of the battleship in 1815 by Simon Bolivar's forces near the Venezuelan island of Margarita. In those days, when a sailor was aboard an enemy craft there was no Geneva Convention to protect the life and limb of a prisoner of war, the sailor's life was forfeit and he was promptly executed as soon as it was felt that the prisoner was of no further value to the war effort. Fortune once again, favored the young de Montbrun sailor, and his French name and heritage came to his assistance. The forces of Simon Bolvar, with enough problems of their own, still with major battles still to fight with the Spanish, did not want to create any potentially embarrassing political issues with the New Republic of France still smarting from the French Revolution. With the help of a well connected Venezuelan, General Piar, José Leandro de Montbrun was released. This single event had more influence on the lives of the Trinidad de Montbruns than any other that I've ever been able to find, if José Leandro had perished as did his fellow sailors aboard The "Rita", the Trinidad de Montbruns would have not existed. Jose Leandro dedicated his life to the interests of the land of his birth, Venezuela and to the Great Liberator, Simon Bolivar. In 1827, at the age of 30, General José Leandro was decorated with ‘The Order of the Bolivar’ of Peru as a reward for his services and devotedness to the Great Liberator.

On the dissolution of Columbia in 1830, General José Leandro de Montbrun retired from public life and devoted his time to the care of his extensive and valuable properties at Puerto Cabello, Moron Alpargraton etc. The Civil Wars of 1835 and 1848 all but destroyed his sugar and coffee plantations, he then re-entered the public service where he successively filled the posts of Secretary to the Senate, Auditor General, Reciever General and other important offices, for which services he was decorated with ‘The Order of the Bust of the Liberator - Simon Bolivar’, the only order, and highest distinction of the country. He was, moreover, on November 11, 1821, Don José Leandro de Montbrún was made a Knight of the Order of Carlos III (Caballero de la Real y Distinguida Orden de Cralos III) by King Alfonso XII of Spain (see attached). I must thank Andres Montbrun of Venezuela, also a descendent of General José Leandro for not only confirming the information of the Knighting by King Alfonso XII but providing a copy of the actual document which I have attached.

General José Leandro de Montbrun, breathed his last in Caracas, the capital of the Republic of Venezuela at 9 pm, on the 31st of August 1885 at the age of 88. His long life was that of a sincere Christian, a life of devotion to his children and kindness to his numerous friends. “Empenate en hacer ingrates”- Exert yourself to make ingrates. Simple and noble words that indicated a heart beaming with charity.

Alan de Montbrun
ademontbrun@gmail.com

Newspaper Sources include:
Public Opinion Newspaper – September 11th, 1885,
The Port of Spain Gazette - September 12, 1885
National Archives of Trinidad & Tobago

Other sources:
Andres Montbrun (Venezuela)