I propose that prior to the Revolutionary War, there was a family living in the Colonies by the name of Levesque. This family WAS NOT related to the French Canadian Levesque founded in Canada by Robert Levesque in 1671, but rather probably came as Scots Irish to the New World, having left the origin place of their name, "the Bishop," France, some generations before (perhaps as Huguenots under persecution by the Catholic Church or even earlier).

I base my assumption on the following:

1. The earliest records for this family in Federal census or tax or deed records is for John Levesque in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia

2. The last big influx of settlers in the Shenandoah Valley at the time John is listed were the Scots Irish, after the initial majority of Swiss/German with Jost Hite.

3. Noting several misspellings of the name Levesque are similar to those used for the family line below. These misspelling follow pretty much along the lines of how the name was pronounced for generations: Lev-es-cue and La-ves-key. In other words, nothing like the correct French, La-veck, as that pronunciation had long been lost. Misspellings are to be expected given the lack of literacy and set spellings at the time. I've also noted how the name change over time within families. In the family below from NC, it started as Levasque, then the second e was converted to an a (because of the schwa sound of it) to Lavasque, and then certain members started to capitalize the v, as was done in my branch with my grandfather in KY. However, no one in the family groups I've traced seems to have gone over to the translation of the name, Bishop, or for the phonetic French: Laveck. When the v was capitalized, it was done under the misunderstanding that the work "bishop" in French was "vesque," instead of the proper "evesque". Contemporary French, since the 1600s, leaves out the unpronounced "s," or at least so I've read.

4. A look at the French Canadian or Louisiana Levesque families show they often name children with "French sounding" names. They also marry other families with names of French origin. The French families from Canada tend to group in enclaves of relatives and other French families, much as the Swiss German did in the Shenandoah Valley. These Levesques married into English or other Scots Irish families.

5. These Levesque/Levasque/Lavasque are just about always Protestant, with a lot of Baptists among them. It may be an unfounded stereotype, but I think of the Levesques in Canada as Catholic.

6. There is a little knot of related Levesques that start in the early colonies of VA, and NC and then spread down and out to TN, AL, GA, OH and AR, following the migration trails.

Note please that all the research I've done is a compilation from sources on the internet, via Heritage Quest, Ancestry.com, RootsWeb, Family Search, and GenForum. I'm stuck here in California, but I've been downloading and printing things off for four years now. And this is how the story reads to me...

I'll start off here with just a little about the early Levesques in Virginia. In another posting I'll list the details I've gleaned. Able/Abel Levesque was in the Rev. War fighting with pioneers from VA's Shenandoah Valley area, as was John Levesque, who's presence in the Shenandoah Valley is first noted in the 1783 Personal Property Tax List, (spelled Levisque) with a household of 6 souls. Perhaps Abel and Samuel were brothers. Others, besides John, of the family name are also noted in VA land dealings and marriages and minute books: George, Rachael, Samuel, Elizabeth. I've taken John Levesque as the father of at least Samuel and George, and perhaps Rachael and Jesse Sr. are the two remaining children George was still in the Shenandoah area in 1830, while Samuel moved on to the area around Cynthiana, KY shortly after 1800. Samuel's line is found on this site (Genforum) with postings by Lynne Miller and eventually it leads to me! There are also three women born in VA starting in 1783 and traveling on together to OH: Mercy, Nancy and Mary Levesque (possible mother, dau & grand dau). In another posting I will construct a possible sequence of generations tying all these families together.

One of two other non-Canadian lines of Levesque which I'll expand on later in another posting goes back to the family of Thomas and Zelphina Levesque. They are an African American from AR (him) and NC (her) who are first seen in AL and travel up to AR. The other family is a bit more well known, as a town in Cross Co., AR was named after a member. This family starts with an unknown father in TN and his three known children, all born in TN: Elizabeth Pitt Levesque, the Rev. William Levesque, and James Levesque, whose son James M. Levesque the town is named after.

Here is the Levesque group coming out of North Carolina.
1. Jesse Lavasque Sr
d. bef 1830
& Mary Fanny/Francis Rogers (dau of Robert Rogers & Francis Russell, brothers Thomas,David and Hugh Rogers)
b. abt 1784, Haywood, NC?
d. 1863? Jackson Co., NC?

2 i. Nancy Lavasque
b. abt. 1812, NC
& C.C. Bramlet
b. 1815, GA
Note: 1850 Census, 85th Dist., Union Co., GA [living near Jesse and Sarah/Sally and her mother, Fanny]
Bramlet, C. C. age 35 farmer real estate valued $200 b. GA, can't read/write
Nancy, age 38 b. NC, can't read/write
Lafayette, age 11 b GA
Martha, age 8 b. GA
Lilian, age 4 b. GA
Sarah, age 3, b. GA
Mary, age 2, b. GA

2 ii. Jesse Lavasque Jr.
NOTE: early notations also seen as Levaskue, Levisque, Levaskese, Levasky, Levask
b. 1802, NC
d. 1855, Fannin Co., GA
& Sarah “Sally” Bryson (marriage 8 Mar 1825, Haywood Co., NC)
b. 1806, Cullowhee, Buncombe Co., NC
d. 1863, Fannin Co, GA
Note: dau of John Webb Bryson and Jane K. Poston
Note: great early info from : http://www.martygrant.com/gen/bryson/brysonnc/bryson-john-ma...
Note: 1820 Census, Buncombe Co., NC
Jesse Levaskue 000100-00011-0100
Note: Jesse and family listed in Census of 1830, Macon, NC; 1840 & 1850, Union Co., GA
Unknown male -brother?- implied by 1830 Census, Macon Co., NC pg. 28
Jesse Levisque 0000200000000-0000100100000 = 2m 20-30; 1f 20-30, 1f 50-60
Sarah, widow, listed Census 1860, 1870 Fannin Co.
Note: from Genforum, B. McRae: A man named Jesse Levask, also written Levaskese and Levasky, lived in Macon County, NC abt 1829-1836. He was a road overseer in 1829; he was appointed executor of the estate of Samuel Kirby in April 1832. He sold land in 1836 and disappears from the county record after that.
Note: 1850 Census, 85th Dist., Fannin Co., GA
Lavasque, Jesse, age 47, farmer, value of real estate: $1000, b. NC
Sarah, wife 43, b. NC, cannot read or write
Hamilton, age 14, b. NC
Fanny, age 68, b. NC

3 i. Hamilton N. Levasque
b. 1835, Macon Co., NC
wounded 16 May 1863 at Champion Hill, MS
d. abt 1869 (dau Martha b. 1870)
& Frances “Frankie” D. Kee/Key/Keys
b. 1839, GA
Note: 1860 Census, GA Militia Dist. 844, Fannin Co., GA
Levasque, Hamilton M., age 24, (1836) farmer $1000 real estate, $350 personal, born NC
Francis, age 21 (1839), housekeeper, born GA
Andrew, age 3 (1857), born GA
Rebecca,age 8 months (1859), born GA
Sally Levasque, age 53 (1807), house keeping, born NC
Francis Lavasque, age 80 (1780) , infirm no occupation, born NC
Note: 1870 Census, Morganton, Fannin Co., GA
Lavaskue, Sarah, age 63, keeping house, value $400, personal $300, b. NC, can't write
Lavaskue, Frances, age 32, keeping house, b. GA, can't write
Young, age 12, works on farm, b. GA, going to school
Jane, age 10, b. GA, going to school
Ann, age 8, b. GA, going to school
Mary, age 5, b. GA
Henry, age 2, b. GA
Note: http://battleofchampionhill.org/killed.htm listing Confederate Dead
Co. H, 52nd Reg.,Georgia Vol. Inf., Fannin Co., GA: Lavasque, Hamilton W (N). Pvt.
Reported to have been wounded (not noted as killed) 16 May 1863 at Champion Hill, aka Baker's Creek, MS.

4 i. Rebecca Jane Lavasque
b. 8 Dec 1859, GA
d. 29 Oct 1923, Towns Co, GA,buried Old Union Cemetery, Young Harris, GA
& William Josiah Souther
b. 28 Aug 1857, Towns Co., GA
d. 18 Oct 1908, Towns Co, GA, buried Old Union Cemetery, Young Harris, GA
Note: son of John C. H. and Nancy Souther, noted in 1870 Census, Blairsville, Union Co, GA, as 42 old,b. GA farmer (real est. value=$200, personal valued $1100), cannot read/write,10 children in the home from ages 17 to age 1. William is 14, farm laborer.
Note: 1900 Census Young Harris Town, Towns Co. GA
Souther, William, Aug 1857, age 42, all b. GA, farmer, own, free
Rebecca J., Dec ? 1855, age 40
Dellia A., Nov 1884, age 15
James A., Feb 1888, age 12
William W., May 1890, age 10
Arthur B., Oct 1893, age 6
Mattie A., June 1896, age 3
Bascom, Dec 1898, age 2
boarder Albert Moody, age 25 -school teacher
Note: 1910 census Young Harris Town, Upper Brasstown district, *Towns Co.,
GA*, Meridian Street, 4 May,
Lavasque, Francis D. mother age 71, widowed, children: 6/4 born GA, fa and ma=US own income
Rebecca Souther, dau, age 50 widowed, children 10/7, farmer, general farm
James A. Souther, son, 32, b. GA, clerk
Arthur Souther, 17 b. GA farm laborer, home farm
Mattie Souther, 14 b. GA
Bascom Souther, son age 12 b. GA, farm laborer
May Souther, age 4 b. GA
Note: A second marriage is reported for Rebecca Lavasque to Joseph Welch (b. abt 1830, d. 1920 Towns Co., GA, who married before 1860 to 1st Martha Yates - b. abt 1838. This marriage would have been after 1910 and before 1920, when they divorced.

5 i. Delia/Della Souther
b. 4 Nov 1884, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. 22 Jul 1964, GA,buried Old Union Cemetery, Young Harris, GA
& McHenry Stephens (married 13 Mar 1902)
b. 12 Jan 1878
d. 26 Jan 1945, buried Old Union Cemetery, Young Harris, GA

6 i. Louise Stephens

6 ii. Lewey Stephens
b. 5 Dec 1902

6 iii. Harry Angel Stephens
b. 3 Apr 1910

5 ii. James Andrew Souther
b. 23 Feb 1888, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. 16 Mar 1967, Modoc, CA

5 iii. Arthur Bright Souther
b. 9 Aug 1892, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. 20 Jul 1964, Napa. CA

5 iv. Mattie A. Souther
b. 5 Jun 1895, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. 11 Oct 1917
& W. R. Jenkins

5 v. Bascom/Bascombe Lafayette Souther
b. 1898, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. Death: in last known living @ Atlanta, Georgia with sister May

5 vi. May Souther
b. 1906, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
& Robert Knox

5 vii. Bennett E. Souther
b. Dec 1897, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA

5 viii. Henry Souther
b. 27 Jan 1886, Towns Co, GA

5 ix. Will W. Souther
b. 20 Mar 1890, Towns Co, GA
d. 28 Apr 1917, Towns Co, GA,buried Old Union Cem., Young Harris, GA

5 x. Robert Souther
b. 5 May 1900, Towns Co, GA
d. 5 May 1900, Towns Co, GA

5 xi. George Souther
b. 22 Jul 1901, Towns Co, GA
d. 6 Aug 1901, Towns Co, GA

4 ii. Andrew Young Lavasque
b. 25 Sep 1858, Skeinah, Fannin Co, GA
d. 8 Feb 1931, Pope Co., AR
& America Ellen Payne
b. Feb 1867, GA
d. 9 Dec 1943, Pope Co., AR
Note: 1910 Census, Russellville, *Pope County, AR*, 5 May 1910
Lavesque, Andrew Y. M/W, age 52, M1, 22 yrs, born GA, father/mother born GA, Proprietor, blacksmith shop (own account), own home, mortgaged, house,
America, wife, age 40, M1, 22 yrs, 4/4 children, born GA, fa b. TN, mo b. GA
William, son, age 21, born GA, electrician, light plant (all sons empl'd for the full yr.)
Arthur, son, age 19, born GA, printer, newspaper
Marvin, son, age 17, born AR, electrician, light plant
Clyde, son, age 5 born AR
all read/write except Clyde, Marvin the only one in school since 1 Sept 1909
Note: Arthur Lavasque is also found on the 1910 Census, Spadra, Clarksville, Johnson Co., AR taken 16 Apr 1910. He is age 19, boarding with Frederick Vore, a publisher of a newspaper.
Note: 1920 Census, 2nd Wd, Russellville/IL, Pope Co., AR, 6&7 Jan 1920
Lavasque A. Y., age 61, blacksmith general shop
America, wife, age 45
Clyde, son, age 14
Note: 1930 Census, Russellville/IL, Pope Co., AR
Lavasque, Andrew, age 72, married at age 36, occupation: blacksmith, blacksmith shop
Mary, wife, age 60 ["Mary" for America?, age off by a couple of yrs, but birth places of self and parents same as seen in 1910], manager, gro. store

5 i. William Fulton Lavesque
b. 3 Oct 1888, Sketter Gap, GA
d. 15 Apr 1976, Russellville, Pope Co, AR
& Susie Marion Peeler
b. 13 Nov 1894, Russellville, Pope Co, AR
d. 4 May 1989, Dardanelle, Yell, AR
Note: 1920 Census, IL/Russellville, Pope Co., AR, done 2 Jan
Lavasque, Arthur [gives name as "Arthur" but this is certainly William], renting 807 N. Oak,age 31, electrician, Telephone
Susie, wife age 25, b. AR, fa b.NC, mo b. TN
Note: W.W.II Registration Card #U826: William Fulton LaVasque
706 E. 6th, Russellville, Pope Co., AR [no phone]
Age 53, dob 10-3-1888, Skenian, GA
Contact: Sam Neal, Russellville, AR.,
"Non-employed"

6 i. Wilma Jeanette Lavasque
b. 25 Aug 1920, Russellville, Pope Co, AR
d. 8 Aug 2002, Little Rock,Pulaski County,Arkansas
& David Bowen McClure
b. 17 Nov 1919, Dardanelle, AR

7 i. living McClure
& living Richardson

8 i. living McClure
8 ii. living McClure
8 iii. living McClure

7 ii. living
& living Cole
8 i. living Cole

6 ii. Milton Peeler Lavasque
b. 31 Oct 1923, Russellville, Pope Co, AR
& living Stuart

7 i. living Lavasque
7 ii. living Lavasque
7 iii. living Lavasque
7 iv. living Lavasque
& living Walters
7 v. living Lavasque

5 ii. Arthur Walton LaVasque
b. 16 Feb 1891, Morganton, GA
d. Jan 1966, Tulsa, OK
Note: 1920 Census, Ft. Smith, Sebastian Co., AR, 211 N. 7th St., done 3 Jan
LaVasque, Arthur W. , age 28, married (but no wife listed), printer for newspaper
Note: W.W.I Registration Form 1651 Registration Card no. 63
Arthur Walton LaVasque, age 26
6000 E. Kerry St, KC [Kansas City], MO [crossed out and Morrilton, AR written above]
dob: Feb 16, 1891, "natural born" Morganton, GA, USA
Employed as Grocery clerk by Fred Wolferman at 59th & Main, KC, MO
Dependent: wife, married, race: caucasian, no military service to date
Claims exemption to draft: Yes, [?] of wife
Registrar's Report: tall, med. build, gray eyes, black hair
signed Edward E. Naher, Precinct 18, Ward 4, Kansas City, MO, 5 Jun 1917
Note: W.W.II Registration Card #U943: Arthur Walton LaVasque
Residence 921 South 23, Fort Smith, Sebastian, AR, Telephone 3878
Age 51, dob Feb 16 1891, Morganton, GA
Gives contact as Mrs. A. W. LaVasque, 921 S. 23, Ft. Smith, AR
Employer: D. W. Reynolds, Times Record, Ft Smith, AR

5 iii. Marvin/Morgan Don Lavasque
b. 8 Oct 1893, Bee Branch, AR
& Naomi
b. 13 Feb 1893, AR
d. Feb 1970, Russellville, Pope. Co., AR
Note: 1920 Census, Russellville/IL,Pope Co., AR, dated 6&7 Jan 1920
Lavasque, Morgan D. 26 b. Ar, parents b. GA city carrier, mail
Naomi, age 26
Vivian, age 4 b. AR
Note: 1930 Census, IL/Russellville, Pope Co., AR
Lavasque, Marvin, own home valued at $ 3000 & a radio, age 36, age 20 at marriage,occupation: postman, city carrier
Naomi, wife, age 37
Vivian. dau. age 14, b. AR
Marilyn, dau, age 5, b. AR
Note: W.W.II Registration Card U830 Marvin Don LaVasque
317 Glenwood Ave., Russellville, Pope, AR (no phone)
age 48, born Van Buren AR Oct 8, 1893
Contact: Mark Craig, Postmaster, Russellville, AR

6 i. Vivian Lavasque
b. 1916, Pope Co., AR

5 iv. Clyde Lavesque
b. 1905, AR
& Theresa Vana
b. 20 Feb 1907, AR
d. Aug 1973, Dallas, TX
Note: 1930 Census, Morrilton, Conway, AR
living with in-laws Walter J. Vana (Abstracter of Titles, etc) and wife Lula M. Vana at 317 West Street
Lavasque, Clyde, son in law, age 22, married at 19, Salesman, oil company
Theresa, dau [of Vana], age 21, married at 18
Daris Jean, granddau [of Vana], age 2

6 i. Daris Jean Lavasque
b. 1928

4 iii. Ann Lavasque
b. 1862, Fannin Co., GA

4 iv. Mary Lavasque
b. 1865, Fannin Co., GA

4 v. Martha A. Lavasque
b. 1870, Fannin Co., GA
& Lorenzo Greene (married 28 Jun 1892, Fannin, GA)

4 vi. Henry A. Lavasque
b. 1868, Fannin Co., GA
d. 10 Nov 1935, Bartow Co, GA
& Agnes J. Carson
b. Dec 1878, GA
d. 5 Jul 1926, Bartow Co., GA
Note: 1910 Census, Upper Brasstown, Young Harris Town: Mill Street, Towns Co., GA
Henry Lavasque 42, m1 15 yrs b. GA, parents b. GA, farmer, general farm
Agnes wife, age 31,children born and alive: 7/6, b GA
Gordon, son, 13,GA, farm laborer
Willie, son, age 12, laborer
Mamie, dau, , age 9
Lena, dau,, age 6
Branson, son, age 3
Edna, dau, age 5 mo
Note: 1920 Census, Cassville Dist., Bartow Co., GA near Pine Day? Rd
Henry A. Lavasque, age 5? farmer
Agnes J. age 41
William L. age, 22, laborer
Mary A., age 18, teacher grammar school
Leone, age 16
Branson, age 13
Mattie E. , age 10
Hattie A. , age 8

5 i. Andrew Gordon Lavasque
b. 18 Mar 1896, Young Harris, Towns Co., GA
d. 3 Aug 1942, Elbert Co., GA
& Bonnie Lee
b. 5 Sep 1898
d. 6 Jan 1982, Adairsville, Bartow, GA
Note: 1920 Census, 1st Dist Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN
Lavasque, Andrew Gordon, rent on East Main?, age 23, occupation: Scha---,?
Bonnie Lee, wife, age 21, b. GA, parents b. GA
Note: W.W.I Registration Form 1651 Registration Card no. 443
Andrew Gordon LaVasque, age 21
23 W. 13th, Chattanooga, TN
dob: March 18th, 1896, "natural born" Young Harris, GA, USA
Employed as Auto Truck Driver, for Bryan Transfer Co., Chattanooga, TN
Dependent: none, single, race: caucasian, no military service to date
Claims exemption to draft: none
Registrar's Report: tall, med. build, blue eyes, red hair
signed Charles R. Van Pelt, Precinct J Ward, Chattanooga, TN, 5 Jun 1917

5 ii. William Lloyd Lavasque
b. 9 Mar 1897, Towns Co, GA
d. 12 Jun 1971, Bartow Co, GA
Note: W.W.I Draft Registration #78
William Loyd Lavasque, age 21
Route 1, Case [?] Station
dob March 9, 1897, Young Harris, GA, USA
Father's birthplace: Fannin County, GA USA
Employer: Self and father
Dependent: H.A. Lavasque, Route 1, Cass Station
Registrar's Report eyes, brown, hair dark
signed H.O. Nelson June 5, 1918

5 iii. Mamie/Mary A. Lavasque
b. 1901

5 iv. Edna Lavasque
b. Jan 1910

5 v. Henry Branson Lavasque
b. 1 Sep 1906
d. 20 Mar 1976, Dewy Rose, Elbert, GA,buried Dove’s Creek Cemetery
& Lottie Wages
b. 12 Apr 1909
d. 26 Jun 1997, Atlanta, Fulton, GA,buried Dove’s Creek Cemetery

5 vi. Leona Lavasque
b. 1904
d. 2 Mar 1988, Bartow, GA
& Claude Carpenter (married 4 Aug 1923, Bartow Co.)
b. 27 Mar 1905
d. 15 Nov 1985, Bartow, GA

5 vii. Mattie E. Lavasque
b. 1910

5 viii. Hattie A. Lavasque
b. 1912
d. 27 Jul 1971, Bartow, GA
& Polye Evans (married 10 Jan 1931, Bartow Co.)
b. abt 1907
d. 1 Jan 1972, Bartow, GA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misc. for whom I cannot determine their line:

Note: This man is probably the son of one of the above children of Henry and Agnes Lavasque
James Edward Lavasque:
W.W.II Enlistment Record
James E. Lavasque
birth 1924, Bartow, GA
Enlistment date: 2 Jul 1943, GA at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA
education: 4 yrs high school
Civil occupation: Airplane fabric and dope worker
Ht: 99 [sic] inches, wt 946 [sic] [probably 5'9" and 146 lbs]

NC Death Collection for the above:
James Edwin Lavasque
b. 10 Feb 1924
d. 11 Dec 1978
Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., NC
married
Autopsy by medical examiner at General Hospital

SS Death Index for the above:
James Lavasque
b. 10 Feb 1924
d. Dec 1978, GA
===========
Other related Lavasques in subsequent generations: probably sons and wives

Margaret L. Lavasque
b. abt 1944
d. 29 Oct 1970, Clarke. Elbert

Richard A. Lavasque
b. 10 Dec 1933
d. 27 Jul 1985, Atlanta, Dekalb, GA

Billie B. Lavasque
b. 14 Aug 1943
d. 12 Feb 2001, Cartersville, Bartow, GA

Kate/Katie B. Lavasque
b. 21 Dec 1905
d. 10 May 1984, Cartersville, Bartow, GA

Olive A. Lavasque
b. 12 Jan 1936
d. 15 May 1999, Tucker, DeKalb, GA

The two that follow are buried in the Hayes Cemetery, Bartow, GA

[Mammie] Alline LaVasque (possible dau of Henry A. and Mamie Green Edwards?)
b. 13 Mar 1925
d. 18 Nov 1976, Adairsville, Bartow, GA

Marvin Antony LaVasque
b. 26 Aug 1920
d. 18 Oct 1978, Adairsville, Bartow, GA

Marvin Antony LaVasque
b. 7 Oct 1953
d. 7 Oct 1953 (assume infant son of M.A.L. Sr. and Alline above)

Sandra Faye LaVasque
b. 2 Dec 1954
d. 2 Dec 1954 (assume infant son of M.A.L. Sr. Alline above)