Château de la Genaiserie: Revolution
As you might imagine Anne, being the wife of a pro-royalist soldier, did not fair well during Paul’s absence. During the Terreur she was imprisoned, and their two children were placed into care. Naturally both château and vineyard went uncared for, and the vineyards began to run wild. It was only with her release in 1794 that she could first rescue their two children, and then perhaps put the brakes on the rapid decline of their estate into ruin. It was only with Paul’s eventual return in 1800, however, that the full reconstitution of the château and vineyard could begin. They were also able to complete their family, with a third child, Théodore (1802 – 1865).
There is mention of the Bellefonds family, still living at Château de la Genaiserie, in État Présent de la Noblesse Française (Librairie Bachelin-Deflorenne, 1866). This was long after Paul and even all his children had died, indicating that the family remained at Château de la Genaiserie for several generations at the very least. They seem to have remained active in the military as well, as there are two Pissonnet de Bellefonds mentioned, one a colonel and commandeur in the Légion d’Honneur, the other a lieutenant. No mention is made of the vineyards at Genaiserie at this time, however, and thereafter the trail runs cold.
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