Senia

 

Title: Count
Title in succession:
6th
Date created: 
6 June 1795
Grant:  
Grand Master de Rohan-Polduc
Granted To: Vincenzo Fontani
Rep: Bugeja Fontani (dormant)
Remainder to:
his male and female descendants in perpetuity
Present Holder:
Vacant
Feudal Tribute: a bouquet of flowers on the feast of St. Martin, Pope on 13 November every year
British crown recognition: 1878
Abeyance: Passed into abeyance 1945 and brought out 1983 by the Com. of Privileges, annexed to the estates of "tas-Senja" in Marsa which belonged to Vincenzo Fontani's mother and which were raised to the dignity of feudal tenure.


Elisabetta dei Marchesi Alessi, 
Contessa della Senia, 1803

Vincenzo Fontani-Crespi (1784-1844), 
1st. Conte della Senia


Previous Holder (by the artist Phillipa Bianchi)

The title granted to Vincenzo Fontani-Crespi on the year of 1795 by Grand Master de Rohan-Polduc of Count of Senia. The title was annexed to the estates of 'Tas-Senja', in the Marsa area, owned by the grantees mother. The estates was raised to the dignity of a feudal tenure.

  senia.JPG (81209 bytes)

In 1778, Antonio Crespi (the grand-father of the Count Fontani-Crespi) who had been Baron Pisani's rival five years earlier, was appointed the prcurator of Wheat. This time, however, votes were not important since his appointment was made directly by de Rohan who had abolished the 'Consiglio Popolare'.

Under the French occupation, the parents had to pay 800 livres for their sons' board and lodging, and 600 livres for their passage on board French warships. The chosen studnets had to wear 'blue trousers and waistcoats, red cuffs, and facing and white pipings'. Those families who refused to send their sons to France were to be fined 1000 scudi. Among those who were initially chosen were the young Count Fontani, the three sons of Count Sant, and four other boys whose fathers were respectively Baron Galea, Marquis Mallia, Count Manduca, and Marquis Testaferrata.


According to 'Maz-zewq nahat tas-swar', it-tielet ktieb by Carmelo Testa, states that Vincenzo was made a German Palatine Count in 1824.

Vincenzo married a daughter of the 1st Marquis of Taflia.

The second Count was a knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles 111 of Spain, married a daughter of the 5th Count of Mont’Alto, his son the 3rs count died childless in 1906.



The title then went to the 3rd counts sister’s eldest daughter and next of kin. Rosalea Crinquant-Fontani, married Carlo Messina, her descendants becoming extinct and the title went into abeyance in 1945.


Thus the title was claimed by the next of kin in 1983, by Joseph Bugeja-Fontani, who became the 6th Count of Senia.


Joseph Bugeja-Fontani (circa 1980, passed away in 2018)

Senia - By Joseph Barbara

Joseph Bugeja-Fontani (passed away 2018) and his three children and live in Malta .

Some News on Count Bugeja Fontani

Conferment of Insignia - 2006

 

The insignia of Knight of Honour and Devotion was conferred on the Most Noble Count Bugeja Fontani in a short ceremony at La Chiesa di Santa Maria del Priorato nell'Aventino.

 

  

 

The Spiritual Director, Mgr John Dimech, Conventual Chaplain Grand Cross ad Honorem, blessed the insignia, and the President read the brevet in the presence of Frà Filippo Ferretti di Castel Ferretto.

 

 

The President then Conferred the insignia of Knight of Honour and Devotion on Count Joseph Bugeja Fontani with the assistance of Major Raymond P Miller.

Unfortunately Count Senia passed away October of 2018.



An Genealogical Account of the Counts of Senia;

Jean II de Rohan, sn de Tregallet, etc, d.1517; m.1st 1500 Guillemette Malor, Dame de Marzein et de Desmellen; m.2d Francoise Laurens

1.Tristan de Rohan, sn du Poulduc, etc; m.Alix de Brebant
1.1.Jean
1.2.Yves
1.3.Louis de Rohan, sn du Poulduc, etc, d.1584; m.1577 Michelle de l'Hopital
1.3.1.Jerome de Rohan, sn du Poulduc; m.1610 Julienne Le Metayer
1.3.1.1.Isaac de Rohan, sn du Poulduc, d.after 21 Jan 1669; m.1638 Alienor de
Kerpoisson
1.3.1.1.1.Jean Baptiste I de Rohan, sn du Poulduc, d.1711; m.1690 Pelagie Martin,
Dame de Chateaulon
1.3.1.1.1.1.Jean Baptiste II de Rohan, Cte du Poulduc, d.1755; m.1723 Marie Louise de
Velthoven
1.3.1.1.1.1.1.Jean Baptiste Emanuel, b.1724
1.3.1.1.1.1.2.Francois Marie des Neiges Emanuel de Rohan, sn du Henleix, Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, b.1725, d.Malta 1797, Sired a Son and several other children by Giovanna Crespi. (died 1799) Note XX1

1.3.1.1.1.1.2.1. Vincenzo Fontani Crespi (1784-1844). 1st Count of Senia in Malta (cr:1795),(See Below)
1.3.1.1.1.1.2.2. Antonia Fontani Crespi, married 1805 to Leopoldo Zahra Clinquant
1.3.1.1.1.1.2.3. Manuele Fontani Crespi
1.3.1.1.1.1.2.4. Lorenzo Fontani Crespi
1.3.1.1.1.1.3.Bonaventure Francois Antoine
1.3.1.1.1.1.4.Cyriaque
1.3.1.1.1.1.5.Jean Leonard Gabriel Raimond, Abbot of Monlieu, d.1748
1.3.1.1.1.1.6.Marie Pelagie (1724-ca 1753); m.1737 Cte Francois de Groesquer
1.3.1.1.1.2.Jean Louis, d.after 1719
1.3.1.1.1.3.Prudentiane
1.3.1.1.2.Jean, sn du Poulduc, d.1726; m.1690 Marie de Trello
1.3.1.1.3.Anne; m.Francois de Broel, sn de La Negrie
1.3.1.2.Anne; m.1638 Jean de Coetlagat, sn de Clegrio
1.3.2.Samsonne; m.Francois Josset, sn de Kerfredoux
1.4.Isabeau
1.5.Francoise
1.6.Catherine
1.7.Jeanne
2.Ponceau; m.1514 Madeleine Boissot
3.Gillette, Dame de Marzein (1500-ca 1530); m.1521 Marc de Carne, sn de Cohignac
(d.1553)
4.Jeanne; m.1526 Pierre Ermar, sn de Coetdolo
5.Sulpice

* Vincenzo Fontani Crespi (1784-1844), 1st Conte di Senia, (cr:1795). Created Count Palatine of the Austrian Empire on the year of 1824 by Emperor Francis II, married 1803 to Elisabetta Alessi dei Marchesi della Taflia, with issue
1. Luigi Fontani Alessi , 2nd Conte -See Below.

* Count Luigi Fontani Alessi (1815-86), 2nd Conte di Senia, married 1836 to Rosalea Manduca dei Conti di Mont'Alto, with issue
1. Vincenzo Fontani Manduca, 3rd Conte -See Below.

2. Annette Fontani Manduca (1839-1878), married 1859 to Dr Luigi Crinquant MD, with issue

2.1. Rosalea Crinquant Fontani, 4th Contessa -See Below.

2.2. Anne Crinquant Fontani (1867-1948), married 1888 to Feruccio Loffredo, with issue

2.2.1. Maria Loffredo, married 1907 to Giuseppe Galdes of Algeria, with issue

2.2.1.1. Augustine Galdes (died as an infant)

2.2.1.2. Simone Galdes (1911-

2.2.2. Louistte Loffredo, married firstly to Pasquale Gaudino, and married secondly in 1929 to Louis Cocoozoa, with no issue from either marriages.

2.2.3. Augustine Loffredo, married 1921 to Francesco Camilleri

2.3. Gertrude Clinquant Fontani (1869-1946), married 1886 to Giuseppe Bugeja, with issue

2.3.1. Vincenzo Bugeja (1887-1953)., married 1935 to Helen Salamone, with issue

2.3.1.1. Joseph Bugeja Fontani, ( 1941- . Acknowledged by the COP as the 6th Count of Senia, married 1966 to Amalia Nicolas, with issue

2.3.1.1.1. Mark Bugeja Fontani (1968-, married to Stephanie Spiteri, with issue

2.3.1.1.1.1. Michael Bugeja Fontani, (2002-

2.3.1.1.2. Susan Bugeja Fontani (1969- , married Paul Sultana, with issue

2.3.1.1.2.1. Andrew Sultana, (2003-

2.3.1.1.3. James Bugeja Fontani (1972-

2.3.2. Alberto Bugeja (1890- ), married 1925 to Giuseppa Camilleri, with issue

2.3.3. Annetta Bugeja (1892-), married John Attard Montalto -See Benwarrad.

2.3.4. Emanuel Bugeja (1893- ), married Katherine Jussila, with issue

2.3.5. Charles Bugeja (1900- ), married 1923 to Adela Hesses, with issue

2.4. Elena Crinquant Fontani (1877-1925), married 1898 to George J. Turnbull, with issue

2.4.1. Mary Turnbull (1899- ), married 1946 to Felix Cassin.

2.4.2. Victor Turnbull (1900- ), married 1921 to Mary Cali

2.4.3. Edward Turnbull (1901- ), married 1924 to Emilienna Cristini

2.4.4. James Turnbull (1903- )

2.4.5. Maud Turnbull (1906- )

2.4.6. Matilde Turnbull (1906- ), married 1929 to William V. Booker

2.4.7. Rita Turnbull (1916- ), married 1939 to Leon Romis Foreztier

3. Suor. Marianna Fontani Manduca (1853- ) 'Nun'.

4. Elena Fontani Manduca (1843- ), married Salvatore Chetcuti, and dsp.

* Count Vincenzo Fontani Manduca (1840-1906), 3rd Conte di Senia, married 1861 to Marianna Scerri, without issue

* Rosalea Clinquant Fontani (1864-1931), 4th Contessa di Senia, married 1880 to Carlo Messina of Bone, Algeria, with issue
1. Fiorentino Messina Fontani (1885-1922), Contino di Senia, married 1910 to Carmela Dileva, with issue

1.1. Roger Messina Fontani, 5th Conte -See Below.

2. Eduardo Messina (1888-1910), dunm.

3. Umberto Messina (1891- ), married 1913 to Antoinette Conio

4. Vittorio Messina (1894-99), dunm

5. Gemma Messina (1882- ), married 1906 to Julien Vignon, and dsp.

* Roger Messina Fontani, 5th Conte di Senia, (1910-45), married 1939 to Aloisea Borgia, and dsp.


Note XXI: Giovanna Crespi, was found a husband by the Grand Master de Rohan from Florence. Giovanna married in 1783 to Lorenzo Fontani, son of Phillip of Florence, Italy. Giovanna also married in 1799 to the French Captain Antoine Gastinel (Castinel) of Senez, France. Giovanna died in childbirth of a daughter called Giacobina Gastinel Crespi (b.1799). Reference: The French in Malta, 1798-1800 by Carmelo Testa, 1997, Midseas Books Ltd, Malta.




Luigi Fontani Alessi (1815-86), 2nd Count of Senia, married 1836 to Rosalea dei Conti Manduca

1. Vincenzo Fontani Manduca (1840-1906), 3rd Count of Senia, married 1861 to Marianna Scerri, and dsp.
2. Annette Fontani Manduca (1839-78), married 1859 to Dr Luigi Clinquant, M.D.
2.1. Rosalea Clinquant Fontani, (1864-1931), 4th Countess di Senia, married 1880 to Carlo Messina of Bone, Algeria
2.1.1. Fiorentino Messina Fontani (1885-1922), Contino di Senia, married 1910 to Carmela Dileva
2.1.1.1. Roger Messina Fontani, (1910-1945), 5th Count of Senia, married 1939 to Aloisea Borgia, and dsp.
2.1.2. Eduardo Messina (1888-1910), dunm.
2.1.3. Umberto Messina (1891-??), married 1913 to Antoinette Conio, Any issues are Extinct since 1981.
2.1.4. Vittorio Messina (1894-99), ob.jur.
2.1.5. Gemma Messina (1882-???), married 1906 to Julien Vignon, and dsp.
2.2. Anna Clinquant Fontani (1867-1948), married 1888 to Ferruccio Loffredo
2.2.1. Maria Loffredo (1889-???), married 1907 to Giuseppe Galdies of Algeria
2.2.1.1. Augustus Galdies (1909-ob,inf.)
2.2.1.2. Simone Galdies (1911-??)
2.2.2. Louisette Loffredo (1892-??), married firstly to Pasquale Gaudino, and dsp., married secondly in 1929 to Louis Cocozoa, also dsp.
2.2.3. Augustine Loffredo (1896-??), married 1921 to Francesco Camilleri.
2.3.Gertrude Clinquant Fontani (1869-1946), married 1886 to Giuseppe Bugeja
2.3.1. Vincenzo Bugeja-Fontani, (1887-1953), married 1935 to Helen Salomone
2.3.1.1. Joseph A Bugeja-Fontani (1941-2018, 6th Count di Senia, married 1960 to Amy Nicolas, passed away October 2018)
2.3.1.1.1. Mark Bugeja-Fontani, (1968- , Contino di Senia, married with issue
2.3.1.1.2. James Bugeja-Fontani (1972-
2.3.1.1.3. Susan Bugeja-Fontani (1969- , married with issue
2.3.2. Alberto Bugeja-Fontani (1890- ?), married 1925 to Giuseppa Camilleri, with issue
2.3.3. Annette Bugeja Fontani (1892-??), married John dei Baroni Attard Montalto, with issue
2.3.4. Emanuele Bugeja-Fontani (1893- ??), married Katherine Jussila, with issue
2.3.5. Charles Bugeja-Fontani (1900- ), married 1923 to Adela Hesses, with issue
2.4. Elena Clinquant Fontani (1877-1925), married George J. Turnbull
2.4.1. Victor Turnbull (1900- , married 1921 to Mary Cali
2.4.2. Edward Turnbull (1901-, married 1924 to Emilienna Cristini
2.4.3. James Turnbull (1903-
2.4.4. Mary Turnbull (1899-??), married 1946 to Felix Cassin
2.4.5. Maud Turnbull (1906-
2.4.6. Matilde Turnbull (1906- , married 1929 to William V. Booker
2.4.7. Rita Turnbull (1916-, married Leon Romis Foreztier
3. Elena Fontani Manduca (1843-??), married Salvatore Chetcuti, and dsp.
4. Sister Marianna Fontani Manduca, (1853-??)'Nun' dunm.


Present Count, Joseph A Bugeja-Fontani (b. 1941 ), 6th Count di Senia, married 1960 to Amy Nicolas with issue, Mark, Contino
Joseph Fontani is also a member of the S.M.O.M and the Catenian Association, Malta


(IF THERE ARE ANY UPDATES TO ANY TREES, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO '[email protected]' stating site you seen the genealogical tree and updates.)



References: 1) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta", Gulf Publishing Ltd, Malta, 1981.
2) Gauci,C.A.," The Genealogy and Heraldry of the Noble Families of Malta, Volume Two", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1992.
3) Gauci,C.A and Mallet, P.,"The Palaeologos Family- A Genealogical Review" ,Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1985
4) Gauci, C.A.," A Guide to the Maltese Nobility", Publishers Enterprise Group (PEG) Ltd, Malta, 1986.
5) Montalto, J., "The Nobles of Malta-1530-1800", Midsea Books Ltd, Malta, 1980.
6) De Piro, N., "Casa Rocco Piccola", The Conde' Nast Publications 1999.' Http://www.vol.net.mt/casarocca '
7) Giles Ash, S., "The Nobility of Malta", Publishers Enterprises Group (PEG) Ltd, 1988.
8) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
9) Said Vassallo, C.M., Maltagenealogy.com Research site


 

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