Louis Contesse

Dr. Louis Contesse (c. 1670–September 11, 1729) was a prominent French Huguenot physician and early settler in colonial Virginia. He is best known historically as the maternal grandfather of John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States.  

Born in France (likely Roussy), he fled religious persecution as a young man, seeking refuge in England by 1688. He arrived in James City County, Virginia, around 1700,  He practiced medicine and lived in Williamsburg, where he was a respected member of the community and patented land tracts in 1725, He married Mary Morris (c. 1696–1760). Their daughter, Anne Contesse, married John Tyler II, their son John Tyler Sr. was the father of President John Tyler. 

In October 2022, the Huguenot Society of South Carolina officially approved Louis Contesse as a recognized Huguenot ancestor based on records of his "reconnaissance" (religious declaration) in England in 1688.

References

Category:1670 births
Category:1729 deaths
Category:French people