A Chapel of Memory: The Douglas Line of Montréal

Tucked within the Church of Saint-Maurice in Montréal lies a chapel unlike any other—a space carved from stone and history, devoted entirely to the memory of the Douglas family. Against its cool walls lean slabs and plaques, each bearing quiet witness to centuries of lives lived in service, in nobility, and, ultimately, in remembrance.

Here rests Antoine Douglas, Major of the Thianges Regiment and commander of the castle of Montréal, who died in 1643, alongside his wife Françoise de Rubat. Their legacy carried on through their descendants—Pierre Douglas, governor of Dortan and Arben, and Charles Joseph Douglas, Captain in the Scottish Douglas regiment and Knight of Saint Louis. Each name, each epitaph, speaks of military honour and loyal service, not only to the crown, but to their community in the region of Bugey.

The chapel shelters sorrow as well as pride. A poignantly etched slab commemorates Marie Anne Victoire Gabrielle d’Espinay de Laye, who died at just 37, and her son, César François Marie Archambaud Douglas, who passed away in Lyon before reaching adulthood. His body was brought home, laid to rest in the chapel built by their ancestors—an act of both piety and profound familial love.

Another stone honours Louis Archambaud Douglas, born in Montréal in 1758. A Knight of the Legion of Honor and of the Orders of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, he served on the General Council under Napoleon and as a deputy in 1815. His epitaph is rich with personal admiration, celebrating his integrity, grace, and the affection he inspired in all who knew him.

And then there is Lord Louis Duke of Gordon Douglas, who, after abjuring Protestantism, served as a colonel in the Royal Scots. Alongside him lies Marguerite de Crues de Sainte Croix de Chiloup, a quiet figure perhaps, but etched into memory by love and lineage.

The final plaque closes the circle. It commemorates the last members of the Douglas family to be buried in this chapel—their resting places gathered in this hallowed enclosure, their stories inscribed not just in marble but in memory. The Latin motto beneath it all binds their legacy together: *“Virtute vixerunt, famâ vivunt, gloria vivent.”*—By virtue they lived; by fame they live; by glory they shall live on.

"This funerary slab is placed against the wall in the chapel dedicated to the Douglas family in the Church of Saint-Maurice in Montréal."	"This slab is that of Marie Anne Victoire Gabrielle d’Espinay de Laye, who died at the age of 37 years (4 February 1760 – 8 December 1797), and her son, Marie Archambaud Douglas, who died at the age of 14 years (12 March 1790 – [no death date given])."	"Here lies Lady Marie Anne Victoire Gabrielle Douglas d’Espinay de Laye, who, aged 37, left this life on 8 December 1797; as well as her son, César François Marie Archambaud Douglas, who died in Lyon in his 14th year; he was transferred to Montréal, to the chapel built by his ancestors, and buried three days later."

"Funerary slab in the church of Montréal-la-Cluse to the left of the entrance door."	"That of Charles Joseph, Count Douglas by birth, who bought the county of Montréal in 1757."	"Here lies the High and Mighty Lord Messire Charles Joseph, Count of Douglas, Knight, Count of the Commandment of Montréal, Lord of Saint-Martin, Condamine, and Martignat, Knight of the Order of Saint Louis, Captain Commandant of the Regiment of Royal Scots; General Syndic of the Nobility of Bugey. Deceased in Nantua at the age of 69 and transferred to this church on the 22nd... 1788."


"This funerary slab is placed against the wall in the chapel dedicated to the Douglas family in the Church of Saint-Maurice in Montréal."	"It is dedicated to Louis Archambaud Douglas."	"Louis Archambaud, Count Douglas Knight of the Legion of Honor of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus of Piedmont born in Montréal, Canada, on March 16, 1758 died in Montréal on February 24, 1842 He was a member of the General Council under the Empire, a member of the Chamber of Deputies in 1815. The integrity of his mind, the kindness of his heart, the loyalty of his character, and the grace of his manners earned him the affection and respect of all who knew him."

"This stone is against the wall of the chapel dedicated to the family."	"This funerary slab belongs to Antoine Douglas, adorned with the family coat of arms."	"Here lies Noble Antoine Douglas Major of the Thianges Regiment who died in..."


"This stone is located in the chapel of the DOUGLAS family."	"This plaque recalls the last members of the family buried in the chapel."	"In this chapel, built by their ancestors, rest: Antoine DOUGLAS, commander of the castle of Montréal † 1643 Françoise de RUBAT, his wife † 1636 Pierre DOUGLAS, governor of Dortan and Arben † 1703 Françoise de CHARBONNIER de GRANGEAC † 1710 Charles Joseph DOUGLAS, captain of the Scottish Douglas † 1723 Catherine de SIMONET de la GUYOLLES † 1710 Charles DOUGLAS, captain of the Vivarais regiment † 1756 Marie Anne de RUFFIN de LOZIER † 1750 Charles Joseph DOUGLAS, captain in the Royal Scots, Knight of Saint Louis, Syndic of the nobility of Bugey † 1788 Marguerite de CRUES de SAINTE CROIX de CHILOUP † 1755 Lord Louis Duke of GORDON DOUGLAS, colonel of the Royal Scots after abjuring Protestantism † 1754 Gabrielle d’ESPINAY † 1797 César Marie Archambaud DOUGLAS † 1802 Louis Archambaud DOUGLAS † 24 February 1842 VIRTUTE VIXERUNT FAMÂ VIVUNT GLORIA VIVENT (By virtue they lived; by fame they live; by glory they shall live on)"

Tree based on funeral slabs

Antoine Douglas †1643
Commander of the Castle of Montréal
m. Françoise de Rubat †1636
│
├── Pierre Douglas †1703
│ Governor of Dortan and Arben
│ m. Françoise de Charbonnier de Grangeac †1710
│ │
│ └── Charles Joseph Douglas †1723
│ Captain of the Scottish Douglas Regiment
│ m. Catherine de Simonet de la Guyolles †1710
│ │
│ └── Charles Douglas †1756
│ Captain of the Vivarais Regiment
│ m. Marie Anne de Ruffin de Lozier †1750
│ │
│ └── Louis Archambaud Douglas (1758–1842)
│ • Knight of the Legion of Honor
│ • Member of the General Council & Chamber of Deputies
│
├── Lord Louis Duke of Gordon Douglas †1754 (1)
│ • Colonel of the Royal Scots
│ • Converted from Protestantism
│
├── Charles Joseph Douglas †1788
│ • Captain in the Royal Scots
│ • Knight of Saint Louis
│ • Syndic of the Nobility of Bugey
│ m. Marguerite de Crues de Ste-Croix de Chiloup †1755
│ │
│ └── Gabrielle d’Espinay †1797
│ m. (likely) a Douglas descendant
│ ├── César François Marie Archambaud Douglas †1802 (b. 1790)
│ └── Marie Archambaud Douglas (died young)

Many of the family members are buried in the Douglas Chapel at the Church of Saint-Maurice in Montréal, creating a powerful lineage that spans political, military, and spiritual vocations.

Notes:
1. Lord Lewis Gordon (22 December 1724 – 15 June 1754), also known as Lord Ludovick Gordon, was a Scottish nobleman, naval officer and Jacobite, remembered largely for participating in the Jacobite rising of 1745, during which Charles Edward Stuart appointed him Lord-lieutenant of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. So, probably not a Douglas!

See also:
•   The Douglas family in France
•   Montréal
•   Douglas chapel in Montreal

Sources

The principal source for this article is 'Ain Bugey Histoire'