What serendipity... I believe someone on the list was looking for more about Boutellier, and (Peter?) responded another form of the name was Butler. Quite co-incidentally, someone sent me this link: ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Great Officers of the Crown > http://www.heraldica.org/topics/france/officiers.htm which discusses the chief offices of the King of France, one of which was the Grand Bouteiller-échanson. It doesn't give any names, but shows the insignia of the office. This I forward for what it's worth. If nothing else, it may help us understand the layers and layers of bureaucrats and favorites and functionaries of the old system. I am still intrigued by the fact that, under the Ancien Regime all offices and positions, even those of not-so-great importance, were bought. Enjoy! Augusta

Augusta, are you sure it is very much different nowadays??? (bought positions I mean!) I would say though that in important households the butler was in fact an extremely important person, not just a comical Jeeves-type character: he would have been more of a household steward, with major financial responsibilities and probably with authority over all the household staff, a position of great trust and not a minor position at all. Even more so in a royal or ducal household. -----Original Message----- From: caribbean-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:caribbean-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Augusta Elmwood Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2009 6:54 PM To: CARIBBEAN Roots Web Subject: [Carib] Butler, Boutellier ... I am still intrigued by the fact that, under the Ancien Regime all offices and positions, even those of not-so-great importance, were bought. Enjoy! Augusta