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Letter May 17, 1961 by Mr. Clarkson A. Collins, 3rd, librarian of the Rhode Island Historical Society: "One of the great difficulties in tracing the Lemunion family lies in the large number of different ways in which the name is spelled. I find for instance the following variations: Munyon, Munion, Munnion, Aomunion, LaMerion, Lamorion, and I believe that Manion may be another. Without doubt some of these mistakes in transcription."
Adding to the difficulties is the great number of "family traditions" encountered which usually run contrary to what we find to be the truth. This is compounded by families actually changing the spelling used by their fathers.
As an example, descendants of Edward Munyon of Salem, Mass. as well as descendants of Thomas Munyon of Dartmouth, Mass. claim their ancestors came from the Isle of Jersey, and were French Huguenots escaping religious persecution. Father Michael LeMoignan wrote, in 1972, "Genealogie des Familles LeMoignan", a French family that was in the Isle of Jersey as early as the 1300's. He states that by 1623, the Church of England had gained dominance there, so if our ancestors came from there, they were Englishmen in religion and allegiance - Frenchmen only in name and language. Mr. George F. LeFeuvre, in an English language preface to the above book also explained that the name was derived from the old Norman-French word, Moignon, meaning "the stump of an amputated limb". (Possibly still available at: LaSociety Historique de la Gaspesie, Case Postale 680, Gaspe, Quebec, Canada).
A French dictionary, "Nouveau Petit Larousse Illustre" in their supplemental 'History and Geography' lists Guillaume de LaMoignon (1617-1677) as the first president in Parliament of Paris, and was an enlightened and virtuous man. His grand-son, Guillaume-Henri was Chancellor of France under Louis XV, and father of Malesherbes - (Chretien-Guillaume DeLamoignon), Secretary of State, then Minister of State under Louis XVI. He defended the King before the Convention and died on the scaffold.(1721-1794)
In the publications of the Huguenot Society of London, under "Letters of Denization and Acts of Naturalization for Aliens in England" is listed one John Lamynion of More Kerchill, Dorset, priest, aged 54 & above, in England 20 years, 1 July, 1544. In roll 361-18, 11 July, 1544 is listed John LaMynyon, clerk, and roll 36H8 lists 1 July, 1544, John Lemoynge, priest ISI, born Normandy, age 55 years, in England 20 years.
Rhode Island Historical Tracts", vol. 1, Series 5 is devoted to a discussion of 'The Frenchtown Settlement' by about 48 French gentlemen, Hugueonots, of Naragansett county agreeing on a place, first Newberry, later changed to Rochester. Among the signers was the name Le moine. This name, pronounced with the French nasal 'n' would closely approximate the pronunciation of LeMunyon without the final "n" We recall that Thomas Lamunyon of Dartmouth, in 1719, married Esther Howard of Rochester.
