Name Jerome Phelypeaux Died February 8, 1747 | Role French Politician | |
 | ||
Parents Louis Phelypeaux, comte de Pontchartrain Children Jean-Frederic Phelypeaux, Count of Maurepas Grandparents Louis Ier Phelypeaux de Pontchartrain Great-grandparents Paul Phelypeaux de Pontchartrain | ||
Jerome Phelypeaux (March 1674 – 8 February 1747), comte de Pontchartrain, was a French politician, son of Louis Phelypeaux.
He served as a councillor to the parlement of Paris from 1692, and served with his father as Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi and Navy Minster from 1699 onwards. His management of the French Navy was criticised, but recent historiography has reevaulated his contributions. He directed a significant programme of explorations and encouraged the settlement and development of Louisiana. He was responsible for the creation of the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.
His first marriage, in 1697, was with Eleonore Christine de La Rochefoucauld de Roye (known as Mademoiselle de Chefboutonne) (1681–June 1708). Five children were born to this marriage:
- Marie Francoise Christine (1698–1701)
- Louis Francois (1700–1708), comte de Maurepas
- Jean Frederic (1701–1781), comte de Maurepas, later comte de Pontchartrain
- Paul Jerome (1703– ?), marquis de Chefboutonne, a soldier
- Charles Henri (1706–1734), bishop of Blois
He remarried in July 1713 with Helene de L'Aubespine (1690–1770), with whom he had two daughters.
- Marie Louise (known as Rosalie), (1714–1780)
- Helene Francoise Angelique (1715–1781), who married Louis-Jules Mancini-Mazarini, Duc de Nivernais
In 1715, with the death of Louis XIV and the assumption of power by the Regent, Phelypeaux was compelled to resign his ministries in favour of his son Jean-Frederic. Effective authority, and later the guardianship of his children, passed to his kinsman Louis Phelypeaux, marquis de La Vrilliere.