For generations the Valluy family lived in Calais as fishers, dockworkers and sailors. At this time, in the years after Calais became part of the Kingdom of France again, Marc-Antoine Valluy and his wife, Anne, of the Magret family, lived and worked. They were a large, gregarious, hard-working family. Marc-Antoine and his sons worked on the docks as day laborers. Their second son, Adam, was outgoing and popular among the other dockworkers. He was particular friends with another dockworker named Clovis Corton, who was about ten years older and a mentor in the hard school of work and life. One day, a large crate slipped its line and crushed Clovis; he died instantly. *
This was terribly upsetting to Adam. After the funeral, he decided it was his duty to visit Clovis’ widow. He found the widow Corton alone with three young children, desperate and distraught. She was grateful for the visit and expressions of compassion; so grateful that she proposed marriage. Adam recoiled in shock. This was not what he had implied by his visit! She bowed her head. She understood but perhaps he would do her a service instead. Clovis’ family lived in the outlying village of Sainte Marie Kerque. Evidently, Clovis had run away from home to Calais while still a youngster and never returned. Would Adam carry a gift and message of his passing to them? There was a sister and maybe a brother. Adam was relieved to undertake a task simpler than marrying his friend’s widow, and readily agreed to undertake the mission.
*Clovis Corton died on May 12, 1595
Map of Calais region in 1477 courtesy of Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=941888
See Source note 1 for more information about Calais
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