Teresa Gauci-Beaujolais (1808-74, Baroness of Frigenuini
Teresa was born in Mosta assuming that her father was Michele Gauci until her mother was dying, where her mother had presented her with letters of her and her mother’s parentage. Teresa married in 1838 to Andrea dei Baroni Abela, local gentry with ancient noble blood. They were successful merchants in Mosta with fields in Mosta, Mgarr, and the surrounding areas. On the death of her mother in 1853, Teresa had petitioned the Government for the right to use the title of Baroness di Frigenuini, as the late Barone Pisani had died and Teresa was the nominated heiress to the Mompalao title creation from the illegitimate line. The British Government had denied her rights not fully understanding how the local noble customs worked. But Teresa often styled the title until her death in 1874. Teresa was the last of a very long line of illegitimates dating back to France in the 17th century. Her descendants intermarried with the local gentry and nobility and are now living in Malta, England, Australia, Canada and USA.
* Reference: A professional family of mistresses
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