Claude-Xavier Carvillon des Tillières
| Claude-Xavier Caroillon-Destillières | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 1748 |
| Died | May 1814 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Industrialist and speculator |
Claude-Xavier Caroillon-Destillières (14 July 1748 – May 1814) (or Carvillon-Destillières, Carvillon des Tillières, occasionally Carvillon d'Estillière) was a French industrialist and speculator during the French Revolution and the subsequent First Empire, who took opportunity of the chaotic political situation to become immensely wealthy.
Claude-Xavier Caroillon was born on 14 July 1748. He was the youngest of four sons of Nicolas Caroillon (or Carvillon), Receiver General and businessman. The Caroillons were rich and ambitious owners of ironworks under the Bourbon monarchy, employing many workers in harsh conditions. The Caroillon brothers formed a company that invested in metal works in Berry and Perche, a region where the rights to operate such works belonged to Monsieur, the king's brother. The Carvillons were closely linked with Denis Diderot. Abel married his daughter Angélique, and Diderot was involved in their company. Claude Caroillon was recorded as one of those present at the funeral of Denis Diderot on 1 August 1784.
Claude Caroillon became receiver-general to Monsieur. He was counselor-secretary to the king in 1786. Claude Caroillon and his brothers were ennobled on the eve of the French Revolution, so-called "business aristocrats". The brothers were able to add the names of estates they purchased to their common surname. The eldest, Abel, became Caroillon de Vandeul, Claude-Xavier became Caroillon des Tillières, Théodore became Caroillon de Marville (or Melville), and Georges became Caroillon de la Charmotte. The brothers' partnership was dissolved at the start of the revolution, and Claude quarreled with his brother Abel Caroillon de Vandeul.
The revolution of 1789 created huge opportunities for Caroillon-Destillières, who became one of the great financiers of the period. He already owned the forges and furnaces of Conches, and was able to purchase the forge of the Abbey of Lyre in 1791. He also owned the forge of Ferrière in partnership with Mathard. In July 1790 he became the commander of three companies of the National Guard in a ceremony at the Château de Saint-Assise. The Château was owned by Sir Philip Glower, a colonel of the English army and the heir of Elizabeth Pierrepont, Duchess of Kingston-upon-Hull. In February 1791 he married Françoise-Aimée Magallon d'Amirail, daughter of a Santo Domingo planter, in the chapel of Saint-Assise. That year he purchased the château and its estate from Glower, who wanted to liquidate his French possessions due to the political uncertainty. He began selling off parts of the estate.
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