The Counts of Senia in Malta.
- Titled: Joseph Bugeja Fontani as the 6th Count.
- Heir: (his son) Mark Bugeja Fontani, as the Contino.
The title granted to Vincenzo Fontani-Crespi on the year of 1795 by Grand Master de Rohan-Polduc of Count of Senia. The title was annexed to the estates of Tas-Senja, in the Marsa area, owned by the grantees mother. The estates was raised to the dignity of a feudal tenure.
In 1778, Antonio Crespi (the grand-father of the Count Fontani-Crespi) who had been Baron Pisani's rival five years earlier, was appointed the prcurator of Wheat. This time, however, votes were not important since his appointment was made directly by de Rohan who had abolished the 'Consiglio Popolare'.
Under the French occupation, the parents had to pay 800 livres for their sons' board and lodging, and 600 livres for their passage on board French warships. The chosen studnets had to wear 'blue trousers and waistcoats, red cuffs, and facing and white pipings'. Those families who refused to send their sons to France were to be fined 1000 scudi. Among those who were initially chosen were the young Count Fontani, the three sons of Count Sant, and four other boys whose fathers were respectively Baron Galea, Marquis Mallia, Count Manduca, and Marquis Testaferrata.
According to 'Maz-zewq nahat tas-swar', it-tielet ktieb by Carmelo Testa, states that Vincenzo was made a German Palatine Count in 1824.
Vincenzo married a daughter of the 1st Marquis of Taflia.
The second Count was a knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles 111 of Spain, married a daughter of the 5th Count of Mont’Alto, his son the 3rs count died childless in 1906.
The title then went to the 3rd counts sister’s eldest daughter and next of kin. Rosalea Crinquant-Fontani, married Carlo Messina, her descendants becoming extinct and the title went into abeyance in 1945.
Thus the title was claimed by the next of kin in 1983, by Joseph Bugeja-Fontani, who became the 6th Count of Senia.
Joseph has three children and lives in Malta .
References:
* 1) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
* 2) Said Vassallo, C.M.,[Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site] and[Maltese Nobility web site].
This Research was researched by Charles Said-Vassallo
(Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.)
