Montsevelier
Origin of the name Montsevelier
Name origin: first mentioned in 1136 as « Muzivilir »; old German name « Mutzwil ». The etymology of the name is not explained in the sources consulted.
Founding of Montsevelier
Neither the founder of Montsevelier nor the circumstances of its creation are known. The site was already occupied in the early Middle Ages, as shown by the remains of a 7th-century Burgundian pottery workshop at the place called La Chèvre. The village is first mentioned in 1136, and a noble family bearing its name is attested from the 13th to the 15th century. A mayoralty of the lordship of Delémont, in the Bishopric of Basel, Montsevelier was an enclave within the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, covered by Swiss neutrality, which spared it from French occupation between 1792 and 1797. It is now part of the municipality of Val Terbi (merger of 1 January 2013).
History of Montsevelier
7th century. A Burgundian pottery workshop operates at the place called La Chèvre.
1136. First mention: « Muzivilir ».
13th-15th centuries. A noble family bearing the village's name is attested.
1321. First known parish priest: the parish is attested.
1771. The parish is abolished.
1792-1797. As a mayoralty of the lordship of Delémont enclosed within the provostship of Moutier-Grandval, covered by Swiss neutrality, Montsevelier escapes French occupation.
1797-1813. With the rest of the bishopric, Montsevelier is attached to the French departments of Mont-Terrible, then Haut-Rhin.
1815. The village passes to the canton of Bern, in the bailiwick, then district of Delémont, until 1978.
1853. The mixed municipality is created.
1874. Montsevelier is attached to the parish of Mervelier, until 1935.
1900-1901. The church of Saint-Georges is rebuilt in eclectic style.
1935. The parish of Montsevelier is restored.
From 1960. A modest industrialisation begins: machine tools, watch finishing, polishing and bar turning.
2000. The secondary sector provides almost half of the jobs.
2013. On 1 January, Montsevelier merges with Vermes and Vicques to form the municipality of Val Terbi.
Population of Montsevelier
| 1818 | 325 |
| 1850 | 414 |
| 1870 | 463 |
| 1900 | 384 |
| 1950 | 455 |
| 1980 | 556 |
| 2000 | 503 |
| 2010 | 499 |
| 2012 | 509 |
Historic sites in Montsevelier
Church of Saint-Georges. Parish church rebuilt in 1900-1901 in eclectic style; the parish, attested from 1321, was abolished in 1771 and restored in 1935.
Remains in Montsevelier
Burgundian pottery workshop of La Chèvre. Remains of a 7th-century Burgundian pottery workshop at the place called La Chèvre, evidence of the site's occupation in the early Middle Ages.
Legends of Montsevelier
The « Independent Republic of Montsevelier ». Because the village escaped French occupation between 1792 and 1797, a tradition turned it into a « République indépendante de Montsevelier ». Historians regard this as a myth. In 1992, B. Prongué published « Bicentenaire de l'Indépendance de la République de Montsevelier ».
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Montsevelier » (François Kohler)
- Wikipedia (en), « Montsevelier »
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Montsevelier »
Other villages near Montsevelier
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