Making Tools in Early Montreal — Barthélemy Verreau

B. about 1631 in Dijon, France¹
M. 22 Sep 1665 in Château-Richer, New France¹
Wife: Marthe Quitel
D. 17 Dec 1700 in Château-Richer, New France²

Many of the men who migrated to New France during the 17th century were rugged, hard-working individuals. One example of this was Barthélemy Verreau, who brought his muscle and blacksmithing skills to the New World. He was born in Dijon, France to Michel Verreau and Claudine Rocher in about 1631.¹ Besides training to become a blacksmith, Barthélemy received at least enough education to be able to sign his name.³

It's believed Barthélemy came to New France during the summer of 1662, and after his arrival, he came under contract to an edge-tool maker named Jean Milot of Montreal.³ As part of the payment for his labor, he was given the tools to be a blacksmith and edge-tool maker. In January of the following year, Barthélemy was listed as a member of the militia of Montreal to protect against Iroquois attacks,³ which was required of all able-bodied men at the time.

The tools of a blacksmith.

For unknown reasons, Barthélemy left Montreal about the end of 1664 and moved to the Beaupré Coast,³ which is near Quebec City. It was unusual for a settler to move to an eastern settlement after having been in Montreal. On June 27, 1665, he bought a lot measuring 40 square feet. He built a house on the lot, but made an error when the gable extended two feet beyond the property onto the property next door. He would eventually pay to have the lot enlarged by a few feet.³

In 1665, ships were bringing in young women into Quebec City to populate the colony and Barthélemy chose one to be his bride. Her name was Marthe Quitel and they were married on September 22nd in Château-Richer.¹ Between 1667 and 1684, Barthélemy and Marthe had nine children. The family was listed in the censuses of 1666 and 1667 in Château-Richer.^4,5 The census of 1681 listed Barthélemy in a different location with 4 head of cattle and 6 arpents of land under cultivation.⁶

Barthélemy worked as a blacksmith well into his 60s, making hammers and plowshares for fellow colonists.³ He died on December 17, 1700 at Château-Richer.² After his death, his son Barthélemy acquired all of his tools, but interestingly, ended up pursuing a different vocation — he became a clerk and notary, a position that indicates he had a decent amount of education. Barthélemy left many descendants, and one of them was Justin Bieber.⁷

Children:

1. Antoine Verreau — B.13 Jan 1667, Château-Richer, New France;⁸ D. before 1681, (probably) Château-Richer, New France⁶

2. Jeanne Verreau — B. 15 Nov 1668, Château-Richer, New France;⁹ D. 22 Oct 1711, Quebec City, New France;¹⁰ M. (1) Pierre Cloutier (1667-~1702), 16 Feb 1696, Château-Richer, New France;¹¹ (2) Jacques-Baptiste Cauchon (1663-1726), 16 Apr 1703, Château-Richer, New France¹²

3. Joseph Verreau — B. 27 Jan 1671, Château-Richer, New France;¹³ D. 28 Feb 1671, Château-Richer, New France¹⁴

4. Marie Verreau — B. 18 Mar 1672, Château-Richer, New France;¹⁵ D. 25 Feb 1703, Château-Richer, New France;¹⁶ M. Pierre Dumas dit Langoumois (~1668-?), 16 Feb 1699, Château-Richer, New France¹⁷

5. Marguerite Verreau — B. 26 Apr 1674, Château-Richer, New France;¹⁸ D. 24 Nov 1748, L'Ange-Gardien, New France;¹⁹ M. Jacques Boutillet (1668-1749), 12 Jan 1699, Château-Richer, New France²⁰

6. Prisque Verreau — B. Sep 1676, Château-Richer, New France;²¹ D. before 1681, (probably) Château-Richer, New France6

7. Barthélemy Verreau — B. 13 Jul 1678, Château-Richer, New France;²² D. Jun 1718, Château-Richer, New France;²³ M. Marguerite Prieur (1691-1758), 13 Feb 1708, Quebec City, New France²⁴

8. François Verreau — B. 20 Mar 1682, Château-Richer, New France;²⁵ D. 1 Jun 1754, Château-Richer, New France;²⁶ M. Genevieve Gagné (~1707-1743), 20 Jan 1724, Château-Richer, New France²⁷

9. Anne Verreau — B. 10 Jul 1684, Château-Richer, New France;²⁸ D. 1 Dec 1749, Château-Richer, New France²⁹

Sources:
1    Marriage record of Barthélemy Verreau and Marthe Quitel, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2    Burial record of Barthélemy Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
3    Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
4    Recensement de 1666 en Nouvelle-France
5    Recensement de 1667 en Nouvelle-France
6    Recensement de 1681 en Nouvelle-France
7    FamousKin.com listing of Barthélemi Verreau
8    Baptismal record of Antoine Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
9    Baptismal record of Jeanne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
10  Burial record of Jeanne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
11  Marriage record of Pierre Cloutier and Jeanne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
12  Marriage record of Jacques-Baptiste Cauchon and Jeanne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
13  Baptismal record of Joseph Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
14  Burial record of Joseph Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
15  Baptismal record of Marie Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
16  Burial record of Marie Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
17  Marriage record of Pierre Dumas dit Langoumois and Marie Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
18  Baptismal record of Marguerite Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
19  Burial record of Marguerite Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
20  Marriage record of Jacques Boutillet and Marguerite Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
21  Baptismal record of Prisque Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
22  Baptismal record of Barthélemy Verreau (younger), Q.C.P.R.
23  Burial record of Barthélemy Verreau (younger), Q.C.P.R.
24  Marriage record of Barthélemy Verreau and Marguerite Prieur, Q.C.P.R.
25  Baptismal record of François Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
26  Burial record of François Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
27  Marriage record of François Verreau and Genevieve Gagné, Q.C.P.R.
28  Baptismal record of Anne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.
29  Burial record of Anne Verreau, Q.C.P.R.