M. 22 Oct 1665, Château-Richer, New France
Husband: Nicolas Daudelin
D. 23 Aug 1710, Varennes, New France
It’s easy to romanticize the story of the Filles du Roi — young women of France who signed up to become brides to strangers in colonial America. But in reality, this was a choice often made in desperation; those who took this course usually had no other option in life.
Such was likely the case for Anne Girard. She was born in 1630 to Michel Girard and Françoise de Giffard, and was one of five children. Anne was baptized on February 3rd at the parish of Cyr-du-Vaudreuil in Normandy along with a twin brother named Gilles. Anne’s mother was also a twin, and this seems to have been a genetic trait. It's interesting that the name “de Giffard” suggests she had a higher social status — Anne’s baptism designated her as demoiselle, which was also an indicator of rank.
Anne’s father didn't seem to share his wife's status because records show that he made a living as a cart maker. When Anne was 7-years-old, her mother died and her father remarried, having five more children with his second wife. Later, her father was again widowed and married a third time.
There's something of a mystery in the fact Anne didn’t get engaged to be married until she was 29-years-old. Her husband-to-be was named Nicolas Loton, but before they were married, she became pregnant by him. Anne gave birth to a girl on February 28, 1660 who died within a couple of days. Loton seems to have backed out of marrying Anne, and nothing more is known of him. Anne’s father passed away in 1661, and this likely left her without much of a means of support. And since she had the stigma of an out-of-wedlock child, it may have been extremely challenging to attract someone who would marry her.
Baptismal record of Anne's out-of-wedlock child. (Source: Michigan’s Habitant Heritage, Vol. 28)
Then in 1665, Anne found a new chance in life by migrating to America as a Fille du Roi. In New France, the social norms tended to be looser (she also may have been able to hide her past). After Anne arrived, she was soon under contract to marry Nicolas Daudelin, with the wedding taking place on October 22nd in Château-Richer. The couple settled in Beaupré where Nicholas was a farmer. Like her mother, Anne gave birth to twins, and did it twice — in 1667 and 1669. These were Anne and Nicolas’ only children.
The 1681 census showed that Anne’s family had 37 arpents under cultivation and 19 head of cattle, so they seemed to be living well. Soon after, they moved to La Pérade, which was west of Quebec City. Nicolas died there on August 25, 1699, and afterward, Anne moved to the Montreal area to be near her children. She passed away at the age of 80 on August 23, 1710 in the seigneury of Varennes. Three of Anne's children carried on her bloodline with many descendants — the legacy of a woman given a second chance as a Fille du Roi.
Children by Nicolas Loton:
1. Marguerite Loton — B. 28 Feb 1660, St Cyr-du-Vaudreuil, Normandy, France; D. 1 Mar 1660, St Cyr-du-Vaudreuil, Normandy, France.
Children by Nicolas Daudelin:
1. Marie-Anne Daudelin — B. 28 Apr 1667, Château-Richer, New France; D. 1 Jul 1733, Vercheres, New France; M. René Provost (~1652-1734), 9 Jan 1684, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade, New France
2. Réne Daudelin — B. 28 Apr 1667, Château-Richer, New France; D. 11 May 1719, Varennes, New France; M. (1) Marguerite Collet (1669-1703), 7 Jan 1687, Batiscan, New France; (2) Marie-Madeleine Abirou (1680-1736), 1 Dec 1703, Varennes, New France
3. Madeleine Daudelin — B. 11 May 1669, Château-Richer, New France; D. 26 Apr 1750, Varennes, New France; M. (1) Jean-Baptiste Rougeau (1649-1718), 8 Feb 1684, La Pérade, New France; (2) Antoine Berthelet (1675-1755), 30 Jun 1732, Montreal, New France
4. Marie Daudelin — B. 11 May 1669, Château-Richer, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
WikiTree
“My Journey to a Fille du Roi: Anne Girard, wife of Nicolas Daudelin,” by Patricia A. Brundirks, Michigan’s Habitant Heritage, Vol. 28, January 2007
