M. about 1737 in (probably) Montmagny, New France
Wife: Marie-Madeleine Proulx
D. 10 May 1740 in Riviére-du-Sud, New France
In the colony of New France, the rivers were vital for its people, providing irrigation for their farms and transportation between settlements. But sometimes a river could also end a life, and such was the case for Nicolas Baillargeon.
Nicolas was born on September 12, 1713 to Nicolas Baillargeon and Marguerite Leclerc in Montmorency, New France, which was near Quebec City. Not much else is known about his early life. After he came of age, he crossed the St. Lawrence River to an area that was just being settled on the southern shore. In about 1737, he married Marie-Madeleine Proulx, probably in Montmagny where she was from. They had a daughter born in August 1738, and a son born in March 1740.
By 1740, Nicolas was living in St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, a community on the Riviére-du-Sud (South River) upstream from Montmagny. The Riviére-du-Sud ran parallel to the St. Lawrence, about 3 miles inland; it had many twists and turns before jutting north and emptying into the larger river. The village of St-Pierre was clustered near the river, with ribbon farms pushing to the north and south. Evidence of this can still be seen from overhead views today.
By 1740, Nicolas was living in St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, a community on the Riviére-du-Sud (South River) upstream from Montmagny. The Riviére-du-Sud ran parallel to the St. Lawrence, about 3 miles inland; it had many twists and turns before jutting north and emptying into the larger river. The village of St-Pierre was clustered near the river, with ribbon farms pushing to the north and south. Evidence of this can still be seen from overhead views today.
2022 satellite view of St-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud. (Source: Google Maps)
On the night of May 10th, Nicolas tried to cross the Riviére-du-Sud, but for some reason, he didn’t make it, and he drowned. The details of what happened are sketchy, but based on the geography of the area and the time of the year, it’s possible to speculate that snow melt-off may have caused the water level to be higher than usual. Strong currents may have also been a factor when Nicolas was swept away. His body wasn’t found until 18 days later.
Nicolas was buried in the parish cemetery of Saint-Thomas in Montmagny on May 30, 1740. His wife, Marie-Madeleine, remarried in 1745, and she died about 1753.
Burial record of Nicolas Baillargeon.
Children:
1. Madeleine Baillargeon — B. 24 Aug 1738, Montmagny, New France; D. 8 Sep 1819, St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France; M. Charles-Alexander Joncas (1730-?), 23 Feb 1756, Montmagny, New France
2. Nicolas Baillargeon — B. 24 Mar 1740, St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France; D. 6 May 1803, Vincennes, Indiana Territory; M. Françoise Plichon (~1759-1837), 24 Jul 1778, Post Vincennes, Illinois Territory
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution Buried in Indiana, Mrs. Roscoe C. O'Byrne, 1938
