M. about 1737 in (probably) Montmagny, New France2
Wife: Marie-Madeleine Proulx
D. 10 May 1740 in Riviére-du-Sud, New France3
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,1 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.2 They had a daughter born in August 1738,4 and a son born in March 1740.5
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.3 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.3
Nicolas was buried in the parish cemetery of Saint-Thomas in Montmagny on May 30, 1740.3 His wife, Madeleine, remarried in 1745,6 and she died about 1753.7
Burial record of Nicolas Baillargeon.
Children:
1. Madeleine Baillargeon — B. 24 Aug 1738, Montmagny, New France;4 D. 8 Sep 1819, St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France;8 M. Charles-Alexander Joncas (1730-?), 23 Feb 1756, Montmagny, New France9
2. Nicolas Baillargeon — B. 24 Mar 1740, St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France;5 D. 6 May 1803, Vincennes, Indiana Territory;10 M. Françoise Plichon (~1759-1837), 24 Jul 1778, Post Vincennes, Illinois Territory11
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Nicolas Baillargeon, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Nicolas Baillargeon and Marie-Madeleine Proulx, Q., C. P. R.
3 Burial record of Nicolas Baillargeon, Q., C. P. R.
4 Baptismal record of Madeleine Baillargeon, Q., C. P. R.
5 Baptismal record of Nicolas Baillargeon (younger), Q., C. P. R.
6 Marriage record of Ignace Dessaint and Marie-Madeleine Proulx, Q., C. P. R.
7 Marriage record of Ignace Dessaint and Madeleine Morin, Q., C. P. R.
8 Burial record of Madeleine Baillargeon, Q., C. P. R.
9 Marriage record of Charles-Alexander Joncas and Madeleine Baillargeon, Q., C. P. R.
10 Burial record of Nicolas Baillargeon (younger), Q., C. P. R.
11 Marriage record of Nicolas Baillargeon and Françoise Plichon, Q., C. P. R.
