M. 16 Sep 1658 in Montreal, New France
Wife: Marie-Marthe Autreuil
D. 4 Aug 1699 in Montreal, New France
There may be something genetic behind the desire to be out on the frontier, because Pierre Chauvin had a multitude of sons who went to remote places. Perhaps it was a macho thing, or even a competitiveness among brothers, but it's possible that their attitude originated from their immigrant father Pierre.
Pierre was born in about 1631 in Angers, France to René Chauvin and Catherine Avard De Solsne. Little is known about his beginnings, except for that he learned to operate a mill, and because of this skill, he was recruited to migrate to New France. On April 4, 1653, he agreed to a contract to spend five years helping to settle the new town of Montreal as a part of an effort called Le Grand Recrue. Besides being a miller, he must have been healthy and strong, because he was expected to work clearing the wilderness to develop the settlement.
Monument depicting the arrival of Montreal settlers in 1653.
Pierre and about 100 other French men, along with a few French women, landed at Montreal on November 16th. The following year, he received a grant of land where he built his home. On September 16, 1658, he took a wife, Marie-Marthe Autreuil. They had their first child, a daughter, in 1662, followed by eleven more born over the next 22 years. Two died young and another died at age 15, but the rest went on to lead full lives.
Pierre’s house was constructed of logs and had two stories; his property, land and possessions were said to be worth about 4,000 livres, a decent amount of wealth. Near the end of his life, Pierre made out his will from a hospital bed in Montreal. In the will, which was dated July 28, 1699, he bequeathed a horse to his son Jacques, and the offspring of that horse to son Louis as soon as it was born. His death came on August 4th of that year; his wife survived him and handled his estate before moving to Saint-François on the Île Jesus, where she died in 1714.
Even while Pierre was still alive, his children started venturing out west. Oldest son Gilles was a fur trader who was on several rugged expeditions into Illinois country during the 1680s and 1690s. Sons Jacques, Joseph, and Nicolas all settled in Mobile (present-day Alabama), and later in Louisiana. The three went on an expedition to Texas in 1716. Son Paul was said to be killed by Indians at Natchez in 1729. Besides Pierre’s sons, his daughter Michelle married a man who took her to the Illinois country, but sadly she was killed by Indians at Kaskaskia along with her husband and three of their children.
A possible nickname
There is confusion about whether or not Pierre acquired the nickname “Le Grand Pierre.” The name had a bit of flair to it, suggesting Pierre had a status among his peers. But one source has claimed this was a different man who had the name "Pierre Cauvin," so this may not be a part of his story at all.
1. Marie-Marthe Chauvin — B. Jan 1662, Montreal, New France; D. 11 Feb 1728, Maskinongé, New France; M. (1) Nicolas Baron dit Lupien (1645-1697), 16 Nov 1676, Montreal, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Fleury (1684-1768), 29 Apr 1706, Trois-Riviéres, New France
2. Pierre Chauvin — B. Nov 1663, Montreal, New France; D. young
3. Jean Chauvin — B. 1664, Montreal, New France; D 1667, Montreal, New France
4. Barbe-Therese Chauvin — B. Oct 1665, Montreal, New France; D. 19 Feb 1732, Montreal, New France; M. Ignace Hubert dit LaCroix (1656-?), 20 May 1687, Boucherville, New France
5. Gilles Chauvin — B. about Jun 1665, Montreal, New France; M. (1) Marie Cabassie, 21 Jan 1697, Montreal, New France; (2) Angelique de Rouvray, 24 Nov 1700, Montreal, New France
6. Michelle Chauvin — B. May 1670, Montreal, New France; D. 22 Jun 1722, Kaskaksia, New France; M. Jacques Nepveu (1663-1722), 24 Oct 1695, Montreal, New France
7. Jacques Chauvin — B. May 1672, Montreal, New France; M. Marie-Anne LaVergne, Post Mobile, New France
8. Joseph Chauvin de Léry — B. Apr 1674, Montreal, New France; D. 19 Aug 1732, New Orleans, New France; M. (1) Hypolite Mercier, 1709, Fort Louis, Post Mobile, New France; (2) Françiose-Laurence LeBlanc (~1713-1763), 27 May 1726, New Orleans, New France
9. Nicolas Chauvin de LaFreniere — B. 19 Jan 1676, Montreal, New France; D. 24 Jul 1749, New Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite LaSueur, Aug 1724
10. Louis Chauvin de Beaulieu — B. Feb 1678, Montreal, New France; D. before 1731, New Orleans, New France; M. Charlotte Orbanne Durel
11. Paul Chauvin dit Montpasir — B. 20 Feb 1680, Montreal, New France; D. 1729, Natchez, New France
12. Jean-Baptiste Chauvin — B. Jun 1684, Montreal, New France; D. 21 Jun 1699, Montreal, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
The Family of Pierre Chauvin & Wife Marthe Autreuil Le H’Autreaux, Sadie Greening Sparks, 18 Oct 2000, sadiesparks.com
