M. 17 Sep 1668 in New France
Wife: Anne-Jeanne Poitreau
D. before 29 Oct 1703
When René Bruneau came to New France with the Carignan Regiment in 1665, his fellow soldiers gave him a nickname that may have reflected his personality. He was born on June 9, 1641 in Poiters, France, to Georges Bruneau and Blaisette Martin. Nothing is known of his childhood or whether he had any siblings.
At some point, probably in his early 20s, René joined the French military, and in 1665, he was sent to New France as part of the Carignan-Salières Regiment. René was assigned to the company of Grandfontaine, which departed on the ship L’Aigle d’Or on May 13th, arriving at Quebec City on August 18th. From there, his company was sent to the Richelieu River in an effort to construct three forts. René was assigned to help with the middle one, Fort Sainte-Therese, which was completed on October 15th.
While in the military, René was given the nickname “Jolicoeur,” which translates as “joyful heart.” French soldiers had nicknames because they believed that when you joined the service, you were leaving your past—and your name—behind. Often the names referenced a physical quality or personality, so it can be inferred that René was a likable, friendly guy.
Carignan-Salières Regiment soldiers. (Source: BAnQ)
In 1666, René was released from further military service, suggesting that he had probably served for a few years before coming to New France and his enlistment was up. René received a concession of land from the Jesuits at Petite-Auvergne in Charlesbourg on March 18th, and he was listed in the census of that year working as a linen weaver.
Wanting to find a wife, René went to Quebec City the following year, and signed a contract on September 29th to marry a Fille du Roi named Marie-Madeleine Ouache. But the contract was cancelled 5 days later; there is no further record of Marie-Madeleine.
In 1668, René again sought a bride among the newly arrived Filles du Roi, and found one in Anne-Jeanne Poitreau, whom he married on September 17th. They produced ten children born between 1669 and 1689; sadly six of them died young. The four who survived to provide grandchildren were all daughters, so René’s name didn’t get passed down.
René and his wife sold their house and property back to the Jesuits on October 23, 1696. This was the last record where his name appeared and it isn’t known when he died, but it was before his daughter Marie-Charlotte’s wedding on October 29, 1703.
Children:
1. Robert Bruneau — B. 3 Oct 1669, Quebec City, New France; D. 21 Dec 1669, Quebec City, New France
2. Anne Bruneau — B. 21 Dec 1670, Beauport, New France; D. 2 Mar 1726, Quebec City, New France; M. (1) Jean Mingou (~1660-?), 17 Sep 1685, Charlesbourg, New France; (2) Jean Lamothe (~1664-1724), 14 Oct 1698, Quebec City, New France
3. Louis Bruneau — B. 27 Dec 1673, Quebec City, New France; D. 14 Feb 1674, Quebec City, New France
4. Nicolas Bruneau — B. 12 Feb 1675, Quebec City, New France; D. 13 Mar 1675, Quebec City, New France
5. Marie-Madeleine Bruneau — B. 29 Oct 1676, Quebec City, New France; D. 25 Aug 1687, Quebec City, New France
6. Jeanne Bruneau — B. 16 Aug 1679, Charlesbourg, New France; D. 6 Jan 1746, Quebec City, New France; M. (1) François Duclas (1668-1708), 16 Oct 1697, Quebec City, New France; (2) Alexandre Derny Larose (1676-?), 23 Mar 1713, Quebec city, New France
7. Marguerite Bruneau — B. 21 Nov 1681, Charlesbourg, New France; D. 12 Apr 1718, Sainte-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. (1) Charles Giroux (~1669-1714), 23 Feb 1699, Quebec City, New France; (2) Hiliare Martin (1692-1756), 8 Nov 1714, Quebec City, New France
8. Marie-Charlotte Bruneau — B. 19 Dec 1683, Charlesbourg, New France; M. (1) Simon Didier Parisien (~1669-1710), 29 Oct 1703, Montreal, New France; (2) Claude Laspron dit Lacharité (1679-1739), 7 Jan 1712, Trois-Rivières, New France
9. René Bruneau — B. 25 Mar 1687, Charlesbourg, New France; D. 5 Apr 1687, Charlesbourg, New France
10. Nicolas Bruneau — B. 20 Oct 1689, Charlesbourg, New France; D. (probably) young
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
