B. about 1810 in (probably) County Mayo, Ireland
M. before 1834 in (probably) County Mayo, Ireland
Wife: Julia
D. after 1880 in (probably) Sullivan County, New York
Many 19th-century immigrants to America triumphed over difficult circumstances, rising from poverty to offer a better future for their children, but Lawrence McGuire didn't have such a story. He was a man with a drinking problem, which seemed to have kept him from making much of himself in life.
Lawrence was very likely born in County Mayo, Ireland, and based on later records, his birth was in about 1810. He had no education and it can be assumed that his peasant roots went back for generations. As a young man, he married a County Mayo woman known only by the first name Julia; their marriage probably happened during the early 1830s.
Lawrence and Julia had at least four children born between about 1834 and 1850. Like most of the men in Catholic Ireland, he was a tenant farmer who struggled on a barely subsistent income, and was wiped out during the years 1846 to 1848 when the potato crop failed. Lawrence had no choice but to leave his homeland. The family boarded a ship in around 1851 or 1852 and migrated to America; the record of their crossing has not been found.
By 1852, Lawrence found a place to live in upstate New York, establishing a small farm in the town of Thompson, located in Sullivan County. Census records showed that in 1855, his frame house was valued at $50. In 1860, Lawrence owned a farm worth $300, though it was a lot less valuable than his neighbors. His three older children left the household during the late 1850s, and the youngest daughter was gone before 1875; probably they all got married. None of the children were noted as attending school, even though other children did who lived nearby.
The most detailed documents of Lawrence’s life were in 1875, where the New York State Census described the condition of his farm. His main achievement was that he became a U.S. citizen, but everything else points to a life of poverty. Most of the farmers in the area had much more land and wealth than he did; Lawrence’s property was worth only $300 while others typically had values in the thousands. Neighboring farms grew several crops such as oats, rye, corn and apples, he only grew a quarter-acre of potatoes; his 20 bushels of product was dwarfed by the production of farms around him. And he was the only one not to have a single animal on his farm, not even a chicken.
One more record from 1875 gave a sad reason why Lawrence was a failure as a farmer. In November of that year, his wife Julia was admitted to the county poorhouse. The form filled out by the administrators told that she had become destitute and could no longer work, and the reason given was that “due to the intemperate habits of her husband, they could not accumulate any property, and they have parted.” From this, it’s easy to imagine a scenario where she had been doing the work on the farm while he drank heavily, until she reached an age where she couldn’t go on.
Lawrence appeared in one more census in 1880. While he lived alone on whatever was left of the farm, Julia still resided in the poorhouse, now described as “insane.” They each likely died within a few years.
Children:
1. Patrick H. McGuire — B. 25 Dec 1834, (probably) County Mayo, Ireland; D. 1 Apr 1882, Washington Lake, Minnesota; M. (1) Bridget Tuffy, before 1857, (probably) Sullivan County, New York; (2) Mary Toole (1846-1904), 7 Jan 1867, Henderson, Minnesota
2. Bridget McGuire — B. about 1836, (probably) County Mayo, Ireland
3. Michael McGuire — B. about 1842, (probably) County Mayo, Ireland
4. Catherine McGuire — B. about 1850, (probably) County Mayo, Ireland
Sources:
1860, 1870, and 1880 U.S. Censuses in New York
1855 New York State census
1875 Sullivan County, New York poorhouse records
Marriage certificate of Patrick McGuire and Mary Toole, Henderson, Minnesota, 7 Jan 1867
Death certificate of Patrick McGuire, Washington Lake, Minnesota, 1 Apr 1882
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
A Lady of Means From Paris — Marie-Marthe Bourgoin
B. about 1638 in Paris, France
M. (1) 9 Jan 1662 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Nicolas Godbout
M. 11 Jul 1675 in Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
Husband: Antoine Mercereau
D. 19 Dec 1682 in Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
Among the women who migrated to New France as prospective brides, Marie-Marthe Bourgoin came from a higher social standing than most. She was born in the Notre-Dame parish of Paris to Jean Bourgoin and Marie Lefebvre. It’s thought she was the youngest in her family. Little is known of her mother and siblings, but her father Jean had an important position in the French government, noted as being a Secretary of the Chamber of the King in 1628. He was also known to have authored many booklets presenting political support for King Louis XIII.
The earliest record of Marie-Marthe was her marriage contract in Quebec dated December 26, 1661. The man she was marrying was Nicolas Godbout, a sailor who had worked for Jean Bourdon, an important man in the colony. Bourdon and his wife Anne Gasnier had returned from France earlier that year, and were said to have recruited Marie-Marthe to come with them. The circumstances suggest that Marie-Marthe needed to secure her future, and likely her parents had both died by that time.
The contract signing took place at Bourdon’s home and Marie-Marthe’s clear signature showed that she was an educated woman. Witnesses to the contract included the governor of New France, Pierre Dubois Davaugour, and his lieutenant, Augustin Descartes. Both men had arrived in Quebec on August 31st, and it’s likely that Bourdon, Anne Gasnier, and Marie-Marthe were aboard the same ship. Also noted on the contract was that Marie-Marthe had brought with her 300 livres worth of clothes.
The wedding took place at Notre-Dame in Quebec City on January 9, 1662. Later that year, Marie-Marthe’s husband Nicolas bought land on Île d’Orleans, but it doesn’t seem that the couple moved there right away. Their first child was baptized at Quebec City in June 1663, and by the end of the decade, they had three more also baptized at Quebec. Only Marie-Marthe’s fifth child seems to have been born at a farm on Île d’Orleans, which happened in 1672. This was on a second property that Nicolas acquired, having sold the first one to another settler, Jean Leclerc.
Nicolas died at the hospital in Quebec City on September 5, 1674, leaving Marie-Marthe with four young children. It was a challenging winter for the family. The inventory of her husband's possessions showed a storage of food that included 2 bushels of wheat, 19 bushels of peas and 8 bushels of corn, along with a cow, a bull and 4 pigs. But she also was left her husband’s debts, owing money to several men which amounted to more than 640 livres. It was said that Marie-Marthe struggled for the next five years to pay the men off.
Marie-Marthe found a new husband by the following summer, and on July 11, 1675, she married Antoine Mercereau at Ste-Famille on Île d’Orleans; they had no children together. Marie-Marthe died on December 19, 1682 at about the age of 44. Antoine survived her by about 20 years, dying in 1702.
Children (all by Nicolas Godbout):
1. Marie-Anne Godbout — B. 9 Jun 1663, Quebec City, New France; D. 21 Jun 1668, Quebec City, New France
2. Marie-Jeanne Godbout — B. 11 Aug 1665, Quebec City, New France; D. 7 Jul 1732, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. (1) Jean Baillargeon (1659-1694), 2 Mar 1683, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; (2) Renee Pelletier (1659-1713), 23 Jul 1703, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
3. Nicolas Godbout — B. 14 Oct 1667, Quebec City, New France; D. 27 May 1720, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Angélique Lemelin (1668-1742), 16 Oct 1685, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
4. Antoine Godbout — B. 16 Nov 1669, Quebec City, New France; D. 23 Apr 1742, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Labrecque, 26 Feb 1691, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France
5. Joseph Godbout — B. 29 Jun 1672, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 16 Jun 1745, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Manseau, 8 Feb 1700, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
Sources:
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, Cyprien Tanguay, 1890
Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1997
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
M. (1) 9 Jan 1662 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Nicolas Godbout
M. 11 Jul 1675 in Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
Husband: Antoine Mercereau
D. 19 Dec 1682 in Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
Among the women who migrated to New France as prospective brides, Marie-Marthe Bourgoin came from a higher social standing than most. She was born in the Notre-Dame parish of Paris to Jean Bourgoin and Marie Lefebvre. It’s thought she was the youngest in her family. Little is known of her mother and siblings, but her father Jean had an important position in the French government, noted as being a Secretary of the Chamber of the King in 1628. He was also known to have authored many booklets presenting political support for King Louis XIII.
The earliest record of Marie-Marthe was her marriage contract in Quebec dated December 26, 1661. The man she was marrying was Nicolas Godbout, a sailor who had worked for Jean Bourdon, an important man in the colony. Bourdon and his wife Anne Gasnier had returned from France earlier that year, and were said to have recruited Marie-Marthe to come with them. The circumstances suggest that Marie-Marthe needed to secure her future, and likely her parents had both died by that time.
The contract signing took place at Bourdon’s home and Marie-Marthe’s clear signature showed that she was an educated woman. Witnesses to the contract included the governor of New France, Pierre Dubois Davaugour, and his lieutenant, Augustin Descartes. Both men had arrived in Quebec on August 31st, and it’s likely that Bourdon, Anne Gasnier, and Marie-Marthe were aboard the same ship. Also noted on the contract was that Marie-Marthe had brought with her 300 livres worth of clothes.
The wedding took place at Notre-Dame in Quebec City on January 9, 1662. Later that year, Marie-Marthe’s husband Nicolas bought land on Île d’Orleans, but it doesn’t seem that the couple moved there right away. Their first child was baptized at Quebec City in June 1663, and by the end of the decade, they had three more also baptized at Quebec. Only Marie-Marthe’s fifth child seems to have been born at a farm on Île d’Orleans, which happened in 1672. This was on a second property that Nicolas acquired, having sold the first one to another settler, Jean Leclerc.
Nicolas died at the hospital in Quebec City on September 5, 1674, leaving Marie-Marthe with four young children. It was a challenging winter for the family. The inventory of her husband's possessions showed a storage of food that included 2 bushels of wheat, 19 bushels of peas and 8 bushels of corn, along with a cow, a bull and 4 pigs. But she also was left her husband’s debts, owing money to several men which amounted to more than 640 livres. It was said that Marie-Marthe struggled for the next five years to pay the men off.
Marie-Marthe found a new husband by the following summer, and on July 11, 1675, she married Antoine Mercereau at Ste-Famille on Île d’Orleans; they had no children together. Marie-Marthe died on December 19, 1682 at about the age of 44. Antoine survived her by about 20 years, dying in 1702.
Children (all by Nicolas Godbout):
1. Marie-Anne Godbout — B. 9 Jun 1663, Quebec City, New France; D. 21 Jun 1668, Quebec City, New France
2. Marie-Jeanne Godbout — B. 11 Aug 1665, Quebec City, New France; D. 7 Jul 1732, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. (1) Jean Baillargeon (1659-1694), 2 Mar 1683, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; (2) Renee Pelletier (1659-1713), 23 Jul 1703, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
3. Nicolas Godbout — B. 14 Oct 1667, Quebec City, New France; D. 27 May 1720, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Angélique Lemelin (1668-1742), 16 Oct 1685, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
4. Antoine Godbout — B. 16 Nov 1669, Quebec City, New France; D. 23 Apr 1742, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Labrecque, 26 Feb 1691, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France
5. Joseph Godbout — B. 29 Jun 1672, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 16 Jun 1745, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marguerite Manseau, 8 Feb 1700, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France
Sources:
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, Cyprien Tanguay, 1890
Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1997
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Soldier of the Revolutionary War (Maybe) — John Ross
B. about 1732 in (probably) New Jersey
M. (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey
Wife: Martha Anderson
D. 5 Jan 1810 in (probably) Piscataway, New Jersey
There is strong evidence to suggest that John Ross served in the American Revolution during the 1770s, but because of his common name it can’t be entirely proven. Only sketchy details exist about John’s life. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in about 1732, probably in New Jersey. Around 1760, he married Martha Anderson, said to be daughter of William and Martha Anderson, another Scotch-Irish family who lived in colonial New Jersey. The couple had six known children.
During his life, John was identified as living in the towns of Bound Brook, Middlebrook and Piscataway, and these places were in close proximity of each other. This was a center of activity during the American Revolution, with Washington’s army being camped at Middlebrook for part of 1777 and for the winter of 1778-1779. On April 13, 1777, a battle took place at Bound Brook, when the British tried to corner the Americans, who were outnumbered 4,000 to 500. The colonial force lost the garrison, but was able to retreat.
Did John take part in any of this action? There was strong sentiment among the people of central New Jersey to support the American cause. Somerset County had its own militia headed by Captain Jacob Ten Eyck, and a list of his men survives that includes the name “John Ross.” But there’s no date on the list other than the length of the war: 1775 to 1781. John’s son who was also named John was age 17 in 1781, but given that the fighting in New Jersey took place much earlier, it seems much more likely that the older John was the soldier.
John died on January 5, 1810, likely at his home in Piscataway. His will left most of his estate to his wife, Martha, who survived him by little more than a month, dying on February 17th. Both were buried in the Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook.
Children:
1. John Ross — B. 5 Feb 1764, New Jersey; D. 2 Mar 1808, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Martha Van Tuyl (1768-1853), 7 Sep 1788
2. Joseph Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810
3. William Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810; M. Elizabeth
4. (unknown female) Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. James Coddington
5. Martha Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. Mr. Limberg
6. Hester Ross — B. 11 Feb 1767, New Jersey; D. 7 Oct 1851, Springdale, Ohio; M. Jacob Field (1768-1842), 25 Dec 1790, New Jersey
Sources:
Revolutionary War New Jersey (website)
The Ross Family of New Jersey, Bob Ross, 1990
The Will of John Ross, Piscataway, New Jersey, 1810
Middlebrook Encampment (Wikipedia article)
M. (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey
Wife: Martha Anderson
D. 5 Jan 1810 in (probably) Piscataway, New Jersey
There is strong evidence to suggest that John Ross served in the American Revolution during the 1770s, but because of his common name it can’t be entirely proven. Only sketchy details exist about John’s life. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in about 1732, probably in New Jersey. Around 1760, he married Martha Anderson, said to be daughter of William and Martha Anderson, another Scotch-Irish family who lived in colonial New Jersey. The couple had six known children.
During his life, John was identified as living in the towns of Bound Brook, Middlebrook and Piscataway, and these places were in close proximity of each other. This was a center of activity during the American Revolution, with Washington’s army being camped at Middlebrook for part of 1777 and for the winter of 1778-1779. On April 13, 1777, a battle took place at Bound Brook, when the British tried to corner the Americans, who were outnumbered 4,000 to 500. The colonial force lost the garrison, but was able to retreat.
Did John take part in any of this action? There was strong sentiment among the people of central New Jersey to support the American cause. Somerset County had its own militia headed by Captain Jacob Ten Eyck, and a list of his men survives that includes the name “John Ross.” But there’s no date on the list other than the length of the war: 1775 to 1781. John’s son who was also named John was age 17 in 1781, but given that the fighting in New Jersey took place much earlier, it seems much more likely that the older John was the soldier.
John died on January 5, 1810, likely at his home in Piscataway. His will left most of his estate to his wife, Martha, who survived him by little more than a month, dying on February 17th. Both were buried in the Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook.
Children:
1. John Ross — B. 5 Feb 1764, New Jersey; D. 2 Mar 1808, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Martha Van Tuyl (1768-1853), 7 Sep 1788
2. Joseph Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810
3. William Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810; M. Elizabeth
4. (unknown female) Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. James Coddington
5. Martha Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. Mr. Limberg
6. Hester Ross — B. 11 Feb 1767, New Jersey; D. 7 Oct 1851, Springdale, Ohio; M. Jacob Field (1768-1842), 25 Dec 1790, New Jersey
Sources:
Revolutionary War New Jersey (website)
The Ross Family of New Jersey, Bob Ross, 1990
The Will of John Ross, Piscataway, New Jersey, 1810
Middlebrook Encampment (Wikipedia article)
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Married to a Cheating Wife — Thomas Long
B. 1644 in Dorchester, Massachusetts
M. (1) before 28 Jan 1668 in (probably) Hartford, Connecticut
Wife: Sarah Wilcox
M: (2) before 1688 in (probably) Connecticut
Wife: Sarah Elmer
D. Nov 1711 in Windsor, Connecticut
Thomas Long got a divorce in colonial New England because of adultery—and his wife was the guilty party. He was born in 1644 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to Joseph Long and Mary Lane; his only known sibling was an older brother. His father returned to England in order to settle the estate of his own father, and the family never heard from him again. Thomas’ mother was awarded permission to remarry in 1651 when the court in Massachusetts presumed her husband was dead.
Thomas’ mother remarried, but her new husband died in 1659. When she married a third husband, John Wilcox, the following year, the family moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Wilcox brought several children into the household, and one of them, Sarah, must have caught Thomas’ eye. The step-siblings were joined in marriage in about 1667, likely in Hartford, although the record of their wedding is missing.
During the next ten or so years, Thomas and Sarah settled into married life with the birth of at least five children. But around the time the youngest was born, Sarah started keeping company with a married man named David Ensign. They were known to have had sex on several occasions, which was a punishable offense in Puritan Connecticut. Sarah and her lover were arrested on September 4, 1679, and the two were charged for their crime. Thomas likely wanted to avoid further public scandal, and two weeks later offered his property as bond for the release of his wife from jail.
Unfortunately, Sarah chose to continue her affair with Ensign. By 1681, Thomas had reached a point where he needed to take drastic action, so he filed for divorce. He had a clear case against Sarah for her infidelity, and on December 15th, the divorce was granted at a “Special Court of Assistants” in Hartford. Ensign was divorced by his wife the following year, and Sarah married him. As for Thomas, he found a second wife in Sarah Elmer, a woman 20 years younger than he was. They had one daughter born in 1696.
Presumably, Thomas’ second marriage was a happier one. He died in Windsor, Connecticut in November of 1711. His second wife Sarah survived him by many years, dying in 1741.
Children by Sarah Wilcox:
1. Joseph Long — B. 28 Jan 1668, Hartford, Connecticut; D. after May 1713, (probably) Coventry, Connecticut; M. Martha Smith (1674-?), before 1694, (probably) Connecticut
2. William Long — B. 4 Feb 1671, Hartford, Connecticut; D. Jul 1740, Coventry, Connecticut; M. Mary Henbury (1672-1759), 1701, Hartford, Connecticut
3. Jerusha Long — B. 1672, Hartford, Connecticut; D. 11 Jan 1723, Hartford, Connecticut
4. Mary Long — B. 1676, Hartford, Connecticut; M. Ephraim Bushnell, 9 Nov 1697, Saybrook, Connecticut
5. Hannah Long — B. 26 Feb 1679, Saybrook, Connecticut; M. Simon Large (~1670-~1702), 24 Jun 1700, Saybrook, Connecticut; (2) Jonathan Moore (1679-1770), 9 Jan 1705
Child by Sarah Elmer:
1. Elizabeth Long — B. 1696, East Windsor, Connecticut; D. 3 Nov 1759, East Windsor, Connecticut; M. Benjamin Cheney (1698-1760)
Sources:
New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, William Richard Cutter, 1913
Women Before the Bar; Gender, Law and Society in Connecticut, 1639-1789, Cornelia Hughes Dayton, 2012
Find-A-Grave
WikiTree
M. (1) before 28 Jan 1668 in (probably) Hartford, Connecticut
Wife: Sarah Wilcox
M: (2) before 1688 in (probably) Connecticut
Wife: Sarah Elmer
D. Nov 1711 in Windsor, Connecticut
Thomas Long got a divorce in colonial New England because of adultery—and his wife was the guilty party. He was born in 1644 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to Joseph Long and Mary Lane; his only known sibling was an older brother. His father returned to England in order to settle the estate of his own father, and the family never heard from him again. Thomas’ mother was awarded permission to remarry in 1651 when the court in Massachusetts presumed her husband was dead.
Thomas’ mother remarried, but her new husband died in 1659. When she married a third husband, John Wilcox, the following year, the family moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Wilcox brought several children into the household, and one of them, Sarah, must have caught Thomas’ eye. The step-siblings were joined in marriage in about 1667, likely in Hartford, although the record of their wedding is missing.
During the next ten or so years, Thomas and Sarah settled into married life with the birth of at least five children. But around the time the youngest was born, Sarah started keeping company with a married man named David Ensign. They were known to have had sex on several occasions, which was a punishable offense in Puritan Connecticut. Sarah and her lover were arrested on September 4, 1679, and the two were charged for their crime. Thomas likely wanted to avoid further public scandal, and two weeks later offered his property as bond for the release of his wife from jail.
Unfortunately, Sarah chose to continue her affair with Ensign. By 1681, Thomas had reached a point where he needed to take drastic action, so he filed for divorce. He had a clear case against Sarah for her infidelity, and on December 15th, the divorce was granted at a “Special Court of Assistants” in Hartford. Ensign was divorced by his wife the following year, and Sarah married him. As for Thomas, he found a second wife in Sarah Elmer, a woman 20 years younger than he was. They had one daughter born in 1696.
Presumably, Thomas’ second marriage was a happier one. He died in Windsor, Connecticut in November of 1711. His second wife Sarah survived him by many years, dying in 1741.
Children by Sarah Wilcox:
1. Joseph Long — B. 28 Jan 1668, Hartford, Connecticut; D. after May 1713, (probably) Coventry, Connecticut; M. Martha Smith (1674-?), before 1694, (probably) Connecticut
2. William Long — B. 4 Feb 1671, Hartford, Connecticut; D. Jul 1740, Coventry, Connecticut; M. Mary Henbury (1672-1759), 1701, Hartford, Connecticut
3. Jerusha Long — B. 1672, Hartford, Connecticut; D. 11 Jan 1723, Hartford, Connecticut
4. Mary Long — B. 1676, Hartford, Connecticut; M. Ephraim Bushnell, 9 Nov 1697, Saybrook, Connecticut
5. Hannah Long — B. 26 Feb 1679, Saybrook, Connecticut; M. Simon Large (~1670-~1702), 24 Jun 1700, Saybrook, Connecticut; (2) Jonathan Moore (1679-1770), 9 Jan 1705
Child by Sarah Elmer:
1. Elizabeth Long — B. 1696, East Windsor, Connecticut; D. 3 Nov 1759, East Windsor, Connecticut; M. Benjamin Cheney (1698-1760)
Sources:
New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, William Richard Cutter, 1913
Women Before the Bar; Gender, Law and Society in Connecticut, 1639-1789, Cornelia Hughes Dayton, 2012
Find-A-Grave
WikiTree
Wife of Three Colonists in New France — Jeanne Savonnet
B. about 1648 in Paris, France
M. (1) about 1670 in (probably) Île d'Orléans, New France
Husband: Jean Soucy dit Lavigne
M. (2) 22 Aug 1679 in L’Islet, New France
Husband: Damien Bérubé
M. (3) 7 Nov 1692 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Husband: François Miville
D. 12 Mar 1721 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Jeanne Savonnet married three husbands in the rugged early days of French Canada, and she outlived them all. She was born in Paris in about 1648 to Jacques Savonnet and Antoinette Babilette. When Jeanne was a young woman of about 22, she was recruited to be a Fille du Roi, agreeing to marry a man in New France in return for passage and a dowry.
Jeanne arrived in Quebec City during the summer of 1670, competing with 120 other prospective brides of that year. She successfully found a husband, Jean Soucy dit Lavigne, who had come to New France as a Carignan Regiment soldier and decided to settle there. Their marriage record is lost, but the event is thought to have happened in Île d’Orleans. Then they moved to a farm on the remote Île-aux-Oies. The small, narrow island was sparsely populated, and life must have been challenging for a woman from Paris. She gave birth to four children there, with one dying young. Then in 1678, Jean died; it’s been speculated that he may have drowned since there was no burial record.
Getting a new husband meant moving to the mainland, and on August 22, 1679, Jeanne married Damien Bérubé in L’Islet, located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence. It was the very first marriage recorded at that parish. Damien was a mason by trade and they settled in Rivière-Ouelle, where Jeanne gave birth to five more children. She was pregnant with their sixth when an epidemic seems to have hit the area, and within a few days in March 1688, two baby girls and husband were dead. Her last child with Damien, a boy, was born that October.
Jeanne was on her own for the next few years, and most likely her oldest son, Pierre, helped to support the family. In 1690, Rivière-Ouelle was threatened by a direct attack when a force from New England sailed up the St. Lawrence to invade Quebec. When the ships tried to land at their small settlement, everyone in the community banded together, and led by the village priest, they bravely fought off the English. It’s not known how Jeanne participated in the battle, but she certainly experienced the fear and anticipation of being invaded.
On November 7, 1692, Jeanne married a third time to François Miville, the son of an immigrant from Switzerland. François had at one time been a seigneur, but he had given it up by the time he married Jeanne and made a living as a carpenter. Together they had one daughter, Jeanne’s last child, born in 1694.
Jeanne’s third husband passed away on November 23, 1711, and she died almost ten years later on March 12, 1721. Her descendants include Alex Trebek.
Children by Jean Soucy dit Lavigne:
1. Anne Soucy – B. 5 Sep 1671, Île-aux-Oies, New France; M. (1) Jean Lebel (?-1699), 16 Aug 1689, Riviere Ouelle, New France; (2) Jacques Bois, 24 Nov 1704
2. Pierre Soucy – B. 13 Apr 1673, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 7 Jan 1760, Riviere Ouelle, New France; M. Elisabeth-Ursule Fouquereau (1679-1758), 13 Jan 1699, Riviere Ouelle, New France
3. Marie-Anne Soucy – B. 15 Feb 1675, Île-aux-Grues, New France; M. (1) Charles Pelletier (?-1713), 24 Nov 1701, Riviere Ouelle, New France; (2) Robert Gaulin, 15 Apr 1716, Ste-Famille, New France
4. Guillaume Soucy – B. 5 Apr 1677, Île-aux-Grues, New France
Children by Damien Bérubé:
1. Jeanne-Marguerite Bérubé – B. 27 Oct 1680, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 24 Feb 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. René Plourde (1667-1708), 26 Aug 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
2. Pierre Bérubé — B. 4 Jan 1682, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 5 Oct 1736, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Genevieve Dancosse (1687-1745), 8 Jan 1706, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
3. Ignace Bérubé — B. about 1683; D. 7 Mar 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Angélique Marguerite Ouellet (1690-1756), 16 Aug 1707, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
4. Marie-Josephe Bérubé — B. 28 Oct 1684, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. Mar 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
5. Thérèse Bérubé — B. about 1686, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 7 Mar 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
6. Mathurlin Bérubé — B. 17 Oct 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 20 Nov 1741, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Angélique-Marie Miville (1697-1769), 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Child by François Miville:
1. Marie-Françoise Miville – B. 18 Jan 1694, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 17 Jun 1758, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Prisque Boucher (1689-1768), 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
King's daughters and founding mothers: the filles du roi, 1663-1672, Peter J. Gagné, 2001
1690: Qui sont les héros et les héroïnes de la bataille de Rivière-Ouelle? (blog) Robert Bérubé, 2017
WikiTree
M. (1) about 1670 in (probably) Île d'Orléans, New France
Husband: Jean Soucy dit Lavigne
M. (2) 22 Aug 1679 in L’Islet, New France
Husband: Damien Bérubé
M. (3) 7 Nov 1692 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Husband: François Miville
D. 12 Mar 1721 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Jeanne Savonnet married three husbands in the rugged early days of French Canada, and she outlived them all. She was born in Paris in about 1648 to Jacques Savonnet and Antoinette Babilette. When Jeanne was a young woman of about 22, she was recruited to be a Fille du Roi, agreeing to marry a man in New France in return for passage and a dowry.
Jeanne arrived in Quebec City during the summer of 1670, competing with 120 other prospective brides of that year. She successfully found a husband, Jean Soucy dit Lavigne, who had come to New France as a Carignan Regiment soldier and decided to settle there. Their marriage record is lost, but the event is thought to have happened in Île d’Orleans. Then they moved to a farm on the remote Île-aux-Oies. The small, narrow island was sparsely populated, and life must have been challenging for a woman from Paris. She gave birth to four children there, with one dying young. Then in 1678, Jean died; it’s been speculated that he may have drowned since there was no burial record.
Getting a new husband meant moving to the mainland, and on August 22, 1679, Jeanne married Damien Bérubé in L’Islet, located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence. It was the very first marriage recorded at that parish. Damien was a mason by trade and they settled in Rivière-Ouelle, where Jeanne gave birth to five more children. She was pregnant with their sixth when an epidemic seems to have hit the area, and within a few days in March 1688, two baby girls and husband were dead. Her last child with Damien, a boy, was born that October.
Jeanne was on her own for the next few years, and most likely her oldest son, Pierre, helped to support the family. In 1690, Rivière-Ouelle was threatened by a direct attack when a force from New England sailed up the St. Lawrence to invade Quebec. When the ships tried to land at their small settlement, everyone in the community banded together, and led by the village priest, they bravely fought off the English. It’s not known how Jeanne participated in the battle, but she certainly experienced the fear and anticipation of being invaded.
On November 7, 1692, Jeanne married a third time to François Miville, the son of an immigrant from Switzerland. François had at one time been a seigneur, but he had given it up by the time he married Jeanne and made a living as a carpenter. Together they had one daughter, Jeanne’s last child, born in 1694.
Jeanne’s third husband passed away on November 23, 1711, and she died almost ten years later on March 12, 1721. Her descendants include Alex Trebek.
Children by Jean Soucy dit Lavigne:
1. Anne Soucy – B. 5 Sep 1671, Île-aux-Oies, New France; M. (1) Jean Lebel (?-1699), 16 Aug 1689, Riviere Ouelle, New France; (2) Jacques Bois, 24 Nov 1704
2. Pierre Soucy – B. 13 Apr 1673, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 7 Jan 1760, Riviere Ouelle, New France; M. Elisabeth-Ursule Fouquereau (1679-1758), 13 Jan 1699, Riviere Ouelle, New France
3. Marie-Anne Soucy – B. 15 Feb 1675, Île-aux-Grues, New France; M. (1) Charles Pelletier (?-1713), 24 Nov 1701, Riviere Ouelle, New France; (2) Robert Gaulin, 15 Apr 1716, Ste-Famille, New France
4. Guillaume Soucy – B. 5 Apr 1677, Île-aux-Grues, New France
Children by Damien Bérubé:
1. Jeanne-Marguerite Bérubé – B. 27 Oct 1680, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 24 Feb 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. René Plourde (1667-1708), 26 Aug 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
2. Pierre Bérubé — B. 4 Jan 1682, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 5 Oct 1736, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Genevieve Dancosse (1687-1745), 8 Jan 1706, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
3. Ignace Bérubé — B. about 1683; D. 7 Mar 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Angélique Marguerite Ouellet (1690-1756), 16 Aug 1707, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
4. Marie-Josephe Bérubé — B. 28 Oct 1684, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. Mar 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
5. Thérèse Bérubé — B. about 1686, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 7 Mar 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
6. Mathurlin Bérubé — B. 17 Oct 1688, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 20 Nov 1741, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Angélique-Marie Miville (1697-1769), 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Child by François Miville:
1. Marie-Françoise Miville – B. 18 Jan 1694, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; D. 17 Jun 1758, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Prisque Boucher (1689-1768), 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
King's daughters and founding mothers: the filles du roi, 1663-1672, Peter J. Gagné, 2001
1690: Qui sont les héros et les héroïnes de la bataille de Rivière-Ouelle? (blog) Robert Bérubé, 2017
WikiTree
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Tokens of Her Love — Mary Brooks
B. about 1623 in (probably) Manchester, England
M. about 1655 in Concord, Massachusetts
Husband: Timothy Wheeler
D. 4 Oct 1693 in Concord, Massachusetts
In her old age, Mary Brooks wrote a quite detailed will, leaving precious items to various family members. She was born in England in about 1623 to Thomas Brooks and Grace Cunliffe, one of at least four children. Her parents had married in Manchester Cathedral in 1618, and it’s believed the family lived in or near Manchester, although no church records show the baptisms of Mary or her siblings. It’s possible that because of their Puritan beliefs, they avoided association with the Church of England.
The Brooks family moved to Massachusetts sometime during the 1630s. Mary’s father was granted land in Watertown in 1636, and became part of the community, but seems to have moved to Concord by 1638, and this is where Mary would spend the rest of her life. In about 1655, she married Timothy Wheeler, a man in his 50s who had been widowed twice. The couple had three daughters born between 1657 and about 1666, one of whom died as a child. Timothy developed a close relationship with Mary’s father and together they bought 400 acres at Medford, Massachusetts. This property eventually passed to Mary’s brothers and was owned by the Brooks Family for generations.
During the summer of 1687, Timothy died, leaving Mary as the matriarch of her small family. On April 20, 1691, she had her will prepared and presumably dictated the language in it. She described that she was “stricken in years,” likely an indication that her health was declining. The first bequest she made was to Ebenezer Prout, the husband of her deceased daughter Elizabeth, whom she left 5 shillings as “a token of my love.” To her grandson, also named Ebenezer Prout, she gave a silver cup engraved with the initials “EW” (presumably it had belonged to the boy’s mother), and also some bedding, furniture and £5. Mary's only surviving daughter, Rebecca, received another silver cup (without initials), a “standing cup,” and a bible with silver clasps. And to Rebecca’s husband, John Minot, she repeated the same sentiment as she wrote for her other son-in-law: 5 shillings as “a token of my love.”
After Mary listed bequests to her other grandchildren, she named gifts for several individuals, including her brother Caleb, a “kinswoman” who once lived in her house, and various other acquaintances. The phrase “a token of my love” followed many of the items. The will was signed off with Mary’s mark, but instead of an “X” it was a crescent moon between two blots of ink.
Mary died on October 4, 1693 at Concord. She was laid to rest with her husband in the Old Burying Ground.
Children:
1. Mary Wheeler – B. 3 Oct 1657, Concord, Massachusetts; D. 7 Oct 1660, Concord, Massachusetts
2. Elizabeth Wheeler – B. 6 Oct 1661, Concord, Massachusetts; D. 11 Oct 1683, Concord, Massachusetts; M. Ebenezer Prout, 28 May 1678
3. Rebecca Wheeler – B. about 1666; D. 23 Sep 1734, Concord, Massachusetts; M. James Minot (1653-1735), about 1684
Sources:
The genealogical and encyclopedic history of the Wheeler family in America, Albert Gallatin Wheeler, 1914
A History of the Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Lemuel Shattuck, 1835
The History of Concord, Massachusetts, Vol. 1, Alfred Sereno Hudson, 1904
Tributaries – Mary Brooks (website)
WikiTree
M. about 1655 in Concord, Massachusetts
Husband: Timothy Wheeler
D. 4 Oct 1693 in Concord, Massachusetts
In her old age, Mary Brooks wrote a quite detailed will, leaving precious items to various family members. She was born in England in about 1623 to Thomas Brooks and Grace Cunliffe, one of at least four children. Her parents had married in Manchester Cathedral in 1618, and it’s believed the family lived in or near Manchester, although no church records show the baptisms of Mary or her siblings. It’s possible that because of their Puritan beliefs, they avoided association with the Church of England.
The Brooks family moved to Massachusetts sometime during the 1630s. Mary’s father was granted land in Watertown in 1636, and became part of the community, but seems to have moved to Concord by 1638, and this is where Mary would spend the rest of her life. In about 1655, she married Timothy Wheeler, a man in his 50s who had been widowed twice. The couple had three daughters born between 1657 and about 1666, one of whom died as a child. Timothy developed a close relationship with Mary’s father and together they bought 400 acres at Medford, Massachusetts. This property eventually passed to Mary’s brothers and was owned by the Brooks Family for generations.
During the summer of 1687, Timothy died, leaving Mary as the matriarch of her small family. On April 20, 1691, she had her will prepared and presumably dictated the language in it. She described that she was “stricken in years,” likely an indication that her health was declining. The first bequest she made was to Ebenezer Prout, the husband of her deceased daughter Elizabeth, whom she left 5 shillings as “a token of my love.” To her grandson, also named Ebenezer Prout, she gave a silver cup engraved with the initials “EW” (presumably it had belonged to the boy’s mother), and also some bedding, furniture and £5. Mary's only surviving daughter, Rebecca, received another silver cup (without initials), a “standing cup,” and a bible with silver clasps. And to Rebecca’s husband, John Minot, she repeated the same sentiment as she wrote for her other son-in-law: 5 shillings as “a token of my love.”
After Mary listed bequests to her other grandchildren, she named gifts for several individuals, including her brother Caleb, a “kinswoman” who once lived in her house, and various other acquaintances. The phrase “a token of my love” followed many of the items. The will was signed off with Mary’s mark, but instead of an “X” it was a crescent moon between two blots of ink.
Mary died on October 4, 1693 at Concord. She was laid to rest with her husband in the Old Burying Ground.
Children:
1. Mary Wheeler – B. 3 Oct 1657, Concord, Massachusetts; D. 7 Oct 1660, Concord, Massachusetts
2. Elizabeth Wheeler – B. 6 Oct 1661, Concord, Massachusetts; D. 11 Oct 1683, Concord, Massachusetts; M. Ebenezer Prout, 28 May 1678
3. Rebecca Wheeler – B. about 1666; D. 23 Sep 1734, Concord, Massachusetts; M. James Minot (1653-1735), about 1684
Sources:
The genealogical and encyclopedic history of the Wheeler family in America, Albert Gallatin Wheeler, 1914
A History of the Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Lemuel Shattuck, 1835
The History of Concord, Massachusetts, Vol. 1, Alfred Sereno Hudson, 1904
Tributaries – Mary Brooks (website)
WikiTree
Saturday, February 16, 2019
On the Shores of the River — Pierre Boucher dit Pitoche
B. 13 Feb 1639 in Quebec City, New France
M. 4 Apr 1663 in Château-Richer, New France
Wife: Marie Saint-Denys
D. 13 May 1707 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
During the 17th century, Pierre Boucher dit Pitoche lived on both the north and south coasts of the St. Lawrence River, as well as a major island in between.
Pierre started out life in Quebec City, born there to Marin Boucher and Perrine Mallet on February 13, 1639. The Boucher family had migrated among the first wave of colonists after the French took Quebec back from the English. Pierre grew up with six siblings, plus a half-brother from his father’s earlier marriage (there were several half-sisters who had remained in France). The first few years of Pierre's life were spent in the Beauport section of Quebec before his father acquired land in Château-Richer in 1648.
The Bouchers lived in Château-Richer on a large tract with 8 arpents of river frontage. It was said that their home was used by the community for religious functions before the church was built in about 1661. On April 4, 1663, Pierre got married in the new church; his bride was Marie Saint-Denys, who had arrived from France with her parents in 1659.
At some point, the nickname “Pitoche” was added to Pierre’s name. This was likely because there was a famous Pierre Boucher who was the governor of Trois-Rivières. Pierre had more humble pursuits—he was a farmer who supplemented his income building carts.
Pierre and his wife spent the first couple years of their marriage in Château-Richer where their first two children were born, then by 1666, they moved to Île d’Orleans. He acquired land with 3 arpents of frontage in Ste-Famille, the oldest settlement on the island. The family grew to include five more children, then in 1679, he moved back to Château-Richer where they had five more. His widowed mother lived nearby, and some time after she died in 1687, Pierre moved again, this time to the southern shore of the St. Lawrence.
The place Pierre settled was Rivière-Ouelle; his older brother Galleran was already living there, and so was his daughter Marie-Sainte and her husband. Rivière-Ouelle was downriver towards the Atlantic, far enough so that ocean fish were within reach. It was said that Pierre had land at a location that was ideally suited for fishing, but it isn’t certain whether he made a living that way.
Pierre’s wife died in January 1705, and he passed away two year later on May 13, 1707. Many of Pierre’s descendants remained in the Rivière-Ouelle area for generations. Three of his great-grandsons served in the Rivière-Ouelle militia against the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
Pierre was a direct ancestor of Madonna.
Children:
1. Barbe Boucher — B. 13 Dec 1663, Château-Richer, New France; D. 20 Mar 1724, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, New France; (1) René Meheu, 16 Nov 1682, Château-Richer, New France; M. (2) Georges Cadoret, 22 Apr 1686, Château-Richer, New France; (3) Louis Jourdain, 8 Feb 1712, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, New France
2. Pierre Boucher — B. 1 Jan 1666, Château-Richer, New France; D. 17 Jun 1666, Montmorency, New France
3. Jacques Boucher — B. 4 Jan 1667, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 6 Jan 1667, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
4. Marie-Sainte Boucher — B. 11 Aug 1668;, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France D. 15 Jul 1717, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M Jean-Baptiste Mignault dit LaBrie, 7 Nov 1689, Château-Richer, New France
5. Jean Boucher — B. 14 Jan 1671, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marie-Angelique Guay, 16 Oct 1696, Levis, New France
6. Pierre Boucher — B. 4 May 1673, St-François, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 17 Jun 1714, Montmorency, New France; M. Madeleine Dancosse, 4 Feb 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
7. Angelique Boucher — B. 27 Oct 1676, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 2 Mar 1717, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Louis Dubé, 28 Jan 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
8. Charles Boucher — B. 7 Sep 1679, Château-Richer, New France; D. 4 May 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Marie-Anne Ouellet, 18 Nov 1704, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
9. Marie-Therese Boucher — B. 9 Jan 1683, Château-Richer, New France; D. 15 Jul 1743, Montreal, New France; M. Pierre Dubé, 7 Jan 1704, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
10. Genevieve Boucher — B. 12 sep 1685, Château-Richer, New France; D. 23 Jun 1769, St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Quebec; M. Laurent Dubé, 7 Jan 1706, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
11. Prisque Boucher — B. 22 Apr 1689, Château-Richer, New France; D. 9 May 1768, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, Quebec; M. Marie-Françoise Miville, 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
12. Marguerite Boucher — B. 12 May 1692, Montmorency, New France; D. 13 Mar 1747, St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
M. 4 Apr 1663 in Château-Richer, New France
Wife: Marie Saint-Denys
D. 13 May 1707 in Rivière-Ouelle, New France
During the 17th century, Pierre Boucher dit Pitoche lived on both the north and south coasts of the St. Lawrence River, as well as a major island in between.
Pierre started out life in Quebec City, born there to Marin Boucher and Perrine Mallet on February 13, 1639. The Boucher family had migrated among the first wave of colonists after the French took Quebec back from the English. Pierre grew up with six siblings, plus a half-brother from his father’s earlier marriage (there were several half-sisters who had remained in France). The first few years of Pierre's life were spent in the Beauport section of Quebec before his father acquired land in Château-Richer in 1648.
The Bouchers lived in Château-Richer on a large tract with 8 arpents of river frontage. It was said that their home was used by the community for religious functions before the church was built in about 1661. On April 4, 1663, Pierre got married in the new church; his bride was Marie Saint-Denys, who had arrived from France with her parents in 1659.
At some point, the nickname “Pitoche” was added to Pierre’s name. This was likely because there was a famous Pierre Boucher who was the governor of Trois-Rivières. Pierre had more humble pursuits—he was a farmer who supplemented his income building carts.
Pierre and his wife spent the first couple years of their marriage in Château-Richer where their first two children were born, then by 1666, they moved to Île d’Orleans. He acquired land with 3 arpents of frontage in Ste-Famille, the oldest settlement on the island. The family grew to include five more children, then in 1679, he moved back to Château-Richer where they had five more. His widowed mother lived nearby, and some time after she died in 1687, Pierre moved again, this time to the southern shore of the St. Lawrence.
The place Pierre settled was Rivière-Ouelle; his older brother Galleran was already living there, and so was his daughter Marie-Sainte and her husband. Rivière-Ouelle was downriver towards the Atlantic, far enough so that ocean fish were within reach. It was said that Pierre had land at a location that was ideally suited for fishing, but it isn’t certain whether he made a living that way.
Pierre’s wife died in January 1705, and he passed away two year later on May 13, 1707. Many of Pierre’s descendants remained in the Rivière-Ouelle area for generations. Three of his great-grandsons served in the Rivière-Ouelle militia against the Americans during the Revolutionary War.
Pierre was a direct ancestor of Madonna.
Children:
1. Barbe Boucher — B. 13 Dec 1663, Château-Richer, New France; D. 20 Mar 1724, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, New France; (1) René Meheu, 16 Nov 1682, Château-Richer, New France; M. (2) Georges Cadoret, 22 Apr 1686, Château-Richer, New France; (3) Louis Jourdain, 8 Feb 1712, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, New France
2. Pierre Boucher — B. 1 Jan 1666, Château-Richer, New France; D. 17 Jun 1666, Montmorency, New France
3. Jacques Boucher — B. 4 Jan 1667, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 6 Jan 1667, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France
4. Marie-Sainte Boucher — B. 11 Aug 1668;, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France D. 15 Jul 1717, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M Jean-Baptiste Mignault dit LaBrie, 7 Nov 1689, Château-Richer, New France
5. Jean Boucher — B. 14 Jan 1671, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Marie-Angelique Guay, 16 Oct 1696, Levis, New France
6. Pierre Boucher — B. 4 May 1673, St-François, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 17 Jun 1714, Montmorency, New France; M. Madeleine Dancosse, 4 Feb 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
7. Angelique Boucher — B. 27 Oct 1676, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France; D. 2 Mar 1717, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Louis Dubé, 28 Jan 1697, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
8. Charles Boucher — B. 7 Sep 1679, Château-Richer, New France; D. 4 May 1709, Rivière-Ouelle, New France; M. Marie-Anne Ouellet, 18 Nov 1704, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
9. Marie-Therese Boucher — B. 9 Jan 1683, Château-Richer, New France; D. 15 Jul 1743, Montreal, New France; M. Pierre Dubé, 7 Jan 1704, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
10. Genevieve Boucher — B. 12 sep 1685, Château-Richer, New France; D. 23 Jun 1769, St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Quebec; M. Laurent Dubé, 7 Jan 1706, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
11. Prisque Boucher — B. 22 Apr 1689, Château-Richer, New France; D. 9 May 1768, Pointe-de-Lévy, Lauzon, Quebec; M. Marie-Françoise Miville, 6 Apr 1712, Rivière-Ouelle, New France
12. Marguerite Boucher — B. 12 May 1692, Montmorency, New France; D. 13 Mar 1747, St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990Marin Boucher (Wikipedia article)
WikiTree
WikiTree
Giving Birth to Sixteen Children — Louise Jean
B. 18 May 1678 in La Canardière, New France
M. 2 Jun 1692 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Jacques Chouinard
D. 1 Jan 1750 in St-Jean-Port-Joli, New France
Louise Jean experienced motherhood sixteen times while living in remote places along the St. Lawrence River. She was born on May 18, 1678 in La Canardière, New France to Pierre Jean and Françoise Favreau. Her parents were immigrants from the La Rochelle area of France, who moved to America in 1669. Louise grew up with two brothers—a much smaller family than the one she would raise.
On June 2, 1692, Louise was married at age 14 to Jacques Chouinard, a 29-year-old man from France. To get the couple started in life, her father gave her new husband a plow with rigging, two horses, a foal, a cow, a heifer and 400 bales of hay. He offered temporary housing for the newlyweds, then provided a small farm at La Canardière. Louise had her first child, a son, in 1695, and the baby was baptized in Quebec City.
Louise’s family next moved to Île-aux-Oies (Island of the Geese), where Jacques had acquired a farm in 1697. The island was sparsely populated and had no church, so when Louise gave birth to her next four children, they had to be taken to the south shore community of St-Ignace in order to be baptized. Sadly, two babies born in 1697 and 1698 died as infants.
Perhaps the isolation of the island caused Louise’s family to migrate once again, this time to the south shore of the St. Lawrence. After the harvest of 1702, they settled in St-Jean-Port-Joli, where Louise's father and some of her siblings already lived. Jacques built a house, described as being "20 by 18 feet, covered with planks and with a stone fireplace," and it was here that Louise gave birth to 11 more children. One child died in a terrible accident; in April 1707, 2-year-old Jean-Baptiste was “burned in the fire and drowned in the cold water.” The death record gave no other details of the incident.
Louise’s last pregnancy was in 1720 when she was 42 years of age. The following year, her husband Jacques seems to have died on a trip back to France. At the time Louise became a widow, she had 10 children in the household, but her oldest three sons were of age, so they likely helped support the family.
On February 10, 1727, Louise signed over her property and possessions to the seven children who were still under her roof; in return, she kept the use of her home during her lifetime, and asked her oldest unmarried son, Pierre, to have 60 masses said for her after her death. French Catholics had a belief that priests who celebrated mass in honor of the deceased helped their souls reach heaven, and this was done by paying the church.
Louise died at St-Jean-Port-Joli on January 1, 1750 at the age of 71. It isn’t known if her wishes regarding the 60 masses were carried out by her son.
Children:
1. Pierre Chouinard – B. 20 Apr 1695, (probably) La Canardière, New France; D. 19 Jun 1767, L'Islet-sur-Mer, Quebec; M. Ursule Martin (1704-1792), 14 Feb 1724, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, New France
2. Jacques Chouinard – B. 10 Aug 1697, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 14 Aug 1697, Île-aux-Oies, New France
3. Joseph Chouinard – B. 9 Aug 1698, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 2 Dec 1699, Île-aux-Oies, New France
4. Jacques-Eustache Chouinard – B. 17 Sep 1700, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 3 Nov 1760, Montmagny, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Berube (1708-1763), 8 Jul 1725, Riviere-Ouelle, New France
5. Pierre Chouinard – B. 28 Feb 1702, Île-aux-Oies, New France D. 7 Jan 1790, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec; M. (1) Genevieve Lizotte (1705-?), 18 Nov 1727, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, New France; (2) Marie-Anne Pelletier (1725-1773), 4 Nov 1743, Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, New France
6. Louise Chouinard – B. 28 Jan 1704, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 8 Jan 1783, Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Quebec; M. Charles Pelletier (1700-1776), 25 Nov 1726, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
7. Jean-Baptiste Chouinard – B. 10 May 1705, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. Apr 1707, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
8. Marguerite Chouinard – B. 29 Mar 1707, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, New France; D. 24 Jan 1751, St-Ours, New France; M. Pierre Fortin (1704-1788), 19 Nov 1730, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
9. Marie-Anne Chouinard – B. 25 Jul 1708, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. (1) Alexandre Saint-Pierre (1703-?), 15 Nov 1728, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Migneault (1707-?), 10 Nov 1766, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, Quebec
10. Marie-Ursule Chouinard – B. 14 Aug 1710, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 24 Mar 1735, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Henri Parent (1696-1780), 15 May 1729, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
11. François Chouinard – B. 14 Aug 1710, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Marguerite Luret (~1716-1789), abt 1737, New France
12. Elisabeth Chouinard – B. 5 Feb 1714, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 5 Aug 1714, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
13. Jacques Chouinard – B. 15 Feb 1715, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
14. Julien Chouinard – B. 22 Nov 1716, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 14 Dec 1791, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec; M. Reine Fortin (1708-1790), 16 Jan 1741, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
15. Baby Boy Chouinard – B. 18 Dec 1718, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 18 Dec 1718, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
16. Charles Chouinard – B. 12 Aug 1720, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Marie-Dorothee Fortin (1714-1793), L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
M. 2 Jun 1692 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Jacques Chouinard
D. 1 Jan 1750 in St-Jean-Port-Joli, New France
Louise Jean experienced motherhood sixteen times while living in remote places along the St. Lawrence River. She was born on May 18, 1678 in La Canardière, New France to Pierre Jean and Françoise Favreau. Her parents were immigrants from the La Rochelle area of France, who moved to America in 1669. Louise grew up with two brothers—a much smaller family than the one she would raise.
On June 2, 1692, Louise was married at age 14 to Jacques Chouinard, a 29-year-old man from France. To get the couple started in life, her father gave her new husband a plow with rigging, two horses, a foal, a cow, a heifer and 400 bales of hay. He offered temporary housing for the newlyweds, then provided a small farm at La Canardière. Louise had her first child, a son, in 1695, and the baby was baptized in Quebec City.
Louise’s family next moved to Île-aux-Oies (Island of the Geese), where Jacques had acquired a farm in 1697. The island was sparsely populated and had no church, so when Louise gave birth to her next four children, they had to be taken to the south shore community of St-Ignace in order to be baptized. Sadly, two babies born in 1697 and 1698 died as infants.
Perhaps the isolation of the island caused Louise’s family to migrate once again, this time to the south shore of the St. Lawrence. After the harvest of 1702, they settled in St-Jean-Port-Joli, where Louise's father and some of her siblings already lived. Jacques built a house, described as being "20 by 18 feet, covered with planks and with a stone fireplace," and it was here that Louise gave birth to 11 more children. One child died in a terrible accident; in April 1707, 2-year-old Jean-Baptiste was “burned in the fire and drowned in the cold water.” The death record gave no other details of the incident.
Louise’s last pregnancy was in 1720 when she was 42 years of age. The following year, her husband Jacques seems to have died on a trip back to France. At the time Louise became a widow, she had 10 children in the household, but her oldest three sons were of age, so they likely helped support the family.
On February 10, 1727, Louise signed over her property and possessions to the seven children who were still under her roof; in return, she kept the use of her home during her lifetime, and asked her oldest unmarried son, Pierre, to have 60 masses said for her after her death. French Catholics had a belief that priests who celebrated mass in honor of the deceased helped their souls reach heaven, and this was done by paying the church.
Louise died at St-Jean-Port-Joli on January 1, 1750 at the age of 71. It isn’t known if her wishes regarding the 60 masses were carried out by her son.
Children:
1. Pierre Chouinard – B. 20 Apr 1695, (probably) La Canardière, New France; D. 19 Jun 1767, L'Islet-sur-Mer, Quebec; M. Ursule Martin (1704-1792), 14 Feb 1724, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, New France
2. Jacques Chouinard – B. 10 Aug 1697, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 14 Aug 1697, Île-aux-Oies, New France
3. Joseph Chouinard – B. 9 Aug 1698, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 2 Dec 1699, Île-aux-Oies, New France
4. Jacques-Eustache Chouinard – B. 17 Sep 1700, Île-aux-Oies, New France; D. 3 Nov 1760, Montmagny, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Berube (1708-1763), 8 Jul 1725, Riviere-Ouelle, New France
5. Pierre Chouinard – B. 28 Feb 1702, Île-aux-Oies, New France D. 7 Jan 1790, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec; M. (1) Genevieve Lizotte (1705-?), 18 Nov 1727, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, New France; (2) Marie-Anne Pelletier (1725-1773), 4 Nov 1743, Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, New France
6. Louise Chouinard – B. 28 Jan 1704, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 8 Jan 1783, Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Quebec; M. Charles Pelletier (1700-1776), 25 Nov 1726, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
7. Jean-Baptiste Chouinard – B. 10 May 1705, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. Apr 1707, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
8. Marguerite Chouinard – B. 29 Mar 1707, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, New France; D. 24 Jan 1751, St-Ours, New France; M. Pierre Fortin (1704-1788), 19 Nov 1730, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
9. Marie-Anne Chouinard – B. 25 Jul 1708, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. (1) Alexandre Saint-Pierre (1703-?), 15 Nov 1728, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Migneault (1707-?), 10 Nov 1766, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, Quebec
10. Marie-Ursule Chouinard – B. 14 Aug 1710, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 24 Mar 1735, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Henri Parent (1696-1780), 15 May 1729, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
11. François Chouinard – B. 14 Aug 1710, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Marguerite Luret (~1716-1789), abt 1737, New France
12. Elisabeth Chouinard – B. 5 Feb 1714, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 5 Aug 1714, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
13. Jacques Chouinard – B. 15 Feb 1715, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
14. Julien Chouinard – B. 22 Nov 1716, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 14 Dec 1791, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec; M. Reine Fortin (1708-1790), 16 Jan 1741, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
15. Baby Boy Chouinard – B. 18 Dec 1718, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; D. 18 Dec 1718, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
16. Charles Chouinard – B. 12 Aug 1720, L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France; M. Marie-Dorothee Fortin (1714-1793), L'Islet-sur-Mer, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990WikiTree
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Worker in a 17th Century Quebec Hospital — Jean Bouron
B. 1642 in Saint-Hilaire-sur-l'Autize, Vendée, France
M. (1) 7 Oct 1686 in Beauport, New France
Wife: Anne Binet
M. (2) 3 Aug 1699 in Quebec City, New France
Wife: Marie-Françoise Chaqueneau
D. 28 Mar 1712 in Quebec City, New France
Jean Bouron once worked at a place where nuns took care of the sick, and he would later become a patient there himself. He was born in about 1642 in the parish of Saint-Hilaire-sur-l'Autize, near La Rochelle, France; his parents were Hilaire Bouron and Hèléne Souchet. Nothing is known of Jean’s early years until he arrived in New France in about 1677.
Jean was very likely an indentured servant, a man who contracted to perform work for several years in exchange for passage to America. Such workers were looking for an opportunity in life that they couldn’t acquire back in France. Jean was already in his thirties when he migrated. One of his employers in Quebec was Jean Thibierge, who hired him on October 16, 1679; it’s unknown what sort of work he did for him, but typically male servants worked on farms, or performed other sorts of physical labor.
By 1681, Jean was working at Hôtel-Dieu de Quebec, the hospital run by Augustin nuns in Quebec City. The census that year listed him as one of 24 “servants” who made their home at the facility; they ranged in age from 24 to 81, and all but two of them were men. Hôtel-Dieu was founded in 1640, and provided medical care and treatment for anyone who needed it. During the time Jean worked there, the hospital had one room for men and one room for women, each arranged with two rows of beds. The men who were servants helped the nuns in whatever way they were needed, probably doing such things as lifting patients, handling supplies and maintaining the building.
It isn’t known how long Jean worked at Hôtel-Dieu, and by 1686, he was living in the settlement of Beauport, just downriver from Quebec. On October 7th of that year, he married Anne Binet, who at age 18 had already been widowed. It was noted on their marriage record that neither Jean or Anne could sign their names. Between 1687 and 1696, the couple had six children, but sadly, four died as infants.
Records showed that both Jean and Anne sought treatment at Hôtel-Dieu several times. Both were there in early 1690, then Anne in June 1692, and Jean in July 1695 and April 1696. It isn’t specified what they were treated for or if they had a length of stay at the hospital. Anne died in Charlesbourg on August 3, 1698. Exactly one year later, Jean married another widow, Marie-Françoise Chaqueneau; they had no children together.
Jean’s second wife died at Charlesbourg on May 16, 1708, and his oldest son, Michel passed away the following year at age 21. Only his youngest son, Antoine-Joseph, outlived Jean, who died on March 28, 1712 at Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec.
Children (all by Anne Binet):
1. Michel Bouron — B. 23 Dec 1687, Beauport, New France; D. 20 Feb 1709, Beauport, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Vivier (1688-1729), 5 Nov 1708, Charlesbourg, New France
2. Catherine Bouron — B. Nov 1689, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Nov 1689, (probably) Beauport, New France
3. Marie-Madeleine Bouron — B. Mar 1691, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Sep 1691, (probably) Beauport, New France
4. Pierre-Joseph Bouron — B. Aug 1693, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Dec 1693, (probably) Beauport, New France
5. Marie-Anne Bouron — B. Nov 1694, (probably) Charlesbourg, New France; D. Nov 1694, (probably) Charlesbourg, New France
6. Antoine-Joseph Bouron — B. 18 Mar 1696, Charlesbourg, New France; D. before Jul 1742, New France; M. Marie-Josephe Boyer (1704-1742), 2 Jan 1722, St-Laurent, Montreal, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
M. (1) 7 Oct 1686 in Beauport, New France
Wife: Anne Binet
M. (2) 3 Aug 1699 in Quebec City, New France
Wife: Marie-Françoise Chaqueneau
D. 28 Mar 1712 in Quebec City, New France
Jean Bouron once worked at a place where nuns took care of the sick, and he would later become a patient there himself. He was born in about 1642 in the parish of Saint-Hilaire-sur-l'Autize, near La Rochelle, France; his parents were Hilaire Bouron and Hèléne Souchet. Nothing is known of Jean’s early years until he arrived in New France in about 1677.
Jean was very likely an indentured servant, a man who contracted to perform work for several years in exchange for passage to America. Such workers were looking for an opportunity in life that they couldn’t acquire back in France. Jean was already in his thirties when he migrated. One of his employers in Quebec was Jean Thibierge, who hired him on October 16, 1679; it’s unknown what sort of work he did for him, but typically male servants worked on farms, or performed other sorts of physical labor.
By 1681, Jean was working at Hôtel-Dieu de Quebec, the hospital run by Augustin nuns in Quebec City. The census that year listed him as one of 24 “servants” who made their home at the facility; they ranged in age from 24 to 81, and all but two of them were men. Hôtel-Dieu was founded in 1640, and provided medical care and treatment for anyone who needed it. During the time Jean worked there, the hospital had one room for men and one room for women, each arranged with two rows of beds. The men who were servants helped the nuns in whatever way they were needed, probably doing such things as lifting patients, handling supplies and maintaining the building.
It isn’t known how long Jean worked at Hôtel-Dieu, and by 1686, he was living in the settlement of Beauport, just downriver from Quebec. On October 7th of that year, he married Anne Binet, who at age 18 had already been widowed. It was noted on their marriage record that neither Jean or Anne could sign their names. Between 1687 and 1696, the couple had six children, but sadly, four died as infants.
Records showed that both Jean and Anne sought treatment at Hôtel-Dieu several times. Both were there in early 1690, then Anne in June 1692, and Jean in July 1695 and April 1696. It isn’t specified what they were treated for or if they had a length of stay at the hospital. Anne died in Charlesbourg on August 3, 1698. Exactly one year later, Jean married another widow, Marie-Françoise Chaqueneau; they had no children together.
Jean’s second wife died at Charlesbourg on May 16, 1708, and his oldest son, Michel passed away the following year at age 21. Only his youngest son, Antoine-Joseph, outlived Jean, who died on March 28, 1712 at Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec.
Children (all by Anne Binet):
1. Michel Bouron — B. 23 Dec 1687, Beauport, New France; D. 20 Feb 1709, Beauport, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Vivier (1688-1729), 5 Nov 1708, Charlesbourg, New France
2. Catherine Bouron — B. Nov 1689, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Nov 1689, (probably) Beauport, New France
3. Marie-Madeleine Bouron — B. Mar 1691, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Sep 1691, (probably) Beauport, New France
4. Pierre-Joseph Bouron — B. Aug 1693, (probably) Beauport, New France; D. Dec 1693, (probably) Beauport, New France
5. Marie-Anne Bouron — B. Nov 1694, (probably) Charlesbourg, New France; D. Nov 1694, (probably) Charlesbourg, New France
6. Antoine-Joseph Bouron — B. 18 Mar 1696, Charlesbourg, New France; D. before Jul 1742, New France; M. Marie-Josephe Boyer (1704-1742), 2 Jan 1722, St-Laurent, Montreal, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
WikiTree
Returning to her Tribal Land — Marie-Anne You
B. about 1695 in (probably) Native American camp at future site of Chicago
M. 15 Aug 1718 in Montreal, Quebec
Husband: Jean-Baptiste Richard
D. after 4 Nov 1766 in (probably) Post Vincennes, Illinois Territory
Marie-Anne You was a Métis woman who grew up among her mother’s tribe, and later married a French man in Montreal. But she found that she preferred the place she knew as a child, and she was allowed to move back.
Marie-Anne’s mother (called Elisabeth) was a member of the Wea tribe, a branch of the Miami Indians who lived in what is today western Indiana. During the late 17th century, the Wea were among several other tribes who were pushed west by aggression from the Iroquois, and during the 1690s, two camps were settled near the mouth of the Chicago River. It was here that Marie-Anne’s parents must have met.
The father of Marie-Anne was a French fur trader named Pierre You de La Découverte, who had traveled with LaSalle on his 1682 expedition down the Mississippi River. During the 1690s, he lived for a time at one of the two Native American camps on the Chicago River, and he was said to take a Native American wife in April 1693. Typically such an arrangement was not a formal one, and it was of mutual benefit to both parties. Marie-Anne’s father likely wanted to gain a good relationship with the people of the camp in order to trade with them. But her mother may have also been seeking an alliance for trade purposes—it gave better access for the goods offered by a fur trader to her people.
Marie-Anne was born about 1695, and her parents didn't stay together very long after that. Pierre You returned to the Montreal area and married a French woman on April 15, 1697. As for Marie-Anne, she remained with her mother.
By 1700, the Miamis abandoned the camps at Chicago, and the Wea set up new villages on the Wabash River in what is today northern Indiana. This area became known as Ouiatenon and was the tribe’s main settlement throughout the 18th century. The Wea were said to have a summer camp close to the river so they could fish, and a winter camp that was a hunting ground. They also grew corn in the prairie land. During the time that Marie-Anne was a child, the camps were sometimes visited by fur traders, and this was how she came in contact with the man she would marry, Jean-Baptiste Richard.
It’s uncertain when Jean-Baptiste met Marie-Anne. He was a blacksmith and interpreter who in 1717, arrived with seven other men to build a fort near their settlement; the outpost was at the request of the tribe who wanted protection from their enemies when they engaged in fur trading. But Marie-Anne’s relationship with her future husband may have begun years earlier—there is a record of the baptism of a 15-year-old Indian girl at Detroit who was identified as Jean-Baptiste’s slave. The event occurred on May 22, 1710.
Could this have been Marie-Anne? It's possible that Jean-Baptiste had acquired her when traveling on his own to her village at Ouiatenon. But the name on the baptism was “Marie-Jeanne,” so it can’t really be proven. If it was her, it’s important to note that slaves in New France were sometimes more like servants. The French usually allowed slaves to live in their houses, had them baptized in their churches, and often paid them a wage. French fur traders sometimes even married the Indian slaves they had previously owned.
Whatever the circumstances were, Marie-Anne and Jean-Baptiste were living as a married couple, and had a baby girl who was born about 1717 or 1718. They journeyed back to Montreal and were married there on August 15, 1718. Their daughter was baptized on the same day; it’s interesting that one of Marie-Anne’s half-brothers, Philippe You de La Découverte, served as the godfather. Her father, Pierre, died within a couple weeks of her wedding, and was buried at the same church where she had been married.
Marie-Anne had two more children by the end of 1721, but she didn’t adapt well to living on the St. Lawrence River. Whether it was the climate or the culture, she was “continually ill,” and wanted desperately to go back to Ouiatenon. The fort needed an interpreter, creating an opportunity for Jean-Baptiste to return, but the offer didn’t include his wife and children. So Jean-Baptiste asked the governor for permission to have his his family join him, and it was granted. In September 1722, Marie-Anne, along with her husband and three very young children, traveled by canoe from Montreal to northern Indiana. The family brought with them three men to help paddle and enough supplies to set themselves up in their new home.
For the next couple of decades or so, Marie-Anne and her family lived at Ouiatenon. At some point she gave birth to another child, but no records survive from that time. The fort remained an active trading post with the Wea tribe living nearby, and the population swelled to as much as 3,000. Jean-Baptiste seems to have died before 1750, and later, Marie-Anne and her daughters appeared in church records at Post Vincennes, another French fur trading site with people of mixed races. Marie-Anne was still living in Vincennes when it fell into British control. The last known record of her was as godmother for her great-granddaughter, Françoise-Agnes Godere, on November 4, 1766. She likely died within a few years of that date.
As for the Wea tribe, their sense of security at Ouiatenon came to an end in 1791 when President Washington ordered military action against them. A large American force made a surprise attack, killing many people, taking women and children as prisoners, and burning their village. Over the next couple generations, the Wea population declined, and in 1854, many of the tribe were relocated to Oklahoma.
Children:
1. Marie-Suzanne Richard – B. about 1718, New France; D. Jan 1800, River Raisin, Northwest Territory; M. (1) Albert Gilbert Parent (1703-1750), 1733, Montreal, New France; (2) Charles Barthelemy dit Rose (1722-?), 9 Jul 1759, Detroit, New France
2. Agnes Richard — B. 7 May 1719, Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France; before Jul 1778; M. (1) François Godere (~1701-?), about 1735; (2) Jean-Baptiste Vaudry (1726-?), 28 Aug 1756, Post Vincennes, New France
3. Jean Richard — B. 20 Nov 1721, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec; D. Jun 1807, Amherst Island, Ontario; M. Alida Connor (~1725-1816)
4. Marie-Josephe Richard — B. after 1721, (probably) Fort Ouiatenon, New France; M. Joseph Antaya dit Pelletier
Sources:
Wea (Wikipedia article)
Ouiatenon (Wikipedia article)
Encyclopedia of Chicago (website)
Marriage à la façon du pays (Wikipedia article)
Pierre You de La Découverte, Dictionary of Canadian Biography (website)
Native American Netroots (website) https://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/858
“Who and What Were the Panis Indians Buried from Ste. Anne de Detroit?”, Suzanne Boivin Sommerville, Michigan’s Habitant Heritage, Vol. 32, #3, July 2011
Red River Valley Website, Metis History, 1708-1714, Dennis Matthews
“Records of the Parish of St. Francis Xavier,” Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 12, 1901
WikiTree
M. 15 Aug 1718 in Montreal, Quebec
Husband: Jean-Baptiste Richard
D. after 4 Nov 1766 in (probably) Post Vincennes, Illinois Territory
Marie-Anne You was a Métis woman who grew up among her mother’s tribe, and later married a French man in Montreal. But she found that she preferred the place she knew as a child, and she was allowed to move back.
Marie-Anne’s mother (called Elisabeth) was a member of the Wea tribe, a branch of the Miami Indians who lived in what is today western Indiana. During the late 17th century, the Wea were among several other tribes who were pushed west by aggression from the Iroquois, and during the 1690s, two camps were settled near the mouth of the Chicago River. It was here that Marie-Anne’s parents must have met.
The father of Marie-Anne was a French fur trader named Pierre You de La Découverte, who had traveled with LaSalle on his 1682 expedition down the Mississippi River. During the 1690s, he lived for a time at one of the two Native American camps on the Chicago River, and he was said to take a Native American wife in April 1693. Typically such an arrangement was not a formal one, and it was of mutual benefit to both parties. Marie-Anne’s father likely wanted to gain a good relationship with the people of the camp in order to trade with them. But her mother may have also been seeking an alliance for trade purposes—it gave better access for the goods offered by a fur trader to her people.
Marie-Anne was born about 1695, and her parents didn't stay together very long after that. Pierre You returned to the Montreal area and married a French woman on April 15, 1697. As for Marie-Anne, she remained with her mother.
By 1700, the Miamis abandoned the camps at Chicago, and the Wea set up new villages on the Wabash River in what is today northern Indiana. This area became known as Ouiatenon and was the tribe’s main settlement throughout the 18th century. The Wea were said to have a summer camp close to the river so they could fish, and a winter camp that was a hunting ground. They also grew corn in the prairie land. During the time that Marie-Anne was a child, the camps were sometimes visited by fur traders, and this was how she came in contact with the man she would marry, Jean-Baptiste Richard.
It’s uncertain when Jean-Baptiste met Marie-Anne. He was a blacksmith and interpreter who in 1717, arrived with seven other men to build a fort near their settlement; the outpost was at the request of the tribe who wanted protection from their enemies when they engaged in fur trading. But Marie-Anne’s relationship with her future husband may have begun years earlier—there is a record of the baptism of a 15-year-old Indian girl at Detroit who was identified as Jean-Baptiste’s slave. The event occurred on May 22, 1710.
Could this have been Marie-Anne? It's possible that Jean-Baptiste had acquired her when traveling on his own to her village at Ouiatenon. But the name on the baptism was “Marie-Jeanne,” so it can’t really be proven. If it was her, it’s important to note that slaves in New France were sometimes more like servants. The French usually allowed slaves to live in their houses, had them baptized in their churches, and often paid them a wage. French fur traders sometimes even married the Indian slaves they had previously owned.
Whatever the circumstances were, Marie-Anne and Jean-Baptiste were living as a married couple, and had a baby girl who was born about 1717 or 1718. They journeyed back to Montreal and were married there on August 15, 1718. Their daughter was baptized on the same day; it’s interesting that one of Marie-Anne’s half-brothers, Philippe You de La Découverte, served as the godfather. Her father, Pierre, died within a couple weeks of her wedding, and was buried at the same church where she had been married.
Marie-Anne had two more children by the end of 1721, but she didn’t adapt well to living on the St. Lawrence River. Whether it was the climate or the culture, she was “continually ill,” and wanted desperately to go back to Ouiatenon. The fort needed an interpreter, creating an opportunity for Jean-Baptiste to return, but the offer didn’t include his wife and children. So Jean-Baptiste asked the governor for permission to have his his family join him, and it was granted. In September 1722, Marie-Anne, along with her husband and three very young children, traveled by canoe from Montreal to northern Indiana. The family brought with them three men to help paddle and enough supplies to set themselves up in their new home.
For the next couple of decades or so, Marie-Anne and her family lived at Ouiatenon. At some point she gave birth to another child, but no records survive from that time. The fort remained an active trading post with the Wea tribe living nearby, and the population swelled to as much as 3,000. Jean-Baptiste seems to have died before 1750, and later, Marie-Anne and her daughters appeared in church records at Post Vincennes, another French fur trading site with people of mixed races. Marie-Anne was still living in Vincennes when it fell into British control. The last known record of her was as godmother for her great-granddaughter, Françoise-Agnes Godere, on November 4, 1766. She likely died within a few years of that date.
As for the Wea tribe, their sense of security at Ouiatenon came to an end in 1791 when President Washington ordered military action against them. A large American force made a surprise attack, killing many people, taking women and children as prisoners, and burning their village. Over the next couple generations, the Wea population declined, and in 1854, many of the tribe were relocated to Oklahoma.
Children:
1. Marie-Suzanne Richard – B. about 1718, New France; D. Jan 1800, River Raisin, Northwest Territory; M. (1) Albert Gilbert Parent (1703-1750), 1733, Montreal, New France; (2) Charles Barthelemy dit Rose (1722-?), 9 Jul 1759, Detroit, New France
2. Agnes Richard — B. 7 May 1719, Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France; before Jul 1778; M. (1) François Godere (~1701-?), about 1735; (2) Jean-Baptiste Vaudry (1726-?), 28 Aug 1756, Post Vincennes, New France
3. Jean Richard — B. 20 Nov 1721, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec; D. Jun 1807, Amherst Island, Ontario; M. Alida Connor (~1725-1816)
4. Marie-Josephe Richard — B. after 1721, (probably) Fort Ouiatenon, New France; M. Joseph Antaya dit Pelletier
Sources:
Wea (Wikipedia article)
Ouiatenon (Wikipedia article)
Encyclopedia of Chicago (website)
Marriage à la façon du pays (Wikipedia article)
Pierre You de La Découverte, Dictionary of Canadian Biography (website)
Native American Netroots (website) https://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/858
“Who and What Were the Panis Indians Buried from Ste. Anne de Detroit?”, Suzanne Boivin Sommerville, Michigan’s Habitant Heritage, Vol. 32, #3, July 2011
Red River Valley Website, Metis History, 1708-1714, Dennis Matthews
“Records of the Parish of St. Francis Xavier,” Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 12, 1901
WikiTree
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Wooden Shoe Maker — Louis Guertin dit Le Sabotier
B. about Jun 1625 in Daumeray, Anjou, France
M. 26 Oct 1659 in Montreal, New France
Wife: Elisabeth Le Camus
D. 8 Dec 1687 in Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France
Louis Guertin dit Le Sabotier had a name that revealed his occupation—“Le Sabotier” is French for “the clog maker.” This was apparently a skill he brought to Montreal during its earliest days.
Louis was born to Louis Guertin and Georgine Leduc, and baptized on June 28, 1625 in Daumeray, Anjou, France. As a young man, he must have learned the craft of sabot-making, carving blocks of solid wood into sturdy footwear. During the 17th century, sabots were worn by peasants in northern France (both men and women), and they made good work shoes.
On April 24, 1653, Louis' life changed when he agreed to relocate in America. That year, the governor of Montreal, Sieur de Maisonneuve, traveled to parts of France in an effort to recruit people who would settle there. Montreal was on the western frontier of New France and its existence was threatened by warring Iroquois tribes to the south. Without a larger population, the setters were outnumbered, and individuals like Louis were needed. In addition to skills like shoe-making, the recruiters wanted men who could clear raw wilderness for farms, so Louis was judged to be strong enough to do that.
Getting to Montreal wasn’t easy. Louis and his fellow migrants, which also included 14 single women, sailed out of France on June 20th, only to have to turn back when the ship sprung some leaks. Sieur de Maisonneuve saw to it that the ship landed at an island and not the mainland, so that the passengers wouldn’t be tempted to go back home.
Another ship was found and the recruits left again on July 20th. This time they made it to Quebec City, but it was a terrible crossing that took over three months. Worse than that, an epidemic broke out onboard; many of the recruits became very sick and a few died. After arriving in Quebec City on September 22nd, Louis and the others still had to travel to Montreal. There were problems getting the small boats they needed, and it wasn't until November 16th that they finally arrived at their new home.
Louis acquired land in Montreal three years later. The grant was made on December 10, 1656, giving him property that had 2 arpents of river frontage and was 15 arpents deep. There was a shortage of women in Montreal, though, and he didn't find a wife until 1659. At the end of September of that year, a new group of settlers arrived from France, and among them was Elisabeth Le Camus, a 15-year-old girl. The two were married at Montreal on October 26th. The couple’s first child was born in February of 1661, and they had ten more by 1680.
As Montreal became more populated, the town continued to have problems with the Iroquois, and in 1663, nearly all men were assigned to serve in the militia. Louis was on a squadron with six other settlers (there were a total of 20 such squadrons in the community). The militia was disbanded by 1666 after the Carignan-Salières regiment arrived from France.
Louis’ wife Elisabeth died on July 20, 1680, only a couple of months after the birth of their youngest child. This left Louis with several young children to raise alone, but he may have had help from his oldest daughters, who were already married and living nearby. Seven years later, Louis passed away on December 8, 1687 at Pointe-aux-Trembles, a settlement north of Montreal.
As a tribute to Louis and his shipmates of 1653, their names are on a plaque at Place de la Dauversière, a park in Montreal. The migration is known today as "Le Grande Recrue." He was an ancestor of Alex Trebek.
Children:
1. Marie-Élisabeth Guertin — B. 6 Feb 1661, Montreal, New France; D. 21 Mar 1714, Montreal, New France; M. Eustache Prévost (1646-1730), 13 Nov 1673, Montreal, New France
2. Marie Guertin — B. 29 Mar 1662, Montreal, New France; D. 27 Dec 1712, Montreal, New France; M. Pierre Andegrave (1652-1703), 26 Nov 1675, Montreal, New France
3. Catherine Guertin — B. 26 May 1664, Montreal, New France; D. 2 Oct 1730, Chambly, New France; M. (1) Pierre Caillonneau (1646-1687), 29 Oct 1681, Montreal, New France; (2) Denis Veronneau (~1634-1730), 20 Jan 1689, Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France
4. Marie-Marguerite Guertin — B. 20 Jul 1666, Montreal, New France; D. 12 Nov 1718, Montreal, New France; M. (1) Jean Sauviot (~1647-1693), 16 Nov 1679, Montreal, New France; (2) Pierre Gareau (1673-1740), 23 Sep 1696, Montreal, New France
5. Louis Guertin — B. 3 Jan 1688, Montreal, New France; D. 7 Jan 1733, Verchères, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Chicone (1672-1745), 6 Aug 1688, New France
6. Madeleine Guertin — B. 18 Oct 1669, Montreal, New France; D. 21 Oct 1734, Boucherville, New France; M. (1) Georges Laporte (1662-1693), 1689, Contrecoeur, New France; (2) René Bau (1673-1726), 11 Feb 1694, Boucherville, New France
7. Pierre Guertin — B. 11 Jun 1671, Montreal, New France; D. 11 Mar 1742, Sainte-Sulpice, New France; M. Marie-Anne Giard (1672-?), 11 Apr 1695, Montreal, New France
8. Eustache Guertin — B. 28 Aug 1673, Montreal, New France; D. after Sep 1696
9. Marie-Angelique Guertin — B. 11 Nov 1675, Montreal, New France; D. (probably) young
10. Marie-Françoise Guertin — B. 12 Dec 1677, Montreal, New France; D. 6 Oct 1757, Montreal, New France; M. Charles Viger (1668-1750), 29 Jun 1694, Montreal, New France
11. Paul Guertin — B. 2 May 1680, Montreal, New France; D. 12 Mar 1755, St-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Plouffe (1683-1760), 19 Mar 1702, Contrecoeur, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Sabot (shoe) (Wikipedia article)
WikiTree
M. 26 Oct 1659 in Montreal, New France
Wife: Elisabeth Le Camus
D. 8 Dec 1687 in Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France
Louis Guertin dit Le Sabotier had a name that revealed his occupation—“Le Sabotier” is French for “the clog maker.” This was apparently a skill he brought to Montreal during its earliest days.
Louis was born to Louis Guertin and Georgine Leduc, and baptized on June 28, 1625 in Daumeray, Anjou, France. As a young man, he must have learned the craft of sabot-making, carving blocks of solid wood into sturdy footwear. During the 17th century, sabots were worn by peasants in northern France (both men and women), and they made good work shoes.
On April 24, 1653, Louis' life changed when he agreed to relocate in America. That year, the governor of Montreal, Sieur de Maisonneuve, traveled to parts of France in an effort to recruit people who would settle there. Montreal was on the western frontier of New France and its existence was threatened by warring Iroquois tribes to the south. Without a larger population, the setters were outnumbered, and individuals like Louis were needed. In addition to skills like shoe-making, the recruiters wanted men who could clear raw wilderness for farms, so Louis was judged to be strong enough to do that.
Getting to Montreal wasn’t easy. Louis and his fellow migrants, which also included 14 single women, sailed out of France on June 20th, only to have to turn back when the ship sprung some leaks. Sieur de Maisonneuve saw to it that the ship landed at an island and not the mainland, so that the passengers wouldn’t be tempted to go back home.
Another ship was found and the recruits left again on July 20th. This time they made it to Quebec City, but it was a terrible crossing that took over three months. Worse than that, an epidemic broke out onboard; many of the recruits became very sick and a few died. After arriving in Quebec City on September 22nd, Louis and the others still had to travel to Montreal. There were problems getting the small boats they needed, and it wasn't until November 16th that they finally arrived at their new home.
Louis acquired land in Montreal three years later. The grant was made on December 10, 1656, giving him property that had 2 arpents of river frontage and was 15 arpents deep. There was a shortage of women in Montreal, though, and he didn't find a wife until 1659. At the end of September of that year, a new group of settlers arrived from France, and among them was Elisabeth Le Camus, a 15-year-old girl. The two were married at Montreal on October 26th. The couple’s first child was born in February of 1661, and they had ten more by 1680.
As Montreal became more populated, the town continued to have problems with the Iroquois, and in 1663, nearly all men were assigned to serve in the militia. Louis was on a squadron with six other settlers (there were a total of 20 such squadrons in the community). The militia was disbanded by 1666 after the Carignan-Salières regiment arrived from France.
Louis’ wife Elisabeth died on July 20, 1680, only a couple of months after the birth of their youngest child. This left Louis with several young children to raise alone, but he may have had help from his oldest daughters, who were already married and living nearby. Seven years later, Louis passed away on December 8, 1687 at Pointe-aux-Trembles, a settlement north of Montreal.
As a tribute to Louis and his shipmates of 1653, their names are on a plaque at Place de la Dauversière, a park in Montreal. The migration is known today as "Le Grande Recrue." He was an ancestor of Alex Trebek.
Children:
1. Marie-Élisabeth Guertin — B. 6 Feb 1661, Montreal, New France; D. 21 Mar 1714, Montreal, New France; M. Eustache Prévost (1646-1730), 13 Nov 1673, Montreal, New France
2. Marie Guertin — B. 29 Mar 1662, Montreal, New France; D. 27 Dec 1712, Montreal, New France; M. Pierre Andegrave (1652-1703), 26 Nov 1675, Montreal, New France
3. Catherine Guertin — B. 26 May 1664, Montreal, New France; D. 2 Oct 1730, Chambly, New France; M. (1) Pierre Caillonneau (1646-1687), 29 Oct 1681, Montreal, New France; (2) Denis Veronneau (~1634-1730), 20 Jan 1689, Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France
4. Marie-Marguerite Guertin — B. 20 Jul 1666, Montreal, New France; D. 12 Nov 1718, Montreal, New France; M. (1) Jean Sauviot (~1647-1693), 16 Nov 1679, Montreal, New France; (2) Pierre Gareau (1673-1740), 23 Sep 1696, Montreal, New France
5. Louis Guertin — B. 3 Jan 1688, Montreal, New France; D. 7 Jan 1733, Verchères, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Chicone (1672-1745), 6 Aug 1688, New France
6. Madeleine Guertin — B. 18 Oct 1669, Montreal, New France; D. 21 Oct 1734, Boucherville, New France; M. (1) Georges Laporte (1662-1693), 1689, Contrecoeur, New France; (2) René Bau (1673-1726), 11 Feb 1694, Boucherville, New France
7. Pierre Guertin — B. 11 Jun 1671, Montreal, New France; D. 11 Mar 1742, Sainte-Sulpice, New France; M. Marie-Anne Giard (1672-?), 11 Apr 1695, Montreal, New France
8. Eustache Guertin — B. 28 Aug 1673, Montreal, New France; D. after Sep 1696
9. Marie-Angelique Guertin — B. 11 Nov 1675, Montreal, New France; D. (probably) young
10. Marie-Françoise Guertin — B. 12 Dec 1677, Montreal, New France; D. 6 Oct 1757, Montreal, New France; M. Charles Viger (1668-1750), 29 Jun 1694, Montreal, New France
11. Paul Guertin — B. 2 May 1680, Montreal, New France; D. 12 Mar 1755, St-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, New France; M. Marie-Madeleine Plouffe (1683-1760), 19 Mar 1702, Contrecoeur, New France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Sabot (shoe) (Wikipedia article)
WikiTree
Monday, February 4, 2019
Inspired a Name for a Beer — Adrien Blanquet dit Lafougère
B. about 16 Apr 1604 in Dieppe, France
M. (1) 24 Nov 1625 in Ocqueville, France
Wife: Catherine Prévost
M. (2) 7 Nov 1663 in Quebec City, New France
Wife: Anne LeMaître
D. between 1681 and 1684 in New France
In 2013, when a micro-brewery in Île d’Orleans wanted to name their products for early settlers, they selected Adrien Blanquet dit Lafougère for a pale ale. This was in spite of the fact that he spent most of life in France, only migrating to New France in late middle-age.
Adrien was born in Dieppe, France to Andrieu Blanquet and Perette Caperon, baptized there on April 16, 1604. Nothing is known of his childhood. He married a woman named Catherine Prévost on November 24, 1625 in the village of Ocqueville, which was not far from the coast in Normandy. There he farmed, and at some point, acquired the trade of sallier, someone who makes saddles and harnesses. The time with his wife was short—after giving birth to their only child, a baby girl, Catherine died a few weeks later on September 20, 1631.
There are no records of the next 25-plus years of Adrien’s life. At some time he acquired the nickname “Lafougère,” which means “the Fern.” It doesn’t seem that Adrien remarried while in France. His daughter, Marie-Madeleine, grew up and found a husband in Jean Leclerc, then the three of them decided to start a new life in America. Adrien was in Quebec by July 29, 1658, being mentioned in a purchase of land, although it isn't known if his daughter and son-in-law had arrived with him.
In August of 1662, Adrien acquired property in Île d’Orleans, along with his daughter’s husband. The following year, at the age of 59, he contracted to marry a widow, Anne LeMaître; the wedding took place on November 7, 1663 at Notre-Dame-de-Quebec. Anne was also from Dieppe, and she had come over from France with her son and daughter-in-law. Although she was younger than Adrien, she was almost past child-bearing age, and the couple had no children together.
Adrien farmed his land in Île d’Orleans well into his 60s. He was listed in the 1667 census as having 12 arpents of land and five cattle; it’s believed he was still making saddles and harnesses at this time. Then the following year, he seems to have helped a woman manage the fruit production on her farm after her husband died. (Thomas Douaire de Bondy had drowned; the records said that he was denied a “Christian burial” and he was “buried like a dog" because he was drunk at the time.) The role Adrien played by helping the widow was described as “guardian of the fruits of the house.”
It isn’t known exactly when Adrien died. He was listed in the 1681 census, but was deceased by August 6, 1684. He left half of his estate to daughter Marie-Madeleine; upon her death, this inheritance went to her son. Adrien’s widow Anne was buried October 1, 1718 at St-Pierre on Île d’Orleans.
The honor of having a beer named for him happened over three centuries after Adrien died. The Microbrasserie de l'Île d'Orléans selected him for an American pale ale that has “citrus and tropical fruits aroma,” a nod to his work helping the widow with her farm. Bottles of the special brew are sold from a pub next to the Maison de nos Aïeux, a museum dedicated to the early settlers of Île d’Orleans.
Child by Catherine Prévost:
1. Marie-Madeleine Blanquet — B. 31 Aug 1631, Rouen, France; D. 10 Sep 1709, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Jean-Baptiste Leclerc (1635-~1680), before 31 Dec 1657, France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
King’s Daughters and Founding Mothers—1663-1673, Peter Gagne, 2000
M. (1) 24 Nov 1625 in Ocqueville, France
Wife: Catherine Prévost
M. (2) 7 Nov 1663 in Quebec City, New France
Wife: Anne LeMaître
D. between 1681 and 1684 in New France
In 2013, when a micro-brewery in Île d’Orleans wanted to name their products for early settlers, they selected Adrien Blanquet dit Lafougère for a pale ale. This was in spite of the fact that he spent most of life in France, only migrating to New France in late middle-age.
Adrien was born in Dieppe, France to Andrieu Blanquet and Perette Caperon, baptized there on April 16, 1604. Nothing is known of his childhood. He married a woman named Catherine Prévost on November 24, 1625 in the village of Ocqueville, which was not far from the coast in Normandy. There he farmed, and at some point, acquired the trade of sallier, someone who makes saddles and harnesses. The time with his wife was short—after giving birth to their only child, a baby girl, Catherine died a few weeks later on September 20, 1631.
There are no records of the next 25-plus years of Adrien’s life. At some time he acquired the nickname “Lafougère,” which means “the Fern.” It doesn’t seem that Adrien remarried while in France. His daughter, Marie-Madeleine, grew up and found a husband in Jean Leclerc, then the three of them decided to start a new life in America. Adrien was in Quebec by July 29, 1658, being mentioned in a purchase of land, although it isn't known if his daughter and son-in-law had arrived with him.
In August of 1662, Adrien acquired property in Île d’Orleans, along with his daughter’s husband. The following year, at the age of 59, he contracted to marry a widow, Anne LeMaître; the wedding took place on November 7, 1663 at Notre-Dame-de-Quebec. Anne was also from Dieppe, and she had come over from France with her son and daughter-in-law. Although she was younger than Adrien, she was almost past child-bearing age, and the couple had no children together.
Adrien farmed his land in Île d’Orleans well into his 60s. He was listed in the 1667 census as having 12 arpents of land and five cattle; it’s believed he was still making saddles and harnesses at this time. Then the following year, he seems to have helped a woman manage the fruit production on her farm after her husband died. (Thomas Douaire de Bondy had drowned; the records said that he was denied a “Christian burial” and he was “buried like a dog" because he was drunk at the time.) The role Adrien played by helping the widow was described as “guardian of the fruits of the house.”
It isn’t known exactly when Adrien died. He was listed in the 1681 census, but was deceased by August 6, 1684. He left half of his estate to daughter Marie-Madeleine; upon her death, this inheritance went to her son. Adrien’s widow Anne was buried October 1, 1718 at St-Pierre on Île d’Orleans.
The honor of having a beer named for him happened over three centuries after Adrien died. The Microbrasserie de l'Île d'Orléans selected him for an American pale ale that has “citrus and tropical fruits aroma,” a nod to his work helping the widow with her farm. Bottles of the special brew are sold from a pub next to the Maison de nos Aïeux, a museum dedicated to the early settlers of Île d’Orleans.
Child by Catherine Prévost:
1. Marie-Madeleine Blanquet — B. 31 Aug 1631, Rouen, France; D. 10 Sep 1709, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France; M. Jean-Baptiste Leclerc (1635-~1680), before 31 Dec 1657, France
Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
King’s Daughters and Founding Mothers—1663-1673, Peter Gagne, 2000
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Returning to France with New Husband — Marie Hubert
B. abt 1655 in Paris, France
M. (1) 30 Sep 1670 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Nicolas-Michel Fournier
M. (2) 25 Feb 1691 in Charlesbourg, New France
Husband: Jean Gachet
D. after 1711 in (probably) France
When Marie Hubert married her second husband in New France, she left most of her children behind and moved back to her home country. Marie was born in about 1655 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. Her parents, Pierre Hubert and Bonne Brio, died before she came of age, and she signed up for a new life as a Fille du Roi, agreeing to marry a settler in New France. Marie arrived at Quebec in late August of 1670, and quickly became engaged to Nicolas-Michel Fournier; they married at Notre-Dame in Quebec City on September 30th.
Marie and her new husband settled in the Bourg-Royal section of Charlesbourg, where she gave birth to a daughter in about 1673. By 1687, they had a total of seven children, with one who likely died as an infant. Nicolas acquired more land in 1682 and 1684, but just two months after their youngest child was born, he died.
It was over three years later before Marie found a new husband. He was a soldier from France named Jean Gachet, and likely had been in Quebec during the invasion by New England in 1690. Much of the action was close to where Marie lived, and after the French were victorious, their paths must have crossed, and they contracted to marry. The wedding took place at Charlesbourg on February 25, 1691.
For some reason, Marie and Jean didn’t stay in Charlesbourg. There is a record of a transaction dated September 1691 for Jean selling some land in Charlesbourg to another man. The timing suggests that he had tried his hand at farming for one season, and after the harvest, he sold out. Then the couple sailed back to France. A decision had to be made regarding Marie’s six children. Her oldest son, Michel, set up his own farm at age 17, taking in some of his siblings, and one of Marie’s daughters was boarded with another family. Only 4-year-old Jeanne stayed with Marie as she and her husband moved back to France.
There’s no record of what became of Marie, Jean and Jeanne once they arrived in France. It’s believed that Marie was still living at the time of one of her son’s 1711 wedding, and she likely died somewhere in France after that time.
Children:
1. Marie Fournier — B. about 1673, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 26 Oct 1753, St-Joseph-de-Beauce, New France; M. (1) Pierre Grondin (1649-1729), 1696, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Franchegens (~1678-?), 16 Jan 1730, Lauzon, New France
2. Michel Fournier — B. 30 Jan 1674, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 28 Feb 1711, Charlesbourg, New France; M. Marie-Catherine Beriault (1682-1711), 5 Jun 1702, Quebec City, New France
3. Françoise-Ambroise Fournier — B. about 1677, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; M. (1) Pierre Lefebvre (1674-1714), 7 Nov 1697, Ste-Famille, New France; (2) Antoine Blais (1677-1734), 10 Feb 1716, La Durantaye, New France; (3) Pierre Corriveau (1678-1756), 3 Jul 1741, St-Vallier, Bellechasse, New France
4. Nicolas Fournier — B. about 1678, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. (probably) young
5. Jean Fournier — B. 11 Dec 1680, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 17 Sep 1735, St-Michel, Bellechasse, New France; M. Madeleine Fradet (1695-1768), 23 Nov 1711, Beaumont, New France
6. Jacques Fournier — B. 24 May 1684, Charlesbourg, New France; D. 4 Jan 1767, Beaumont, Quebec; M. Marie-Françoise Blanchon (1690-1768), 27 Nov 1708, Beaumont, New France
7. Jeanne Fournier — B. 30 Sep 1687, Charlesbourg, New France; D. (probably) France
Sources:
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, Cyprien Tanguay, 1890
Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1997
L’Association des Fournier d’Amerique (website)
Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française (website)
M. (1) 30 Sep 1670 in Quebec City, New France
Husband: Nicolas-Michel Fournier
M. (2) 25 Feb 1691 in Charlesbourg, New France
Husband: Jean Gachet
D. after 1711 in (probably) France
When Marie Hubert married her second husband in New France, she left most of her children behind and moved back to her home country. Marie was born in about 1655 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. Her parents, Pierre Hubert and Bonne Brio, died before she came of age, and she signed up for a new life as a Fille du Roi, agreeing to marry a settler in New France. Marie arrived at Quebec in late August of 1670, and quickly became engaged to Nicolas-Michel Fournier; they married at Notre-Dame in Quebec City on September 30th.
Marie and her new husband settled in the Bourg-Royal section of Charlesbourg, where she gave birth to a daughter in about 1673. By 1687, they had a total of seven children, with one who likely died as an infant. Nicolas acquired more land in 1682 and 1684, but just two months after their youngest child was born, he died.
It was over three years later before Marie found a new husband. He was a soldier from France named Jean Gachet, and likely had been in Quebec during the invasion by New England in 1690. Much of the action was close to where Marie lived, and after the French were victorious, their paths must have crossed, and they contracted to marry. The wedding took place at Charlesbourg on February 25, 1691.
For some reason, Marie and Jean didn’t stay in Charlesbourg. There is a record of a transaction dated September 1691 for Jean selling some land in Charlesbourg to another man. The timing suggests that he had tried his hand at farming for one season, and after the harvest, he sold out. Then the couple sailed back to France. A decision had to be made regarding Marie’s six children. Her oldest son, Michel, set up his own farm at age 17, taking in some of his siblings, and one of Marie’s daughters was boarded with another family. Only 4-year-old Jeanne stayed with Marie as she and her husband moved back to France.
There’s no record of what became of Marie, Jean and Jeanne once they arrived in France. It’s believed that Marie was still living at the time of one of her son’s 1711 wedding, and she likely died somewhere in France after that time.
Children:
1. Marie Fournier — B. about 1673, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 26 Oct 1753, St-Joseph-de-Beauce, New France; M. (1) Pierre Grondin (1649-1729), 1696, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Franchegens (~1678-?), 16 Jan 1730, Lauzon, New France
2. Michel Fournier — B. 30 Jan 1674, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 28 Feb 1711, Charlesbourg, New France; M. Marie-Catherine Beriault (1682-1711), 5 Jun 1702, Quebec City, New France
3. Françoise-Ambroise Fournier — B. about 1677, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; M. (1) Pierre Lefebvre (1674-1714), 7 Nov 1697, Ste-Famille, New France; (2) Antoine Blais (1677-1734), 10 Feb 1716, La Durantaye, New France; (3) Pierre Corriveau (1678-1756), 3 Jul 1741, St-Vallier, Bellechasse, New France
4. Nicolas Fournier — B. about 1678, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. (probably) young
5. Jean Fournier — B. 11 Dec 1680, (probably) Bourg-Royal, New France; D. 17 Sep 1735, St-Michel, Bellechasse, New France; M. Madeleine Fradet (1695-1768), 23 Nov 1711, Beaumont, New France
6. Jacques Fournier — B. 24 May 1684, Charlesbourg, New France; D. 4 Jan 1767, Beaumont, Quebec; M. Marie-Françoise Blanchon (1690-1768), 27 Nov 1708, Beaumont, New France
7. Jeanne Fournier — B. 30 Sep 1687, Charlesbourg, New France; D. (probably) France
Sources:
Dictionnaire généalogique des familles canadiennes depuis la fondation de la colonie jusqu'à nos jours, Cyprien Tanguay, 1890
Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1997
L’Association des Fournier d’Amerique (website)
Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française (website)
Friday, February 1, 2019
Landowner & Constable in Marblehead — Samuel Morgan
B. 1638 in Salem, Massachusetts
M. (1) 15 Dec 1658 in Salem, Massachusetts
Wife: Elizabeth Dixey
M. (2) about 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts
Wife: Mary Phippen
D. Dec 1698 in Beverly, Massachusetts
Samuel Morgan led an active life in 17th century New England. He was born at Salem in 1638 to Robert Morgan and Margaret Norman, the oldest of their eight children; it was a house full of brothers with only one sister among them. The family lived in the eastern part of town in an area called the Bass River side, or the Cape Ann side.
At age 20, Samuel married Elizabeth Dixey on December 15, 1658 at Salem; it’s believed that they had ten children between 1663 and 1685, at least two of whom died young. In 1659, Samuel joined the men of his community to sign a petition forming a new church. Ten years later the town would be incorporated as Beverly, but by that time, Samuel seemed to have relocated to Marblehead. On December 2, 1664, he was on a committee to investigate the death of an Indian who was found lying in the road on the outskirts of Marblehead; the men decided that the man had gotten drunk, then froze to death. Samuel served as a selectmen in Marblehead in 1667 and 1668, and he was made constable in 1672, a position that had him doing such things as serving court summons.
By 1670, Samuel owned a large lot in Marblehead that was located on the harbor side of town. In addition, his father left him 12 acres of land when he died in 1672 located in Manchester-by-the-Sea and another 8 acres at a place called “long hill.” Later, Samuel acquired a one-eighth ownership of a windmill in Marblehead; unfortunately the man who constructed the mill did a poor job, and the mechanism never worked properly.
Fishing was a prominent part of life in Marblehead, and there was suggestion in records that Samuel was involved in that business. In June 1679 he was taken to court over non-payment to his cousin John Norman for helping build a boat. This included 4 days of labor plus materials such as planks, nails and rosin.
Samuel was also in the military, probably in a militia. At Salem court in June 1678, he was identified as being a sergeant who testified with four other town officials against some men who had refused to participate in required military duty. When Samuel and the others went to the men’s homes to collect fines, they refused that, too, and hurled insults at the officers. This happened not long after King Philip’s War, a conflict that took the lives of two of Samuel’s brothers, and he probably didn’t have much sympathy for such behavior. (Some sources say Samuel was wounded in the leg in the 1690 Quebec invasion, but this was likely his son by the same name.)
In 1682, Samuel sold his Marblehead property for £60, and the following year was serving as a selectman in Beverly. His wife passed away in 1689, and about three years later, he remarried to a widow, Mary Wallis. He lived in Beverly for the rest of his life and died in December of 1698. Samuel was an ancestor of First Lady Grace Coolidge.
Children:
1. Aaron Morgan — B. 24 Jun 1663, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. young
2. Samuel Morgan — B. 26 Sep 1666, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. 1770, Massachusetts; M. Sarah Herrick (1662-?), 22 Dec 1692, Beverly, Massachusetts
3. Joseph Morgan — B. 26 Sep 1666, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. young
4. Luke Morgan — B. 23 Jun 1671, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; D. 17 Feb 1714, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Susanna Pitts (1673-1772)
5. Robert Morgan — B. Jan 1670, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; D. 16 Jul 1762, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Anna Ober (1675-1702), 4 Jul 1692
6. John Morgan — B. 1673, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
7. William Morgan — B. (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
8. Joseph Morgan — B. 2 Oct 1681, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
9. Elizabeth Morgan — B. (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; M. William Wallis
10. Anna Morgan — B. Aug 1685, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. Mar 1774, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Hezekiah Ober (1681-1739), 5 Nov 1705, Beverly, Massachusetts
Sources:
Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volumes I - IX, edited by George Francis Drew, 1912-1921, 1975
Marblehead in the Year 1700, Sidney Perley
WikiTree
M. (1) 15 Dec 1658 in Salem, Massachusetts
Wife: Elizabeth Dixey
M. (2) about 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts
Wife: Mary Phippen
D. Dec 1698 in Beverly, Massachusetts
Samuel Morgan led an active life in 17th century New England. He was born at Salem in 1638 to Robert Morgan and Margaret Norman, the oldest of their eight children; it was a house full of brothers with only one sister among them. The family lived in the eastern part of town in an area called the Bass River side, or the Cape Ann side.
At age 20, Samuel married Elizabeth Dixey on December 15, 1658 at Salem; it’s believed that they had ten children between 1663 and 1685, at least two of whom died young. In 1659, Samuel joined the men of his community to sign a petition forming a new church. Ten years later the town would be incorporated as Beverly, but by that time, Samuel seemed to have relocated to Marblehead. On December 2, 1664, he was on a committee to investigate the death of an Indian who was found lying in the road on the outskirts of Marblehead; the men decided that the man had gotten drunk, then froze to death. Samuel served as a selectmen in Marblehead in 1667 and 1668, and he was made constable in 1672, a position that had him doing such things as serving court summons.
By 1670, Samuel owned a large lot in Marblehead that was located on the harbor side of town. In addition, his father left him 12 acres of land when he died in 1672 located in Manchester-by-the-Sea and another 8 acres at a place called “long hill.” Later, Samuel acquired a one-eighth ownership of a windmill in Marblehead; unfortunately the man who constructed the mill did a poor job, and the mechanism never worked properly.
Fishing was a prominent part of life in Marblehead, and there was suggestion in records that Samuel was involved in that business. In June 1679 he was taken to court over non-payment to his cousin John Norman for helping build a boat. This included 4 days of labor plus materials such as planks, nails and rosin.
Samuel was also in the military, probably in a militia. At Salem court in June 1678, he was identified as being a sergeant who testified with four other town officials against some men who had refused to participate in required military duty. When Samuel and the others went to the men’s homes to collect fines, they refused that, too, and hurled insults at the officers. This happened not long after King Philip’s War, a conflict that took the lives of two of Samuel’s brothers, and he probably didn’t have much sympathy for such behavior. (Some sources say Samuel was wounded in the leg in the 1690 Quebec invasion, but this was likely his son by the same name.)
In 1682, Samuel sold his Marblehead property for £60, and the following year was serving as a selectman in Beverly. His wife passed away in 1689, and about three years later, he remarried to a widow, Mary Wallis. He lived in Beverly for the rest of his life and died in December of 1698. Samuel was an ancestor of First Lady Grace Coolidge.
Children:
1. Aaron Morgan — B. 24 Jun 1663, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. young
2. Samuel Morgan — B. 26 Sep 1666, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. 1770, Massachusetts; M. Sarah Herrick (1662-?), 22 Dec 1692, Beverly, Massachusetts
3. Joseph Morgan — B. 26 Sep 1666, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. young
4. Luke Morgan — B. 23 Jun 1671, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; D. 17 Feb 1714, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Susanna Pitts (1673-1772)
5. Robert Morgan — B. Jan 1670, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; D. 16 Jul 1762, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Anna Ober (1675-1702), 4 Jul 1692
6. John Morgan — B. 1673, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
7. William Morgan — B. (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
8. Joseph Morgan — B. 2 Oct 1681, (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts
9. Elizabeth Morgan — B. (probably) Marblehead, Massachusetts; M. William Wallis
10. Anna Morgan — B. Aug 1685, Beverly, Massachusetts; D. Mar 1774, Beverly, Massachusetts; M. Hezekiah Ober (1681-1739), 5 Nov 1705, Beverly, Massachusetts
Sources:
Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Volumes I - IX, edited by George Francis Drew, 1912-1921, 1975
Marblehead in the Year 1700, Sidney Perley
WikiTree
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