B. about 24 Oct 1547 in Paris, France
M. (1) 1564 in Paris, France
Wife: Jacqueline Pajot
M. (2) about 1580 in Paris, France
Wife: Marie Auvry
M. (3) about 1590 in Paris, France
Wife: Renee Savoreau
D. after 8 Jan 1600 in (probably) Paris, France
Nicolas Hébert lived and worked in the heart of Paris during a time of great political and religious turmoil. For a time, he was the apothecary for the most powerful woman in France, Catherine de’ Medici. And his son Louis went on to become one of the first Europeans in Canada.
The origins of Nicolas are sketchy, but it’s known that he was born in 1547 and baptized at Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris on October 24th of that year. At age 16 or 17, he married Jacqueline Pajot, a Paris widow with three children. The couple would have four children together, born between 1564 and 1577. When Jacqueline’s mother died in 1672, Nicolas was the executor of her estate, including a house and vineyard in Sainte-Mande, just outside of Paris. Nicolas and Jacqueline inherited the property, but had to settle a challenge against them brought by other family members.
Nicolas also owned three buildings which he had purchased on Rue Saint-Honore, a short distance away from the royal palace (now the Louvre). He made his home in one of them; it was called Mortier d’or, which translates as “the golden mortar.” The building had three stories, with the ground floor used for his drug and spice shop and the upper two floors as his living quarters. The structure still exists today, although it’s been added onto over the years.
Perhaps it was his proximity to the palace that brought his most famous client. Catherine de’ Medici had been Queen of France from 1547 to 1559, and after her husband died, she was the mother of the three kings who succeeded him. Two of them inherited the throne as minors, putting her in a position of great power, and for a time she had a huge amount of influence in running the country. Towards the end of her life, she lost her status, and died in 1589 at age 69. It isn’t known what years Nicolas may have provided her medicine, but most likely it was during the 1570s and 1580s.
Nicolas’ wife Jacqueline died in about 1580 and he remarried to a widow named Marie Auvry. By this time, he experienced financial trouble, and had to sell some of his property on Rue Saint-Honore. Things were also complicated by the finances of Marie’s children, and Nicolas had to solve that as well. He became in debt, and by 1589, sold the last of his property.
Second wife Marie died, and in about 1590, Nicolas married a third woman, Renee Savoreau. That same year, religious war had broken out in France affecting the wealth of many people, including Nicolas. As a result, he borrowed a large sum of money which he couldn’t repay. So he was sent to prison for two years, and it was said that his health was ruined in the process.
It isn’t known when and where Nicolas died. The last document with his name was a transaction dated January 8, 1600; it involved property belonging to his third wife where his signature was said to be “shaky.” He likely died not long after that date.
Children (all by Jacqueline Pajot):
1. Charlotte Hébert — B. about 1564, Paris, France; M. Nicolas Maheu (~1560-?), 27 Oct 1583, Paris, France
2. Jacques Hébert — B. about 1568, Paris France
3. Louis Hébert — B. 1575, Paris France; D. 23 Jan 1627, Quebec City, New France; M. Marie Rollet (~1580-1649), 19 Feb 1601, Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France
4. Marie Hébert — B. 1577, Paris, France; M. Thomas de La Ruelle, Jun 1602
Sources:
“New Findings on Louis Hébert and His Family Before His Departure for New France,” Madame M. Jurgens, French Canadian and Acadian Genealogical Review, Vol. V, Nos. 1-2, 1975
Catherine de’ Medici (Wikipedia article)
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