18 Babies in the 18th Century — Marie-Madeleine Mingou

B. 24 Sep 1691 in Charlesbourg, New France¹
M. 2 May 1707 in Quebec City, New France²
Husband: Pierre Savari
D. 9 Nov 1764 in Cap-Santé, Quebec³

Marie-Madeleine Mingou delivered eighteen children while living in the harsh conditions of the colony of New France. She was born September 24, 1691 in the seigneury of Charlesbourg,¹ the daughter of Jean Mingou and Anne Bruneau. Of her five siblings, three brothers died as infants, and only her two sisters survived. Her parents seem to have moved to Quebec City when she was still a small child.⁴ Her father died in about 1697,⁵ and her mother remarried to Jean-Baptiste Lamothe,⁵ having six more children.

Just before her mother’s youngest child was born, Madeleine married at age 17. Her husband was Pierre Savari, a young man from the settlement of Neuville, and their wedding was at Notre-Dame-de-Quebec on May 2, 1707.² They set up their household in Quebec City, and Madeleine gave birth on December 9th.⁶ This was only 7 months after their wedding, which may suggest that she was pregnant before their marriage, but given that the baby only lived two days,⁷ it’s possible that it was a premature birth. Less than a year later, she had her second child, this time a healthy baby girl.⁸

Madeleine and Pierre moved to various places as their offspring grew in number. They spent the next few years across the water on Île d’Orleans, where they had three more children.^9,10,11 By 1714, the family had moved to the south shore of the St. Lawrence, and another girl was born.¹² Between 1716 and 1720, the family called Quebec City home, and four more children were baptized at Notre-Dame.^13,14,15,16 Then the family settled in Neuville,¹⁷ and it was here that Madeleine gave birth another eight times.

Having babies one after another was typical during that time for women in New France, but it's hard to imagine how anyone could endure it. Of Madeleine’s eighteen children, eight were known to be infant mortalities, and another child also likely died as a baby (the other nine all reached adulthood and married). Madeleine's body seemed to wear out towards the end with children numbers 16 and 17 dying within weeks of their births, but the very youngest survived to live a normal life. 

Below is a timeline showing when Madeleine was pregnant vs. when she was not. During much of the prime of her life, she was carrying a child, sometimes with only a few months in between. It's even possible there were unrecorded miscarriages as well. All of this was without the benefit of modern medicine, living in a very cold, remote place, and with many young children to care for.  

Madeleine’s husband died in Neuville on January 2, 1750,¹⁸ and she lived to the age of 75, passing away at Cap-Santé on November 9, 1764.³ Needless to say, she left many descendants.

Children:
1. Marie Savari — B. 9 Dec 1707, Quebec City, New France;⁶ D. 11 Dec 1707, Quebec City New France⁷

2. Marie-Madeleine Savari — B. 4 Nov 1708, Quebec City, New France;⁸ D. 4 May 1782, Neuville, Quebec;¹⁹ M. Antoine Bordeleau (1701-1735), 4 Nov 1727, Neuville, New France²⁰

3. Louise Savari — B. 7 Nov 1709, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France;⁹ D. 30 Jan 1710, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France²¹

4. Jean Savari — B. 7 May 1711, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France;¹⁰ D. 30 May 1711, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France²²

5. Marie-Therese Savari — B. 5 Apr 1712, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France;¹¹ D. 15 Jul 1799, Cap-Santé, Quebec;²³ M. Ignace Giroux (1708-1769), 5 Feb 1731, Neuville, New France²⁴

6. Marie-Josephe Savari — B. 15 Feb 1714, Lauzon, New France;¹² D. 10 Nov 1767, Cap-Santee, New France;²⁵ M. Jean-François Arbour (1705-1749), 4 Feb 1732, Neuville, New France²⁶

7. Marie-Louise Savari — B. 12 Mar 1716, Quebec City, New France;¹³ D. 20 Mar 1778, Yamachiche, Quebec;²⁷ M. Jean-Baptiste Deveau (1709-?), 4 Mar 1737, Neuville, New France²⁸

8. Marie-Angelique Savari — B. 30 Nov 1717, Quebec City, New France;¹⁴ D. 26 Dec 1717, Quebec City, New France²⁹

9. Elisabeth Savari — B. 10 Feb 1719, Quebec City, New France¹⁵

10. Pierre Savari — B. 18 Jan 1720, Quebec City, New France;¹⁶ D. 8 Apr 1797, Neuville, Quebec;³⁰ M. Elisabeth Bossu (1721-1793), 4 Jun 1742, Neuville, New France³¹

11. Louis-Joseph Savari — B. 4 Nov 1721, Neuville, New France¹⁷

12. Marie-Felicite Savari — B. 3 Feb 1723, Neuville, New France;³² D. 1 Mar 1723, Neuville, New France³³

13. Jean-Baptiste Savari — B. 26 Mar 1724, Neuville, New France;³⁴ M. Marguerite Bougret (1728-?), 19 Jan 1749, St-Charles-sur-Richelieu, New France³⁵

14. François Savari — B. 3 Mar 1726, Neuville, New France;³⁶ M. Marie-Catherine Cadoret (1743-?), 15 Sep 1780, L’Assomption, Quebec³⁷

15. Françoise Savari — B. 17 Jul 1727, Neuville, New France;³⁸ D. 6 Oct 1805, Neuville, Quebec;³⁹ M. Joseph-Antoine Harnois (1710-1781), before 1756⁴⁰

16. Charles Savari — B. 4 Sep 1728, Neuville, New France;⁴¹ D. 23 Oct 1728, Neuville, New France⁴²

17. Angelique Savari — B. 21 Sep 1729, Neuville, New France;⁴³ D. 30 Sep 1729, Neuville, New France⁴⁴

18. Augustin Savari — B. 23 Oct 1730, Neuville, New France;⁴⁵ D. 29 Jan 1787, Cap-Santé, Quebec;⁴⁶ M. Marie-Louise Lefebvre (1725-1799), 5 Mar 1764, Cap-Santé, Quebec⁴⁷

Sources:
1    Baptismal record of Marie-Madeleine Mingou, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2    Marriage record of Pierre Savari and Marie-Madeleine Mingou, Q.C.P.R.
3    Burial record of Marie-Madeleine Mingou, Q.C.P.R.
4    Baptismal record of Marie-Angelique Mingou, Q.C.P.R.
5    Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Lamothe and Anne Bruneau, Q.C.P.R.
6    Baptismal record of Marie Savari, Q.C.P.R.
7    Burial record of Marie Savari, Q.C.P.R.
8    Baptismal record of Marie-Madeleine Savari, Q.C.P.R.
9    Baptismal record of Louise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
10  Baptismal record of Jean Savari, Q.C.P.R.
11  Baptismal record of Marie-Therese Savari, Q.C.P.R.
12  Baptismal record of Marie-Josephe Savari, Q.C.P.R.
13  Baptismal record of Marie-Louise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
14  Baptismal record of Marie-Angelique Savari, Q.C.P.R.
15  Baptismal record of Elisabeth Savari, Q.C.P.R.
16  Baptismal record of Pierre Savari (younger), Q.C.P.R.
17  Baptismal record of Louis-Joseph Savari, Q.C.P.R.
18  Burial record of Pierre Savari (older), Q.C.P.R.
19  Burial record of Marie-Madeleine Savari, Q.C.P.R.
20  Marriage record of Antoine Bordeleau and Marie-Madeleine Savari, Q.C.P.R.
21  Burial record of Louise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
22  Burial record of Jean Savari, Q.C.P.R.
23  Burial record of Marie-Therese Savari, Q.C.P.R.
24  Marriage record of Ignace Giroux and Marie-Therese Savari, Q.C.P.R.
25  Burial record of Marie-Josephe Savari, Q.C.P.R.
26  Marriage record of Jean-François Arbour and Marie-Josephe Savari, Q.C.P.R.
27  Burial record of Marie-Louise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
28  Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Deveau and Marie-Louise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
29  Burial record of Marie-Angelique Savari, Q.C.P.R.
30  Burial record of Pierre Savari, Q.C.P.R.
31  Marriage record of Pierre Savari and Elisabeth Bossu, Q.C.P.R.
32  Baptismal record of Marie-Felicite Savari, Q.C.P.R.
33  Burial record of Marie-Felicite Savari, Q.C.P.R.
34  Baptismal record of Jean-Baptiste Savari, Q.C.P.R.
35  Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Savari and Marguerite Bougret, Q.C.P.R.
36  Baptismal record of François Savari, Q.C.P.R.
37  Marriage record of François Savari and Marie-Catherine Cadoret, Q.C.P.R.
38  Baptismal record of Françoise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
39  Burial record of Françoise Savari, Q.C.P.R.
40  Généalogie du Québec et d'Amérique française listing of Françoise Savari  
41  Baptismal record of Charles Savari, Q.C.P.R.
42  Burial record of Charles Savari, Q.C.P.R.
43  Baptismal record of Angelique Savari, Q.C.P.R.
44  Burial record of Angelique Savari, Q.C.P.R.
45  Baptismal record of Augustin Savari, Q.C.P.R.
46  Burial record of Augustin Savari, Q.C.P.R.
47  Marriage record of Augustin Savari and Marie-Louise Lefebvre, Q.C.P.R.

Migrating to Monmouth County — Benjamin Van Cleef

B. before 25 Nov 1683 in New Utrecht, New York¹
M. 1704 in Long Island, New York¹
Wife: Hendrickje Van Sutphen
D. 6 Oct 1747 in Monmouth County, New Jersey¹

Benjamin Van Cleef was part of a wave of Dutch people who took their families to New Jersey in the early 18th century. He was born in New Utrecht, New York, part of present-day Brooklyn, and was baptized there on November 25, 1683 along with a brother named Joseph, possibly his twin.¹ His parents were Jan Cornelissen Van Cleef and Engeltje Laurens; his father was a Dutch immigrant who may have had a German heritage, and his mother was half-Norwegian and half-German. Their family had at least eleven children, and possibly more, with Benjamin as one of the youngest.

In 1704, Benjamin married Hendrickje Van Sutphen,¹ a young woman who was also from New Utrecht. Their marriage record is missing, but it likely took place in the Brooklyn area. They had a daughter born the following year, and not long after, Benjamin made the decision to move to New Jersey.² The family made their home in Monmouth County, in the village of Freehold; the children grew in number to a total of eight by the end of 1721.

Why did Benjamin and so many other Dutch from New York move to New Jersey? Of course one reason was the availability of land for farming as part of a natural progression to the west. But there was also the fact that New Jersey was originally part of New Netherland, and when British authorities set it up separately from New York, they gave people the freedom to practice their own religion. This enticed the Dutch to move there in large numbers. 

Little else is known of Benjamin’s life. He seemed to own a lot of property, land which he provided to his three surviving sons as they came of age. He was a member of the Old Brick Reformed Church located in Marlboro, with his name appearing on a list dated October 1719.³ Two years later, he was named church deacon,³ although there’s no record of how long he served in that role. 

Benjamin was about 64-years-old when he made out his will on September 26, 1747.⁴ He died on October 6th, and was buried at the church cemetery.¹ It isn't known when his wife passed away. Among Benjamin's descendants is Tom Brokaw.⁵

Benjamin's grave at Old Brick Reformed Church Cemetery. (Source: Find-a-Grave)

Children:
1. Lysbet Van Cleef — B. before 29 May 1705, Brooklyn, New York;⁶ D. 1747, Monmouth County, New Jersey;⁶ M. William Albertse Couwenhoven (1702-1790), about 1720, Freehold, New Jersey⁶

2. Elije Van Cleef — B. about 1707, New Jersey;² M. William Baird (1704-1793), before 21 Nov 1731, (probably) Freehold, New Jersey

3. Neeltje Van Cleef — B. about 1709, New Jersey;⁸ M. Hendrick Jansz Vanderbilt (1701-?)⁹

4. Johannes Van Cleef — B. before 3 Jun 1711, Freehold, New Jersey;¹⁰ D. Oct 1777, Freehold, New Jersey;¹¹ M. (1) Maria Kraffert;¹² (2) Sarah Couwenhoven (1714-?), 14 Jun 1739, Freehold, New Jersey¹¹

5. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 3 May 1713, Freehold, New Jersey;¹³ D. before 21 Dec 1718¹⁴

6. Maritje Van Cleef — B. before 6 Oct 1715, Freehold, New Jersey;¹⁵ D. 2 Apr 1789, Somerset County, New Jersey;¹⁶ M. John Brokaw (1709-1804), 1734, New Jersey¹⁶

7. Derrick Van Cleef — B. before 21 Dec 1718, Freehold, New Jersey;¹⁴ D. Sep 1765, Marlboro, New Jersey;¹⁷ M. Elizabeth Lake (1722-1766), 1738, Freehold, New Jersey¹⁷

8. Benjamin Van Cleef — B. before 3 Dec 1721, Freehold, New Jersey;¹⁸ M. Neeltje Couwenhoven (1723-?), 2 Jul 1741, Marlboro, New Jersey¹⁹

Sources:
1    Find-a-Grave listing of Benjamin Van Kleef  
2    WikiTree listing of Elije (Van Cleef) Baird  
3    “Records of the Dutch Congregations of Freehold and Middletown,” The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. XXII, January 1947
4    Probate record of Benjamin Van Cleef, New Jersey Abstracts, Vol. 30
5    FamousKin.com listing for Benjamin Van Cleef  
6    Find-a-Grave listing of Lysbeth (Van Cleef) Van Couwenhoven  
7    Baptism of Alexander Baird, son of William Baird and Elsje Van Cleef, New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980, FamilySearch.org
8    Find-a-Grave listing of Ellen (Van Cleef) Van Der Bilt  
9    Baptism of Benjamin Van Der Bilt, son of Hendrick Van Der Bilt and Neeltje Van Cleef, N.J.B. & C.
10  Baptism of Johannes Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
11  Find-a-Grave listing of John Van Cleef  
12  Baptism of Martha Van Cleef, son of Johannes Van Cleef and Maria Kraffert, N.J.B. & C.
13  Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (older), N.J.B. & C.
14  Baptism of Derrick Van Cleve (younger), N.J.B. & C.
15  Baptism of Marike Van Kleve, N.J.B. & C.
16  WikiTree listing of Marike van Kleve https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Kleve-1
17  Find-a-Grave listing of Richard Van Cleaf  
18  Baptism of Benjamin Van Cleve, N.J.B. & C.
19  Marriage record of Benjamin Van Cleef and Neeltje Couwenhoven, NJ Marriage records, 1683-1802, Vol. XXII

Surviving an Attack by Iroquois — Catherine Guertin

B. 26 May 1664 in Montreal, New France¹
M. (1) 29 Oct 1681 in Montreal, New France²
Husband: Pierre Caillonneau
M. (2) 20 Jan 1689 in Pointe-aux-Trembles, New France³
Husband: Denis Veronneau
D. 2 Oct 1730 in Boucherville, New France⁴

Catherine Guertin faced a danger experienced by many settlers in 17th century Montreal — the threat of violence from Iroquois warriors. And as a young wife and mother, her home was indeed attacked.

Catherine was born in Montreal on May 26, 1664;¹ she was the third of nine children born to Louis Guertin dit Le Sabotier and Élisabeth Lecamus, who had each arrived from France during the 1650s. Her mother died in July 1680 just a couple months after giving birth,⁵ so Catherine probably looked after her youngest siblings for a time. A year later, on October 29, 1681, she married Pierre Caillonneau,² a man born in France who was twice her age. He brought Catherine to a seigneury on the south shore of the St. Lawrence called Contrecœur, and by September 1685, she had given birth to three children, one of whom died young.^6,7,8

It was on November 9, 1687, that Catherine became a victim of an Iroquois raid.⁹ As her home was invaded, she and her two children found safety, but husband Pierre was killed. The attackers also set fire to the house, which was destroyed along with everything in it, leaving Catherine with only a cow and an ox which were later recovered after escaping the flames. 

An Iroquois warrior.

Survival was difficult for a woman in Catherine’s situation. There was no way to support herself, so she soon found another man to marry named Denis Veronneau, a farmer living in the seigneury of Boucherville. Denis lost his first wife the same month Pierre had died, and he brought four children into the marriage. Their wedding took place on January 20, 1689;³ given that she gave birth to an infant just six months later, she was apparently pregnant at the altar.

The loss of Catherine's first husband Pierre continued to have an effect on her life. In New France, creditors could come after her for Pierre’s debts, and they did. In 1689, Catherine was sued by a merchant in Montreal named Jean Mailhot,¹⁰ who claimed Pierre had owed him 542 livres, and there were said to be others who also made smaller claims. But the only thing of value from Catherine's first marriage was the land where the house once stood. Because half of it was owned by her two children with Pierre, nothing could be sold without approval from the court. It took several years to clear this up, and Catherine was eventually awarded a victory in March 1694.¹¹

 
Catherine lived for the rest of her life with Denis, dying on October 2, 1730 in Boucherville.⁴ He passed away four weeks later.¹²

Children by Pierre Caillonneau:
1. Catherine Caillonneau — B. 18 Aug 1682, Contrecœur, New France;⁶ D. 6 Feb 1720, Repentigny, New France;¹³ M. Pierre Morisseau (1677-1750), 17 Jan 1704, Boucherville, New France¹⁴

2. Pierre Caillonneau — B. 18 Oct 1683, Contrecœur, New France;⁷ D. 20 Apr 1685, Contrecœur, New France¹⁵

3. Louis Caillonneau — B. 8 Sep 1685, Contrecœur  New France;⁸ M. Madeleine Fouquereau (1686-1765), 8 Jan 1714, Repentigny, New France¹⁶

Children by Denis Veronneau:
1. Pierre Veronneau — B. 17 Jul 1689, Boucherville, New France;¹⁷ D. 27 Aug 1689, Boucherville, New France¹⁸

2. Jean-Baptiste Veronneau — B. 11 Jul 1690, Boucherville, New France;¹⁹ D. 26 Aug 1690, Boucherville, New France²⁰

3. Élisabeth Veronneau — B. 10 Aug 1691, Boucherville, New France;²¹ D. 4 Nov 1692, Boucherville, New France²²

4. Marie-Marguerite Veronneau — B. 17 Sep 1693, Boucherville, New France;²³ D. 25 Sep 1728, Contrecœur, New France;²⁴ M. François Deguire (1684-1735), 6 Nov 1713, Boucherville, New France²⁵

5. Jean-Baptiste Veronneau — B. 23 Dec 1695, Boucherville, New France²⁶

6. Marie-Angelique Veronneau — B. 28 Sep 1697, Boucherville, New France;²⁷ D. 27 Nov 1765, Boucherville, Quebec;²⁸ M. (1) Joseph Thomas Ouilem (~1689-1743), 19 Feb 1715, New France;²⁹ (2) Pierre Gauthier (1684-1761), 3 Aug 1750, Boucherville, New France³⁰

7. Rose Denise Veronneau — B. 17 Jun 1700, Boucherville, New France;³¹ D. 27 Dec 1748, Montreal, New France;³² M. Joseph Levron dit Metayer (~1700-?), 12 Sep 1722, New France³³

8. Louis Veronneau — B. 30 Mar 1703, Boucherville, New France;³⁴ D. 24 Jun 1703, Boucherville, New France³⁵

9. Pierre Veronneau — B. 11 Aug 1704, Boucherville, New France;³⁶ D. 15 Aug 1773, Boucherville, Quebec;³⁷ M. (1) Marie-Josephe Doyon (1713-?), 2 Oct 1730, Boucherville, New France;³⁸ (2) Marie-Françoise Chevrefils (1711-1794), 13 Jan 1741, Boucherville, New France³⁹

10. François Veronneau — B. 27 Jun 1707, Boucherville, New France;⁴⁰ D. about 25 Jul 1763, New France;⁴¹ M. (1) Catherine Robin (1708-1751), 25 Feb 1732, Terrebonne, New France;⁴² (2) Charlotte-Marie Legros (1713-1767), 26 Apr 1757, Pointe-Claire, New France⁴³

Sources:
1    Baptismal record of Catherine Guertin, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2    Marriage record of Pierre Caillonneau and Catherine Guertin, Q.C.P.R.
3    Marriage record of Denis Veronneau and Catherine Guertin, Q.C.P.R.
4    Burial record of Catherine Guertin, Q.C.P.R.
5    Burial record of Elisabeth Lecamus, Q.C.P.R.
6    Baptismal record of Catherine Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
7    Baptismal record of Pierre Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
8    Baptismal record of Louis Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
9    Letters granted to Catherine Guertin to relieve obligations involving her children, BAnQ 
10  Fifth Report of the Secretary of the Province of Quebec for the Year 1890-91, p. 269
11  Authorization to Catherine Guertin to pursue her rights in regard to her first marriage, BAnQ 
12  Burial record of Denis Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
13  Burial record of Catherine Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
14  Marriage record of Pierre Morisseau and Catherine Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
15  Burial record of Pierre Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
16  Burial record of Louis Caillonneau, Q.C.P.R.
17  Baptismal record of Pierre Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
18  Burial record of Pierre Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
19  Baptismal record of Jean-Baptiste Veronneau (older), Q.C.P.R.
20  Burial record of Jean-Baptiste Veronneau (older), Q.C.P.R.
21  Baptismal record of Élisabeth Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
22  Burial record of Élisabeth Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
23  Baptismal record of Marie-Marguerite Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
24  Burial record of Marie-Marguerite Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
25  Marriage record of François Deguire and Marie-Marguerite Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
26  Baptismal record of Jean-Baptiste Veronneau (younger), Q.C.P.R.
27  Baptismal record of Marie-Angelique Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
28  Burial record of Marie-Angelique Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
29  Marriage record of Joseph Thomas Ouilem and Marie-Angelique Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
30  Marriage record of Pierre Gauthier and Marie-Angelique Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
31  Baptismal record of Rose Denise Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
32  Burial record of Marie-Rose Denise Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
33  Marriage record of Joseph Levron dit Metayer and Rose Denise Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
34  Baptismal record of Louis Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
35  Burial record of Louis Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
36  Baptismal record of Pierre Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
37  Burial record of Pierre Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
38  Marriage record of Pierre Veronneau and Marie-Josephe Doyon, Q.C.P.R.
39  Marriage record of Pierre Veronneau and Marie-Françoise Chevrefils, Q.C.P.R.
40  Baptismal record of François Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
41  Burial record of François Veronneau, Q.C.P.R.
42  Marriage record of François Veronneau and Catherine Robin Q.C.P.R.
43  Marriage record of François Veronneau and Charlotte-Marie Legros, Q.C.P.R.

Losing Her Home and Her Husband — Elizabeth Parrat

B. 1 May 1640 in Rowley, Massachusetts¹
M. (1) 29 Nov 1659 in Rowley, Massachusetts²
Husband: Samuel Worcester
M. (2) 29 Oct 1686³

Husband: Onesiphorus Marsh

D. 9 May 1690 in Haverhill, Massachusetts⁴

Elizabeth Parrat had more than her share of hardship as a wife and mother in colonial New England. She was a native of Rowley, Massachusetts, born there on May 1, 1640 to Francis Parrat and Elizabeth Northend, the oldest of their 8 children.¹ Elizabeth's only brother died as an infant, so she grew up in a house full of girls. Her father died when she was a teen while on a trip to England,⁵ and her mother remarried in 1658.⁶

On November 29, 1659, Elizabeth also got married.² Her husband was Samuel Worcester, the son of a minister. For the first couple of years after their wedding they lived near Samuel’s family in the town of Salisbury, and Elizabeth gave birth to two sons there.^7,8 Then Samuel’s father died,⁹ and they moved to Elizabeth’s home town of Rowley.¹⁰ The family made their home there for the rest of their lives; the part of town where they lived was split off to form Bradford in about 1670.¹¹ Elizabeth had nine more children, with the youngest born in February 1681;¹² the boys outnumbered the girls by 8 to 3.

Samuel had a strong sense of civic duty, and was a deeply religious man, a trait presumably shared by Elizabeth. Together, they faced difficult challenges. At some point, it was said that while they were away from home, a fire broke out that consumed their house and everything in it.¹³ For a time, a neighbor took in the family, but after they rebuilt their home, the same thing happened again.¹³

Just days after Elizabeth’s youngest child was born, Samuel was called to attend a meeting in the General Court, and in spite of freezing weather, he was bound to leave for Boston immediately.¹⁴ He said goodbye to Elizabeth, and she never saw him again — he was found frozen to death by a road in the town of Lynn.¹⁴ Elizabeth was left with several underaged children to care for, but she never remarried. Since Samuel hadn’t left a will, she dealt with his estate in probate court, and was granted the status of administrator.³ He left the family 200 acres of land with a house and barn, which was awarded to Elizabeth until the children came of age.¹⁴

Elizabeth eventually decided to remarry and her second husband had the unusual name of Onesiphorus Marsh. Their wedding took place on October 29, 1686 in Bradford.³ By 1690, they moved to Haverhill, a town to the north on what was at the time the frontier of New England. Elizabeth passed away on May 9, 1690.⁴ Her husband married again a year later, and died in 1713.¹⁵

Elizabeth's signature.

Children:
1. William Worcester – B. 21 Jul 1661, Salisbury, Massachusetts;⁷ D. 23 Apr 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;¹⁶ M. Martha Cheney (?-1729), 29 Jan 1691¹⁷

2. Samuel Worcester – B. 31 Mar 1663, Salisbury, Massachusetts;⁸ D. 5 Jul 1686, Bradford, Massachusetts¹⁸

3. Francis Worcester – B. 1665, Rowley, Massachusetts;¹⁰ D. 17 Dec 1717, Bradford, Massachusetts;¹⁰ M. Mary Cheney (1671-~1759), 29 Jan 1691¹⁹

4. Joseph Worcester – B. Rowley, Massachusetts;²⁰ D. before 16 Jun 1746, Rowley, Massachusetts;²¹ M. (1) Sarah Ross (?-1728);²² (2) Martha Palmer, 29 Apr 1730²³

5. Timothy Worcester – B. 4 Jun 1669, Rowley, Massachusetts;²⁴ D. 13 Aug 1706, Bradford, Massachusetts;²⁵ M. Huldah Cheney, 29 Jan 1691²⁶

6. Moses Worcester – B. 15 Jan 1671, Bradford, Massachusetts;²⁷ D. 18 Dec 1689, Bradford, Massachusetts²⁸

7. Elizabeth Worcester – B. 16 Feb 1673, Bradford, Massachusetts;²⁹ D. 14 Jun 1772, Hartland, Vermont;³⁰ M. Josiah Wheeler (1669-1734)³¹

8. Dorothy Worcester – B. 21 Jan 1675, Bradford, Massachusetts;³² M. Joseph Dakin (1668-1744), 16 Jul 1696, Concord, Massachusetts³³

9. John Worcester – B. 31 Aug 1677, Bradford, Massachusetts;³⁴ D. about 1701³⁵

10. Ebenezer Worcester – B. 29 Apr 1679, Bradford, Massachusetts;³⁶ D. 5 Feb 1764, Massachusetts;³⁷ M. (1) Hannah Ross (?-1705), 10 Sep 1704, Sudbury, Massachusetts;³⁸ (2) Deliverance Looke (~1679-1768), 19 Nov 1706³⁹

11. Susannah Worcester – B. 11 Feb 1681, Bradford, Massachusetts;¹² D. 11 Mar 1746, Framingham, Massachusetts;⁴⁰ M. Jeremiah Pike (1674-1746), 6 May 1701, Framingham, Massachusetts⁴¹

Sources:
1    Birth record of Elizabeth Parrat, Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2    Marriage record of Samuel Worcester and Elizabeth Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
3    The old families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, p. 369, David Webster Hoyt, 1897
4    Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Parrott) Worcester  
5    Francis Parrot probate records, AmericanAncestors.org
6    Marriage record of Thomas Teney and Elizabeth (Northend) Parrat, M.C.V. & T.R.
7    Birth record of William Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
8    Birth record of Samuel Worcester (younger), M.C.V. & T.R.
9    Death record of William Worcester (Samuel’s father), M.C.V. & T.R.
10  Find-a-Grave listing for Francis Worcester  
11  Bradford, Massachusetts (Wikipedia article)  
12  Birth record of Susannah Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
13  The Life and Labors of Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D., p. 32, Samuel Melancthon Worcester, 1852
14  The Worcester family; or the descendants of Rev. William Worcester, W.W. Kellogg, 1856
15  Find-a-Grave listing for Onesiphorus Marsh  
16  WikiTree listing of William Worcester  
17  Marriage record of William Worcester and Martha Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
18  Death record of Samuel Worcester (younger), Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, FamilySearch.org
19  Marriage record of Francis Worcester and Mary Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
20  Birth record of Joseph Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
21  Probate record of Joseph Worcester, Essex County, Massachusetts Probate Index, 1638-1840
22  Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Sarah Ross, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
23  Marriage record of Joseph Worcester and Martha Palmer, Massachusetts State Vital Records, FamilySearch.org
24  Birth record of Timothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
25  WikiTree listing of Timothy Worcester  
26  Marriage record of Timothy Worcester and Huldah Cheney, M.C.V. & T.R.
27  Birth record of Moses Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
28  Death Record of Moses Worcester, M.D. & B.
29  Birth record of Elizabeth Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
30  Find-a-Grave listing for Elizabeth (Worcester) Wheeler  
31  Birth record of Henry Wheeler (Elizabeth Wooster’s son), M.C.V. & T.R.
32  Birth record of Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
33  Marriage record of Joseph Dakin and Dorothy Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
34  Birth record of John Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
35  WikiTree listing of John Worcester  
36  Birth record of Ebenezer Worcester, M.C.V. & T.R.
37  WikiTree listing of Ebenezer Worcester  
38  Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Hannah Ross, M.S.V.R.
39  Marriage record of Ebenezer Worcester and Deliverance Looke, M.C.V. & T.R.
40  WikiTree listing of Susannah (Worcester) Pike  
41  Marriage record of Jeremiah Pike and Susannah Worcester, Rowley Vital Records to 1848, p. 432

Near The Rocky Coast — Pierre Boucher dit Desroches

B. 29 Sep 1648 in Sillery, New France
M. 13 Dec 1671 in Sillery, New France
Wife: Hélène Gaudry dite Bourbonniere
D. 10 Mar 1702 in Quebec City, New France

Pierre Boucher dit Desroches may have gotten his nickname from a place near where he settled: the rocky shores of the Chaudière River in New France. He was born In the settlement of Sillery on September 29, 1648 to parents François Boucher and Florence Gareman, the fourth of their eleven children. Although both of his parents had been born in France, each had migrated to America with their father. Pierre’s paternal grandfather was Marin Boucher, a New France pioneer who is estimated to have 350,000 descendants living today. His other grandfather, Pierre Gareman, was killed by Iroquois when young Pierre was about 5-years-old.

Pierre’s family lived in Cap-Rouge, where he was listed in his parents’ household in the 1666 and 1667 censuses. During the summer of 1671, he acquired land south of the St. Lawrence in Lauzon, where a few families were starting to settle. Later that year, Pierre returned to Sillery to get married; his bride Hélène Gaudry dite Bourbonniere was just 15-years-old. After their wedding on December 13th, he took her back to Lauzon, and started a family that would eventually include eleven children.

The place where Pierre lived was west of the Chaudière River, known for its river banks which were said to be “a good deal encumbered by rocks.” At some point he added the nickname “dit Desroches” likely to distinguish himself from several other New France men also named Pierre Boucher. Des roches is French for “the rocks,” so it very well might be that his name was in reference to his home. Pierre’s family was among only a handful of settlers who lived there at that time, and therefore is considered a pioneer. The local parish, called St-Nicolas, wasn’t established until 1694.

The Chaudière River near where Pierre lived.

Pierre’s last child, a daughter, was born in January 1698, but he didn’t live to see her grew up. In early 1702, he was hospitalized in Quebec City and died there on March 10th at the age of 53; his funeral was held the same day. His wife Hélène passed away in 1712. Pierre was the ancestor of Leo Durocher.

Children:
1. Ignace Boucher — B. 25 May 1673, Lauzon, New France; D. 6 Apr 1741, St-Nicolas, New France; M. Françoise Pouillot (1675-1746), 17 Nov 1699, St-Nicolas, New France

2. Jeanne-Elisabeth Boucher — B. 29 Jul 1675, Côte de Lauzon, New France; D. 20 Jan 1703, Lauzon, New France

3. Marie-Hélène Boucher — B. 11 Aug 1678, Lauzon, New France; D. 4 Feb 1748; M. Jean-Baptiste Lemay (~1673-1731), 1700, Lévis, New France

4. Agnès Boucher — B. 14 Mar 1681, Lauzon, New France; D. after 7 Jul 1684

5. François Boucher — B. before 4 Mar 1684, Lauzon, New France; D. 23 Oct 1760, St-Vincent-de-Paul, Laval, New France; M. Therese LeMarie (~1688-1778), 28 Nov 1709, St-Nicolas, Lévis, New France

8. Jean Boucher — B. about 1686, New France; D. 23 Feb 1715, Quebec City, New France

7. Pierre Boucher — B. about 1687, New France; D. Jan 1718, St-Nicolas, Lévis, New France; M. Anne Hebert (~1697-1739), 12 Feb 1714, Grand-Pré, Acadia

8. Marguerite Boucher — B. 21 Sep 1688, Pointe-de-Lévy, New France; D. Jan 1745, l’Assomption, New France; M. Pierre Aumier (1689-1735), 2 Nov 1716, Quebec City, New France

9. Marie-Madeleine Boucher — B. 22 Jul 1692, Lauzon, New France; D. 22 Apr 1759, Ste-Croix, New France; M. (1) Jacques Desharnais (1664-1730), 1720, Ste-Croix, New France; (2) Jacques Baron (1669-1749), 16 Aug 1734, Ste-Croix, New France

10. Joseph Boucher — B. about 1692, New France; D. 5 May 1766, Ste-Croix, Quebec; M. (1) Marie-Anne Frechette (1686-1755), 28 Apr 1716, St-Nicolas, Lévis, New France; (1) Angelique Bonneau (1737-1798), 3 Apr 1758, Ste-Croix, New France

11. Françoise-Thérèse Boucher — B. 15 Jan 1698, St-Nicolas, Lévis, New France; D. 25 Mar 1703, St-Nicolas, Lévis, New France

Sources:
Généalogie du Quebec et d’Amérique française (website)
Histoire de la seigneurie de Lauzon, Volumes 1 & 2, Joseph-Edmond Roy, 1897
Marin Boucher (Wikipedia article)
A topographical description of Lower Canada, Joseph Bouchette, 1815

Sisters Starting Fresh in Canada — Marie-Louise Michaud

B. 5 Apr 1645 in Sennevoy-le-Haut, Burgundy, France¹
M. 10 Sep 1670 in Quebec City, New France²
Husband: Jean Daniau dit Laprise
D. before 2 Jun 1686 in (probably) Berthier-sur-Mer, New France³

When Marie-Louise Michaud signed up to be a Fille du Roi, her little sister did, too. And the two young women left France together aboard the same ship.

Louise was born on April 5, 1645 in Sennevoy-le-Haut, France, a village in Burgundy.¹ Her parents were Bréside Michaud and Marguerite Matret, and she was one of seven children, although it’s known that three of her siblings had died before she was born.¹ A curious detail on Louise's baptismal record shows that her godmother was a 7-year-old girl named Louise Lenief, and also mentions the child's mother as being involved in the service. 

Marie-Louise's baptismal record.

Some researchers have claimed that Louise's father was a colonel in the army.¹ Since that fact only appeared in one record many years later, it’s almost certainly not true. What is known is that both of Louise's parents died by the time she was 25. At that point, she was living in Paris, and there she was recruited to become a Fille-du Roi.¹

Signing up at the same time was Louise's 21-year-old sister Françoise,¹ which suggests the two were perhaps living together in Paris after losing their parents. Women trying to survive on their own had few options, and by agreeing to marry men in New France, they each got a chance at a secure future. Louise and Françoise boarded the ship St-Jean-Baptiste in the late spring of 1670, along with over 100 other women.⁴ With a rough journey across an ocean and uncertainty lying ahead, it must have been a comfort to have a close member of the family nearby. (It was somewhat rare to have sisters traveling together as Filles-du-Roi, although it did happen at least three other times.)

The ship arrived in Quebec City sometime in early August, and the Michaud sisters entered the process of being courted by the men who lived there. It was Françoise who found her spouse first, and on August 10th, she agreed to a contract to marry Gilles Dupont.¹ Three weeks later, Louise became engaged,¹ and celebrated her wedding on September 10th;² her husband was Jean Daniau dit Laprise, a former Carignan-Salières Regiment soldier. Louise brought a dowry of 300 livres, plus she was given an additional 50 livres from the king’s treasury.

After their weddings, the two sisters went their separate ways. While Françoise and her new husband settled near Trois-Rivières,¹ Louise and Jean moved to Berthier-sur-Mer, located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence across from the eastern end of Île d’Orleans. Louise gave birth to her first child in January 1672,⁵ and by 1679, she had three more; the youngest died as an infant.⁶ Sadly, Louise died sometime during the mid-1680s.³ Jean remarried in June 1686, and passed away in 1709.⁷ Louise was an ancestor of Ricky Gervais.

Children:
1. Jacques Daniau dit Laprise — B. 12 Jan 1672, Berthier-sur-Mer, New France;⁵ D. 18 Jul 1751, St-François-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France;⁸ M. Louise Destroismaisons (1680-1755), 31 Aug 1702, Montmagny, New France⁹

2. Marguerite Daniau dit Laprise — B. 11 Feb 1674, Berthier-sur-Mer, New France;¹⁰ D. 23 Dec 1708, Montmagny, New France;¹¹ M. Arnould Lavergne (1672-1712), 25 Nov 1693, Montmagny, New France¹²

3. Marie-Françoise Daniau dit Laprise — B. 23 Jul 1676, Berthier-sur-Mer, New France;¹³ D. 18 Oct 1759, St-Pierre-de-la-Riviére-du-Sud, New France;¹⁴ M. François Destroismaisons (1678-1749), 3 Nov 1700, Montmagny, New France¹⁵

4. Joseph Daniau dit Laprise — B. 19 Mar 1679, Berthier-sur-Mer, New France;¹⁶ D. before 1681⁶

Sources:
1    Brigide Michaut, a French colonel or a mere farmer? (blog)  
2    Marriage record of Jean Daniau dit Laprise and Marie-Louise Michaud, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
3    Marriage record of Jean Daniau dit Laprise and Françoise Rondeau, Q.C.P.R.
4    Navires venus en Nouvelle-France (defunct website)
5    Baptismal record of Jacques Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
6    Recensement de 1681 en Nouvelle-France
7    Burial record of Jean Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
8    Burial record of Jacques Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
9    Marriage record of Jacques Daniau dit Laprise and Louise Destroismaisons, Q.C.P.R.
10  Baptismal record of Marguerite Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
11  Burial record of Marguerite Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
12  Marriage record of Arnould Lavergne and Marguerite Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
13  Baptismal record of Marie-Françoise Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
14  Burial record of Marie-Françoise Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
15  Marriage record of François Destroismaisons and Marie-Françoise Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.
16  Baptismal record of Joseph Daniau dit Laprise, Q.C.P.R.

Public Whipping for Her Crimes — Marie-Vincente Pacaud

B. about 1624 in (probably) Saintes, Saintonge, France^1,2
M. about 1651 in Saintes,Saintonge,France²
Husband: Simon Chapacou
D. after Jun 1700 in (probably) Longueuil, New France³

Punishment for a crime in colonial times could be brutal, and Marie-Vincente Pacaud experienced this firsthand in 17th-century New France. She was born in about 1624, most likely in Saintes, France,^1,2 which was a city in not far from La Rochelle. Nothing is known of her family or her childhood, but she must have had enough education to be able to read and write. In about 1651, she met and married Simon Chapacou,² also from Saintes, where they would make their home. By the end of 1658, she gave birth to at least two children.^4,5

In about 1663, Vincente migrated to America with her husband and children, settling just outside of Quebec City in Côte Saint-Michel de Sillery.¹ She had four more children, with the youngest born in 1670;⁶ one of the four died as an infant.⁷ Vincente played an unusual role in the family because her husband was deaf, as well as illiterate, and she handled the family’s business dealings. Presumably, Simon worked their farm, while she dealt with others in transactions involving products, supplies or property. For example, a contract dated February 11, 1675 showed that she represented her husband in a sale of land.⁸

During 1675, Vincente seems to have also been involved in other business — selling the sexual services of other women.⁹ Although there are no details in the records, it sounds like she was operating a brothel. She was arrested for that crime and also for trafficking stolen goods. Another man named Raymond dit Deslauriers got caught for a burglary of Hôtel-Dieu, and items stolen there were discovered in her possession. She was arrested along with her husband Simon, Deslauriers and another accomplice, and all were tried for their crimes. They were each found guilty, except for Simon, who was thought to be incapable of wrongdoing because he was deaf. Vincente faced severe punishment, though; she was fined 20 livres and ordered to be publicly whipped.⁹

Criminal law was different in 17th century New France from anything we have today. Those accused of crimes had little or no rights, and they were presumed guilty until proven innocent. Likewise, the punishment was more severe than now. The thinking in those days was that it was necessary to make criminals suffer for small crimes as a deterrent to keep others from committing the same offense.

In Vincente’s case, her punishment was to be marched down the streets of Quebec City with a sign pinned to her forehead that said, “MAQUERELLE,”⁹ French slang for a woman running a brothel. As crowds watched and jeered, she was stopped at each intersection and struck ten times with a rod. As for Deslauriers, he escaped from jail for a time, but after he was recaptured, his punishment was execution. The order colorfully stated that he would be "led to the front of the door of the church of the Hôtel-Dieu, naked in a shirt, the cord around the collar, and holding in hand a fiery torch, asking forgiveness from God…" The other accomplice was forced to stand at the foot of the gallows, also wearing a noose, as his friend Deslauriers was hung, then the man was set free afterwards. This was justice in Quebec of 1675.

Document describing Marie-Vincente's sentence. (Source: BAnQ)

Example of the type of punishment she received.

Five years later, Vincente was charged with a second incident of theft. On April 18, 1680, orders were given to arrest her along with Simon for taking items out of the home of Jacques Daigre.¹⁰ What makes this interesting was that as executioner of Quebec, Daigre was the man who had carried out Vincente’s whipping. Was revenge for her humiliation the motive for the alleged theft? Maybe, but this is only speculation. It’s unclear from the records how long she was imprisoned, or if she was convicted of the second crime.

Sometime later, Vincente and Simon moved from Quebec City to the settlement of Berthier, located between Trois-Riviéres and Montreal. They later settled in Longueuil, where Simon died on June 3, 1690.¹¹ Marie-Vicente died on an unknown date after June 1700.³

Marie-Vincente had some important descendants: Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau and Justin Bieber.¹² Impressive for a woman who was once whipped on the streets of Quebec.

Children:
1. Louis Chapacou — B. 23 Nov 1653, Néré, Charente-Maritime, France;⁴ M. Marie-Madeleine Poudret (~1668-1696), 24 Nov 1681, Sorel, New France¹³

2. Marie Chapacou — B. 29 Dec 1658, Néré, Charente-Maritime, France;⁵ D. 24 Dec 1733, Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade, New France;¹⁴ M. René Maillot dit Laviolette (~1644-?), 28 Oct 1671, New France¹⁵

3. Laurent Chapacou — B. 9 Feb 1665, (probably) Sillery, New France;¹⁶ D. 13 Feb 1665, (probably) Sillery, New France⁷

4. Marie-Agathe Chapacou — B. 7 Feb 1666, Côte St-Michel, New France;¹⁷ D. 28 Sep 1687, Montreal, New France¹⁸

5. Marie-Angelique Chapacou — B. 22 Mar 1668, (probably) Côte St-Michel, New France;¹⁹ D. 11 Nov 1746, Longueuil, New France;²⁰ M. (1) André Bouteiller (1650-1699), 1 Sep 1686, Boucherville, New France;²¹ (2) André Lemarre (~1670-1756), 8 Jun 1700, Longueuil, New France²²

6. Jean-Joseph Chapacou — B. 16 Apr 1670, Côte St-Michel, New France;⁶ D. 23 Mar 1693, Longueuil, New France;²³ M. Marie Poutre (1672-1759), 28 Apr 1688, Sorel, New France²⁴

Sources:
1    Recensement de 1666 en Nouvelle-France
2    Généalogie du Québec et d'Amérique française listing of Marie Pacaud  
3    Inventaire des greffes des Notaires du Régime français, V. 6, p. 29
4    Baptismal record of Louis Chapacou, Fichier Origine  
5    Baptismal record of Marie Chapacou, Fichier Origine  
6    Baptismal record of Jean-Joseph Chapacou, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
7    Burial record of Laurent Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
8    Inventaire des greffes des Notaires du Régime français, V. 3
9    Judgement against Marie Pacaud and others, 22 Aug 1675, BAnQ  
10  Court records of case of Jacques Daigre vs. Simon Chapacou and Marie Pacaud, Apr 1680, BAnQ  
11  Burial record of Simon Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
12  FamousKin.com listing of Simon Chapacou  
13  Marriage record of Louis Chapacou and Marie-Madeleine Poudret, Q.C.P.R.
14  Burial record of Marie Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
15  Marriage record of René Maillot and Marie Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
16  Baptismal record of Laurent Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
17  Baptismal record of Marie-Agathe Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
18  Burial record of Marie-Agathe Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
19  Baptismal record of Marie-Angelique Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
20  Burial record of Marie-Angelique Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
21  Marriage record of André Bouteiller and Marie-Angelique Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
22  Marriage record of André Lemarre and Marie-Angelique Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
23  Burial record of Jean-Joseph Chapacou, Q.C.P.R.
24  Marriage record of Jean-Joseph Chapacou and Marie Poutre, Q.C.P.R.

Likely a Soldier — Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers

B. about 1679 in Astaillac, France^1,2
M. (1) 26 Nov 1705 in Varennes, New France¹
Wife: Marie-Anne Provost
M. (2) 29 May 1718 in Contrecoeur, New France³
Wife: Marie-Anne Pineault
D. 25 Mar 1750 in Varennes, New France²

It isn’t clear if Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers was a soldier when he arrived in New France, but given his known circumstances, it’s very likely. Jean-Baptiste was born in about 1679 in Astaillac, France,^1,2 a village in the southern part of the country. His parents were Jean-Baptiste Renaudt and Marie Forget (the name Renaud was also written as Arnault or Arnaud).

Jean-Baptiste was in his early 20s when he first appeared in records at his marriage on November 26, 1705.¹ The location was Varennes, a settlement near Montreal; although he wasn’t described as a soldier on his marriage record, this was an area where the Troupes de la Marine were sent to protect against Iroquois raids. Afterwards, many soldiers stayed in New France becoming farmers and fur traders. At some point, Jean-Baptiste acquired the nickname “Deslauriers,” which means “the laurels,” another indicator of being a soldier.

Whatever brought him to New France, Jean-Baptiste married Marie-Anne Provost, the daughter of a Varennes settler, and became part of the community. Their first child was born in 1706,⁴ and they had five more during the next nine years. Then Marie-Anne died,⁵ and Jean-Baptiste married Marie-Anne Pineault on May 29, 1718.³ She gave him eight more children, with the last one born in 1734.⁶

Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Anne.

Some researchers have said that Jean-Baptiste was a soldier in “the company of Villiers,” but that company was formed in the late 1720s, and the timing of this service works better for his son of the same name.⁷ By that time, most likely Jean-Baptiste remained a civilian as he operated a farm in Varennes, and provided for his large family.

Jean-Baptiste died in Varennes on March 25, 1750.² His second wife Marie-Anne survived him by many years, passing away in 1769.⁸

Children by Marie-Anne Provost:
1. Charles Renaud — B. 17 Aug 1706, Boucherville, New France;⁴ D. 7 May 1779, Varennes, Quebec;⁹ M. Marie-Joseph Masson (1709-1793), 10 Oct 1730, Varennes, New France¹⁰

2. Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers — B. 1 Oct 1708, Boucherville, New France;⁷ D. 24 Mar 1773, Montreal, Quebec;¹¹ M. Marie-Therese Mallet (1735-1763), 26 Oct 1750, Post Vincennes, New France¹²

3. Louis Renaud — B. 27 Feb 1710, Varennes, New France;¹³ D. 13 Oct 1775, Boucherville, Quebec;¹⁴ M. (1) Marie-Gabrielle Denyon (1706-1761);¹⁵ (2) Marie-Josephte Gasse (1702-1780), 16 Jan 1764, Boucherville, Quebec¹⁶

4. Pierre Renaud — B. 20 Apr 1711, Varennes, New France;¹⁷ D. 13 Jun 1759, Quebec City, New France;¹⁸ M. Marie-Anne Jeanne Lacoste (1723-?), 27 Nov 1741, Boucherville, New France¹⁹

5. Marie-Françoise Renaud — B. 10 Dec 1712, Varennes, New France;²⁰ D. 25 June 1714, Varennes, New France²¹

6. Joseph Renaud — B. 11 Dec 1715, Varennes, New France²²

Children by Marie Pineault:
1.Marie-Anne Renaud — B. 24 Mar 1719, Varennes, New France;²³ M, Jean-Baptiste Martin (1719-1794), 3 Feb 1740, Varennes, New France²⁴

2. François Renaud — B. 27 Oct 1720, Varennes, New France;²⁵ D. 29 Mar 1754, Varennes, New France;²⁶ M. Marguerite Cardinal (~1729-?), 19 Feb 1748, Varennes, New France²⁷

3. Catherine Renaud — B. 26 Sep 1722, Varennes, New France;²⁸ D. 23 Jul 1805, La Prairie, Quebec;²⁹ M. Joseph Hebert (1719-1793), 3 Nov 1745, Varennes, New France³⁰

4. Marie-Marguerite Renaud — B. 29 Oct 1724, Cap-St-Michel, New France³¹

5. Michel Renaud — B. 17 Sep 1726, Varennes, New France;³² D. 13 Oct 1774, Beloeil, Quebec;³³ M. Marie-Charlotte Roger dit Latouche (1732-1807), 22 Feb 1751, Varennes, New France³⁴

6. Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers — B. 23 Jul 1728, Varennes, New France;³⁵ M. (1) Catherine Malepart, 16 Aug 1762, Varennes, New France;³⁶ (2) Marie-Anne Jarret dit Beauregard, 7 Apr 1777, Vercheres, Quebec³⁷

7. Marie-Josephe Renaud — B. 29 Jul 1730, Varennes, New France³⁸

8. Marie-Charlotte Renaud — B. 22 Apr 1734, Varennes, New France;⁵ M. Pierre Petit (1722-1793), 1 Mar 1756, Varennes, New France³⁹

Sources:
1    Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers and Marie-Anne Provost, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2    Burial record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers, Q.C.P.R.
3    Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers and Marie-Anne Pineault, Q.C.P.R.
4    Baptismal record of Charles Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
5    Burial record of Marie-Anne Provost, Q.C.P.R.
6    Baptismal record of Marie-Charlotte Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
7    Baptismal record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers (older son), Q.C.P.R.
8    Burial record of Marie-Anne Pineault, Q.C.P.R.
9    Burial record of Charles Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
10  Marriage record of Charles Renaud and Marie-Joseph Masson, Q.C.P.R.
11  Burial record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers (older son), Q.C.P.R.
12  Records of the Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 12, 1901
13  Baptismal record of Louis Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
14  Burial record of Louis Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
15  Marriage record of Louis Renaud and Marie-Gabrielle Denyon, Q.C.P.R.
16  Marriage record of Louis Renaud and Marie-Josephte Gasse, Q.C.P.R.
17  Baptismal record of Pierre Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
18  Burial record of Pierre Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
19  Marriage record of Pierre Renaud and Marie-Anne Jeanne Lacoste, Q.C.P.R.
20  Baptismal record of Marie-Françoise Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
21  Burial record of Marie-Françoise Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
22  Baptismal record of Joseph Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
23  Baptismal record of Marie-Anne Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
24  Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Martin and Marie-Anne Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
25  Baptismal record of François Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
26  Burial record of François Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
27  Marriage record of François Renaud and Marguerite Cardinal, Q.C.P.R.
28  Baptismal record of Catherine Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
29  Burial record of Catherine Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
30  Marriage record of Joseph Hebert and Catherine Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
31  Baptismal record of Marie-Marguerite Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
32  Baptismal record of Michel Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
33  Burial record of Michel Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
34  Marriage record of Michel Renaud and Marie-Charlotte Roger dite Latouche, Q.C.P.R.
35  Baptismal record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers (younger son), Q.C.P.R.
36  Burial record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers (younger son), Q.C.P.R.
37  Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Renaud dit Deslauriers and Marie-Anne Jarret dit Beauregard, Q.C.P.R.
38  Baptismal record of Marie-Joseph Renaud, Q.C.P.R.
39  Marriage record of Pierre Petit and Marie-Charlotte Renaud, Q.C.P.R.