M. 8 Nov 1717 in Beauport, New France2
Wife: Marie-Therese Giroux
D. 3 Aug 1766 in St-Joseph-de-Pointe-de Lévy, Quebec3
All of the major events Pierre Menard's life are described in parish records of Beauport, New France, with the single exception of his own death. He was born on December 27, 1691 to Jacques Menard dit Deslauriers and Marie-Madeleine Baugis,1 the sixth of their ten children. His father had been a Carignan-Salières regiment soldier who settled in Beauport by 1675,4 and had married his mother in 1680.5 Little is recorded about the family, who likely leased the same farm for many years.
Pierre waited until he was 25 before getting married. His bride was Marie-Therese Giroux, and the wedding took place at Beauport on November 8, 1717,2 the same day his younger sister Madeleine got married. Therese was from another Beauport family, and the newlyweds set up their household there. Between 1718 and 1736, they had seven children, of whom two seemed to have died young. Four of his five children later married and had families in Beauport; only oldest daughter Marguerite moved to another place when in 1744, she became the third wife of a man living in Lauzon, across the St. Lawrence River from Beauport.6
The late 1750s were a difficult time for the French people along the St. Lawrence, and particularly for those in close proximity to Quebec City. When the English invaded Canada during the late spring of 1759, Beauport became a strategic point for both sides, and the French forces set up a camp there. For several months, Beauport became a war zone, as the British tried to breach the French defensive line. An all-out battle on July 31st ended badly for the English forces, but they ultimately prevailed two months later at the Plains of Abraham.
Pierre was 67-years-old during the Siege of Quebec, and like most French people, must have suffered its effects. The years leading up to the English takeover saw much poverty and starvation for the settlers along the St. Lawrence. When war came in 1759, some even had their homes destroyed by British soldiers. No details survive of Pierre’s experience, but at the very least, he likely fled to a safe location during the worst of it.
Location of Beauport in relation to the events of 1759.
The only event of Pierre's life that didn’t take place in Beauport was his death on August 3, 1766.3 The location was St-Joseph-de-la-Pointe-Lévy, where daughter Marguerite was living. On July 28th, Pierre’s grandson Jacques Dubois celebrated his wedding at the same church where Pierre’s funeral was held one week later.7 Perhaps Pierre had traveled to Lauzon for the marriage and died before he could return home, although it’s also possible that he had moved there a year or two earlier. One thing that’s certain is that his death came suddenly, which was noted in the record since the priest had been unable to administer the last rites. At his age, it’s easy to speculate that he died of a heart attack or stroke. Pierre's wife Therese survived him and died in 1774 at Beauport.8
Children:
1. Marie-Marguerite Menard —B. 28 Sep 1718, Beauport, New France;9 D. 5 Apr 1788, St-Joseph-de-Pointe-Lévy, Quebec;10 M. Jacques Dubois (1697-1781), 30 Jun 1744, Beauport, New France6
2. Pierre Menard — 18 Aug 1720, Beauport, New France;11 D. 7 Oct 1770, Beauport, Quebec;12 M. Madeleine Garnier (1728-1807), 10 Feb 1749, Beauport, New France13
3. Jacques Menard — B. 27 Oct 1723, Beauport, New France;14 D. (probably) young
4. Marie-Angelique Menard — B. 23 Nov 1725, Beauport, New France;15 D. 30 Nov 1798, Quebec City, Quebec;16 M. Jacques Dubois (1728-1788), 11 Jan 1751, Beauport, New France17
5. Charles Menard — B. 23 Feb 1728, Beauport, New France;18 D. 20 Nov 1758, Beauport, New France;19 M. Therese Garneau (1732-1774), 15 Nov 1756, Beauport, New France20
6. Marie-Reine Menard — B. 12 Nov 1729, Beauport, New France;21 D. (probably) young
7. André Menard — B. 24 Oct 1736, Beauport, New France;22 D. 25 May 1788, Beauport, Quebec;23 M. Marie-Genevieve Binet (1761-1832), 23 Nov 1784, Beauport, Quebec24
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Pierre Menard, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Pierre Menard and Marie-Therese Giroux, Q.C.P.R.
3 Burial record of Pierre Menard, Q.C.P.R.
4 Migrations.fr page for Compagnie Duprat
5 Marriage record of Jacques Menard and Marie-Madeleine Baugis, Q.C.P.R.
6 Marriage record of Jacques Dubois and Marie-Marguerite Menard, Q.C.P.R.
7 Marriage record of Jacques Dubois and Marie-Charlotte Dussault, Q.C.P.R.
8 Burial record of Marie-Therese Giroux, Q.C.P.R.
9 Baptismal record of Marie-Marguerite Menard, Q.C.P.R.
10 Burial record of Marie-Marguerite Menard, Q.C.P.R.
11 Baptismal record of Pierre Menard (younger), Q.C.P.R.
12 Burial record of Pierre Menard (younger), Q.C.P.R.
13 Marriage record of Pierre Menard and Madeleine Garnier, Q.C.P.R.
14 Baptismal record of Jacques Menard, Q.C.P.R.
15 Baptismal record of Marie-Angelique Menard, Q.C.P.R.
16 Burial record of Marie-Angelique Menard, Q.C.P.R.
17 Marriage record of Jacques Dubois and Marie-Angelique Menard, Q.C.P.R.
18 Baptismal record of Charles Menard, Q.C.P.R.
19 Burial record of Charles Menard, Q.C.P.R.
20 Marriage record of Charles Menard and Therese Garneau, Q.C.P.R.
21 Baptismal record of Marie-Reine Menard, Q.C.P.R.
22 Baptismal record of André Menard, Q.C.P.R.
23 Burial record of André Menard, Q.C.P.R.
24 Marriage record of André Menard and Marie-Genevieve Binet, Q.C.P.R.
