M. about 1645 in (probably) Dieppe, France2
Wife: Vivienne Bunel
D. 12 Sep 1686, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France1
Most French colonists arrived in America as individuals, but Pierre Saint-Denys brought his wife and children. He was born in about 1625 in Normandy, France, likely in Dieppe.1 No documentation of his parents have survived, and his own marriage record is lost. The first event that mentions his name was the baptism of a daughter Marie on March 13, 1647 at St-Jacques parish in Dieppe.2 His wife was Vivienne Bunel, and based on the fact that they had an earlier child, their marriage date was about 1645. A third child was born in about 1650, and a fourth child was baptized at the same church on August 21, 1652,2 but this one seems to have died young.
During mid-17th century, Dieppe was the port city where the majority of ships left for New France, and those seeking recruits to move there actively signed up people who lived nearby. This is likely how Pierre joined the migration, but it isn’t clear exactly when he did. With a gap of almost 10 years between the births of his known children, he may have initially gone to the colony by himself. His name was said to have appeared in Quebec City on April 28, 1659 in some unspecified record,3 and on May 3, 1662, he was the godfather in a baptism there.4 Then on February 6, 1663, a child was born to Pierre and Vivienne at Château-Richer,5 followed by two more in 1664 and 1665.6,7 Sadly, none of these babies lived more than a few days.
Pierre and his family seemed to have lived in the seigneury of Château-Richer from about 1662 to 1679. He was listed in the 16668 and 16679 censuses with his wife and adult children, although his two daughters were soon married off, and in 1667, he had two men working for him. Younger daughter Anne got into some trouble in 1667 in a strange incident involving three other young wives.10 A man named Nicolas Huot dit Saint-Laurent had delivered firewood to the women, and after they discovered it was too green to use, they went back to him to complain. Tempers flared and the women attacked Huot with sticks. It wasn’t a smart move because he was the local bailiff, and he didn’t hesitate to take them to court. Pierre testified on his daughter’s behalf, but the women were found guilty and sentenced to make a public apology on the church steps.
In 1679, Pierre and Vivienne moved to Île d’Orleans, where he purchased a concession on September 3rd.11 The farm was 3 arpents wide and was located on the north shore towards the middle of the island. He had agreed to pay 200 livres for it, but was later said to be delinquent about paying it. The 1681 census showed that he owned eight heads of cattle and had 15 arpents under cultivation.12
Pierre died on September 12, 1686 and was buried at the church in Ste-Famille. His wife Vivienne continued on at the farm for over 12 more years, and passed away in 1699.13 They were both ancestors of Jack Kerouac, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Chloë Sevigny, Dan Aykroyd, and Julianne Hough.14
Wife: Vivienne Bunel
D. 12 Sep 1686, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France1
Most French colonists arrived in America as individuals, but Pierre Saint-Denys brought his wife and children. He was born in about 1625 in Normandy, France, likely in Dieppe.1 No documentation of his parents have survived, and his own marriage record is lost. The first event that mentions his name was the baptism of a daughter Marie on March 13, 1647 at St-Jacques parish in Dieppe.2 His wife was Vivienne Bunel, and based on the fact that they had an earlier child, their marriage date was about 1645. A third child was born in about 1650, and a fourth child was baptized at the same church on August 21, 1652,2 but this one seems to have died young.
St-Jacques church in Dieppe, France, where Pierre's first three children were baptized.
During mid-17th century, Dieppe was the port city where the majority of ships left for New France, and those seeking recruits to move there actively signed up people who lived nearby. This is likely how Pierre joined the migration, but it isn’t clear exactly when he did. With a gap of almost 10 years between the births of his known children, he may have initially gone to the colony by himself. His name was said to have appeared in Quebec City on April 28, 1659 in some unspecified record,3 and on May 3, 1662, he was the godfather in a baptism there.4 Then on February 6, 1663, a child was born to Pierre and Vivienne at Château-Richer,5 followed by two more in 1664 and 1665.6,7 Sadly, none of these babies lived more than a few days.
Pierre and his family seemed to have lived in the seigneury of Château-Richer from about 1662 to 1679. He was listed in the 16668 and 16679 censuses with his wife and adult children, although his two daughters were soon married off, and in 1667, he had two men working for him. Younger daughter Anne got into some trouble in 1667 in a strange incident involving three other young wives.10 A man named Nicolas Huot dit Saint-Laurent had delivered firewood to the women, and after they discovered it was too green to use, they went back to him to complain. Tempers flared and the women attacked Huot with sticks. It wasn’t a smart move because he was the local bailiff, and he didn’t hesitate to take them to court. Pierre testified on his daughter’s behalf, but the women were found guilty and sentenced to make a public apology on the church steps.
In 1679, Pierre and Vivienne moved to Île d’Orleans, where he purchased a concession on September 3rd.11 The farm was 3 arpents wide and was located on the north shore towards the middle of the island. He had agreed to pay 200 livres for it, but was later said to be delinquent about paying it. The 1681 census showed that he owned eight heads of cattle and had 15 arpents under cultivation.12
Pierre died on September 12, 1686 and was buried at the church in Ste-Famille. His wife Vivienne continued on at the farm for over 12 more years, and passed away in 1699.13 They were both ancestors of Jack Kerouac, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Chloë Sevigny, Dan Aykroyd, and Julianne Hough.14
Children:
1. Pierre Saint-Denys — B. about 1646, (probably) St-Jacques, Dieppe, France;15 D. 11 Dec 1696, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France;15 M. Madeleine Thivierge (~1651-1700), 13 Sep 1670, Château-Richer, New France16
2. Marie Saint-Denys — B. about 13 Mar 1647, St-Jacques, Dieppe, France;2 D. 23 Jan 1705, Rivière Ouelle, New France;17 M. Pierre Boucher (1639-1707), 4 Apr 1663, Château-Richer, New France18
3. Anne Saint-Denys — B. about 1650, (probably) St-Jacques, Dieppe, France;19 D. 16 Oct 1674, Beaupré, New France;19 M. Laurent Migneron (1640-1705), 7 Sep 1666, Château-Richer, New France20
4. Andre Saint-Denys — B. about 21 Aug 1652, St-Jacques, Dieppe, France;2 D. young, (probably) St-Jacques, Dieppe, France
5. Charles Saint-Denys — B. 6 Feb 1663, Château-Richer, New France;5 D. 8 Feb 1663, Château-Richer, New France21
6. Angelique Saint-Denys — B. 26 Nov 1664, Château-Richer, New France;6 D. 28 Nov 1664, Château-Richer, New France22
7. Louise Saint-Denys — B. 22 Dec 1665, Château-Richer, New France;7 D. 27 Dec 1665, Château-Richer, New France23
Sources:
1 Burial record of Pierre Saint-Denys, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
2 FichierOrigine listing for Marie St-Denis/St-Denys
3 Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française listing for Pierre St-Denis
4 Baptismal record of Guillaume Rouleau, Q.C.P.R.
5 Baptismal record of Charles Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
6 Baptismal record of Angelique Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
7 Baptismal record of Louise Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
8 Recensement de 1666 en Nouvelle-France
9 Recensement de 1667 en Nouvelle-France
10 Court record for case involving Anne Saint-Denis and others, BAnQ
11 Rapport de l’Archiviste de la province de Québec, 1953-1954 et 1954-1955, p. 12
12 Recensement de 1681 en Nouvelle-France
13 Burial record of Vivienne Bunel, Q.C.P.R.
14 Famouskin.com listing for Vivienne Bunel
15 Burial record of Pierre Saint-Denys (younger), Q.C.P.R.
16 Marriage record of Pierre Saint-Denys (younger) and Madeleine Thivierge, Q.C.P.R.
17 Burial record of Marie Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
18 Marriage record of Pierre Boucher and Marie Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
19 Burial record of Anne Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
20 Marriage record of Laurent Migneron and Anne Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
21 Burial record of Charles Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
22 Burial record of Angelique Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
23 Burial record of Louise Saint-Denys, Q.C.P.R.
