M. 28 Nov 1662 in Quebec City, New France3
Wife: Marie Grignault dit Ledoux
D. 1 Oct 1699 in Ste-Foy, New France4
Pierre Pluchon was an early settler along the St. Lawrence River who seemed to arrive there in his middle-age. His birth year is a mystery because his age was reported differently at various times of his life. It’s likely that he was born in about 1617;1,2 his birthplace was Champ-Dolent,3 a village in Normandy, and his parents were François Pluchon (sometimes spelled Peluchon) and Lousie Relin. Nothing else is known of Pierre until he was at least 45-years-old.
It seems that Pierre migrated to New France just before his name showed up on a land transaction on September 24, 1662.5 He purchased a concession not far upriver from Quebec City between Cap-Rouge and Sillery. The plot was a typical ribbon farm, but was narrower than most at only 2 arpents wide.
1663 map showing Pierre's farm.
Just a couple of months later, Pierre got married to Marie Grignault dit Ledoux, a woman from Brittany who was 20 to 25 years younger than he was. Their wedding took place at Notre-Dame-de-Quebec on November 28, 1662,3 then he presumably settled into a life of farming and raising a family.
Between 1664 and 1676, Pierre became a father seven times, although four children died young, probably as infants. He was listed in both the 16666 and 16671 census, but it’s strange that his age was substantially older in the second year. By 1681, he seems to have moved up the river to he seigneury of Maure.2 Of the 37 families that lived in his community, Pierre was the oldest person, at a listed age of 68. His farm production was smaller than most, likely due to being elderly and having only one son to help plant and harvest his crops.
Pierre lived a very long life. He passed away on October 1, 1699, and his burial took place at Ste-Foy,4 so he likely relocated there late in life. The priest who presided over his funeral was Charles Amador Martin, the son of Abraham Martin. Oddly, the parish record exaggerated Pierre’s age to 100-years-old at his death, suggesting that he must have looked ancient to the people around him. Pierre’s wife Marie survived him and died in 1706 at the age of 70.
Children:
1. Pierre Pluchon — B. 19 Feb 1664, Sillery, New France;7 D. 11 Oct 1723, Neuville, New France;8 M. Jeanne Lauriot (1671-1742), 7 Jan 1687, Neuville, New France9
2. Françoise Pluchon — B. 16 Jul 1666, Sillery, New France;10 D. before 16671
3. Catherine Pluchon — B. 26 Feb 1668, Sillery, New France;11 D. 8 Feb 1743, Quebec City, New France;12 M. (1) François Savari (~1658-1715), 26 Jul 1683, Neuville, New France; (2) Jean-Baptiste Marchet (1666-1732), 26 Aug 1715, Quebec City, New France14
4. Joseph Pluchon — B. 14 Jan 1671, Sillery, New France;15 D. before 16812
5. Marguerite Pluchon — B. 20 Dec 1672, Sillery, New France;16 D. before 6 Nov 1676, (probably) Sillery, New France20
6. Jeanne Pluchon — B. 17 Jan 1674, Sillery, New France;17 D. 12 May 1729, Quebec City, New France;18 M. Florian de la Citière, 10 Nov 168719
7. Marguerite Pluchon — B. 6 Nov 1676, (probably) Sillery, New France;20 D. after 1681
Sources:
1 Recensement de 1667 en Nouvelle-France
2 Recensement de 1681 en Nouvelle-France
3 Marriage record of Pierre Pluchon and Marie Grignault dit Ledoux, Quebec Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
4 Burial record of Pierre Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
5 Inventaire des greffes des notaires du régime français, Pierre Georges Roy and Antoine Roy, V. 27, p. 109
6 Recensement de 1666 en Nouvelle-France
7 Baptismal record of Pierre Pluchon (younger), Q.C.P.R.
8 Burial record of Pierre Pluchon (younger), Q.C.P.R.
9 Marriage record of Pierre Pluchon and Jeanne Lauriot, Q.C.P.R.
10 Baptismal record of Françoise Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
11 Baptismal record of Catherine Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
12 Burial record of Catherine Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
13 Marriage record of François Savari and Catherine Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
14 Marriage record of Jean-Baptiste Marchet and Catherine Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
15 Baptismal record of Joseph Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
16 Baptismal record of Marguerite Pluchon (older), Q.C.P.R.
17 Baptismal record of Jeanne Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
18 Burial record of Jeanne Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
19 Marriage record of Florian de la Citière and Jeanne Pluchon, Q.C.P.R.
20 Baptismal record of Marguerite Pluchon (younger), Q.C.P.R.
