M. 31 Dec 1657 in France1
Wife: Marie Blanquet
D. about 1680 in (probably) France1
Jean Leclerc was an early settler of Île d'Orléans, New France, who returned to his home country and died there while in the prime of life. He was born in Dieppe, Normandy in August 1635, and was baptized on the 24th.1 His parents were Jean Leclerc and Perette Brunell, and they were known to have had three children.2 On December 31, 1657, Jean married Marie Blanquet,1 and in 1659, she gave birth to a son, Pierre.3
It’s believed that soon after, Jean took his wife and child to settle in New France. His father-in-law, Adrien Blanquet, may have come with them, or had moved there already. Jean and Adrien acquired land together on August 10, 1662 with land grants in Saint-Pierre on the Île d'Orléans.4 The French were interested in having young men like Jean make their homes on the island to help support and populate New France. Jean and Marie added to the population by having eight more children, born between 1660 and 1674.
Marker indicating location of Jean's land in St-Pierre. (Source: Robert Johnson)
Everything seemed to be going well for Jean and his family. By 1678, he had land in Cap-Saint-Ignace with 8 arpents of river frontage.5 In addition to farming, he worked as a boot maker.4 Then in about 1679 or 1680, he returned to France.1 It was noted on the marriage contract of his daughter Anne that her father was absent.1 A year later, his wife is listed in a census record as a widow, and since there is no record of his death in New France, it’s believed that he died in his home country, or possibly at sea.1 His wife remained a widow for the rest of her life, dying in 1709.6 They were the ancestors of Ricky Gervais and Emeril Lagasse.
Children:
1. Pierre Leclerc — B. 27 Jan 1659, Normandy, France;3 D. 25 Jan 1736, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France;7 M. Élisabeth-Isabelle Rondeau (1670-1746), 7 Feb 1690, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France8
2. Marguerite Leclerc — B. 26 Dec 1660, Quebec City, New France;9 D. 8 May 1729, Île d’Orleans, New France;10 M. Clément Ruelle (1654-1709), 22 Nov 1677, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France11
3. Jean Leclerc — B. 20 Mar 1663, Château-Richer, New France12
4. Anne Leclerc — B. 17 Sep 1664, Château-Richer, New France;13 D. 8 Dec 1699, St-Laurent, Île d’Orleans, New France;14 M. Jacques Bouffard (1654-?), 5 Mar 1680, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France15
5. Nicole-Marie Leclerc — B. 27 Apr 1666, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France;16 D. 18 May 1668, New France17
6. Jean-Charles Leclerc — B. 5 May 1668, Château-Richer, New France;18 D. 30 Sep 1749, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France;19 M. Marguerite Baucher, 5 Mar 1696, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France20
7. Adrien Leclerc — B. 23 Oct 1670, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France;21 D. 31 Jan 1746, Charlesbourg, New France;22 M. Geneviéve Paradis (1679-1772), 9 Nov 1694, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France23
8. Marie-Madeleine Leclerc — B. 9 Jul 1672, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France;24 D. 24 Oct 1702, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France;25 M. René Pelletier (1659-1713), 5 Nov 1691, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France26
9. Martin Leclerc — B. 27 Mar 1674, Ste-Famille, Île d’Orleans, New France;27 D. 7 Mar 1703, St-Pierre, Île d’Orleans, New France28
Sources:
1 Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française listing for Jean Leclerc
2 Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française listing for Jean Leclerc (older)
3 Généalogie du Québec et d’Amérique française listing for Pierre Leclerc
4 Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Vol. 2, Gerard Lebel (translated by Thomas J. Laforest), 1990
5 Association des Familles Leclerc (website)
6 Burial record of Marie Blanquet, Quebec, Catholic Parish Registers, 1621-1979, FamilySearch.org
7 Burial record of Pierre Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
8 Marriage record of Pierre Leclerc and Élisabeth-Isabelle Rondeau, Q., C. P. R.
9 Baptismal record of Marguerite Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
10 Burial record of Marguerite Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
11 Marriage record of Clément Ruelle and Marguerite Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
12 Baptismal record of Jean Leclerc (younger), Q., C. P. R.
13 Baptismal record of Anne Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
14 Burial record of Anne Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
15 Marriage record of Jacques Bouffard and Anne Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
16 Baptismal record of Nicole-Marie Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
17 Burial record of Nicole-Marie Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
18 Baptismal record of Jean-Charles Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
19 Burial record of Jean-Charles Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
20 Marriage record of Jean-Charles Leclerc and Marguerite Baucher, Q., C. P. R.
21 Baptismal record of Adrien Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
22 Burial record of Adrien Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
23 Marriage record of Adrien Leclerc and Geneviéve Paradis, Q., C. P. R.
24 Baptismal record of Marie-Madeleine Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
25 Burial record of Marie-Madeleine Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
26 Marriage record of René Pelletier and Marie-Madeleine Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
27 Baptismal record of Martin Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
28 Burial record of Martin Leclerc, Q., C. P. R.
