Other Events:

• _FSFTID: L8PJ-9NJ
• _UID: 6CF1911C974051478C8FD27FF0200E575AF9

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LVZM-7FG
• _UID: BB60158B75751149A40EF96B1467235C0FD9
• Occupation: 25 février 1647, Tourouvre, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France; Engagé comme manoeuvre par Noël Juchereau

Notes:

OCCUPATION: Laborer
IMMIGRATION: 1647; 60 month contract 5 Mar 1647 Notary Choiseau; annual salary 75 poinds

JULIEN MERCIER from "Our French-Canadian Ancestors" by Thomas J. Laforest

On his return, from the Eternal City (Paris), the Honorable Honore Mercier, who was the Prime Minister of the Province of Quebec, in 1891, wished to visit Tourouvre, France, the cradle of his ancestors. This town was in the ancient Province of Perche, now in the Orne in Basse, Normandy. One could not dream of a better occasion for the unveiling of a two-part stained glass window.

The first window represented the emigrant colonists who, before their departure, received these words of benediction from their pastor: "Never forget neither God nor France".
The second window shows us the pilgrim of Tourouvre in person. The Honorable Mercier professing his faith and patriotism, with fervor said: "We have not forgotten either God or France".

According to Robert Hollier, historian, Tourouvre, the capital of the Canton, in the District of Mortagne, was the point of departure for Canada for the eighty families who came from Perche. From this single spot, came the families Crete, Gagnon, Giguere, Guimont, Tremblay and of course Our Ancestor, Julien Mercier. Among the dozen French families named Mercier, who came to Canada, we must count at least three women. One of which was Catherine Mercier, wife of Jean Boudard (captured by the Iroquois, on May 3, 1651). Julien was the only one originally from Tourouvre.

A HUMBLE LINEAGE
Madame Pierre Montagne in her book "Tourouvre et les Juchereau" has charted the paternal predecessors of the parents of Julien. Jean Mercier, the husband of Thienete, was the father of Marin Mercier, the future husband of Jeanne Brisson. Their marriage took place at Grand Pre de Tourouvre on December of 1571. From plowman Marin, his son, Francois, was born. The latter, a laborer, became the husband of Roberte Cornilleau about 1605 and the father of Ancestor Julien, the youngest of the family. Julien had several brothers and sisters. Julien was born, on February 27, 1621. His parents disappeared in January of 1627. He was orphaned at the age of 6 years old. A bill of sale passed between Jean Giguere and Jean Mercier, on September 15, 1630. It tells us, with certainty that, Francois Mercier was dead.

Jean Mercier, Julien's brother and the eldest child, was a laborer and resident of La Grandiniere, parish of Tourouvre. He tried, as best he could, to support the family. Between 1632 and 1644, we see him appearing before a notary six times. In 1641, he decided to divide up the family land into four lots in the name of the four living children. Julien was assigned the third part, which contained "a barn and a fourth part of a yard and garden, located in Grandiniere".

As for Roberte Cornilleau, on the maternal side, we discover a tiny bit of nobility. The 23rd of July, 1576, a statement about the fief Cornilleau or La Tessonniere, assigns it to Messieur Alexandre de la Voye, seigneur of Tourouvre and the fief of Autheuil. Roberte Cornilleau had one known brother, a tailor named Marin.

THE CROSSING
Julien was two days short of his 26th birthday when he signed a contract on February 25, 1647 to go to Canada. For three years, he would be in the service of Noel Juchereau, Sieur des Chalets, of Quebec, through the intermediation of his brother Pierre Juchereau, Sieur de Molineaux, presently at Tourouvre.

Laborer Julien would receive 75 livres per year in salary, of which 24 was payable in advance. This was to be deducted, within the first year, plus a pair of shoes. His passage, to Canada and from Canada, if need be, was assured. Room and board would be provided by the employer.

When did Julien leave port? On which ship? It is difficult to find an answer. Between February 12 and April 10, 1647, under the same conditions, a dozen men were signed up like Julien, in the service of Noel Jucjereau. We may cite: Jacques Roy/Le Roy, Jacques Poupar, Pierre Aloignon, Jacques Loiseau, Martin Huan and Pierre Tremblay. It seems that these men endured the crossing together.

On June 21, the Journal of the Jesuits tells us that Captain Feure is at Perche and that five ships came from France that year. It was this ship of Feure's which carried the first horse to Canada, as a gift to Governor de Montmagny. In the month of August, the same religious chronicler spoke, of the ship of Monsieur Godefroy and of one other named the ANGE-GARDIEN, a 70 ton caravelle, which left this port in Aunis after June 6, 1647 with Julien Mercier and his companions aboard. The owners of this ship were Pierre LeGardeur and Noel Juchereau. If we may believe the good Jesuits, these ships from France arrived at Quebec on August 6, 1647. The crossing had taken less than two months.

THE NEWCOMER
On arrival at Quebec, Julien took stock of the current situation in the colony. It was not exactly one of security and peace. Isaac Jogues and Jean de la Lande had been martyred. And how many more tragic events were related? Julien would be party to some others as well.

Did Noel Juchereau take Julien Mercier into his service? We believe so, without being able to fix exactly the sort of work that he did. Juchereau, Commissioner-General of the Communaute des habitants founded in 1644, returned to France that same autumn that saw the arrival of his workers. The following year, before July 31, 1648, Noel died in France. His successor was not sent to Canada before 1649. This was the same year that Julien, on July 22, contracted to work for the account of Michel Huppe dit Lagroix. He was already a 3 year resident of the Seigneurie of Notre-Dame-des Anges near Quebec. But, as of October 18, Julien and Michel parted company on a friendly basis. Huppe compensated Mercier with a letter of credit which enabled him to buy 60 livres-worth of goods. Father de la Place, S.J. co-signed the letter. Following this up until 1651, we cannot tell what Julien Mercier was doing.

THE PROPERTY OWNER ON THE COAST
In 1651, the few property owners on the Beaupre Coast, today Sainte-Anne, were Louis Gagne', Claude Bouchard, Julien Fortin, Pierre Picard and Etienne Racine. With what joy that they greeted the new concessionnaires, Etienne Lessard, Robert Giguere and Julien Mercier, who took their lots in the order named, from west to east, from the edge of the location of the future church. On October 15, Julien obtained a concession from Olivier Letardif, located to the east of the "reduit" and of Robert Giguere. The size of the property was five arpents in frontage, by a league and a half in depth.

The sale by Julien "of an arpent and a half, of frontal land, on the river " to Pierre Maufils shotened his property, but he improved his financial conditions in the sense that he would have less rent to pay to the Seigneurs. Each year, Maufils remitted 31 sols, six deniers and a live capon. On October 1, 1671, Msgr. de Laval saw fit to increase the property of Julien Mercier by two perches.

HOME ON THE COAST
Mercier set himself to the task of building his cottage and clearing a patch of land by the pick and sowing it to grain. Did he also participate in the voluntary work program? He borrowed what shelter there was, while waiting to be under his own roof. It was an heroic epoch! Julien, who did not possess the strength of a Samson, was not able to progress as rapidly as his neighbors.

On October 7, 1652, Julien Mercier signed a marriage agreement with Marie Poulin, the daughter of Claude. The future Father-in-law promised "to build a barn for him, 40 by 20 feet, with an eight foot henhouse". Marie would bring with her "linens and pots of their choice". The witnesses at the Poulin house were Charles Boivin and Guillaume Pepin. These nuptials did not take place until 1654: "The 18th of January, after publication, of the three bans, the 28th of December, the 4th of January and the following 11th". Father Paul Rageuneau, S.J., who wrote the record, at Notre-Dame-de-Quebec, went on to say that he solemnized the marriage of Julien and Marie "in the house of Robert Giguier".

The Carpenter, Claude Poulin, father of the bride, the son of Pascal Poulin and Marie Levert, of St.-Maclou de Rouen, arrived in Quebec on June 11, 1636 on the ship of Sieur Coupon. Before Nicolas Adam, S.J., on August 8, 1639 at Quebec, Claude was married to Jeanne Mercier, whose parentage in France, we are not able to determine. The Poulin couple returned to France in 1641 and about 1648, they came back, to Canada. On September 18, 1651, just about the same time as Julien Mercier arrived. Also about that time, Claude Poulin bought the land of Julien Perrault at Sainte-Anne. It was already cleared and had some buildings on it. For all of this, he paid but 50 livres. Poulin was a generous man, active and resourceful.

In the space of 23 years, 10 children came to liven the Mercier home:
1) Pascal was born on March 7, 1656 and baptized six days later, at Quebec. He married Anne Cloutier, daughter of Jean and Marie Martin, on November 11, 1681, at Chateau-Richer. They had four children, all boys.
2) Charles was born on September 1, 1658 and baptized 15 days later, at Quebec. He married Anne Berthelot, the daughter of Andre and Marie Gagne, on November 8, 1691, at Beaupre. They had ten children, two boys and eight girls.
3) Louis was baptized in 1661, at Chateau-Richer. He married three times. First to Marguerite Rabouin, daughter of Jean and Marguerite Ardion, on October 1, 1685, at Quebec. They had a single child named Louis. Marguerite died sometime before her inventory, on May 17, 1689, at Quebec. His second marriage was to Anne Juchereau, the daughter of Jean and Catherine Guillot, on June 6, 1689, at Quebec. They had seven children, four boys and three girls. Anne died and was buried, on February 4, 1703, at Quebec. Louis' last wife was Louise Simon, daughter of Hubert and Marie Vie, on April 30, 1703, at Sainte-Foy. They had six children, five boys and a girl. Louis sired 14 children, ten boys and four girls.
4) Julien was born on February 29 and baptized March 1, 1664, at Chateau-Richer. He died and was buried, at Beaupre, on December 29, 1684.
5) Jeanne was born on December 1, 1666 and baptized the following day, at Chateau-Richer. She did not live to see the census of 1667.
6) Jean was baptized in November of 1667, at Beaupre. He married Barbe Montminy, the daughter of Charles and Marguerite Auollee, on February 25, 1691, at Beaupre. They had four children, two boys and two girls.
7) Pierre was born and baptized on January 11, 1671, at Beaupre. He married Marie-Catherine Chamberland, daughter of Gabriel and Catherine Allaire, on April 7, 1717, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. They had five children, two boys and three girls.
8) Marie-Madeline was born on March 9, 1674 and baptized two days later, at Beaupre. She married Andre Berthelot, the son of Andre and Marie Gagne and brother to Anne, who was married to Charles on February 18, 1692, at Beaupre. They had no children. Andre died, on August 20, 1699 and buried the next day, at Beaupre. Next, she married Etienne Giguere, son of Robert and Aimee Miville, on June 21, 1701, at Beaupre. They also had no children.
9) Marguerite, a twin to Angelique, was born on February 1, 1677 and baptized six days later, at Beaupre. She married Marin Patenaude, himself a twin and son of Nicolas and Marguerite Breton, on November 11, 1698, at Beaupre. They had seven children, three boys and four girls.
10) Angelique, a twin to Marguerite, was born on February 1, 1677 and baptized the same time and place, as Marguerite. She married Joseph Giguere, also a twin and son of Robert and Aimee Miville and brother to Etienne, who was married to Marie-Madeleine, on November 11, 1698, at Beaupre, the same day as Marguerite!! This couple had ten children, six boys and four girls.

Louis deserves special consideration. Not only did he marry three times and father 14 children, but he was the most reputable and skilled master locksmith of his day. He trained at least six apprentices between 1685 and 1694. Louis lived on the Rue de la Montagne at Quebec. This able artisan was found frozen on the Beauport Road in February of 1728, at the age of 67 years old. Three of his sons became priests.

POSTSCRIPT
After several years of marriage, when he was 40 years old, Julien Mercier felt his strength abandon him. He suffered from an illness which dried him out. He put himself in the hands of Sainte-Anne and so, he wrote the parish priest, Father Thomas Morel: "After making several Masses, in her honor....not being subject to any human help, he received a perfect cure".

The year 1661 was good to Julien Mercier, but for the parish, which had decided to rebuild the church of 1658 because it had been all but destroyed by high tides and ice, it was tragic! Louis Guimond and Louis Gagne', two favorite parishioners, were captured by the Iroquois on June 18th and died an inhumane death. Rene Poulin, 11 years old, disappeared, on January 27, 1651. He was either devoured by wolves or carried off, by the Iroquois. What anguish for all relatives!

That year, Julien gave the church some corn, peas and barley, worth 18 livres. From 1669 to 1671, he was a warden and donated six livres and four sols, to the church.
Old Julien had obtained 15 years of relief from his ailments until death came to him on October 18, 1676. He left a beauiful family and a young widow, pregnant with twins, who were born four months later when, their mother was 36 years old. Her husband had lived for 55 years. Father Francois Fillon presided at the funeral ceremony the next morning, October 19th.

LIKE THE BEES
After the death of their father, the Mercier children, like bees, clustered around the queen of the hearth, their mother Marie Poulin or more precisely Marie-Jeanne. After six years of widowhood, Madam Mercier decided to remarry. On November 5, 1682, she took an inventory of her wealth, assisted by Etienne Lessard and Robert Giguere. Notary Claude Auber recorded the list of real and personal property. The animals, four oxen, four cows, one calf and eight pigs. In the granary were 150 minots of grain and 14 of peas. An appraisal of the land and buildings valued them at 2000 livres.

After the inventory came the marriage contract with Charles Montminy dit Jouvent, master locksmith, of Quebec. He was known, for the first time, in Canada at Champlain where he sold some land on November 9, 1667. By his first wife, Marguerite Auollee, in 1673 he had one daughter, Barbe, the future wife of Jean Mercier. Marie and Charles received their nuptial benediction from Father Louis Soumande on November 10, 1682.

The new couple lived for several years at Sainte-Anne up until the baptism of their only child, Louis, on July 29, 1685. Then they lived at Quebec for many years, as is attested to by the large numbers of contracts. At Quebec, Charles owned a house and lot. In 1698, he took Charles Guenet as valet and apprentice locksmith.

Charles and Marie returned to Sainte-Anne in 1703 for the funeral of their 18 year old son, Louis. Following this, on July 14 of the same year, Charles Robitaille, locksmith and edgetool maker of Neuville, declared himself obliged to send them 200 livres because of the purchase and delivery of tools and utensils coming from the Montminy shop of Quebec. In 1706, some notarial acts called Charles Montminy the locksmith of Sainte-Anne.

This magmanimous step-father treated the Mercier children as if they were his own. One day came the great separation. On July 3, 1716, Charles died. The next day, his widow was at the funeral Mass celebrated by the pastor, Antoine Chabot. Some days later, Marie Poulin fell seriously ill. Having died the night before, she was buried on July 17, 1716 at the age of 75 years.

FAMILY NAME VARIATIONS
Variations of the name Mercier are as follows: Codbec, Colbec, Lajpie, Laviolette, Lespine and Messier.

This biography was taken from "Our French-Canadian Ancestors" by Thomas J. Laforest; Volume 3- Chapter 20- Page 175 [3-7-98, James Gagne http://www.jamesgagne.net]

Julien married Poulin, Marie 18 Jan 1654, Notre Damn de Quebec, QC, Canada. Marie (daughter of Poulain, Claude Basile Joseph and Mercier, Jeanne) was born 25 May 1640; died 17 Jul 1716, St. Anne-de-Beaupre, QC, New France; was buried 17 Jul 1716, Québec City, QC, New France. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LRXS-MMB
• _UID: 6FC206504FFA3946B282AB59A809ECD2F616
• Baptism: 1 Jan 1641, Trois-Rivières, QC, New France

Notes:

FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Birth - Date: 01 Jan 1641 Place: Trois-Rivi?res, Saint-Maurice, Quebec, Canada

Other Events:

• Occupation: Tourouvre, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France; Manoeuvre à la Gardinière
• _FSFTID: LVZM-QQL
• _UID: 942B4ED5663838499545E5E8B64608D985CF

François — Cornilleau, Roberte. [Group Sheet]

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• _UID: 072733149D63BD448409FDE7926806482F8E

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• Baptism: St. Maclou Church, Rouen, France
• Occupation: Carpenter
• Occupation: Charpentier
• _FSFTID: LLHC-L5D
• _UID: 9CF6B4E5E99B944EA24EE77ACD644462B906
• Baptism: 26 janvier 1616, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France
• Immigration: 11 Jun 1636, Canada

Notes:

There were three Poulain's who emigrated from France to Quebec in the 17th century, and had male offspring: Claude, Maurice, and Jean. They were not brothers. Claude came from Rouen, and was the son of Pascal and Marie Levert, and most North American Poulin's are descendents of Claude. Maurice Poulain was from Villebadin and his parents were Pierre and Anne Plomelle. Jean Poulain was from Meun (or Meru), Beauvais in Picardie, and was the son of Jacques and Marie Violette. He married Louise Pare at Ste. Anne in 1667

Claude Poulin and his wife are buried in the cemetery in Ste. Anne de Beaupre, next to the reconstructed stone church and directly across the street (north) from the current Basilica. The grave is in the first row closest to the street and to the old church. A new marker was erected in 1989 on the 350th anniversary of their marriage.

From 1632 to 1662, the colony of Canada is managed by the "Company of the Hundred Associates" (Compagnie des Cent Associés). Each year the Company sends a fleet to Canada, to bring settlers, supplies and for commerce. Also a few independent ships, mostly after 1641 for the colony of Montréal, and a few vessels from the Royal Navy of France (Marine Royale) come to Canada. There are very few sources of information for the period prior to 1641. (http://www.geocities.com/~carignan/01_navires_pre_1666/E1navires.html)

Three ships left france around January 15, 1636 and arrived on June 11, 1636 led by Duplessis Bochart, captain Savinien Courpon de la Tour and the ship Saint Joseph.
Charles Huault de Montmagny was the first Governor of the colony of New France. He was on captain Savinien Courpon de la Tour's ships that cast anchor before Quebec on the night of June 11, 1636

In 1636, the fleet arrives from France on June 11th. It comprises of three or four ships among them
the Saint-Joseph. She has 100 people on board of which 91 are immigrants. Among them Marcel
Trudel names Sainte Dupont and her children Jean, Anne, Charles and Louise. See TRUDEL, Marcel,
Catalogue des immigrants 1632-1662, Éditions Hurtubise HMH, Montréal, 1983, page 53.

Claude arrived at Quebec on the 11th of June 1636 aboard a vessel carrying 45 people. The captain of that vessel was Savinien Courpon de la Tour...who would become the Admiral of the Fleet the following year. Some names of the other passengers were: Charles Huot de Montmagny, Champlain's successor, Achille Brehant dit Deslisle, 7 Jesuits and numerous other Frenchmen and their families.

CLAUDE POULIN from "Our French-Canadian Ancestors" by Thomas J. Laforest

The first Frenchman with the name of Poulin to come to New France was a young Recollect priest names Guillaume. After his arrival in Canada in June of 1619, he took charge of the mission at Trois-Rivieres. He was captured by the Iroquois near the falls of Saint-Louis in 1622. He was tied to a stake for torture. When his fellow priests were informed of his capture, they had him exchanged for some Iroquois prisoners. Freed, the father pursued his priestly course, as if nothing had happened.

Four others with the same last name walked the paths, of our country, but they left no descendants. Jean Poulin, the husband of Anne Robin, settled, at Rimouski about 1690. Jacques Poulin married Marie-Therese Marchand on November 23, 1739. He was a citizen of Pointe-Levy. Joseph Poulin was a bird of passage. Philippe Poulin married Marguerite Bluteau, from Cap-Saint-Ignace, on July 17, 1742.

Those who had offspring were Maurice Poulin, Sieur de Lafontaine. He married Jeanne Jaleau, at Trois-Rivieres and they had five children. Maurice was of noble lineage. Jean Poulin, the son of Jacques and Marie Violette, married Louise Pare on November 14, 1667 at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. And finally, Claude Poulin, the subject of this story.

Poulin, Poullin, Poulain and Poullain are surnames meaning "a lively man, quick like a young poulain-colt" according to Dauzat (?).

SAINT-MACLOU IN ROUEN
Claude Poulin, the son of Pascal and Marie Levert, was presented for baptism at the church of Saint-Maclou in the city of Rouen, in Normandy, on January 26, 1616. Serving as his godparents were Claude Levert, undoubtedly an uncle and Marie Leclect. A known older brother, Jean, had been baptized in the same place on July 23, 1612. Was Claude Poulin a relative of Daniel Poullain, a captain in the King's navy? The same, who received a sum of money, on December 22, 1601, from nobleman Perrin Bezau to help pay for a voyage to Peru, on the ship PETITE MARIE, under the command of Poullain? The archives gave no more information about this Normand mariner.

Claude attended school and wrote his name as "Poullain". Some forty Canadian Ancestors were natives of Rouen. Coming, from Saint-Maclou, in particular, were Rene Lavoie, Etienne Leveille, Louis Lefebvre dit Batanville and Pierre Boivin. Was Claude Poulin one of the first from this town, to emigrate to Canada? A pertinent question which requires an answer.

FIRST DAY
In 1960, Monsieur J. Philippe Poulin, based on the Relations des Jesuits and the opinion of historian J. B. Antoine Ferland, stated that his Ancestor arrived at Quebec on the afternoon of June 11, 1636, the feast of Saint-Barnabe, on the ship belonging to Sieur Courpon. History does not explicitly mention the name of Claude Poulin. This hypothesis deserves respect and here is the reason.

Claude Poulin was married at Quebec on August 8, 1639. He must have been in the country for a certain time, possibly three years, according to the method of indenture which would become the custom. At that time, the large seaports from which French ships left for the great crossing of the Atlantic were Dieppe or Honfleur. Where did Claude work? Was it Quebec or Trois-Rivieres? You be the judge. The witnesses at his marriage on August 8, 1639 were surgeon, Seigneur Robert Giffard, and Guillaume Boivin, a "donne" of the Jesuits also known as a "gray brother", originally from Rouen, Normandy. The conclusion is obvious that Claude Poulin was the protege of Giffard at Beauport. The Jesuit priest, Nicolas Adam, blessed his union, with Jeanne Mercier.

Jeanne Mercier was the sister of Denise Mercier who had married Francois Baugis about 1637 at Les Sables d'Olonne, in the Vendee of Poitou. This couple went to Canada before 1641 and lived at Beauport. We are unaware of the names of the parents of Ancestress Jeanne Mercier. However, Father Archange Godbout has found in the registry of Saint-Jean de Mortagne a Jeanne Mercier, the daughter of Loup and Jeanne Gaillard, baptized on November 25, 1621, which corresponds with the age of Claude Poulin's eighteen year old wife. Was Jeanne Mercier a Percheron (Perche is a province in France) by birth? Perhaps.

As for Claude Poulin, the most surprising thing is that he went to live with his beloved at Trois-Rivieres. Did the Percheron Robert Giffard only appear at Claude's wedding out of respect to Jeanne Mercier who was from his native province? Had Claude been working at Trois-Rivieres, for a few years? We know that he had talent as a carpenter. Was he in the service of the Compagnis des Habitants or other people? Here are some facts. Claude and Jeanne had a child, named Marie. She was baptized at Trois-Rivieres on the first of January, 1641. The godfather, Jacques Hertel de la Fresniere, was the owner of two hundred arpents of land at that place since December 16, 1633. Godmother, Marie Leneuf, the wife of Jean Godefroy de Linctot, who was a seigneur since the first of December, 1637. Claude Poulin, also respected by the Jesuit Joseph Poncet, was asked to be the godfather of the little Amerindian, Rose Quenebechimouxour, on January 14, 1641.

The homesickness took hold of Jeanne and Claude. They gathered up their few belongings and their child and went to see their native Normandy, it's sky and it's people, once again. A Poulin son and daughter, Pascal and Madeleine, were born at Saint-Maclou in 1645 and 1646. Would we ever see these kindly people again?

THE RETURN
Claude Poulin and Jeanne Mercier were homesick, for the new country, free and immense. A country to be built. In 1647, the Poulin family, now composed of five members, reserved a small space on a ship and crossed the ocean once more. Was this a short-lived sentimental attack?

No, it was not! On April 17, 1646, at Paris, Olivier Tardif had signed a deed in the presence of Notary Le Vasseur by which he ceded six arpents of frontal land to Claude Poulin in the Seigneurie of Beaupre. Claude Poulin now saw himself as the owner of a certain piece of property in New France.

Where did the Poulins stay on their arrival? At Quebec or on the Beaupre Coast? We know that Marie Couillard, the daughter of Guillaume, was the godmother of Martin Poulin at Quebec on October 17, 1648. As for Martin Grouvel, the godfather, a carpenter and barge master, he was everywhere at once in the region. One fact is certain, the Poulin family was on the Beaupre Coast on November 8, 1650 when Claude Poulin and Abel Benoit accepted from Olivier Tardif, procurer general of the Compagnie de Beaupre, a small farm called "Toussaincts" adjoining the
Saint-Charles Farm at Saint-Joachim. The two contracting parties committed themselves, beginning on November 11, 1650, to work this portion of land together for six years.

In 1651, Tardif granted deeds to twenty inhabitants, including Claude Poulin, on the first of September. This land, with six arpents of frontage by a league and a half (about 4.5 miles) deep, was situated to the west of that of Etienne Lessard. Jean Bourdon had acquired it, from the Breton Julien Pacault on October 20, 1648 and ceded it, in a private agreement, to the Fabrique Notre-Dame de Quebec. The property had "buildings, cleared lands and cleared wood". Claude delivered fifty French livres into the hands of Pierre Gagnon for the church. The contract was signed, at Fort Saint-Louis, at Quebec. The Poulin family then settled at this place which would become Sainte-Anne-du-Petit-Cap, then much later on it became Sainte-Anne-de Beaupre.

SECOND STAY
The first pioneer of the territory of Sainte-Anne was Julien Pecault. His property passed to the Fabrique de Quebec. The church of Sainte-Anne would be built on this land, which became the Poulin property. Etienne Lessard also contributed a large portion of his concession to the church. Claude Poulin and his family still lived at Sainte-Anne and were witnesses to its inception from the very beginning.

Claude was godfather to the first child baptized and recorded in Sainte-Anne's registry. He was Claude Pelletier, the future Brother Didace, the first Canadian Recollet. In 1661, the head of the family gave sixteen livres for the church, worth sixteen days of work by an ordinary man, a royal gift at that time. Between 1662 and 1666, Our Ancestor gave the fabrique (church trustee) the sum of eight livres, seven minots of wheat, a minot of peas and one of corn (1 minot = 3 bushels). On the other hand, in 1633, he received twenty-two livres and nine sols for "the scroll on the door of the church and for a piece of wood and a pint of eau-de-vie".

On June 7, 1665, Poulin ceded to Abel Benoit seven perches (1 perch= 5.5 yards) of frontage in low land and two arpents (1 arpent = 85% of an acre) in high land. The census of 1666, reported that Claude Poulin was a carpenter. The census of 1667 tells us that he had eight head of cattle and twenty arpents of land under cultivation. Robert Foubert and Urbain Jamineau, close to Elie Godin, were his neighbors.

Claude obtained additional income by putting his talents as a woodworker to profit. In 1678, he worked to strengthen the bell in the church tower. In 1679, Madame Poulin provided food to the roofers of the church. The pastor paid her three minots of wheat and twelve pounds of butter.

The census takers in 1681 forgot to record the livestock on the Poulin farm and the size of the land under cultivation. Was it an error or was the property in decline?

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Hope is for those who live and for those who will live. The Poulin family property was lit nine times with rays of new life.
1) Marie (1) was baptized, on January 1, 1641 at Trois-Rivieres. She married Julien Mercier, the son of Francois and Roberte Cornilleau, on January 18, 1654 at Quebec. Marie was thirteen years old. They had ten children, six boys and four girls. Julien passed away on October 18, 1678 and buried the next day, at Beaupre. Marie remarried for a second time to Charles Montminy on November 10, 1682 at Beaupre. Charles was the widower of Marguerite Auolle, parents unknown. Marie and Charles had one child, Louis.
2) Pascal was baptized, on February 15, 1645 at Saint-Maclou, Rouen, Normandy. He was captured by the Iroquois, some time before 1661. Nothing else is known of him.
3) Madeleine was baptized, on June 27, 1646 at Saint-Maclou, Rouen, Normandy. She married Pierre Maufils. He was from Honfleur, Normandy. They were married, on November 19, 1659 at Quebec. They had five children, two boys and three girls.
4) Martin was born, on September 26 and baptized October 17th, 1648, at Quebec. He took, for his wife, Jeanne Baret, the daughter of Jean and Jeanne Bitouset, on January 21, 1688, at Beaupre. They had nine children, three boys and six girls. Martin died on January 15th and buried the next day, 1710, at Beaupre. Jeanne married again to Etienne Drouin, the son of Robert and Marie Chapelier on April 13, 1711, at Beaupre. They had no children.
5) Rene was born, on January 27, 1651 and baptized February 2nd at Quebec. Rene and his brother Pascal (#2) have a very tragic story. In the spring of 1661, the Beaupre Coast was shuddering under the impact of raids carried out by the hostile Iroquois who were creating havoc in the countryside. Louis Guimond and Louis Gagne' disappeared mysteriously and also these two Poulin sons. Pascal was sixteen and Rene was ten years old. The Journal des Jesuits, in June, of 1661, read: "The news of it was brought on the 18th, during the night, by the return of the aforementioned crew & at the time that from Trois-Rivieres where the enemy had killed 3 men from Cap. And that, of the two children of Cl. Poulin lost in the woods or taken by the Iroquois". What cruel anguish!! So many bitter tears at the Poulins!!
6) Ignace was born on December 19, 1655 and baptized February 2nd at Quebec. He married Marguerite Pare, the daughter of Robert and Francoise Lehoux on August 23, 1683 at Beaupre. They had seven children, four girls and three boys.
7) Marguerite was born on October 4th and baptized the 18th 1658 at Quebec. She made, as her lifetime partner, Jean Amiot, the son of Masse and Perrine Volant, on August 7, 1673 at Beaupre. They had ten children, seven girls and three boys.
8) Marie (2) was born and baptized May 25, 1661 at Beaupre. She married Etienne Lessard, the son of Etienne and Marguerite Sevestre, on April 17, 1679 at Beaupre. They also had ten children, four boys and six girls.
9) Pierre was born, on August 7, 1664 and baptized the next day at Chateau-Richer. He walked down the aisle with Anne Giguere, the daughter of Robert and Aimee Miville on November 13, 1689, at Beaupre. They too had ten children, six boys and four girls.

The Poulin family was a happy and prolific one, with its sixty-one grandchildren. The great and terrible ordeal was the silent and brutal disappearance of Pascal and Rene.

AT THE END OF THE HORIZON
The founding Poulin family were hardworking, social, lively and intelligent people. Jeanne Mercier, the courageous Ancestress, died on December 14, 1687. She was buried at Sainte-Anne, near the church which witnessed the wonders of the miracle-working saint for two hundred years. Three days after her burial, on Wednesday, December 17, Claude went to rejoin her and his children, Pascal and Rene, on the fields of Paradise, at the end of the horizon. The children gave seventy-two livres to the church "for burial and services of Claude Poulin and Jeanne Mercier".
The descendants of Claude and Jeanne quickly spread everywhere in Quebec, especially in Beauce where, they are an active multitude. As Louis Frechette (?) wrote: "these children of the furrows founded an empire".

FAMILY NAME VARIATIONS
Considering how many ancestors went by the name of Poulin, it is not surprising that there are many variations today. Among them, we may find: Alair, Courval, Cresse, De Courval, De Cresse, De Francheville, De Fontaine, Fafard, Francheville, Lafontaine, Nicolet, Paulin, Paulent, Paulint, Poland, Polin, Poling, Poller, Poolin, Pooler, Poolr, Poulain, Poulan, Pouline, Poullain, Poullin and Terrier.

This biography was taken from "Our French-Canadian Ancestors" by Thomas J. Laforest; Volume 12- Chapter 18- Page 179 [4-22-98, James Gagne http://www.jamesgagne.net/contents.html]

Claude married Mercier, Jeanne 8 Aug 1639, Our Lady of Recouvrance; Quebec City, QC, New France. Jeanne (daughter of Mercier, Jean Loup and Gaillard, Jeanne) was born 21 Nov 1621, Les Sables-d'Olonne, Lucon, Poitou, France; died 14 Dec 1687, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, Capitale-Nationale Region, Quebec, Canada; was buried 21 Dec 1687, St. Anne-De-Beaupre, QC, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LVSW-6D3
• _UID: 8062E060C5D3DD43B35E147608406BD4FCA2
• Baptism: 14 mars 1615, Tourouvre, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
• Immigration: 1634, Quebec City, QC, Canada

Notes:

Claude Poulin and his wife are buried in the cemetery in Ste. Anne de Beaupre, next to the reconstructed stone church and directly across the street (north) from the current Basilica. The grave is in the first row closest to the street and to the old church. A new marker was erected in 1989 on the 350th anniversary of their marriage.

THE FOUNDING OF QUÉBEC CITY AND OF NEW FRANCE (http://pages.infinit.net/cloutijr/Arrivee_des_Cloutier.a.pdf)
The settlement established by Samuel de Champlain in Québec had a slow and difficult
beginning. The first family among settlers was that of Louis Hébert, a Parisian apothecary, in
1617. This Hébert has previously spent some time in Acadia with Champlain and knew him
well. This time Hébert had his wife Marie Rollet, his son Guillaume and his daughters
Guillemette and Anne with him. Champlain granted him land in 1623 in the upper town of
Québec city. However, he did not enjoy it very long as he died at the beginning of January
1627 from an accident. His only son, Guillaume, married Hélène Desportes in 1634 and they
had two daughters and one son, Joseph who married Marie-Charlotte de Poitiers in 1660.
Iroquois killed Joseph the next year leaving just one son who died early. So, our first settler did
not pass on his surname to descendants. However, his daughter Guillemette married in
Québec city in 1621 to Guillaume Couillard and has had numerous descendants. Her sister
Anne died giving birth to her first child whom did not survive.
In 1627, the colony comprised of about sixty men, five women and six young girls.
During this time, Champlain, a cartographer, explored the country as much as he could,
going as far west as Lake Huron and Lake Ontario and to Lake Champlain to the south. Only
the already hostile Iroquois prevented him from going further.
In 1629, the three Kirke brothers captured Québec city that was without decent protection, in
the name of the British3. Most of the settlers then returned to France except Guillaume
Couillard, his family, his mother-in-law Marie Rollet, in all, about twenty people. In 1632, the
Saint-Germain-en-Laye Treaty ended the British occupation. When Champlain returned in
1633, he had to start from scratch as the British had killed all the livestock, brought away all
supplies and destroyed all the structures.
Another Frenchman Robert Giffard, master surgeon and apothecary had already visited in
Québec city for the Compagnie des Cent-Associés. He had spent the 1625-26 winter there
and had taken a liking to the country. He was back again in 1629 but was caught by the
British4. Back in his native Perche, he planned and organized a project. He became associate
with Pierre Le Bouyer, Sieur de Saint-Gervais, an advisor to the king, in order to set up trade
and a settlement in New France. In 1634, he arrived in Québec city with about forty people
coming from the Perche region. The “Percherons” do not have the reputation of being
adventurers, but they seem to have the qualities sought by Giffard5. The group had six
families with many children in each. Of these people was Jeanne Mercier. She married Claude Poulin, a carpenter, in Québec city in
1639. This couple had nine children: Marie, Pascal, Madeleine, Martin, René, Ignace,
Marguerite, Marie (a second one) and Pierre.

Jeanne is also noted as being on of the 262 "Filles a Marier" - "Marriageble Gilrs" that emigrated to New France between 1634 and 1663. These women represented one quarter of all the single girls arriving in New France through 1673. They were recruited and chaperoned by religious groups or individuals who had to assure and account for their good conduct. In general, they were poor, although there were some members of the petty nobility among their ranks.

FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Birth - Date: avant 14 mars 1615 Place: Tourouvre, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France

FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Burial - Date: 15 Dec 1687 Place: Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, Capitale-Nationale Region, Quebec, Canada

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LK5J-JMF
• _UID: E02FDD6DE956DD49AE3520FD94D3F5CEE846

Marin married BISSON, Jeanne 9 Dec 1571, Tourouvre, Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France. Jeanne died DECEASED. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: L8PY-1VG
• _UID: D07EEC9276DDD743B36DBD615107D106A663

Other Events:

• Occupation: France; Procureur du Roi
• _FSFTID: LVZM-HCK
• _UID: 01F7BEA7B2AE2D408CE5F42D664BF9349A17

Notes:

FamilySearch showed this additional information:
Birth - Date: 1582 Place: Haute-Normandie, France

Pierre married Levert, Marie Louise Felicite 25 novembre 1610, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France. Marie (daughter of Lebert, Jean Loup /Levert and Gaillard, Jeanne) was born 1590, St MacLou, Rouen, Normandy, France; died 11 Jun 1616, St. Maclou, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LRT2-7GK
• _UID: 33BD30F29B82404CABEDFC1A8538B4421CD6

Notes:

Date also given as 1613

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9Q53-J9T
• _UID: 92FA9B950E64E84B9C74F9A2907407132A41

Notes:

LE PERCHE


jlesperance@hawaii.rr.com
December 2002
Jerry Lesperance


FOREWORD

The Perche region, located 100 miles West of Paris, France, is the origin of a large number of 17th Century settlers in Quebec. I have had the good fortune to visit the region several times. Both my wife have numerous French-Canadian ancestors who originated in Perche.


THE REGION



Perche, located 100 miles west of Paris, has always been a Region. It has never been an official Province or a Departement of France. It was created in 1115 when the comte of Mortagne was combined with the seigneuries of Nogent and Belleme. The main city is Mortagne. Before the Revolution it was part of the Province of Normandie. In 1799 when the 34 provinces of France were changed to 96 departements, Perche was included mostly within the Department of Orne but small parts of Perche lie within the current departements of Eure-et-Loir, Eure, Sarthe and Loir-et-Cher The parishes of St. Jean in Mortagne and St. Aubin in nearby Tourouvre accounted for a disproportionately large number of emigrants to Quebec. Fifty-three came from Mortagne and 45 came from Tourouvre.



Perche is a pastoral area consisting mainly of gently rolling farmland but, unlike much of France, it is blessed with some beautiful forests. It also benefits from a number of rivers and streams. It is not a particular popular tourist destination today because most visitors to France are looking for things that Perche does not offer.



It has been difficult for me to find the population and geographical size of Perche because it is not an "official" political subdivision of France. I would guess that the total population of Perche today is less than 200,000. Several of the larger cities today are: Nogent-le-Rotrou with 11,524 people; Mortagne-au-Perche 4,943; St-Cosmes-de-Vair 3,263; Belleme 1997; Tourouvre 1,662; and Logny-au-Perche. 1,625. I estimate the land area to be about 1,200 square miles, or about the size of Rhode Island.


WHY THE EMIGRATION TO QUEBEC

M. and Mme. Pierre MONTAGNE of Perche, both deceased, have researched the emigration which occurred primarily in the 1640's and 1650's. She reminds us that the King of France was offering incentives for his people to settle in New France. One incentive was the establishment of a group called La Compagnie des Cent Associes" (The Company of One Hundred Associates" who were to create seigneuries in Quebec that could be subdivided and conceded to qualified immigrants. The apothecary and surgeon, Robert GIFFARD of Autheil in Perche, was the first to acquire a Quebec seigneury. His seigneurie was in the area presently called Montmorency County, east of the city of Quebec, with Chateau-Richer and L'Ange-Gardien, as two of the main communities. GIFFARD enlisted the aid of the brothers Jean and Noel JUCHEREAU of Tourouvre to recruit people in the area for migration to Quebec. One historian has said that Noel was one of the hundred associates. In any case Noel spent much of his time in Perche doing the actual recruiting and contracting of emigrants. Jean spent most of the time in the Province of Quebec on the receiving end of the migration. Apparently another JUCHEREAU, Pierre, was active in France in readying the emigrants. The emigrants were often hired for a period of three years. Thus they were called "Les 36 Mois". Most of the recruits were bachelors. They were to be paid from 40 to 120 livres per year. In addition they were provided transportation to Nouvelle France and were to receive some land. Most were unskilled and illiterate.
Madame MONTAGNE tells us that Perche was not a poor area. People had the resources in Perche to acquire food and shelter. She suggests that it was the desire to try the unknown or to make a new start in another world that attracted some of the residents to sign the contract. Most of the immigrants stayed in Quebec although their contract provided for them to be returned to France after the terms of their employment in Quebec were fullfilled. On the other hand, I have reviewed the Quebec stay of thirty-nine Percheron men and two women who executed contracts before the Tourouvrain notary CHOISEAU in the years 1646 through 1651. Jette tells us only fourteen of these forty-one people permanently settled in Quebec. Incidentally the salaries of the two women were at the very low end of the scale.

THE IMMIGRANTS



The typical emigrant was a 37-1/2 year old illiterate bachelor from the Seigneury or Canton of Tourouvre who was a laborer or carpenter and who signed a 36 month engagement to work in New France.

The Perche pioneers were also prolific. L'Institut National d'Etudes Demographiques of the University of Montreal published "Naissance d'une Population" in 1987 which provided a lot of demographics concerning the Quebec pioneers prior to 1730. Among other lists the publication presented the ranking of the pioneers by the number of descendants they had prior to 1730, roughly three generations after their arrival in Quebec. In the top ten in Quebec there were: first Jean GUYON & Mathurine ROBIN with 2,150 descendants; second Zacharie CLOUTIER & Sainte DUPONT 2,090; fourth Marin BOUCHER with Julienne BARIL & Perrine MALLET 1,454; fifth Noel LANGLOIS & Francoise GRENIER with 1,388 and tenth Nicolas PELLETIER & Jeanne de VOUZY with 939.
Most of the following list of Percheron/Percherones came from an unpublished document by Jean-Francois HUBERT-ROULEAU. Although written in Perche, it is evident that some of the author's material came from Jette. For instance, the occupation and titles such as Seigneur of a person may have been the person's status in New France.



I don't pretend that the following is a complete list of immigrants from Perche as well as areas of Orne that are not within Perche. In abbreviated format I've provided when known: Name of emigrant; Occupation; accompanying family members; origin (usually the place where born); place and year of departure from France; Contract Length; Annual Salary in pounds; Whether could sign name or couldn't sign name; Marital status; and name, place and year of marriage of single women; and page of Jette where the person can be found. If an immigrant the person is shown as "Not in Jette", there is a high probability that the person returned to France after his or her 36- or 60-month contract was completed. I've indicated when death was in France if that information was available.



ALOGNON, Pierre (Laborer) departed from Tourouvre. 24 mo. contract 11 Mar 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 60 pounds. Received a pair of shoes, a hat and a homespun cloak. Single. Couldn't write his name. Not in Jette.

AUBIN, Michel (Domestic) departed from Tourouvre. Single. Jette p21.

BARRE, Jacques (Soldier) from Argentan (In Orne but not Perche). Jette p52.

BEAUVAIS, Jacques (Chaufronier) from Ige. Jette p70.

BELANGER, Jacques (Mason) from Sees (In Orne but not in Perche). Departed 1636 Jette p 76.

BERMEN, Claude (Judge) departed La Ferte Vidame 1662. Cousin of Jean JUCHEREAU. Jette p89.

BISSON, Florent from Contres; with wife Jeanne YVON & children Mathurine & Michel departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Brother of Gervais BISSON; Father-in-Law of Simon ROCHERON. Jette p107.

BISSON, Gervais (Domestic) from Contres; with wife Marie LEREAU & children Gervais & Antoine departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Jette p107.

BOISSEL, Jacques (Mason) with wife Marie ERIPEL from the diocese of Chartres (may not be in Perche),departed about 1639. Jette p121.

BOISSON, Jean (Gunsmith) with wife Jacqueline CHAMBOY, sisters Mathurine & Barbe , & daughters Louise & Jeanne (became a nun) departed Mortagne. Jette p932

BOUCHARD, Claude (Tailor) departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Jette p132.

BOUCHER, Gaspard ( Woodworker) with children Pierre, Nicolas, Marie & Marguerite and related to Marin, departed Mortagne 1634. Jette p136.

BOUCHER , Marin (Mason) with 2nd wife Periine MALLET & children Francois, Louis-Marin & Jean- Galleran, departed Mortagne 1634/5. Jette p135/6.

BOULAY, Robert with wife Francoise GRENIER & daughter Jacqueline departed Loise 1662. Jette p145.

BOYER Barbe from St-Maurice les Charencey. Married Paul CARTIER in Quebec in 1673. Jette p205

BRUNET, Mathieu from Tourouvre or L'Aigle. Departed France in 1667. Jette p180

CHABOT, Marie departed Randonnai. Jette p214.

CHASTEL, Thomine, widow of Jean BIGOT, with children Francoise & Jean departed La Ventrouze. Jette p100.

CHATEL, Michel departed Randonnai. Son-in-law of Aubin LAMBERT. Jette p239

CHAUDON, Philibert departed Tourouvre 1647. 36 mo. contract 19 Mar 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 90 pounds. Couldn't sign his name. Married. Not in Jette.

CHAUVIGNY (PELTRIE), Marie-Madeleine de Dame de la, departed Bivilliers 1639. Founded the Ursulines. Jette p241.

CHAUVIN, Marin departed Tourouvre 1648. 36 mo. contract 6 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 40 pounds, 10 in advance. Couldn't sign his name. Jette p241.

CHEMIN, Jean departed Randonnai 1647. 36 mo. contract 1 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds. 15 pound advance. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

CHEVALIER Charlotte, widow of Jacques GAUDRY, with sons Nicolas & Jacques, departed Feings 1651-3. Jette p472.

CLOUTIER, Zacharie (Carpenter) with wife Sainte DUPONT and children Zacharie, Jean, Anne, Charles, & Louise departed Mortagne 1634. Jette p259.

COCHEREAU, Pierre from Renouard. Returned to France. Jette p262

COSNARD, Martin departed Randonnai 1648. Furnaceman. 36 mo. contract 2 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 60 pounds, 15 in advance. Didn't know how to sign his name. Not in Jette.

COTE, Jean departed 1635 probably Mortagne. Jette p.273.

COURBIER, Guillaume from Alencon (not in Perche), departed LaRochelle 1722. Jette p283.

CRETE or CRESTE, Jean (Master cartwright) and his wife Marguerite GAULIN departed Tourouvre 1649. Jean was nephew of Sebastien LEGRAND. Marguerite was sister of Francois & Pierre. 36 mo. contract 18 Mar 1649 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 80 pounds. Could sign his name. Jette p292.

BIDARD, Marie from Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Married Honore DANIS Montreal 1659. Jette p305.

DELAUNEY, Nicholas departed Toruouvre. Jette p 320.

DODIER, Jacques (Laborer) from Champaissant. Jette p355

DODIER, Sebastien (Carpenter) departed Ige alone. Returned to France then back to Quebec with his wife Marie BELHOMME, and children Catherine, Sebastien, & Marie departed Ige 1643 or 1644. Jette p355.

DROUET, Francois probably departed from Mortagne. Jette p362.

DROUET dit LAPERCHE, Francois (Navigator) departed Tourouvre . Returned to France. Not in Jette.

DROUIN, Robert (tiler & bricklayer) departed Pin-la-Garenne 1634. Jette p362.

DUBOIS, Jean from Senonches departed France in 1648. 36 mo. contract 17 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds. Couldn't write his name. Returned to France. Not in Jette.

DUMORTIER, Madeleine departed Chemilly, district of Mortagne. Married Timothee ROUSSEL Quebec 1667. Jette p 1014.

DUROY, Pierre (Merchant & Boucher) from Roiville, district of Argentan, (Orne but not Perche). Jette p396.

DUTARTRE, Francois (Laborer) departed 1648 from Cherency 36 mo. contract 2 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 60, 15 in advance. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

DUTARTRE, Gilles (Gunsmith) departed from St-Sauveur de Belleme. Jette p397.

DUTEIL, Rene (Manual laborer) departed 1647 probably from Bubertre. 36 mo. contract 18 Feb 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 100 pounds. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

ENJOUIS, Pierre (Laborer) departed 1648 probably from Cherency. 36 mo. contract 2 Mar 1648 notary CHOISNEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds, 15 in advance. Could sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

FORESTIER, Jean from Sees (In Orne but not in Perche. Jette p427.

FORGET, Nicolas from Alencon, (In Orne not in Perche. Jette p428.

FORTIN, Julien from Notre-Dame-de-Vair. Jette p431.

FOURNIER, Guillaume from Coulimer, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p437.

FRONDIERE, Raoullin departed from Tourouvre 1647. 36 mo. contract 10 Apr 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 90 pounds. Received a pair of shoes. Couldn't sign his name. Single.. Not in Jette.

GADOIS, Pierre (Merchant), with wife Louise MAUGER, & children Robert & Pierre departed Ige 1636. Jette p447.

GAGNE, Louis (Miller) from Ige, with wife Marie MICHEL & daughter Louise departed Ige 1643-44. Jette pp447-8.

GAGNE, Pierre from Ige, with wife Marguerite ROSEE from St-Jacques, Jauze & sons Louis, Pierre & Nicholas departed Courcival 1652-3. Brother of Louis GAGNE. Jette p448

ROGER Renee, widow of Pierre GAGNON, departed La Ventrouze 1643. Children (see following) departed 1635. Jette p451.

GAGNON, Jean and brothers Pierre & Mathurin (sons of Pierre & Renee ROGER) departed La Ventrouze 1635. Jette p451.

GAGNON, Marthe, illegitimate daughter of Mathurin, departed La Ventrouze 1643 (possibly with her grandmother, Renee ROGER. Jette p453.

GAGNON, Robert, cousin of Jean, Pierre & Mathurin, nephew of Pierre the older departed La Ventrouze probably 1657. Jette p453.

GAGNON, Jacques (Soldier of the Marine) from Tourouvre. Not in Jette.

GARNIER, Francois from Notre-Dame-de-Vair. Jette p467.

GAULIN, Francois and brother Pierre departed St-Martin du Vieux-Belleme. Jette 274.

GERMAIN, Robert (shoemaker) from St-Sauver de Lonlay, district of Alencon (not in Perche). Jette p490.

GERVAIS, Marin from Champsecret, district of Alencon ( not in Perche). Jette p491

GIFFORD, Robert (Surgeon, Doctor, Apothecary), with wife Marie RENOUARD & daughter Marie-Francois departed Mortagne in 1634. Jette p494.

GIGUERE, Robert departed Tourouvre 1650-1. Jette p495.

GIRARD, Pierre from Bures, district of Alencon (not in Perche). Jette p499.

GIROUX, Toussaint (Weaver) from Reveillon or Mortagne. Jette p502.

GIROUX, Charles from Mortagne. Jette p503.

GODE, Nicolas (Master carpenter) with wife Francoise GADOIS & children Francois, Nicolas, Francoise & Mathurin departed Ige 1641-2. Jette p508.

GODEAU nee JAHAN, Jeanne with daughter Francoise departed La Ventrouze. Jette p509.

GOULET, Jacques (Miller) from Normandel & wife Marguerite MEUNIER from La Potereie, departed La Poterie 1646. Jette p518.

GOYER, Mathurin departed Tourouvre 1648. Jette p522.

GRAVEL, Joseph-Masse departed Tourouvre or Mortagne. Jette p523.

GROS-AUBRY, Jacqueline from St-Pierre de Sees (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette 531.

GROUVEL-AUBERT, Jacqueline departed La Ventrouze. Jette p025.

GUIMOND, Louis (Laborer) departed Tourouvre 1647. Six year contract 18 Feb 1647, Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 40 Pounds. Received pair of shoes & a serge suit. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Jette p546.

GUILLEBOURG, Charles (Laundryman) departed Tourouvre 1645. Jette p542.

GUYON, Jean (Mason & Surveyor) with son Jean departed Mortagne 1634. His wife Mathurine ROBIN with their children Simon, Marie, Claude, Denis, & Nichel departed Mortagne 1636. Daughter Barbe departed Mortagne 1652 with her husbandPierre PARADIS & their 7 children. Jette p548.

HAYOT, Thomas (Tenant farmer) with wife Jeanne BOUCHER & children Genevieve & Rodolphe departed Mortagne 1636-8. Jette p560.

HERVIEUX, Isaac (Bourgeois) from Lonlay L'Abbaye, district of Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p568.

HOUDE, Louis (Mason) from Manou, district of Nogent-le-Rotrou. Jette p571.

HUAN, Martin (Locksmith) from Beaulieu. 36 mo. contract 9 April 1647notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 90 pounds. Could sign his name. Single. Jette p574.

HUBLIN, Nicolas departed Feings 1651. 60 month contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary of 45 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Could sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

HUPPE, Michel (Hatter) from Alencon. (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p582.

JARRY, Eloi (Cartwright) departed from Ige 1654. Jette p595

JUCHEREAU, Jean (Fur merchant, Seigneur) with wife Marie LANGLOIS and children Jean, Nicolas & Genevieve, departed La Ferte Vidame 1634. Jette p612.

LAIGU, Rene (Soldier) from Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p631.

LAMBERT, Aubin departed Tourouvre about 1662. Cousin of Jacques GOULET and father-in-law of Michel CHATEL Jette p637.

LANDE, Pierre (Manual Laborer) departed Ste-Ceronne du Boisey 1647. 6 yr. contract 7 Apr 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 78 pounds. 6 pound advance. Could sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

LANDRY, Guillaume departed La Ventrouze. Jette p 643.

LANGLOIS, brothers Jean (Pilot) & Noel from St-Leonard des Parcs, district of Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p645.

LAPORTE, Jacques departed Noce. Jette p650.

LARUE, Jean de from Breel, district of Argentan (not in Perche). Jette p658.

LEDUC, Jean (Lumberman), from Ige, departed La Rochelle 1644. Jette p683.

LEFEBVRE, Antoinette from Chanu, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Married Hilaire LIMOUSIN Quebec 1671. Jette p737.

LEFORT, Antoine departed Tourouvre. Jette p 694.

LEGRAND, Jacques from L'Aigle (In Orne but not in Perche) Jette p700.

LEGRAND, Sebastien (Domestic) departed Tourouvre 1643. Not in Jette.

LEHOUX, Jacques (Coalman) with children Jean & Francoise departed La Ventrouze. Jette p 701.

LEHOUX, Francoise from La Ventrouze. 60 mo. contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 30 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Couldn't sign her name. Single. Possibly daughter of Jacques; if so, she married Robert PARE 1653 in Quebec.

LEMATIRE, Francois (Master tailor) from Flers (In Orne but not in Perche) departed from LaRochelle 1651. Jette p703.

LEMOYNE, Barthelemi (Surgeon) departed from Pin-la-Garenne 1634. 36 mo. contract. Cousin of Robert DROUIN. Not in Jette.

LEPAGE, Barthelemi from St-Germain d'Auray, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p715.

LEREAU, Simon departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Jette p718.

LE ROY, Jacques (Manual Laborer) from Sonchamp (Yvelines), 36 month contract 12 Feb 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 100 Pounds. Single. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

LESAGE, Louis (Domestic) from Loisal, district of Mortagne. Jette p722.

LESSARD, Etienne de from Chambois district of Argentan (not in Perche). Jette p724.

LETARTRE, Rene with wife Louise GOULET (step-sister of Jacques GOULET) and children Anne, Marie, Charles, Elizabeth, & Barbe, departed La Poterie. Jette p 726.

LEVEAU, Jacques from Chartres (In Orne but not in Perche). 36 month contract 17 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual Salary 66 pounds. Could sign his name. Not in Jette.

LOIGNON, Pierre (Manual Laborer) from Moussonvilliers, departed La Ventrouze 1647. Jette p 738.

LOYSEAU, Jacques (Domestic) departed Tourouvre 1647. 36 mo. contract 13 Apr 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 70 pounds, received 10 pound advance & pair of shoes. Could sign his name. Single. Jette p 738.

MABILLE, Francois (Lumberman) departed Tourouvre 1646. 60 mo. contract 19 Mar 1646 Notary CHOISEAU. Couldn't sign his name. Annual salary 90 pounds. Married. Cousin of Michelle MABILLE who married GUILAUME PELLETIER. Not in Jette.

MAHEU, Zacharie (Domestic & Mason) with son Rene from Mortagne, departed Reveillon. Jette p752.

MAHEU, Jacques departed Bubertie. Jette p752 .

MAHEU, Pierre from Mortagne, departed Feings 1651. Son-in-law of Robert DROUIN. 60 mo. contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 45 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Could sign his name. Single. Jette p753.

MALENFANT, Jean (Laborer) departed Tourouvre 1647. 60 mo. contract 18 Feb 1647. Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 55 pounds. Received a pair of shoes. Single. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

MALLET, Denis (Wood carver; Cabinet-maker) from Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p759.

MANOVELY de REVEILLE, Marie-Genevieve from La Chapelle-Montligeon. Married Jean PELLETIER at Quebec in 1662. Jette p888.

MARAIS, Marin (Soldier) from Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche) departed 1665. Jette p761.

MAUFAY, Pierre from St-Cosme-de-Vair. Step brother of Antoine ROUILLARD. Jette p270.

MERCIER, Jean (Laborer) departed St-Mard de Reno 1647. 36 mo. contract 9 Apr 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 55 pounds. Could not sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

MERCIER, Julien (Laborer) departed Tourouvre 1647. 60 month contract 5 Mar 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 75 pounds. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Jette p798.

MERY, Antoine (Manual Laborer) departed Tourouvre 1646. 36 mo. contract 29 Jan 1646 by Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 100 Pounds. Received 52 pound advance. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

MORIN, Claire departed Mortagne 1634-6. Married Jamin BOURGUIGNON in Quebec 1636. Jette p154.

MOREL, Jacques (Soldier) from St-Font de Collieres, Sees (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p832.

MONTCHEVREUL, Pierre de (Sergetier) departed Courgeost 1647. 36 mo. contract 9 Apr 1647 notary HOISEAU. Annual salary 80 pounds. Could sign his name. Married. Not in Jette.

NORMAND, Gervais (Carpenter) with wife Leonarde JOINEAULT, son Jean, and his brother Jean (Carpenter ) departed Ige. Jette p853.

NORMAND, Pierre (Master Knife-Sharpener) departed St-Martin du Vieux-Belleme. Nephew of Gervais & Jean. Jette p853.

NOURY, Jacques (Habitant) departed Feings 1651. 60 mo. contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU.

Annual salary 50 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Single. Couldn't sign his name. Jette p 856.

PARADIS, Pierre (Cutlery Maker) with wife Barbe GUYON & children Marie, Jacques, Guillaume, Pierre & Jean departed Mortagne 1652. Jette p871.

PELLETIER, Guillaume (Merchant; Coal man) with wife Michele MABILLE, & son Jean departed Tourouvre 1641. Jette p887.

PELLETIER, Antoine from Bresolettes. Brother of Guillaume. Jette p888.

PEUVERT, brothers Francois & Jean-Baptiste (Notary) departed Belleme 1651. Jette p908.

PIAU, Pierre departed Tourouvre 1647. 36 mo. contract 18 Feb 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Received a suit. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

PINGUET, Henri (Merchant & Seigneur) with wife Louise LOUSCHE & children Francoise, Noel, & Pierre departed Tourouvre 1634. Jette p922.

PITOT, Pierre (Smelter) departed Randonnai 1647. 36 mo. contract 1 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds, 15 in advance. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

POTIER, Louis (Laborer) departed Autheil 1648. 36 mo. contract 2 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 60 pounds, 15 in advance. Could sign his name. Not in Jette.

POULIN, Maurice (Procurer) from Villebedin, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p938.

POULIOT, Charles (Master Carpenter) departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Jette p940.

POUPAR, Jacques (Laborer) departed from Logny 1647. 36 mo. contract 17 Feb 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Single. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

PROVOST, Francois departed from Tourouvre. Jette p950.

PROVOST, Mathurin (Manual Laborer) departed from Tourouvre 1646. 36 mo. contract 5 Feb 1646 Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salaray 120 Pounds. Received 60 Pound advance. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

RAGEOT, Gilles (Notary) departed from L'Aigle. Jette p961.

RIBAULT, Gervaise (Laborer) departed from Aulnou, Sees (not in Perche) 1648. 36 mo. contract 5 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds, 15 in advance. Couldn't sign his name. Not in Jette.

RIDAY, Jean (Master Shoemaker) from St-Jean des Murgers, La Loupe, district of Nogent-le-Rotrou. Jette p985.

RIVARD, Nicolas departed Tourouvre 1648. Brother of Robert. 36 mo. contract 6 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 66 pounds, 15 in adavance. Couldn't sign his name. Jette p987.

RIVARD, Robert departed Tourouvre. Brother of Nicolas. Jette p987.

ROLLIN. Philippe (Soldier) from La Loupe. Jette p1005.

ROCHERON, brothers Simon & Gervais (Mason) departed St-Cosme-de-Vair. Brothers of Marie who married Francois GAULIN. Jette p1001/1002.

ROUILLARD, Antoine (Carpenter) departed Notre-Dame-de-Vair. Step brother of Pierre MAUFAY. Jette p1009.

ROULEAU, Gabriel (Habitant) departed Tourouvre. Jette p1011.

ROULOIS, Michel with wife Jeanne MALINE & daughters Madeleine & Jacqueline departed Notre-Dame-de-Vair. Jette p1012.

ROUSSIN, Jean (Farmer) with children Madeleine & Louise departed Tourouvre 1650. Two sons, Francois & Nicolas departed 1647. Jette p1015.

ROUSSIN, Nicolas departed Tourouvre 1651. Son of Jean. 60 month contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 30 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Jette p1015.

ROUSSIN, Francoise departed Tourouvre 1651. Daughter of Jean. 60 month contract 22 May 1651 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 20 pounds. Given a pair of shoes. Couldn't sign her name. Single. Jette p1015.

ROY, Olivier from Fontenay-sur-Orne, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p1018.

ROYER, Jean from St-Cosme-de-Vair. Jette p1025.

SIGOUIN, Jean (Domestic) from La Ferte-Mace, district of Alencon (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p1048.

SUPRENANT, Marin (Soldier) from St-Philibert sur Orne, district of Argentan (In Orne but not in Perche). Jette p1058.

SUPRENANT, Jacques (Soldier) possibly from St-Martin-du-Vieux-Belleme. Jette p.1058.

TAVERNIER (or LETAVERNIER), Eloi with wife Marguerite GAGNON from Tourouvre (daughter of Renee GAGNON nee ROGER) & children Marguerite & Marie (became a nun) departed Randonnai probably 1643. Jette p1065.

TREHARD, Jean (Sergetier), departed Randonnai 1648. 36 mo. contract 2 Mar 1648 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 60 pounds, 15 in advance. Could sign his name. Not in Jette.

TREMBLAY, Pierre (Laborer) departed Randonnai 1647. Father-in-law of Nicolas ROUSSIN. 30 month contract 9 Apr 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 75 pounds. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Jette p1088.

TREMOND, Daniel (Sergetier) departed Tourouvre 1648. 36 mo. contract 26 Feb 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 55 pounds. Received a pair of shoes. Could sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

TROTTIER, Gilles (Laborer) with wife Catherine LOISEAU & sons Gilles, Julien, Antoine & Pierre all from Ige, departed La Rochelle 1646, Jette p1091.

TRUDEL, Jean (Weaver) departed Parfindeval. Jette p1096.

TURGEON, Charles with wife Pasquiere LEFEBVRE & children Marie-Claire, Jacques & Anne departed Mortagne 1662. Jette p1100.

VALIN, Charles (Soldier) departed Renalard. Not in Jette.

VIGNERON, Rene (Laborer) departed L'Home-Chamondot 1647. 36 mo. contract 19 Mar 1647 notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 63 pounds. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.

VISAGE, Rene (Laborer) departed Tourouvre 1647. 36 mo. contract 18 Feb 1647 Notary CHOISEAU. Annual salary 50 Pounds. Received a pair of shoes. Couldn't sign his name. Single. Not in Jette.




REFERENCES



(All in French. To my knowledge none can be purchased in the USA)



Catalogue des 279 Percerons-Percherones, Ornais-Ornaises, parties pour la Nouvelle France au XVIIe, debut XVIIIe siecle by Jean-Francois Hubert-Rouleau for Le Musee d'histoire de l'emigration percheronne au Canada. An unpublished 1987 paper which in columnar format giving some detrails of 279 persons from Perche and elsewhere in Orne including children who migrated from France to Quebec primarily in the 17th century.

The data include: full name including "dit" name; place of origin; place and year of departure from France; profession; birth and death year; place of death; relation to others who migrated; and page in Jette where the person is mentioned. The paper also summarizes some of the demographics of the emigrants. It is apparent that the some of the author's data came from Jette. 35pp.



Dictionnaire genealogique des familles du Quebec des origines a 1730. 1983. Rene Jette & Programme de Recherche en demographic historique de l'Universite de Montreal. 1176pp.



350e anniversaire du depart des premiers colonspercherons de Tourouvre au Perche a la Nouvelle France. 1984. By M. & Mme Pierre Montagne and edited by the commune of Tourouvre. Of particular note is a page listing the essentials of engagement contract to go to France of 41 Tourouvrans before the notary Choiseau of Tourouvre. The data for each engagee included: the name of the hirer (typically one of the Juchereau brothers); the name of the recruiter (typically a Juchereau); the engagee; parish of origin of the engagee; whether or not he knew how to sign his name (in most cases, "no"); occupation; duration of contract; annual salary in livres (pounds); advance of salary; shoes or apparel given to the engagee; whether married or single; and date of contract. 21pp.


Au Perche des Canadiens-Francais, 1991. Mme Pierre Montagne. Provides a short biography for about 100 of the Perche emigrees. Also provides an excellent guide for those who want to visit Perche. 87pp.



L'Histoire de Tourouvre ses habitants a travers son patrimonie, 1980. A short town history apparently prepared by the city. Contains only two pages about the emigration to New France. 18pp.



L'Emigration tourouvrain au Canada, catalogue de l'exposition. 1984. Apparently by the city of Tourouvre. 18pp.



Naissance d'une Population. 1987. L'Institut National d'Etudes Demographiques of the University of Montreal. An outstanding reference which gives demographics of the Quebec pioneers. 229pp.



I will do my best that the three societies that I belong to, American-Canadian Genealogical Society of NH, the American-French Genealogical Society of RI, and the Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society all have copies of all of the above.



I authorize persons to make copies of this paper, or portions of this paper, as long as the material is never sold. I request to be given the Web Page address if anybody places this paper or portions of it on their Web Page.

Jean married Gaillard, Jeanne Abt 1600, France. Jeanne was born 1595. [Group Sheet]

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