François Bélanger

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Originally posted in French by Pierre Belanger September 19, 1998
I have attempted to translate this to English.
Bellanger Family Tree

François Bélanger 1612 - 1688

One can not define with precision, unfortunately, the birth of François Bélanger. First, there is no mention of the name of his parents and his native parish in the official manuscripts. To have an approximation of it, it will be necessary to refer to censuses of New-France done in 1666 and 1667. In 1666, François declares to be aged of 54 years, what carries his birth to the year 1612. In 1667, one says that he is 55 years old, what confirms the same year of 1612 for the birth.

But from this year only, can one make enough researches in France to recover without the shade of a doubt the excerpt of birth of François Bélanger? The answer is, unfortunately negative.

One recovers the reason of it in the book of Yann Grandeau (To the research of your Forebears) to editions Stock 1974, France. Mr. Grandeau mentions in page 111 that one will hardly have the possibility to pursue our investigation with the help of parochial registers beyond the year 1600. Hiatuses are too numerous, the writings, too brief. Indeed even though King Henri III gives out an order in 1579 concerning the civil registers, the priests disregard to carry them every year to grafts of baillageses and sénéchausséeses. So registers of baptism have gotten lost easily, to be destroyed by fire or otherwise. It will be necessary to wait for an order of Louis XIV in April 1667 to
St-German-in-Laye, called Code Louis to have the better held parochial registers.

Even though after long researches, gentleman Léonidas Bélanger could have signed an act of baptism where he is mentioned in [a baptismal record] of François Bélanger, baptized October 7, 1612 to Sées, on decorates him, it will always remain a doubt in my mind that another François Bélanger would have been baptized the same year in the same region but whose act would have gotten lost.

Place of Birth of François Bélanger

There is to only one place where François Bélanger mentions his place of origin. It is in the register of confirmation done by the first bishop of New-France, François of Montmorency Laval, February 2, 1660 to the day of the purification of the Co-virgin. To this date, Eminence of Laval is not again bishop of New-France but bishop of Petrée, and apostolic priest for all the country of New-France. Therefore François Bélanger that is confirmed in the village of the Castle-Richer, his place of residence declares originally being of the Diocese of Lisieux.

The Diocese of Lisieux makes up part of the Bass-Normandy but it has been reputed that it has been part of the High-Normandy for a long time. The Normandy is descended of a Scandinavian colonization. It has existed veritably since 911 when the Straightforward-King-, Charles the Simple -one , gave up to the Viking chief Rollon the region of the lower Seine. Of 911 to 1204 the Normandy, even though it makes part of France, form its own state, one of the better organized of the medieval Europe. Since 1204, its continental part is not anymore that one of provinces that constitutes France, while its insular part bends toward England. Of 1343 to 1450, it is the war of Hundred Years between France and England and the Normandy is submitted in England. France reconquered the Normandy in 1450 but this last remains divided as of 1204. In 1562-1563, under the call of Gabriel of Lorges, count of Montgomery, the Bass-Normandy, where is located the Diocese of Lisieux, failed to fall into Protestantism. In the beginning of the XVII century, the Normandy was hit by atrocious famines, a following of epidemics and a crushing fiscal pressure. It is in this climate of misery that was born François Bélanger.

The youth of François Bélanger

Not knowing his domestic origins, he evidently finds it difficult to speak of his youth. There are three things that we can note, however. There is great odds that he frequented a school, because all along his life he will sign his name in grafts and notaries. Besides, whereas he is Lord, he will give a land-contract written of his hand. The second thing is that he has learned a mason's profession but his training will be limited, because it will not carry the title of master-mason. Because of this profession, it is nearly certain that François Bélanger has grown-up in a city rather than in the countryside.

The reason of the departure toward New-France

François Bélanger having been born and having lived his youth in a society in difficulty and nearly without obvious hope, tempted his luck toward the New-world. Being unmarried and knowing an adequate profession for a country development, he was an interesting candidate for recruiters. As one will see it during his life, François Bélanger possessed a very good health, he had a lot of courage and determination, and one knows him a certain character. These qualities are essential to settle in this rough and wild country.

At the same time, Lords, recruiters, and Jesuits make the propaganda in France to attract colonists. They show the enormous possibility to those that want to work energetically to constitute themselves a heritage. A lot more advantageous than if he stayed in Europe. Here is a passage in the Relation of Jesuits written for the year 1635 on page 12 where one gives a good example of this propaganda:
"there is an infinity of craftsmen in France, that mistake of use or to possess somewhat of earth, pass their life in a poverty and in a pathetic scarcity. A very big number is going to beg their bread from door to door; several throw themselves into flights and public robbery. However as the New France is so big extent, one can send many inhabitants there so, that those that will remain to the ancient France will have of what to use their industries honestly. This is not that it been necessary to send the lost people here and of bad life, because be build itself/themselves of the Babylon, but the good making room to the mean, would give them opportunity to flee the idleness that corrupts them."

When does François Bélanger leave for the New-world?

No document of engagement has been recovered to this day for François. There is, however, a date that mentions him that gives us an idea. Indeed, in 1636 François Bélanger is present July 27 for the contract of marriage between Robert Drouin and Anne Cloutier before the royal notary, Jean Guyon (RAPQ 1923-1924). I believe that 1634 is a very plausible year for the arrival of François Bélanger, for the following reason: One usually granted to those that worked for the Lord to pay for their journey, contracts of 3 to 5 years. Normally, when he got married, his contract of engagement was respected at once. So François Bélanger came in New-France in 1634, his contract joining him to the Lord will end in 1637, precisely the year of his marriage. Along with Zacharie Cloutier, there will be many reports with François Bélanger, and Jean Guyon, his future father-in-law who arrived in 1634. There is a strong possibility that they made the journey on the same boat or at the same time of the same journey.

In what condition was François when he did his transatlantic journey?
Let us say first that he can only be excited and anxious to the approach of the date of the departure. He heard spoken of the big possibility of future if he works hard. On the other hand, he must be also very conscious of dangers that it includes. There is risk of a wreck while in progress, the winter there is very rough and Iroquois make a hard life for the French, without counting that there is still the risk to fall to hands of their enemies the English. One can also imagine that he leaves his family and his friends with pain, because he knows very well that he won't see them again, probably forever. But he also has the full since of hope for his future.

The first Lord of New France, Robert Giffart, is seen to be granted the lordship of Beauport, January 15, 1634 by the Company of New-France. François Bélanger commits to the Lord Giffart , because not possessing the necessary money to do the journey, it is the Lord who will take care of expenses. In return, François, once in New-France, will take care with other colonists to reclaim the lordship of Beauport and to construct a manor July 25, 1634. The crossing will maybe be long but it will happen nevertheless with enough happiness to permit his arrival safely. The moment had to be moving when François Bélanger on the boat, saw to bring in themselves in the cœur of the stream St -Laurent in a country all nine and alongside on the beach of the city of Quebec, founded 26 years before by Samuel of Champlain. As soon as François Bélanger will put his foot on dry land, he will be the first of this family to take root in the future Canada. He will contribute to the construction of this country and will give many descendants. Now, it is with the help of a long description of notarized civil manuscripts that we are going to try, if possible, to follow the life of François Bélanger.

1636
July 27, François Bélanger is witness of the contract of marriage of Robert Drouin and Anne Cloutier in front of the notary royal Jean Guyon. It is this same couple that will get married simultaneously with François Bélanger and his woman Marie Guyon. On that contract, one sees the number 2, maybe to mention that it is the second contract of marriage in New France.

1637
July 12, the Jesuit Charles Lallemant, vicar of Quebec, married Robert Drouin, master-brick-layer, and Anne Cloutier. He will marry the same solemnity François Bélanger, mason, of about 25 years of age and Marie Guyon age 13 years. It is the first double marriage to be celebrated in New-France. Witnesses were Olivier Letardif and M. Franc of Re. The priest Lallemant is the one that will give the last sacraments to the governor Samuel of Champlain in 1635.

This act of marriage is not the original because June 14, 1640, the chapel of Quebec is destroyed by fire, carrying away with it, the parochial registers. One made one reconstitution of memory registers therefore. Thus, information include naturally of hiatuses as the name of bridegroom parents. It is why it is impossible to pursue in depth the domestic achievements of François Bélanger.

François' wife, Marie Guyon, is Jean Guyon's daughter. She was born in the month of September 1592 in Tourouvre in the Perches. Her mother when she gets married is Mathurine Robin, but her origins are unknown to us
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Jean Guyon, a master-mason, passes a contract of engagement March 14, 1634 to the Lord Robert Giffard. (Contract of the 14 th of March 1634, reproduces with faculty-sim in Cambray, Giffard, 34-38 ASQS). He commits to serve it during three years in return of 1000 arpents conceded in arriêre-fief.

The Lord Giffard promises the woman of Jean Guyon as well as her children in 1636. The master-carpenter Zacharie Cloutier receives a similar contract and is the same journey that Jean Guyon.

Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin are married June 12, 1614 in St -Jean of Mortagne.
Children and the date of their baptisms are;
Beard 19 April 1617 St -Jean of Mortagne
Marie 29 January 1627 St -Jean of Mortagne
Jean 1st August 1619 St -Jean of Mortagne
Claude 22 April 1629 Our-lady of Tourouvre
Simon 2 September 1621 St -Jean of Mortagne
Dennis 30 June 1630-31Our-lady of Tourouvre
Marie 18 March 1624 St -Jean of Mortagne
Michel 3 March 1634 Our-lady of Tourouvre

Here is the baptism of Marie Guyon, François' future wife,:

The ten huictiesme day of March in (1624), Marie the daughter of Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin is baptized. The godfather Jacques Robin and the godmother is Marie Chahaigne, who the child is named after (which is the custom).

September 2, François Bélanger is the godfather of Anne Langlois, she is the girl of Noel Langlois and of Françoise (). It is the Jesuit Nicolas Adam that will preside over the ceremony. The godmother will be Anne Cloutier, the wife of Robert Drouin.

1640
August 19, the father Nicolas Adam baptized to Quebec the first child of François Bélanger and Marie Guyon. He is a boy and he will carry Charles' name. Him himself as is been necessary of little while the kid survives. Indeed one mentions in the act of birth that having been in peril of death, he has been rippled home by his maternal grandfather Jean Guyon. The godfather was the Lord Robert Giffard and the godmother Marie Lacaille, the wife of Jean Jolliet.

As fire had destroyed the chapel of Quebec last July (BRH 1947 January flight 53 No 1) also destroying the residence of Jesuits and the chapel of the governor Champlain. Charles' baptism took place, nevertheless in Quebec but in another building. The historian, Marcel Trudel, mentions that after the fire, Jesuits go to a church, in the outside room of patients (History of the New-France III The Lordship of the Hundred-partner IIS The Society, Fides editions 1983 page 352). It is in this place that Charles has probably been baptized.

1641
One does not know the year of the end of the contract of engagement of François Bélanger but we know that he will change of lordship. Indeed the engineer Jean Bourdon draws a map in 1641 (since Kebec until the Headland of Torments) (The Lordships of Beaupré and the island of Orleans in their beginnings, Raymond Gariépy 1974, The Historic Society of Quebec, Page 23.) One notices property of François Bélanger situated in the village of the Castle-Richer. Olivier Letardif, François' big friend, founds this village. This left the village of the lordship of Beaupré, January 15, 1636 when the Company of Beaupré gets earths of it by the Company of Hundred-partners. It is in this village that François Bélanger will pass the major part of his life. There is no notarized territorial contract concerning this property for this year, because it had been conceded verbally, as most the other properties of the village. (The Lordships of Beaupré and the island of Orleans in their beginnings, Raymond Gariépy 1974. The Historic Society of Quebec, Page 24). It is in 1650 that the contract of the propertiy of François Bélanger will be written (Lordships of Beaupré and the island of Orleans in their beginnings, Raymond Gariépy 1974, The Historic Society of Quebec Page 128).

1643
February 15 takes place in Quebec the baptism of the second child of François Bélanger and Marie Guyon. It is a girl and she will carry the name of Marie-Madeleine. The godfather will be Jean () and the godmother Marie-Madeleine (). One perceives that the baptism does not take place in the parish of the Castle-Richer, place where François Bélanger resides, because this parish is not founded again. The construction of the church only begins in 1658.

Of 1640 to 1650, shortly after the hotel-God (church?), according to Marcel Trudel, Jesuits go in the house of Hundred-partners that the Hospitable have just left for Sillery (History of the New-France III, The lordship of the Hundred-partner IIS The Society, Fides 1983 page 352). It is in this house that will take place the various religious ceremonies, of which probably include the baptism of Marie-Madeleine.

1644
April 5, Marie Guyon becomes the godmother of a Marine Butcher girl and Perinne Malet. The child will be baptized by the priest secular Gilles Nicolet?. Did this baptism take place in the house of the parents? She will carry the godmother's name, as was the custom. The godfather will be massaged Gravel.

1645
November 23, Father Barthélémy Vimont baptized to Quebec the third child of François Bélanger and Marie Guyon. This is the second girl and she will have for name Daisy. The godfather will be Jean Guyon and the godmother Daisy Nicolet.

1647
September 8, François Bélanger passes a contract of obligation in favor of Pierre Legardeur of Repentigny, general of the fleet of the community. This last home in the bass-city of Quebec on the street Sault-au-Sailor. In this contract, one mentions that François Bélanger is an inhabitant near the St-François River. So about ten years after his arrival in New-France, François already lost his title of mason, or rather one doesn't see it mentioned more in notarized contracts. Once his contract of engagement finished, he has received land and took care to put it in value, while apparently quitting his original profession. Besides, there is no trace of contract proving that François Bélanger worked here as masonry. Therefore François is indebted of the sum of 100 books for the sale and the delivery makes by the Sieur of Repentigny, of two awls of wheat, at the rate of 80 books, the awl. François commits to pay for this sum in one year and he puts his possessions in guarantee. Mr. Maheu was a witness of this contract (notary Claude Lecoustre says Lachaînée).

1648
February 15, St-Savior's priest Jean Lesueur baptized to Quebec the fourth child and the family Bélanger 's second boy. He is named Jean-François'. The godfather was Michel Guyon, the maternal uncle of the child and the godmother Élisabeth Couillard, the wife of Jean Guyon of the Bush, uncle and maternal aunt of the child. Élisabeth Couillard is the small girl of the famous Louis Hébert, apothicaire and French colonist precursor in Canada.

September 23, François Bélanger is the godfather of a girl of Julian Perreault and Marie Pelletier. She is baptized to Quebec by the father Barthélémy Vimont under the name of Daisy. The godmother will be Daisy Gagnon.

1649
April 6, it is to the tour of gets married Guyon to be chosen to serve godmother. The child was born of the marriage of Massaged Gravelle and of Daisy Letavernier. The godfather will be Aegedius Bacon.

1650
June 2, François Bélanger passes a contract concerning land that he received Olivier Letardif, district attorney of the Company, of Beaupré since April 17, 1646. It is only in 1650 and in 1651, that he will grant titles of concessions to 22 inhabitants. These already stayed on their lands for several years, of which François possesses 6 arpents and 8 perches of forehead in border of the stream St -Laurent on a mile and half of depth. It joins the one of Cloutier on one hand the young and of the other ().

It is difficult to explain why the concession is inclined of the northwest to the southeast, but one knows why it is stretched out oblong shape. As courses of water are practically the only ways of transport, it makes possible for more inhabitants to have access to it. Besides, it brings closer neighbors, so they will be good in measure to rescue themselves in case of attacks from Iroquois, a real curse for the colony.

The title is absent but there is mention of the title in the 1680 census and in the inventory of Charles Bélanger dated April 6, 1746 before the notary Dulaurent. (Lordships of Beaupré and the island of Orleans in their beginnings Raymond Gariépy The Society Historic of Quebec 1974 page 128).
Ten years after the fire of the chapel Our-pack down Recouvrance, inhabitants of Quebec and vicinities find themselves again with a new church. It is during the Christmas vigil, December 24, that it serves its inhabitants for the first time. Contrarily to the previous, this one will be stronger, constructed in stones. It will also serve the inhabitants of the Castle-Richer that are deprived of one again. The same day of the inauguration of the church, Marie Guyon is the godmother of Zacharie Jolliet. He was born of the marriage of Jean Jolliet and of Marie Of Abancour. The godfather was Zacharie Cloutier's son. The baptism has been celebrated by the Jesuit, Léonard Gareau. This last will want to leave in 1656 in mission to the demand of the Outaouais that asked for him, but he will be killed by the Iroquois before departure.

1652
March 4, Beard Esmard, the wife of Olivier Letardif puts to the world a boy. One gives him Charles' name. The child seemed to have been in danger of death, one doesn't mention it however, because François Bélanger proceeded to his undulation (François Bélanger of Léonidas Bélanger MSG XXI 2: pages 92). The solemn baptism takes place July 9 in Quebec. In the act, one mentions the name of Charles of Charny, son of Jean of Lauson that is a priest. I do not know if he was the godfather or if he presided over the ceremony, the text having been written in Latin.

June 11 was born the sixth child of François Bélanger and his wife, Guyon. It is a girl and she has been rippled by sailor . To plug, inhabitant of this country. She has been baptized to Quebec October 28 under the name of Mathurine. The godfather was Jean Pig, fiscal district attorney of Beaupré and the godmother Mathurine Robin, the maternal grandmother, and the wife of Jean Guyon.

December 27, Marie Guyon is the godmother of the child of her brother Jean and his beautiful-sœur Élisabeth Couillart. The boy was baptized to Quebec under Guillaume's name. The birth goes up again to November 17. The godfather was Guillaume Couillart carpenter and. He will be, in spite of his illiteracy ennobled in 1654. It is the Jesuit Paul Ragueneau that is himself occupied of the baptism.

1653
March 20, the Company of Beaupré fixes its domain and manorial place to the Castle-Richer, on land of 3 arpents of forehead on a mile and half of depth (ASQ, Castle-Richer, 47). It is Jean of Lauson, governor and lieutenant-general, who booked the land in the name of the Company.

August 9, one notices the ascension of the popularity of François Bélanger among the population of the lordship of Beaupré. As the budget of defense is very reduced in New France, to counter attacks Iroquois's, inhabitants himself will take in hand. One will create in every small militia region. To assure the direction of it one will choose leaders. Here are their names and their assignments:

gentleman Of Ailleboust to the union

Thomas Hayot leader of the Headland-red understood of it the lordship of Sillery
Charles Legardeur of Tilly, deputy of the coast-Co-Geneviève (suburb of Quebec)
Simon Denys leader of Quebec
Christophe Crevier says Lemeslée leader of the coast of Our-lady-some-angels
Guillaume Pelletier leader of Beauport
François Bélanger leader of the Long-tip
Pierre Picard leader of Headland-torments it
François Buissot says Larivière leader of the coast of Lauson
(Relation of Jesuits 1653 38 :182-184)

Him that came in country as simple mason, François Bélanger that is now 41 years old seems to have succeeded in his adaptation well . Besides, his continuous social level to increase to the thread of years.

1654
February 15, Jean Guyon, sieur of the Bush and Élisabeth Couillarts receive of the governor Jean of Lauson a concession of 5 arpents of forehead. It joins the land of Guillaume Couillart and of Louis Couillart (ASQ). The 18th of the same month Jean Guyon of the Bush gives to his daughter, Marie, in gift of marriages, this land of 20 perches of forehead on a mile of depth, situated to the angel-guard. The donation includes buildings and animals that are presently on the land. Here, it is necessary to pay attention well to not confound characters in reason. Some researchers declared that the Marie Guyon mentioned here is the wife of François Bélanger, but it is not. It is rather about her niece. Indeed Jean Guyon of the Bush is the brother of Marie Guyon. The one that interests us of the less, and Élisabeth Couillart his beautiful-sœur. The parents of the wife of François Bélanger are Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin.

December 18, Marie Guyon puts to the world her seventh child. He is the third boy and he will name himself Louis. The father Paul Ragueneau will baptize him January 9, 1655 in Quebec. The godfather will be Louis Couillart of Lespinay Lord and noble and the godmother Bores Esmard, the wife of Olivier Letardif.

1655
March 25, Marie Guyon serves godmother for a girl of Jean Cloutier and Marie Martin. Guillaume Thibault baptized her since her (undulation) intervening February 16. The official baptism will be celebrated to Quebec by the father Paul Ragueneau. The godfather was Claude Gagnon and the child will carry Marie's name.

May 24, François Bélanger and Massaged Gravelle pass before the notary Claude Auber in order to bing an association. The two neighbors had gotten along to help themselves to the reclamation of their respective lands. This community having lasted 3 years, had ended before 1648 since they would have separated some by Christmas fire, Juchereau Sieur of the Châteletses, one of the directors of the Company of Beaupré, that died on the island of Orleans in July 1648. (The village of the Castle-Richer 1640-1870 by Raymond Gariépy. The Historic Society of Quebec 1969 page 38) As the two parts didn't work that on the land of François Bélanger, whose countenance was 6 arpents and 80 perches, this last is indebted towards his partner. He promises to give him in compensation 100 books tournaments by arpent therefore (that is the plain price for to make desert land from here. (The village of the Castle-Richer 1640-1870 by Raymond Gariépy. The Historic Society of Quebec 1969 page 38) The debt that is 350 books will be repaid in 3 payments. The first fell for the year next, to the day of the St -Jean. François puts in guarantee all his possessions, pieces of furniture and present inheritances and income.

1656
July 28, François Bélanger is present to a marriage. This marriage is celebrated in Quebec, by the father Barthélémy Vimont. The future spouses are Jean Picard and Marie Coron. Jean is the son of Pierre Picard says Lepicard, that was syndic of the Headland Torment, and of Renée Desuranne. Marie is the girl of Robert Caron, who is now dead and of Marie Crève. The other witnesses were Jean Cochon, fiscal district attorney, and Louis Gagnon. A little more than one week later, August 7, the Bélanger family has make a lot in the house. Because it gets ready for a big event. During the day, a marriage will take place in the same house. After the publication of three benches either the 23, 26 and 30 July, the Jesuit Barthélémy Vimont will preside the office. The future spouses will be Marie-Madeleine Bélanger and Bertrand Chesnay, Sieur of the Warren. This last is the son of Nicolas Chesnay and Catherine of her (Vinge) of the bishopric of St-Brieux in Brittany. Witnesses were Charles Legardeur Sieur of Tilly, governor of Three-rivers of 1648 to 1650, Olivier Letardif, district attorney of the Company of Beaupré and first judge of the coast of Beaupré, Massaged Gravelle says Brindelierre that will be a churchwarden in 1657. The future spouse will become Lord of the fief of Lotinville to the angel Guard. Indeed until the death of the Jean sénéchal of Lauson in 1661, he will buy it to the following of a decree of the Consultant Souverain August 30, 1664 to the bringing up 2850 books (ASQ, Lordships, 3,: 33 to 36)

October 16, François Bélanger is again a witness to a marriage. It is about this time of the one of Guillaume Boucher and of Marie Paradis. Guillaume is the son of Antoine and Daisy Guillebert. Marie is the girl of Pierre and Beard Gagnon. The marriage took place in Quebec before the Jesuit, André Richard in presence of Jean Guyon the bride's maternal grandfather, Bertrand Chesnay, and Martin Prévost. This last is the first known French to have married an Amerindian, one, Algonquine of the name of Marie-Olivier Manit with which he will have 9 children.
This marriage was celebrated November 3, 1644 in Quebec. (Marcel Trudel History of the New-France III The Lordship of the Hundred-partner IIS The Society Edition Fides 1983 page 508 and 510.) The following month, November 6, François Bélanger is a witness to the marriage of Charles Godin and Marie Boucher. Charles is the son of Jacques and Marguerite Nieule de France. Marie is the daughter of Sailor Butcher and Perinne Malet of the parish of the Castle-Richer. According to Marcel Trudel, Marin Butcher married in his residence his three daughters (Marcel Trudel French history News- III the Seigniory of Hundred-Associates II the Company Editions Fides 1983 page 545). The ceremony took place in front of the priest Morel and the royal notary Claude Auber was among the witnesses.

1657
August 20, the will of Jean Guyon and his wife Mathurine Robin of the coast of Beauport to the place called the Bush. Being of healthy body and of good spirit that it appeared to the notary and to the witnesses present. Considering the great love that they share and of the sorrows and work that they suffered to gain and to preserve the goods which God send to them. To ensure that the survivor has the means to maintain as long as they will live, they admit having made a reciprocal donation of all their goods, pieces of furniture and buildings which will be at the day of the death given to the first spouse. The survivor will be able to have the goods as good will seem to him.

The survivor will bury the late one, and will make request the rest of his heart. Moreover, Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin declared that their ground being outlined nor not cleared in such way that it can be regarded as the habit of France would not like it. That the oldest surviving male child receives for its right of seniority a small firing chamber which is located the forging mill with the garden of the front with the alignment of the pinion of the house drawing towards the pre one. The couple declared that after their deaths, all their movable and real goods are also shared between their children, like having been acquired by Mr. Guyon and his wife and having been improved for work of their children. Before the sharing between the children, one will take account of the advances that a child will have received while his parents are alive. Thus, the heritage will have been shared equitably. This contract was signed in Quebec in front of the Audouart notary in the presence of Pierre Millet and Jean Gloria as well as of Jean, Claude, Francois, Michel, Simon and Denis Guyon, Pierre Paradis and François Bélanger.

1658
1658 is one year extremely significant for all the inhabitants of the Castle-Richer. They transported to Quebec to attend religious ceremonies, the only place in the vicinity where there was a church. As the population of the village increased considerably, the construction of a church was made necessary.
Thus on August 14, Olivier Letardif, Jean Cloutier and François Bélanger, borrowed the sum of 300 pounds tournaments of the Company of the Inhabitants (which sum their was lent and baillée according to the extract of the Council on 12th August 1658 for the reasons contained with known as extracted (Audouart Notary)). One is unaware of however the object of this loan, but as the church begins this summer, it is quite probable that this money is used for this project (the village of the Castle-Richer 1640-1870 Raymond Gariépy the Historical Company of Quebec 1969 page 11)
Sunday December 22, Massé Gravel via the notary Claude Auber, writes a contract of receipt towards its debtor François Bélanger. This last him A gave, in several payments, the sum of 298 pounds in glance with the contract of May 24 1655 front the same notary. As the debt rose with 350 pounds, François has only 52 pounds to give Mr. Gravelle. This semi-receipt has been written in the presence of Simon Guyon the brother-in-law of François Bélanger and Nicolas Rouault Gamaches.

Since 1657, the war with the Iroquois had begun again. Many Huron, which had found refuge on the island of Orleans, were massacred by the Iroquois. In spring of 1659, the latter start again their incursions everywhere into the country, with much more intensity. The military absence of reinforcement coming from the motherland does not help the situation. There are well at least two ships which came, but not for the discounted intention. There is of them one which stopped in Acadie to deliver its goods and its men. Second, carried help to Montreal and came to the 2/3 empty, so that this year, we are missed having many things and particularly men for work (Voyer d' Argenson with his/her brother, October 21 1659 APC, C11 A, 2, I: 310-317). This last ship, the St-Andre under the command of Guillaume chicken, had been used two as hospital without to have made since forty, arrived infected purple and pestilential fever. Almost, all the country was infected, contributing to weaken even more the colony. (Mother of Incarnation to its son, seven-Oct. 1659 in correspondence ED Oury, 616)

December 16, François Bélanger becomes the godfather of an amérindien. The little boy will bear the name of Richard. His father is Guillaume Pipounaskouch and his mother Madeleine Ganounanikouech. One does not mention here a godmother. The baptism took place in the mission of St-Joseph-in Sillery by the priest François Mercier.

Sillery is an Indian reserve since 1637. It was set up for two reasons. Firstly, French wanted to protect themselves against possible incursions with the Iroquois. Moreover, one could in this way the sédentariser and thus to initiate them with Christianity. This reserve includes, in addition to the houses for the savages, a hospital, a fort intended to protect the village, the residence of the Jesuits and a vault dedicated to St-Michel (Boreal-Express train Newspaper of History of Canada 1524-1760, French mode, Édition Boreal Express train page 71) the whole under the direction and the administration of the Jesuits. The seigniory of Sillery goes back to 1651. It is located on the Cape at Diamonds and in the valley of St-Charles, between the seigniories of St-Michel and that of Gaudarville. The Amerindians, who are not normally idle, almost did not take part in the cutting of the ground. They are French who almost worked at everything. The seigniory of Sillery is the only stronghold that one held for them and provided that they are Christian (Marcel Trudel Beginnings of the Mode Seigneurial collection Fleur de Lys, Éditions Fides 1974 page 52). This is why the first names of the child and the parents Amerindians at the time of the baptism of December 16 are French origins.

With the origin, one had not envisaged a village in this seigniory. The mission of St-Joseph-of-Sillery, where this baptism took place, is located at the center of the seigniory (Marcel Trudel Beginnings of the Mode Seigneurial collection Fleur de Lys, Éditions Fides 1974 page 110), where there are the buildings described before.
The parochial registers are dumb on this subject but it would have been interesting to know the reasons that pushed François Bélanger to become godfather of an Amerindian.

1660
January 15, Marie Guyon is the godmother of Jacques Fortin. Born January 12 of the marriage of J Fortin says Bellefontaine and of Genevieve Gamache. The baptism will be celebrated in Quebec, the godfather will be Jacques Cochon.

From 1659 to 1663, François Laval de Montigny, bishop of Petrée, in the French colony will proceed to the first meetings of confirmation. This man who comes from France arrived to Quebec on June 16 1659 (Relation of the Jesuits 1659 45:98). He will become the first bishop of News-France from 1674. In all, there will be 10 meetings of confirmation of which one for the Amerindians. Here besides the list of these confirmations:

1659, May Bored Island 84 people
August 1659, 10 church of Quebec 177 people
August 1659, 10 vault of the Ursulines 15 people
August 1659, 24 Hotel-God hundred amérindiens
February 1660, 2 Castle-Richer 175 people
February 1660, 24 church of Quebec 65 people
August 1660, 24 Montreal 107 people
June 1661, 6 Sillery 26 people
April 1662, 11 Castle-Richer 47 people
1662, May 1 church of the Ursulines 78 people

Source: Marcel Trudel French history News- III the Seigniory of Hundred-Associates II the Company editions Fides page 451

It is thus on February 2 1660, the day of the purification of the Ste-Virgin, that François of Laval confirmed François Bélanger with the Castle-Richer. It is the only known official document where François mentions his place of origin, évêché of Lisieux.
March 23, Massé Gravel receives with its residence the royal notary Claude Auber. Under contract, it states to have received from François Bélanger, all the contents of the debt concerning the contract of May 24 1655. This contract was signed in the presence of Antoine Serre and Robert Laberge.

May 15, it is panic in Quebec. A rumor circulates with the effect that from 900 to 1200 Iroquois prepare to invade the very whole colony (Relation of the Jesuits 1660 45: 150-152). People leave their houses and hide in the buildings of the religious communities and the fort. Happily, the furs are done rare in Montreal. Then a group of men of this area, controlled by Adam Dollard of Ormeaux decides to go to the meeting Iroquois to monopolize their furs. The montrealists had not expected that one so great number of Amerindians would have returned from their hunting at the same time. They all were thus massacred and then the Iroquois re-entered on their premises. The colony was temporarily saved, but there always remained some incursions.

Because of the Iroquois, the inhabitants of the area of Quebec had great difficulty to sow their grounds into 1659. Returned in spring of 1660, they find themselves with a shortage of food. They ask for the assistance of the Jesuits of the Three-Rivers to obtain food and grain for the summer.(Marcel Trudel French history News- III the Seigniory of Hundred-Associates I the Events editions Fides 1979 page 261)

October 6, Julien Fortin was Bellefontaine signs in front of the notary Claude Auber to draw up a contract of donation. He intends to make a gift in favor of the parish church of the Castle-Richer. It is the reverend François-Joseph Lemercier, monk of the Company of Jesus, Joseph Massé Gravel and François Bélanger, marguilliers of this church, who accept the donation. It is in this contract that François Bélanger declares himself for the time being lord partly of the coast and Lord of Beaupré,. The gift consists of a small wood building of 20 feet in square, of three sides only. Mr Bellefontaine Donne also 50 books that one owed him on behalf of the workmen. This money was to be used to make work the workmen for the pinion not made. The marguilliers promised to the giver that they and their successors, in the name of the church, will make him celebrate a mass annually and with perpetual report on October 6. The marguilliers must inform the parishioners each previous Sunday the day of this celebration. Thus the parents and friends of the giver will be informed of it and will be able to assist with it. Julien wants that of sound living the mass is of St-Julien his owner, and that after his death, it is a mass for the departed. What was granted by left. The marguilliers have promised to ratify the contract by monsignor of Laval.

The same day and in front of the same notary, Julien Fortin admits having transported, the sum of - ten huict saise grounds tz-. He has remitted this sum in the name of Etienne Lessart in François Bélanger. Mr Lessart owed this sum to François but one is unaware of when this debt goes up and for which reason.

July 30 1657, Olivier Letardif had strengthened the St-Charles field in favor of Claude Bouchard for one 6 years period (Audouart notary, parapraxis, to see on this subject J-Edmond Roy in Historical Notice on Rene Voye 1899 page 22). This lease was stopped because of the invasion of Iroquois. Considering the precarious situation, Mr Letardif in agreement with the Co-lords of Beaupré, François Bélanger and Julien Fortin, gave receipt to Mr Bouchard for years 1658 and 1659 and reduced that of 1660 (Audouart 30 October 1660)

31 octobre
! ! ! ! !pourquoi juillet est avant mars...

March 31, a tenth child and a fourth boy was born from the marriage of François Bélanger and Marie Guyon. He was baptized on April 4 in the parish of the Castle-Richer under the name of Guillaume. The godfather will be Guillaume Thibault and the godmother Marguerite Martin, the wife of Etienne Racine. The child will not live a long time however. He will be buried the same month in the parish church where the children were generally buried under the church in a district which is reserved to them, (Marcel Trudel French history News- III the Seigniory of Hundred-Associates II the Company, Fides 1983, page 588.) It is thus about the first mourning for our family.

June 6, the Iroquois sow terror with Tadoussac. On the18 this month at eight o'clock in the morning, they attack with the femre St-Charles. This time the damage was more considerable and several inhabitants were massacred or injured in Beaupré and the Island of Orleans (Lords of Beaupré, and the Island of Orleans in their déburs by Raymond Gariépy, the Historical Company of Quebec 1974 page 51). To counter these attacks, the Lords of Beaupré, built several tiny rooms where the inhabitants could take refuge. One of these tiny rooms was located at the Castle-Richer (Olivier Letardif in favour of Claude Bouchard October 6 1661 Audouart notary). This tiny room bears the name of strong St-Michel.

November 12, François Fortin surgeon passes in front of the notary Claude Auber. He sells to Nicolas Huot sior of St-Laurent, a building in the shape of house manable. It is located on the grounds dependent on the church of Our-Lady of the Castle-Richer, but it is not finished yet. The selling price is 500 pounds including 291 pounds cash. The balance of the amount of the transaction, is 209 pounds, will be paid in two payments of 104 pounds 10 grounds. One will add to it at the same time what can be due to François Bélanger for lime that this last delivered to Mr Fortin for the construction of its building. The first payment will be given the next year, into 1662 on arrival of the first boat coming from France. The second will be given in one year the next Christmas Day. The receipt of this sale was carried out on November 25 1663 front the same notary.

1662
March 27, Marie Guyon becomes the godmother of a girl of her brother Simon and Louise Racine. The birth goes back to 25 March. The baby will be baptized by the priest Thomas Morel, who is in function with Beaupré since l.automne 1661. The celebration is in the parish of the Castle-Richer and the small one will bear the name of Marie. The godfather will be Etienne Racine the maternal grandfather.

Two days later, on March 29, Marie Guyon will be once again godmother to a baby born on February 14 from the marriage of.Etienne Lessart and Marguerite Sevestre. The Morel priest in the parish of the Castle-Richer will baptize the young girl. She will bear the name of Marie-Thérèse. The godfather will be Louis Rouer Villeray. This last will become member of the Sovereign Council during his creation into 1663.

April 13, Olivier Letardif sells his share in the company of Beaupré, to Charles Aubert de Lachenaye, prosecutor of the company of Beaupré, since the end d.août 1661. This last represented since 1655 by way of clerk, the company of the merchants of Rouen. At the time of the sale, Mr Letardif was sick. it s.était withdraw with house of Jean Pig prosecutor tax of seigniory of Beaupré, (The Seigniory of Beaupré, and of l.Ile d.Orléans in their beginning by Raymond Gariépy, The Company Historical of Quebec 1974 page 54) The transaction himself conclude with the help of the sum of 1 000 pound payable in one month and that of 30 book for the pin of market (ASQ Seigniory 3:10 Forwarding sign by the notary Claude Auber). This contract was signed in the presence of François Bélanger. At that time, François does not form any more part of the marguilliers of the parish of the Castle-Richer. He only occupies this function from 1658 to 1661.
A little later as Olivier Letardif cannot manage its business any more suitably, his/her friend François Bélanger will become his curator. C.est Louis To coil of Villeray which will be named judge provost of Beaupré, in the place of Mr Letardif.

May 14, Jean Cloutier passes in front of the notary Claude Auber. By contract, it asks to FrançoisFrançois Bélanger Bélanger of measurement the ground of the mill of the seigniory of Beaupré, located at the Sault-with-the-Chip on the concession of Mr Cloutier. This ground, including the path which leads to the mill, measures 30 poles in surface. The value of the ground is fixed at 90 livres.(21 July 1662, registered on the contract of May 14 in front of Auber)

July 24, Marie Guyon is confined d.un eleventh child and d.un fifth boy. He will be baptized Sunday July 30 in the parish of the Castle-Richer under the name of Jacques. C.est the Morel priest who will chair l.office. The godfather will be Charles Aubert de Lachenaye, prosecutor of the company of Beaupré, and the godmother Marie-Madeleine Bélanger, the s.ur of l.enfant.

Monseigneur de Laval projected at that time to found his Seminar. He thus takes steps to acquire the seigniories of Beaupré, and l.Ile d.Orléans. Thus with the incomes rising from these seigniories (taxable quota, revenues, lods and others) the construction of the Seminar will be assured (Seigniories of Beaupré, and l.Ile d.Orléans in their beginnings by Raymond Gariépy, the Historical Company of Quebec 1974, page 52)

1663
On November 13 1657, Olivier Letardif and his wife Barbe Esmard had conceded in Massé Gravel a ground of 30 feet length on 20 feet of width located at Castle-Richer. It is close to the mill and behind the barn to the salesmen. This ground is also between two grounds also salesmen. This concession is charged with 15 grounds of ground rent. Massé Gravelle will have to build a house there two years.

Monday March 26 1663, Olivier Letardif and François Bélanger as a curator of Mr Letardif pass in front of the notary Claude Auber. They admit having received Massed Gravel the sum of 54 grounds for three d.arrérages for the revenue of its concession and its house. One learns in this contract that the house measures 36 feet length compared to 30 feet for the contract of 1657. At the time of this contract the concession between the concessions of Guillaume Thibault (is conceded on November 18 1657, by Mr Letardif) and Jean Cochon says Lamotte (conceded on November 18 1660 also per Mr Letardif) (Audouart notary).

Since March 26, Olivier Letardif and François Bélanger gave to Massé Gravel for its compromise and the same conditions as the concession of November 13 1657, 6 feet of ground of face at a rate of 6 sums of money of revenue for each foot of face. (the Village of Castle-Richer 1640-1870, the Historical Company of Quebec 1969, page 40.) What now makes a total of 36 feet of ground for the concession of Mr Gravelle, as one mentions it with the contract of March 26.

On the 30th is the death of Jean Guyon, the father of Marie Guyon.

October 8, Marie Guyon is godmother for a boy, of her brother Claude and Catherine Colin, who are originating in the parish of Ste-Family in l.Ile D.Orléans. The baby was born the 4th of this month and will be baptized by the Morel priest in the parish of Castle-Richer. The baby will bear the same name that his father. His godfather is Simon Guyon, his paternal uncle.

Tuesday October 16 is a great day for the Bélanger family. L.aîné of the family, Charles, signs in front of the notary Claude Auber to draw up his marriage contract with Barbe Nailsmith. She is the girl of Zacharie Cloutier and Madeleine de Esmard. This contract is written in the house of Mr Cloutier. The witnesses for Charles are in addition to his parents, Jean Guyon sior of the Bush, François Guyon and Mr Paradis his uncles, of the lord Robert Giffard (death in which year) Charles Auber sior of Lachenaye and his wife, Jacques of commercial Mothe and several others. Zacharie Nailsmith his grandfather, Charles Cloutier his uncle, Louise Nailsmith, Jean Nailsmith his uncle, Mister de Chastillon and others.

François Bélanger promises to build a house for his son. The residence will be located on a concession of three arpents located on the coast of Beaupré. Four arpents of this concession are ready to receive the seed. Zacharie Nailsmith and his wife give to their daughter the sum of 300 pounds, which will be paid in three equal terms of 100 pounds. The first payment will be due to the nearest day of the St-Jean Baptiste. Two others the following years. Barb will also receive a black dress including those which are useful to him currently. It will receive in more one milk cow, a mattress, a cover, 4 shrouds, a 6 tablecloths, 12 towels, 4 dishes, a 6 dishes and 6 spoons. Barb will receive from her engaged couple the usual sum of 500 pounds douaire, the first payment will be 150 pounds.

Monday November 19, after engagement and the banns, Antoine Berson of Châtillon, which is originating in Paris, marries in the parish of the Castle-Richer Marguerite Bélanger. The marriage is celebrated by the Morel priest in the presence of Mr Guyon, Etienne Racine and François Bélanger the father of the bride.

manque les pages 21 et 22
(missing pages)
On continue donc a la page 23...

September 9 were present in front of Pierre Duquet, Jean Guyon sior of the Bush for his rights to the succession of the late Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin his parents, wishes to receive a ground of 1 arpent. He wants by the same occasion the farmyard, the houses, and principal manors located on the concession of the Bush. The co-heirs mentioned above were ready to enter in lawsuit to regulate the succession, but they rather finished with a settlement what follows; they yield for right d.ainess to Jean Guyon of the Bush, the principal manor with the buildings and barns which are located in the court. Moreover, it will obtain the garden, which is behind the principal house. The mill will not be included however, which was accepted by the sior of the Bush.

This last will bring back all the ground which is with the top of l.étendue d.arpent and the co-heirs will share the remainder of the ground as well as the mill. After the sharing, François Bélanger will receive 150 pounds. Of this payment of succession, the grounds of Michel and François Guyon will not be included, their father having bequeathed to them of alive sound. They, on the other hand, made it possible to share the movable goods and the grain on the ground.

November 30, François Bélanger goes to the home of Jean Guyon of the Bush. He passes in front of the notary Paul Vachon to admit having received from Jean, Simon, Denis, Claude, Michel and François Guyon like Pierre Paradis, his brothers-in-law, the sum of 150 pounds, which remained the greater sum. This amount was owed him because of the contract of last 9 September in front of Duquet.

1665

As we l.avons considering previously, the French colonists could not come to end from savage the Iroquois. Having a training of trade or farmer, their little expérience of the engagements made them rather vulnerable to the enemy. As the inhabitants could not sow its ground in peace, the agriculture of the country is affected. There were thus periods of food shortage. To restore a final peace, King Louis XIV had promised in 1663 to transport towards News-France a contingent soldiers. But as France is at this same time with the catches with Italian, the awaited reinforcement will be delayed of a few years.

Finally, April 19 1665, four companies of the regiment of Carignan-Salt boxes leave the port of the Small rock on board the Siméon Old man. They arrive to Quebec on June 19. One can easily imagine all the joy at the arrival of this ship for the inhabitants of the area. Finally, one could hope to obtain a quieter life. To the end of the year, several other companies will come s.ajouter to those already present.

Tuesday on June 24, François Bélanger passes a market with Jean Mathieu in front of the notary Claude Auber. François yields his servant-domestic to him, Jean Hue. This last s.était obliged in following François the ordinance of the Sovereign Council of Quebec and in virtue of the contract. Jean Mathieu gives in advance 30 books and is obliged to pay this sum in two beaver or silver mios.

Monday August 24 is one day extremely animated for the Bélanger family. One of the girls is buried and another signs a marriage contract. Like any hour does not appear in the official texts, one cannot know which ceremony was the accomplished premère. It is certain that the marriage contract was written in the house of François Bélanger. As at that time, the older ones were present in the family house, I see badly the réduction of notarial act, with all the people involved in the burial of the little baby, it is understandable.

Thus this day of August 24, Anne the youngest of the family was buried in l.église Castle-Richer close to the large gate. One mentions in this act that she is 3 months approximately. On the other hand if one refers to her birth, that is to say on July 26 1664, she would actually be little more than a year. Could it be another child of the same name, or an error, when it is known that the time and the precision age n.ont not the same importance qu.aujourd.hui.

On the same day, the notary Claude Auber goes to François Bélanger to write the marriage contract of Charlotte-Francoise, his daughter, and Jean Langlois, carpenter of ship. The witnesses for Jean are Noël Langlois and Francoise Garnier her parents and inhabitants of the Lord of Beauport, Jean Langlois his brother??, Simple Jean Furrier living but having married noble is Marie-Genevieve Manouelly de Rainville, Paul Vachon notary and clerk of the prisons of Beauport and Our-Lady of the Angels, Rene Chevalier, Louis Côté and François Miville like his brothers-in-law Claude Bermen of Martinière, rider and judge sénécal of this seneschalsy and Charles Gauthier.
The witnesses for Charlotte-Francoise are her parents, Charles Bélanger and Bore-Delphine Cloutier his brother and his sister-in-law, Jean-François Bélanger another brother, Bertrand Chesnay sior of Garenne lord of Lotainville his brother-in-law and daisy Bélanger his sister, Jean Guyon of the Bush, Simon, Claude, Denis, Michel and François Guyon his uncles, Pierre Paradis another uncle, Jacques Paradis his cousin like Jacques Lamothe commercial and middle-class of Quebec. The husbands will be married under the mode of the community of goods according to the habit of Paris.

Charlotte-Francoise will receive 500 pounds for her dowry, as usual. This amount will be paid out of money or goods according to its choice. The survivor of the community also reserves 500 pounds for his préciput. The two parts will not be held of the debts l.un towards l.autre contracted before the marriage. The parents of l.époux have promised to him on the premiums of their succession a ground of four arpents face. It is located in l.Ile d.Orléans at the place called vulgarly the House, on which ground the father guaranteed that the 4 arpents will be ready to receive the seed next spring for the benefit of his son. It will also make him as soon as possible build a house of 30 feet length. While waiting, the husband will be nourished and lodged in the house of the Langlois father. This last gives moreover to his/her son two oxen ready to be killed, a milk cow and the sum of 200 pounds, payable when Jean lives his ground. This sum will be given in goods of the country following the usual course. One mentions that if the father does not build the house, it will pay to his son in goods, the sum of 800 books.

François Bélanger on his side promises to give to his daughter the sum of 400 pounds, also payable in goods of the country. The payment will be done as follows; 200 pounds in one year of the day of the nuptials and the others 200 pounds in two years. It also gives to his daughter a milk cow, a bacon barrel, a bed of feathers furnished with fabric, two pairs of linceuils, 6 tablecloths and 12 towels, 3 pairs of clothing including one she has at present. The first promised dress will be given the day of the marriage and the second will arrive from France in a ship that is under the command of the captain Philix. The whole siuvant l.état and condition of Charlotte-François with his clothes which belong to him at present. One sees in this contract that François Bélanger has a certain social prestige. As the distance between News-France and the motherland is extremely significant, the colonists made clothing on the spot. It resulted an economy from it from time and d.argent apprécialbe. So that François Bélanger orders a dress of France, he was to have a rather good financial ease to allow such a luxury.

There are no detail of the house of François Bélanger. There are no writing authenticated for this purpose. One can imagine all the same that this house was rather roomy. Indeed, because of the number of people named officially on this contract, one retains 31 people united as witnesses. To contain all these people, the house of François was nevertheless to be rather large.

September 12, Quebec accommodates two people of mark, the intending Jean Talon and the new governor of News-France, Daniel de Rémy de Courcelle. Under the supervision of these two men, News-France will start a development without precedent. Especially in front of the action of Jean Talon who will make a systematic assessment of the colony; seek mining and forest possibilities, censuses. It will take care of the exploitation of the natural resources, it will establish a shipyard on the riverbanks St-Charles in Quebec, and it will deal with other significant projects.

September 19 of the same year, Marie Guyon is once again godmother. The young child names Pierre Cochon. He was born the 15 from the marriage of Jean Cochon and Madeleine Miville. The priest Thomas Moral in the parish of Castle-Richer will baptize him. The godfather is one of his paternal uncles but the name is unknown.

October 19, after engagement and the publication of the banns, Jean Langlois son of Christmas and François Attic, wife in the parish of Castle-Richer? will marry Charlotte-Francoise Bélanger, the daughter of François and Marie Guyon. In the civil register, one mentions that the parents of Jean are inhabitants of the Lord of Beaupré, while with the marriage contract of last 24 August one registers them as being seigniory of Beauport. It is the priest Thomas Morel who Maria husbands in the presence of Noël Langlois and François Bélanger.

1666
In spring, before the arrival of the boats coming from France, the government of the colony charges with the censuses to calculate the exact number living inhabitants in News-France. It is thus about the very first census carried out in Canada. This is how our family was listed:

Seigneurie de Beaupré (Lord or Captain of Beaupré)

François Bélanger 54 years living
Marie Guyon 40 years
Jean-François 17 years
Mathurine 14 years
Louis 12 years
Louise 9 years
Genevieve 7 years
Jacques 4 years
Domestic Noël Mureau 24 years committed
George To pack 26 years committed domestic

Charles Bélanger 26 years
Bore Cloutier 16 years

Jean Langlois Boisverdun 23 years carpenter of ship
Charlotte-Francoise Bélanger 14 years

Island of Orleans

Jean Langlois 25 years carpenter, inhabitant
Charlotte-Francoise Bélanger 14 years

One thus finds the Langlois couple at two places at the same time. It is known that inherited at the time of its marriage contract of a ground located in the Island Of Orleans. One also knows that the couple was lodged in the parents of Jean Langlois, while waiting for that their house is built. Thus, Jean Langlois and its will femmeauront listed in the parents of the husband and on their ground in the Island of Orleans. It is amusing to see the difference in age of Jean Langlois in the two different places.

1673
September 17 in afternoon and in front of the notary Romain Becquet, were present the honourable man Jean Maheust sior of (Claumont) middle-class of the town of Quebec there remaining (widowed), and François Bélanger captain (and middle-class man) living coast of Beaupré, and its honourable wife Marie Guyon of the parish of Our-Lady of Visitatin of the Castle-Richer, stipulating for their daughter Mathurine.

The witnesses for Jean Maheust are the powerful Lord Louis of Buade of Frontenac adviser of King Louis XIV in its consulting, governor and lieutenant general for its majesty in this country of News-France, Newfoundland, Acadie and other country of France Septentrional, of Anne Corrivault (mother of Jean Maheust), of Mathieu Amiot sieur of Villeneuve and Marie Miville his wife, of young lady Genevieve of Chavigny widowed of Charles Amiot, of Charles Amiot son of sieur Villeneuve, of Jean-Paul Maheust and Louis Maheust surgeon and (Genevieve) Bissot its wife, of (Jacquette The Franc, the woman of Pierre Christmas, of lord Jacques company..., of (Jean Gavos commercial of the city of the Small rock), of Etienne Bouchard Master-surgeon, Pierre Nolan di Lechevalier, Charles Roger of the Dovecotes and several others.

The witnesses for Mathurine Bélanger are her parents, Charles her brother and Barbe Nailsmith his wife, Jean-François her other brother and his wife Marie Cloutier, Louis and Jacques her other brothers, Louise and Genevieve her sisters, of Bertrand Chesnay sior of Garenne and Lothainville his brother-in-law because of his late wife Marie-Madeleine the sister of Mathurine, Louis Levasseur and Marguerite Bélanger his wife, of Jean Langlois and Charlotte Bélanger his wife, Marguerite and Charlotte being the sisters of Mathurine, Claude Guyon her maternal uncle, Pierre Paradis and Bores Guyon his wife, maternal aunt of Mathurine and several others.

Jean Maheust will marry Mathurine with the assent of the parents of the latter in the catholic religin under the mode of the community of goods according to the habit of Paris. The futus will not be belonged to the debts one the other made before the marriage. Mathurine will receive 400 pounds which will be paid according to the choice of the survivor. François Bélanger gives to his daughter by advance the sum of 500 pounds. The sum will be in the town of Quebec in two equal payments, knowledge 250 pounds in one year as from today and the remainder the following year. This sum will enter the community. The préciput will be 600 pounds which will be given to the survivor before the sharing. If it is the husband who survives he will keep his clothes and linen for his use. If it is Mathurine who survives she will keep in addition to the préciput its furnished room, its clothes, linen, rings, jewels and other things with its use. In the event of dissolution of marriage and without children, the survivor will be entitled to half of all the goods real acquisitions and conquest with his own goods.

On the other hand if they have children born of this marriage, and if it is the husband who dies, the dwelling which is called St-Angel by title of concession will remain into clean with the children without the future mother not being able to claim there anything by right of community, douaire or differently, it which she gives up by these present. It is specified that without the clauses and conditions mentioned, the contract would not have been made.

This contract was written in front of the notary becquet in the coast of Beaupré, to the home of François Bélanger in the presence of G Thibault de Beaupré and Thomas (Frérot) royal usher of Quebec.

1674
(The contract before that of August 22?)

Is appeared Mathurine Bélanger, widow of Jean Maheu borough of this assisted city of her father Francois, tutor elected by justice in the Lord of Beaupré. Which declared in agreement with her father that it gives up the community which was between it and her late husband. It sticks to the matrimonial convention mentioned in its marriage contract.

En bas à gauche il est mentionné le 18 août (In bottom on the left it is mentioned on August 18)
L.C. Chartier

September 30, Antoine Serre son seigniory (Dombourg) of late François and (Toinette Ruby) native of the borough of (St-Lover-of-Boixe), parish of the known as évêché place of Angoulème. François Bélanger, the Lord of Beaupré, father and tutor of Mathurine, widow of Jean Maheu middle-class of the town of Quebec.

The witnesses for Antoine Serre are Louis Rouer rider sior of Villeray, Jean-François Bourdon rider sior of (Dombourg) and Pierre (Nolan) middle-class of Quebec. The witnesses of Mathurine are her father, Charles and Jean-François her brothers, Bertrand Chesnay sior of Garenne and Lothainville and Louis Levasseur his brothers-in-law, of Claude Denis and Michel Guyon his uncles, of Etienne (Blanchon) Master-tailor of dress of Quebec and Anne (AV.) his wife.

The engaged couples will be married under the mode of the community of goods according to the habit of Paris, of the day of their nuptials, even of the acquisitions makes before. Mathurine will be entitled to 400 pounds of douaire préfix to its choice. The préciput will be 400 pounds which will be taken before the sharing. In the event of dissolution of marriage the wife will be able accpeter or not the community but it will keep what it will have brought, as well succession as donnation, its clothes, linen, rings and jewels being used for its use, its douaires and préciput. If dissolution occurs without child, the survivor will have the pleasure of all the goods of the couple.

This contract had signed to Quebec to the house of Denis Guyon in the presence of the notary Pierre Duquet. Delivered by collation of the undersigned notary on September first 1688, Genaple