Turgeon Family History
SEIGNEURIE OF BEAUPORT
It is difficult to determine the schedule of Charles Turgeon and his family, upon their arrival, in Quebec. No one has yet found his contract for the acquisition of land, in 1663. Afterwards, Charles Turgeon always said that, he was from the Seigneurie of Beauport. This was confirmed by the census of 1667. The censustakers recorded them as having 10 arpents of land under cultivation, without more details. His neighbors, at that time, were Claude de Berman, Sieur de Lamartiniere and Francois Guyon dit Despres. The rest of his story tells us that, Charles had a few pennies in his pocket.
On December 9, 1669, Jean Gibault and Marie-Suzanne Benet, living in the town of Fargy, sold to Master Charles Turgeon, also a resident of the seigneurie of the said Beauport, 40 arpents of land, in the town of Saint-Joseph, with cabin and shed, bordered by Jean Lemarie and Pierre Lefebvre. Charles paid 200 livres cash and 25 livres "in pots of wine" for the wife. Witnesses: Pierre Vallee, master surgeon and Denis Avisse, bailiff.
On the last day of December 1669, Charles acknowledged a debt of 194 livres to Pierre Pellerin dit Saint-Amand, merchant of Quebec. The creditor was fully paid off, on October 16, 1670.
Toussaint Giroux, a resident of Beauport, had just learned of the death of his mother, Marguerite Quilleron, during her lifetime, a resident of the hamlet of Bignon, Parish of Reveillon, in Perche, France. Heir to a house, a small garden and an enclosure of two arpents of land, under cultivation, land which bordered Barouil and the heirs of the late Sieur Gabillon. Giroux wanted to sell this property. Charles Turgeon paid cash to the said sellers, in silver coin and 300 livres, on October 22, 1670. Why did our man invest in France?
Surprise! The day after this purchase, Charles found himself again at the home of Notary Becquet. We learn that, on July 31, 1669, he had sold a house to Zacharie Cloutier senior, from Beauport. Well, the latter still owed 300 livres for "Remainder of Sale & delivery of a homestead Located in the fief of la Cloutterie". Turgeon gave a receipt to Nicolas Dupont, Sieur de Neuville, who paid in the name of Cloutier. However, on October 20, 1670, Charles and Pasquiere Lefebvre borrowed 150 livres from Toussaint Giroux.
During a period of several years, the Turgeons seem to have made an effort to educate their children, including their last child, Jean, baptized at Quebec, on May 17, 1670.
VARIOUS FACTS
Charles Turgeon was a difficult neighbor, somewhat quarrelsome. Jacques Marie, a resident of Beauport, knew something about this. On January 12, 1677, the latter set, in motion, the legal machinery against Our Ancestor. Charles had taken wood from his land, removed the stake from the ground, on the boundary line and even removed the cap from the head of the said Marie and then gave the offended party a number of blows, with a stick. According to the documents, written by Notary Vachon, which is difficult to read. Turgeon got eight days in jail and 20 livres in fine, one-third of which was given to the church, a second third to the poor and one-third to the court.
On March 31, 1670, David Asselin and his wife, Catherine Baudard, had received 44 livres from Charles Turgeon, to reimburse them for passage to this country, for Etienne Beaufils. Beaufils returned to his homeland, in 1673. Had he worked for the account of Turgeon? On March 4, 1677, Asselin gave a receipt to Charles. The matter of Etienne Beaufils surfaced again, on March 20, 1679. Turgeon admitted that, he had been paid by Beaufils and Louis Dsesmoulins, after an accounting was made between them.
On Monday, December 4, 1679, Charles Turgeon learned that, his complaint against Pierre Toupin dit Lapierre and Rene Siret dit Lafleur, was accepted by the Sovereign Council. It seems that, the latter had cut pine trees on Charles' property. The accused then asked for an official report of the survey, by Jean Le Rouge, on the following January 8. Gradually, this case seems to have been thrown into the waste bin of oblivion.
Charles Turgeon, habitant, living in the village of Saint-Joseph de Beauport and Jean de Rainville...in order to maintain peace and friendship...and to avoid a long lawsuit, reached an agreement together, on September, 18, 1681. Rainville promised to give Turgeon, before All Saints Day, 46 livres, 36 of them spent for the expenses of the lawsuit and 10 to pay for bandages and medications, which the surgeon provided to Turgeon, for his wounds...The two adversaries had come to blows...Furthermore, Jean de Rainville had broken Charles' gun. He was obliged to pay for it.
Turgeon farmed the land, in the village of Saint-Joseph, between the properties of the Lord of Beauport and the village of Saint-Michel. On August 17, 1683, he had a neighbor named Joseph Vandandaigue dit Gadbois, a master carpenter living at Quebec. The latter offered his land as a farm lease and an amount of grain for five years, on condition of giving him 25 minots of wheat each year. Charles accepted this offer. In the spring of 1683, on April 29, Charles had also obtained, at the rate of 10 livres annually for three years, the land of Claude Graton, Sieur de Villefort, who was on a journey to France.
In 1688, in the bailiwick of Charlesbourg, Charles Turgeon managed to obtain payment, for services rendered, to Pierre Parent, 19 livres. He had also done business with his son, Jacques Parent, by selling him two oxen. A second time, the good understanding between Jean de Rainville and Charles Turgeon turned sour before the Sovereign Council, on January 31, 1689. Charles did not accept the decision of the Provost of Quebec, namely that, the appellant Turgeon had to use the large path to go from village, of Saint-joseph, to the meadowlands of Fargy or Beauport. The high court ratified the decision of the Provost. It even gave it some teeth! Our Ancestor had to resign himself to scrupulously use the public road...
How difficult it is when one does not get along!
THE TURGEON FAMILY
1) Jeanne was baptized July 18, 1650, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. She died and was buried two days later.
2) Marie-Claire was baptized September 29, 1651, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. She married Abel Sagot, the son of Guillaume and Marie Marchand, on October 15, 1665, at Quebec. They had one son, Louis. Louis was killed by the Iroquois, in August of 1689, at Lachenaie. Marie-Claire died August 20, 1711 and was buried the next day, at Quebec. Abel remarried to Marie-Madeleine Sasseville, the daughter of Pierre and Marie Seigneur and widow of Augustin Normandin, the son of Jacques and Catherine Boismoreau, on May 25, 1712, at Quebec. This couple had no children.
3) Jacques was baptized September 29, 1653, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. On November 26, 1704, at Beaumont, he married Marie Jean, the daughter of Vivien and Elizabeth Drouet and widow of Pierre Bourget dit Lavalle and the son of Pierre and Marie Rioux. Four children were born to this family, 2 girls and 2 boys.
4) Francoise was baptized November 18, 1656, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. She died and was buried, in April 1657, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France.
5) Anne was baptized August 28, 1656, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. She became a lay sister, on January 31, 1679, at the Nursing Sisters of the Hotel-Dieu of Quebec. She became Sister Marthe. She died, at the Hotel-Dieu, on April 15, 1725.
6) Michel was baptized September 3, 1661, at Saint-Jean de Mortagne, France. He probably died in Mortagne, France, sometime before his family's arrival in Canada and the 1667 census.
7) Zacharie was born May 7, 1664 and was baptized the 22nd, at Quebec. He married Marguerite Roy, the daughter of Nicolas Roy and Jeanne Lelievre, on October 21, 1691, at Beauport. This couple had thirteen offspring, 7 girls and 6 boys.
8) Pierre (1) was October 19, 1666, at Beauport and baptized the 24th, at Quebec. He died and was buried February 10, 1667. He was four months old.
9) Pierre (2) was born and baptized in 1669, where? He married Marie-Anne Carrier, the daughter of Jean and Barbe Halay, on November 16, 1695, at Lauzon. They had two sons. Pierre died November 9, 1699, at the Hotel-Dieu. Barbe married again. Louis Lemieux, the son of Gabriel and Marthe Beauregard, became her husband, on May 4, 1700, at Lauzon. They had one son, Jean.
10) Jean was baptized May 17, 1670, at Quebec. He married Anne-Therese Vachon, the daughter of Paul and Marguerite Langlois, on November 8, 1691, at Beauport. Sixteen babies were fed at their supper table, 6 girls and 10 boys.
The third generation was made up of thirty-six children, recorded in our Canadian registries.
RETURN TO FRANCE
In the autumn of 1693, Charles Turgeon and Pasquiere Lefebvre had just made a serious decision. They were on the point of leaving for Old France. In the presence of the notary, Louis Chambalon, on December 3, they appointed their son, Jean, as their general and special administrator, in this country of Canada. On the same day, Charles and his wife admitted owing Jean a debt of 500 livres, which he had lent them to facilitate their passage back home. Jean could pay himself from the first money, which he will receive from their effects or leases, whenever he wants. Signing, as witnesses, were Jean de Lestage, clerk in the bureau, of Quebec and Jacques Philippeau.
The Turgeon parents, after coming to New France, returned to their country, of origin, by one of the last ships, which left the harbor of Quebec, in November 1691. How many months or years did the Turgeons remain in France? At the time, of the marriage of Pierre, at Lauzon, he was said to be the son of Charles and Pasquiere, of Beauport. But, at the marriage of Jacques, on November 26, 1704, at Beaumont, his parents seem to be deceased.
On April 9, 1699, at the time of a serious request presented to the Sovereign Council, by Gabriel Lambert, the paternal uncle, of the minor children, of the late Eustache Lambert, his brother and Marie Vanech, the wife, in the second marriage of Louis de Niort, for the purpose of preventing the latter from misusing the property left by his brother. There was mention of Charles Turgeon, Gabriel stated: "that on the homestead for which Charles Turgeon paid forty livres in rent, land Which will be able to Be redeemed by the said Turgeon from the said Minors for the sum of eight hundred livres..." Conclusion: Charles and Pasquiere Turgeon had returned, to New France before the beginning of the new century.
The love of our country is a Christian value because Christians are the ancestors of New France. Our origins are sources of fertility. A son lives because of the faithfulness of his fathers.
FAMILY NAME VARIATIONS
Turgeon has the following known variations: Hubert, Thurgeon and Turgen.
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Zacharie Turgeon was our direct ancestor, and is listed as one of Charles and Pasquiere’s sons.
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History of New France
1689 In the wee hours of August 4 and 5 the Iroquois made a surprise attack against the habitants of Lachines. 24 people are killed and at least 50 farms are destroyed. Seventy-two others are reported missing. Governor Fonteanc overstated these numbers to the king in order to obtain military reinforcements for the colony. He claimed 300 died.
1695 Population of New-France: 12,786 inhabitants
1706 The fur trade business is a vital industry to the colony. The fur trade company is reorganized where beaver sales are now being concentrated in the hands of the royal farmers from whom the Company of the Indies relied. Exports of other furs remain free and competitive.
1721 Population of New-France: 24,951 inhabitants. Introduction of the tobacco culture in New-France.
1727 The "tourtes" (a kind of bird now extinct similar to turtle doves) are so abundant in Quebec that the habitants kill them at their door-steps.
1739 Population of New-France: 42,701 habitants. Beaver skins form 70% of export values. In Quebec, Attorney General Verrier gives two lessons per week to young people seeking legal information and to members of the Sovereign Council wanting to improve their knowledge of the law.
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Seventh Generation – Zacharie Turgeon
The seigniory of Beaumont was located along the St. Lawrence valley in south New France. The St. Lawrence River was the most significant river of this area and important for trade and commerce. Charles-Thomas Couillard was the first lord in charge of the seigniory of Beaumont. In 1681 there were 53 people living in Beaumont that included 15 houses and 66 arpents of developed land. (The ‘Perce de Paris’ defines an arpent as approximately 3418.9 square meters or approximately 0.845 acre. An arpent was generally used to describe the size of vineyards in France.)
The first lord of Beaumont died in 1715 and his son, Charles-Marie, became the second lord of Beaumont. After Charles-Marie died, his son, Charles-Marie became the third lord of the seigniory of Beaumont. Since this latter Charles-Marie was only a minor at the time, his mother managed the seigniory for a short while. The management of the seigniory of Beaumont by the Couillard lords extended to one and a half centures. Why would you need to know this? Because the fourth lord of Beaumont was a Turgeon relative, who gained this title by marriage.
The colonists who humanized the environment were the ‘censitaires’. They took possession of their land, cut down trees to clear the land and built houses in which to live. One censitaire of note was our ancestor, Zacharie Turgeon, who was reared in the seigniory of Beaumont. Throughout his life he cultivated the ground intending to give his possessions to his children. Zacharie married Marie Elisabeth Roy (or Le Roy) on October 24 1691, in Beauport, Quebec province. In 1694 he was given land in Beaumont and remained in the seigniory until he died. Zacharie and his wife lived modestly, and he also became a merchant. One of Zacharie’s grandsons married the daughter of the second lord of Beaumont. Consequently, a Turgeon became the fourth Lord of Beaumont and occupied the function of Notary.
Name: Zacharie Turgeon (born May 12, 1664 in Mortagne, Perche, France, and
Died on July 13, 1743 in Beaumont, Quebec Province, Canada).
Zacharie was christened on May 22, 1664 in Quebec
Marie Elisabeth Roy (or Le Roy) – born May 24, 1671, in L’Ange Gardien, QC
Marie Elisabeth was christened on May 24, 1671
Married: October 24, 1691 in Beauport, Quebec Province, Canada
Marie Elisabeth Roy’s parents were probably Nicholas Roy and Jeanne Lelievre.
Children:
Charles Turgeon – born March 27, 1692, in Levis, Quebec Province
Jean Turgeon – born Sep 20, 1693, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Louis Turgeon – born April 19, 1695, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Joseph Turgeon – born Jan 14, 1697, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Marie Turgeon – born Mar 3, 1698, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Elisabeth Turgeon – born Jan 20, 1700, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Angelique Turgeon – born May 15, 1701, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Joseph Turgeon – born Jun 29, 1704, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Louise Turgeon – born May 6, 1706, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Genevieve Turgeon – born Nov 30, 1707, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Marie Suzanne Turgeon – born Mar 12, 1709, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Marguerite Turgeon – born Jan 4, 1711, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Alexandre Turgeon – born Apr 17, 1714, in Beaumont, Quebec Province
Louis Turgeon was our direct ancestor and was the third oldest son in Zacharie’s family. Louis’s son became the fourth lord of Beaumont.
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History of New France
1750 There was an epidemic of typhus in the colony. Intendent Francois Bigot prohibited anyone from practicing surgery and medicine in Canada without having undergone a preliminary examination in front of the king's doctor or surgeon in Quebec. He said, "Often the prescribed remedies give the people even more suffering."
1755 The English colonies in North America have approximately 1,500,000 people.
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Sixth Generation – Louis Turgeon
Louis Turgeon married Angelique Couture on April 28, 1728, in Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada. Louis was born and baptized on April 19, 1695, in Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec, and died on July 7, 1776 in Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec. Angelique Couture was born on October 28, 1703, in Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec. They were married on April 28, 1728, in Saint-Etienne, Beaumont, Bellechasse, Quebec, Canada.
Angelique is sometimes known as ‘Marie-Angelica Seams’, and was the daughter of Eustace Couture and Marie-Francoise Huard.
They had the following nine children:
Joseph Turgeon born March 20, 1728/29, in Beaumont, Quebec
Louis Turgeon born October 30, 1730, in Beaumont, Quebec
Charles Turgeon born June 6, 1732, in Beaumont, Quebec
Etienne Turgeon born August 1734 in Beaumont, Quebec
Antoine Turgeon born February 24, 1735/36, in Beaumont, Quebec
Marie Angelique Turgeon born December 9, 1737, in Beaumont, Quebec
Francois Turgeon born January 9, 1739/40, in Beaumont, Quebec
Gilles Turgeon born February 24, 1741/42, in Beaumont, Quebec
Jean Baptiste Turgeon born on March 18, 1745/46, in Beaumont, Quebec
Antoine Turgeon is our direct ancestor.