Québec Généalogie - Did you know? Practicing witch craft in Canada is actually prohibited by law. In fact, it can even be found in Section 365 of Canada’s Criminal Code, where pretending to be a witch, be in a coven, cast spells, do e

Québec Généalogie - The Seigneurial System (1627 - 1854)
The seigneurial system was a form of land settlement modeled on the French feudal system. It began in New France in 1627 with the formation of the Compagnie des Cent-Associés (or Company of 100 Associates), which was initially responsible for handing out land grants and seigneurial rights. The land was divided into five by 15 kilometer plots, usually along major rivers like the St. Lawrence. They were then further subdivided into narrow, but long lots for settlement. These lots were usually long enough to be suitable for faming, and they provided everyone who lived on them with equal access to neighbouring farms and the river. There were three main groups of people who lived off the land in this system: Seigneurs, Habitants and Engagés

Jean ("Petit Jean") LAVALLÉE was a habitant.
Habitants were usually farmers or labourers who were initially brought over from France to live on this land. They had to pay rent and taxes to the seigneur, though they co-owned the land with the seigneur, and even had to work entirely for the benefit of the seigneur a few days each year.

Source: Canada in the Making (www.canadiana.ca/citm/index_e.html)

Habitants played an essential role in creating a permanent, settled population along the St. Lawrence River. But it was not an easy life...

Habitants had to clear the land, build a homestead, and plant and harvest a crop. The first task was never-ending, while the last one was annual. Building and repairing the house and barn were continual tasks. So were cutting and hauling firewood. The habitants had to be largely self-reliant in looking after all routine tasks such as cooking, baking, making furniture, and repairing tools. They had to attend to the educational and medical needs of the family. They had to endure the harsh physical climate and rough terrain, largely unaided by government support. The habitants had to pay taxes to the seigneurs and the church.

Canada: The Story of Our Heritage by Elspeth Deir, John Fielding, Nick Brune, Peter Grant, Stephanie Smith Abram; McGraw-Hill Ryerson School, 2000

Jean ("Petit Jean") was a habitant, menuisier.
The menuisier, or joiner, was an artisan who built things by joining pieces of wood, particularly lighter and more ornamental work than that done by a carpenter. He was primarily responsible for the manufacture of small works, as opposed to large works. The joiner made small wooden works, furniture and other objects intended for domestic use (doors, tables, cabinets, etc.). His main tools were the plane, the galley, the grooving/plow plane, the handsaw and the mallet.
Source: tfcq.ca

Is Jean ("Petit Jean") LAVALLÉE YOUR Ancestor? Tell us more!

If you'd like to be contacted by others who are related to Jean ("Petit Jean") LAVALLÉE, leave a message here!
The comments you read here belong only to the person who posted them. We reserve the right to remove off-topic and inappropriate comments.