François  BELANGER

François BÉLANGER (ca 1612 - ca 1686) - Marie GUYON (1624 - 1696)

Pioneer François Bélanger married Marie Guyon this day, July 12th, 1637, at Québec.

François and Marie were joined in matrimony at the same time as Robert Drouin and Anne Cloutier, 'the first double marriage ceremony celebrated in Canada.'

Like his father-in-law Jean Guyon, Bélanger was a mason. At the same time, his 'bold signature denoted a degree of education superior to that of the average settler.' He was chosen as mayor of the region of Longue Pointe and became church warden in the parish of Château-Richer. François was also a close associate of the illustrious Olivier Letardif; he became trustee of his affairs and guardian of his minor children at Letardif's death. And after 'forty years of struggle and constant work' he became the 'Seigneur of Bonsecours (L'Islet).'

François and Marie had twelve children, most of whom married. Their very long list of notable descendants include Alex Trebek, Ricky

francois Bellanger - 54 habittant

Marie Dion - 40 sa femme

Jean françois Bellangér .17 fils

Mathurine Bellanger - 14 fille

Louis Belangér - 12 fils

Louis(e) bellangér - 9 fille

Geneviefve Bellangér - 7 fille

Jacques Bellangér - 4 fils

Noel Mureau - 24 Engaigé domestique

Et George Tasser - 26 aussy domestique Engaigé

Francois Belanger, habitant, 55 years
Marie Guyon, 43 years
Jean Francois Belanger, 19 years
Mathurine Belanger, 16 years
Louis Belanger, 13 years
Louise Belanger, 10 years
Genevieve Belanger 9 years
Jacques Belanger, 5 years
Noel Mezereau, domestique, 25 years

Francois Belanger, 60
Marie Guion, sa femme, 55
enfants:
Genevieve, 21
Jacques, 18
domestiques:
Jean de Lavoye, 17
Barthelemy Gobeil, 14
Pierre Lafaye, 56
Pierre Matule, 4

Source: Histoire des Canadiens-Francais 1608-1880 by Benjamin Sulte, Montreal, 1882

'ON 25 OCTOBER 1685, HE BEQUEATHED ALL OF HIS REMAINING PROPERTY TO HIS SON JACQUES, IN RETURN FOR GOOD AND LOYAL SERVICE. THIS DONATION INCLUDED HIS LANDS AT BONSECOURS, A HORSE, A BARN, A MILL, A MARE, THREE OXEN, THREE COWS, WAGONS, ETC. MARIE GUYON RATIFIED THIS ACT ON 25 APRIL 1687, IN A DOCUMENT WHICH INDICATED THAT SHE HAD BECOME A WIDOW. FRANCOIS HAD PROBABLY DIED THE PRECEDING WINTER WHILE MARIE WOULD LIVE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER TEN YEARS. THE REGISTRY OF CAP-SAINT-IGNACE MENTIONS HER BURIAL ACT, ON 1 OCTOBER 1696. SHE WAS THEN 78 YEARS OLD.'

THOMAS J. LAFOREST
OUR FRENCH-CANADIAN ANCESTORS : VOLUME VI, PAGE 27