François  BISSOT DE LA RIVIÈRE

BYSSOT (Bissot) DE LA RIVIÈRE, FRANÇOIS, a native of Pont-Audemer, in the Department of the Eure (Normandy); b. 1612 or 1613, son of Jean Byssot Du Hommée, bourgeois, and of Marie Assour; d. 1673 at Quebec.

His presence in the colony is noted for the first time when the Jesuits took possession of the Île aux Ruaux, 2 July 1639.

Having subsequently settled at Pointe-Lévy, on the Lauson shore, Byssot went into partnership with Guillaume Couture*, whose neighbour he became. In 1647 Couture cleared a piece of land and constructed a main building, while Byssot supplied the money and materials. This property was 40 arpents deep by 5 wide, and bordered on the St. Lawrence. On 15 Oct. 1648 Jean de Lauson (senior), in Paris, gave a formal title-deed, over his signature, to his first two copyholders (censitaires), Byssot and Couture. At Quebec, ten days later, Byssot, at the age of 34, married Marie Couillard, the fifth child of Guillaume Couillard and Guillemette Hébert.

On 9 Aug.

francois Bissot .............................53 bourgeois
Marie Couillard .............................34 sa femme
Geneviefve Bissot ...........................12 fille
guillaume Bissot .............................6 fils
francois Bissot ..............................2 fils
Leonard Musnier .............................45 Engaigé domestique
Jacques Meusnier ............................19 Aussy Engaigé
Martin Lanfillé .............................19 Engaigé
Jean Léger ..................................24 Engaigé
Et Marguerite Lucas .........................23 servante