LOCAL HISTORY
Discover L'Assomption: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped L'Assomption through the years.
In 1647, the L'Assomption Seignory was granted to Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny, named after the river already named such since the seventeenth century. wikipedia
Repentigny dates back to 1647 when Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny was granted a seigneury, but settlement did not occur until after 1670 when his son Jean-Baptiste was given the seigneury.
The town of L'Assomption was born in 1717 on the site of the former camp of the Indians of the Huro-Iroquois families and the Algonquin and Attikamek nations.
Its first permanent residents are land clearers. At the time, these lands belonged to the Sulpicians.
1724 - (L'Assomption) - parish was formed, known thereafter as Saint-Pierre-du-Portage-de-l'Assomption and also as Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul-du-Portage.
The town's first parish priest and founder was Pierre Lesueur (Pierre Le Sueur). In 1724, he gave the parish the name of Saint-Pierre-du-Portage.
1766 - (L'Assomption) - In 1766, the village saw an influx of Acadian settlers.
L’Assomption welcomed several deported Acadian families, and the town became the center of an expanding region.
1826 - Terrible Accident
From the Montreal Courant, of Sept. 2.
We are informed that one day last week, a Canadian man at L'Assomption, was mowing hay near the river side, when he saw a very large fish near the water's edge; he made a blow at it with his scythe (which was just whetted) and raised it above his head; it appears the handle turned, and coming in contact with his person, it severed his head from his body.
Commercial Advertiser
New York
September 8, 1826
1832 - L'ASSOMPTION,
seigniory,, in the co. of Lachenaye, is bounded N.E. by St. Sulipice; S.W. by the S. of Lachenaye; in the rear by Kilkenny and Rawdon; in front by the St. Lawrence. It formerly formed part of the land granted, 16th April 1647, to Pierre Legardeur (vide the Title of Lachenaye); it now belongs to the heirs of the late P.R. de St. Ours, Esq., except a small portion which is the property of General Christie Burton. This fief possesses many local advantages, and a variety of soil favourable to cultivation... On the uplands, birch, beech and maple are found in great perfection, with some pine of a good growth; but in the valleys the wood is inferior. - The principal rivers by which this S. is abundantly watered are the L'Assomption, the Achigan and the St. Esprit; the upper part is intersected by some smaller streams that contribute greatly to its fertility, and are no less ornamental. The L'Assomption and Achigan may be called large rivers, but neither or them is navigable, although both...
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The Collège de L’Assomption, a well-known educational institution, was founded there in 1832 and the convent of the Congrégation Notre-Dame in 1845.
1834 - Unusual Murder
A murder of the most barbarous nature was lately committed at L'Assomption under unusual circumstances. Two brothers, Raymond and Oliver Brien dit Dessochers were enamored of and paying their addresses at the same time to the deceased Domithile Perrault. Oliver, however, soon discovered that his brother Raymond was the favored swain, and under the influence of jealousy notified his brother, that if he married the young lady, he would not long enjoy her society. The marriage took place, and the brother has unfortunately carried his horrible threat into execution. During the evening between Saturday and Sunday he entered in the chamber of his brother, and destroyed his sister-in-law by striking her several blows on the head with an axe. The husband also received a blow from the axe on his arm. The murdere has been committed to the gaol [sic] of this city. A coroner's inquest was held on the body of the deceased, and a verdict returned that she came to her death by the blows of an axe...
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1835 - Église de l’Assomption-de-la-Sainte-Vierge is established at L'Assomption
1837 - July 29, 1837 - Rebellion of 1837 - Patriotes hold illegal protest meeting at l'Assomption
canadachannel.ca/ todayincanadianhistory/ index.php/ July_29
1873
L'ASSOMPTION, a county in the W. part of Quebec, bordering on the River St Lawrence. Area 158,761 acres It is watered by the Mascouche, Achigan and L'Assomption Rivers. Capital, L'Assomption. Pop. 15,473.
L'ASSOMPTION, the chief town of L'Assomption co., Que., is situated on a peninsula formed by the L'Assomption River, 24 miles N. of Montreal. It contains about 20 stores, a telegraph office, a college, and a church for the Roman Catholics. Steamers run daily, in summer, between Montreal and L'Assomption. Pop. 1,210.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873
1887 - A NEW APPOINTMENT.
Mr. Hurteau, ex-M.P., L'Assomption, has been appointed superintendent of immigration for the Province of Quebec by the Federal Government. He will devote himself to the task of re-patriating French-Canadians residing in the States, giving lectures this summer in New England.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
July 2, 1887
1887 - The peaceful tenor and formidable possibilities of French-Canadian married life are illustrated by the information that at L'Assomption, Que., to-day twenty couples are to celebrate their golden weddings;
one couple having been married seventy years. That couple were no doubt courting when the battle of Waterloo was fought.
The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
October 13, 1887
1892 - Fell Through the Ice.
MONTREAL, Jan. 5. - A rich farmer named Desjardins, his daughter and a boy named Roy, aged 13 years, broke through the ice at L'Assomption and were drowned. The farmer and his daughter were driving on the river and the boy was skating.
The Daily Times
New Brunswick, New Jersey
January 6, 1892
1894 - EXTENSIVE LAND SLIDE.
A landslide occurred on Lachigan river at l'Assomption on Saturday night. It started opposite Providence convent and extended nearly to the postoffice, about a quarter of a mile. A hill 100 feet high moved away, practically filling up the river. There was no damage to property.
Manitoba Morning Free Press
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
June 12, 1894
1895 - L'Assomption
L’Assomption, the chief town of L'Assomption co., Quebec, on a peninsula formed by the L'Assomption River, 24 miles N. of Montreal. It contains about 20 stores, a college, and a church. Steamers run daily, in summer, between Montreal and L'Assomption. Pop. 1210.
The arrival of the Chemin du Grand Nord in 1903 and the inauguration of the Experimental Farm in 1928, as well as the construction of a shoe factory, "L'Assomption Shoe Ltée", helped to mitigate the harmful effects of the economic crisis of 1929,
1905 - Église de Saint-Gérard-Majella is established at L'Assomption
1916
L'Assomption, a banking town, capital of L'Assomption co., Quebec, on a peninsula formed by the L'Assomption River, 24 miles N. of Montreal, on the Canada Great Northern R. It has saw- and grist-mills, manufactures of wine, etc. Pop. in 1901, 1605.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1
Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916
J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
L'Assomption
L'Assomption was the result of the merger of the parish municipality of Saint-Pierre-du-Portage-de-l'Assomption (incorporated 1855) with the town of L'Assomption (incorporated 1888) in 1992. L'Assomption is located about 50 km northeast of Montréal, in a loop of the meandering L'Assomption River, just below the confluence with the Achigan River.
L'Assomption takes its name from the Seigneurie de l’Assomption granted to Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny in 1647 and from the river itself, which has carried that name since the early 17th century. Originally, the site of L'Assomption was known as "Le Portage" because it straddled a portage path used as a shortcut across the quasi-peninsula made by the winding course of the river.
Before Joliette came into its own in 1863, L'Assomption was the main town on the road linking Trois-Rivières to Montréal. Its fame was closely linked to Collège de l'Assomption, founded in 1832. The driving force behind this educational project was...
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There's something for everyone in L'Assomption. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in this delightful town:
Théâtre Hector-Charland: Start your visit with some culture by checking out a show at Théâtre Hector-Charland. This performing arts center hosts a variety of events, from live theater performances to concerts and dance shows. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the local arts scene.
Musée Pierre-Boucher: Explore the history of L'Assomption and the surrounding region at the Musée Pierre-Boucher. The museum showcases a collection of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that highlight the cultural heritage of the area. It's an excellent place to learn about the town's past.
Parc de l'Île-Lebel: For a dose of outdoor fun, head to Parc de l'Île-Lebel. This beautiful park is situated along the L'Assomption River and offers a range of activities. You can have a picnic, go for a bike ride or a leisurely walk, play sports like soccer or volleyball, or even rent a canoe or kayak to paddle on the river.
Golf Le Portage: Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round of golf at Golf Le Portage....
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