Pierre RICHAUME dit PETRUS
Biography

Pierre Richaume and his father Simon were among the first group brought to Ville-Marie by Maisonneuve to help with construction of the fort. The elder Richaume had signed a contract on May 2, 1644; for a period of three years, where he would be employed as a carpenter and wagoneer, for an annual salary of 100 livres. (Simon may also have been Pierre's older brother, since no age is given) After his contract was up, he stayed on in Montreal, but was killed on February 9, 1655, when a tree he had been clearing, fell on him and he was crushed to death.

By then Pierre was nineteen, and his occupation listed as cultivator of vineyards, though he no doubt also acted as a labourer in the construction around Ville Marie. By the time he was 22, he must have decided, or at least had it decided for him, that it was time to settle down and raise a family, so a contract was negotiated for a French bride, and Marthe on her way to meet her intended.

Satisfied with each other, they were married soon after and began a family immediately, though there was a gliche. Pierre Richaume was a hugenot; an unacceptable situation in the Catholic colony, so on August 24, 1660; the 24 year old Pierre took confirmation and changed his faith. Whether he actually embraced Catholicism, or just did it for the good of family, is unknown; but he did allow his children to be raised as Catholics.

The family eventually moved to Repentigny, Quebec; a Seigneury granted to Pierre Le Gardeur on April 16, 1647; and Richaume joined the Sainte Famille Militia in 1663. Pierre Richaume died on May 8, 1688 and Marthe on August 26, 1700; and both are buried at Repentigny.

www.oocities.org/ weallcamefromsomewhere/ Kebec/ marthe_arnu.html

Learn more about the life of     Pierre RICHAUME dit PETRUS.