Jean DOYON
Biography

On May 2, 1644, young laborer Jean Doyon was about 25 years old and living in the town of Esnandes, nearby La Rochelle, when he presented himself at the home of the notary Teuleron. He was accompanied by the merchant Pierre Prevost, agent for Pierre Legardeaur de Repentignay. He singed an indenture to work for the latter for three years at a salary of 60 livres a year. It was understood that the Jean would be housed, fed and supported at the expense of his employer, who was expected to pay the coast of the passage over and back.
Upon arrival in Canada, Jean was first employed on the arm of Pierre Legardeur on the Sainte-Genevieve coast near Quebec. Instead of returning to France when his indenture was finished, he preferred to remain in his adopted country and to work as a land clearer and pit sawyer. On November 9, 1647, he was hired to deliver to Jean Bourdon, the administrator of the Company of One Hundred Associates, 500 wild cherry timbers and 300 cedar planks and some hardwood.
"These materials," wrote Father Godbout, "must have been put into the public buildings which were being built in Quebec at that time; parish church; governors residence; and Fort Saint-Louis. In fact, the name of Jean Doyon figures prominently among the providers of wood for the construction of Fort Saint-Louis"
1650 was the year of his marriage to Marie-Marthe Gagnon, born in Perche, 14 o 15 years earlier, the natural daughter of Mathurin Gagnon and of VIncente Gathier. Fr. Leonard Gareau, standing in of curate of the parish of Quebec Fr. Barthelemi Vimont, went to the home of Mathurin on the Beaupre coast to bless the union of Jean and Marthe.
This strictly privage ceremony took plaqce in the presence of local notables Jean Cochon, Rene Robineau and Jean-Baptiste Legardeur de Repentigny.
Referring to Marthe's origin, Fr. Gareau continues: "Neither the husband of Marthe Gagnon nor her father are to be judged odiously to see in this official act the true origin of the bride. The illegitimate daughter herself had nothing to do with it and it did not keep her from becoming the mother of an exemplary family. As for the father, Mathurin Gagnon, he had the magnificent courage, contrary to thousands of others, to acknowledge his child, t bring her to a barbaric country and to settle her honorable."

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