Pierre MICHAUD
Biography

From "Our French Canadian Ancestors" Vol. 2 by Thomas J Laforest

"Our readers would be surprised to learn that the ancestor Pierre Michaud, for the better part of his life, carried the family name Michel. Michaud means "little Michel." Where did Pierre Michel come from? He was a Poitevan and originated from Fontenay-le-Comte, capital of the Department of the Vendee. The land surrounding this village, because of the excavations of flints and pot sherds, archaeologists believe to have been the home of prehistoric man, even before the time of Asterix the Gaul. It was only in 1242 that the specification of "le-Comte" was added. Fontenay-le-Comte was a part of the Diocese of Maillezais for a long time but at the time of our ancestor, the episcopal seat was transferred to LaRochelle in Aunis by Pope Innocent X, in the year 1648. More than 30 people emigrated from Fontenay-le-Comte for Canada. Let's repeat the names of some of these: Jacques Bernier, Andre Bonnenfant, Jacques Manseau and 3 other Pierres Bourgoin, Cardinal and l'Ecuyer."

"Pierre Michel was baptized in the Church of Notre-Dame,located in the Rue Pont-aux-Chevres. His parents were Antoine Michel and Marie Train. The church, spires and all,was 240 feet tall, but in those days, did not have the clock displayed on the facade."

"On the 27th of March 1656, before Notary Paul Moreau of LaRochelle, Pierre Michaud indentured himself to Jacques Pepin, a ships' factor and merchant of LaRochelle, to go to work in Ouebec for 3 years. His salary would be 36 livres per year, with an immediate advance of 38 livres and 5 sols."

"Pierre made the crossing from LaRochelle to Quebec on the ship La Fortune, owned by a Monsieur Auboyneau. This small ship of 100 tons was commanded by Captain Edouard Raymond. Pierre Michel was classed as a migratory worker. Established first on the Beaupre coast, he passed through the islands of the Saint Lawrence river, then on to the south bank, finally to die at Kamouraska..."

See Chapter 19 of "Our French Canadian Ancestors" Vol. 2 by Thomas J Laforest for more details.



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