The church of St Thomas de Montmagny located at the Pointe à la Caille  The church of St Thomas of Montmagny located at the Pointe à la Caille at the time of our ancestors Olivier and Joseph where Joseph married Geneviève Lefeuvre. Photograph drawn from "Montmagny: On the trace of our ancestors "Publications Saint-Laurent, St Jean Port-Joli 2000 24p

On January 17, 2768 Joseph signs his marriage contract with Genevieve Lefeuvre (dit Boulanger) at St-Thomas' Pointe a la Caille, so called because of the abundance of quails. Witnesses to the contract are his brother Olivie Nicole, her mother Genevieve Lorendeau, her brothers Augustin and Joseph Lefeuvre, the notary Levesque, Sieur Charles Simoneau, Louis Thibault, Charles Norais, Jean Beust, Jean-Baptist Le Cornet, Francois Oh, Charles Langlois. Olivier does not sign the wedding certificate for Joseph on January 18, 1768 in Montmagny. Joseph was a farmer and a cod fisherman because several notarial acts note him as such. He probably made fishing seasons during several years after his marriage. He was respected and esteemed for he is called Sieur Nicolle in several acts. All these acts were made before Nicolas Charles Louis Levesque, native of Bouillion, St-Pair and who also lived at St-Thomas' Pointe a la Caille. After the inventory and estate sale following Genevieve's death, it was the notary Levesque who bought the bed and bedlinens belonging to Joseph and Genevieve.

                                                                                   The Life of Olivier and his brother Joseph Nicolle through civil and religious and other notarial acts.

With a Big Thank You, we recognize our friend Charles Campeau who researched a lot for us both at Montreal and at the ANQ de Quebec. Without him, our history would not be as encompassing.

At last, a first son for Olivier! Clement Olivier Nicole arrives in the world September 12, 1769 at St-Vallier. Godparents are Jeanne Brochu and ? Clement.
We find Olivier Nicolle as witness to the marriage of his godson Clement Patry, son of Clement Patry and Marie-Dorothee Brochu to Therese Latulippe, daughter of Joseph Queret dit Latulippe and Marguerite Bissonnette at LaDurantaye on January 15, 1770. Even though the wedding register records Olivier Nicolle as godfather, it is really Pierre Patry according to PRDH (the University of Montreal's database). (Note: LaDurantaye was the seigneurie of Charles-Francois Tauriau and comprised the villages of St-Michel, St-Vallier and Berthier-sur-Mer and a 4th sector).

Olivier is again at St-Vallier to witness the marriage of his sister-in-law Marie Susanne Brochu to Jacques Roy on April 8, 1771.

As for Joseph, we find him at Montmagny for the baptism of his daughter, Marie-Genevieve Nicol on September 23, 1771.

Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate for his son Joseph Francois Nicol at St-Michel on January 6, 1772. The child's godparents are Jean-Baptiste Paquette and Marie-Josephe Therrien.

Joseph is at St-Pierre-de-la-Riviere-du-Sud, which will become part of Montmagny, for the birth of his first son Joseph Nicol on May 6, 1773.

Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate for his daughter Marie Angelique Nicole at LaDurantaye on August 1, 1773. Her godparents are Joseph Bibeau and Josephe Couture. Angelique dies at 2-1/2 months on October 19, 1773.

Olivier Nicol witnesses the marriage of Jacques Patry, another son of Clement Patry and Marie-Dorothee Brochu to Marie Francoise Furois, daughter
 of Jacques Furois and Madeleine Plante. Marie-Dorothee Brochu, again, is half-sister to Marie-Louise Brochu.

 

Notarial Act: St-Michel (in the locality of La Riviere Boye) On July 17, 1774 in the absence of Olivie Nicole Purchase of lands to his profit: July 17, 1774 in the absence of Olivier Nicole, Michel LaCroix sells lands of 20 arpents (approximately 20 acres) to Olivier, part of a parcel of 60 belonging to Lacroix and his 2 sisters. This land is in prolongation to the northeast of lands already belonging to Olivie Nicole. Witnessed by Sieur Michel Gotron and Robert Leonard Roufflet and the notary Jacques Fortier. By an additional clause dated October 30, 1774 in the presence of Olivier Nicolle: The seller Michel LaCroix recognizes a debt of 212 pounds against the buyer Olivier Nicol and that this sum covers the first date of payment for this purchase; the balance will be paid at St-Michel (September 29) of the following year. Photograph: Seen Boyer River If this photograph belongs to you to contact me jocelynenicol@yahoo.fr

La Rivière Boyer photos of  Marie-Claire Nicol Ma USA

Joseph Nicole is at Montmagny on January 19, 1775 for the baptism of Jean-Baptiste Nicol, his only son and child to survive.  Jean-Baptiste Lefeuvre and Ursule Fournier are godparents.
Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate of his son Joseph Armand (Clement) Nicole at La Durantaye on July 3, 1775.  His godparents are Joseph Michaud and Susanne Couture.  Joseph Clement (Armand) will die on July 26, 1775 - 3 weeks later.

Olivier is at La Durantaye on May 8, 1776 as godfather to Olivier Nicol Betille son of Charles Betille and Angelique Greffard . Charles Bestille (aka Betille, aka Beti) We will see later how Charles Betille and Olivier Nicole were connected.

Two months later, the 2 families are united again in La Durantaye for the baptism of Marie Rosalie Nicole.  Angelique Greffard, wife of Charles Betille
is godmother.Thanks to their marriage, Olivier and Charles became cousins. Marie-Louise Brochu marries of Olivier and Angélique Greffard marries
of Charles Bétille were German cousins. They had the same paternal grandmother, Marie-Francoise DELAUNAY.

Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate of his son Charles Nicole at St Michel La Durantaye on July 20, 1778 born July 19, 1778  The child's godparents are Charles Bestille (Beti) and Francoise Beaudoin. 
Charles will die July 25, 1782 burial July 26, 1782 St Michel de La Durantaye at 4 years.
Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate of his son Jean-Baptiste Nicol at LaDurantaye on June 17, 1780.  The godfather is Joseph Paquet and the godmother's name is illegible.  Jean-Baptiste will die August 2, 1780 at 2-1/2 months.

Olivier is witness to the marriage of his wife's nephew André Brochu, son of Pierre-Philippe Brochu and Marie-Genevieve Roy to Marie Genevieve Roy, daughter of Etienne-Noel Roy and Marie-Reine Fradet at St-Vallier on February 5, 1781.

Olivier is listed on the baptismal certificate of his last son and child Laurent Nicole at LaDurantaye on July 23, 1781.  Godparents are Francoise
Gagnon and Laurent Couture.  Laurent will die August 12, 1781, 3 weeks old.

March 25, 1782 Land sale from Olivier Nicole to Joseph Guilmet
Olivier Nicole signs a bill of sale for the lands located at the 3rd concession of La Durantaye and the parish of St-Michel to sieur Joseph Guilmet of St-Michel parish.  A land which Olivier bought on July 17, 1774 form Michel Lacroix located at the Riviere Boyer in the presence of Pierre Chicou and Germaine Blondeau. (see acts)

Jacques Gomont marries Therese Gaudreau on November 11 , 1783.  She cares for Jean-Baptiste over the next 2 years. 
She dies on November 11, 1785 and a few days later Jacques Gomont gives up his legacy from Joseph Nicolle.  Jacques will remarry to Marguerite Morin in January 1787.  Thus, on November 1785 before the notary Levesque, Jacques Gomont renounces Joseph Nicolle's legacy.  There he says, that said Sieur Joseph Nicolle is restored and certified with and is similar to what was before known as the said inheritance in all buildings. (see data-base
for Jacques Gomont genealogy

Now to better understand the continuation of Olivier Nicolle's life we must turn to the great History of Quebec and the events which occurred there.  What happened?

 The clergy was accused of collaboration with the enemy.  The sharpest resistance was at St-Michel.  On October 1, 1775, while in the sermon of the Mass, the Jesuit Lefrance tried to raise spirits, one voice rises, "That's long enough to preach for the English."  That caused a stir in Monseigneur
Briand, Bishop of Quebec.  He wrote a long letter of reprobation.  He even wrote "One can say that the conservation of the colony to the King of England is the fruit of the clergy's firmness and fidelity."  The culprits of the insurrection withdrew to the 4th concession of the seigneurie La Durantaye and swore never to accept the new regime and to remain French to the end even if France appeared to have disavowed them.  Didn't one have all his goods destroyed by the enemy?  And didn't another see with his own eyes one of his own family killed by an Englishman on the Boyer River Bridge? 
They were killed and buried in the 4th concession of LaDurantaye.  Some were excommunicated. 
But deep in their hearts, they continue to fight to remain French.
"In 1783, England was obliged to recognize the independence of the United States officially.  The following year, a letter circulates in Montreal and the surrounding areas signed by Count d'Estaing "in the name of the King (of France) to all the former French of northern America." 

It read "You were born French, you could never cease to be French.  I will not contend with the sentiment of the whole people , for the whole people, when they acquire the right to think and act, know their own interest. That to join with the United States, that assures its happiness;  but will declare as I declare it solemnly in the name of His Majesty who authorizes me and who orders me, that all the former subjects of northern America who do not recognize the supremacy of England can count on His protection and His support."
sources: Mario Mimeault "Around the Conquest 1745-1775
and at Cousture http://republiquelibre.org/cousture/1775.HTM and Jocelyne Nicol et Bernard Quillivic

                                                                                      Death of Marie-Louise Brochu

1)Marie-Louise Brochu, Olivier Nicolle's wife, dies at St Michel de la Durantaye on January18, 1783 at the age of 41.
What is very astonishing is that on the death certificate there is no mention she is the wife of Olivier Nicolle.  There is no signature by Olivier Nicolle.  She leaves orphaned Marie-Louise 17, Marie-Genevieve 15, Clement Olivier 13, Joseph Francois 11 and the youngest, Marie-Rosalie 6-1/2.

2)Inventory of communal goods of Olivier Nicolle and the late Marie-Louise Brochu, October 19, 1784
At 9 in the morning, the notary Riverin proceeded to the inventory in the presence of Sieur Jean Brochu, guardian of the children of Olivier Nicolle and the late Marie-Louise Brochu, as well as Charles Betille curator representing the absent Olivier Nicolle, as well as Sieur Simon Bricault for ad litum for said children, Jean-Baptiste Fortier guard of said pieces of furniture and buildings which were appraised by Nicolas Mercier.

The inventory includes kitchen utensils, farm tools, a gun, animals, wheels, a weaving loom, and so on.  In addition, land situated in the 3rd concession of LaDurantaye in St-Michel, bounded northeast by Jean-Baptiste Gourgeon and southeast by Michel Tanguay (recall Marie-Louise's aunt is married into this Tanguay family) as well as a wooden board house together with a barn and a cattle drinking shed which remains in the hands of the children's guardian.
The act notes that Olivier Nicolle and Marie-Louise Brochu had married under communal goods in their prefixed dowries of 300 pounds against 200 pounds.  That act was made before notary Fortier, February 9, 1765

3)October 19, 1784 The Verbal Proceedings of the Sale following the inventory of goods of Olivier Nicolle and Marie-Louise Brochu.
At 11 in the morning, present are Jean Brochu guardian of the minor children of Olivier Nicolle and Marie-Louise Brochu, Olivier Nicole absent, in
the presence of Sieur Simon Bricault ad litum of said children and of Sieur Charles Betille curator representing Olivier Nicolle.  The sale of the inventory of goods proceeds for the sum of 286 pounds.  Considering the marriage contract, this sum is divided 153 and 123 pounds.  Witnessed by Pierre Chicou and Germain Blondeau.
October 29, 1785, the son of Joseph Nicolle, the then 10-year-old Jean-Baptiste inherits form his first cousin Marie-Josephe Lefeuvre.  Joseph Nicolle then resells this land said date to Ignace Belanger, son of Ignace who lives at St-Roch parish in the seigneurie of Sieur Ducharnay.

4)On the sale contract of the communal goods of Marie-Louise Brochu and Olivier Nicolle of October 19, 1784, there is a note dated December 12,
1785 saying
"Charles Betille was the curator of Olivier Nicolle here present and that Charles Betille gave him 200 pounds 20 sols of the sale of goods.  That Olivier Nicolle freely discharges Charles Betille of his honor as curator for him.  Signatures of Olivier Nicolle and mayor Riverin.  (This represents a profit of better than 46 pounds against Olivier's 153 pound valuation).

                                                                                  What becomes of Olivier Nicolle?

 This is the last time we see Olivier Nicolle's signature in Quebec on either civil acts or notarial acts.  When does Olivier leave for France?

It will be the last time that we see in Quebec the signature of Olivier Nicole as much on acts of civil statue that on notarial acts. When does Olivier leave for France? Certainly after April 6, 1786. We find a " ticket under signature privé" made in the notary NR. Boissault where he is written this:

 " Me, Olivier Nicole I passed to the present (ticket) to Jean Brochu my brother-in-law, as I allow him in the capacity as tutor for my children that so where necessary, it is in a position to take on my share of  money for their support with the result that I give you this present (ticket) to be useful and be worth that reason St Michel on April 6, 1786

 Why does he leave Quebec?
We believe that he wanted to remain French. 

Why does it leave? We believe there wanted to remain French following the very agitated period which  passed to St Michel in these years. His wife having died, it wanted certainly to leave to live in Old France in Chenay to which there had remained attached. Why his children did not leave with him? The disorders started in France, right before the French Revolution. There are many questions which will remain unanswered. But we note by this ticket found by our cousin Lucien Brochu, allow us to check that the relationship with the BROCHU was excellent, considering confidence Olivier brings to his brother-in-law Jean Brochu.

 It is that the priest does not record on Marie-Louise Brochu's death record her being Olivier Nicolle's wife.

On October 9 1787 at St-Francois-du-Sud, Marie-Genevieve Nicole, daughter of Olivier Nicole and the late Marie-Louise Brochu weds Louis Denaux-Luneau-Louineau.  Or is it Louineau-Denaux?  It is written on the record Denaux-Luneau.  Neither Olivier nor Joseph witness the ceremony.  We are close to 5 years since the death of Marie-Louise Brochu.

Olivier Nicolle is back in France at the moment of the French Revolution.  Did he always have lands at St-Pair?  Did he buy lands at Le Chesnay, his native neighborhood, since he lived there until his death?  We often find him with the family of Charles Nicolle his 3rd cousin.  At the time of the French Revolution, the Saint-Pairais (inhabitants of St-Pair) asked the assembly of February 25 17789 to present their complaints.  Perhaps Olivier was there.  According to Michel Coulombier in his book La terre, le ciel, la mer, they said

"that the clergy and the nobility have the greatest part of the goods of the Kingdom but do not pay, together, half the taxes that the 3rd state (the common people) pays...a great number of exemptions and privileges cause the misfortunes of the 3rd state and makes the perception of taxes difficult.  That inhabitants are unable to live there without taking on the hard and ungrateful trade of navigation.  As soon as a boy reaches 12 years, he takes to the seas often to perish."  In 1789, the population of St-Pair is estimated at 1425 inhabitants.

We find Olivier Nicolle in France at St-Pair as godfather to Olive Roze Nicolle born and baptized on August 31, 1789.  Her godmother is her sister Julienne Nicolle.  Her parents are Charles Nicolle and Louise Marie Bourgeois.  Olive Rose is the older twin to her brother Jacques Nicolle.  His godparents are Charles Grimaux and Jeanne Bry.

Charles Nicolle is the son of Jacques Nicolle and Louise Roy who married at St-Planchers on June 16, 1744.
Jacques Nicolle is the son of Jean Nicolle and Jeanne Bestille who married at St-Pair on May 13, 1721.
Jean Nicolle is the son of Claude Nicolle, our direct ancestor.

ClaudeðJeanðJacquesðCharles
ClaudeðJullienðLucðOlivier
Thus Olivier and Charles are 3rd cousins.
 

Saint Pair sight of the Windmill 19th century	Saint Pair sight of the Windmill in  june 2006 photo personnal collection

In Quebec, Marie-Rosalie Nicole, Olivier's daughter, marries on January 15, 1793 at St-Thomas' Pointe a la Caille to Jean-Chrysostome Langlois son of Jean-Chrysostome Langlois and Marie-Clothilde Couture.  The marriage certificate lists Joseph Nicol as her paternal uncle and guardian.   Her maternal uncles, Pierre and André Brochu are also witnesses.

Divers facts
We find Olivier with his 3rd cousin Charles Nicolle for this curious fact.
In the town registers of ST-Pair dated October 21, 1793, it is recorded that Olivier Nicolle, ploughman 55 years with Charles Nicolle, sailor 44 years found a drowned person in the Marechalerie neighborhood of St-Pair.  This person was Marie Poinel 32 years of St-Pierre-de-Corey?  Who was the maidservant at Franchise Bourgeois, widow of Jacques dauphin at St.-Pair.  Present are the Justice of Peace, the police officer of Granville and Mayor, Henry Beust.  Signed Olivier Nicolle, Charles Nicolle and the Mayor Henry Beust.  (Note: Henry Beust is first cousin to Olivier Nicolle).

The Siege of Granville by the Vendean and the Burning of the Jewish Neighborhoods on November 14, 1793 Photo private collection Jean Chuinard with the pleasant authorization of Mrs Micheline Chuinard

Our ancestor certainly lived the Seige of Granville by the Vendean.  St-Pair is hardly a mile from Granville.  Here is a brief summary of this French Revolutionary history:

Note :The Vendeans:  A counter-revolutionary insurrection which disrupted the French Departments (i.e. states, provinces) of Vendee, Maine and Loire including the interior portions of Loire.  The insurrection began as a public opposition to the conscription of 300,000 men decreed by the Convention of February 23, 1793.  The majority of the insurgents were peasants lead by Cathelineau, Charrette, Stofflet, Lescure, Bonchamps and La Rochejaquelin.  They formed the Royal Catholic army.
At first, the Vendeans had success at Chlet in March 1793, Fontenay in May and at Saumur in June.  They crossed over the Loire river and attacked Granville where they hoped to receive help from the English.  This help never came.On their return journey, the Vendeans suffered disasters at Le Mans and Savenay in December.
Cruelties and massacre on both sides made this an unmerciful war.  The Vendeans gained upperhand with the English debarkment of Quiberon.  But in 1796, General Hoche pacified the country.

"After having occupied Avranches and Pontorson (November 10), Rochejaquelein attacks Granville in vain with 30,000 discouraged men.  He summons Granville to surrender in the name of humanity and religion.  The commoner LeCarpentier and Generals Peyre and Vachot, surrounded by the country's forces answer the call with gunfire.  They know that the Vendean, always unhappy in their seats, do not even have the scale to mount an attack and that the English will send neither fleet nor artillery.  The Vendean return the strike;  they climb the rock by inserting their bayonets there.

With fires engulfing Granville, the Vendean see 3 stages of forts and guns which will strike them down.  The defenders of Granville become citizens again and fight the fires with the same courage as the attack.  After the last battle, on the sea's edge were 200 corpses face down, stripped of weapons and clothing.  The Vendean lost approximately 2,000 men. ( Launay according to an eyewitness).
Sources :Pitre-Chevalier et Darmaing, p. 253.

A few years later at St-Vallier, Quebec, Olivier's first son Clement-Olivier Nicole, who we call Olivier II, marries Francoise Fleury, daughter of
Francois Fleury and Marie-Francoise Dubeau.  His uncles, Joseph Nicole and Pierre Brochu are witnesses.

On February 2, 1803 at St-Thomas, Montmagny, Joseph Nicole, Olivier's brother, dies in his adopted country near his son, Jean-Baptiste.  He will be buried at St-Thomas on February 3 1803 in the presence of his son, Jean-Baptiste, Alexis Boutat, Joseph Deneau as well as family and many friends.  His brother, Olivier, with whom he lived this beautiful and difficult adventure is not there....

Then n November 12, 1804, it will be the turn of Joseph Francois Nicole, son of Olivier Nicole and the late Marie-Louise Brochu to marry Marie-Reine Vallee, daughter of Francois Vale and Marie Lefebvre dit Boulanger.  His brother, Olivier II will witness like his uncle Pierre Brochu.

Olivier Nicolle attends as primary witness to the marriage of Louise Nicolle, 24, and Charles Chenay, 20, on April 4, 1809 at St-Pair. 
Here is a part of the copy of the marriage certificate:

Charles Chenay, 20 years, born at St-Pair on November 11, 1784, ploughman, son of the late Jacques Olivier Chenay and the late Marie Olive Le Roy; Louise Nicolle, 24 years, born at St-Pair on April 4, 1809  daughter of the late Charles Nicolle, sailor, deceased on September 19, 1808 at the Bristol hospital, England (his death is inscribed on the registers of Boulogne-sur-Mer) and Louise Bourgeois, ploughman (as written on the act)
Witnesses are Olivier Nicolle, 74 former sailor of St-Pair, 4th cousin paternal to the wife, Francois Dauphin, 30 maternal cousin of the wife, Charles Langevin, 55 former Customs employee, Alexis Marie Lefeuvre, 22 carpenter at St-Pair.

Two months later on June 8, 1809 at St-Pair, Julienne Nicolle, 34, daughter of the late Charles Nicolle and Louise Marie Bourgeois marries Louis-Jean Aubert, 31, born at St-Pair on August 30, 1777, son of Julien Aubert, former sailor and Marie Colas.
The witnesses are Olivier Nicolle, 74, former sailor of St-Pair, 4th cousin paternal to the wife, Charles Chenay, 24, ploughman at St-Pair and brother-in-law to the wife and Alexis Marie Lefeuvre, 22, carpenter at St-Pair.

The same year 1809, Marie-Louise Nicole, eldest daughter of Olivier Nicolle and the late Marie-Louise Brochu prepares for her marriage at 45 years.  What kind of life did she have?  She found herself at 17 orphaned and (perhaps) abandoned by her father with her 4 siblings: Genevieve 15, Olivier II 13, Joseph Francois 11, and Marie-Rosalie 6-1/2.  It is she who was devoted to raise them with assistance without any doubt of Joseph, Olivier's brother, as well as her maternal uncles, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre Brochu, half-brothers of Marie-Louise Brochu. 

This same year, her father Olivier attends and is witness to the marriage of his niece to the 4th degree...who is also called Louise Nicolle.  A strange destiny for Marie-Louise Nicole.  Thus she marries on November 6, 1809 at St-Vallier Jean-Baptiste Montmigny, the 61-year-old widower of Marie-Magdeleine Rousseau and father of a son, also Jean-Baptiste.

                                                                                        Death of Olivier Nicolle
On October 26 of the year 1824 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Olivier Nicolle aged 89 years, born in this community July 30 1735, son of the late Luc Nicolle and the late Gillette Basset is deceased in his home in the Chesnay neighborhood.  Witnessed Ferreol Foulon, 45 and Rene Beaumont, 47, both farmers and neighbors to the deceased

Death certificate on two page of Olivier Nicolle deceased to St Pair-sur-Mer 50 on October 26, 1824

Olivier Nicolle's Death Certificate The year 1824, the 26th of October, at nine o'clock in the evening, before us, Alexis Lefevre Chanterie, Assistant to the absent Mayor, registrar for the community of St-Pair, Canton of Granville, District of Avranches, Department of La Manche, appears Ferreol Foulon, 45 and René Beaumont, 42, farmers, living in this community and closed to the deceased named hereafter, who declare to us that today, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Olivier Nicolle, 89, born in this community on July 30,1735, former sailor, son of the late Luc Nicolle and the Late Gillette Basset is deceased in his home in the hamlet of Chesnay, in this said community, and the informants sign with us this death certificate after it was read to them.  Signatures R Fuller, R Beaumont and A Lefevre