Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve
Ville-Marie was founded in 1642, by the members of the Society of Notre-Dame of Montreal. After ten years of efforts, the existence of the colony is in danger and of the reinforcements are necessary in order to ensure its survival. Jeanne Mance persuades Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, to turn over to France and to recruit colonists to give a new breath to the colony. A personal friend of Mr. de Maisonneuve wants to help the new establishment. With the support of Jerome Royer de La Dauversière, a campaign recruitment takes place in Maine and Anjou, in particular in the area of La Flèche, in order to engage a minimum of 100 men. The objective was achieved.
Between May 1653 and March, 117 men sign contracts of service for one
period from three to five years towards the Company of Montreal. June
20, 1653, 102 engaged, accompanied by Mr. de Maisonneuve, embark in
Saint-Nazaire, on the Saint Nicolas de Nantes.. Marguerite Bourgeoys and
thirteen young women form also part of the travellers. This group of
immigrants will be from now on known under the name of the Great Recruit
of 1653 by the Québecois genealogists.
Text of Silvie Tremblay;Site Web "Cap aux Diamants"
Mr
Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Miss Jeanne Mance left for France, in
order to recruit 100 soldiers and their families with an aim of
protecting Ville-Marie from the Iroquoises attacks. Helped in that by
Mister de La Dauversière, we thus find on board the soldiers and their
families (women and children) Theship in sad state make a return on St
Nazaire after only 350 miles at sea. It was threatened of shipwreck.
Made repairs and its arrival late in Quebec, was not to help with the
arrival of the men with Ville-Marie. More especially as the governor of
Quebec slowed down the provisioning of the boats and it is not thus that
on November 14, under the applause of the inhabitants of Ville-Marie who
they arrived finally.Among the passengers of many Protestants who had to
abjure their faith before embarking.
Text
of Bernard Quillivic
Sources: Géocities.com; Recruits of Maisonneuve 1653;
Conveyors of our ancetres(Viateur Boulet); Bosher.
Jérôme Le Royer de la Dauversière