Homepage   The NICOLLE S Census Mont-Louis 1699 and 1700 Employees of Mahiet The seven year old war   Notarial acts

                                                Mont-Louis

A mercy special with Marie-Claire Nicol for the translation of this page, also in Charles Campeau who got certain acts to us
   
 

Mont Louis was a little village of fishermen, farmers and carpenters.  Mont Louis was a marketplace and the chief civil servant, Denis Riverin, hoped to develop a colony founded in the exploitation of cod.

Denis Riverin was born in Tours, France in 1650 and travelled to New France in 1675 under the title of secretary to quartermaster Jacques Duchesneau.  Very ambitious, he already held the interests of an important investor in the King's business company.  He became a titular member of the sovereign council in 1694 and rose to the full law at this office 4 years later.  He made his living in fur trade, but fur became over traded.

In 1685, Denis Riverin decided to diversify his interests and asked the King to establish, at his own expenses, a place for cod fishing.  He saw the value of developing Canadian fisheries as an excellant way to distract the young from fur trading.  He created the Homeland Fisheries of Canada Company in 1687. The colonial government granted him the seigneuries of Ste-Anne-des-Monts and Cap Chat the following year.  He rented at Matane and bought at La Madeleine in 1689.  He engaged 7 launches and about 20 men.  He received help from the Basque harpooners and salt to cure cod.  He associated with many Canadian investors including Francois Hazeur who was in the lumber industry.

Riverin petitioned the government:  he wanted to start up 4 cod processing centers, one in Labrador and three on the Gaspian Peninsula, from Mont Louis where he was since 1688 to Grand Etang his newest property and at Gaspe where he wanted to establish his general headquarters and where he wanted to conduct commerce between France and the colonies.  His Parisian partners, Nicolas Bourlet and Etienne Magueux, were interested. Riverin went on to acquire directly from the King his titles to the seigneurie of Mont Louis.

But in 1697, these titles reverted to Nicolas Bourlet, Parisian banker and merchant.  The plantation of Mont Louis was cleared off and roughly prepared.  The installation was readied in 1696, but war prevented its operation until June 1699 (our exhibit, the first census of June 1699 to June 1700).  But in 1697, these titles reverted to Nicolas Bourlet, Parisian banker and merchant.  The plantation of Mont Louis was cleared off and roughly prepared.  The installation was readied in 1696, but war prevented its operation until June 1699 (our exhibit, the first census of June 1699 to June 1700).  Riverin did not rest from seeking personnel.  He went to interest the people of St Michel de Bellechasse and Montmagny whom he transported in spring 1699 on his boat La Colombe.

The group comprised 26 families.  13 families were installed along the banks of the St Lawrence and given a priority to fish and also one to farm their subsistance.  The other families received land concessions in the interior valley of Mont Louis and procured a fishing post along with subsistance.  All had second jobs, carpenters, masons, stone cutters, since Riverin wanted the installation to be self sufficient

See Census of 1699 and 1700  

 

Mont-Louis's Entreprises

                                              

                                           Fishing with cod                   
                                                     

 
                                      Hill of Mount-Louis

Riverin knew great financial difficulties and his enterprise was not long.  About 1702 the post was nearly abandoned. 
There were 3 families in 1702 and 4 in 1706.
From 1719- 1725, the seigneurie passed to Pierre Haymard dit Emard (1666 - 1724).  Pierre Haymard bought the seigneurie of Mont Louis from inherits of Nicolas Bourlets, beourgeois Parisian merchant on May 13, 1719 and put Louis Gosselin his stepson in the area of Paspebiac and Mont Louis on July 28, 1723.  Mont Louis was conceded to this Quebecois merchant, Louis Gosselin, and his mother Louise Guillot, widow of Pierre Haymard who established there 2:  Etienne Rond and Jean Pinon who were the sole to live at Mont Louis at the time.

The Desired  attacking 
Count de Mansfield in 1737

This type of battle was frequent to appropriatefishing grounds

 

     Cod processing on land

     

The fiefdom then passed to Joseph Cadet, master butcher and meat vendor to the French army in Canada.  Because he wanted to exploit the richness of his seigneurie without leaving Quebec City, the future munitions general to the King, associated with Michel Mahiet in spring 1753.
Michel Mahiet (1711 - ), born at Granville, established at Chateau-Richer.  He himself  over several years made fishing voyages in the Bay of Gaspe.  He furnished Cadet with cod

 

Some precise details on the names of the employees, measurements employed, and the working conditions.

First of all the simple fishermen were placed and nourished by Cadet/Mahiet with wages for the season.
For the independent fisherman which sold their fishings is at piece-rates or with the "quintal", these were to be nourished on their account.

Concerning measurement the Quintal historically, this one is generally equivalent to hundred pounds:
The old French Quintal was worth 100 old pounds, therefore approximately 48,951 kilogrammes.
The English Quintal (in English "Hundredweight-symbol cwt.) is equivalent either 100 pounds known as having pea,
The short quintal of North America, therefore approximately 45,359 kg or with 112 pounds
The long quintal of the Imperial system, therefore approximately 50,802 kg the minot:
The bushel and the minot are not used any more in France since the introduction of the metric system; before this date, the bushel was worth roughly 13 liters and the minot, 39 liters.

Note : The names of the Fishermen
The names of the fishermen, Chevery and Detchevery are well two quite distinct names, they are “Basques” both;  but the first come from Guétary and the seconds of Bayonne. Excellent fishermen, they imposed as well as the other fishermen Basques their conditions and contrary to the other fishermen. They were paid in advance on fishing to come, when the others were paid at the end of fishing, or at the beginning of the season of following fishing.
Cadet/ Mahiet stop this advantage in 1754.

 
                                                                                Employees of Cadet/Maillet

1751

Names of the fishermen and others Period of fishing Employer Notary Date from the act Conditions and wages
Charles Réaume (Sailor) 1751 Cadet     30 pounds per month
François  Gravel (Sailor) 1751 Cadet     35 pounds per month
           

1752

Louis  Baudet 1752 Cadet     55 pounds per month
           

1753

Paul  David (Engaged) 1753 Cadet/Mahiet    

From March 31 until  the stop of navigation, to fish with Mahiet; 400 Pounds for the season paid twice 200 to the departure and 200 at the end of the voyage

                    May 4, 1753, the Notary Paul Antoine François Lanouiller, yields the shares of the Haynard family to Joseph Cadet, relating to Mont Louis

                              Cadet/Mahiet association for Mount-Louis in front of the notary J C Panet on May 8, 1753

Jean  Julien Duhamel (navigateur) 1753 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  May 9, 1753 Independent fisherman, will sell his fishing exclusively in Cadet/Mahiet and will deposit it in Mount-Louis
                        Signature of an agreement between Mahiet and Cadet for the exploitation by the Mount-Louis in front of the notary J C Panet on May 11, 1753
Julien le Bourdais(owner of the launch "the Marie-Anne")

Joseph David
  ( launchmaster )

Jacques Colin (Engaged)

1753 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  May 12, 1753 Agreement concluded between Julien Le Bourdais, Joseph David, Jacques Colin and Joseph Cdet for the season by fishing by May 12 at August 25. Payment for Le Bourdais of the sum of 900 pounds as well for the hiring of the launch as the payment of its team-members.
Pierre Chevery

Joseph  Caillouet

Raymond Detcheparre
 (Navigators)
1753 Cadet/Mahiet

  J C Panet

 May 12, 1753 Engagement for the season, with an advance on the fishing of 1285 pounds and 2 sols, this advance is in the form of sale of material per Cadet in these Messrs, clothing, foods,  fishing tackle and others.
Roussin 1753 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet     May 15, 1753

Roussin will sell its fishing of exclusiveness to Cadet, for 12 pounds the Quintal.

François  Baudier ( launchmaster ) 1753/1754 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet

 September 13, 1753

Engagement of François Baudier (launchmaster) as from this day until August 25, 1754. for the maintenance of the station of the Mount-Louis during the winter and nearest fishing. 30 pounds of wage per month, it resides in the dwelling of the Mont-Louis. Possibility of prolonging engagement

Joseph  Pilotte 1753/1754 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  September 13, 1753 Engagement of Joseph Pilotte for fishing, hunting, the trade of furs and the maintenance of the station during the winter
François  Marié 1753/1754 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  September 14, 1753

Engagement of François Mariéas from this day, until August 25, 1754. 300 pounds for the contract for the work  there will be make for the service of the post.

           
           

1754

Antoine  Morin Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet  March 25 , 1754 Market of fishing concluded between Antoine Morin and Joseph Cadet, to go to fish in Percé and to deposit fishing with Mount-Louis. Advance made of 400 pounds
Julien Duhamel Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet  May 3,1754 .Market between Julien Duhamel and Joseph Cadet for the sum of 1087 pounds and..sols, for 2 launches and their crews + a price of 5 pounds the "minot", so that it can pay his men. Julien Duhamel will have to go to Mount-Louis with 2 launches and crews, the launches will be ready to fishing with all the tackles
Pierre Chevery

Raymond  Calliabay
fishermans
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet  May 7,1754 Engagement under conditions of Pierre Chevery and Raymond Calliabay, for the season of fishing, they owe in Cadet a strong sum.
Etienne  Giraudet
(Navigators)
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 19,1754

To embark on board Goélette "La Sérieuse", to carry out work there that it will be asked to him by Cadet/Mahiet with Mont-Louis including the loading of tree trunks; for 130 pounds.

Armand  Daguet 
fisherman
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 19,1754

To fish with Mont-louis on board Goélette, the orders of Cadet/Mahiet; 230 pounds

Louis  Guayga
(Navigators)
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 19,1754

For all work on board Goélette "the Marie-Anne" with Mount-Louis with the orders of Cadet/Mahiet, will touch out of Pot of Wine (or installment) the sum of 240 pounds, and will be supplemented to the 1/5 of the benefit, like all sailor.

Etienne  Bédouin
Navigators and fisherman
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 19, 1754

From the very start of the season, it will leave on board the goélette "the Marie-Anne" to work on board the goélette; or in the Mount-Louis under the orders of Mahiet and a maitre of launch which will pay him its pledges.

Jean  Frientenar

Jean  Aussière

Martin  Mi-Hourac
all three fisherman of trade

From May 21,
until the end August

Cadet J C Panet May 20, 1754

They will have to embark on board "Marie-Anne" to join Mont Louis, it to them will be provided launch and food, and will be paid at the price of the market

Jacques  André
fisherman
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 26, 1754

With the orders of Mahiet during the period of fishing in the Mount-Louis; Will be paid by the maitre launch

Claude  Lalande
fisherman of large the kamouraska

This day
at September 15, 1754

Cadet J C Panet May 26, 1754

Paid 208 book with the orders of Mahiet

Louis  Michaud
Inhabitant of large Kamouraska
Period of fishing Cadet J C Panet May 26, 1754

Market concluded between Junior and Michaud, so that this last serf of the launch of Junior, to make fishing with mount-Louis; under conditions which it buys all its provisions with Gaspé with the store of Junior, like its fishing tackle. Junior will repurchase all his fishing.

Joseph Cadet places order for the construction of a boat out of wooden of oak, in Joseph Alari, Charpentier of marine; contract of September 30, 1754 front the notary J C Panet.

Jean  baptiste  Dugal
fisherman

From September Six, 1754 to finish with similar dates in 1755

Cadet J C Panet october  3, 1754

fish and any work with the orders of Mahiet; for the sum of 240 pounds the year

Renaud  Daguet
Captain of ship

Engagement for one year as from this day

Cadet J C Panet october  13, 1754

To take to command of the goélette "the Marie-Anne" to go to Mont-Louis; for fishing maintenance and transport.450 books for the year

Guillaume  Estel ( Entel)
English Sailor

Engagement for one year as from this day

Cadet J C Panet october  13, 1754

Sailor of the goélette "the Marie Anne"

           

1755

François  Fournier 1755 Cadet/Mahiet     155 pounds, 10 sols per season
Gabriel  Bilodeau 1755          "     155 pounds, 10 sols per season
Pierre D' Etchevery

Joseph  Caillabet
1755          "     2403 pounds for the season to divide in share equal.
François  Ouellet  1755/1756 Cadet/Mahiet        J C Panet  October 10, 1755

Engagement of François Ouellet for one year, by half at the station of Mount-Louis for 160 pounds and  150 pounds to finish its year with Cadet 

           
           

1756

Raymond  D' Uchépart

Martin  Dechemesqui

Marty  Demouvai
1756 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  May 4 ,1756 Fishermen Basques engaged to lead Goélette "the Marie-Anne" to Mont Louis, in accordance with their market concluded with Michel Mahiet on September 19, 1757. They will make fishing with 2 launches, they received from Mons. Junior the sum by 860 pounds and 14 grounds They will take along on their board the following fishermen:
"Jean Cappindé; Jean Fouchet; Merey Larvemindy; François Gourclain; and Jacques Benoist."
these fisherman would have also received a sum of Junior
 (going up not indicated on the act)
Marins pêcheurs à bord de la Marie-Anne

Jean  Cappindé

Jean  Fouchet

Merey  Lavremendy

François  Gourclain

Jacques  Benoist
1756 Cadet/Mahiet J C Panet  May 4 ,1756  
Pierre Detchevery

Joseph  Caillebet
1756 Cadet/Mahiet

J C Panet

 October 19, 1756

Final payment, By this act it is a question of an update, between what is due of their share to Sieur Cadet, for the purchase of effects, of foods, material fishing tackle provided by Cadet and of what their fishing to  reported to him until last  September. No mention of re-employs.

1757

Olivier Nicolle 1757 Cadet-Mahiet      
Jacques  Benoist (Salter)    "          "      
Louis  Michaud     (Marin) 1757 Cadet-Mahiet J C Panet February 4, 1757

Engagement of Louis Michaud by Joseph Cadet by spring 1757 at February 1758, at a rate of 1500 pounds per year, with its wife to manage the station, housing and nourished.

           

This association lasted 5 years.  Cadet invested and furnished the equipment and necessary provisions each year.  Otherwise, he was occupied with disposing of the fish product on the Canadian market.  For his part, Mahiet built the establishments and engaged his schooner, La Marianne.  He managed Mont Louis where he lived with his family.  Mahiet was charged with recruiting workers for Mont Louis and he encouraged his compatriots of Granville and the surrounding communities to work for him.
This is how Olivier and Joseph Nicolle, our ancestors, arrived to Gaspe and then Mont Louis.

                                             Gaspe in Winter

    
                                          Fish processing
 

In 1758, this locality became properous with about 50 inhabitants and homes made of brick.  We supposed it was the inhabitants who made the brick.  The association between Cadet and Mahiet ended March 1758.  It seems the manager of Mont Louis was not satisfied with  the attitude of Cadet, whom he believed, was not involved enough in the enterprise, leaving him all the work.  Cadet sold the seigneurie of Mont Louis to Michel Mahiet for the sum of 20,000 pounds.  Cadet engaged the Quebecois negotiator sieur Nicolas Massot who took 8% commission from the sale.

Olivier and Joseph Nicolle were witness to a fishing contract.  This act was signed before the notary Antoine Crespin on April 11, 1758 and concerned a fishing contract between Francois Rincoin, a fisherman living at Chateau-Richer and sieur Mahier.  Then Olivier and Joseph themselves signed a fishing contract April 12, 1758 before the mayor Antoine Crespin at Chateau-Richer.   However, Olivier had already been employed in 1757.

 
                                                                                       Employées of Mahiet in 1758
 
march 8,1758 Cancellation of the contract Binding Cadet and Mahiet about the mount Louis
 
 

march 9,1758 Sale of the Stronghold of Mount-Louis de Cadet with Mahiet


(Notary J C Panet)

Names of the fishermen and others Period of fishing Employer Notary Date from the act Conditions and wages
Guillaume Malenfant
(Lauchmaster)
Beginning of navigation Mahiet J C Panet 03/15/1758

It will have to provide to its boat and committed 2 Men; will be paid at Piece-rates.

Louis  Paquet Beginning of navigation Mahiet J C Panet 03/16/1758

Fisherman with 35 pounds per month as of the loading

Jean Aubut Beginning of navigation Mahiet J C Panet April 08,1758

It will join 2 other fishermen and will be paid 16 sums of money the pièce
(contract of 12/04/1758)

Pierre  Lochet
 
(Master of Grave)
Beginning of navigation Mahiet J C Panet April 08,1758

Fisherman with 150 pounds the season

François  Rincoin Beginning of navigation with the August 25,1758 Mahiet A. Crespin April 11,1758 230 Pounds for the season
Joseph Nicolle (Olivier's brother)
Olivier  Nicolle (ancestor)
Beginning of navigation
with the  August 25,1758
Mahiet A. Crespin April 12,1758 830 pounds for their combined wages including the hiring of their launch
"La Marianne"
Jacques  Benoit (Salter) Beginning of navigation with the September 1, 1758 Mahiet A.  Crespin April 11,1758 300 Pounds for the season
Noël Lessard (Farmer and various maintenance) His wife Marie Claire Gagnez and their two children Beginning of navigation contract 5 year old    "  "   "  " April 12,1758 1450 pounds for 5 years
Pierre  Anquetille Beginning of navigation with the September 1, 1758 or September 10,1758 according to work   "  "   "  " April 20,1758 250 pounds
René  Bélay
Richard  Gravelle
From May 30,1758
Too  August 25,1758
  "  "   "  " April 20,1758 1000 pounds for 3 men,the 3rd man will be provided by Mahiet but his wages are included in the 1000 pounds.
Jean  Aubut
François  Poullin
Félix  Têtu
Period of fishing    "    "       "     " April 12,1758 Association of 3 fishermen who will fish on their own accord, with the consent of Mahiet. The fish will be resolved only to him, 16 deniers
Paul  David (Navigator)          
Louis  Nadeau
Joseph  Nadeau
         
André  Manceau (Clerk)          
André  Fleury         Brother of François Fleury  our matrical ancester and father of Françoise Fleury who married Olivier II
           

Mahiet in spite of the events seems to remain trustful in the future since it takes again engagements for 1759 at the time of its passage in Quebec to bring back the fishermen of 1758; it is however to note that on September 15 it is still in Quebec,

 We have of it the proof with its signature on the contract of Pierre Lamarre of the 14/09/1758;

 Jacques Benoist had also been engaged on 15/09/1758.
(Notary J C Panet)


If, Maillet with the English invasion loses all its goods; Joseph Cadet in Quebec continuous to trade and buys boats  such that  Shooner "La Sérieuse" and employs  others captains to continue his activity whose François Géraud 

 

Michel Mahiet did not profit of his seigneurie for long, for on September 15, 1758 the English lead by Major Dalling with 100 soldiers
attacked Mont Louis, pillaging and razing the little post.  They set fire to
the buildings, except the home of Mahiet resisted the flames.
Its two shooners, Le Vigilant and La Marianne were siezed, and initially transported to Louisbourg.
Mahiet with part of his family were deported to St Malo, France aboard the English ship The Antelope. (see the 7 year old War)
by 1815, some fishermen are in permanent reside at Cape-Cat and the Capucins. It is about 1865 when the colony at Mont-Louis begins to become populated.

   
                                          Mont-Louis in winter                         Sunset at Cap-Chat near Mont-Louis
 
Now there are 1499 inhabitants at Mont Louis.  Mont Louis is now known as St-Maxime-du-Mont-Louis.  This name comes from the first name of the Abbe Maxime Tardif (1821-1850), secretary to Msgr. Pierre-Flavien Turgeon after the foundation of a parish also known as the seigneurie of Mont Louis.  Mont Louis after a contest of the prettiest village in Quebec of less than 2000 inhabitants became "Le plus beau village du Quebec."  The mayor is Mr Bernatchez.  The primary industry is lumber.  In the bay around Mont Louis there are 2 fishing ports.  One of these ports is attached to a fish processing factory
 
Charles Campeau Pierre Provost Marie-Claire Nicol
Documentation : Encyclobec Archives  Canada-France  Projet Gen-Web Québec 
Le Livre
"Mont-Louis Sous le Régime Français"   
Firmin  Létourneau     " Confidence d' un vieux registre   Rôle des prisonniers à bord de" l' Antelope" 
Contrats de Pêches Notaire J C Panet    
A N Q 
contrats de Pêche notaire Crespin père
Canada Gen-Web (Le bas du fleuve seigneuries et fiefs) Mario Mimeault (Chercheur indépendant Gaspé 2002)

 Quillivic Bernard    
Top of page