Individual Details
Zacharie Cloutier
(Abt 1590 - 17 Sep 1677)
Known to be the ancestor of most French Canadians....
The name cloutier - makers of nails - At first, those who had a right to the name Cloutier were the nail makers of the specialized drop forges. However, by the 16th century, when Zacharie Cloutier came into the world, the name had become a patronym.
Originating from St-Jean de Mortagne au Perche, FRANCE, where he married Xainte Dupont. He was contracted to join an expedition to New France led by Robert Giffard on March 14, 1634. (Mortagne, Notary Mathurin Roussel).
They set sail from the port of Dieppe in mid-April 1634, accompanied by his family. The fleet consisted of four ships under the command of Duplessis-Bochard. Arrived in Quebec on August 08,1634.
They settled at Beauport in at the manor of Robert Giffard. Zacharie helped to establish the settlement at Beauport. He signed his name by drawing an ax.
DISPUTES BETWEEN GIFFARD AND HIS VASSALS
Historian Marcel Trudel reports that things did not always go well between Seigneur Giffard and his habitants. On 18 December 1636, the Lord of Beauport obtained a judgment against Cloutier and Guyon concerning certain work which was due him. Then after the division of the land, on 10 December 1637, certain boundary disputes occurred. Governor Montmagny delayed making his decision until 4 May 1642. On 2 July 1646, Giffard sued Guyon and Cloutier for refusing to render him "faith and homage" as all good vassals were required to do with regard to their seigneur. On the 19th of the same month the Governor ordered them to comply. The two recalcitrants got even by refusing to present the inventory (aveu et denombrement) as required from all landowners in a seigneury. On August 20th, the Governor compelled the rebels to comply once and for all. One should understand that they had always considered Giffard as an equal and thus, found it difficult to accept their former friend as their superior in the hierarchy.
Bourgeois SEIGNEUR AND MASTER CARPENTER
In 1651 the family Cloutier lived on Côte de la Montagne in the town of Québec. Twelve years later Zacharie was described as a Bourgeois seigneur working as a master-carpenter. In addition to his fief of 693 arpents, he owned a lot measuring 41.4 toises. By this time he was 73 years old and his wife was 67. He also owned a lot in the lower town of Québec, between those of Pascal Lemaistre and Jean Guyon. The census of 1666 indicated that both Zacharies, father and son, lived on the Beaupré coast. Then the next census, that of 1681, fails to mention either the venerable pioneer or his wife. What became of them?
In order to return to his land at Château-Richer, Zacharie sold his fief to Nicolas Dupont of Neuville on 20 December 1670. Prior to this however, on 19 January 1668, he had assembled his children before notary Michel Fillon and prepared an agreement designed to minimize the difficulties which could arise from the inheritance after his and Xainte's deaths. Once all had been settled, the children promised to assist their parents and to attend to all their needs. The following year, on 12 May 1669, Zacharie and Xainte made their will and placed themselves in the hands of son Zacharie.
Old Patriarch Zacharie died first at about 87 years of age. He fell into his last sleep on 17 November 1677. Xainte was taken in her turn less than three years later, on 14 July 1680. They both lie at rest in their favorite place, Château-Richer.
As a carpenter, he carved wooden ornaments for many of the chapels built in that era.
Zacharie and his wife went to Chateau-Richer to live with their son, Zacharie. Where he later died, at the age of 87 years. (Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties)
After the death of their daughter,Anne, Zacharie and Xainte raised their grandaughters, Genevieve and Jeanne Drouin, as their own.
The name cloutier - makers of nails - At first, those who had a right to the name Cloutier were the nail makers of the specialized drop forges. However, by the 16th century, when Zacharie Cloutier came into the world, the name had become a patronym.
Originating from St-Jean de Mortagne au Perche, FRANCE, where he married Xainte Dupont. He was contracted to join an expedition to New France led by Robert Giffard on March 14, 1634. (Mortagne, Notary Mathurin Roussel).
They set sail from the port of Dieppe in mid-April 1634, accompanied by his family. The fleet consisted of four ships under the command of Duplessis-Bochard. Arrived in Quebec on August 08,1634.
They settled at Beauport in at the manor of Robert Giffard. Zacharie helped to establish the settlement at Beauport. He signed his name by drawing an ax.
DISPUTES BETWEEN GIFFARD AND HIS VASSALS
Historian Marcel Trudel reports that things did not always go well between Seigneur Giffard and his habitants. On 18 December 1636, the Lord of Beauport obtained a judgment against Cloutier and Guyon concerning certain work which was due him. Then after the division of the land, on 10 December 1637, certain boundary disputes occurred. Governor Montmagny delayed making his decision until 4 May 1642. On 2 July 1646, Giffard sued Guyon and Cloutier for refusing to render him "faith and homage" as all good vassals were required to do with regard to their seigneur. On the 19th of the same month the Governor ordered them to comply. The two recalcitrants got even by refusing to present the inventory (aveu et denombrement) as required from all landowners in a seigneury. On August 20th, the Governor compelled the rebels to comply once and for all. One should understand that they had always considered Giffard as an equal and thus, found it difficult to accept their former friend as their superior in the hierarchy.
Bourgeois SEIGNEUR AND MASTER CARPENTER
In 1651 the family Cloutier lived on Côte de la Montagne in the town of Québec. Twelve years later Zacharie was described as a Bourgeois seigneur working as a master-carpenter. In addition to his fief of 693 arpents, he owned a lot measuring 41.4 toises. By this time he was 73 years old and his wife was 67. He also owned a lot in the lower town of Québec, between those of Pascal Lemaistre and Jean Guyon. The census of 1666 indicated that both Zacharies, father and son, lived on the Beaupré coast. Then the next census, that of 1681, fails to mention either the venerable pioneer or his wife. What became of them?
In order to return to his land at Château-Richer, Zacharie sold his fief to Nicolas Dupont of Neuville on 20 December 1670. Prior to this however, on 19 January 1668, he had assembled his children before notary Michel Fillon and prepared an agreement designed to minimize the difficulties which could arise from the inheritance after his and Xainte's deaths. Once all had been settled, the children promised to assist their parents and to attend to all their needs. The following year, on 12 May 1669, Zacharie and Xainte made their will and placed themselves in the hands of son Zacharie.
Old Patriarch Zacharie died first at about 87 years of age. He fell into his last sleep on 17 November 1677. Xainte was taken in her turn less than three years later, on 14 July 1680. They both lie at rest in their favorite place, Château-Richer.
As a carpenter, he carved wooden ornaments for many of the chapels built in that era.
Zacharie and his wife went to Chateau-Richer to live with their son, Zacharie. Where he later died, at the age of 87 years. (Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties)
After the death of their daughter,Anne, Zacharie and Xainte raised their grandaughters, Genevieve and Jeanne Drouin, as their own.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1590 | Mortagne-au-Perche, Perche, France | |||
| Marriage | 18 Jul 1616 | Saint-Jean, Mortagne-au-Perche, Perche, France - Saintes Dupont |  | ||
| Death | 17 Sep 1677 | La-Visitation-de-Notre-Dame-de-Château-Richer, Québec, Canada, Nouvelle-France | |||
| Burial | 18 Sep 1677 | La-Visitation-de-Notre-Dame-de-Château-Richer, Québec, Canada, Nouvelle-France | |||
| Reference No | M596 | |
Families
| Spouse | Saintes Dupont ( - ) |
| Child | Jean Cloutier (1620 - 1690) |
| Child | Zacharie Cloustier (1617 - 1708) |
| Child | Anne Cloustier (1626 - 1648) |
| Child | Marie-Loise Cloustiere (1632 - 1699) |
| Child | Charles Cloustier (1629 - 1709) |
| Father | Living |
| Mother | Living |
Endnotes
1. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.
2. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.