Individual Details

The Story of Jeanne Boucher (1607–1670)

Early Life in Mortagne-au-Perche

Jeanne Boucher was born around 1607 in Mortagne-au-Perche, a picturesque town nestled in the historic province of Perche, France. Growing up alongside her brother Marin Boucher—who would later become one of New France's most prominent founding settlers—Jeanne witnessed a period when many Percheron families began eyeing opportunities across the Atlantic Ocean.

On July 15, 1629, Jeanne married Thomas Hayot (a surname that would later evolve into Ayotte in French Canada) at the Church of Saint-Jean in Mortagne-au-Perche. Thomas hailed from the nearby hamlet of La Piltière in Soligny-la-Trappe. Over the following decade, the couple started their family in France, welcoming three children into their home: Geneviève (born around 1630–1632), Rodolphe (baptized in 1634), and Jean (born around 1636).

Ocean Crossing and Frontier Settling in New France

In 1638, Jeanne and Thomas made the courageous decision to leave Perche behind and board a ship for New France alongside their three young children. By 1640, Thomas had engaged as a clearing farmer (défricheur) for the Company of New France and took up a lease on the Jesuit domain farm at Beauport. He worked this land side by side with Jeanne's brother, Marin Boucher, reflecting the tight-knit family bonds that sustained early French-Canadian settlers.

Life in the colony expanded rapidly for the Hayot family. Jeanne gave birth to two more children on Canadian soil: Adrien (baptized in October 1638) and Anne (baptized in July 1640). By 1646, the family relocated to Sillery after receiving a grant of land from Governor Huault de Montmagny, where Thomas served as a respected civic representative (syndic).

Triumph, Heartbreak, and Final Years

Frontier life brought immense sorrow alongside its successes. In March 1651, Jeanne endured every mother's nightmare when her oldest daughter, Geneviève, died at under fifteen years of age due to complications during childbirth. Geneviève had married Claude Bouchard dit Dorval the previous year, and both she and her newborn daughter passed away on the same day.

Despite these tragedies, Jeanne and Thomas established a strong homestead in Sillery. The 1667 New France Census records the aging couple living on their 20-arpent farm with livestock and cultivated land.

Aware that her life was drawing to a close, Jeanne dictated her last will and testament before notary Romain Becquet on January 14, 1670. She passed away shortly thereafter at approximately sixty-three years of age. Following her death, Thomas remarried later that autumn to Barbe Ravey.

Through her surviving children—particularly Jean and Adrien—Jeanne Boucher left behind a vast legacy, becoming the foundational matriarch for thousands of Ayotte and Hayot descendants across North America.

Sources & References

• Drouin Collection & Quebec Parish Registers: Baptismal records for Adrien Hayot (Quebec, Oct 30, 1638) and Anne Hayot (Quebec, Jul 26, 1640); burial record for Geneviève Hayot (Quebec, Mar 1, 1651).
• Notarial Records of New France: Notary Romain Becquet (Jan 14, 1670 - Last Will and Testament of Jeanne Boucher).
• Perche-Québec Genealogical Association: Family profile for Thomas Hayot and Jeanne Boucher (Mortagne-au-Perche to Sillery).
• PRDH (Programme de recherche en démographie historique): Pioneer Family Profile #142 (Thomas Hayot & Jeanne Boucher).
• New France Census of 1667: Household listings for Thomas Hayot and Jeanne Boucher at Sillery (20 arpents of cultivated land, 3 cattle).
• Find a Grave Index: Memorial entry and biographical summary for Jeanne Boucher (1607–1670).

Birth	1607	St-Jean de Mortagne, Perche, Orne, France
Marriage	15 Jul 1629	Saint-Jean, Mortagne-Au-Perche, Perche, France - Thomas Hayot
Death	Bet 14 Jan 1670 and 8 Sep 1670	Beauport, Québec, Canada
Reference No		C997

Spouse	Thomas Hayot (1609 - 1670)
Child	Jean Hayot (1636 - 1687)
Child	Adrien Ayotte (1638 - 1712)
Child	Anne Hayot (1640 - 1694)