Individual Details
Toussaint Giroux
(2 Nov 1633 - 15 Feb 1715)
From the book - Les ancêtres Beaupartois 1634 - 1760 by Michel Langlois.
If we go to the former French province of Perche, and take the road to Mortagne, at Réveillon, we notice, along the road, a farm bearing the name Bignon. The surroundings do not change from year to year and, we could even say, from century to century. The passerby probably sees, without too much difference, the same landscaping that our ancestor, Toussaint Giroux, could see prior to leaving his native land for New-France. Bignon farm is none other than Toussaint Giroux`s place of birth. The house where he was born still exists.
Son of Jean Giroux, weaver, and Marguerite Quilleron, Toussaint Giroux was baptized at Réveillon, in Perche on November 2, 1633. It is, without doubt, due to the urging of his godfather Zacharie Maheust dit Point du Jour, that the young Toussaint Giroux came to our shores around 1650. His father had died in Réveillon where he was buried on January 10, 1641. He had four brothers and two sisters who all died at a young age. In 1641, at the time of his father's death, Toussaint only had one living brother and at his mother's death, he was the only heir.
After completing his contractual years, he decided to stay here. Giffard rushed to grant him, as well as to Zacharie and René Maheu, a concession of land. This leads us to believe that they came to Canada together. (gr. Badeau 20-06-1654). A precise clause to this concession was that, in case of war, the new owners had to take refuge in the seigniory manor and from there await the lord's orders.
Despite the dAnger abounding, the new residents did not hesitate to permanently settle themselves. Toussaint Giroux, on top of acquiring land, also took a wife on September 29, 1654. Notary Badeau drafted the marriage contract a few days prior to the wedding. Marie Godard, the new bride, was only 14 years old. The marriage took place at the Seigniory Manor of Beauport, as indicated on the marriage act written as follows: 'On September 1654, after three publications of the banns on the 6, 8 and the 13 of this month, and finding no impediments, I, the Reverend Father Paul Ragueneau of the Company of Jesus, having been able to question Toussaint Giroux and Marie Godard, who gave their verbal mutual consent, solemnly married them in Lord Giffard`s house, in the presence of known witnesses, Lord Giffard and Lord Denis, the son.'
Before settling in their own house, the Giroux, it seems, worked as servants for Lord Robert Giffard. As such, they had lodgings, which explains why their first three children were born at the seigniory manor. According to the terms of his commitment to Robert Giffard, Toussaint Giroux bought from Jean Creste`: 'land seven perches in length and six in width, in order to build a house, yard and garden' in Fargy Borough. (gr. Vachon 14-10-1658). That is where Toussaint Giroux permanently settled.
In 1660, on February 24th, we find him among the people confirmed by Mgr. de Laval. We read: 'Toussaint Giroux, 26 years old, from the archdiocese of Sées.'
There are documents found relating to him until 1665. It was during that time that he busied himself to the clearing of his land and to the building of his house. When he finally got ahead and his tasks allowed him a few respites, as for all the land clearers of those days, he found a way to earn a bit more and thought he would succeed by taking a partner, Michel Baugis, for eel fishing. The land of the Lauzon Seigniory, renowned for this industry, made them envious. Lord Charles de Lauzon was only too pleased to grant them land. On October 5, 1665 (gr. Vachon) Michel Baugis and Toussaint Giroux obtained from him: 'four arpents along the St-Lawrence by forty arpents in depth' in the Lauzon Seignory. This association did not meet its expectations and the two partners sold their land four years later to Jean Drouard. (gr. Vachon 3-12-1669). The conditions of this sale demanded a reimbursement in goods `three thousand eels' a year for three years. They had to wait until March 9, 1680 (gr. Vachon) to complete this agreement.
Let us go back to 1670, the year when Lord Joseph Giffard, in order to accelerate the clearing of the land within the seigniory, multiplied the concessions. Toussaint did not escape from the rule and figured that he has nothing to lose by acquiring another arpent wide land in the village of St-Joseph. (gr. Vachon 15-09-1670)
This new acquisition leads us to believe that he had no intention of returning to France. Moreover, a month later, which confirms everything, he sold, to his compatriot Charles Turgeon: 'a house, a little garden and a little enclosure with approximately two arpents of plowed land' located in the Bignon hamlet, in the parish of Réveillon in Perche, for 300 French pounds. (gr. Becquet 22-10-1760). Thus, by selling his inheritance in France, Toussaint Giroux demonstrated that he had no intention of ever going back.
Neither will he retain the land he acquired in September 1690 in the village of St-Joseph. He sold it the following year to the butcher, Pierre Parent. (Vachon 17-11-1671)
A little richer, due to the previous sales, Toussaint Giroux bought from Lord Joseph Giffard, for the sum of 100 pounds, a new concession of three arpents wide in the village of St-Michel. This time, he did not have to start at zero as, on this land, cleared of bush, and full grown timber and ready for planting, was located a cabin and a shed. (gr. Vachon 27-03-1672). It was Charles Turgeon who owed 150 French pounds to Toussaint Giroux who, in his name, reimbursed Lord Giffard. (gr. Vachon 28-10-1672).
From then on the documents relating to him are more discreet. We still find him in Fargy Borough in the 1681 census where he is said to be the owner of three riffles, eleven horned cows, one mare and 53 arpents.
A few years go by, during which time, the older Giroux children marry but one on top of the other, two deaths came to diminish their happiness. Marie Godard died on November 21, 1684 and was buried the following day at Beauport. Marie Dauphin, Jean Giroux`s young spouse drowned in the Petite-Rivière Saint Charles on September 29, 1685, hardly seven months after her marriage.
Toussaint Giroux will have the inventory of his and Marie Godard`s assets done a year later. (gr. Vachon 30-11-1685). At the reading of this document, we realize that the Giroux owned very little. The children and heirs shared these assets a few days later (5-12-1685) and are left with only fifty pounds each.
A year later, it is on Thérèse Leblanc, the surgeon Pierre Lavallée`s widow, that Toussaint sets his eyes. Even though she has the charge of six children, a marriage contract is signed on October 24, 1686 in front of notary Aubert in Québec city. Through this contract, should a separation or death occur, Toussaint Giroux promised a sum of 500 pounds. On October 29th, they marry in the church of Beauport for better or for worse. It is precisely the worst which happens when the newlyweds can not get along and start separation procedures on April 12, 1691. (gr. Vachon)
We are not surprised, following these events, to see the name of Toussaint Giroux on the list of sick people at the Hôtel-Dieu of Québec in July 1692. He recovered fairly quickly and attended to his obligations, worried for the welfare of his children. He also had to pay a debt of 138 pounds to Lord François Viennay-Pachot.
His separation with Thérèse Leblanc was not without problems. She objected to the sale of the Beauport land to his grandson Raphaël. It is the latter who took care of his grandfather until he died at the age of 82 on February 15, 1715. Father Boullard of Beauport wrote the internment record: 'On February 16, 1715, Toussaint Giroux, resident, of approximately 80 years of age, died the preceding day after receiving all the necessary last sacraments. Signed: Noël Vachon, François de La Motte and many others. E. Boullard, parish priest.'
Translated from 'Les Ancêtres Beauportois by Michel Langlois'
If we go to the former French province of Perche, and take the road to Mortagne, at Réveillon, we notice, along the road, a farm bearing the name Bignon. The surroundings do not change from year to year and, we could even say, from century to century. The passerby probably sees, without too much difference, the same landscaping that our ancestor, Toussaint Giroux, could see prior to leaving his native land for New-France. Bignon farm is none other than Toussaint Giroux`s place of birth. The house where he was born still exists.
Son of Jean Giroux, weaver, and Marguerite Quilleron, Toussaint Giroux was baptized at Réveillon, in Perche on November 2, 1633. It is, without doubt, due to the urging of his godfather Zacharie Maheust dit Point du Jour, that the young Toussaint Giroux came to our shores around 1650. His father had died in Réveillon where he was buried on January 10, 1641. He had four brothers and two sisters who all died at a young age. In 1641, at the time of his father's death, Toussaint only had one living brother and at his mother's death, he was the only heir.
After completing his contractual years, he decided to stay here. Giffard rushed to grant him, as well as to Zacharie and René Maheu, a concession of land. This leads us to believe that they came to Canada together. (gr. Badeau 20-06-1654). A precise clause to this concession was that, in case of war, the new owners had to take refuge in the seigniory manor and from there await the lord's orders.
Despite the dAnger abounding, the new residents did not hesitate to permanently settle themselves. Toussaint Giroux, on top of acquiring land, also took a wife on September 29, 1654. Notary Badeau drafted the marriage contract a few days prior to the wedding. Marie Godard, the new bride, was only 14 years old. The marriage took place at the Seigniory Manor of Beauport, as indicated on the marriage act written as follows: 'On September 1654, after three publications of the banns on the 6, 8 and the 13 of this month, and finding no impediments, I, the Reverend Father Paul Ragueneau of the Company of Jesus, having been able to question Toussaint Giroux and Marie Godard, who gave their verbal mutual consent, solemnly married them in Lord Giffard`s house, in the presence of known witnesses, Lord Giffard and Lord Denis, the son.'
Before settling in their own house, the Giroux, it seems, worked as servants for Lord Robert Giffard. As such, they had lodgings, which explains why their first three children were born at the seigniory manor. According to the terms of his commitment to Robert Giffard, Toussaint Giroux bought from Jean Creste`: 'land seven perches in length and six in width, in order to build a house, yard and garden' in Fargy Borough. (gr. Vachon 14-10-1658). That is where Toussaint Giroux permanently settled.
In 1660, on February 24th, we find him among the people confirmed by Mgr. de Laval. We read: 'Toussaint Giroux, 26 years old, from the archdiocese of Sées.'
There are documents found relating to him until 1665. It was during that time that he busied himself to the clearing of his land and to the building of his house. When he finally got ahead and his tasks allowed him a few respites, as for all the land clearers of those days, he found a way to earn a bit more and thought he would succeed by taking a partner, Michel Baugis, for eel fishing. The land of the Lauzon Seigniory, renowned for this industry, made them envious. Lord Charles de Lauzon was only too pleased to grant them land. On October 5, 1665 (gr. Vachon) Michel Baugis and Toussaint Giroux obtained from him: 'four arpents along the St-Lawrence by forty arpents in depth' in the Lauzon Seignory. This association did not meet its expectations and the two partners sold their land four years later to Jean Drouard. (gr. Vachon 3-12-1669). The conditions of this sale demanded a reimbursement in goods `three thousand eels' a year for three years. They had to wait until March 9, 1680 (gr. Vachon) to complete this agreement.
Let us go back to 1670, the year when Lord Joseph Giffard, in order to accelerate the clearing of the land within the seigniory, multiplied the concessions. Toussaint did not escape from the rule and figured that he has nothing to lose by acquiring another arpent wide land in the village of St-Joseph. (gr. Vachon 15-09-1670)
This new acquisition leads us to believe that he had no intention of returning to France. Moreover, a month later, which confirms everything, he sold, to his compatriot Charles Turgeon: 'a house, a little garden and a little enclosure with approximately two arpents of plowed land' located in the Bignon hamlet, in the parish of Réveillon in Perche, for 300 French pounds. (gr. Becquet 22-10-1760). Thus, by selling his inheritance in France, Toussaint Giroux demonstrated that he had no intention of ever going back.
Neither will he retain the land he acquired in September 1690 in the village of St-Joseph. He sold it the following year to the butcher, Pierre Parent. (Vachon 17-11-1671)
A little richer, due to the previous sales, Toussaint Giroux bought from Lord Joseph Giffard, for the sum of 100 pounds, a new concession of three arpents wide in the village of St-Michel. This time, he did not have to start at zero as, on this land, cleared of bush, and full grown timber and ready for planting, was located a cabin and a shed. (gr. Vachon 27-03-1672). It was Charles Turgeon who owed 150 French pounds to Toussaint Giroux who, in his name, reimbursed Lord Giffard. (gr. Vachon 28-10-1672).
From then on the documents relating to him are more discreet. We still find him in Fargy Borough in the 1681 census where he is said to be the owner of three riffles, eleven horned cows, one mare and 53 arpents.
A few years go by, during which time, the older Giroux children marry but one on top of the other, two deaths came to diminish their happiness. Marie Godard died on November 21, 1684 and was buried the following day at Beauport. Marie Dauphin, Jean Giroux`s young spouse drowned in the Petite-Rivière Saint Charles on September 29, 1685, hardly seven months after her marriage.
Toussaint Giroux will have the inventory of his and Marie Godard`s assets done a year later. (gr. Vachon 30-11-1685). At the reading of this document, we realize that the Giroux owned very little. The children and heirs shared these assets a few days later (5-12-1685) and are left with only fifty pounds each.
A year later, it is on Thérèse Leblanc, the surgeon Pierre Lavallée`s widow, that Toussaint sets his eyes. Even though she has the charge of six children, a marriage contract is signed on October 24, 1686 in front of notary Aubert in Québec city. Through this contract, should a separation or death occur, Toussaint Giroux promised a sum of 500 pounds. On October 29th, they marry in the church of Beauport for better or for worse. It is precisely the worst which happens when the newlyweds can not get along and start separation procedures on April 12, 1691. (gr. Vachon)
We are not surprised, following these events, to see the name of Toussaint Giroux on the list of sick people at the Hôtel-Dieu of Québec in July 1692. He recovered fairly quickly and attended to his obligations, worried for the welfare of his children. He also had to pay a debt of 138 pounds to Lord François Viennay-Pachot.
His separation with Thérèse Leblanc was not without problems. She objected to the sale of the Beauport land to his grandson Raphaël. It is the latter who took care of his grandfather until he died at the age of 82 on February 15, 1715. Father Boullard of Beauport wrote the internment record: 'On February 16, 1715, Toussaint Giroux, resident, of approximately 80 years of age, died the preceding day after receiving all the necessary last sacraments. Signed: Noël Vachon, François de La Motte and many others. E. Boullard, parish priest.'
Translated from 'Les Ancêtres Beauportois by Michel Langlois'
Events
| Birth | 2 Nov 1633 | Bignon-de-Réveillon, Mortagne, Sees, Perche, Orne, France |  | ||
| Marriage | 29 Sep 1654 | Beauport, Québec, Canada - Marie Godard | | ||
| Marriage | 29 Oct 1686 | Beauport, Québec, Canada - Living | | ||
| Death | 15 Feb 1715 | Beauport, Québec, Canada | | ||
| Reference No | A720 M208 | |
Families
| Spouse | Marie Godard (1641 - 1684) |
| Child | Charles Giroux (1655 - 1655) |
| Child | Raphaël Giroux (1656 - 1715) |
| Child | Charles Giroux (1658 - 1708) |
| Child | Toussaint Giroux (1660 - 1660) |
| Child | Michel Giroux (1661 - 1715) |
| Child | Toussaint Giroux (1663 - 1663) |
| Child | Jean Giroux (1664 - 1733) |
| Child | Marie Anne Giroux (1666 - 1711) |
| Child | Madeleine Giroux (1669 - 1751) |
| Child | Toussaint Giroux (1672 - 1750) |
| Child | Monique Giroux (1679 - 1727) |
| Spouse | Living |
| Father | Jean Giroux (1598 - 1641) |
| Mother | Marguerite Quilleron (1600 - 1641) |
Endnotes
1. René Jetté, Professor, historian, demographer and Quebec genealogist., Genealogical Dictionary of Quebec Families Dating to 1730 (Montréal, Quebec, Canada: University of Montreal Press, 1983), .
2. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.
3. René Jetté, Professor, historian, demographer and Quebec genealogist., Genealogical Dictionary of Quebec Families Dating to 1730 (Montréal, Quebec, Canada: University of Montreal Press, 1983), .
4. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.
5. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.
6. René Jetté, Professor, historian, demographer and Quebec genealogist., Genealogical Dictionary of Quebec Families Dating to 1730 (Montréal, Quebec, Canada: University of Montreal Press, 1983), .
7. René Jetté, Professor, historian, demographer and Quebec genealogist., Genealogical Dictionary of Quebec Families Dating to 1730 (Montréal, Quebec, Canada: University of Montreal Press, 1983), .
8. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.
9. Diane Lebrun , "Ancestors of Marie St-Hilaire," pp. 1-205; Unpublished family tree, 2025-02-09, Al Perreault, Calgary, AB, Canada.