Individual Details

Jean Nicolet was the adoptive father of Euphrasie who, according to some, was the daughter of a native woman.

Son of Thomas and Marguerite Delamer of Cherbroug, Normandie, Jean came to Canada in 1618 and became an interpreter and liaison agent between the French and the aboriginal. Champlain sent him on many expeditions. During the taking of Quebec city, he took refuge with the Hurons and tried to stop the trading between the English and the aboriginals. In 1634 he went as far as Green Bay, Michigan to attempt a reconciliation between the various tribes and the French government. He was the first to explore the American North West. In 1635 he settled in Trois-Rivières and worked for the Compagnie des cent-associés. A county, a city and a river carry his name today.

The Death of Nicolet:
In the afternoon of October 1642, a messenger, sent by the Governor of Trois-Rivières, came to Québec city asking for the immediate help of Jean Nicolet. Some Algonquins wanted to kill an Agnier prisoner.

This execution would jeapordize all the nearby inhabitants as the Iroquois were threatening to avenge themselves. Jean Nicolet had their confidence and he was the only one to reason with them and free the prisoner.

Wanting to get to Trois-Rivières as quickly as possible, he asked François de Chavigny, who was leaving the next day, to advance his departure. The full moon would provide enough light to navigate the river. Mrs. de Chavigny opposed the plan but to no avail. The group left at 7 pm. Jean Ferré and Noël Girardeau accompanied them.

Unfortunately a strong northeast wind came up and an unexpected storm began. They had trouble keeping the sailboat afloat and a huge wave hit them. The men clung to the capsized boat and François tried to help the three that could not swim. However, the glacial rain added to the icy water poved too much and two were lost to the darkness of the river. François and Jean remained and hung to the boat. François wanted to help Jean swim to the nearby shore and Jean, feeling his strength weakening and not wanting to endAnger the life of his friend begged him to let him go. François refused but Jean freed himself from him asking him to take care of his wife and daughter and to remember him to God.

François also wanted to die but the thought of his beautiful Eléonore and of little Madeline gave him strenght and courage. He swam to shore with great difficulty and when he felt he could no longer endure the cold, he felt the ground under his feet. He crawled to the beach where he collapsed. The moon was no longer visible and the darkness engulfing. To stop would mean his death, he had to walk and find the road. He knew the shores very well and managed to walk to the Jesuit Monastery where he collapsed at the door covered in ice. The Jesuits found him, disrobed him and wrapped him in warm blankets. Fever took over and it was three days later that he was able to share his sad story. He hoped that his friends had been found and helped but he was told that their bodies had been found near Quebec city.

A touching memorial was held for the three men. Everybody attended, François as well, held by Eléonore and Antoine, his faithful servant. Marguerite Couillard, Jean`s young widow, only sixteen years of age held her infant daughter


Source : translation from information from the historical novel of Eléonore de Grandmaison by Rina Auger.

Birth	Abt 1620	Mareuil-sur-Ay, Reims, Champagne, France
Marriage	16 Nov 1646	Québec, Québec, Canada - Marguerite Couillard
Death	5 Oct 1659	Québec, Québec, Canada

Spouse

Marguerite Couillard (1626 - 1705)

Father	Tomas Macard ( - 1646)
Mother	Marguerite Hardi ( - 1646)