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The career of Jean Guay The Governor of Lauzon as Godfather |
| On his farm in
Point Lévis Jean Guay raised a beautiful family.
Year after year, his children's baptisms were
entered in the registries of Notre-Dame de Québec.
They were all baptized in Lévis by the
missionary. Sometimes there was a long lapse
between the birth dates and the baptism:
sometimes, the child was privately baptized at
the time of birth because they were not sure he
would live. On October 25, 1653, less than a year after the marriage, the first child was baptized. The word "baptized" is not the exact term, "Baptism ceremonies were replaced by a private baptism" The private baptism had taken place in Jean Guay's house a month prior, performed by Guillaume Couture. This good neighbor was always ready to render a service. Guillaume baptized 2 of Jean Guay' children and he in turn rendered the same service to Couture on two occasions. There is a long lapse of time between this private baptism and the arrival of the missionary; a whole month. The godfather was the "noble man Jean de Lauzon, governor of the country" and the godmother Marie Couillard, granddaughter of Guillaume Couillard, who had been ennobled by the King of France in 1654 for the great services he had rendered to the new colony of New France. This first child, named Jean, was certainly the joy of his parents, but he only lived a month after his baptism. The act of his burial is dated September 30 of the same year. Eleven children would fill the Guay household. Their baptisms are recorded in the church of Notre-Dame of Quebec. We have already seen that the first child did not live for long, and a second Jean, born later and who married Marie Hureault, did not leave any descendants. Guillaume Couture was godfather to Guillaume; and in 1681 this Guillaume was dead. All traces of Pierre and Charles have been lost. Joseph lived only a few days. Ignace married Marguerite Rochon and later on Perrine Samson. Louis married Anne Bégin and and after her death Suzanne Samson was his second wife. (Perrine Samson 2nd wife of Ignace and Suzanne Samson were cousins). Jacques married Marguerite Chauveau and Michel married Élisabeth Albert. Only one daughter was born of Jean and Jeanne Mignon, Françoise. Unfortunately, she died at 4 years of age and went to heaven like a dove. Every one of the Guay boys earned their living by working the land. Two of the boys tried the adventure. Young Jean was hired by LaChenaye in order to trade fur skins illegally with the natives. Thibierge, a mill operator, who was friendly with the natives and familiar with the bush, was in charge of 5 canoes and 10 men; one of them was the son of Jean Guay. Ignace, around the year 1686 caused much anxiety for his parents because he left his home to go to the Outaouais. Census In 1666 and 1667 In 1666, by order of the King of France, a census was taken detailing the inhabitants of the colony. This census gives us some interesting details on the first founders of the French-Canadian families. This is how Jean Guay (Guyet) was presented. "Jean Guyet, 40, woodworker, settler; Jeanne Mignon 30; his wife; Guillaume, 11; Ignace, 8; Louis, 6; Jean, 4 Jacquette, 1." In 1667, another census was taken to complete the preceding year census. Jean Guay is described in this fashion: "Jean Guay, 44; Jeanne Huault (Mignon) his wife, 32; Guillaume, 12, Ignace, 10; Louis 8; Jean, 5; Jacques, 3; 3 arpents in value. (An arpent is 1 1/2British acres) We see that Jean Guyet is now Jean Guay, that his age should have been 41 on the first census and 42 on the second. There are also some differences in the children's age. But the ages given could have been right depending on the census dates and the birth dates of the children. It can also explain Jeanne Mignon's age difference. The child listed as Jacquette is now Jacques. The name Huault is also unexplained. Page 9 |