MORIN, Noel I Sieur de St-Luc

Notes:

Noël Morin, born around 1616 in Brie-Comte-Robert, Île-de-France, France, was a significant figure in the early days of New France. The son of Claude Morin and Jeanne Moreau, Noël grew up attending the church of Saint-Étienne. His surname, possibly derived from "Morini," an Italian family long established in the region, might mean "brown of skin like a Moor."

Trained as a wheelwright (charron), Noël was recruited by Robert Giffard to come to New France. He arrived in Quebec City in 1636, at the age of about 20. His skills as a craftsman were valuable in the developing colony, where transportation and construction were constant challenges.

On December 27, 1639, Noël signed a marriage contract with Hélène Desportes, a young widow with three children. The contract, signed in the house of Olivier Le Tardif, included a dowry of 200 livres from a property Noël inherited from his mother in Brie-Comte-Robert. Their wedding took place on January 9, 1640, at Notre-Dame de Québec, attended by many prominent colonists.

Noël and Hélène had twelve children together, born between 1641 and 1656. Their family became deeply woven into the fabric of New France society. Their eldest son, Germain, became the first Canadian-born priest ordained in New France, while their daughter Marie was one of the first Montreal-born nuns.

In 1645, Noël acquired 50 arpents of land in Côte-de-Sainte-Geneviève, just outside Quebec City. Over the next two decades, he developed this property, building a house, shop, and barn. His success as a settler and craftsman led to further opportunities. In 1663, Governor Jean de Lauzon granted Noël a significant piece of land, elevating him to the status of seigneur. Noël named this fief Saint-Luc and adopted the title Sieur de Saint-Luc.

Throughout his life, Noël continued to practice his trade as a wheelwright. In 1673, he was commissioned to make wooden mountings for 24 cannons in Quebec City, a project for which he was paid 960 livres. His expertise in this area is evident in his comment: "I am familiar with these cannons in the Upper and Lower town."

Noël was also involved in various community affairs. He served as a witness to several marriage contracts and land transactions. In 1655, he and Hélène were granted a pew by the Fabrique of Quebec in exchange for two arpents of land, which later became part of the Citadel of Quebec.

After Hélène's death in 1675, Noël turned to his son Jean-Baptiste for care in his old age. Noël Morin died on January 10, 1680, at the home of his son Alphonse in Montmagny. He was buried five days later in the cemetery of Notre-Dame de Quebec. At the time of his death, he was about 64 years old, though some records mistakenly listed him as 74.

Noël Morin's legacy in New France was significant. He is recognized as one of the first 47 colonists of Quebec City, considered founders of New France. His descendants, numbering in the thousands, include many notable figures in Canadian and American history, such as Pierre and Justin Trudeau, Jack Kerouac, Madonna, Jim Carrey, and Céline Dion.

Through his life as a skilled craftsman, land developer, and patriarch of a large family, Noël Morin exemplified the spirit of the early French Canadian settlers. His story is one of adaptation, perseverance, and the laying of foundations for future generations in the New World.

Noel married DESPORTES, Helene on 9 Jan 1640 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada. Helene (daughter of DESPORTES, Pierre-Philippe and LANGLOIS, Françoise) was born on 7 Jul 1620 in Lisieux, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France; was christened in 1620; died on 24 Jun 1675 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. MORIN DIT VALCOURT, Robert was born in 1658 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 28 Aug 1729 in Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies, L'Islet, Quebec, Canada.
2. MORIN DITE VALCOURT, Marie-Charlotte (Catholic Nun) was born on 19 Mar 1649 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 8 Apr 1730 in Montréal, Montréal (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
3. MORIN, Marie Madeleine was born on 29 Dec 1656 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 22 Jul 1720 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
4. MORIN, Helene was born on 30 Sep 1647 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 20 Mar 1661 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
5. MORIN, Charles was born on 30 Aug 1654 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 4 Oct 1671 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
6. MORIN, Noel was born on 12 Oct 1642 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died in 1643.
7. MORIN, Nicholas was born on 26 Apr 1644 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 30 Oct 1667 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
8. MORIN, Germain was born on 15 Jan 1640 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 20 Aug 1702 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
9. MORIN, Marguerite was born on 29 Sep 1646 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 17 Oct 1646 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
10. MORIN, Agnes was born on 21 Jan 1641 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 31 Aug 1687 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
11. MORIN, Noel II was born on 12 Oct 1652 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died in 1718 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
12. MORIN, Alphonse II was born on 12 Dec 1650 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 29 Aug 1711 in Montmagny, Montmagny, Quebec, Canada.
13. MORIN, Jean Baptiste was born on 25 May 1645 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 12 Dec 1694 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada.
14. MORIN, Louise was born on 27 Apr 1643 in Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; died on 28 Apr 1713 in Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada.

Living + Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]