GUYON, Barbe

Notes:

Pierre Paradis, born on July 18, 1604, and baptized two days later in Notre-Dame de Mortagne, Perche, France, was the son of Jacques Paradis and Michelle Pesle. He grew up to become a skilled cutler and gunsmith, trades that would serve him well in both the Old and New Worlds.

Barbe Guyon, baptized on April 19, 1617, in Saint-Jean de Mortagne, was the eldest daughter of Jean Guyon du Buisson and Mathurine Robin dite Boulé. Her godparents were Jean Pousset and Barbe, wife of Nicolas Poulard, sieur des Portes, from whom she received her name.

On February 11, 1632, in the parish of Notre-Dame de Mortagne, 27-year-old Pierre Paradis and 14-year-old Barbe Guyon entered into a marriage contract. The ceremony likely took place shortly after. This union, arranged when Barbe was so young, was not uncommon for the time and reflected the social norms and practical considerations of 17th-century France.

Barbe's trousseau, as detailed in the marriage contract, provides a glimpse into the material culture of the time. It included linens, furniture, kitchenware, and a modest sum of money, all of which would help the young couple establish their household. Pierre, for his part, was granted the use of tools and equipment for his trade for six years, enabling him to continue his work as a cutler and gunsmith.

The couple initially lived in Mortagne, first in Notre Dame (1634) and later in Ste. Croix (1643). They had eight children while in France. On March 20, 1651, they sold their property in Saint Croix, signaling their intention to embark on a new life across the Atlantic.

Pierre, Barbe, and their five children (Marie, Jacques, Pierre, Jean, and Guillaume) arrived in New France in 1652, joining Barbe's family who had immigrated earlier. They settled in Beauport, where Barbe's father, Jean Guyon, had been granted the fief Du Buisson. Here, Pierre continued his trade as a cutler while also engaging in farming. The 1667 census shows that he owned eight head of cattle and had 12 arpents under cultivation.

In New France, Pierre and Barbe had four more children, bringing their total to twelve. Their family became well-established in the colony, with their children marrying into other prominent settler families and spreading across the region.

Pierre Paradis made his will on May 28, 1670, while ill at the Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec. He passed away on January 29, 1675, at the age of 71, and was buried the following day in the church of Saint-Pierre on Île d'Orléans. His burial in the church, rather than the pauper's cemetery he had requested in his will, suggests he had achieved a certain status in the community.

After Pierre's death, Barbe moved to live with her son-in-law, Guillaume Baucher dit Morency, at Sainte-Famille, Île d'Orléans. She survived her husband by many years, passing away suddenly on November 27, 1700, at the age of 83. She was buried two days later in Saint-Pierre, Île d'Orléans.

Family/Spouse: PARADIS, Pierre. Pierre was born on 20 Jul 1604 in Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France; died on 29 Jan 1675 in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Capitale-Nationale Region, Quebec, Canada; was buried in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Capitale-Nationale Region, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. PARADIS, Guillaume II was born on 26 Sep 1644 in Mortagne, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France; died on 13 Feb 1716 in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, L'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada; was buried in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Capitale-Nationale Region, Quebec, Canada.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Among the First Settlers of Quebec; contemporaries and acquaintances of Samuel Champlain
• Web Address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Guyon
• Occupation: Master Mason

Notes:

Jean Guyon du Buisson, baptized on September 18, 1592, in Tourouvre, Perche, France, was a key figure in the early settlement of New France. Born to Jacques Guyon and Marie Huet, Jean honed his skills as a master mason in France, contributing to notable projects such as the staircase in the Saint-Aubin de Tourouvre church steeple and the restoration of Mortagne's fortifications.

On June 2, 1615, Jean married Mathurine Robin dite Boulé. The couple had 14 children, with 10 surviving to adulthood: Barbe, Jean Jr., Simon, two daughters named Marie, Claude, Denis, Michel, Noël, and François.

In 1634, Jean Guyon's life took a significant turn when he signed a three-year contract with Robert Giffard de Moncel, agreeing to settle in New France. As part of this agreement, Guyon was granted a one-thousand-arpent arrière-fief in Beauport, near the Rivière du Buisson. This land grant would later give rise to his title "du Buisson."

Guyon arrived in New France in 1634, though accounts differ on whether he came alone or with his family. He was part of a group of French pioneers that included his friend Zacharie Cloutier, Marin Boucher, and others who would form the core of the early French-Canadian community.

In New France, Guyon's skills as a master mason were put to good use. He contributed to the construction of a small mill, Giffard's seigneurial manor, the governor's residence (Fort Saint-Louis), and the parish church of Notre Dame de Québec. These projects were often undertaken alongside his friend and fellow settler, Zacharie Cloutier.

Guyon's relationship with the seigneurial system was not without conflict. He and Cloutier engaged in a nine-year dispute with Giffard over seigneurial rights, refusing to pay annual taxes or perform the traditional "foi et hommage" (faith and homage) ceremony. This resistance to feudal obligations was a common theme in early New France, eventually requiring intervention from the colonial governor.

Jean Guyon's legacy in New France was significantly enhanced through his children's marriages and descendants. His eldest son, Jean Jr., became a royal surveyor and married Élisabeth Couillard, connecting the Guyon family to some of the most prominent early settlers of New France.

The Guyon family tree has since grown extensively. By the end of the 19th century, Jean Guyon had 9,674 married descendants, making him one of the most prolific ancestors in French-Canadian genealogy. Today, it's estimated that about three out of four Québécois can trace their lineage back to Jean Guyon. His descendants are known by various surnames, including Dion, Despres, Dumontier, and Lemoine.

Interestingly, genetic studies have traced cases of Friedreich's ataxia, a rare inherited disease, through 12 generations of French-Canadians back to Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin, highlighting the far-reaching impact of early settlers on the genetic makeup of the French-Canadian population.

Jean Guyon died on May 30, 1663, in Château-Richer, New France. His life and legacy exemplify the challenges and triumphs of the early French settlers in Canada, and his descendants continue to play significant roles in French-Canadian and North American society.

Jean + ROBIN, Mathurine. Mathurine (daughter of Living and Living) was born on 18 Oct 1599 in Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France; died on 16 Apr 1662 in Beauport, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada; was buried in Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Among the First Settlers of Quebec; contemporaries and acquaintances of Samuel Champlain

Notes:

Mathurine Robin, born around 1593 in Saint-Jean de Mortagne, Perche, France, was a pivotal figure in the early settlement of New France. The daughter of Eustache Robin dit Boulé and Mathurine Avrard, she grew up in rural France, developing skills that would prove invaluable in the New World.

On June 2, 1615, Mathurine married Jean Guyon in Mortagne, beginning a partnership that would leave an indelible mark on French-Canadian history. In 1635, the couple embarked on a life-changing journey to New France, accompanied by five of their children: Simon, Marie, Claude, Denis, and Michel. This migration was part of the broader colonization efforts led by Robert Giffard de Moncel.

Mathurine's role in the fledgling colony was crucial. As the wife of a master mason, she managed their household in Beauport, Quebec, while supporting her husband's work in constructing vital buildings and fortifications. Her responsibilities extended beyond domestic duties; she was instrumental in raising their large family and ensuring their survival in the challenging New World environment.

The Robin-Guyon family grew to include ten children, all of whom survived to adulthood. Mathurine's maternal influence and household management skills were key to their family's success and, by extension, the colony's growth. By 1729, just a century after their arrival, Mathurine had 2,150 North American descendants. This number has since grown exponentially, with an estimated 123,800 descendants by the early 21st century.

Mathurine's legacy is not just in numbers but in the resilience and adaptability she instilled in her family. Her descendants have played significant roles in shaping French-Canadian society and culture.

While often overlooked in historical narratives that focus on her husband's achievements, Mathurine Robin's contributions to the establishment and growth of New France were equally vital. Her life exemplifies the crucial role women played in colonization efforts, managing households, raising families, and building communities in challenging frontier conditions. Today, Mathurine is remembered not only as the matriarch of a vast French-Canadian lineage but as a founding mother of Quebec, whose strength and perseverance helped lay the foundations for the vibrant French-Canadian culture that exists today.

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

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