DROUIN, Etienne

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Among the first 47 families that settled Quebec City (New France); contemporaries and acquaintances of Samuel Champlain; common ancestor of Jim & Michelle
• Web Address: http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/drouin_robert_1E.html
• Web Address: https://robertdrouin.blogspot.com/
• Occupation: Brick Maker
• Birth: 6 Aug 1607, Le Pin-la-Garenne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
• Death: 1 Jun 1685, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada

Notes:

HIGHLIGHTS:

The story of Robert and Anne's marriage is notable for several reasons. Their marriage contract, signed on July 27, 1636, in the home of Seigneur Giffard, is the oldest surviving marriage contract drawn up in New France. What makes this contract particularly remarkable is that Anne was only 10 years old at the time of signing.

The actual wedding ceremony took place a year later, on July 12, 1637, at Notre-Dame de Québec. However, due to Anne's young age, the contract included a provision that marital relations were not to take place for two years. This arrangement reflected the complex realities of life in the early colony.

Robert and Anne's union produced six children. Tragically, their first child, Agnes, born in January 1641, lived for less than a week. Only two of their children, Geneviève and Jeanne, survived to adulthood.

Anne died at only 22 years old. Following Anne's death, their daughters Geneviève and Jeanne were raised by their grandparents, Zacharie and Xainte Cloutier. This arrangement was reportedly due to the grandparents' disapproval of Robert's second wife, Marie Chapelier, whom he married in November 1649. Robert had 8 more children with Marie.

CONNECTIONS:

Michelle is descended (9th GGF) from Robert and Anne's daughter Genevieve and Jim is descended (9th and 10th GGF) through Jeanne on the Dumas and Vermette/Gilbert branch. Jim and Michelle are also descnded from Robert and his second wife, Marie Chapelier (9th GGF).

LIFE STORY:

Robert Drouin, born in 1607 in Le Pin-la-Garenne, Perche, France, was among the early settlers of New France. A skilled brick maker, he was part of the Percheron migration that played a crucial role in establishing the French colony in North America. In 1635, Robert arrived in New France, where he began working for Seigneur Robert Giffard in Beauport.

Anne Cloutier, born on January 19, 1626, in Mortagne-au-Perche, France, was the daughter of Zacharie Cloutier and Xainte Dupont. She arrived in New France with her family in 1634 at the age of eight. The Cloutiers were also part of the Percheron migration and became close associates of Seigneur Giffard.

The story of Robert and Anne's marriage is notable for several reasons. Their marriage contract, signed on July 27, 1636, in the home of Seigneur Giffard, is the oldest surviving marriage contract drawn up in New France. What makes this contract particularly remarkable is that Anne was only 10 years old at the time of signing.

The actual wedding ceremony took place a year later, on July 12, 1637, at Notre-Dame de Québec. However, due to Anne's young age, the contract included a provision that marital relations were not to take place for two years. This arrangement reflected the complex realities of life in the early colony.

Robert and Anne's union produced six children. Tragically, their first child, Agnes, born in January 1641, lived for less than a week. Only two of their children, Geneviève and Jeanne, survived to adulthood. Michelle is descended through Genevieve and Jim is descended through Jeanne (on the Vermette/Gilbert branch).

Anne's life was cut short at the young age of 22. She died on February 3, 1648, in Château-Richer. Her funeral, as described in the Jesuit Relations, was a solemn affair that involved the entire community. The description provides a vivid glimpse into the funeral customs of early New France, highlighting the challenges posed by the harsh winter conditions and the limited resources of the colony.

Following Anne's death, their daughters Geneviève and Jeanne were raised by their grandparents, Zacharie and Xainte Cloutier. This arrangement was reportedly due to the grandparents' disapproval of Robert's second wife, Marie Chapelier, whom he married in November 1649.

Robert Drouin continued to play an active role in the development of New France. He remained in his trade as a brick maker, contributing to the construction of many early buildings in the colony. He also engaged in fur trading and farming. Robert lived to the age of 78, passing away on June 1, 1685, in Château-Richer.

The story of Robert Drouin and Anne Cloutier exemplifies the challenges and complexities of life in early New France. Their marriage, arranged when Anne was still a child, reflects the strategies employed by early settlers to establish and strengthen the colony. Despite the hardships they faced, including the loss of children and Anne's early death, their legacy lived on through their surviving daughters and numerous descendants.

Robert married CHAPELIER, Marie on 29 Nov 1649 in Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada. Marie was born in 1621 in Brie, Ille-et-Vilaine, Bretagne, France; was christened in 1621; died on 18 Mar 1697 in Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married DUBOIS*, Marie in 1594 in Orne, Basse-Normandie, France. Marie was born on 1 Jul 1572 in Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France; died on 12 Jul 1637 in La Garenne, Nièvre, Bourgogne, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]