CLOUTIER, Zacharie
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Name CLOUTIER, Zacharie [1, 2, 3, 4] Baptism 1590 Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada [4]
Birth 18 Jul 1590 Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France [2, 3]
Gender Male Differentiator Common ancestor of Jim and Michelle; Among the first 17 families that settled Quebec City (New France); contemporaries and acquaintances of Samuel Champlain Web Address https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zacharie_Cloutier Occupation Master Carpenter Death 17 Sep 1677 Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada [1, 2, 4]
Burial 17 Sep 1677 Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada [2, 4]
Patriarch & Matriarch CLOUTIER, Denis, b. 1565, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, Franced. 2 Mar 1633, St Jean-de-Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 68 years) (Father)
BRIÈRE, Renée, b. 1 Jan 1570, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, Franced. 1 May 1608, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 38 years) (Mother)
Person ID I5201 My Genealogy Last Modified 15 Jul 2024
Father CLOUTIER, Denis, b. 1565, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 2 Mar 1633, St Jean-de-Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 68 years)
Relationship natural Mother BRIÈRE, Renée, b. 1 Jan 1570, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 1 May 1608, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 38 years)
Relationship natural Marriage 1585 St Jean, Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France Family ID F1390 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 DUPONT, Xainte, b. 1595, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish Cemetery, Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 13 Jul 1680, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
(Age 85 years)
Marriage 18 Jul 1616 St Jean, Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France [3]
Children 1. CLOUTIER, Anne, b. 19 Jan 1626, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 3 Feb 1648, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada
(Age 22 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
▻ DROUIN, Robert m. 12 Jul 16372. CLOUTIER, Charles, b. 3 May 1629, Mortagne, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France d. 5 Jun 1709, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
(Age 80 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
▻ MORIN, Louise m. 20 Apr 16593. CLOUTIER, Zacharie, b. 15 Aug 1617, St-Jean, Montaigu, Allier, Auvergne, France d. 3 Feb 1708, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
(Age 90 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
▻ AYMARD, Madeleine Barbe m. 16404. CLOUTIER, Xainte, b. 1 Nov 1622, St-Jean-Baptiste-de-Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 19 Sep 1632, St-Jean-Baptiste-de-Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 9 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
5. CLOUTIER, Jean, b. 13 May 1620, Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 16 Oct 1690, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
(Age 70 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
6. CLOUTIER, Marie Louise, b. 18 Mar 1632, Montagne-au-Perche, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 22 Jun 1699, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
(Age 67 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
▻ MIGNOT DIT CHATILLON, Jean Francois m. 10 Nov 16487. CLOUTIER, Louise, c. 1631 d. Abt 1684 (Age ~ 53 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] Family ID F1388 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 15 Jul 2024
Family 2 GAUTHIER, Jeanne Rahir, b. 1580, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France d. 1640, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France
(Age 60 years)
Marriage 3 Nov 1609 Mortagne, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France Family ID F1389 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 15 Jul 2024
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Event Map = Link to Google Earth
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Photos
Documents Zacharie Cloutier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Biography – CLOUTIER, ZACHARIE – Volume I (1000-1700) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography Story about Zacharie Cloutier in Canada
Histories history History of the Cloutiers; gen 1
Albums Founding Families of New France (2)
New France, or Nouvelle-France in French, was an extensive area in North America colonized by France. It began with Jacques Cartier's exploration of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in 1534 and ended in 1763 when it was ceded to Great Britain and Spain under the Treaty of Paris. The territory stretched from Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains and from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, including the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley.
The most developed part of New France was Canada, divided into Québec, Trois-Rivières, and Montreal districts. The French colonization was driven by trade (notably fur), religious missions, and the ambition to expand France's influence. The French Crown significantly shaped New France's development, particularly in 1663 when King Louis XIV integrated it into the royal domain and established the French West India Company.
New France operated under the seigneurial system, where settlers farmed land granted by a seigneur and paid dues. Despite its vast territory, New France's population was sparse compared to English colonies, partly due to limited economic reasons for French peasants to emigrate and the French Crown's focus on other colonies.
Culturally, New France was predominantly French-speaking and Catholic, maintaining its civil code and religious practices even after British conquest. This heritage strongly influenced the culture of Quebec, blending European traditions with North American elements and emphasizing the preservation of the French language and identity.
There were 17 families settled in Quebec City from the establishment of the city by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 until his death in 1635. This era marks the formative years of New France and the foundation of French-Canadian culture. By the end of 1636 there were 47 families living in the colony. We can trace our ancestry directly to 10 of the original 17 (58%) families and a total of 18 of the 47 (38%).
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Notes - HIGHLIGHTS:
In March 1634, Zacharie signed a contract with Robert Giffard, seigneur of Beauport, to work as a master carpenter and land clearer in New France for three years. This decision, likely influenced by the promise of land and opportunity,
Zacharie's skills as a carpenter were immediately put to use. He helped build Giffard's manor, the Château St-Louis (the official residence of the Governor of New France), a Jesuit presbytery, and numerous other structures essential to the growing colony.
By 1800, Zacharie had 10,850 married descendants, the most of any Quebec colonist according to the Historical Demography Research Program of the Université de Montréal.
The Cloutier name is commemorated throughout Quebec, with parks, streets, and even a type of cheese bearing Zacharie's name.
CONNECTIONS:
Zacharie Cloutier is Michelle's 10th GGF on the Laviolette side and Jim's 10th and 11th GGF on both the Dumas and Vermette/Gilbert lines.
LIFE STORY:
Zacharie Cloutier, born around 1590 in Mortagne-au-Perche, Normandy, France, was one of the most influential early settlers of New France. The son of Denis Cloutier and Renée Brière, Zacharie grew up in a family of nine children. His father was likely a joiner and ropemaker, skills that may have influenced Zacharie's future as a master carpenter.
On July 18, 1616, at the age of 26, Zacharie married Xainte (also known as Sainte) Dupont in the parish of Saint-Jean in Mortagne-au-Perche. Xainte, born around 1596, was the daughter of Paul-Michel Dupont and Perrine, and the widow of Michel Lermusier. This union would become one of the most significant in the history of French-Canadian genealogy.
The couple had six children in France: Zacharie (1617), Jean (1620), Xainte (1622, died in childhood), Anne (1626), Charles (1629), and Marie-Louise (1632). Their growing family would soon embark on a life-changing journey to the New World.
In March 1634, Zacharie signed a contract with Robert Giffard, seigneur of Beauport, to work as a master carpenter and land clearer in New France for three years. This decision, likely influenced by the promise of land and opportunity, would shape the future of countless French-Canadians.
The Cloutier family, along with fellow settler Jean Guyon du Buisson and his family, sailed from Dieppe and arrived in Quebec on June 4, 1634. They were welcomed by Samuel de Champlain himself, marking the beginning of their new life in the fledgling colony.
Zacharie's skills as a carpenter were immediately put to use. He helped build Giffard's manor, the Château St-Louis (the official residence of the Governor of New France), a Jesuit presbytery, and numerous other structures essential to the growing colony. His work was crucial in establishing the infrastructure of early Quebec.
On February 3, 1637, Zacharie and Jean Guyon officially took possession of their promised lands in Beauport. Zacharie's property, known as "La Clouterie" or "La Cloutièrerie," comprised 1,000 arpents (about 342 hectares). Despite being illiterate, Zacharie was meticulous about formalizing agreements, using a mark resembling an axe as his signature.
The Cloutier family's life in New France was not without challenges. In 1646, a dispute arose between Giffard and his recruits over feudal obligations. Zacharie and Jean initially refused to pay homage to Giffard, considering themselves equals. This conflict, which lasted for years, exemplified the tension between Old World hierarchies and New World realities.
By 1666, the first census of New France shows Zacharie and Xainte, now 76 and 70 years old respectively, living in Château-Richer. They had moved there sometime after 1652 when Zacharie was granted land by Governor Jean de Lauzon. In 1669, they signed over their possessions to their eldest son, Zacharie Jr., in exchange for care in their old age.
Zacharie Cloutier died on September 17, 1677, at the age of 87, and was buried in the church cemetery of Château-Richer. Xainte followed on July 13, 1680, at the age of 84. Their legacy, however, was just beginning.
The Cloutier family's impact on French-Canadian society is immeasurable. By 1800, Zacharie had 10,850 married descendants, the most of any Quebec colonist according to the Historical Demography Research Program of the Université de Montréal. Today, it's estimated that a significant portion of French-Canadians can trace their lineage back to Zacharie and Xainte.
Their descendants include numerous notable figures, from political leaders like Pierre and Justin Trudeau to entertainers such as Céline Dion, Madonna, and Jim Carrey. The Cloutier name is commemorated throughout Quebec, with parks, streets, and even a type of cheese bearing Zacharie's name.
Zacharie and Xainte Cloutier's story embodies the courage, resilience, and pioneering spirit of New France's earliest settlers. Their legacy lives on not just in the countless descendants who bear their genetic imprint, but in the very foundations of French-Canadian culture and society.
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Sources - [S1476] Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada, Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;).
- [S2137] Ancestry.com, Canada, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).
- [S52] Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;), Source number: 8.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: JBH.
- [S1457] Ancestry.com, Quebec, Genealogical Dictionary of Canadian Families (Tanguay Collection), 1608-1890, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Volume: Vol. 1 Sect. 1 : A-Hel; Page: 132.
Quebec, Genealogical Dictionary of Canadian Families (Tanguay Collection), 1608-1890
- [S1476] Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada, Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;).