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BELANGER, François

BELANGER, François

Male Abt 1612 - 1685  (73 years)

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  • Photos
    Plaque with founding families of Quebec City (New France)
    Francois Belanger and Marie Guyon
    François Bélanger histoiredescanad02sultuoft_0122    		François Bélanger histoiredescanad02sultuoft_0122

    Albums
    Founding Families of New France    		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%).

  • Name BELANGER, François  [1, 2] 
    Birth Abt 1612  Lisieux, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Baptism 1612  [2] 
    Gender Male 
    Differentiator Among the first 47 families that settled Quebec City (New France); contemporaries and acquaintances of Samuel Champlain; common ancestor Jim & Michelle 
    Web Address https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/B%C3%A9langer-24 
    Death 25 Oct 1685  Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Burial Cap-Saint-Ignace, Montmagny, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Person ID I6318  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 15 Jul 2024 

    Family GUYON, Marie Madeline,   b. 18 Mar 1624, Tourouvre, Orne, Basse-Normandie, France Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Aug 1696, Cap-Saint-Ignace, Montmagny, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 72 years) 
    Marriage 12 Jul 1637  Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Children 
     1. BELANGER, Louise,   b. 1657, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Jul 1726, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 69 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    ▻ CLOUTIER, Jean  m. 14 Nov 1679
     2. BELANGER, Nicolas II,   b. 1638, Lisieux, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Oct 1682, Beauport, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 44 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    ▻ DERAINVILLE, Marie  m. 11 Jan 1660
     3. BELANGER, Anne,   b. 27 Jul 1664, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Aug 1665, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 1 year)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     4. ROUSSEU, Charlotte Françoise,   b. 30 Jan 1650, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Oct 1710, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 60 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     5. MARIE-MADELEINE,   b. 15 Feb 1643, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1703, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 59 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     6. BELANGER, Louis,   b. 18 Dec 1654, Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Oct 1724, L'Islet, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 69 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     7. BELANGER, Guillaume,   b. 4 Apr 1661, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Apr 1661, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     8. BÉLANGER, Jacques,   b. 24 Jul 1662, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Aug 1699, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 37 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     9. BELANGER, Charles,   b. 19 Aug 1640, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Dec 1692, Chateau Richer, La Côte-de-Beaupré, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 52 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    ▻ CLOUTIER, Barbe Delphine  m. 21 Nov 1663
     10. BELANGER, Marguerite,   b. 1645   d. 1703 (Age 58 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     11. BELANGER, Jean François,   b. 1648   d. 1682 (Age 34 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     12. BELANGER, Marie Charlotte,   b. 1650   d. 1710 (Age 60 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     13. BELANGER, Mathurine,   b. 1652   d. 1698 (Age 46 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     14. BELANGER, Geneviève,   b. 1659  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F1548  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 15 Jul 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - Abt 1612 - Lisieux, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 12 Jul 1637 - Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 25 Oct 1685 - Quebec City, Quebec (Urban Agglomeration), Quebec, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Cap-Saint-Ignace, Montmagny, Quebec, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Notes 
    • HIGHLIGHTS:

      François was known for his industriousness and business acumen. In 1647, he secured a loan of 100 livres from Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny to purchase wheat, using all his property as collateral. By 1667, he owned 50 arpents of cultivated land and 13 animals, marking him as one of the wealthier colonists.

      In 1653, he was elected mayor of the Quebec region near Longue Pointe (now Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré).

      François was known for his strong, often confrontational personality. He was described as resourceful and honest, but also authoritative, demanding, and prone to legal disputes. His reputation for litigiousness was well-established, often causing tension with neighbors and family members.

      CONNECTIONS:

      François Belanger is Jim's 9th GGF on the Vermette/Gilbert branch and Michelle's 11th GGF on the Laviolette branch.

      LIFE STORY:

      François Bélanger, one of the early settlers of New France, was born around 1612, likely in Normandy, France. While his exact origins and parents remain uncertain, records from his confirmation in 1660 indicate he was from the diocese of Lisieux.

      In 1634, François immigrated to New France (now Quebec, Canada) as part of a group of settlers recruited by Robert Giffard. He quickly established himself in the colony, working as a mason alongside fellow settlers like Jean Guyon and Zacharie Cloutier.

      On July 12, 1637, François married Marie Guyon, daughter of Jean Guyon and Mathurine Robin. Marie, born around 1624 in Mortagne-au-Perche, France, was only about 13 years old at the time of their marriage. Despite her youth, Marie proved to be a capable partner and mother.

      François was known for his industriousness and business acumen. In 1647, he secured a loan of 100 livres from Pierre Legardeur de Repentigny to purchase wheat, using all his property as collateral. By 1667, he owned 50 arpents of cultivated land and 13 animals, marking him as one of the wealthier colonists.

      Throughout his life, François held several important positions:

      In 1653, he was elected mayor of the Quebec region near Longue Pointe (later Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré).

      From 1663 to 1677, he served as Captain of the Militia for the Beaupré coast.

      In 1662, he was named trustee of the affairs and guardian of the children of Olivier Le Tardif.

      François was known for his strong, often confrontational personality. He was described as resourceful and honest, but also authoritative, demanding, and prone to legal disputes. His reputation for litigiousness was well-established, often causing tension with neighbors and family members.

      Despite his difficult nature, François earned the respect of colonial authorities. When the Sovereign Council was founded in 1663, he was referred to as "one of the principal inhabitants of the region" who had the confidence of both authorities and colonists.

      On July 1, 1677, in recognition of his services, Governor Frontenac granted François the Seigneurie of Bonsecours (later L'Islet). This vast concession, "a league in frontage by two leagues in depth on the south bank of the river," was officially recorded by the Sovereign Council on October 24, 1680.

      The 1681 census lists the Bélanger family in the seigneury of Bellechasse, with five arpents of cleared land and four servants. François had only recently moved to this new property and begun its development.

      François Bélanger died on October 25, 1685. In his final act, he bequeathed all his remaining property to his son Jacques, "in return for good and loyal service." This included his lands at Bonsecours, a house, a barn, a mill, livestock, and various equipment. Marie approved this bequest on April 25, 1687, suggesting François had passed away sometime before this date.

      Marie Guyon outlived François by nearly a decade, passing away on September 1, 1696, at Cap-Saint-Ignace. She was about 72 years old at the time of her death.

      François and Marie had twelve children together, ten of whom survived to adulthood. Their numerous descendants have played significant roles in the history of Quebec and beyond, contributing to the rich tapestry of French-Canadian heritage.

  • Sources 
    1. [S2137] Ancestry.com, Canada, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).

    2. [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: 38.
      Quebec, Genealogical Dictionary of Canadian Families (Tanguay Collection), 1608-1890      		 Quebec, Genealogical Dictionary of Canadian Families (Tanguay Collection), 1608-1890



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