COTE, Jean

Notes:

Jean Côté, born around 1605 in Perche, France, was among the early settlers recruited by Robert Giffard to help establish the colony of New France. He arrived in Quebec on July 20, 1635, as part of the wave of Percheron immigration that would shape the future of French Canada.

Anne Martin, born on March 23, 1614, in La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France, was already a resident of New France when Jean arrived. She was the daughter of Abraham Martin (after whom the Plains of Abraham would be named) and his first wife, Guillemette Couillard. Anne's early life was marked by the challenges of the fledgling colony. Her mother died when she was an infant, and her father remarried Marguerite Langlois in 1620. Growing up in the small trading post of Quebec, Anne was exposed to a unique blend of cultures on the frontier of New France.

Jean and Anne's paths crossed in the summer of 1635, and they were married on November 17, 1635. The ceremony, performed by Jesuit priest Charles Lalemant, took place at the home of Robert Giffard, with Guillaume Couillard and Giffard himself serving as witnesses. This union would prove to be one of the foundational marriages of French-Canadian society.

The young couple's early years were shaped by the realities of colonial life. In 1636, Governor Montmagny granted them an arpent of frontage on la Grande-Allée near Quebec, while Giffard provided them with land in Beauport. However, the threat of Iroquois raids made them hesitant to settle their Beauport concession immediately. Instead, they initially rented a small parcel of land from Noël Langlois, Anne's step-uncle, to be closer to other settlers for mutual protection.

Jean built a cabin on this rented land and began farming. Over time, they developed their properties, including a house in Upper Town, Quebec. Jean was known to be a diligent farmer and businessman, selling hay and engaging in various transactions with other settlers.

Throughout their lives, Jean and Anne were active members of the growing colony. They had nine children together, eight of whom survived to adulthood:

Louis (1636-1669)
Simone (1637-c.1700)
Martin (1639-1710)
Mathieu (1642-1710)
Jean (1644-1722)
Jean-Noël (1646-1701)
Marie (1648-1648)
Louise (1650-?)

These children would go on to play significant roles in the development of New France, with their descendants spreading throughout the colony and beyond.

Jean Côté passed away on March 28, 1661, in his home in Quebec City. He was buried in the church of Notre-Dame de Québec, an honor that reflected his status in the community. Anne survived him by more than two decades, continuing to manage their affairs and see to the establishment of their children. She died on December 4, 1684, and was also buried in Quebec City.

The legacy of Jean Côté and Anne Martin is immense. Their numerous descendants have played crucial roles in French-Canadian history, and today, a significant portion of French Canadians can trace their lineage back to this pioneering couple.

Jean married MARTIN, Anne on 17 Nov 1635 in Québec, Quebec, Canada. Anne (daughter of MARTIN, Abraham and LANGLOIS, Marguerite) was born on 23 Mar 1619 in La Rochelle, Manche, Basse-Normandie, France; died on 4 Dec 1684 in 1654128, Northwest Territories, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: PAGÉ, Susanne. Susanne was born on 30 Apr 1654 in Quebec, Canada; died on 16 Sep 1719 in St. Pierre, Ile D'orlean, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jean married LANGLOIS-TRAVERSY, Anne on 8 Feb 1694 in Beauport, Québec, Canada. Anne was born in 1675 in Beauport, Québec, Canada; died on 30 Sep 1741 in Québec, Québec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Pierre married DELAGE, Marguerite on 18 Feb 1726 in L'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada. Marguerite (daughter of DELAGE, CHARLES and PLANTE, Marguerite) was born on 14 Aug 1707 in L'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada; died on 3 Jun 1781 in L'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]