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- Louis Hébert, born around 1575 in Paris, France, is recognized as the first European apothecary and farmer in what later became Canada. He was the son of Nicolas Hébert and Jacqueline Pajot. In 1601, he married Marie Rollet, following his father's wishes, despite his love for another woman.
Hébert's journey to the New World began in 1606 when he joined an expedition to Acadia, led by his cousin-in-law Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt and Samuel de Champlain. He lived in Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia) from 1606 to 1607 and again from 1611 to 1613. During his time there, he engaged in horticulture and was noted for his skill in cultivating the land. He returned to France in 1607 after the expedition's trade concession expired.
In 1617, Hébert, along with his wife and their three children, Guillaume, Guillaumette, and Anne, left Paris to settle in Quebec City. He was offered a contract by the Compagnie du Canada, which included practicing medicine, establishing farming, and a grant of land. However, upon arrival, he was forced to accept a revised contract with reduced benefits.
Despite these challenges, Hébert became a significant figure in early Canadian history. He was the first private individual to receive a land grant in the New World from the French government. In Quebec, he selected a ten-acre site for his farm, where he faced opposition from the fur trading company due to his deforestation for farming. Nonetheless, he successfully cultivated various crops (corn, winter wheat, beans, peas, an apple orchard, and a vineyard) and raised livestock, contributing significantly to the colony's food supply.
Samuel de Champlain noted that in addition to serving as a physician for the colony, Hébert was the first head of a family in New France to subsist off what he grew.Hébert's contributions were recognized when he was appointed Procurator to the King in 1620, allowing him to intervene in matters on the King's behalf. In 1623, he became the first "Seigneur" of New France with the grant of "Sault-au-Matelot", and in 1626, he received another grant for "le fief de la rivière St-Charles".
Tragically, Hébert's life ended on January 25, 1627, due to injuries from a fall on ice. He was respected by both Native Americans and French settlers and was the first to be laid to rest in the new vault of the Recollets. His legacy continued through his descendants, who became prominent in various fields in Canada.
Marie Rollet, born around 1580, played an equally vital role in the colony. She provided medical treatment to Indigenous people and educated them in reading, writing, and the Christian faith. Records show she was godmother to many Indigenous converts.
Following Hébert's death, Marie married Guillaume Hubou on May 16, 1629. That same year, when British privateers invaded New France, the Rollet-Hubou family was the only one to remain in the colony while others evacuated.
Marie Rollet died on May 27, 1649, at the age of 69 in Quebec, leaving behind a legacy of cultural exchange and education.
Louis Hébert and Marie Rollet's family played a crucial role in the early history of Quebec and Canada. Their descendants, numbering in the thousands, are spread across North America, contributing to the rich tapestry of the continent's history. They are considered among the first people to settle permanently in New France, laying the foundation for the future of French Canada.
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1580 - 1649 (69 years)
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