THIRTEENTH GENERATION

7534. Zacharie Cloutier ⁽¹⁾ was christened in 1590. He was born in Dec 1590 in Coureone ev de Sees, Perche, France. He appeared on the census in 1666 in Beaupre, Quebec, Canada.⁽¹¹⁵⁾ The 1666 Census was recorded as follows:

Zacarie Cloutier pere .......................76 habittant
Xaincte dupont...............................70 sa femme

At this point their children were all grown and lived elsewhere. He died on 17 Sep 1677 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He was buried on 18 Sep 1677 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He was a in Master Carpenter. Zacharie Cloutier, born 1590 in St. Jean Mortagne, France; died September 17, 1677 in Chateau Richer, Quebec. He was the son of Denis Cloutier and Renee Briere. He married Xainte Dupont July 18, 1616 in St Jean, Mortagne, Perche, France. Xainte Dupont, born 1596 in Feings; died July 14, 1680 in Chateau Richer, Quebec. One of the first colonists of Quebec. Recruited in 1633-34 by Robert Giffard, seigneur of Beauport. At he end of March 1634, forty two persons including Zacharie and his wife with five children, embarqed from La Rochelle for Canada. Arriving on July 22, 1634, Zacharie, a carpenter commenced construction of a home for the seigneur of Beauport. He settled nearby and on December 20, 1670, sold his property in Beauport to Nicolas Dupont and moved with his sons to a new place by Chateau-Richer.

Notes for Zacharie Cloutier: Our French Canadian Ancestors, Vol. 5 by Thomas J Laforest

CHAPTER 6 - ZACHARIE CLOUTIER

At first, those who had a right to the name Cloutier were the nailmakers of the specialized drop forges.(1) However, by the into the world, the name had become a 16th century, when Zacharie Cloutier came patronym. The genealogist Gabriel Droum exaggerates only a little bit when he states that Zacharie Cloutier is the ancestor of all the French Canadians.(2) However, one fact is certain: If Zacharie was not yet the universal forefather, he was in the process of becoming so. Therefore, those of us so descended might do well to beware of ocular myopathy.(3)

In 1965, Madame Pierre Montagne wrote a book in which she told us about the French origins of the Cloutiers. This great friend of Canada, by her persistent and systematic research in the state archives and parish records of the Perche of long ago, taught us a great deal about all those families which comprised the first significant wave of Canadian settlement, beginning in 1634.(4)

The earliest records available from the parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-Mortagne date from the year 1600. The Cloutier family patriarch was father Denis, married to Renee Briere. We learn that after 1600, they had three children: Jacques, baptized 16 March 1601; Claude, baptized 17 March 1605; and Loyse, christened 22 February 1608 and buried on 3 March of the same year. Mother Rene herself, died and was buried on 1 May 1608. On 3 November of that year, the banns of marriage between father Denis Cloutier and Jeanne Rahir-Gaultier were published. From this second union were born: Leonard, baptized 18 October 1609; Denis, baptized 29 February 1612 and buried three days later; then the twins Pierre and Michelle, named on 27 March 1613.

But where do we find Zacharie in this family? Since he does not appear in the records of Saint Jean Baptiste parish, it must be assumed that he was born prior to 1600 and was therefore, one of several other children of Denis and Renee, such as: Michel, married to Jeanne Commanche; Renee, bonded to Claude Noe; Nicolas, joined to Catherine Roussel; Louis, linked to Madeleine Truchet and Catherine, coupled to Francois Noe.

PEACEMAKER AND HEAD OF FAMILY

Zacharie Cloutier first saw the light of day about the year 1590. On 13 July 1616, in the parish of his birth, he married Xainte Dupont from the locality of Feings. She had been born in 1596 and was the widow of Michel Lermusier. In Mortagne, on 2 March 1633, the notary Mathurin Roussel wrote an agreement which demonstrated how the future Canadian played the role of family peacemaker between his father and one of his brothers: "Furent presents Zacharie Cloustier, carpentier, demeurant a Mortagne, paroisse Saint Jean, d'une part, et Jacques Cloustier, son frere, cordier, demeurant au dit lieu et paroisse d'autre part, et encore le dit Zacharie Cloustier se faisant et portant fort de Denis Cloustier, son pere, promettant qu'il aura ses presentes plus agreables et les lui faire ratifier... et heritiers de defunts Renee Briere, leur mere, femme en
premieres noces du dit Denis, et a Jeanne Gaultier, sa femme en second mariage,... This was obviously a dispute concerning a family inheritance.(5)

Zacharie and Xainte had six children while still living in Mortagne. They were: Zacharie, 1617; Jean, 1620; Xaintes, 1622; Anne, 1626; Charles, 1629; and Louise, 1632. The little Xaintes died on 19 September 1632. Thus the Cloutiers had five living children and would have no more.

IN NEW FRANCE FROM 1634

On 15 January 1634, Surgeon Robert Giffard, a notable proponent of a Canadian community, was soliciting potential emigrants, when he received notice that he had been awarded the seigneury of Beauport from the One Hundred Associates. Giffard had been in New France before: From 1621 to 1626, and again in 1628. In 1634 he successfully recruited several citizens of Perche as prospective residents for his newly acquired realm: One of whom was Zacharie Cloutier.

This contract of servitude, signed by Cloutier and Guyon in joinder, in favor of Giffard, was written up by the notary Mathurin Roussel at LaRochelle on 14 March 1634.(6) It stipulated that Giffard would pay the passage plus food and lodging in Canada (to the extent that the land permitted), for Cloutier and Guyon plus one family member each, for a period of three years, to date from 24 June 1634. After two years the two men would bo allowed to send for the rest of their families, also at the expense of the Seigneur of Beauport. Giffard agreed to give each man a few head of livestock to get started farming, plus one thousand arpents of land with the right to build on it, in addition to the right to hunt, fish and trade with the savages. And so it was done.(7) However, according to Raoul Cloutier, author of a voluminous essay on his ancestors,(8) even though Zacharie had agreed to leave France with his seventeen year old son only, he changed his mind and decided to bring the entire family out to Canada. By 22 July 1634, master-carpenter Zacharie Cloutier and master-mason Jean Guyon were hard at work on construction of a manor house for their lord as well as the parish church and Fort Saint-Louis in Ouebec.

FIRST MARRIAGE CONTRACT IN CANADA

As soon as the Cloutier family was settled down Zacharie did not waste any time getting organized. He had already begun to plan for the future of his children and on 27 July 1636, he arranged for his daughter Anne to take a husband. This was unusual for two reasons: The marriage contract with Robert Droum was the first of it's kind in Canada and Anne was only ten and a half years old! A stipulation in the agreement provided that Anne was to continue to live at home with her parents until she was thirteen. The religious ceremony took place when Anne was eleven but Robert had to content himself with non-conjugal visits for two more years.(9)

THE FIEF ON THE RIVER BUISSON

A ruling drawn up by Jean de Lespinasse on February 1637, reveals that Jean Guyon and Zacharie Cloutier, who seem to have done nothing one without the other, finally took possession of the fiefs promised to them by Giffard. That of Guyon was named "du Buisson" and that of Zacharie was called "La Cloutierie". It is in this act that we first observe the signature of Zacharie Cloutier in the form of an axe, the mark of his trade. A facsimile is reproduced at the end of this Chapter. In 1641, a map made by the engineer-surveyor Jean Bourdon shows the layout of these lands "from Kebec to Cap Tourmente". We may note thereon that the sons of Zacharie, as well as other colonists, were settled on the territory extending from the river at Fetit Pre to the river at Chiens, which became the future parish of Chateau-Richer.(1O) On 29 May 1644, notary Guillaume Tronquet recorded that "Giffard, Sieur de Beauport visited the Buisson river in company with Jean Guyon, Zacharie Cloutier, Adrien du Chesne, Jean Bourdon and Abraham Martin", and that he gave them the land "from this river up to the first point, running along the length of the Saint Lawrence river."

DISPUTES BETWEEN GIFFARD AND HIS VASSELS

Historian Marcel Trudel reports that things did not always go well between Seigneur Giffard and his habitants.(ll) On 18 December 1636, the Lord of Beauport obtained a judgment against Cloutier and Guyon concerning certain work which was due him. Then after the division of the land on 10 December 1637, certain boundary disputes occurred. Governor Montmagny delayed making his decision until 4 May 1642. On 2 July 1646, Giffard sued Guyon and Cloutier for refusing to render him "faith and homage"as all good vassels were required to do with regard to their seigneur. On the 19th of the same month the Governor ordered them to comply. The two recalcitrants got even in their own way by refusing to present te inventory (aveu et denombrement) as required from all landowners in a seigneury. On 20 August, the Governor cmpelled the rebels to comply once and for all. It is necessary to understand them, they who had always considered Giffard as an equal. Their pride having blinded them, they found it difficult to accept their former friend as their superior in the hierarchy.

BOURGEOIS SEIGNEUR AND MASTER CARPENTER

In 1651, the family Cloutier lived on Cote de la Montagne in the town of Quebec. Twelve years later Zacharie was described as a bourgeois seigneur working as a master-carpenter.(12) In addition to his fief of 693 arpents, he owned a lot measuring 41.4 toises. By this time he was 73 years old and his wife was 67. He also owned a lot in the lower town of Quebec, between those of Pascal Lemaistre and Jean Guyon. The census of 1666 indicates that both Zacharies, father and son, lived on the Beaupre coast.(13) Then the next census, that of 1681, fails to mention either the venerable pioneer or his wife. What became of them?

In order to return to his land at Chateau-Richer, Zacharie sold his fief to Nicolas Dupont of Neuville on 20 December 1670. Prior to this however, on 19 January 1668, he had assembled his children before notary Michel Fillon, and prepared an agreement designed to minimize the difficulties which could arise from the inheritance after his and Xaintes deaths. Once all had been settled, the children promised to assist their parents and to attend to all of their needs. The following year, on 12 May 1669, Zacharie and Xainte made their will and placed themselves in the hands of son Zacharie.

Old patriarch Zacharie died first at about 87 years of age. He fell into his last sleep on 17 November 1677. Xainte was taken in her turn less than three years later, on 14 July 1680. They both lie at rest in their favorite place, Chateau-Richer.

THE NEXT GENERATION

When the Cloutier family arrived in Ouebec on 4 June 1634, it was already complete: Father, mother and five children and no others would be born on Canadian soil. Here is some additional information on the first generation:

1) Zacharie, 16 August 1617, married Madeleine-Barbe Esmard (Aymard, Emard, Esmart, Eymard) on 4 April 1648 at Saint-Barthe'lemi in LaRochelle, France. She was the daughter of Jean and of Marie Bineau (Bureau) of Niort in Poitou, France. According to Raoul Cloutier, young Zacharie was a level headed man, charitable, friendly and a good farmer. They had 8 children, 5 boys and 3 girls, all of whom married neighbors. Zacharie died 3 February 1708. Barbe followed him on 28 May of the same year. They were both interred at Chateau-Richer.( 13)

2) Jean, 13 May 1620, became a carpenter like his father. He married Marie Martin on 21 January 1648 at Quebec. She was the daughter of Abraham Martin dit l'Ecossais and Marguerite Langlois. Jean and Marie had 14 children, 10 of whom were girls. Jean died on 16 October 1690 and Marie followed him on 26 April 1699. It was his descendants who kept the ancestral home for nearly three centuries.

3) Anne, 19 January 1626, married the brickmaker Robert Droum in 1637. They had six children, of whom, all but two died in infancy. Anne herself died on 4 February 1648. Robert remarried in 1649 to the widow Marie Chapelier who was not accepted by the Cloutiers and, as a result, Zacharie and Xainte raised their grand daughters, Genevieve and Jeanne Droum, as their own.(14)

4) Charles, 3 May 1629, was not interested in farming, so he too became a carpenter. On 20 April 1659 he married Louise Morin, the daughter of Noel and of Helene Desportes who, as Helene Langlois, was generally recognized to have been the first white child born in New France. Charles and Louise had 13 children, 6 boys and 7 girls. Charles died on 5 June 1709 and Louise on 29 April 1713.

5) Louise, 18 March 1632, married Francois Marguerie, Sieur de la Haye, at age fourteen. He was one of the most colorful men of early New France. A guide and interpreter of Indian languages, he lived and worked among the tribes and even survived capture and imprisonment by the Iroquois. They were married on 26 October 1645 and went to live at Trois-Rivieres. Shortly thereafter he was drowned in a canoe accident. Childless and widowed at seventeen, Louise returned to Quebec where, five months later, on 10 November 1648, she married the tailor Jean Mignot dit Chatillon: They had 14 children. Mignot died about 1680 and in 1689 Louise married for a third time to the saddlemaker Jean-Pierre Mataux (Mataut, Matteau). They were childless and Louise died on 22 January 1699 at age 68.

MANY NAME VARIATIONS

The surname Cloutier was sometime Cloustier in the days of our ancestor. Succeeding generations have added the following: Gary, Cluchier, Clukey, Clurkey, Cluquet, Clouter, Lapensee and Nailer.(15)

Notes for Zacharie Cloutier: In 1666 & 67 he ws in Beaupre (Chateau Richer). He was "engage" March 14, 1634 in Mortagne by Robert Giggard; "concession de l'arriere-fief de LaCloutiererie dans Beauport March 14, 1634, vendu a Nicolas Dupont Dec. 20, 1670. Burial: September 18, 1677, Chateau Richer.

Death Record of Zacharie Cloutier (1677)
This document records the death of Zacharie Cloutier on September 17, 1677 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec. He was a master-carpenter who was recruited into indentured servitude by Robert Giffard in LaRochelle, France on March 14, 1634. Zacharie arrived in Canada shortly thereafter and brought his wife, Sainete Dupont and their five children. One of the children, Anne, was the subject of the first marriage contract in Canada, signed on July 27, 1636. She was only 10 years old at the time. The contract stipulated that her marriage to Robert Drouin would not take place for another year and that Anne would live with her parents until she was thirteen. Zacharie was born in France around 1590 and was the 7th great grandfather of Louis and John Bellware.




He was married to Xainte Dupont on 18 Jul 1616 in St Jean de Montagne, Perche, France.

7535. Xainte Dupont ⁽¹⁾ was born in 1596 in Coureone ev de Sees, Perche, France. She died on 13 Jul 1680 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. She was buried on 14 Jul 1680 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. Sources: Birth - Encyclopedie Gen. Tanguay, Vol. 1, Page 132
Christening - Same as above
Marriage - Encyclopedie Gen. Jette, Page 259
Death - Encyclopedie Gen. Tanguay, Vol 1, Page 132
Burial - Encyclopedie Gen. Jette, Page 259

Notes for Xainte Dupont:
From St-Jean Mortagne, Perche
First name may have been spelled Sainte.

       Children of Zacharie Cloutier and Xainte Dupont are:

 i. Zacharie Cloutier, born August 16, 1617; died February 03, 1707/08 in Chateau Richer, Quebec; married Madeleine Barbe Aymard April 04, 1648 in St. Barthelem, New Rochelle, France.
 3658ii. Jean Cloutier, born May 13, 1620 in St. Jean Mortagne, France; died October 13, 1690 in Chateau Richer, Quebec; married Marie Martin January 21, 1647/48 in Quebec, Quebec, Canada.
 iii. Xaintes Cloutier, born November 01, 1622; died September 19, 1632.
 iv. Anne Cloutier, born January 19, 1625/26 in Perche, Normandie, France; died February 03, 1647/48 in Quebec, Canada; married Robert Drouin July 12, 1637 in Quebec, Quebec, Canada.
 v. Charles Cloutier, born May 03, 1629; died June 05, 1709; married Louise Morin April 20, 1659.
 vi. Louise Cloutier, born March 18, 1631/32; died June 22, 1699; married Francois Marguerie October 26, 1645. Children were:

i. Zacharie Cloutier⁽¹⁾ was born on 16 Aug 1617 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. He was baptized on 16 Aug 1617 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. He appeared on the census in 1666 in Beaupre, Quebec, Canada.⁽¹¹⁶⁾ The 1666 Census showed the Cloutier consisted of Zacharie Cloutier (age 48), his wife Magdelaine Aymard (age 38), their children Barbe (age 16), René (age 15), Xainte (age 13), Genevieve (age 11), Marie (age 9), Marie (age 7), & Charles (age 3). He died on 3 Feb 1708 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He was buried on 4 Feb 1708 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He Sealed to Spouse on 5 Oct 1946 in Sealed to Spouce (Madeleine Barbe Aymard). He REFN No. in 83TN-25. He was a in Commissioner of the 100 Associates (1648); Carpenter. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 Jan 1996.
Notes for Zacharie Cloutier: In 1666, 67 & 81 he was in Beaupre (Chateau Richer). "Commis de la Communaute des Habitants en 1648."

Zacharie Cloutier was enumerated in the census in 1666 Beaupre, (Chateau-Richer), Quebec(ibid.). He was enumerated in the census in 1667 Beaupre, (Chateau-Richer), Quebec(ibid.). He was enumerated in the census in 1681 Beaupre, (Chateau-Richer), Quebec(ibid.).

More About Zacharie Cloutier:
# of Children: Eight, born between 1650 - 1666, in Beaupre, Quebec and Chateau-Richer
858 ii. Jean Cloutier.
iii. Xainte Cloutier⁽¹⁾ was born on 1 Nov 1622 in St. Jean, Mortagne, Sees, Perche (Orne) France. She was baptized on 1 Nov 1622 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. She died on 19 Sep 1632 in St. Jean, Mortagne, Sees, Perche (Orne) France. She was buried on 19 Sep 1632 in St. Jean, Mortagne, Sees, Perche (Orne) France. First name may be Sainte.
3767 iv. Marie Anne Cloutier.
v. Charles Cloutier⁽¹⁾ was born on 3 May 1629 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. He was baptized on 3 May 1629 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. He appeared on the census in 1666 in Beaupre, Quebec, Canada.⁽¹¹⁷⁾ The 1666 Census showed the Cloutier household consisted of Charles Cloutier (age 36), his wife Louise Morin (age 23), their children Ursulle Cloutier & Marie Cloutier (age 6 - Twins), & Marie Cloutier (age 2). He died on 5 Jun 1709 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He was buried on 7 Jun 1709 in La-Visitation-de-Notre-Dame, Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. He Profession in Carpenter. More About Charles Cloutier:
# of Children: Thirteen, born between 1660 - 1686 in Quebec and Chateau-Richer
vi. Louise Marie Cloutier⁽¹⁾ was born on 18 Mar 1632 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. She was baptized on 18 Mar 1632 in St Jean, Montagne, Perche, France. She died on 22 Jun 1699 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec, Canada. Date of death may have been January 22, 1699.