Catherine St-Pere

     Catherine was born in Saint-Jean-d'Angely, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France. She was christened there on 26 August 1634 in Saint-Jean-d'Angely Church.² In 1647, she immigrated from France, as a "Fille a Marier". She came with her mother & her sister, Jeanne. Catherine married Mathurin Guillet circa 1648 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. Catherine's husband, Mathurin, died on 18 August 1652 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, leaving her a widow. Catherine married 2nd Nicolas Rivard dit Lavigne, son of Pierre Rivard and Jeanne Mullard, on 21 June 1653 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, at the Cathedral de l'Assomption.^3,4 1666, Catherine and her husband, Nicolas, were listed on the Canadian Census at Trois-Rivieres. Enumerated in this household were Nicolas Rivard Lavigne [42 years], Catherine Saintpere [30 years], Nicolas [12 years], Jeanne [9 years], Julien [7 years], Francois [5 years], Pierre [4 years], Marie-Madeleine [3 years], Michel [3 months] & servant: Jacques [25 years].⁵ 1667, Catherine and her husband, Nicolas, were listed on the Canadian Census at Trois-Rivieres. Enumerated in this household were Nicolas Rivard [40 years], Catherine Stpeir [27 years], Nicolas [13 yearss], Jeanne [11 years], Julien [9 years], Francois [8 years], Pierre [6 years], Madeleine [4 years], Michel [2 years] & servant: Jacques [50 years].⁶ 1681, Catherine and her husband, Nicolas, were listed on the Canadian Census in Batiscan, Les Chenaux County, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Nicolas Rivard [60 years], Caherine Saintpere [45 years], Nicolas [28 years], Jeanne [25 years], Julien [24 years], Francois [22 years], Pierre [20 years], Madeleine [18 years], Michel [16 years], Jean [13 years], Catherine [7 years] & Antoine [5 years].⁷ On 15 April 1689, Notary Trottain drew up a contract between Catherine, her son, Nicolas Rivard and her mother Marie Madeleine Cousteau. Nicolas was to care for Madeleine's mentally ill husband who was no longer able to care for himself. In turn, NIcolas was to inherit her property. The contract also stipulated that Catherine and her son, Nicolas were to care for Marie Madeleine for the remainder of her life. Catherine's husband, Nicolas, died circa 1 July 1701 in Batiscan, leaving her a widow. Catherine departed this life on Thursday, 27 June 1709 in Batiscan. She was buried there in the churchyard of St-Francois Xavier on Friday, 28 June 1709.