Marie-Madeleine Cousteau

     Marie-Madeleine was born in 1606 in La Rochelle, Charente, Poitou-Charentes, France. She was the daughter of Jean Cousteau & Jeanne Morant/Moreau. Marie-Madeleine married Etienne St-Pere in 1626 in La Rochelle. Marie-Madeleine's husband, Etienne, died before 18 May 1639 in La Rochelle leaving her a widow. On 18 May 1639, Madeleine made a marriage contract with André Musset at La Rochelle. This contract was nullified. In 1647, she immigrated from France, as a "Fille a Marier". She came with her daughters, Jeanne & Catherine. Marie-Madeleine married 2nd Emery Cailleteau on 14 October 1647 in ville de Quebec, Quebec, Canada, at the Basilica of Notre Dame.¹ Marie-Madeleine's husband, Emery, died on 2 June 1653 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, leaving her a widow.² A contract for the marriage of Marie-Madeleine & Claude Houssart was signed on 2 November 1653 in ville de Quebec. Severin Ameau, notary, drew up the contract. The contract states that he was the son of Claude Hussart & Jeanne Lambert, and she was the daughter of Jean Cousteau & Jeanne Moran. Madeleine was from St-Jean-d'Angely, France & was residing at Cap-de-la-Madelene. She was the widow of Emery Cailletteau. Claude was from Le Plessis-Beaumois, Anjou, France & was residing at Cap-de-la-Madelime.. 1666, Marie-Madeleine and her husband, Claude, were listed on the Canadian Census in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Claude Houssard [50 years], Madeleine Cousteau [60 years] & servant: Francois [23 years].³ 1667, Marie-Madeleine and her husband, Claude, were listed on the Canadian Census in Comte-de-Champlain, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Claude Houzart [50 years], Madeleine Cousteau [60 years] & servant: Pierre Gilbert [21 years].⁴ 1681, Marie-Madeleine and her husband, Claude, were listed on the Canadian Census in Batiscan, Les Chenaux County, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Claude Houssard [65 years] & Madeleine Couteau [75 years].⁵ On 15 April 1689, Madeleine had a contract drawn up to provide care for her husband by her grandson, Nicolas Rivard. It also provided that her daughter, Catherine and Nicolas were also to maintain her for her remaining years. Marie-Madeleine's husband, Claude, died before 10 September 1691 in Batiscan leaving her a widow. Marie-Madeleine departed this life in Batiscan. She was buried there in the churchyard of St-Francois Xavier on Monday, 10 September 1691.⁶