Marie Marguerie

     Marie was born on Saturday, 12 September 1620 in Rouen, Normandy, France. She was christened on the same day there in St-Vivien Church.¹ Marie, in 1639 at the age of 18 years, immigrated from St. Vincent de Rouen, Normandie, France to Quebec. She possibly came in the same vessel that brought the "Fille a Marier" to Quebec. She came at the request of her brother, Francois. In February of 1641, Francois was captured by the Iroquois which left her without a guardian or support.^2,3,4 A contract for the marriage of Marie & Jacques Hertel was signed on 23 August 1641. It was drawn up by notary Piraude. It notes that he was originally from Bourg-Fecamp, diocese of Caux; his parents: the late Nicolas Hertel & the late Jeanne Miriot. It notes that she was originally from Rouen; parents: Marguerie & Marthe Romaine. She brought as her dowry, 650 Livres..⁵ She served as a sacristan [the person who maintains the sacred objects used in the Mass] for forty years in her home town of Trois-Riviers. Marie's husband, Jacques, died on 10 August 1651 in Trois-Rivieres leaving her a widow. After the death of her husband, Jacques, she and her children endured two attacks and an eight day siege by the Iroquois and the desertion of the servants. During his same time period the settlement also was hit by a hard winter with little food. A contract for the marriage of Marie & Quentin Moral was signed circa 1652 at Trois-Rivieres. The record of this contract has not been found.. To support the family, Quentin sold Marie's inheritance from her deceased husband, Jacques. 1666, Marie and her husband, Quentin, were listed on the Canadian Census in Trois-Rivieres. Enumerated in this household were Quentin Moral [44 years], his wife: Marie Marguerie [40 years], Jeanne [13 years], Marie [10 years], Gertrude [8 years], Marthe [5 years], Robert Henry [20 years] & Nicolas Dupuis [24 years].⁶ 1667, Marie and her husband, Quentin, were listed on the Canadian Census in Trois-Rivieres. Enumerated in this household were Quentin Moral [45 years], his wife: Marie Margris [40 years], Marie-Jeanne [14 years], Marie [12 years], Gertrude [10 years], Marthe [6 years] and Robert Henry [23 years].⁷ 1681, Marie and her husband, Quentin, were listed on the Canadian Census in Trois-Rivieres. Enumerated in this household were Quentin Moral [60 years], his wife: Marie Marguerie [58 years] & Marie [20 years].⁸ Marie's husband, Quentin, died circa 9 May 1686 in Trois-Rivieres, leaving her a widow. Marie departed this life in Trois-Rivieres. She was buried there in the churchyard of L'Assomption on Friday, 26 November 1700.⁹