Charles Amiot

     Charles was born in ville de Quebec, Quebec, Canada. He was christened there on 26 August 1636 in the Basilica of Notre Dame.² He was educated by the Jesuits and attended their college. In 1650, when he was 14 years old, he accompanied Father Bressani to the Huron Country. Charles married Genevieve Dechavigny on 2 May 1660 in ville de Quebec, Quebec, Canada, at the Basilica of Notre Dame.³ Charles & Genevieve had children: Pierre [11/30/1661-2/05/1662], Marie Madeleine [3/01/1663-10/13/1747] & Charles Joseph [3/21/1665-5/08/1735][m. 2/19/1691 Marie Elisabeth Philippe Duhautmeny].⁴ He became a fur trader and a merchant. He opened a general store in Quebec City at a site that was given to him by his father-in-law. Early in his married life, his interests were in the store and in eel fishing. In 1663, his interests changed direction, as he began a lengthy period of time traveling with Father Nourvel among the Papinachois Indians who were established in the lower end of the St Lawrence Estuary. They lived and traveled amongst the native peoples, mostly on the south shore and inland of the St Lawrence. During this time, the missionaries were converting the natives to Christianity while Charles and other non-clerics were busy trapping and trading for furs. On 26 July 1665, Charles and his associates returned to Quebec for the last time. He then stayed in Quebec City with his family and ran his general store for the remainder of his life. 1666, Charles and Genevieve were listed on the Canadian Census in ville de Quebec, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Charles Amiot [30 years], Genevieve Chavigny [20 years], Marie [3 years] & Charles [1 year].⁵ 1667, Charles and Genevieve were listed on the Canadian Census at ville de Quebec. Enumerated in this household were Charles Amyot [32 years], Genevieve Dechavigny [22 years], Marie Madeleine [5 years] & Joseph [2 years]. Charles departed this life on Tuesday, 10 December 1669 in ville de Quebec. He was buried there in the Basilica of Notre Dame on Wednesday, 11 December 1669.⁶ On 3 November 1672, Jean Talon, Justice of Public Order and Finances, granted to Charles’ widow a fief in what is now Cap-Saint-Ignace. The record reads in part, “In consideration of the services rendered by the late Amiot in this country.” His son, Charles Joseph inherited this property.