Honoré Lore, or Lord (1742-1818) lived an incredibly interesting life. He was born near Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, survived the Acadian exile, and served in the Revolutionary War at Fort Albany in New York before settling in Quebec in the late 1780s.
Honoré outlived two wives, Appoline Garceau and Suzanne Lafaille, having seven children with each. He married Marguerite Babin when he was 61 years old and brought forth eight more children with her. Marguerite was his wife at his death in 1818 at the age of 76.
After publishing Honore’s life story, two readers contacted me with additional information.
Justine and Suzanne located and transcribed Honoré’s estate inventory and other documents, each contributing different pieces of the pie. I didn’t realize Honoré had an inventory, and not speaking French or being familiar with French-Canadian documents, I was absolutely over the moon and oh so grateful to both Suzanne and Justine. I can’t thank these ladies enough.
From Suzanne Lesage:
I was curious of how Justine got to the inventories. Last fall, BAnQ totally revamped their website and have improved a lot the accessibility of the documents with genealogists in mind. Going back to the page she mentions, I did a search all “Lord” in the Montreal area and got a list of 6, with this one on top. The good news is there was indeed an inventory for Honoré who died in 1818 – the bad news is that it is not yet available on-line at BAnQ…
1 – Honoré Lord & Marguerite Babin
Notaires
Titre de l’instrument : Inventaires après décès de la région de Montréal, 1791-1840 (2003) Détails
Nom du défunt : Lord
Préonom du défunt : Honoré
Nom du conjoint : Babin
Prénom du conjoint : Marguerite
Profession :
Résidence : Saint-Luc
Nom du notaire : Dandurand, Roger-François Année de l’acte : 1818 Date de l’acte : 1818-09-22 Remarque :
Source : Archives nationales à Montréal, CN601,S107, disponible sur microfilm
But FamilySearch comes to the rescue…
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3V7-L97Q?i=136&cat=675092
Image 137
The script is quite good, so transcription should not be too difficult. Any details you are interested in? It seems he had a will (name of notaries Edm Henry & RF Dandurand?) where his children were the heirs, but his widow could stay put until her death.
Suzanne Lesage GFA
GFA stands for Généalogiste de filiation agréée and is the first level of formal recognition for genealogists in Quebec.
I explained to Suzanne that essentially, I can’t transcribe the documents because unless you know the language, and know what to expect, transcribing handwriting is almost impossible – at least for me.
If I had French text, as in typed out, I could do the translation using online tools. Thankfully, Suzanne took pity on me.
Poor Roberta … Ok then – let’s start with who was there.
Between Suzanne and Justine, we wound up with a reasonable transcription to contemporary French, which I then translated using Google translate. Not everything translated perfectly, of course, and I’m more than happy to make corrections.
Le 22 septembre 1818 inventaire des biens qui étaient communs entre Honoré Lord, défunt et Marguerite Babin sa veuve
Translation:
September 22, 1818 inventory of property that was common between Honoré Lord, deceased, and Marguerite Babin, his widow
Image 138
L’an 1818 le 22e jour du mois de septembre à midi à la requête de Marguerite Babin veuve de Honoré Lord demeurant en la paroisse de Saint-Luc, tant en son propre nom comme commune en biens avec son défunt mari qu’en celui comme tutrice à Rose, Augustin, Claire, Maryse (or Moyse for Moise), Catherine et Modeste Lord enfants encore mineurs issus du dit mariage.
En présence de Jean Lord, leur frère consanguin, subrogé tuteur des dits mineurs.
Plus de François Lafaye, oncle maternel et tuteur et Julien Lord frère et subrogé tuteur de Jacques Lord, enfant encore mineur issu du 2nd mariage du dit défunt Honoré Lord et défunte Suzanne Lafaye.
English translation:
The year 1818 on the 22nd day of September at noon at the request of Marguerite Babin, widow of Honoré Lord, residing in the parish of Saint-Luc, both in her own name as common property with her late husband and in that as guardian to Rose, Augustin, Claire, Maryse, Catherine and Modeste Lord, still minor children from the said marriage.
In the presence of Jean Lord, their consanguineous brother, subrogated guardian of said minors.
Plus François Lafaye, maternal uncle and guardian and Julien Lord brother and subrogated guardian of Jacques Lord, still minor child from the 2nd marriage of the said deceased Honoré Lord and the deceased Suzanne Lafaye.
Image 138 Second Half
En plus la dite veuve comme tutrice à ses dits enfants, Jean Lord comme subrogé tuteur, François Lafaye comme tuteur de Jacques Lord et Julien Lord comme son subrogé tuteur par avis de testament homologué en justice.
Pour la conservation des biens et droits des susdites parties et de tous autres qu’il appartiendra, par les notaires soussignés, va être procédé à l’inventaire exact de tous les biens demeurés après le décès dudit Honoré Lord, trouvés en
la maison où il est décédé, située en ladite
English translation:
In addition the said widow as guardian of her said children, Jean Lord as subrogated guardian, François Lafaye as guardian of Jacques Lord and Julien Lord as his subrogated guardian by notice of will approved in court.
For the conservation of property and rights of the above-mentioned parties and all others he will belong, by the undersigned notaries, an exact inventory will be carried out of all property remaining after the death of the said Honoré Lord, found in the house where he died, located in the said
Image 139
ladite paroisse et à nous montrés et enseignés par lad. Marguerite Babin, après erment par elle tout présentement entre nos mains prêté de tout montrer et enseigner, sans en cacher ni détourner aucunes choses, se soumettant où il se trouverait le contraire aux peines en tels cas introduites qui lui ont été expliquées par nous notaires qu’elle a dit bien savoir. Les biens sujets à prisée estimés par Les sieurs Victor Girouard et Denis Loupris notables de ladite paroisse St Luc, priseurs choisis par les susdites parties, lesquels à ce présents ont promis le tout priser et estimer dans sa juste valeur, suivant le meilleur de leur connaissance, eu égard au tems présent, la criée non comprise attendu que les parties sont d’accord de les faire vendre publiquement dès jeudy prochain. Fait et passé maison dudit défunt, en ladite paroisse St Luc, les jour et an que dessus et ont François Lafaye et Denis Loupris signé avec les notaires, quant aux autres parties et l’autre des priseurs ont déclaré ne savoir signer de ce enquis, ont fait leurs marques.
English Translation:
said parish and showed and taught us by lad. Marguerite Babin, after oath by her now in our hands ready to show and teach everything, without hide or divert anything, submitting where he would be contrary to the penalties in such cases introduced which were explained to him by we notaries that she said she knew well. Goods subject to price estimated by Mr. Victor Girouard and Denis Loupris notables of the said St Luc parish, auctioneers chosen by the above-mentioned parties, which at this present have promised to take it all and estimate in its fair value, following the best of their knowledge, having regard in the present tense, the auction not included whereas the parties agree to have them sold publicly as soon as next Thursday.
Made and passed in the house of the said deceased, in the said St Luc parish, the day and year above and have François Lafaye and Denis Loupris signed with the notaries, as for the others parties and the other of the auctioneers declared not know how to sign this inquiry, have made their brands.
Suzanne’s Quick translate – the widow for herself and as tutor of her minor children, and Jean Lord their brother (subrogé tuteur = deputy guardian according to Google). And François Lafaye, uncle of Jacques Lord, who was there for the interest of Jacques the minor child of the first wife – Suzanne – apparently the will had to be probated.
Image 140 Signatures
Marques lecture faite: Marguerite Babin/sa marque
Jean Lord/ sa marque Julien Lord/sa marque
Victor Girouard/sa marque François Lafay [signature]
Du Loupret [signature]
Dandurand [signature notaire]
This seems like a very complex situation, yet probably not that unusual. Indeed Roberta, you will beg for a computer!
You can be very glad for these inventories. Can you imagine nowadays someone going through your house listing everything down to the pillowcases and the forks, and not only listing them, but appraising their quality and pricing them?
An interesting fact is that although Quebec had been under British rule for more than 50 years, they allowed the French legal system in Quebec and Louisiana (still is to this day). Sometimes we hate the French for their lengthy papers, but this document is a goldmine to reconstruct the life of our ancestors.
I was going to suggest using “transkribus” and decided to give it a try for page 2 of the “Inventaire”
Text Recognition powered by transkribus.ai
lade srarisse a à nous montrez eten seignes par lade. Mangurité s’Dabine cepris derment parelle taut présentement entre nos mains preté de tout mantrer chenacienes, aans en cacher ni deteurner aucunes choses se commettent où il se trouverait le contraire aux feines en tels cas introduites qui lui ont été expliquées par nous snataires qu’elle a etit bien davoir Les 1 diens sujets à finisée, estimés par les Srs Victoy Girouna Denes confires, chotables de lad. Banoisse & sue presente choisis par les auso. pranties, lesquels ce ci présents ont paromes détant finiser à eatimes sans sa Luste valeur suivant le meilleur de leur Connaissance en égard au tems présent La bénüe non comprise attendu que les parties dont d’accond de les faize vendre publiquement des Veudy Brochain etait a preché maison desd. defeunt en lad paaroise dt duc, les Lour et an que depus et ent Fmançais Pafaire damis confirêt signé avec les notaires; quent aux autres parlies d l’autre des pniseurs cnt déclaré ne savoir signer, de ce onques ent fait leurs Marques
Which I correct to:
la dite paroisse à nous montre et enseigner par la dte Marguerite Babin après serment par elle tout présentement entre nos mains preté de tout montrer et enseigner, sans en cacher ni detourner aucunes choses de soummettre où il se trouverait le contraire aux peines en tels cas introduites qui lui ont été expliquées par nous notaires qu’elle a dit bien savoir Les d Biens sujets à prisés estimés par les Srs Victor Girouard & Denis Lonprêt, notables de lad. paroisse St Luc priseurs, choisis par les sudtes parties lesquels ici présents ont promis le tout priser a estimers dans sa juste valeur suivant le meilleur de leur Connaissance en égard au tems présent La Criée non comprise attendu que les parties sont d’accord de les faire vendre publiquement dès Jeudy prochain Fait a (Marché?) maison dudt défunt en lad.
paroisse StLuc, les saux etanque dessus et ont François Lafaye & Denis Lonprêt signé avec les notaires; quant aux autres Parties & l’autre priseur ont déclaré ne savoir signer, de ce enquis ont fait leurs marques.
I am not convinced yet…I think this is what Ancestry uses to transcribe the Canadian Census.
Suzanne’s Quick translate:
The widow swears she is not hiding anything – they hire, chosen by the heirs, two appraisers – one of whom cannot sign – and announce that there will be a public auction the following Thursday.
Public Sale
This may finish you… After the inventory, the next act is the public sale of all the goods and farm animals with the names of those who bought them! The widow got to bid on her own things to buy them back from the inheritance! If I understand correctly, two men – the local Innkeeper and a neighboring farmer were to bid on her behalf.
The actual inventory begins with image 140 and continues through image 169. The first portion is the inventory or items, and the later part details who purchased what.
This estate is quite large.
Roberta’s note – This is gold to me. I can hardly wait. I couldn’t sleep.
Image 140 Part 2
Premièrement dans la maison s’est Trouvé et a été prisé et estimé aux livres et Sols ancien cours, savoir
English translation using Google:
First in the house was found and was prized and esteemed in books and old course floors, know.
Note – the list of inventory items begins here. French is in the left column, and English is in the right. There are several items that didn’t translate well, so if anyone has any corrections or explanations, please let me know by referencing the image number.
| Une petite marmitte de fonte prisée 2 livres 8 sols | A small, prized cast iron pot 2 livres 8 sols | 2£ 8s |
| Item une moyenne ditto et
Son couvercle 48 sols |
Item an average ditto and
Its lid 48 sols 2£ 8s |
2£ 8s |
| Item un canard de fonte
30 sols |
Item a cast iron duck
30 sols 1£ 10s |
1£ 10s |
| Item une grande marmitte
3 livres |
Item a large pot
3 pounds £3 |
3£ |
| Item un fanat/favat de fer blanc
24 sols |
Item a tin fanat/favat
24 sols 1£ 4s |
1£ 4s |
| Item une paire fers à repasser
48 sols |
Item a pair irons
48 sols 2£ 8s |
2£ 8s |
| Item un antonnoir et un
moule à chandelle fer blanc 15 sols |
Item a funnel and a
tinplate candle mold 15 sols 15s |
15s |
| Item quatre faucilles 40s | Item four sickles 40s £2 | 2£ |
| Item deux haches 40s
chaque |
Item two axes 40s
each £4 |
4£ |
| Item deux grattes 20s
chaque |
Item two scrapers
each £2 |
2£ |
Image 141 Page 4
| Item une équerre de fer et une
egolline 4£ |
Item an iron square and a
egolline £4 |
4£ |
| Item une poële à frire 3£ | Item a frying pan £3 | 3£ |
| Item un demi minot 4
livres |
Item half a pound £4 | 4£ |
| Item 6 bouteilles 20s | Item 6 bottles 20s | 1£ |
| Item 2 bouteilles et une
cruche 20s |
Item 2 bottles and one
Jug 20s |
1£ |
| Item 10 assiettes de fayence
30s |
Item 10 earthenware plates
30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item 4 tasses et 4
cuillers à thé 15s |
Item 4 cups and 4
teaspoons 15s |
15s |
| Item une vieille theyère d’étain
et 2 goblets de crystal 20 sols |
Item an old tin sheera
and 2 goblets of crystal 20 sols |
1£ |
| Item un chandellier de fer et
un poids de plomb d’une livre 20s |
Item an iron candlestick and
a lead weight of one pound 20s |
1£ |
| Item 9 cuillers d’étain, 4
fourchettes et 2 couteaux avec une paire 30s |
Item 9 pewter spoons, 4
forks and 2 knives with a pair 30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item une herminette 3£ | Item an adze £3 | 3£ |
| Item une ferée 30s | Item a fairy 30s | 1£ 10s |
| Item une fourche de fer
40s |
Item an iron fork
40s |
2£ |
| Item 4 bizeaux 48s | Item 4 wedges 48s | 2£ 8s |
| Item un gros sarrière/tarrière 15s | Item a big quarry / quarrier 15s | 15s |
| Item un compas et une petite
lime 20s |
Item a compass and a small
lime 20s |
1£ |
| Item une tinette et des ferailles
4£ |
Item a tin and scraps
£4 |
4£ |
Image 141 Page 5
| Item une paire de traits de fer
3£ |
Item a pair of iron bolts
£3 |
3£ |
| Item un lot de tuilles faulx
30s |
Item a lot of faux tiles
30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item 3 manches et 2 faulx
30s |
Item 3 sleeves and 2 scythes
30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item un vieu quart rempli
de divers articles 30s |
Item an old quarter filled
various items 30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item 2 paires baiches
et chaines 40s chaque |
Item 2 pairs of basins
and chains 40s each |
4£ |
| Item un petit baril 20s | Item a small barrel 20s | 1£ |
| Item une vieille baratte et du
sel 15s |
Item an old churn and some
salt 15s |
15s |
| Item 2 paniers 6s
chaque |
Item 2 baskets 6s
each |
12s |
| Item des membres de sleigh et
un morceau de bois de noyer 24s |
Item members of sleigh and
a piece of walnut wood 24s |
1£ 4s |
| Item 5 poches 100s | Item 5 pockets 100s | 5£ |
| Item 6 dittos 6£ | Item 6 dittos £6 | 6£ |
| Item un vieu sac 5s | Item an old bag 5s | 5s |
| Item un collier et une paire de
traits 6£ |
Item a necklace and a pair of
features £6 |
6£ |
| Item un vieu harnois et un
vieu collier 6£ |
Item an old harness and a
old necklace £6 |
6£ |
| Item un ditto et ditto 9£ | Item one ditto and ditto £9 | 9£ |
| Item 2 peaux de vau
30s |
Item 2 cowhides
30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item un petit rouet 6£ | Item a small spinning wheel £6 | 6£ |
| Item un dévidoir 10s | Item a dispenser 10s | 10s |
| Item un filet à sauntes
40s |
Item un filet à sauntes 40s | 2£ |
Image 143 Page 6
| Item un lot de fève en gousse
40s |
Item a batch of bean pods
40s |
2£ |
| Item un vieu quart et de la
plume 40s |
Item an old quarter and
feather 40s |
2£ |
| Item 2 manteaux 30s | Item 2 coats 30s | 1£ 10s |
| Item un seau feré et un goblet
30s |
Item a bucket and a goblet
30s |
1£ 10s |
| Item une huche 3£ | Item a hutch £3 | 3£ |
| Item un coffre 3£ | Item a chest £3 | 3£ |
| Item 4 vieilles chaises 40s | Item 4 old chairs 40s | 2£ |
| Item un lot de 6 fioles 6s | Item a batch of 6 vials 6s | 6s |
| Item un miroir la glasse fendue
en deux 3£ |
Item a mirror with split glass
in two £3 |
3£ |
| Item une armoire 18£ | Item a wardrobe £18 | 18£ |
| Item un dressoir 40s | Item a 40s dresser | 2£ |
| Item un vieux poële de fonte à fourneau et 4 feuilles de tuyau 90£ | Item an old cast iron stove and 4 sheets of pipe £90 | 90£ |
| Item une table 30s | Item a table 30s | 1£ 10s |
| Item une vieille ditto 10s | Item an old ditto 10s | 10s |
| Item 2 barils 40s
chaque |
Item 2 barrels 40s each
|
4£ |
| Item une baratte 30s | Item a churn 30s | 1£ 10s |
| Item une chaudière et un coudoir
30s |
Item a boiler and an elbow rest
30s |
1£ |
| Item une ditto seule 20s | Item a single ditto 20s | 1£ |
| Item 20 terrines 24s | Item 20 terrines 24s | 1£ 4s |
| Item 10 ( 6 ?) plats prisés 20s | Item 10 (6?) popular dishes 20s | 1£ |
| Item un grand plat 10s | Item a large dish 10s | 10s |
| Item 3 dittos 20s | Item 3 dittos 20s | 1£ |
Image 144 Page 7
| Item une grande charrette et une paire
de roues 18£ |
Item a large cart and a pair of wheels £18 | 18£ |
| Item une petite ditto et ses roues 36£ | Item a small ditto and its wheels £36 | 36£ |
| Item un vieu tombereau 30s | Item an old dumper 30s | 1£ 10s |
| Item une charrue et ses ferrements
12£ |
Item a plow and its fittings
£12 |
12£ |
| Item un grand auge 10s | Item a large trough 10s | 10s |
| Item 12 poteaux et une sablière
12£ |
Item 12 posts and a sand pit
£12 |
12£ |
| Item 3 herses de bois 10s
chaque |
Item 3 wooden harrows 10s
each |
1£ 10s |
| Item une traine et son travail
12£ |
Item a train and its work
£12 |
12£ |
| Item une vieille ditto 9£ | Item an old ditto £9 | 9£ |
| Item 26 bottes de lin 12£ | Item 26 bales of linen £12 | 12£ |
| Item une vieille calèche 24£ | Item an old carriage £24 | 24£ |
| Item une tasserie de pois en gousse
120£ |
Item a cup of peas in pods
£120 |
120£ |
| Item 200 gerbes d’avoine
18£ le cent |
Item 200 sheaves of oats
£18 per cent |
36£ |
| Item 1000 gerbes de bled
30£ le cent |
Item 1000 sheaves of corn
£30 per cent |
300£ |
| Item 600 bottes de foin à
18£ le cent |
Item 600 bales of hay
£18 per cent |
108£ |
Les animaux et bestiaux
Animals and livestock
| 18 poules 9£ | 18 hens £9 | 9£ |
| Item 9 couples de dinde
48s le couple |
Item 9 pairs of turkey
48s the couple |
10£ 16s |
| Item 6 jeunes cochons 6£
chaque |
Item 6 young pigs £6
each |
36£ |
Image 145 Page 8
| Item 3 vieux cochons 18£
chaque |
Item 3 old pigs £18
each |
54£ |
| Item un cochon à l’engrais 36£ | Item a fattening pig £36 | 36£ |
| Item 8 vieux moutons 12£
chaque |
Item 8 old sheep £12
each |
96£ |
| Item 5 jeunes dittos 6£
chaque |
Item 5 young dittos £6
each |
30£ |
| Item 3 chevaux dont un
blanc, le second noir et le dernier gris, 108£ chaque |
Item 3 horses including one
white, the second black and the last grey, £108 each |
324£ |
| Item une vache, une corne cassée
60£ |
Item a cow, a broken horn
60£ |
60£ |
| Item une brune nez noir
54£ |
Item a brunette black nose
£54 |
54£ |
| Item une ditto rouge
48£ |
Item a red ditto
£48 |
48£ |
| Item une ditto brune
48£ |
Item a brown ditto
£48 |
48£ |
| Item une ditto roux et blanc
36£ |
Item a red and white ditto
£36 |
36£ |
| Item une taure rouge
24£ |
Item a red heifer
£24 |
24£ |
| Item une taure caille
18£ |
Item a quail heifer
£18 |
18£ |
| Item 2 vaux de l’année
24£ |
Item 2 worth of the year £24 | 24£ |
| Item une génisse 9£ | Item a heifer £9 | 9£ |
| Item une paire de bœufs
120£ |
Item a pair of oxen
£120 |
120£ |
Encore dans la maison
Still in the house
| Un lit de plume, une paillasse,
Un traversin, 2 oreillers 2 drapes et une courtepointe Et couchette 48£ |
A feather bed, a pallet,
A bolster, 2 pillows 2 drapes and a quilt And berth £48 |
48£ |
Image 146 Page 9
| Item une boete et une paillasse
et un drap, 4£ |
Item a box and a pallet
and a sheet, £4 |
4£ |
| Item un autre lit de plume
30£ |
Item another feather bed
£30 |
30£ |
| Item 4 nappes de toile
du pays, 30s chaque |
Item 4 canvas tablecloths
of the country, 30s each |
6£ |
| Item un drap de laine et une
vieille courtepointe d’indienne 3£ |
Item a woolen cloth and a
old Indian quilt £3 |
3£ |
| Item une bouteille et un verre
10s |
Item a bottle and a glass
10s |
10s |
Ce fait ayant vaqué sans interruption jusqu’à 4h de relevée, la vacation a cessé et adjournée sine die par rapport aux dettes actives, celles passives, les immeubles et papiers – Et tout le contenu ci-dessus du consentement des parties intéressées a été laissé en la garde et possession de ladite veuve qui s’en est volontairement chargée pour le représenter toutes fois quantes et à qui il appartiendra.Fait et passé maison dudit défunt, les jour et an que dessus et ont comme ci-devant signé – lecture faite.
English Translation:
This fact having continued without interruption up to 4 hours off, the session ceased and adjourned sine die in relation to active debts, passive debts, buildings and papers – And all the above contents of the consent of interested parties was left in the custody and possession of the said widow who voluntarily took charge to represent it all times as and to who it will belong to. Made and passed in the house of the said deceased, the days and year that above and have as above signed – reading done.
Jean Lord (sa marque) Marguerite Babin (sa marque)
Victor Girouard (sa marque) Julien Lord (sa marque
François Lafay [signature] Du Loupret [signature]
Dandurand [signature notaire]
Image 147 Page 10
L’an 1818, le 26 du mois de septembre à 10 heures du matin, à la requête de Marguerite Babin veuve d’Honoré Lord et tutrice aux 6 enfants issus de sondit mariage, en présence de Jean Lord subrogé tuteur desdits mineurs, plus de François Lafaye comme tuteur et Julien Lord comme subrogé tuteur de Jacques Lord, enfant encore mineur issu du mariage dudit Honoré Lord et défunte Suzanne Lafaye, par les notaires soussignés va être procédé à la continuation de l’inventaire ci-dessus conformément à l’adjournement donnée le 22 du mois courant, au bas du procès-verbal de la précédente vacation – comme suit, savoir
Les dettes actives
Ladite veuve déclare qu’il est du à ladite communauté par Joseph Boudreau pour reliquat du prix de vente d’une terre que ledit défunt lui a vendue 300£ ancien cours de cette province
English Translation:
The year 1818, the 26th of month of September at 10 a.m., at the request of widow Marguerite Babin of Honoré Lord and guardian of the 6 children born of his said marriage, in the presence of Jean Lord subrogated guardian of said minors, more of François Lafaye as tutor and Julien Lord as substitute guardian of Jacques Lord, still a minor child born of the marriage of the said Honoré Lord and late Suzanne Lafaye, by the undersigned notaries will be carried out to the continuation of the inventory above in accordance with the adjournment given the 22nd of the current month, at the bottom of the minutes of the previous vacation – as follows, know
Active debts
The said widow declares that it is due to the said community by Joseph Boudreau for remainder of the sale price of land that the said deceased sold to him 300£ old price of this province
| 300£ |
Ensuivent les dettes passives
Passive debts follow
| Ladite veuve déclare que ladite communauté doit, savoir A M. Richard Wheeler par
compte |
The said widow declares that the said community must, know To Mr. Richard Wheeler by account | 30£ 19s |
| Item au docteur Léonard Pour médicaments durant La maladie du défunt et par Compte | Item to Doctor Leonard For medications during The illness of the deceased and Account | 39£ |
Image 148 Page 11
| Item à M. JM Raymond marchand pour ballance de compte de marchandises | Item to Mr. JM Raymond merchant for balance of merchandise account | 88£ 13s |
| Item à la fabrique de la paroisse St Luc pour reliquat de vente d’un banc dans l’église | Item at the parish factory St Luc for remaining sales from a bench in the church | 2£ 8s |
| Item au Docteur Doucet par compte de médicaments durant la maladie du défunt cent trente trois [sic] livres 8s
|
Item to Doctor Doucet per medication count during the illness of the deceased one hundred and thirty three [sic] pounds 8s | 153£ 8s [sic] |
| Item à Jean Lord | Item to Jean Lord | 24£ 2s |
| Item encore à la fabrique de la paroisse St Luc pour enterrement
et frais funéraires dudit défunt |
Item still in the factory St Luc parish for burial and funeral expenses of said deceased
|
27£ |
| Item à M. Jourdain LaBrosse Par compte de marchandises | Item to Mr. Jourdain LaBrosse By merchandise account
|
19£ |
| 384£ 10s
|
Ensuivent les immeubles
Seulement une seixième partie indivise [ajout en marge : dans la moitié aussi indivise] d’une terre de 3 arpents de front sur 30 arpents de profondeur, située dans la seigneurie de la Prairie La Madeleine, tenant par devant au chemin qui conduit à St Jean, en profondeur en représentant Pierre Noël Terrien, d’un côté à la veuve François Brosseau et d’autre côté à Victor Girouard, et une pareille partie des bâtiments dessus construits Quant au restant de la terre [en marge: et bâtiments une moitié desdits bâtiments et cinq sixèmes d’iceux], un arpent et demi de large sur sa profondeur est propre audit défunt, ainsi que 5 sixièmes de l’autre arpent et demi sur sa profondeur
Se trouvent conquets de la seconde communauté
English Translation
Next are the buildings
Only an undivided sixth part [marginal addition: in the equally undivided half] of a land of 3 acres of frontage out of 30 acres of depth, located in the lordship de la Prairie La Madeleine, holding from the front to the path which leads to St Jean, in depth by representing Pierre Noël Terrien, on one side to the widow François Brosseau and on the other hand to Victor Girouard, and a similar part of the buildings built on it As for the rest of the land [in the margin: and buildings one half of the said buildings and five sixths of them], one acre and a half wide by its depth is own deceased audit, as well as 5 sixths of the other acre and a half on its depth. They find themselves conquered by the second community.
I’d love to know where this land was located.
Image 149 Page 12
de biens dudit défunt Honoré Lord et Suzanne Lafaye – les bâtiments désignés en l’inventaire des biens de la communauté dudit Honoré Lord et Suzanne Lafaye
Il y a encore une terre conquit de la communauté de biens dudit Honoré Lord et ladit Suzanne Lafaye située audit lieu de la paroisse St Luc, à l’Est du chemin qui conduit à St Jean, y tenant par devant, par derrière et d’un côté à Denis Laupret et d’autre côté à
[blanc] sur laquelle se trouve une grange construite – et laquelle grange a été construite par amême et des deniers de la communauté dudit défunt Honoré Lord et sa présente veuve – même qu’il a été mis et fait de plus sur ladite terre durant ladite dernière communauté 200 perches et les piquets pour les employer et 4 arpents de fossé. Pour constater la valeur du tout, les susdites parties ont choisi et nommé les sieurs Victor Girard et Denis Louprit personnes expertes qui ont évalué,
Savoir
English Transation:
property of the said deceased Honoré Lord and Suzanne Lafaye – the buildings designated in the inventory of the property of the community of the said Honoré Lord and Suzanne Lafaye. There is still a land conquered by the community property of the said Honoré Lord and the said Suzanne Lafaye located at the said place of the parish of St Luc, to the East of the path which leads to St Jean, holding there from the front, from behind and on one side to Denis Laupret and on the other side to [white] on which there is a barn built – and which barn was built by himself and with money from the community of the said deceased Honoré Lord and his present widow – even though he was put and made more on said land during said last community 200 poles and the stakes to use them and 4 acres of ditch. To see the value of the whole, the above-mentioned parties have chosen and named the gentlemen Victor Girard and Denis Louprit expert people who evaluated,
Know
| La grange 600£ | The barn £600 | 600£ |
| Item les perches et piquets | Item poles and stakes | 36£ |
| Item les 4 arpents de fossés
12£ |
Item the 4 acres of ditches
£12 |
12£ |
| 648£ |
Il faut encore observer que pendant cette dernière communauté audit Honoré Lord et sa présente veuve [en marge : il a été paié] savoir à Henry Lord pour ses droits mobiliers au chef de feue Suzanne Lafaye sa mère de principal 515£ 18s 9 deniers, et d’intérêt sur cette somme 135£ fesant 650£ 18s 9d – 650 £ 18s 9d
English Translation
It must also be observed that during this last community audit Honoré Lord and his present widow [in the margin: it was paid] know to Henry Lord for his movable rights to the head of the fire Suzanne Lafaye, her principal’s mother 515£ 18s 9 pence, and interest on this sum 135£ costing £650 18s 9d – £650 18s 9d
| 1298£ 18s 9d |
Image 150 Page 13
Rapport des sommes à rembourser à ladite Dernière communauté ci
English Translation
Report of the sums to be reimbursed to the said
Last community here
| 1298£ 18s 9d |
| Item à Louise Lord femme de Pierre Babin pour ses droits du chef de Suzanne Lafaille sa mère, de capital Pareille somme de 515£ 18s 9 deniers, Et d’intérêt durant 11 années 340£ 9s 10 deniers, fesant 856£ 8s 9d
|
Item to Louise Lord, wife of Pierre Babin for his rights as head of Suzanne Lafaille her mother, capital Same sum of £515 18s 9 pence, And interest for 11 years £340 9s 10 pence, weighing £856 8s 9d | 856£ 8s 9d | |
| Item à Julien Lord ses droits Mobiliers aussi échus du chef De feue Suzanne Lafaye sa Mère, de capital même somme De 515£ 18s 9d, et l’intérêt à constater
|
Item to Julien Lord his rights Furniture also from the chef From the late Suzanne Lafaye
Mother, same capital Of £515 18s 9d, and the interest to be noted |
515£ 18s 9d | |
| Item enfin à Charles Hissiau et [blanc] Lorde sa femme Du chef de ladite Suzanne Lafaye Mère de ladite [blanc] Lord en Acompte des droits mobiliers Qu’elle a recevoir | Item finally to Charles Hissiau and [blank] Lorde his wife From the head of the said Suzanne Lafaye Mother of the said [blank] Lord in Deposit of movable rights That she received
|
240£ | |
| Il faudra encore observer En partage que durant cette communauté Ledit défunt Honoré Lord a vendu Une terre qui lui étoit propre à Jean Baptiste Sire pour la somme de 1800£ de 20s cours ancien
|
It will still be necessary to observe Sharing only during this community The said deceased Honoré Lord sold A land that was his own Jean Baptiste Sire for the sum of
1800£ of 20s old course
|
2 955£ 6s 1d | |
| 1800£ |
Image 151 Page 14
S’ensuivent les titres Primo, l’expédition du contrat de mariage entre Honoré Lord et Marguerite Babin devant Maître Pinsonant/Pinsonaut et son confrère notaires le 11 du mois de février 1804 Inventorié et cotté – 1
Secondement l’inventaire des biens qui ont été communs entre Honoré Lord et Suzanne Lafaye sa défunte femme fait par les mêmes notaires le 3 de février 1804 – inventorié et cotté 2
Troisièmement le procès-verbal de la vente publique des effets mobiliers communs
entre Honoré Laure et feue Suzanne Lafaye dressé par les mêmes notaires le 10 février 1804 Inventorié et cotté trois – 3
Quatrièmement partage d’une terre entre Honoré Lord et ses enfants, devant Maître
Décoigne notaire le 7 de août 1810 inventorié et cotté – 4
Cinquièmement vente de droits successifs immobiliers maternels par Jean Baptiste
Lord à Honoré Lord son père devant Maître Demetot notaire, le 2 janvier 1815 inventorié – 5
Sixièmement vente de portion de terre par Marie Charlotte Laure à Honoré Lord son père devant Maître Pinsonaut notaire le 1er juillet 1802 Inventorié et cotté – 6
Septièmement vente par Pierre Dussault et Marguerite Laure son épouse à Honoré
Laure frère (ou père ???) et beau-frère (ou beau-père ???) devant Maître
English Translation:
The titles follow
First, sending the marriage contract between Honoré Lord and Marguerite Babin
in front of Maître Pinsonant/Pinsonaut and his fellow notary on February 11, 1804
Inventoried and listed – 1
Secondly, the inventory of goods which were common between Honoré Lord and Suzanne Lafaye his late wife made by the same notaries on the 3rd of February 1804 – inventoried and side 2
(RJE – Can we find this document and the following two?)
Thirdly the minutes of the public sale of common movable effects between Honoré Laure and the late Suzanne Lafaye drawn up by the same notaries February 10, 1804
Inventoried and rated three – 3
Fourth division of land between Honore Lord and his children, before Master Discoigne notary on August 7, 1810 inventoried and quoted – 4
Fifth sale of successive rights maternal real estate by Jean Baptiste Lord to Honoré Lord his father before Maître Demetot, notary, on 2 January 1815 inventoried – 5
Sixth sale of portion of land by Marie Charlotte Laure to Honoré Lord his father before Master Pinsonaut notary July 1, 1802 Inventoried and listed – 6
Seventh sale by Pierre Dussault and Marguerite Laure his wife to Honoré Laure brother (or father???) and brother-in-law (or father-in-law???) in front of Master
Image 152 Page 15
Maître Baussa notaire le 14 juin 1800
Inventorié et cotté – 8
Neuvièmement vente par Gabriel Christie écuyer d’une terre de 3 arpents
de front sur 30 arpents de profondeur à Thomas Donets devant Maître Lublin ( ?) notaire
le 28 septembre 1792 inventorié – 9
Vente par Ed. W. Gray écuyer Sheriff du district de Montreal au Général Christie, en date du 29 Juillet 1789, inventorié et cotté – 10
Ce fait ayant vaqué sans interruption jusqu’à 5h de relevée, ne s’étant plus rien trouvé à inventorier, la vacation a cessé et tout le contenu au présent, du consentement des parties, a été laissé en la garde et possession de ladite veuve qui s’en est volontairement chargée pour le représenter toutes fois, quantes et à qui il appartiendra Et attendu que par le testament solemnel dudit défunt Honoré Lord reçu par Edme Henry et R. H. Dandurand
notaires le [blanc] ,
ledit Honoré Lord auroit légué [en marge : la propriété de tous ses biens] aux enfants issus de son mariage avec sa présente veuve mais la jouissance et usufruit à sadite veuve durant sa viduité seulement, pour plus grande sûreté
English Translation
Maître Baussa notary on June 14, 1800
Inventoried and listed – 8
Ninth sale by Gabriel Christie Squire of a land of 3 acres front on 30 acres of depth to Thomas Donets before Master Lublin (?) notary September 28, 1792 inventoried – 9
Sale by Ed. W. Gray Esquire Sheriff of the Montreal district General Christie, dated 29
July 1789, inventoried and quoted – 10
This fact having passed without interruption up to 5 a.m. raised, having found nothing to be inventoried, the sale has ceased and all content in the present tense, from consent of the parties, was left in the custody and possession of the said widow who voluntarily took care of it to represent it all times, quantes and who it will belong to.
And expected that by the will solemn memorial of the said deceased Honoré Lord received by Edme Henry and R. H. Dandurand
notaries on [blank],
the said Honoré Lord would have bequeathed [in the margin: the ownership of all his property] to the children from his marriage to his present widow but enjoyment and usufruct to said widow during her viduality only, for greater safety
Image 153 Page 16
Sûreté de la conservation et entretien d’iceux, sont intervenus et furent présents devant les notaires soussignés les sieurs Richard Wheeler aubergiste, et Antoine Wheeler Brosseau cultivateur tous deux de la paroisse St Luc dans le comté de Huntingdon, dans le district de Montréal, lesquels se sont volontairement rendus pleiges et cautions pour ladite Marguerite Babin veuve, envers et au profit de sesdits auxquels ils ont conjointement et solidairement les uns pour les autres et un d’eux seuls pour tous, sans division, discussion ni fidéjussion à quoi ils renoncent, promis de bailler, payer et livrer quand dus seront tous et chacun les droits successifs, mobiliers et immobiliers afférants auxdits enfants du chef de leurdit défunt père et dont ladite veuve a droit de jouir durant sa viduité comme [en marge : dit est ci-devant] à titre d’usufruit et précaire par et en vertu du testament de leurdit défunt père sus-cité à peine etc.
Et pour sûreté lesdites cautions ainsi Que ladite veuve affectent et hipothèquent
Dis ce jour tous leurs biens immeubles présents et à venir.
Et pour l’exécution des présentes ont élu leurs domiciles irrévocables en leurs présentes demeures auxquels lieux veulent et consentent etc. Nonobstant etc. car ainsi etc. promettant etc.
English Translation
Safety of conservation and maintenance of these, intervened and were present before the undersigned notaries Richard Wheeler innkeeper, and Antoine Wheeler Brosseau cultivator both of the parish of St Luc in the county of Huntingdon, in the district of Montreal, who voluntarily surrendered pledges and deposits for the said Marguerite Babin widow, to and for the benefit of these to whom they jointly and in solidarity for each other and one of them alone for all, without division, discussion or discontent with what they give up, promise to yawn, pay and deliver when due everyone will have the rights successive, movable and immovable relating to the said children of the chief of their said late father and of whom the said widow has the right to enjoy during his widowhood as [in the margin: said is above] as usufruct and precarious by and under the will of their said late father mentioned above etc. And for safety the said sureties as well That the said widow affects and mortgages Tell this day all their real estate present and future.
And for the execution of these have elected their irrevocable domicile in their present homes to which places want and consent etc. Notwithstanding etc. because so etc. promising etc.
Image 154 Page 17
obligeant etc. renonçant etc.
Fait et passé maison dudit défunt en la paroisse St Luc les jour et an que dessus, et a ledit sieur Wheeler signé avec les notaires, quant audit Antoine Brosseau et ladite veuve, ainsi que ledit Jean Lord subrogé tuteur à ce présent, ont déclaré ne savoir signer de ce enquis ont fait leurs marques lecture faite.
Jean Lord (sa marque) Marguerite Babin (sa marque)
Antoine Brosseau (sa marque)
Richard Wheeler [signature]
Dandurand [signature]
English Translation:
Page 17 (view 154)
obliging etc. renouncing etc.
Made and passed in the house of the said deceased in the parish of St Luc on the day and year that above, and has the said Mr. Wheeler signed with the notaries, as for audit Antoine Brosseau and the said widow, as well as the said John Lord subrogated guardian of this present, have declared not knowing how to sign this inquiry have made their mark reading done.
Jean Lord (his brand) Marguerite Babin (his brand)
Antoine Brosseau (his brand)
Richard Wheeler [signature]
Dandurand [signature]
The Sale
Image 155
Le 24 et 25 septembre 1818
Vente publique des biens meubles de la communauté d’entre Marguerite Babin et Honoré Lords, son défunt mari
English Translation
September 24 and 25, 1818
Public sale of goods community furniture of among Marguerite Babin and Honoré Lords, her late husband.
Roberta’s note: What follows are the images of the record of the sale. Honore’s son, Honore, is my ancestor, and he apparently purchased three things. One is a box of « compiled items and two old sheep. Of course, based on the earlier information, it appears that he also wound up with either all of or part of the farm.
I can’t help but wonder if Marguerite remained there or exactly how that worked out. She purchased a great number of things from his estate. At that time, a man’s entire estate was put up for sale.
I remember my Dad’s sale, and even though we really didn’t want all that “stuff,” it was still an extremely emotional day, watching his life be disassembled in pieces and partitioned out to the highest bidder.
Thankfully, my Mom didn’t have to buy her things back, but there were still a significant number of hard feelings over events surrounding that sale.
Image 156
I do not speak fluent French anymore, but the text above states that this is the sale of Honoré Lord’s estate and that Jean Lord, son of Honoré is the brother of the six minor children.
Something about Francois Lafaye and Jacques Lord, minor child of Honore Lord and Suzanne Lafaye, also Julien Lord, his brother. I believe this means that Francois is essentially the guardian of these children. Francois is the uncle of Honoré’s children with Suzanne. In 1818, Jacques turned 19 in July, and Julien turned 23 in March.
At the end of this page, it says something about the door of the church.
Image 157
In various places in this document, Francoise Lafaye, free (brother), purchases items for the minor son. I don’t know why some names are struck through.
The word “veuve” means widow. She clearly bid on several items, but some items apparently were purchased by others whose names are struck through and veuve written in.
This must have been traumatic for Honoré’s wife and children.
Image 158
Image 159
Image 160
Image 161
Image 162
Image 163
Image 164
Image 165
Total: 1838£ 5s
Image 166 :
Avenant le 25 septembre
Animaux
Animals
Image 167
Image 168
Image 169 :
Total : 1821£ 6s
I scanned through the names on these images, and one thing I found remarkable is that few, if any, of Honoré’s adult children purchased items from his estate. There are a couple of people with the Lafaye surname, his second wife’s family, also the family of his daughter-in-law, but not nearly as many as I would have expected.
This causes me to wonder if most people, those whose names were lined out, purchased on behalf of the widow to keep the items from the homestead within the family, for her use.
My friend, Justine, who is a native-French speaker took a look at the translations performed by Suzanne and attempted to find the referenced land records. I would LOVE to know where Honoré lived.
From Justine:
Since I had the time, I had a closer look at Honoré Lord’s inventory in 1818, especially the papers listed at the end.
I misspelled some of the notaries’ names and can’t find them on the BanQ website so I am afraid it is a dead end.
Here are my notes :
– Theophile Pinsonnault from La Prairie (Montreal) is not online on BanQ, but I have not checked FamilySearch. Those acts would be the most interesting for you: if you find them, do not hesitate to ask me for a transcription.
– several deeds are relating to a land in the « prairie de la Madeleine » :
7/08/1810 (notary Louis Decoigne, Lacadie district of Iberville): land sharing between the children and their father : https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53LJ-Z9L3-M?cat=1215614 (several children mentioned)
28/09/1792 (notary Peter LUKIN, not Lublin, Montreal): sale of the same land by Gabriel Christie to Thomas Donets
https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4171362?docref=P7YPvKx5TbfhTdGJyzu8jA
Weirdly enough, the sale from Donets to Honoré is not mentioned.
The Deed
Honoré’s second wife, Suzanne Lafay (Lafaille) died on August 7, 1803 leaving children ranging in age from 12 to 4 years of age. Her two youngest children died in the last two years of her life.
Her children were Henri, Louise Marie married Peter Babin in 1803, Julien, Suzanne married Charles Ficiault in 1814, and Jacques Lord.
Honoré had five living children with his first wife, Appoline Garceau, who died in 1788. Those children are Honoré, Marie Anne who married Antoine Brousseau 1788, Francois, Charlotte “Marguerite” who married Pierre-Victor Dussault 1797, and Jean-Baptiste Lore (Lord).
On July 10, 1810, Honoré would have been 68 years old. He remarried Marguerite Babin in 1804, so this deed was not in response to his marriage.
And of course, I wonder how the children from his first marriage were provided for. When their mother died, Honoré was still getting settled in Canada after years of exile in the States and serving in the Revolutionary War in New York.
He wouldn’t have been terribly well off in the 1780s. I’m guessing he slowly amassed farm animals and perhaps property too, over the years.
I can’t help but wonder if his eldest son, Honoré, his namesake, wound up with his land. Someplace, there’s probably a clue.
On one hand, his eldest son, who was born in 1768, was not included in the deed above and was 50 years old by the time his father died. He was clearly already well established, had been married for 29 years, and had 15 children. It’s unlikely that he needed his father’s farm.
On the other hand, the eldest son traditionally inherited the land.
However, If Honoré’s son, Honoré, was provided for, what about the other 4 or 5 children from that marriage who were still living when their father died in 1818?
Image 1792 #777 page 1
Very rough translation limited to the names of the individuals involved:
Honoré Lord of St. Luc parish, father of Henry, Louise, Julien, Susanne, and Jaques Lord his minor children from his marriage with Susanne Lafaille, his deceased wife.
Image 1793, page 2
Image 1794, page 3
This document includes a bonus – the signature of Honoré. Apparently Honoré could not sign his name, so signed with a mark. In fact, only one of three men could, including Honoré’s brother-in-law, Francois Lafay.
Until this deed, we didn’t know if Honoré could sign his name or not. Honoré was born in Acadia, Nova Scotia, a dozen years before the removal. The Lord family lived upriver, so he probably spent his days working on the farm, not learning to read and write from the priest. Of course, that’s assuming any children were learning to read and write in that time and place – and I’m not sure that’s true.
The families were horrifically rounded up, forced onto ships, and deported to shores unknown in the winter of 1755. Clearly, all Honoré’s family could do was to survive. He never learned to read or write as an adult, but by then, he probably didn’t need to. The priests read the Bible and interpreted the results for their parishioners, notaries took care of anything legal, and Honoré spent his life working on his farm after he and Appoline arrived in Ste. Marguerite de Blairfindie with their children about 1787.
Inventory Provides Silent Testimony to a Successful Life
Honoré lived a long life and didn’t die suddenly, based on the sizeable medical bills owed to the local doctor. It’s remarkable that his youngest child was just two years and three weeks old at his death.
Based on the lengthy inventory of his estate, plus some telling items, Honoré was anything but poor. To his credit, in addition to the normally expected farm tools and pots and pans, he had a pair of oxen, an old carriage, 3 horses, 18 cows including one with a broken horn, sheep, pigs, hens, pairs of turkeys, tables, chairs, two feather beds, iron candlesticks, pewter silverware, 4 chairs, a hutch, chest, wardrobe, 11 dishes and a “small, prized cast iron stove.”
Items noted as still in the house, aside from the beds and barest of furniture included a spinning wheel, 2 coats, a pen and plume, a bolster, 2 pillows, quilt, 2 drapes (for the bed), a sheet, a mirror, a bottle, tablecloth, a quilt and lastly, specifically noted, “an old Indian quilt.”
What I wouldn’t give to know the story of that old quilt. Where did it come from?
What did it look like? Is there any possibility that it belonged to Honoré’s grandmother, Francoise d’Azy Mius, the daughter of an unnamed Mi’kmaq woman? Could it possibly have survived the Grand Dérangement?
All told, Honoré’s inventory tells the tale of a man who started with nothing and built a relatively comfortable life for the time and place in which he lived. He owned land and livestock and left an inheritance for his many children. Not bad for a man who was forcibly deported with his family at the age of 13 with nothing except their lives.
_____________________________________________________________
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Hi Roberta,
I am really glad that, despite everything, you found the time to publish this article ! (especially since I am never certain if you receive my emails).
Let’s hope you can find the other deeds for the land, and that you manage to locate it !!!
Roberta
Quite a surprise to read this this morning!
FamilySearch has changed their introductory pages again – sigh! –
For the notarial acts in 1804 with Pinsonneault:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTW-X5FH?i=550&cat=645023
Look at images 551 for the inventory with Suzanne Lafaille, 662 for the Lord-Babin marriage, also 836 for furniture sale.
To find the other notaries:
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bsubject_id%3A535862 – there were several pages of notaries on Ile-de-Montreal – so there is a need to search page by page.
To find out where they lived… a fun project on its own. The government eventually decided to create a system (Le registre foncier) and give numbers to lots instead of relying on neighbours in notarial records, but the system is so complex that people offer courses on how to navigate the website. If the land stayed in the families, census may be a possibility.
“Devant la porte de l’église” – In front of the church doors – this is where all civil public announcements were done – inside being reserved for those that were church-related.
In summary – Acadians: survival of the fittest, most industrious…
Suzanne
Great find! Royal and seigneurial notaries were indispensable in French Canada, as they were and I believe still are, in France. They took the place of lawyers who were prohibited during the French Regime. Smart move, France! My 7th-great grandfather, Étienne Jacob, was a seigneurial notary, as was his son Joseph, my ancestor as well. see – http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/jacob_etienne_2E.html
As a majority of immigrants were illiterate, to the point of being unable to even sign their names, as your article notes, those who were and who could draft marriage agreements, leases, contracts for sale, fur trade and other employment engagements, as well as inventories, were highly regarded by their fellow citizens. These agreements, as you have discovered, are invaluable for genealogists, especially marriage contracts and inventories, for locating and providing information on ancestors that otherwise may not appear, or appear in limited form, in parish records. Unfortunately, it takes some deep research to locate and for those of us not fluent in French, read, the actual documents.
Many libraries, as well as Ancestry.com, have what are called Répertoires des Notaires that are basic summaries the notaries were required to provide; they simply list the parties, date and type of document. The Québec archives, BAnQ, have the complete documents supposedly, although like Suzanne, I could never find them even onsite when I visited Montréal and Québec City. I’ve found it easier finding old parish records at French departmental archival online sites than at BAnQ. So I’m happy to hear they have been updating their website for genealogists. Now if they could provide a translator as well.