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 Abel Turcot & Marie Isabelle Girault

Abel Turcot was born circa 1631 in Mouilleron-en-Pareds, Poitou, France (located in the present-day department of Vendée). The names of his parents are unknown. His name has also been spelled Turcault. The French names Turcot, Turquot, Turquault, Turcaud and Turcos most probably derive from the word “turcault,” the name of a bird that lives in the west of France.

Postcards of Mouilleron-en-Pareds (Geneanet)

Marie Isabelle Girault was born circa 1640 in Saint-Sébastien-de-la-Tremblade, Saintonge, France (present-day La Tremblade in Charente-Maritime, France). The names of her parents are unknown. Her name has been spelled Giraud and Giroux. Marie was a “fille à marier.”

Postcards of La Tremblade (Geneanet)

We don’t know exactly when either Abel or Marie arrived in New France, but it was possibly in 1662, the same year as their marriage.  

Abel and Marie were married on November 27, 1662, in Château-Richer. He was about 31 years old; she was about 22. Abel was described as a “meusnier”, or miller. The witnesses were Jean Cloutier and Mathurin Chabot. No one was able to sign the marriage record.

The couple had at least 8 children:

1. François Turcot (1663-1718) married Marguerite Ouimet

2. Marie Turcot (1664-1701) married Noël Charland

3. Geneviève Turcot (ca. 1666-1724) married Antoine Bilodeau

4. Marie Françoise Turcot (1668-?) married Jacques Plante

5. Anne Turcot (1670-1716) married Simon Bilodeau

6. Marie Renée Turcot (1672-1749) married Nicolas Asselin

7. Marie Madeleine Turcot (1676-1731) married Pierre Lepage

8. Louis Turcot (1678-1748) married Angélique Plante

By 1666, Abel and his family had moved to Île-d’Orléans. During that year, the very first census was produced in New France. Abel was recorded as being 35 years old, a “meunier, habitant” (miller, habitant). Marie was 25. Their children François and Marie were living in the household, as well as three domestic servants: Pierre l’Or, Mathurin Grin and Guy Baudin dit Sainct Martin. This number of servants indicates that Abel was financially comfortable.

In 1667, another census was undertaken for New France. The Turcot family was still living on Île-d’Orléans. Abel was 36 years old, the “farmer of Mr. Levesque.” Marie was 27. Their children François, Marie and Geneviève were living in the household. The couple had 14 heads of cattle and 50 cleared arpents of land, a substantial amount.

Appearances in Notarial and Court Records

On January 31, 1667, Abel (now a master miller) and Marie sold a land concession located on the north passage in the fief and seigneurie of Lotinville (côte and seigneurie of Beaupré) to Michel Guion, master boat carpenter.

A few months later on June 22, 1667, Abel received a land concession on the south passage of Île-d’Orléans from François de Laval, the seigneur of Beaupré and of Île-d’Orléans, and the first catholic archbishop of Québec. (The city of Laval and the Université Laval were named in his honour.)  

Abel purchased another plot of land on March 2, 1668, from Jean Levasseur, royal bailiff, and Marguerite Richard. This concession was located on the north passage of the seigneurie Dargentenay on Île-d’Orléans.

On March 13, 1671, Abel signed an agreement with Jean Langlois, a master ship carpenter, to build him a boat.

In 1673, Abel got into some legal trouble. On November 6th, he was ordered to pay a fine of 20 livres, for having sheltered Renault Chollet dit Laliberté, a domestic servant who had run away from his master. Abel was also ordered to pay the master, the Sieur de Saintour, 50 livres.

A week earlier, Renault Chollet dit Laliberté, the servant, had his own day in court.

“[The Council] condemns the said Chollet to be taken and removed from the prisons of this city by the executor of the high justice and placed for two hours in the pillory of the lower town square, with a sign reading domestic servant who left the service of his master for the first time without leave.”

Abel and Marie signed another land-related agreement on November 15, 1673. They exchanged their land concession on the south passage of Île-d’Orléans for the concession of Jean Royer and Marie Terger in the parish of Sainte-Famille (on Île-d’Orléans) in the seigneurie of Liret. Abel was recorded as a “maître farinier et fermier” (master miller and farmer). 

On April 5, 1674, Abel purchased yet another piece of land, from Louis-Marin Boucher de Boisbuisson, a royal surveyor. This concession was located on the north side of the seigneurie de Liret (on Île-d’Orléans).

Abel and Marie signed another land-exchange agreement on November 9, 1674. This time, they exchanged their plot located on the north passage in the seigneurie Dargentenay on Île-d’Orléans for a concession located in the parish of Sainte-Famille from Louis Martineau and Madeleine Manicot. 

In early 1675, Abel faced a rather serious charge. He was accused of assaulting Pierre Rondeau while in Rondeau’s home. Several witnesses saw Abel trying to leave the house as Rondeau blocked his way, which is when he pushed Rondeau out of the way, causing him injury. [It is unclear what the outcome of the trial was, as the handwriting is very hard to decipher.]

On March 7, 1677, Abel signed a farm lease with bourgeois Pierre Niel from Québec City, for land located in the county of Saint-Laurent. That same year, it was noted that Abel was heavily in debt, having purchased merchandise and animals from Claude Bazire, totalling 2,409 livres. This debt forced him to mortgage all of his assets. He was able to earn additional revenue by working as a launderer for the schoolmaster and the clergy of the village. He continued to work his land and pay off his debt.   

Abel signed another contract with Pierre Niel on February 1, 1680. He purchased a house from Niel, located in the county of Saint-Laurent, in the seigneurie of Liret (on Île-d’Orléans).

In 1681, the Turcot family was recorded in the New France census. They lived in the county of Saint-Laurent on Île-d’Orléans. Abel was 50 and Marie was 40. Their eight children were all still living in the household. The couple owned 1 gun, 8 heads of cattle and 25 arpents of land.

Abel Turcot died at the age of about 56 on September 16, 1687. He was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Famille on Île-d’Orléans. (The priest indicated he was “about 55 years old.”)

As was customary, an inventory of the marriage community assets was taken after Abel’s death. This took place on February 5, 1688. Abel had seemingly paid off his debts, leaving his heirs with 845 livres.

On March 31, 1710, Marie donated half a plot of land and a house located in Sainte-Famille parish on Île-d’Orléans to her eldest son François, a militia lieutenant.

Marie Isabelle Girault died at the age of about 73 on February 23, 1713. She was buried two days later in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Famille on Île-d’Orléans.

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Sources:

• Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH), online database (https://www.prdh-igd.com/), dictionary entry for Abel Turcot, person # 71419.

• Ibid., dictionary entry for Marie Isabelle Giroux Girault, person # 71420.

• Ibid., dictionary entry for Abel Turcot and Marie Isabelle Giroux Girault, couple #1526.

• Alain Turcotte, "Abel Turcault", Nos Ancêtres 2 (Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, 1984), 149-153.

• “Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968,” Ancestry.ca (https://www.ancestry.ca/), marriage of Abel Turcault and Marie Girou, 27 Nov 1662, Château-Richer > 1661-1702 > digital page 309 of 727.

• Ibid., burial of Abel Turcot, 17 Sep 1687, Île-d’Orléans > Ste-Famille > 1687-1695 > digital page 4 of 49.

• Ibid., burial of Marie Giroux, 25 Feb 1713, Île-d’Orléans > Ste-Famille > 1666-1727 > digital page 287 of 396.

• “Recensement du Canada, 1666,” Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/), entry for Abel Turcos, 1666, Québec, Finding aid no. MSS0446, MIKAN no. 2318856; citing original data: Centre des archives d’outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• “Recensement du Canada, 1667,” Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/), entry for Abel Turguot, 1667, Québec, Finding aid no. MSS0446, Item ID number: 2318857; citing original data: Centre des archives d’outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• “Recensement du Canada fait par l’intendant Du Chesneau,” digital images, Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/), entry for Abel Turquot, 14 Nov 1681, Québec, Finding aid no. MSS0446, MIKAN no. 2318858; citing original data: Centre des archives d’outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• Parchemin, notarial database of ancient Québec (1626-1801), Société de recherche historique Archiv-Histo (www.Archiv-Histo.com), " Vente d’une concession située au passage du nord dans le fief et seigneurie de Lotinville dans la côte et seigneurie de Beaupré; par Abel Turcot, maître farinier et Marie Giroux, son épouse, à Michel Guion de Rouvré, maître charpentier de barque habitant bourgeois, de la ville de Quebec, absent, et présent en la personne de Simon Guion, son frère germain", 31 Jan 1667, notary P. Vachon.

• Ibid., “Concession de terre située au passage du sud dans l’île Dorleans; par François de Laval, évêque de Pétrée, vicaire apostolique en la Nouvelle-France et seigneur de Beaupré et de l’île d’Orléans, à Abel Turcot,” 22 Jun 1667, notary P. Vachon.

• Ibid., "Vente d’une concession située au passage du nord en la seigneurie Dargentenay en l’île Dorleans; par Jean Levaseur, huissier royal en la Nouvelle-France et Marguerite Richart, son épouse, à Abel Turcot, maître farinier, de l’île Dorleans, à Abel Turcot, maître farinier, de l’île Dorleans,” 2 Mar 1668, notary P. Vachon.

• Ibid., "Marché de construction d’un bateau entre Jean L’anglois, maître charpentier de navire, de la ville de Quebecq, et Abel Turquot, de l’île Dorlans," 13 Mar 1671, notary P. Duquet de Lachesnaye.

• Ibid., "Echange d’une concession située au passage du sud de l’île Dorleans en retour d’une concession située en la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille en la seigneurie de Liret entre Abel Turcau, maître farinier et fermier et Marie Girau, son épouse, de la seigneurie de Lirecq, et Jean Royer et Marie Terger, son épouse, de la seigneurie de Lirecq en la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille," 15 Nov 1673, notary P. Vachon.

• Ibid., "Vente d’une concession située en l’île Dorleans du côté du nord en la seigneurie de L’iret; par Louis-Marin Boucher de Boisbuisson, arpenteur royal, à Abel Turquot, de l’île Dorleans," 5 Apr 1674, notary P. Duquet de Lachesnaye.

• Ibid., "Echange d’une concession située au passage du nord de l’île Dorleans en la seigneurie Dargentenay en retour d’une concession située en la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille au passage du nord de l’île Dorleans entre Abel Turcaud, maître farinier, habitant et fermier et Marie Giraud, son épouse, de la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille en la seigneurie de Liret, et Louis Martineau et Madeleine Manicot, son épouse, de la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille en la seigneurie de Liret," 9 Nov 1674, notary P. Vachon.

• Ibid., "Bail à ferme d’une terre située au comté de St Laurans; par Pierre Niel, bourgeois, de la ville de Quebec, à Abel Turquot, du comté de St Laurans," 7 Mar 1677, notary P. Duquet de Lachesnaye.

• Ibid., "Vente d’une habitation située au comté de St Laurans seigneurie de L’iret; par Pierre Niel, bourgeois et Jacquette Lefranc, son épouse, de la ville de Quebec, à Abel Turquot, du comté de St Laurans," 1 Feb 1680, notary P. Duquet de Lachesnaye.

• Ibid., "Inventaire des biens de la communauté de Marie Giraud, veuve de Abel Turcot, de la paroisse de la Scaincte Famille en l’île et comté Scainct Laurens," 5 Feb 1688, notary P. Vachon.

• "Fonds Conseil souverain - BAnQ Québec," digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/400844), "Jugement condamnant Abel Turcot à une amende de 20 livres pour avoir donné asile à Renault Chollet dit Laliberté, domestique, et à payer au sieur de Saintour, maître du dit Laliberté, la somme de 50 sols par jour du 1er août au 31 d’octobre," 6 Nov 1673, reference TP1,S28,P862, ID 400844; citing original data: Pièce provenant du Registre no 1 des arrêts, jugements et délibérations du Conseil souverain de la Nouvelle-France (18 septembre 1663 au 19 décembre 1676), f. 181v.

• Ibid., “Jugement condamnant Renault Chollet dit Laliberté à la peine de carcan, à 100 sols d’amende, et à porter l’écriteau, pour s’être absenté du service de son maître, le sieur Saintour,” 30 Oct 1673, reference TP1,S28,P861, ID 400842; citing original data: Pièce provenant du Registre no 1 des arrêts, jugements et délibérations du Conseil souverain de la Nouvelle-France (18 septembre 1663 au 19 décembre 1676), f. 181-181v.

• "Collection Pièces judiciaires et notariales - BAnQ Québec," Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/387026), "Procédures criminelles contre Abel Turcot à la requête de Pierre Rondeau, habitant de l’île d’Orléans, pour excès (violence) commis sur sa personne," 29 Jan-19 Feb 1675, reference TL5,D120, ID 387026.

• "Fonds Cour supérieure. District judiciaire de Québec. Insinuations - BAnQ Québec", digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/81768), "Donation d’une terre et habitation par Marie Girault (Giraud), âgée d’environ 68 ans, veuve de défunt Abel Turcot (Turcault), vivant habitant de l’île d’Orléans, paroisse de la Sainte-Famille; à François Turcot, son fils aîné, lieutenant de milice, demeurant au même lieu; ladite donation est passée pardevant maître Chambalon, notaire royal en la Prévôté de Québec,” 31 Mar 1710, reference CR301,P638, ID 81768; citing original data: Pièce provenant des registres des insinuations de la Prévôté de Québec, vol. 3 (Anciennement registres 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 et 12) (15 octobre 1709 - 24 mars 1715), pages 111-114.