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 Julien Mercier & Marie Poulin

Early Pioneers in New France

The story of Julien Mercier and Marie Poulin unfolds as a remarkable journey of determination and resilience, emblematic of the early French settlers in Canada. Born in 1621 in Tourouvre, France, Julien's early years were marked by significant personal loss. Despite these hardships, he emigrated to New France, where he adapted to a new land and carved out a new life for himself. He and his young bride overcame numerous struggles as they sought to create a better life for their children in this new land of opportunity.

Early Life in Tourouvre: The Roots of Julien Mercier

Julien Mercier, the son of François Mercier and Roberte Cornilleau, was born in Tourouvre, Perche, France (present-day Tourouvre au Perche in the department of Orne). He was baptized on February 27, 1621, in the historic parish of Saint-Aubin. His godparents were Philbert Saulnier, “who gave him his name,” and Perrine Chaudon.

Tragically, Julien was orphaned at the tender age of 6. Both his parents died in January of 1627 in Tourouvre, possibly victims of the plague epidemic that spread throughout France in 1626 and 1627. In the wake of this family tragedy, it fell to his eldest brother Jehan, a labourer, to raise Julien and his siblings.   

In 1641, the succession of François Mercier and Roberte Cornilleau was finalized. The family land was divided into four parts, one given to each of the surviving children: Jehan, Julien, Renée and Jeanne. Julien’s portion of the inheritance consisted of a barn and a quarter share of a yard and garden, all located in La Grandinière. This hamlet, located within Tourouvre, lies approximately two kilometres east of the parish church of Saint-Aubin. The childhood home of Julien still stands today.

Ascendance of Julien Mercier:

• 2. François Mercier, labourer, died January 1627 in Tourouvre

• 3.  Roberte Cornilleau, died January 1627 in Tourouvre

• 4.  Marin Mercier, ploughman

• 5.  Jehanne Bisson

• 8. Jehan Mercier, ploughman, died before July 4, 1569

• 9.  Thiénete Le Blond, died before June 1557

The Adventure of New France

In 1647, inspired by many from Perche who ventured to the New World, Julien made the fateful decision to embark on the adventure of New France. On February 25 of that year, Julien was hired by Noël Juchereau to work as a general labourer in Canada for a period of three years. The contract promised him a pair of shoes, an annual salary of 75 livres, with 24 livres received in advance, plus room and board. Julien was not able to sign the contract. It reads: 

At the age of 26, Julien Mercier left his hometown of Tourouvre and journeyed some 330 kilometres south to La Rochelle. He probably travelled with a group of fellow “engagés,” or contracted workers. On June 6, 1647, he boarded the ship La Marguerite. Julien had likely never seen the ocean before. After an 8-week crossing, the ship arrived at Québec The contrasts from his small, familiar French village, to the bustling port of La Rochelle, to the remoteness of Canada must have been astounding for Julien.    

A New Life in Canada: Settlement, Work, and Family

Upon arriving in New France, Julien Mercier likely started working for Noël Juchereau, although the specifics of his duties remain unclear. Juchereau returned to France in the fall and died there in the summer of 1648. On July 22, 1649, Julien agreed to work for Michel Huppé dit Lagroix and a contract was drawn up by notary Laurent Bermen. For reasons unknown, this agreement ended amicably just three months later in October.

On October 15, 1651, Julien obtained a land concession from Olivier Letardif on the côte de Beaupré. His land, which was near the present-day Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, measured five arpents in frontage (facing the St. Lawrence River) and extended a league and a half deep. His westward neighbours were Étienne Lessard and Robert Giguère. At the time, the area was called Sainte-Anne-du-Petit-Cap.

Julien, having established himself as a landowner in his new country, had likely built a modest cabin and started to cultivate his fields. Feeling settled, he decided it was time to marry. On October 7, 1652, Julien and his future bride, Marie Poulin, had their marriage contract drawn up by notary Claude Auber. At the time, Julien was 31 years old, while Marie was significantly younger, at 11 years of age. The daughter of Claude Poulin and Jeanne Mercier, Marie was baptized on January 1, 1640, in Trois-Rivières.   

In the unusually short marriage contract, Claude Poulin, the bride’s father and carpenter, promised to build the couple a barn measuring 40 feet by 20 feet by 8 feet, as well as an 8-foot henhouse. Marie would take with her “linens and crockery.”

Likely due to her young age, Julien Mercier and Marie didn't marry until January 18, 1654. At the time of their wedding, Julien was 32 years old, and Marie was 13. The ceremony was held at the home of their neighbour, Robert Giguère, in Sainte-Anne, with Étienne Lessard and Louis Gagné, also neighbours, serving as witnesses.

Family, Faith, and Community

Julien and Marie settled on his land in Sainte-Anne. They had ten children:

1. Pascal was born on March 7, 1656, and was baptized six days later in the home of Louis Gagné in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. His godparents were Claude Poulin, his grandfather, and Marie Michel, the wife of Louis Gagné. Pascal married Anne Cloutier on November 11, 1681, in Château-Richer. The couple had four children, all sons. Pascal died at the age of 39. He was buried on October 29, 1695, in the parish cemetery of Notre-Dame in Québec. He was a farmer.

2. Charles was born on September 1, 1658, and was given an emergency baptism at birth by neighbour Louis Gagné. He was baptized 15 days later in the home of Robert Giguère in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. His godparents were Étienne Lessard and Aimée Miville, the wife of Robert Giguère, his neighbours. Charles married Anne Berthelot dite Leloutre on November 8, 1691, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. The couple had ten children, nine of them girls. Charles died at the age of 73 on December 3, 1731. He was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. He was a farmer.  

3. Louis was born around 1661. He was married three times: to Marguerite Rabouin on October 1, 1685, in Québec, to Anne Jacquereau on June 6, 1689, in Québec, and to Marie Louise Simon dite Lapointe on April 30, 1703, in Sainte-Foy. Louis had a total of 14 children. He died at the age of 67, “found dead on the shore” on February 20, 1728. He was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Notre-Dame in Québec. Unlike his farmer brothers, Louis was a master locksmith, said to be “the most reputable and skilled master locksmith of his day.”    

4. Julien was born on February 29, 1664, and was baptized the following day in Château-Richer. He died at the age of 20 on December 28, 1684, and was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Julien was a farmer.

5. Jeanne was born on December 1, 1666, and was baptized the following day in Château-Richer. She died sometime before the 1667 census of New France was enumerated.

6. Jean was baptized in November 1667 in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. His godparents were Jean Gagnon and Madeleine Poulin, his aunt. Jean married Barbe Demommainier on February 25, 1691, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. The couple had four children. The details of Jean’s death are unknown. He was a farmer.

7. Pierre was born on January 11, 1671, and was baptized the same day in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. His godparents were Pierre Frichet and Marguerite Poulin, his aunt. Pierre married Marie Catherine Chamberland on April 7, 1717, in the parish of Sainte-Famille on Île-d’Orléans. The couple had five children. Pierre died at the age of 58 on December 16, 1729, and was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. He was a farmer.

8. Marie Madeleine was born on March 9, 1674, and was baptized two days later in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Her godparents were Ignace Poulin, her uncle, and Louise Picard, the wife of Louis Gagné [not the same Louis Gagné aforementioned]. Marie Madeleine was married twice: to André Berthelot dit Leloutre on February 18, 1692, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and to Étienne Giguère (son of Robert Giguère and Aimée Miville) on June 20, 1701, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. She did not have any children. Marie Madeleine died at the age of 77 on April 26, 1751, and was buried the following day in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

9. Marie Angélique was born on February 1, 1677, and was baptized six days later in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, alongside her twin Marguerite. Her godparents were Jean Barette and Marie Gagné. Marie Angélique married Joseph Giguère (himself a twin, and son of Robert Giguère and Aimée Miville) on November 11, 1698, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, in a double wedding ceremony with her twin sister. The couple had ten children. Marie Angélique died at the age of 62 on April 18, 1739, and was buried two days later in the parish cemetery of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

10. Marguerite was born on February 1, 1677, and was baptized six days later in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, alongside her twin Marie Angélique. Her godparents were Pascal Mercier, her uncle, and Marguerite Cloutier, the wife of Robert Caron. Marguerite married Marin Michel Patenaude (also a twin) on November 11, 1698, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, in a double wedding ceremony with her twin sister. The couple had seven children. Marguerite died at the age of 36 from childbirth-related complications. She was buried on June 9, 1713, in the parish of Sainte-Famille on Île-d’Orléans, on the same day as her son Michel, born just a few days earlier.

The choice of godparents, as well as the children’s spouses, reflects how tightly knit the community of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré was. In this isolated environment, where neighbours often became extended family, the bonds formed through godparent relationships and marriages were essential in weaving a resilient and interconnected community, pivotal for survival and prosperity in the early colonial days.

On December 28, 1659, Julien and Marie decided to sell part of their land in the seigneurie of Beaupré to Pierre Maufils. The plot measured an arpent and a half frontage, facing the St. Lawrence River. In return, Pierre would pay the Merciers 31 sols, six deniers and a capon every year. Just a month earlier, Pierre had married Marie Madeleine Poulin, Marie’s sister.

In 1661, Julien was struck by an unidentified disease that “caused him to dry up and wither away completely.” He reportedly prayed to Saint Anne for help. Local priest Thomas Morel wrote, “After making several Masses in her honour … not being subject to any human help, he received a perfect cure.” In gratitude, Julien donated corn, peas and barley to the church. He became the churchwarden from 1669 to 1671.

Despite Julien’s personal triumph that year, 1661 was a particularly difficult one for those living on the côte de Beaupré. Tragedy struck the community when Louis Gagné (husband of Marie Michel) and Louis Guimont, Julien and Marie’s neighbours, were reportedly captured and killed by the Iroquois. Adding to the heartbreak, Marie’s brother René disappeared—a likely victim of the Iroquois or wolves.

In the 1666 census of New France, Julien and Marie were recorded as residing in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré with their four children. Julien was an “habitant,” or farmer.

A census was again conducted in 1667. Julien and Marie were  still living in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré with their four children. Julien owned five head of cattle and 16 arpents of cleared land.

Death of Julien Mercier

Julien Mercier died at the age of 55 on October 18, 1676. Sadly, his wife Marie was pregnant with twins at the time of his death. Julien was buried the following day inside the church of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, “after receiving the holy sacraments of the church.”

Marie Poulin, Widow

Marie Poulin was widowed at the age of 35, left alone to raise nine children. On the 1681 census of New France, she was enumerated living in the family home in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. She owned four guns, eight head of cattle and 30 arpents of cleared land. [She was 40 at the time, not 84 as the enumerator wrote.]

On October 5, 1682, an inventory of Marie and Julien’s possessions was drawn up by notary Claude Auber, assisted by her neighbours Étienne Lessard and Robert Giguère. Their property was valued at 2,000 livres, and included the land and buildings, several farm animals and 150 minots of grain.

The reason for the inventory was evident by the next entry in notary Auber’s minutes: Marie Poulin had decided to remarry. She and Charles Demommainier dit Jouvent had their marriage contract drawn up on the same day. Charles was an armorer and master locksmith in Québec. He was also widowed and had one daughter, Barbe, who would go on to marry Jean Mercier, Julien and Marie’s son. Charles was able to sign his name, but Marie declared she could not.

The marriage took place on November 10, 1682, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. The witnesses included Claude Poulin (Marie’s father), Pierre Maufils (her step-brother), and Martin and Pierre Poulin (her brothers). Marie was 41; her new husband was 45.

Marie and Charles only had one child, Louis, baptized on July 29, 1685, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (when Marie was 44). He died at the age of 17 on March 12, 1703, in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

The winter of 1687 would have been an especially difficult one for Marie. She lost both her parents within four days in mid-December of 1687, possibly victims of the smallpox epidemic that hit the colony that winter.

She and Charles lived at Sainte-Anne for several years, then relocated to Québec, where Charles was working as a locksmith. They were back in Sainte-Anne by 1708. The couple was involved in various land and house sales over the years:   

• July 26, 1695: sale of a log house on rue Demeulles by Charles Demommainier, locksmith, and Marie Poulin of Québec, to Jacques Moran and Jacquette Audé, his wife" (notary Chambalon)

• August 16, 1695: sale of land located in the seigneury of Beaupré at Grande Rivière, by Charles Demommainier, locksmith, and Marie Poulin, of rue de Champlain in Québec, to Jean Merieux (notary  Roger)

• October 5, 1708: sale of a house in the lower town of Québec on rue Champlain, by Charles Demommainier, locksmith, and Marie Poulin, of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, to Jacques Amelot, sergeant of a company of the Troupes de la Marine (notary Chambalon)

In 1710, Marie and Charles made a “pure, simple and irrevocable” donation to Marie’s youngest son Pierre. The donation included 300 livres and two perches of land in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Pierre would be responsible for any seigneurial rentes due in the future.

Charles Demommainier dit Jouvent died at the age of 78 on July 3, 1716. He was buried the following day in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.  

Death of Marie Poulin

 Marie Poulin died just two weeks after her husband, at the age of 75, on July 17, 1716. She was buried the same day inside the church of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, “after having received the sacraments of viaticum confession and extreme unction giving the marks of true piety and religion.” Her sons Louis and Pierre were present at the burial, along with several other relatives and friends. The speed at which she was buried, and the recent death of her husband, indicates they likely died of a contagious disease. There were no known epidemics at the time, though the following year recorded numerous deaths from malignant, or yellow, fever. 

An after-death inventory for Marie and Charles’s property was recorded for their successors on August 7, 1716. Four days later, Marie’s furniture was sold. The 12-page inventory lists all of the couple’s possessions and real estate. It included all the kitchen utensils, pots, pans, linens, furniture, several stocks of grains and more. All the couple’s clothing was recorded, from pants to night bonnets to pocket handkerchiefs. The inventory included several farm animals: oxen, cows, calves, chickens and pigs. Marie and Charles also had several debts.

A Legacy

Julien Mercier stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Canada’s early immigrants. His journey from the small hamlet of La Grandinière in Tourouvre, France, to the vast landscapes of New France encapsulates the challenges and triumphs of 17th-century settlers. Julien's story, marked by hardship, resilience, and a deep commitment to his family and community, mirrors the chronicles of many who sought new beginnings in an unknown world.

Alongside Julien, 16 other Mercier immigrants made their way to New France. Five of them left descendants to this day. According to the Association des Mercier de l’Amérique du Nord, there are about 100,000 Merciers worldwide, with over 14,000 in Québec and 9,000 in the U.S. Mercier is the 62nd largest “family” in Québec.

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• "Le LAFRANCE (Baptêmes, Mariages, Sépultures)," database and digital images, Généalogie Québec (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/86907 : accessed 16 Jan 2024), baptism of Marie Poulin, 1 Jan 1641, Trois-Rivières (Immaculée-Conception); citing original data: Fonds Drouin, Institut généalogique Drouin, Montréal.

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/66442 : accessed 16 Jan 2024), marriage of Julien Mercier and Marie Poulain, 18 Jan 1654, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré (record in the register of Notre-Dame-de-Québec).

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/28511 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), burial of Julien Mercier, 19 Oct 1676, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/28366 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), marriage of Charles Mommaignier and Marie Poullain, 10 Nov 1682, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/28678 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), burial of Charles Mommaignier dit Jouvent, 4 Jul 1716, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/28680 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), burial of Marie Poulin, 17 Jul 1716, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.

• “Actes de notaire, 1647-1649: Laurent Bermen," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVN-Q4F1?i=549&cat=1175291 : accessed 16 Jan 2024), agreement between Michel Hupé dit Lagrouais and Julien Mertier, 22 Jul 1649, images 550 to 551 of 2056, film 2371289; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• “Actes de notaire, 1652-1692: Claude Auber," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53L2-693N-6?i=12&cat=1175225 : accessed 16 Jan 2024), marriage contract between Julien Mercier and Marie Poullain, 7 Oct 1652, image 13 of 1368, film 2371277; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• Ibid. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53L2-69SN-B?i=191&cat=1175225 : accessed 16 Jan 2024), land sale from Julien Mercier and Marie Poullain to Pierre Maufils, 28 Dec 1659, images 192 and 193 of 1368, film 2371277.

• Ibid. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53L2-69QW-P?i=1238&cat=1175225 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), inventory of Julien Mercier and Marie Poullain, 5 Oct 1682, images 1232 to 1241 of 1368, film 2371277.

• Ibid. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53L2-69QW-Q?i=1241&cat=1175225 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), marriage contract between Charles Demommainier and Marie Poulin, 5 Oct 1682, images 1242 to 1244 of 1368, film 2371277.

• “Actes de notaire, 1711-1718: Barthélémy Verreau," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-R3LJ-WQ8D?i=1848&cat=1008138 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), after-death inventory for Charles Monmagny and Marie Poullain, 7 Aug 1716, images 1849 to 1860 of 2265, film 2243214; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• Ibid. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-53LJ-W3L4?i=1861&cat=1008138 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), report of the sale of furniture belonging to the deceased Marie Poullin, 11 Aug 1716, images 1862 to 1873 of 2265, film 2243214

• Parchemin, notarial database of ancient Québec (1626-1801), Société de recherche historique Archiv-Histo, (www.Archiv-Histo.com : accessed 17 Jan 2024), "Vente d'une maison de madriers située sur la rue Demeulles; par Charles Montmegnier, serrurier et Marie Poulain, son épouse, de la ville de Québec, à Jacques Moran, habitant et Jacquette Audé, son épouse, de la ville de Québec," 26 Jul 1695, notary L. Chambalon. 

• Ibid. “Vente d'une terre située en la seigneurie de Beaupré à la Grande Riviere; par Charles Montmirnis, serrurier et Marie Poulain, son épouse, de la ville de Québec, rue de Champlain, à Jean Merieux, de la côte de Beaupré," 16 Aug 1695, notary G. Roger.

• Ibid., “Vente d'une maison située en la basse ville de Quebec, rue Champlain; par Charles de Monmenier, serrurier et Marie Poulin, son épouse, de la côte de Beaupré, paroisse Ste Anne, à Jacques Amelot, sergent d'une compagnie des troupes de la Marine, de la ville de Quebec," 5 Oct 1708, notary L. Chambalon.

• “Fonds Cour supérieure. District judiciaire de Québec. Insinuations - Archives nationales à Québec,” Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/81765 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), "Donation d'une somme de 300 livres et d'une portion de terre située en la paroisse Sainte-Anne par Charles Montmognier (Montmainier - Montminy) et Marie Poulin, sa femme, habitants demeurant audit lieu de Beaupré, paroisse Sainte-Anne; à Pierre Mercier, fils de défunt Julien Mercier et de ladite Marie Poulin; la donation est passée pardevant Étienne Jacob, notaire en la seigneurie de Beaupré et comté de Saint-Laurent (île d'Orléans)]," 14 Jan 1710, reference CR301,P635, ID 81765; citing original data : Registres des insinuations de la Prévôté de Québec, vol. 3 (15 Oct 1709 - 24 Mar 1715), pages 102-105.

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• Christopher Moore, "Making it Count," Canada's History (https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/business-industry/making-it-count), posted online 12 Mar 2021; original appeared in the Apr-May 2021 issue of Canada's History. 

• "Recensement du Canada, 1667," Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ : accessed 17 Jan 2024), entry for Julien Mercier, page 150, 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," Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ : accessed 17 Jan 2024), entry for Marie Poulin, 14 Nov 1681, Québec, page 246, Finding aid no. MSS0446, MIKAN no. 2318858; citing original data: Centre des archives d'outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• Madame Pierre Montagne [Françoise Lamarche], Tourouvre et les Juchereau : Un chapitre de l’émigration percheronne au Canada (Québec, Société Canadienne de Généalogie, 1965), 43-49.

• Ernest Mercier, Mercier depuis des siècles (Sherbrooke, Imprimerie H.L.N. Inc., 1987), 86.

• Thomas J. Laforest, Our French-Canadian Ancestors vol. 3 (Palm Harbor, Florida, The LISI Press, 1992), 177-181.

• Jean-François Loiseau, "Julien Mercier (1621 Tourouvre – 1676 Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré)," Perche-Quebec.com (https://www.perche-quebec.com/perche/individus/mercier-julien.htm : accessed 15 Jan 2024), 28 Oct 2017, last updated 26 Aug 2023.

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• Ibid. (https://www-prdh-igd.com/Membership/en/PRDH/Famille/5248 : accessed 17 Jan 2024), dictionary entry for Charles DEMOMMAINIER JOUVENT and Marie POULIN, union 5248.

• "Épidémies et famines en France du XVII ème siècle," Cercle Généalogique Lorrain d’Ile de France (https://www.cglidf.fr/spip/spip.php?article131 : accessed 15 Jan 2024).

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• Thuot, Jean-René, "La pratique de l’inhumation dans l’église dans Lanaudière entre 1810 et 1860 : entre privilège, reconnaissance et concours de circonstances," 2006, Études d'histoire religieuse, 72, 75–96, digitized by Érudit (https://doi.org/10.7202/1006589ar)

• “LE NOM MERCIER DANS LE MONDE," Association des Mercier de l'Amérique du Nord (https://www.famillesmercier.org/un-peu-dhistoire/les-mercier-dans-le-monde/ : accessed 17 Jan 2024).