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Mathieu Brunet dit Létang & Marie Blanchard

Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, son of Jacques Brunet and Jacqueline Recheine, was baptized on December 20, 1637, in the parish of Saint-Jean in Rai, Normandy, France (now part of the Orne department). Located about 140 kilometres west of Paris, the rural commune of Rai today has fewer than 1,500 inhabitants, known as “Raillois.”

Some authors and genealogists believe that Mathieu arrived in New France in 1657, after signing a three-year contract with recruiters Antoine Grignon, Pierre Gaigneur, and Jacques Massé in La Rochelle. However, certain elements do not match ‘our’ Mathieu. Firstly, the contract lists the name Mathurin, not Mathieu. Secondly, Mathurin was from Olonne (now Olonne-sur-Mer), whereas Mathieu was from Rai. Additionally, Mathieu's marriage certificate indicates that his parents were from Tourouvre, which is logical given that Tourouvre, located just 20 kilometres from Rai, was a significant recruitment centre for emigrants to New France. Another issue remains: there is no trace of Mathurin Brunet in New France between 1657 and 1667. One hypothesis suggests that he might have been a voyageur, but it is still surprising that he goes unmentioned for a whole decade.

Marie Blanchard, daughter of Jean Blanchard and Martine Lebas, was born on January 15, 1647. She was baptized the same day in the parish of Saint-Nicaise in Rouen, Normandy, France (now part of the Seine-Maritime department). The first Saint-Nicaise chapel was established in 640 and became a parish church in 1388. Deconsecrated in 2012, it was transformed into a brewery in 2020. Today, Rouen has a population of around 114,000 residents. The city is located 120 kilometres northwest of Paris, about 50 kilometres south of Dieppe.

Marie left her home country from the port of Dieppe on June 10, 1667, embarking on Le St. Louis de Dieppe with 76 other Filles du roi, arriving at Québec on September 25, 1667. After an exceptionally long and arduous Atlantic crossing of three and a half months, they finally arrived in Québec on September 25, 1667. Just six weeks after her arrival, Marie fulfilled her duty as a Fille du roi by marrying, quickly embracing her new life in New France.

Marriage

Mathieu and Marie were married on November 10, 1667, in the parish of Notre-Dame in Québec. Mathieu was 29; Marie was 20. Among their witnesses were André Poutré [Poudret] dit Lavigne and his new wife Jeanne Burel, who had made the ocean crossing with Marie and was also a native of Rouen. Rather unconventionally, Mathieu and Marie did not have a marriage contract drawn before their wedding. Rather, it would take them another 12 years to complete this task.

The couple had at least ten children: 

1. Michel (ca. 1668-1750)

2. Jeanne (ca. 1670-?)

3. Marie Anne (ca. 1672-1747)

4. Jean (1674-1723)

5. Pierre (1676-?)

6. Marie (1677-1756)

7. Jacques (1680-1708)

8. Catherine (1681-?)

9. Marguerite (1683-1699)

10. Mathieu (1688-1706)

Mathieu and Marie settled at l'Arbre-à-la-Croix in the seigneurie of Marsolet, near Champlain, where Mathieu received a land grant on February 8, 1670.  

As soon as he arrived in New France, Mathieu's name appeared several times in court records, illustrating the challenges and complex interactions between settlers at the time. Through a series of petitions and court proceedings, Mathieu was involved in a variety of disputes, from contesting a decision concerning his rifle to claiming a minot of wheat, to the unauthorized use of a canoe.

• August 11, 1668: Motion by Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, plaintiff, against Joseph Godefroy, sieur de Vieuxpont, to reverse the ruling regarding his rifle. Godefroy requested that the ruling remain in place until the land in question could be measured to confirm whether the two arpents he was obliged to clear had been completed. Brunet also asked that the wood along the water's edge be cut down. Given the dispute between the parties, it was decided that the land would be measured to determine if the two arpents had indeed been cleared and the wood felled.

• August 18, 1668: Request by Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, plaintiff, to have his rifle returned by Joseph Godefroy, sieur de Vieuxpont, in accordance with the order issued on August 11, 1668. A surveyor would measure the land to verify whether the two arpents had been properly cleared and cut. In case of disagreement, both parties were required to return within eight days.

• November 17, 1668: Petition by sieur de Godefroy, plaintiff, against Jean Petit and Mathieu Brunet dit Létang for taking his canoe without permission. Brunet explained that he intended to use the canoe to transport two minots of wheat to Cap-de-la-Madeleine. Godefroy claimed costs, damages, and interest for the unauthorized use of his canoe when he needed it. Petit was ordered to pay a fine of 10 livres.

• January 19, 1669: Request by Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, plaintiff, to be paid a minot of wheat by Jacques Ménard dit Lafontaine. The defendant was ordered to appear in person within a week to present his reasons.

• January 26, 1669: Request by Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, plaintiff, to be paid by Jacques Ménard dit Lafontaine one minot of wheat for some covering grass. The defendant claimed that he had not promised Brunet the minot of wheat, while Brunet insisted otherwise, citing the contract they had agreed upon. It was ordered that Lafontaine pay the minot of wheat to Brunet, along with the legal costs.

The disputes between Mathieu and his neighbours and associates continued into the next decade. These years were marked by a series of disputes revealing the economic interactions and contractual obligations within the community, from claims for debts to the enforcement of agricultural contracts, as well as questions of land rights and the delivery of goods.

• January 16, 1673: Case between Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, resident of l'Arbre à la Croix, plaintiff, and Louis Bercier, regarding the execution of a contract dated June 20, 1669. Bercier was ordered to pay Brunet the sum of 34 livres and 4 sols, which he acknowledged owing, in addition to costs, damages, and interest liquidated at four francs. Bercier objected to the execution of a sentence issued against him on January 23. The case was postponed to allow Brunet to be present.

• September 4, 1673: Case between Jacques Leneuf, sieur de la Poterie, plaintiff, and Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, requesting that Brunet be required to pay the sum of 38 livres, plus costs and expenses. Brunet argued that he owed only 32 livres. He was ordered to pay the plaintiff the sum of 32 livres, along with costs liquidated at 25 sols.

• November 6, 1673: Motion by Nicolas Marsolet, seigneur des Prairies Marsolet, plaintiff, against Martin Foisy, Louis Tétreault, Mathieu Brunet, Jean Gaillou and Gilles Dupont, defendants, requesting that all his tenants present the contracts under which they occupy the lands and outbuildings of the seigneurie. A surveyor was required to visit the seigneurie to finalize these contracts. The parties were ordered to submit all relevant documents within three days, and Jean Lerouge, the royal surveyor, was instructed to lay the boundaries on the said seigneurie.

• January 7, 1675: Petition by Jacques Aubuchon, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, for the execution of a lease involving two cows, with payment of 36 pounds of butter for one year, due on the last All Saints' Day. Brunet was ordered to pay the costs, along with the sum of 7 livres; he argued that he had already paid 16 and a half pounds of butter and claimed to be released from the remaining amount. It was ordered that Brunet pay 19 and a half pounds of butter as stipulated in the lease, in addition to the sum of 5 livres and 10 sols, with costs moderated to 55 sols.

• November 18, 1675: Petition by Jacques Aubuchon, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, requesting payment of 32 livres, a quarteron of butter, and 36 francs, with costs. Brunet argued that he was not required to have the cattle valued and asked to adhere to the rule regarding payment. It was ordered that they justify the lease between them within three days, with costs reserved.

• November 16, 1676: Motion by Marin Foisy, resident of l'Arbre-à-la-Croix, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, requesting that Brunet and Marie Blanchard, his wife, be held accountable according to the deed of transaction passed between them on August 3, by which they agreed to reimburse and discharge Foisy of all costs for the total sum of 84 livres. Brunet was ordered to pay Foisy the sum of 84 livres for legal costs advanced by Foisy, in addition to the payment of all associated costs.

• February 15, 1677: Default granted to Jacques Aubuchon, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant and defaulter, who was summoned by bailiff Lory to appear on this day. Brunet, failing to appear, was ordered to promptly deliver 200 planks and 32 pounds of butter to Aubuchon, in addition to paying the associated costs.

• June 9, 1677: Petition by Thomas Frérot, royal notary of Trois-Rivières, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, requesting the delivery of one hundred planks for the sum of 40 livres, as per the obligation of Létang and Girardeau, with consideration of the sum of 36 livres for articles. Brunet requested that 10 sols be deducted from the 36 livres for half a pound of candles and that he be permitted to swear an oath regarding the sums he claimed to have supplied. Following Brunet's oath, he was ordered to deliver the hundred planks and to pay costs moderated to 4 livres and 15 sols.

Marriage Contract

On April 14, 1679, Mathieu and Marie went before notary Antoine Adhémar to have three deeds drawn up. Firstly, they sold a piece of land in the Prairies Marsolet to François Bigot. Mathieu then signed a lease on the land belonging to Bigot. Finally, Mathieu and Marie had their marriage contract drawn up, something they had never done 12 years before. 

As usual, Mathieu found himself before the courts several times between 1679 and 1681.

• June 12, 1679: Petition of Martin Foisy, habitant of the Prairies Marsolet, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant, for reimbursement of the sum of 13 livres remaining from certain legal costs imposed by a previous sentence against Brunet. Brunet stated that he had provided a promissory note to be collected from a merchant in Champlain and requested to be discharged. Antoine Adhémar, attorney for François Bigot, was summoned and ordered to pay the sum of 13 livres owed to Létang from his own funds. Létang was then ordered to pay the remaining sum of 13 livres within three days, while Bigot was ordered to pay the sum of 13 livres on the first due date, with costs moderated to 105 sols and discharged towards Létang.

• August 21, 1679: Petition by François Bigot, of l'Arbre-à-la-Croix, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, of the said place, defendant, requesting that Brunet and his wife declare the debts and mortgages on a piece of land located at the Prairies Marsolet, which Bigot acquired from them by contract made on April 14 of the same year, and that the creditors be paid from the sum of 341 livres remaining of the 450 livres total price of the said acquisition. Brunet stated that he did not know the exact amount owed to Sieur Baby, but that there were still 50 francs to be paid to Sieur Saint-Romain, a larger sum, and that, in his opinion, they were the preferred creditors on the said land, which he affirmed under oath. It was ordered that Brunet's oath be recorded, and that Bigot be bound by the terms of the contract.

• March 11, 1680: Default granted to Jacques Lemarchand, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, of the Prairies Marsolet, defendant, for the sum of 30 livres for 6 minots of wheat, at 100 sols per minot, delivered in the month of April 1677, less the receipt, which was in default. It was ordered that Brunet pay the plaintiff the sum of 30 livres, less the amount shown on the said receipt, plus costs moderated to 3 livres and 3 sols.

• September 25, 1980: Protest made by Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, habitant of Prairies Marsolet, against a service of certain opponents to the delivery of the deniers held by François Bigot, originating from the sale price of the land Brunet sold to him. Brunet confirmed that the land was sold to pay his creditors, and that Bigot had failed to make the payment within the term set by the contract. He therefore protested that all costs, damages, and interest be charged to the said Bigot. It was ordered that all relevant titles be produced for a ruling as appropriate, including Brunet's claim for damages.

• March 17, 1681: Default granted to François Bigot, of the Prairies Marsolet, plaintiff, against Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, defendant and defaulter, ordering the defendant to pay him 7 and a half minots of wheat that he owes, together with the sum of 18 livres, 16 sols and 3 deniers. Brunet was ordered to pay Bigot the 7 and a half minots of farm wheat owed, along with 18 livres, 16 sols and 3 deniers, and costs moderated to 6 livres 8 sols.

Additional Land Acquisitions 

On January 15, 1680, Mathieu purchased land in the seigneurie of Villiers (now Bécancour) on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. The land measured three arpents of frontage by 20 arpents deep. It was located on the banks of the Rivière Saint-Michel (now the Rivière Bécancour).

On December 9, 1680, Mathieu purchased two concessions and a plot of land in Champlain. The deed indicates that Mathieu was residing at l'Arbre-de-la-Croix near Champlain. The first concession measured two arpents of frontage (facing the St. Lawrence River) by 40 arpents deep and included a house. The rent was one capon and two deniers payable to seigneur Pézard on Saint Martin's Day (November each year). Additionally, Mathieu agreed to set a standing line with several hooks and a net in front of his concession in the spring, with the cost of the hooks and net to be shared equally between Mathieu and the seigneur, along with all the fish caught.

The second parcel of land was two arpents of frontage by 40 arpents deep and was cleared and felled of high forest timber, at the same rent as the first. An additional plot, measuring half an arpent of frontage by 40 arpents deep, was located between the two arpents of frontage and the Beaudoin land. Mathieu agreed to pay the vendors the sum of 500 livres, with 120 livres due on Christmas Day in 1681 and 125 livres in each of the following three years on the same date.

In 1681, the Brunet family was recorded in the census of New France at Champlain. Mathieu owned one cow and 21 arpents of cleared land.  

Mathieu Brunet, Voyageur

In the early 1680s, Mathieu accumulated several debts to individuals such as Jacques Baby, François Chorel de Saint-Romain, Joseph Lemire, and Nicolas Perrot. The debt to Perrot explains why Mathieu and Marie had no children between 1683 and 1688: Mathieu had become a voyageur to the land of the Illinois Indians in 1683. Perrot, Mathieu's neighbour in Bécancour, was a well-known voyageur and fur trader. In the winter of 1685, Mathieu was hired by Perrot for an expedition to Baie des Puants (now Green Bay in Wisconsin) and the Mississippi River. During this period, Mathieu borrowed 600 livres from Perrot to cover his family's food and expenses while he was away in the “baye des puants et maskoutins.”

Upon his return in 1687, Mathieu and his family settled in the Montreal area. On October 4, 1687, Mathieu and Marie obtained a five-year lease in the seigneurie of Hautmesnil, located on the banks of the Saint-Pierre River (in present-day Verdun). On November 6, Mathieu sold twenty cords of maple wood to Marie Pacro, the widow of Antoine Pichon. On the same day, he rented a dairy cow from Marie Pacro for a period of five years. 

The following year, Mathieu obtained two additional leases. On February 25, he signed a five-year lease for land in Pointe-Saint-Charles with the merchant Jacques Leber. On June 3, he signed a lease for land on the island of Montréal, measuring two arpents of frontage and 15 arpents deep. On April 20, 1689, Mathieu was granted land on the banks of the Rivière Saint-Pierre by the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, which owned the island of Montréal.  

On March 4, 1692, Mathieu obtained a lease from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice for a piece of land located in the town of Villemarie (present-day Montréal) on rue Chagouamigon. The land measured 18 feet by 12 feet. 

A few months later, on May 18, Mathieu and Marie transferred a portion of land in “the town of Villemarie towards the Place d'Armes” to their son Michel, “under the good pleasure” of the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal. Michel was to be responsible for the dues and rents associated with the land.

In the meantime, Mathieu's debts continued to grow. In 1695, Nicolas Pinguet sued him and two other men for debts. In 1697, Mathieu was brought before the Montreal courts by Jean Guyonnet dit Lafleur, who claimed rights ceded by the seigneurs of the island of Montreal, following arrears of cens and rentes for the site on rue Chagouamigon. The case file contains 51 pages, and the trial lasted from May 21 to July 19. Mathieu was ordered to pay or, failing that, to have the site sold at auction. He did not pay, and the auction took place. The 300 livres obtained at the auction were distributed among the creditors.   

Death of Mathieu Brunet dit Létang

Mathieu Brunet dit Létang died at the age of 70 at the Hôtel-Dieu in Montréal. He was buried on December 17, 1708, in the Notre-Dame cemetery in Montreal. The burial record indicates that he was a resident of the parish of Lachine. 

After her husband's death, Marie married Yves Lucas dit Saint-Venant. The marriage took place around 1713, although the record no longer exists. They settled in Lachine.

Death of Marie Blanchard

Marie Blanchard died at the age of 75. She was buried on July 29, 1722, in the Saints-Anges cemetery in Lachine. Her husband and son Michel were present at the burial.

The lives of Mathieu Brunet dit Létang and Marie Blanchard in New France reflect the challenges, opportunities, and complex realities of colonial life. Through their commitments as settlers, the many disputes they faced, and their contributions to the local community, they embody the perseverance and resilience of the pioneers of their time. Today, their legacy endures through their numerous descendants in Quebec, Canada, and across North America.

Sources:

• Fédération québécoise des sociétés de généalogie, Fichier Origine database (https://www.fichierorigine.com/recherche?numero=410010 : accessed 31 Jan 2024), entry for BRUNET / LÉTANG, Mathieu (person 410010), updated 15 Oct 2012.

• "Mathurin Brunet, de Olonne-sur-Mer, engagé par Antoine Grignon, Pierre Gaigneur et Jacques Masse. (Contrat passé devant le notaire Pierre Moreau)," digital images, Les engagés - XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime (http://www.archinoe.net/v2/ark:/18812/f3888834310fef5568f0fa03ee1ce3ee : accessed 1Feb 2024), 19 Mar 1657, 3E 59/261 fol. 108 v.

• "Rouen - 01/01/1639-31/12/1647," digital images, Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime (https://www.archivesdepartementales76.net/ark:/50278/62c850e15816f76f9256cfa981ccbc4c/dao/0/83 : accessed 1 Feb 2024), baptism of Marie Blanchard, 15 Jan 1647, Rouen (parish of Saint-Nicaise).

• “Le St Louis de Dieppe," Migrations.fr (https://web.archive.org/web/20210925024028/https://www.migrations.fr/NAVIRES_DIEPPE/stlouis_dieppe1667.htm : accessed 27 May 2024), entry for Marie Blanchard, 1667.

• "Le LAFRANCE (Baptêmes, mariages et sépultures)," database and digital images, Généalogie Québec (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/fr/lafrance_mariages/66756 : accessed 31 Jan 2024), marriage of Mathieu Brunet and Marie Blanchard, 10 Nov 1667, Québec (Notre-Dame-de-Québec); citing original data : Institut généalogique Drouin and the PRDH.  

• Ibid. https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/50536 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), burial of Mathieu Brunet, 17 Dec 1708, Montréal (Notre-Dame-de-Montréal), record 50536.

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/14776 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), burial of Marie Blanchard, 29 Jul 1722, Montréal, Lachine (Saints-Anges), record 14776.

• Université de Montréal, Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique (https://www-prdh-igd-com/Membership/fr/PRDH/Famille/2378 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), dictionary entry for Mathieu BRUNET LETANG and Marie BLANCHARD, union 2378.

• "Actes de notaire, 1651-1702 : Séverin Ameau," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5F-73JL-5?i=950&cat=615650 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), concession by Nicolas Marsolet to Mathieu Brunet, 8 Feb 1670 [missing record]; citing original data: Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• "Archives de notaires : Antoine Adhémar dit Saint-Martin (1668-1714)," digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236656?docref=rmW7lAAhN6JUAeyCDMrTiA : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Vente d'une terre située aux prairies de Marssollet; par Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang et Marie Blanchard, son épouse, des prairies de Marsollet, à François Bigot, habitant, des prairies de Marssollet," 14 Apr 1679.

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236656?docref=lYSF_cP7kYKIlKILPtOoCw : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Bail à ferme d'une terre; par François Bigot, des prairies de Marssollet, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, des prairies de Marsollet," 14 Apr 1679.

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236656?docref=QE5wpvvQHN16lgZ4w_lvuA : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Contrat de mariage entre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, natif de St Jean de Ré près la ville de Laigle, évêché D'evreux en Normandie, et demeurant aux prairies de Marssollet, fils de feu Jacques Brunet et de Jacqueline Erchine; et Marie Blanchard, native de la paroisse de St Nicaise, ville et archevêché de Rouen, fille de Jean Blanchard et de Martine Lebas," 14 Apr 1679.

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236661?docref=Ym6uE9cv9bARP6S4v12sOA : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Obligation de Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang et Marie Blanchard, son épouse, de Champlain, à Nicolas Perrot, de la rivière St Michel," 17 May 1685, image 351 of 1037. 

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236661?docref=14wgnQ-5pRHMXRf9C72hvQ : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Vente de cordes de bois; par Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, de la rivière St Pierre en l'île de Montréal, à Marie Pacro, veuve de Antoine Pichon dit Duverny," 6 Nov 1687, image 824 of 1037. 

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236661?docref=p60WWUekmL_4qnbhHg2kOQ : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Bail à loyer d'une vache; par Marie Pacro, veuve de Antoine Pichon dit Duverny, de la ville de Villemarie, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, de l'île de Montréal," 6 Nov 1687, image 828 of 1037.

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4236662?docref=yqno4VpQincvGqbhILk0QA : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Bail à ferme d'une terre située en l'île de Montréal; par Mathurin Jousset dit Laloire, de l'île de Montréal, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestat, de l'île de Montréal," 3 Jun 1688, image 280 of 426.

• "Actes de notaire, 1666-1700 : Jean Cusson," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-L3V7-RWG8?i=1121&cat=538059 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Vente d'une terre située en la seigneurie de Villiéé de l'autre bord du grand fleuve St Laurens au sud; par Jean Moflet dit Champagne et Anne Dodain, son épouse, à Mathieu Brunet dit Letant, du fief Marsolet," film 1430724, image 1122 of 1575; citing original data: Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• "Archives de notaires : Bénigne Basset dit Deslauriers (1657-1699)," digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4143993?docref=DP7hJWvWHjrjP5FKuDGQwg : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Bail de terres situées à la pointe St Charles et dites de Seneville; par Jacques Leber, marchand bourgeois, de l'île de Montréal, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang et Marie Blanchard, son épouse, de l'île de Montréal," 25 Feb 1688, image 99 of 772. 

• Ibid. (https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/4143994?docref=ng8J1_gkVJlutDaMsI5kXQ : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Bail à rente d'un emplacement de terre situé dans la commune de la ville de Villemarie sur la rue Chagouamigon; par le Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, procureur du Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Paris, seigneur et propriétaire de l'île de Montréal, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, de l'île de Montréal," 4 Mar 1692, image 616 of 837. 

• "Actes de notaire, 1686-1701 : Jean-Baptiste Pottier," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-P3VW-V948-4?i=901&cat=529326 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Concession de terre située sur le bord de la rivière St Pierre; par le Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, procureur du Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Paris, seigneur et propriétaire de l'île de Montréal, à Mathurin Brunet, de l'île de Montréal," 20 Apr 1689, image 902 of 3207, film 1464523.

• "Actes de notaire, 1677-1696 : Claude Maugue," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS5F-SKHV?i=425&cat=427707 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Transport d'un morceau de terre situé en la ville de Villemarie vers la place Darmes; par Mathieu Brunet et Marie Blanchard, son épouse, de l'île de Montréal, sous le bon plaisir du Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, procureur du Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Paris, seigneur et propriétaire de l'île de Montréal, à Michel Brunet (25 ans), leur fils," 18 May 1692, image 426 of 3080, film 1419869.

• Parchemin, notarial database of ancient Québec (1626-1801), Société de recherche historique Archiv-Histo, (www.Archiv-Histo.com : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Bail à ferme du fief et seigneurie de Hautmesnil situé en l'île de Montréal sur le bord de la rivière St Pierre; par Jean-Vincent Philippes de Hautmesnil, de l'île de Montréal, à Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang et Marie Blanchard, son épouse, de Champlain," 4 Oct 1687, notary B. Basset dit Deslauriers.

• "Fonds Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières - Archives nationales à Trois-Rivières," digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/434669 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Mathieu Brunet dit Létang (Lestang), demandeur, à l'encontre de Joseph Godefroy, sieur de Vieuxpont (Vieux Pont), pour faire vider l'arrêt fait sur son fusil," 11 Aug 1668, reference TL3,S11,P982, Id 434669; citing original data: Registre no 3 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières (21 Jan 1668 to 20 Apr 1739), f.7r-7v.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/434671 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Instance de Mathieu Brunet dit Létang (Lestang), demandeur, de lui être rendu son fusil par Joseph Godefroy, sieur de Vieuxpont (Vieux Pont), suivant l'ordonnance du 11 août 1668. La terre sera mesurée par un connaisseur pour voir si les deux arpents ont été abattus et débités. En cas de discorde, les parties doivent revenir à la huitaine," 18 Aug 1668, reference TL3,S11,P984, Id 434671.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/434681 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête du sieur de Godefroy, demandeur, de ses intérêts à l'encontre de Jean Petit et de Mathieu Brunet dit Létang (Lestang), pour avoir pris son canot sans le demander lequel Brunet a dit vouloir s'en servir pour amener deux minots de blé au Cap-de-la-Madeleine. Ledit sieur de Godefroy réclame dépens, dommages et intérêts pour avoir pris son canot alors qu'il en avait de besoin. Ledit Petit est condamné à payer 10 livres d'amende," 17 Nov 1668, reference TL3,S11,P994, Id 434681.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/434694 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Mathieu Brunet dit Létang (Lestang), demandeur, de lui être payé par Jacques Ménard dit Lafontaine (La Fontaine), parlant par sa femme Catherine Forestier, un minot de blé. Il est ordonné audit défendeur de comparaître lui-même à la huitaine pour dire ses raisons," 19 Jan 1669, reference TL3,S11,P1007, Id 434694.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/434700 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Mathieu Brunet dit Létang (Lestang), demandeur, de lui être payé par Jacques Ménard dit Lafontaine (La Fontaine), un minot de blé pour de l'herbe à couvrir. Ledit défendeur dit ne pas avoir promis un minot de blé audit demandeur qui soutient le contraire selon le marché qu'ils ont conclu ensemble. Il est ordonné que ledit Lafontaine (La Fontaine) paie le minot de blé audit Létang (Lestang) en plus des frais de justice," 26 Jan 1669, reference TL3,S11,P1013, Id 434700.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435089 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Nicolas Marsolet, comparant par Jean Cusson, demandeur, contre Martin Foisy, Louis Dettreau (Tétreault), Mathieu Brunet, Jean Gaillou et Gilles du Pont (Dupont), défendeurs," 6 Nov 1673, reference TL3,S11,P1402, Id 435089; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 2-4.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435108 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Jacques Aubuchon, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur," 7 Jan 1675, reference TL3,S11,P1421, Id 435108; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 20-21.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435185 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Jacques Aubuchon, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur, demandant 32 livres et un quarteron de beurre avec 36 francs, avec dépens; le défendeur se dit point obligé de faire estimer les bestiaux et demande de suivre la règle et d'en être condamné à payer quelques sommes; il est ordonné qu'ils justifieront du bail fait entre eux, dans 3 jours, dépens réservés, signé Boyvinet (Boivinet)," 18 Nov 1675, reference TL3,S11,P1498, Id 435185; citing original data: Pièce provenant du Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 82-83.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435230 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Marin Foysi (Foisy), habitant de l'Arbre-à-la-Croix, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur," 16 Nov 1676, reference TL3,S11,P1543, Id 435230; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 120.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435243 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Défaut accordé à Jacques Aubuchon, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur et défaillant, assigné par Lori (Lory), huissier, à comparaître aujourd'hui; ledit Lestang, faute de comparaître, est condamné à fournir et livrer incessamment audit Aubuchon 200 planches et 32 livres de beurre en plus de payer les dépens, signé Boyvinet (Boivinet)," 15 Feb 1677, reference TL3,S11,P1556, Id 435243; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 128.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435255 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Thomas Frérot, notaire royal de Trois-Rivières, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur," 6 Jun 1677, reference TL3,S11,P1568, Id 435255 ; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 138-140.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435350 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de Martin Foisy, habitant des Prairies Marsolet, demandeur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), défendeur," 12 Jun 1679, reference TL3,S11,P1663, Id 435350; citing original data: Registre no 4 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 220-221.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435750 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Requête de François Bigot, de l'Arbre-à-la-Croix, demandeur représenté par maître Antoine Adhémar, son procureur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit l'Estang (Létang), dudit lieu, défendeur," 21 Aug 1679, reference TL3,S11,P2079, Id 435750; citing original data: Registre no 5 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 101-102.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435799 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Défaut accordé à Jacques le Marchand (Lemarchand), demeurant à Bastiscan, demandeur, comparant par Louis Fafard sieur de Long Val (Longval), son procureur, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), des prairies de Marsolet, défendeur," 11 Mar 1680, reference TL3,S11,P2128, Id 435799; citing original data: Registre no 5 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 145.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435856 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Protestation faite par Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang (Létang), habitant des prairies de Marsolet, contre une signification de certains opposants à la délivrance des deniers qui sont entre les mains de François Bigot," 25 Sep 1680, reference TL3,S11,P2185, Id 435856; citing original data: Registre no 5 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 217.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/435890 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Défaut accordé à François Bigot, habitant de la prairie de Marsolet, demandeur comparant par Antoine Adhémar, contre Mathieu Brunet dit l’Estang (Létang), défendeur et défaillant," 17 Mar 1681, reference TL3,S11,P2221, Id 435890; citing original data: Registre no 5 des audiences de la Juridiction royale des Trois-Rivières, p. 280.

• "Fonds Cour seigneuriale de Cap-de-la-Madeleine - Archives nationales à Trois-Rivières," digital images, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/439059 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Cause entre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, habitant de l'arbre à la Croix, demandeur, contre Louis Bercier (Lebercier) en exécution d'un certain marché en date du 20 juin 1669, afin que soit payée la somme de 34 livres et 4 sols que ledit Bercier a reconnu devoir audit Brunet, en plus des dépens, ledit Brunet étant venu exprès et ledit Bercier n'ayant point comparu, ledit Bercier, défendeur et défaillant est condamné à payer au demandeur la somme de 34 livres et 4 sols, en plus des dépens, dommages et intérêts liquidés à quatre francs," 16 Jan 1673, reference TL6,D172-4, Id 433059.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/439062 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Cause entre Louis Bercier (Lebercier), demandeur comme opposant à l'exécution d'une sentence rendue contre lui par défaut le 16 janvier 1673, contre Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, défendeur et défaillant, la cause a été reportée afin que le défendeur soit présent," 23 Jan 1673, reference TL6,D172-7, Id 433062.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/439118 : accessed 2 Feb 2024), "Cause entre Jacques Leneuf, écuyer, sieur de la Poterie, demandeur, et Mathieu Brunet dit Lestang, défendeur, afin que le défendeur soit tenu de payer la somme de 38 livres en plus des frais et dépens, le défendeur affirme ne devoir que la somme de 32 livres, ledit défendeur est condamné à payer au demandeur la somme de 32 livres, en plus des dépens liquidés à 25 sols," 4 Sep 1673, reference TL6,D172-63, Id 439118.

• "Fonds Juridiction royale de Montréal - Archives nationales à Montréal," Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/697117 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Procès entre Jacques Pinguet, sieur de Vaucours, au nom de son frère Nicolas, sieur de Targis, demandeur, et Ignace Durand, Mathieu Brunet dit Létang et Paul Desmarais, défendeurs, pour dettes," 23 Aug 1695, reference TL4,S1,D130, Id 697117.

• Ibid. (https://advitam.banq.qc.ca/notice/697279 : accessed 3 Feb 2024), "Procès entre Jean Guyonnet dit Lafleur et Mathieu Brunet dit Létang, pour réclamation de droits cédés par les seigneurs de l'île de Montréal, à la suite d'arrérages de cens et rentes d'un emplacement situé sur la rue Chagouamigon," 21 May 1697-19 Jun 1697, reference TL4,S1,D208, Id 697279.

• "Recensement du Canada fait par l'intendant Du Chesneau," Library and Archives Canada (https://collectionscanada.gc.ca/ : accessed 2 Feb 2024), household of Mathieu Brunet, 14 Nov 1681, page 94, Québec, research aid MSS0446, MIKAN 2318858; citing original data: Centre des archives d'outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• Jacques Saintonge, Nos Ancêtres volume 4 (Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré, Éditions Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré, 1983), 145-146.

• "Ruelle Chagouamigon," Commission de toponymie du Québec (https://toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/Fiche.aspx?no_seq=213330 : accessed 3 Feb 2024).