Cliquez ici pour la version en français

 Jean Lacombe & Marie Charlotte Millet

From Périgord to Pointe-aux-Trembles: Tracing a Legacy in New France

Jean Lacombe, son of Étienne Lacombe and Marguerite Leroux (or Roux), was born around 1648 in Saint-Cybranet, in the old province of Périgord, France. His baptism record has not been found. [Though he is called Jean Baptiste in a handful of records, he normally went by Jean.]

Located about 130 kilometres east of Bordeaux, Saint-Cybranet is a rural commune in the present-day department of Dordogne, with a current population of fewer than 400 residents.

Arrival in New France

The details of Jean’s arrival in New France are unknown. He may have been a soldier in the Carignan-Salières Regiment sent to Canada in 1665. In 1675, Jean was cited as a resident of Fort Saint-Louis (later renamed Fort Chambly), suggesting a likely military or administrative role. His appearance the following year as a godfather in Sorel—another key military post—supports the hypothesis that he was connected to the colonial defence network, possibly as a soldier or related personnel.

The first mention of Jean in the Canadian public record is on October 15, 1673, when he received a land concession in Chambly in a location called côte de Montroyal, in the seigneurie of Chambly. The plot measured two arpents of frontage by forty arpents in depth. In return, Jean agreed to pay one sol per arpent of frontage in rente, plus [illegible] minots of wheat for each arpent, and [illegible] in cens. He was not able to sign the document.  

 On February 10, 1675, Jean was named the godfather of Jeanne Bénard in Boucherville. The baptism record indicates that both he and Jeanne’s parents, Mathurin Bénard and Marguerite Viard, were residents of Fort Saint-Louis.

Two years later, on July 22, 1677, Jean had notary Bénigne Basset dit Deslauriers draft a deed of donation of all his movable and immovable property to his goddaughter Jeanne, in case of his death. Jean was then recorded as a resident of Chambly.    

Jean did not remain in Chambly for long. On December 27, 1677, he purchased two plots of land from Pierre Richaume and Marthe Arnus on the island of Montréal in a place called Saint-François. In the notarial record, Jean is described as a domestic servant in Montréal.

Marie Charlotte Millet, daughter of Nicolas Millet dit Bosseron and Marie Catherine Lorion, was baptized on November 25, 1662, in the parish of Notre-Dame in Montréal. Her godparents were Alexandre Berange [Béranger] and Charlotte Chauvin. [The date of birth was not recorded in the baptism register.]  

Marie Charlotte’s father was a master carpenter and a soldier in the 17th squadron of Montréal’s Sainte-Famille militia. He arrived in New France in 1653 as part of the Grande Recrue (the Great Recruitment). Her mother was a fille à marier who arrived in New France in 1654.

Marriage and Family

Jean Lacombe and Marie Charlotte Millet had their marriage contract drawn up by notary Basset on January 4, 1678, at the home of Catherine Lorion in Montréal. Jean was recorded as an habitant in the seigneurie of the Island of Montréal. His late father was listed as a laboureur (ploughman). The contract followed the standards of the Coutume de Paris. Jean endowed his future spouse with a dower of 500 livres—the portion of property reserved by the husband for his wife in the event she outlived him. Jean also included his land on the Island of Montréal in the community of goods. Neither the bride nor the groom was able to sign the marriage contract.

The Coutume de Paris (Custom of Paris) governed the transmission of family property in New France. Whether or not a couple had a marriage contract, they were subject to the “community of goods,” meaning all property acquired during the marriage became part of the community. Upon the death of the parents, the community property was divided equally among all children, both sons and daughters. If one spouse died, the surviving spouse retained half of the community property, while the other half was shared among the children. When the surviving spouse passed away, their share was also divided equally among the children.

Jean and Marie Charlotte were married a few months later, on June 20, 1678, in the parish of Notre-Dame in Montréal. Jean was a 30-year-old habitant, while Marie Charlotte was 15. Among their witnesses were Mathurin Lorion (Marie Charlotte’s grandfather), Pierre Desautels dit Lapointe (her stepfather), Nicolas Millet (her brother), Antoine Regnaut [Renaud], Philippe Decarion dit Dufresnoy, and Jean Gervaise, former churchwarden. 

The couple had at least twelve children:

1. Marie Catherine (1681–1763)

2. Jean Baptiste (1683-1732)

3. Marie Madeleine (1685–1771)

4. Marie Catherine (1687–1770)

5. François (1690–1699)

6. Françoise (1692–1708)

7. Jean Baptiste (1696–1757)

8. Geneviève Anne (1700–1736)

9. [anonymous] (1702–1702)

10. Marie Marguerite (1704–1779), twin

11. Joseph (1704–1736), twin

12. Pierre (1707–1750)

Jean and Marie Charlotte were recorded in the 1681 census of New France, living in Montréal with their daughter Marie Catherine. They owned one gun, two head of cattle, and four arpents of “valuable” land (cleared or under cultivation). Marie Charlotte is listed under her father’s dit name, Beauseron.

Real Estate Transactions

Over their lifetime, Jean and Marie Charlotte were involved in numerous real estate transactions on the Island of Montréal, recorded by various notaries:

• April 1, 1686: Jean received a land concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, the owner and seigneur of the Island of Montréal, in côte Sainte-Anne.

• July 27, 1686: Jean, an habitant of côte Sainte-Anne on the Island of Montréal, exchanged a plot of land located in the censive of the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal for land located on côte Sainte-Anne and at Lac Sainte-Anne, with Nicolas Millet, carpenter (his brother-in-law).

• March 4, 1693: Jean, an habitant of the village of Pointe-aux-Trembles on the Island of Montréal, received a site concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, located in the village of Pointe-aux-Trembles, at the level of rue Sainte-Anne. 

• May 14, 1698: Jean, an habitant of côte Sainte-Anne, living at Pointe-aux-Trembles on the Island of Montréal, received another land concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, in côte Sainte-Anne.

• June 21, 1700: Jean and Marie Charlotte, residents of Pointe-aux-Trembles on the Island of Montréal, sold the title to a piece of land located at côte Saint-Jean to Jacques Millet, Marie Charlotte’s brother.  

• April 6, 1707: Jean received a land concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, in côte Saint-Léonard on the Island of Montréal.

• May 5, 1709: Jean and Marie Charlotte, residents of Pointe-aux-Trembles on the Island of Montréal, sold a plot of land located in côte Saint-Léonard to Jacques Lebaye [Beique] dit Lafleur.

• May 5, 1709: Jean, a resident of côte Saint-Léonard, purchased a plot of land located in côte Saint-Léonard from Laurent Archambault.

• March 18, 1713: Jean and Marie Charlotte, residents of Pointe-aux-Trembles, sold a site located in the village of Pointe-aux-Trembles to master blacksmith Joseph Sénécal.

• May 23, 1714: Jean, a resident of côte Saint-Léonard, received a land concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, in côte Saint-Léonard on the Island of Montréal (on the north-west side of the village).

• August 26, 1716: Jean, a resident of côte Saint-Léonard, received another land concession from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice de Montréal, in côte Saint-Léonard on the Island of Montréal.

• January 28, 1718: Jean, a resident of côte Saint-Léonard, purchased a plot of land located in côte Saint-Joseph in Rivière-des-Prairies on the Island of Montréal, from mason Jean Baptiste Deguire dit Larose and his wife Marie Madeleine Coiteux.

Jean’s Final Years

On May 31, 1719, Jean and Marie Charlotte asked notary Michel-Laferté Lepailleur to draft an agreement with their son Jean Baptiste and his wife Marguerite Diel. Curiously, the act was written as an engagement (a work contract). Jean, said to be over eighty years old [though he was likely in his seventies], stated that he could no longer work the land he owned and had resorted to hiring domestic servants. In the notarial deed, Jean sold a plot of land measuring one arpent of frontage by forty arpents deep to his son for 2,000 livres. Presumably, Jean Baptiste was expected to continue cultivating the land [the notary’s handwriting is challenging to read].  

In 1728, Jean began putting his final affairs in order. On April 20, 1728, he dictated his last will and testament. The document contained the usual language regarding his wishes as a “good Christian,” with instructions that his debts be paid first. He wished for his body to be buried in the parish cemetery of Pointe-aux-Trembles, where he resided. He bequeathed 300 livres to the parish of Saint-Enfant-Jésus in Pointe-aux-Trembles, requesting that masses be said for the repose of his soul.

On July 26, 1728, two additional deeds were recorded:

• Jean and Marie Charlotte divided a plot of land at Pointe-aux-Trembles among their children and their spouses.

• Jean Baptiste Lacombe, son of Jean and Marie Charlotte, purchased part of the aforementioned land from his siblings.

Death of Jean Lacombe

Jean Lacombe died at the age of about 84. He was buried on September 17, 1732, in the parish cemetery of Saint-Joseph in Rivière-des-Prairies. [The burial record erroneously states that he was “about 95.”]

Marie Charlotte’s Final Years

Marie Charlotte’s name appears in two final notarial documents in 1748.

• March 26, 1748: Marie Charlotte, a resident of Pointe-aux-Trembles, sold her rights to a plot of land on the Richelieu River to Antoine Codér [Coderre?].

• March 27, 1748 : Marie Charlotte, a resident of Point-aux-Trembles, donated sums of money to her sons Jean Baptiste and Pierre (and their spouses).

Death of Marie Charlotte Millet

Marie Charlotte Millet died at the age of 88 on May 15, 1751, at the home of her son Jean Baptiste. She was buried two days later in the parish cemetery of Saint-Enfant-Jésus in Pointe-aux-Trembles. [The burial record states that she was “about 87.”]

A Lasting Footprint in Early Québec

Jean Lacombe and Marie Charlotte Millet exemplify the transition from immigrant settler to established colonial family in New France. Jean, having arrived in the colony by the early 1670s, became an habitant on the Island of Montréal. Over the decades, he acquired land, raised a large family, and took part in the local economy and parish life. Marie Charlotte, born in Montréal to a master carpenter and a fille à marier, represents the first generation of Canadiennes—children born and raised in the colony. Together, Jean and Marie Charlotte navigated the legal and social structures of New France, laying the foundation for a large network of descendants whose roots trace back to the seigneurial lands of Pointe-aux-Trembles.

Sources:

• “Le LAFRANCE (Baptêmes, Mariages, Sépultures)," database and digital images, Généalogie Québec (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/2055 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), baptism of Jeanne Bernard, 10 Feb 1675, Boucherville (Ste-Famille).

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/39700 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), baptism of Marie Charlotte Millet, 25 Nov 1662, Montréal (Notre-Dame-de-Montréal).

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/47431 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), marriage of Jean Lacombes and Marie Charlotte Millet, 20 Jun 1678, Montréal (Notre-Dame-de-Montréal).

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/113750 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), burial of Jean Baptiste Lacombe, 17 Sep 1732, Montréal, Rivière-des-Prairies (St-Joseph). 

• Ibid. (https://www.genealogiequebec.com/Membership/LAFRANCE/acte/271201 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), burial of Marie Charles Millet, 17 May 1751, Montréal, Pointe-aux-Trembles (St-Enfant-Jésus). 

• "Recensement du Canada fait par l'intendant Du Chesneau," digital images, Library and Archives Canada (https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/CollectionSearch/Pages/record.aspx?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=2318858&new=-8585855146497784530 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), household of Jean Lacomble, 14 Nov 1681, Montréal, page 132 (of PDF), Finding aid no. MSS0446, MIKAN no. 2318858; citing original data: Centre des archives d'outre-mer (France) vol. 460.

• "Actes de notaire, 1668-1714 // Antoine Adhémar," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTS-691D-6?cat=541271&i=2429&lang=en : accessed 5 Jun 2025), land concession to Jean Lacombe, 15 Oct 1673 ; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• "Actes de notaire, 1657-1699 // Bénigne Basset," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CST7-2WFF-N?cat=426906&i=545&lang=en : accessed 5 Jun 2025), marriage contract between Jean Lacombe and Marie Charlotte Milet, 4 Jan 1678 ; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• "Actes de notaire, 1701-1732 // Michel-Laferté Lepailleur," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C344-9SBF-8?cat=538127&i=667&lang=en : accessed 5 Jun 2025), work contract between Jean Lacombe and Marie Millet, and their son Jean Baptiste, 31 May 1719; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• "Actes de notaire, 1704-1731 // Nicolas Senet," digital images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTW-D79Z-W?cat=529332&i=1794&lang=en : accessed 5 Jun 2025), testament of Jean Lacombe, 20 Apr 1728; citing original data : Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

• Parchemin, notarial database of ancient Québec (1626-1801), Société de recherche historique Archiv-Histo (https://archiv-histo.com : accessed 5 Jun  2025), "Donation en cas de mort de biens meubles et immeubles; par Jean Lacombe, de la seigneurie de Chambly, à Jeanne Besnard, sa filleule absente, à ce présent stipulant et acceptant pour elle Mathurin Besnard, de la seigneurie de Chambly, son père," 22 Jul 1677, notary B. Basset dit Deslauriers.

• Ibid., " Vente de deux terres situées en l'île de Montréal au lieudit St François; par Pierre Richome, habitant et Marthe Arnus, son épouse, de la seigneurie de Repentigny, à Jean Lacombe, serviteur domestique, de Montreal," 27 Dec 1677, notary B. Basset dit Deslauriers.

• Ibid., "Concession de terre située au lieudit la côte Ste Anne en l'île de Montréal; 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 Jean Lacombe," 1 Apr 1686, notary C. Maugue.

• Ibid., "Echange de terres situées en la côte Sainte Anne et d'une terre située au lieudit le lac Sainte Anne en retour d'une terre située en la censive du Séminaire de St Sulpice de Montréal entre Nicolas Millet, charpentier, de la côte Sainte Anne; et Jean Lacombe, habitant, de la côte Sainte Anne en l'île de Montréal," 27 Jul 1686, notary H. Bourgine.

• Ibid., "Concession d'un emplacement situé dans le bourg de la Pointe au Tremble sur le niveau de la rue Ste Anne; par le Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, à Jean Lacombe, habitant, du bourg de la Pointe aux Trembles en l'île de Montréal," 4 Mar 1693, notary A. Adhémar de Saint-Martin.

• Ibid., "Concession de terre située à la côte Ste Anne en l'île de Montréal; 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 Jean Lacombe, habitant de la côte Ste-Anne, demeurant à la Pointe aux Trembles en l'île de Montréal," 14 May 1698, notary A. Adhémar de Saint-Martin.

• Ibid., "Vente de prétentions dans une terre située en l'île de Montréal à la côte St Jean; par Jean Lacombe et Marie Milhet, son épouse, de la Pointe aux Trembles en l'île de Montréal, à Jacques Milhet, de la côte St Martin en l'île de Montréal, frère de ladite Milhet," 21 Jun 1700, notary A. Adhémar de Saint-Martin.

• Ibid., "Concession d'une terre située à la côte St Leonard en l'île de Montréal; 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 Jean Lacomble," 6 Apr 1707, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Vente de terre située à la côte St Leonard; par Jean Lacomble et Marie Millet, son épouse, de la Pointe au Tremble en l'île de Montreal, à Jacques Lebaye dit Lafleur, de la côte St Leonard en l'île de Montréal," 5 May 1709, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Vente de terre située à la côte St Leonard; par Laurent Archambault, de la Pointe au Tramble dans l'île de Montreal, à Jean Lacomble, de la côte St Leonard en l'île de Montréal," 5 May 1709, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Vente d'un emplacement situé dans le bourg de la Pointe au Tremble; par Jean Lacomble et Marie Millet, son épouse, de la Pointe au Tremble, à Joseph Senecal, maître forgeron, de la Pointe au Tremble," 18 Mar 1713, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Concession de terre située à la côte St Leonnard en l'île de Montréal du côté du nord-ouest de la commune; par le Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, seigneur propriétaire de l'île de Montréal, à Jean Lacombe, de St Leonnard," 23 May 1714, notary P. Raimbault.

• Ibid., "Concession d'une terre située à la côte St Leonard en l'île de Montréal; par le Séminaire de St-Sulpice de Montréal, seigneur propriétaire de l'île de Montréal, à Jean Lacombe, de St Leonard," 26 Aug 1716, notary P. Raimbault.

• Ibid., "Vente d'une terre située à la côte de St Joseph de la Riviere des Prairies en l'île de Montréal; par Jean-Baptiste Deguire dit Larose, maçon et Marie-Madeleine Coiteux, son épouse, de l'île de Montréal, à Jean Lacombe, de la côte St Leonnard en l'île de Montréal," 28 Jan 1718, notary P. Raimbault.

• Ibid., "Partage d'une terre située à la Pointe au Tremble; par Jean Lacomble et Marie Millet, son épouse, de la Pointe au Tremble, entre Geneviève Lacomble, Jean Lacomble, Baptiste Lacomble, Simon Allard et Catherine Lacomble, son épouse, Pierre Archambault et Marie Lacomble, son épouse, Augustin Maguet et Madeleine Lacomble, son épouse, Louis Baudry et Marguerite Lacomble, son épouse, Joseph Lacomble et Pierre Lacomble, leurs enfants et gendres," 26 Jul 1728, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Vente de parts de terre situées à la Pointe au Tremble; par Jean Lacomble, de la Rivière des Prairies, Pierre Archambault et Marie Lacomble, son épouse, de la Rivier des Presries, Simon Allard et Catherine Lacomble, son épouse, de la Rivière des Prairies, Augustin Maguet et Madeleine Lacomble, son épouse, de la Rivière des Prairies, et Louis Baudry et Marguerite Lacomble, son épouse, de la rivière de Lassomption, à Baptiste Lacomble, leur frère et beau-frère," 26 Jul 1728, notary N. Senet dit Laliberté.

• Ibid., "Vente de droits sur une terre située à la rivière du Richelieu; par Marie Millet, veuve de Jean Lacomble, de la Pointe aux Trembles, à Antoine Codér, de la rivière du Richelieux.," 26 Mar 1748, notary F. Comparet.

• Ibid., "Donation de sommes d'argent; par Marie Millet, veuve de Jean Lacomble, de la Pointe aux Trembles, à Jean-Baptiste Lacomble et Madeleine Vaine, son épouse, de la Pointe aux Trembles, et Pierre Lacomble et Catherine Galipaux, son épouse, de la Pointe aux Trembles, ses enfants et brus," 27 Mar 1748, notary F. Comparet.

• Université de Montréal, Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH) database (https://www-prdh-igd.com/Membership/fr/PRDH/Individu/45843 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), dictionary entry for Jean Baptiste Lacombe, person 45843.

• Université de Montréal, Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH) database (https://www-prdh-igd.com/Membership/fr/PRDH/Famille/4734 : accessed 5 Jun 2025), dictionary entry for Jean Baptiste LACOMBE and Marie Charlotte MILLET, union 4734.