Saturday, February 5, 2011
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section Three: Ancestral Documents & Signatures
In italics below appears an English translation of the deed to the property obtained in 1650 by Louis Gasnier (1612-1661). This was a form of "homesteading" in which the owner received eventual clear title to the property in return for living on it and establishing a residence there. It was a way of building up the economy of the region and more specifically bringing business to the mill later operated by Olivier LeTardif.
"I, Olivier LeTardif, associate in the Beaupre Company for a one eighth share, in my name as well as special and general counsel to Messrs. Berruyer and Cheffault, responsible for the operation of said company by an act passed before Morel and Vasseur, notaries in the district of Paris, the seventeenth day of April, 1646, recognized to have deeded under manorial lease, payable each year on the festival of St. Martin in winter, to Louis Gaigner, the number of five arpents of land, in field and woods, along the great river St. Lawrence with 10 perches of frontage for each arpent and with a depth of up to four and one half miles, situated between land belonging to Pierre Picard on one side and nondeeded land on the other side along the great river, the remaining land borders on nondeeded property; provided that he is to establish residence there himself, or for someone else, in the current year and to pay on the day of Saint Martin in winter, for each arpent of land along the great river the sum of 20 sous in manorial lease and 12 deniers in fees and tithes when the lease takes effect, and for the said deed, two live capons or twenty sous for each capon at the choice and option of me, LeTardif, and of my successors having the right to the said position in the manorial residence of said Beaupre or other location where I happen to reside.
The said lease includes lots, seizures, and foreclosures according to the customs of the provost and viscounty of Paris, should occasion arise. Said Louis Gaigner may not hunt or fish on the present deed without the consent of his neighbors. There is to be a path 15 feet wide from one end of his holdings to the other and along the great river to serve as a path for navigation. In case the said LeTardif builds a mill, said Gaigner will be required to take his grain there to be milled. The common meadows that are in front of his property may not be mowed to his profit. To avoid any disputes and to maintain peace among his holdings, said Louis Gaigner is to gradually enclose his lands as they are cleared; in case this is not done, said Gaigner may not derive any benefit from the damages or offenses that his livestock may cause his neighbors.
He and his rightful heirs are to use and dispose of this deeded property as they see fit.
Accorded in witness thereof, I have signed the present deed in Quebec the 20th day of October,1650
--- signed LeTardif with initials.
attached to the original in parchment by me. Paul Vachon, notary in Beaupre Manor and in other areas, ect. The original returned this 25th day of May, 1668. P.Vachon, Notary. The reason for the copy made was omitted -
A copy was given to me for the execution of the ordinance of Monseigneur Talon, made April 9, 1666
-- signed Bequet with initials.
******
1661 INVENTORY OF POSSESSIONS
OF THE LATE
LOUIS GASNIER
AND OF
MARIE MICHEL
(Auber, Notary July 14, 1661 No. 85)
Today, Monday, the fourteenth day of July, One Thousand Six hundred Sixty One, at Chateau Richer, by verbal order of Monsieur the Governor, we, Jean Cochon, tax collector in the coast and manor of Beaupre, aided by our clerk, have taken inventory of the property and possessions remaining after the decease of the late Louis Gasnier, represented to us through Marie Michel, widow of said Louis Gasnier and estimated by Sir Francois Bellanger and Julien Fortin, Lord in part of the said coast and manor.
Thus there is as follows:
Two dairy cows estimated at 120 Francs
Two heifers, two years old, past age for veal est at 100f
One ox for service, est at 120f
Two young bulls, at end of usefulness for veal, est at 60
Two veal calves born this year est at 40f
4 large pigs est at
5 other small suckling pigs est at 100s each
1 plow equipped with a pair of wheels, total est at
1 old boat with its sail, cord and anchor, est at
3 beds, bolsters and pillows with a night stand, total est at
2 bedcovers est at 40
3 old covers est at 12f
2 old tablecloths and six napkins est. at 12f
2 pots, 1 frying pan, 1 grill, 1 skewer, 2 ladles - total est at
1 plate with a burner est at 10f
1 ripsaw and 1 crosscut saw, both with handles est at 155s
One old thresher est at 40s
Two small rifles and one pistol est at 50f
Several small axes and a hoe with a large axe, total est at 20f
A suit, already old and 4 shirts all for men's use, used by said deceased, total est at 30f
Item: Declared that the widow has ten minots (39 liters = 1 minot) of grain (wheat) left as food for her and her children until the next harvest.
Item: All possessions have been left with the widow to produce them on demand. She has been approved and guaranteed for this by Claude Bouchard, son-in-law of the late Louis Gasnier and said widow. For this, each shall be responsible for all their possessions and inheritances, present and future and those of their heirs.
In the presence of Simon Guion, living in said manor and Annet Villain, called LaMeneyre as witnesses.
(signed)
Villian
Simon Guion
F. Bellanger
Cochon
X of said Sir Fortin
X of said widow
Auber, notary
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section Three: Ancestral Documents & Signatures
In italics below appears an English translation of the deed to the property obtained in 1650 by Louis Gasnier (1612-1661). This was a form of "homesteading" in which the owner received eventual clear title to the property in return for living on it and establishing a residence there. It was a way of building up the economy of the region and more specifically bringing business to the mill later operated by Olivier LeTardif.
"I, Olivier LeTardif, associate in the Beaupre Company for a one eighth share, in my name as well as special and general counsel to Messrs. Berruyer and Cheffault, responsible for the operation of said company by an act passed before Morel and Vasseur, notaries in the district of Paris, the seventeenth day of April, 1646, recognized to have deeded under manorial lease, payable each year on the festival of St. Martin in winter, to Louis Gaigner, the number of five arpents of land, in field and woods, along the great river St. Lawrence with 10 perches of frontage for each arpent and with a depth of up to four and one half miles, situated between land belonging to Pierre Picard on one side and nondeeded land on the other side along the great river, the remaining land borders on nondeeded property; provided that he is to establish residence there himself, or for someone else, in the current year and to pay on the day of Saint Martin in winter, for each arpent of land along the great river the sum of 20 sous in manorial lease and 12 deniers in fees and tithes when the lease takes effect, and for the said deed, two live capons or twenty sous for each capon at the choice and option of me, LeTardif, and of my successors having the right to the said position in the manorial residence of said Beaupre or other location where I happen to reside.
The said lease includes lots, seizures, and foreclosures according to the customs of the provost and viscounty of Paris, should occasion arise. Said Louis Gaigner may not hunt or fish on the present deed without the consent of his neighbors. There is to be a path 15 feet wide from one end of his holdings to the other and along the great river to serve as a path for navigation. In case the said LeTardif builds a mill, said Gaigner will be required to take his grain there to be milled. The common meadows that are in front of his property may not be mowed to his profit. To avoid any disputes and to maintain peace among his holdings, said Louis Gaigner is to gradually enclose his lands as they are cleared; in case this is not done, said Gaigner may not derive any benefit from the damages or offenses that his livestock may cause his neighbors.
He and his rightful heirs are to use and dispose of this deeded property as they see fit.
Accorded in witness thereof, I have signed the present deed in Quebec the 20th day of October,1650
--- signed LeTardif with initials.
attached to the original in parchment by me. Paul Vachon, notary in Beaupre Manor and in other areas, ect. The original returned this 25th day of May, 1668. P.Vachon, Notary. The reason for the copy made was omitted -
A copy was given to me for the execution of the ordinance of Monseigneur Talon, made April 9, 1666
-- signed Bequet with initials.
******
1661 INVENTORY OF POSSESSIONS
OF THE LATE
LOUIS GASNIER
AND OF
MARIE MICHEL
(Auber, Notary July 14, 1661 No. 85)
Today, Monday, the fourteenth day of July, One Thousand Six hundred Sixty One, at Chateau Richer, by verbal order of Monsieur the Governor, we, Jean Cochon, tax collector in the coast and manor of Beaupre, aided by our clerk, have taken inventory of the property and possessions remaining after the decease of the late Louis Gasnier, represented to us through Marie Michel, widow of said Louis Gasnier and estimated by Sir Francois Bellanger and Julien Fortin, Lord in part of the said coast and manor.
Thus there is as follows:
Two dairy cows estimated at 120 Francs
Two heifers, two years old, past age for veal est at 100f
One ox for service, est at 120f
Two young bulls, at end of usefulness for veal, est at 60
Two veal calves born this year est at 40f
4 large pigs est at
5 other small suckling pigs est at 100s each
1 plow equipped with a pair of wheels, total est at
1 old boat with its sail, cord and anchor, est at
3 beds, bolsters and pillows with a night stand, total est at
2 bedcovers est at 40
3 old covers est at 12f
2 old tablecloths and six napkins est. at 12f
2 pots, 1 frying pan, 1 grill, 1 skewer, 2 ladles - total est at
1 plate with a burner est at 10f
1 ripsaw and 1 crosscut saw, both with handles est at 155s
One old thresher est at 40s
Two small rifles and one pistol est at 50f
Several small axes and a hoe with a large axe, total est at 20f
A suit, already old and 4 shirts all for men's use, used by said deceased, total est at 30f
Item: Declared that the widow has ten minots (39 liters = 1 minot) of grain (wheat) left as food for her and her children until the next harvest.
Item: All possessions have been left with the widow to produce them on demand. She has been approved and guaranteed for this by Claude Bouchard, son-in-law of the late Louis Gasnier and said widow. For this, each shall be responsible for all their possessions and inheritances, present and future and those of their heirs.
In the presence of Simon Guion, living in said manor and Annet Villain, called LaMeneyre as witnesses.
(signed)
Villian
Simon Guion
F. Bellanger
Cochon
X of said Sir Fortin
X of said widow
Auber, notary
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
THE FIRST FARM, 1646
On October 27, 1646 Louis and Marie leased a farm on the Saint Lawrence River at Cap Tourmente near the town of Saint Joachim. The farm was known as La Ferme Saint-Charles or La Grande Ferme. The owner was the "Company of New France." Its local representative was Olivier LeTardif, who on March 27, 1647 served as godfather for Louis and Marie's son, Pierre.
THE ANCESTRAL LAND, 1650 AND THE FIRST HOUSE, 1653
Later, on October 20, 1650 the Company of Beaupre granted him a concession for lot number 96 on the coast of the St. Lawrence River. He was required to build a house on the property not later than the following year. The text of his deed to this land is given later in this presentation.
There is a house on this property built on the original foundations built by Louis in 1653. The current address of the house is 432 Cote Ste. Anne in the town of Sainte Anne de Beaupre, Quebec. The original house measured 24 by 22 feet including walls two feet thick.
The present owners of this house enjoy dramatic views of the countryside. The house sits on a cliff overlooking the Saint Lawrence River valley. From the back porch of this house, facing south, you can see the Isle of Orleans in the St. Lawrence River. To the left, facing east, the river continues to the Atlantic. To the right, facing west, is the rear of the great Basilica of Sainte Anne de Beaupre.
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
THE FIRST FARM, 1646
On October 27, 1646 Louis and Marie leased a farm on the Saint Lawrence River at Cap Tourmente near the town of Saint Joachim. The farm was known as La Ferme Saint-Charles or La Grande Ferme. The owner was the "Company of New France." Its local representative was Olivier LeTardif, who on March 27, 1647 served as godfather for Louis and Marie's son, Pierre.
THE ANCESTRAL LAND, 1650 AND THE FIRST HOUSE, 1653
Later, on October 20, 1650 the Company of Beaupre granted him a concession for lot number 96 on the coast of the St. Lawrence River. He was required to build a house on the property not later than the following year. The text of his deed to this land is given later in this presentation.
There is a house on this property built on the original foundations built by Louis in 1653. The current address of the house is 432 Cote Ste. Anne in the town of Sainte Anne de Beaupre, Quebec. The original house measured 24 by 22 feet including walls two feet thick.
The present owners of this house enjoy dramatic views of the countryside. The house sits on a cliff overlooking the Saint Lawrence River valley. From the back porch of this house, facing south, you can see the Isle of Orleans in the St. Lawrence River. To the left, facing east, the river continues to the Atlantic. To the right, facing west, is the rear of the great Basilica of Sainte Anne de Beaupre.
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section Two: Settlement in New France
THE FAMILY ROOTS IN NORTH AMERICA
Most of the Gagne & Gagnier, etc. families in North America are descended from one of the two brothers, Pierre and Louis Gasnier. They were born in Ige, France, a town 100 miles or 160 Kilometers southwest of Paris, and 50 miles or 80 kilometers west of Chartres.
THE FIRST EMIGRANTS - 1644
Louis Gasnier, the younger brother, emigrated first. He was born in 1612 at Ige, France. He was married to Marie Michel at Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Belleme on June 11, 1638. They had a daughter, Louise, who came to New France with them. Their remaining seven children were born in Quebec. They had a son, Louis, born in 1639, fate unknown. This child probably died in infancy since they named another son Louis, born in Quebec in 1651.
HISTORY OF THE GASNIER BROTHERS, THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN
Louis Gasnier, the younger of the two brothers, arrived in Quebec in 1644 with his wife, Marie Michel and their infant daughter, Louise. The other children were born in Quebec. There are no official records of the death and burial of Louis Gasnier. However, there is much circumstantial evidence about the manner of his death.
On July 14, 1661, there was, "by verbal order of Monsieur the Governor" an official
"inventory of the property and possessions remaining after the decease of the late Louis Gasnier."
The inventory was witnessed by the notary Auber, and was signed with an "X" by the "said widow," Marie Michel. She would have been 41 years old and the mother of 8 living children at that time. A translation of this inventory can be found later in this text.
It is said that Louis was among eight persons captured and killed by the Mohawks at Auriesville, New York. Auriesville today is the site of the Shrine of the North American Martyrs northwest of Albany at Thruway Exit 28. A neighbor, Louis Guimont, was killed at Auriesville according to a letter dated June 8, 1661 in the Jesuit Relations, a multivolume history of the missionaries of that era. A similar postmortem inventory was done on the goods of Louis Guimont on the same date as that of Louis Gasnier, July 14, 1661, leading one to believe that the circumstances of their deaths were similar.
Marie Michel Gasnier was born in 1620, the daughter of Pierre Michel and Louise Gory. After the apparent death of her husband Louis Gasnier, she remarried in September, 1666 to Paul DeRainville. They had no children. She died on November 12, 1687.
Nine Children of Louis Gasnier and Marie Michel Gasnier:
1. Louis, baptized at Notre Dame de Vair, France September 8, 1639, fate unknown, perhaps died in infancy since another child born later was also named Louis.
2. Louise, born at Ige, France January 21, 1642. As an infant, she came to New France (Quebec) with her parents in 1644. She married Claude Bouchard. As a widow she passed her property to her children on October 16, 1706. She died April 21, 1721 and was buried at Baie-St-Paul.
3. Marie, born at Quebec September 20, 1644. She was the first Gagne born in the New World. Married January 26, 1659 to Andre Berthelot, married July 30, 1690 to Jacques Abelin, died at St. Anne de Beaupre November 19, 1717
4. Pierre, born at Quebec March 27, 1647, married October 28, 1668 to Louise Faure
5. Olivier, born at Cap Tourmente May 7, 1649, married November 8, 1679 to Isabelle Pepin
6. Louis, born at Quebec July 7, 1651, married Marie Gagnon, died at Chateau-Richer June 24, 1698
7. Anne, born at Quebec October 27, 1653, married September 11, 1670 to Francois Lacroix
8. Ignace, born at Quebec March 12, 1656. Records show that an emergency Baptism was performed on that date at the Gasnier home by a Jesuit, Father Ragueneau. Married November 5, 1680 to Barbe Dodier, married November 6, 1689 to Louise Tremblay
9. Joachim, born in 1660. Married at Beauport January 12, 1682 to Louise Marcoux, died at Beauport February 7, 1688
The older of the two brothers, Pierre Gasnier, was born at Ige, France in 1610. He married in 1639 to Marguerite Rosee. In 1653, they emigrated to Quebec with three sons: Louis, Pierre and Nicholas. Marguerite was pregnant with their child, Marguerite. Pierre Gasnier died of recurring fevers on May 1, 1656.
Six Children of Pierre Gasnier and Marguerite Rosee Gasnier:
1. Jacques, born March 3, 1640 at St. Cosme-de-Vair, France, died in France.
2. Jean, twin of Jacques, died November 14, 1648.
3. Louis, born at St. Cosme-de-Vair, France January 28, 1643. Confirmed at Chateau-Richer, Quebec February 2, 1660, married at St. Anne de Beaupre October 4, 1673 to Louise Picard. Louis, third son of Pierre, obtained a title of Signeur as Lord of the Fresnaye and with it a new name, Bellavance. He chose to give his property at Cap-Saint-Ignace the name La Fresnaye
after a manor located near his former village in France. He is the ancestor of the Bellavance line.
4. Pierre, born at St. Cosme de Vair February 24, 1645. married November 19, 1670 to Catherine Daubigeon. He was the first Captain of La Prairie.
5. Nicholas, born at Courcival, France January 29, 1651, died unmarried and was buried at Montreal September 8, 1687.
6. Marguerite, born at Quebec September 14, 1653, married January 10, 1667 to Martial Sauton, married September 4, 1673 to Pierre Lefebvre.
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section Two: Settlement in New France
THE FAMILY ROOTS IN NORTH AMERICA
Most of the Gagne & Gagnier, etc. families in North America are descended from one of the two brothers, Pierre and Louis Gasnier. They were born in Ige, France, a town 100 miles or 160 Kilometers southwest of Paris, and 50 miles or 80 kilometers west of Chartres.
THE FIRST EMIGRANTS - 1644
Louis Gasnier, the younger brother, emigrated first. He was born in 1612 at Ige, France. He was married to Marie Michel at Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Belleme on June 11, 1638. They had a daughter, Louise, who came to New France with them. Their remaining seven children were born in Quebec. They had a son, Louis, born in 1639, fate unknown. This child probably died in infancy since they named another son Louis, born in Quebec in 1651.
HISTORY OF THE GASNIER BROTHERS, THEIR WIVES AND CHILDREN
Louis Gasnier, the younger of the two brothers, arrived in Quebec in 1644 with his wife, Marie Michel and their infant daughter, Louise. The other children were born in Quebec. There are no official records of the death and burial of Louis Gasnier. However, there is much circumstantial evidence about the manner of his death.
On July 14, 1661, there was, "by verbal order of Monsieur the Governor" an official
"inventory of the property and possessions remaining after the decease of the late Louis Gasnier."
The inventory was witnessed by the notary Auber, and was signed with an "X" by the "said widow," Marie Michel. She would have been 41 years old and the mother of 8 living children at that time. A translation of this inventory can be found later in this text.
It is said that Louis was among eight persons captured and killed by the Mohawks at Auriesville, New York. Auriesville today is the site of the Shrine of the North American Martyrs northwest of Albany at Thruway Exit 28. A neighbor, Louis Guimont, was killed at Auriesville according to a letter dated June 8, 1661 in the Jesuit Relations, a multivolume history of the missionaries of that era. A similar postmortem inventory was done on the goods of Louis Guimont on the same date as that of Louis Gasnier, July 14, 1661, leading one to believe that the circumstances of their deaths were similar.
Marie Michel Gasnier was born in 1620, the daughter of Pierre Michel and Louise Gory. After the apparent death of her husband Louis Gasnier, she remarried in September, 1666 to Paul DeRainville. They had no children. She died on November 12, 1687.
Nine Children of Louis Gasnier and Marie Michel Gasnier:
1. Louis, baptized at Notre Dame de Vair, France September 8, 1639, fate unknown, perhaps died in infancy since another child born later was also named Louis.
2. Louise, born at Ige, France January 21, 1642. As an infant, she came to New France (Quebec) with her parents in 1644. She married Claude Bouchard. As a widow she passed her property to her children on October 16, 1706. She died April 21, 1721 and was buried at Baie-St-Paul.
3. Marie, born at Quebec September 20, 1644. She was the first Gagne born in the New World. Married January 26, 1659 to Andre Berthelot, married July 30, 1690 to Jacques Abelin, died at St. Anne de Beaupre November 19, 1717
4. Pierre, born at Quebec March 27, 1647, married October 28, 1668 to Louise Faure
5. Olivier, born at Cap Tourmente May 7, 1649, married November 8, 1679 to Isabelle Pepin
6. Louis, born at Quebec July 7, 1651, married Marie Gagnon, died at Chateau-Richer June 24, 1698
7. Anne, born at Quebec October 27, 1653, married September 11, 1670 to Francois Lacroix
8. Ignace, born at Quebec March 12, 1656. Records show that an emergency Baptism was performed on that date at the Gasnier home by a Jesuit, Father Ragueneau. Married November 5, 1680 to Barbe Dodier, married November 6, 1689 to Louise Tremblay
9. Joachim, born in 1660. Married at Beauport January 12, 1682 to Louise Marcoux, died at Beauport February 7, 1688
The older of the two brothers, Pierre Gasnier, was born at Ige, France in 1610. He married in 1639 to Marguerite Rosee. In 1653, they emigrated to Quebec with three sons: Louis, Pierre and Nicholas. Marguerite was pregnant with their child, Marguerite. Pierre Gasnier died of recurring fevers on May 1, 1656.
Six Children of Pierre Gasnier and Marguerite Rosee Gasnier:
1. Jacques, born March 3, 1640 at St. Cosme-de-Vair, France, died in France.
2. Jean, twin of Jacques, died November 14, 1648.
3. Louis, born at St. Cosme-de-Vair, France January 28, 1643. Confirmed at Chateau-Richer, Quebec February 2, 1660, married at St. Anne de Beaupre October 4, 1673 to Louise Picard. Louis, third son of Pierre, obtained a title of Signeur as Lord of the Fresnaye and with it a new name, Bellavance. He chose to give his property at Cap-Saint-Ignace the name La Fresnaye
after a manor located near his former village in France. He is the ancestor of the Bellavance line.
4. Pierre, born at St. Cosme de Vair February 24, 1645. married November 19, 1670 to Catherine Daubigeon. He was the first Captain of La Prairie.
5. Nicholas, born at Courcival, France January 29, 1651, died unmarried and was buried at Montreal September 8, 1687.
6. Marguerite, born at Quebec September 14, 1653, married January 10, 1667 to Martial Sauton, married September 4, 1673 to Pierre Lefebvre.
At left is a photo of the Water Mill in France where Louis Gasnier (1612-1661)
lived and worked for several years before emigrating to New France in 1644.
The photo at the right shows the coach house.
The property is now a working farm.
These two digital photos were taken by Father Gagnier on October 11, 1999.
The Water-Mill of Guemancais is situated at the boundary of St. Cosme-en-Vairais Commune (Sarthe) in France, located near the Department Road D-301, leading to Bonnetable.
The date is uncertain but this mill would have been built in the 15th or 16th century.
Louis Gasnier (1612-1661), had first used it together with his father, then by himself until his departure for New France in 1644.
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section One: Origins of the Family in France
THE SURNAME
The original spelling of the name used in France was Gasnier. This name, in its various spellings, is the tenth most common name in the Province of Quebec today! The most common spelling is Gagne.
Some have tried to interpret a "meaning" to the name. I was told by a high school French teacher that the name meant "winner." Linguistically, this is a bit of a stretch. The French verb "gagner" means "to win" or "to earn." Therefore, the derived noun "gagnier" could mean a "winner" or "earner." However, the correct word for "winner" in French is "gagnant."
THE FIRST GENERATION
Below appears in italics a translation of the marriage contract of
Louis Gasnier (1612-1661) and Marie Michel (1620-1687),
who were the first of the family to emigrate from France to the New World.
The contract was signed on June 11, 1638 and the wedding was on June 11, 1638
at the Church of Saint Martin in the town of Saint Martin-du-vieux-Belleme, France.
Marriage Contract of Louis Gasnier and Marie Michel.
Passed before notary Regnard 11 June 1638.
"On the 11th day of June one thousand six hundred thirty-eight were present in their persons Loys Gasnier, miller, residing at the Courtoulin mill, parish of Saint-Côme-de-Vair, accompanied by Jean Dubois, his uncle and Pierre Gasnier, his brother residing in said parish, on one side.
And Marye Michel, daughter of the deceased Pierre Michel and Loyse Gory, in life her father and mother residing in Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Bellême, accompanied and escorted by René Michel, her brother and Pierre Guene, her brother-in-law living in said parish of Saint-Martin, accompanied as well by Julien Guillochon, her first cousin, on the other side, both of whom promised to take one another faithfully in loyal marriage, if God and Our Holy Mother Church give their consent and accord, and to be married before this latter, as soon as doing so is possible or should one by the other be required.
In contemplation of which marriage said Gasnier has endowed and does endow by these presents said Michel with the customary dower; promising, etc.
Passed in the town of Igé, house of the Juryman; Jehan Petitbon and René Carré, cobbler, present."
Signatories: L. Gasnier, R. Michel, J. Guillochon, Regnard.
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
www.gagnier.org
Section One: Origins of the Family in France
THE SURNAME
The original spelling of the name used in France was Gasnier. This name, in its various spellings, is the tenth most common name in the Province of Quebec today! The most common spelling is Gagne.
Some have tried to interpret a "meaning" to the name. I was told by a high school French teacher that the name meant "winner." Linguistically, this is a bit of a stretch. The French verb "gagner" means "to win" or "to earn." Therefore, the derived noun "gagnier" could mean a "winner" or "earner." However, the correct word for "winner" in French is "gagnant."
THE FIRST GENERATION
Below appears in italics a translation of the marriage contract of
Louis Gasnier (1612-1661) and Marie Michel (1620-1687),
who were the first of the family to emigrate from France to the New World.
The contract was signed on June 11, 1638 and the wedding was on June 11, 1638
at the Church of Saint Martin in the town of Saint Martin-du-vieux-Belleme, France.
Marriage Contract of Louis Gasnier and Marie Michel.
Passed before notary Regnard 11 June 1638.
"On the 11th day of June one thousand six hundred thirty-eight were present in their persons Loys Gasnier, miller, residing at the Courtoulin mill, parish of Saint-Côme-de-Vair, accompanied by Jean Dubois, his uncle and Pierre Gasnier, his brother residing in said parish, on one side.
And Marye Michel, daughter of the deceased Pierre Michel and Loyse Gory, in life her father and mother residing in Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Bellême, accompanied and escorted by René Michel, her brother and Pierre Guene, her brother-in-law living in said parish of Saint-Martin, accompanied as well by Julien Guillochon, her first cousin, on the other side, both of whom promised to take one another faithfully in loyal marriage, if God and Our Holy Mother Church give their consent and accord, and to be married before this latter, as soon as doing so is possible or should one by the other be required.
In contemplation of which marriage said Gasnier has endowed and does endow by these presents said Michel with the customary dower; promising, etc.
Passed in the town of Igé, house of the Juryman; Jehan Petitbon and René Carré, cobbler, present."
Signatories: L. Gasnier, R. Michel, J. Guillochon, Regnard.
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