Document Text |
Summary |
| The year of our Lord 1675 the 19th of February, responsible for parish duties in Boucherville, I baptized a [female] child born on the last day of February [i.e. February 28] of the aforementioned year, | On February 19, 1675, I baptized a girl born on February 28, 1674. |
| [daughter of] Désiré Viger (resident of Boucherville) and Catherine Moitié, legally married together. | She is the daughter of Désiré Viger and Catherine Moitié, who are married. |
| Her godfather [is] Louis Robert (also resident of Boucherville), her godmother [is] Charlotte Estienne, wife of Prudent Bougret (resident of Boucherville). | Her godfather is Louis Robert and her godmother is Charlotte Estienne. |
| This infant is named Catherine. | The baby’s name is Catherine. |
| [signed] Pierre de Caumont, missionary priest | Signed by Pierre de Caumont, priest. |
Document Text |
Summary |
| On November 21, 1685, I, P. De Caumont, the canon priest of the cathedral church of Québec, responsible for parish duties in Boucherville and other places, baptized in the parish church of the Holy Family [Sainte-Famille] of Boucherville Louis Viger, born yesterday. | On November 21, 1685, I baptized Louis Viger, who was born yesterday. |
| Louis Viger is the son of Désiré Viger (resident of Boucherville) and Catherine Moitié his wife. | He is the son of Désiré Viger and his wife Catherine Moitié. |
| His godfather is Louis Darcy, squire, captain in the company of Monsieur Saint-Cirque, (who signed the certificate), and his godmother is Anne Mesnard, daughter of Jacques Mesnard and Catherine Fortier of Boucherville. | His godfather is Louis Darcy and his godmother is Anne Mesnard. |
| [signed] P. De Caumont, priest | Signed by Pierre de Caumont, priest. |
Gabriel Drouin, Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968, 2008. Via Ancestry.com. Translatation provided by B. Christopher Wood, Ph.D.
Background
Catherine Moitié was born in France in 1649. In 1663 she moved to the colony of New France as one of the approximately 800 women who agreed to marry a colonist in exchange for a dowry and free passage across the Atlantic. This arrangement was part of the French government’s effort to promote population growth and establish a permanent community in North America. The women came to be called Filles du Roi (“Daughters of the King”). Most Filles du Roi accepted the opportunity because they did not have good prospects in France. It is likely that Catherine came from a poor family or was an orphan.
At fourteen, Catherine was one of the youngest Filles du Roi. This is probably why she worked as a servant in Montréal for four years before marriage. In 1667 she married another servant, Désiré Viger. Catherine and Désiré settled in a small community outside of Montréal. They owned a small farm with cattle and worked together to support their family.
About the Document
These documents are the baptism records of two of Catherine Moitié’s children with Désiré Viger. They demonstrate how Catherine was an important part of establishing the permanent colony of New France. Catherine and Désiré had ten children together. When Désiré died in 1688, Catherine married Jean-Baptiste Poirier and gave birth to one more child.
When the Filles du Roi first arrived in New France, they were often looked down upon and sometimes even referred to as cattle. But after only ten years, the women had given birth to enough children to secure the future of New France. Catherine had eleven children, sixty-five grandchildren, and 344 great-grandchildren. Today millions of Canadians and North Americans are descendants of one of the 800 Filles du Roi, and the women are celebrated as founding mothers of Canada.
Vocabulary
- baptize: To be made a member of a Christian Church.
- Filles du Roi (“Daughters of the King”): Women who agreed to move to New France and marry colonists in exchange for passage across the Atlantic and a dowry.
- priest: A person who is officially qualified to lead religious services.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it significant that the two baptisms were ten years apart? What does that reveal about Catherine Moitié’s life?
- Why do you think Catherine Moitié chose to come to New France? What opportunities did the Filles du Roi have in New France? What challenges might they have faced?
- What role did Catherine Moitié and the Filles du Roi have in New France? How has their reputation changed over time?
Suggested Activities
- APUSH Connection: 2.7 Colonial Society and Culture
- Use this record to underscore the importance of women in the growth of colonial settlements. This resource shows the legacy of women like Catherine Moitié in North America today.
- Pair this resource with Marrying into the New World and consider why women like Catherine Moitié chose to come to New France.
- Combine this resource with Catalina Trico, Founding Mother to further explore the important role women played as mothers in colonial society.
- Examine additional materials from Catherine Moitié’s life, including her marriage record and family tree, through the educational materials of the Canadian Museum of History.
- For a larger lesson on the experiences of working-class European women who moved to the Americas, combine this resource with any of the following:
Themes
DOMESTICITY AND FAMILY; IMMIGRATION, MIGRATION, AND SETTLEMENT
