Marie de Rainville
Life goes on in Beauport
Taken from the notes of Jacques Saintonge -
review of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
In spite of Nicolas' untimely departure (at 50 years), life must continue at
Fargy. Marie, as a woman of strength, took over in great fashion. She showed
multiple character traits. Just recall the neighbor's court action against her
which sowed somewhat her quarrelsome character.
On June 9 1695, Pierre Morel complained to the authorities that
the widow Bellanger with a continuous malice and a <"hayne quelle luy
porte depuis longtemps ne pouvant souffrir aucune des volailles du
suppliant autour de chez elle.... les tuant et les gardant après les
avoir tuées....ces volailles étant une des plus grandes douceurs des
habitants"
(actual old French text) Morel claims that damages be paid to him and
that her neighbor be told not to kill others.
Marie is not devoid financially. In the presence of notary Louis Chambalon, on
October 22, 1696, one learns that money is owed her.
"Pierre Toupin reconnaît lui
devoir la somme de 1080 livres monnaye de ce pays pour argent prêté ce
jourd'huy que Toupin déclare avoir reçu. En homme de parole, Toupin la
remboursera un mois plus tard. La famille l'ayant réclamé, un inventaire des
biens de la communauté qui a esté entre Nicolas Bélanger et Marie de
Rainville fut dressé par le notaire Jean-Robert Dupras"
On January 20, 1700, the property found in the house and the barn along with the
cattle were estimated at 625 pounds, and the building on the St-Michel land, at
500 pounds.
In the same document, an indication is given that another concession contracted
with notary Vachon on march 17, 1686, existed. Marie received then from the Lord
of Beauport a land of 4 acres frontage by 25 deep. She declared having paid for
it the "cens" and rent. She added that the contract is now in the hands of her
son Pierre.
The end of a bold woman
Marie De Rainville
Marie worked alone, during 28 years, as the mother of her fine family.
She had to manage the property and the prosperity of her generation
with hability, but also with firmness and intelligence.
All this work and worries eventually affected her health.
On April 29, 1710, she went to notary Dupras in order to transfer
to the labourer Charles Paradis, her land in the village of
St-Michel of Beauport.
The lease was applicable for five years and five verifications of the
property starting on may next. The lawyer reported on the property
of that farm in the following terms:
A barn, rentable lands, meadows, grazing fields, high quality forest,
other items and dependencies. Mr. Paradis has accepted to give in return
26 "minots" of wheat, two "minots" of peas and ten of oats on the 15th
of march each year. He committed himself also at maintaining the fences
and at cutting wood.
This excellent citizen, Marie de Rainville, died and her funeral
took place the next day at Beauport. Her body was placed next
to that of her spouse in the parish cemetery. Witnesses to the
burial were, Jean Parent, Paul Bélanger and many others. she was
66 years old, according to the burial act signed by the parish priest
Étienne Boullard.
The division of the property took place three years later, in the greatest
of harmony. Notary Duprac called together the whole family on october 24,
1714, and told them that all parties wished through undivided desire
to benefit in the land of two acres located at St-Michel of Beauport
situated between those of Nicolas Bellanger and Jean Paradis
Each heir receiving in this manner a strip of two "perches" of frontage.
The young Nicolas, without a doubt the son of Nicolas and Marie Magnan,
draw at random the location of each section.
It was recognized by all the merit of this great woman that was
Marie de Rainville gone in glory and with the greatest of honesty.
