Charles DEMERS

(b. 29 March 1708 , Lotbinière, Canada, New France d. 23 February 1779 , Lanoraie, Province of Québec, Canada )

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Charles DEMERS was born 29 March 1708 in Lotbinière, Canada, New France

Charles DEMERS was the child of Pierre DEMERS (DUMAIS) and Jeanne HOUDE and the grandchild of: (paternal) Jean DEMERS (DUMAIS) and Jeanne VOIDY (VEDIE) (maternal) Jean-Baptiste HOUDE dit DESRUISSEAUX and Marie-Anne ROULEAU (SANSOUCY)

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Charles married Angélique-Jeanne LECLERC dite LAFRENAYE 8 August 1729 in Contrecœur, Canada, New France . The couple had (at least) 3 children.
Angélique-Jeanne LECLERC dite LAFRENAYE was born abt. 1707 in Québec Province, Canada (Quebec). Angélique-Jeanne died 8 May 1734 in Lanoraie, Québec, Canada (Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie). Angélique-Jeanne was the child of Jean LECLERC dit LAFRENAYE and Geneviève CIRCÉ dite ST-MICHEL.

Charles married (2) Marie-Charlotte DURAND 23 November 1734 in Lanoraie, Canada, New France . The couple had (at least) 5 children.
Marie-Charlotte DURAND was born 2 April 1711 in Saint-Nicolas, Lévis, Québec, Canada . Marie-Charlotte died 5 May 1752 in Lanoraie, Québec, Canada (Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie). Marie-Charlotte was the child of Louis DURAND and Elisabeth-Agnes MICHEL dite TAILLON.

Charles married (3) Marie-Charlotte GAUTHIER 5 February 1753 in Lavaltrie, Canada, New France . The couple had (at least) 4 children.
Marie-Charlotte GAUTHIER was born abt. 1717 in Québec Province, Canada (Quebec). Marie-Charlotte died 24 March 1789 in Lanoraie, Québec, Canada (Saint-Joseph-de-Lanoraie). Marie-Charlotte was the child of Jean-Baptiste GAUTHIER and Catherine LEMAY.

Charles DEMERS died 23 February 1779 in Lanoraie, Province of Québec, Canada .
Details of the family tree of Charles appear below.

Occupation

Charles DEMERS was a Habitant.

Québec Généalogie - Over time, Québec has gone through a series of name changes
From its inception in the early 1600s until 1760, it was called Canada, New France.
1760 to 1763, it was simply Canada
1763 to 1791 - Province of Québec
1791 to 1867 - Lower Canada
1867 to present - Québec, Canada.

Thanks to Micheline Gadbois MacDonald for providing this information.

Québec Généalogie - The Seigneurial System (1627 - 1854)
The seigneurial system was a form of land settlement modeled on the French feudal system. It began in New France in 1627 with the formation of the Compagnie des Cent-Associés (or Company of 100 Associates), which was initially responsible for handing out land grants and seigneurial rights. The land was divided into five by 15 kilometer plots, usually along major rivers like the St. Lawrence. They were then further subdivided into narrow, but long lots for settlement. These lots were usually long enough to be suitable for faming, and they provided everyone who lived on them with equal access to neighbouring farms and the river. There were three main groups of people who lived off the land in this system: Seigneurs, Habitants and Engagés

Charles DEMERS was a habitant.
Habitants were usually farmers or labourers who were initially brought over from France to live on this land. They had to pay rent and taxes to the seigneur, though they co-owned the land with the seigneur, and even had to work entirely for the benefit of the seigneur a few days each year.

Source: Canada in the Making (www.canadiana.ca/citm/index_e.html)

Habitants played an essential role in creating a permanent, settled population along the St. Lawrence River. But it was not an easy life...

Habitants had to clear the land, build a homestead, and plant and harvest a crop. The first task was never-ending, while the last one was annual. Building and repairing the house and barn were continual tasks. So were cutting and hauling firewood. The habitants had to be largely self-reliant in looking after all routine tasks such as cooking, baking, making furniture, and repairing tools. They had to attend to the educational and medical needs of the family. They had to endure the harsh physical climate and rough terrain, largely unaided by government support. The habitants had to pay taxes to the seigneurs and the church.

Canada: The Story of Our Heritage by Elspeth Deir, John Fielding, Nick Brune, Peter Grant, Stephanie Smith Abram; McGraw-Hill Ryerson School, 2000