History of Lacolle, Québec, Canada

In 1733 the King of France granted the northern half of the Lacolle seigniory to Louis Denis de la Ronde. The southern two leagues were granted to Louis Leonard de Beaujeu.
Both men served as French officers during the Colonial Wars. By 1741 both tracts were reclaimed by the Crown.
The English Settlers of Lacolle, Quebec

Read more about Louis DENIS dit DELARONDE

1743 - Seigniory (La Colle or Beaujeu) Re-granted March 22, 1743, to Sieur Daniel Lienard de Beaujeu (son of the original grantee)


Read more about Daniel LIENARD DE BEAUJEAU

In 1763 British General Gabriel Christie purchased the seigniory from the heirs of Beaujeu after his death in the Seven Years War.

The English Settlers of Lacolle, Quebec

Gabriel Christie died in 1799 and his son, Napier Christie Burton, was next in line to inherit the seigniory.
Burton, a Major General in the 3rd regiment, had become more wealthy than his father. In 1801 Napier Christie Burton appointed Samuel Potts as his Agent. The death of Burton's wife forced his return to England and he didn't return to Canada until after the Napoleonic Wars, and then when he did, it was only breifly.
The English Settlers of Lacolle, Quebec

First Skirmish at Lacolle Mill, 1812
This brief skirmish at Lacolle Mill (now Lacolle, Que) during the War of 1812 marked the end of the American campaign to invade Lower Canada and take Montréal in the fall of 1812. In the summer of 1812, US Major General Henry Dearborn collected 2000 regular soldiers and 3000 militiamen at Plattsburgh, New York, for the coming offensive. He arrived in Plattsburgh on 10 November, already very late in the campaign, and by 19 November he was in Champlain, New York. American brigadier general Zebulon Pike crossed the border into Lower Canada early the next day, with 650 regulars and a party of Aboriginal warriors. Their plan was to suppress British allies active in the area, but instead they moved in on a British guardhouse at Lacolle. They were met by a modest force of only 25 militiamen and 15 Aboriginal men.

Clearly outnumbered, the allies soon withdrew, allowing the Americans to destroy the guardhouse and several buildings before Pike and his men moved on to the frontier. It was not ... Read MORE...

Battle of Lacolle Mill, 1814
Following a disastrous American attempt to take Montréal in the fall of 1813, Major General James Wilkinson made a last-ditch effort to achieve success on the northern front in March 1814. His plan was to lead 4000 men from Plattsburgh, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, into Lower Canada. His division included 11 infantry regiments, the First US Rifle Regiment, the US Regiment of Light Dragoons, and 11 field guns. Brigadier General Alexander Macomb supported the operation by briefly occupying Philipsburg, Lower Canada, on 22 March.

Wilkinson's force had its first encounter with the British at Lacolle. The garrison under Major Richard Handcock included 180 regulars, a battalion of Royal Marines, a detachment of the rocket corps of the Royal Marines, and the Canadian Voltigeurs. Handcock positioned his forces around a three-storey mill on the south side of the Lacolle River and a wooden barracks on the north side. Another 550 Royal Marines and regular infantry were stationed at... Read MORE...

1832 - LA COLLE or BEAUJEU,
seigniory, in the co. of Arcadie, is bounded N. by De Lery, S. by the state of Vermont, and in the rear by Hemmingford, in front of the R. Richelieu. - 2 leagues in breadth by 3 in depth. Granted March 22, 1743, to Sieur de Beaujeu, and is now the property of General Christie Burton. - Towards the front the land is rather low, with some few swampy patches, which excepted, the soil is in general good and very well timbered: in the rear the land is much higher, and although partially intersected by strata of rocks and veins of stone, lying a little below the surface, the soil is rich and perhaps superior to the lower lands. On these upper grounds there is much beech, maple and elm timber; the we places afford abundance of cedar, tamarack, spruce fir and hemlock. Although the greatest part of this S. is very eligible for the purposes of cultivation, and would produce all sorts of grain abundantly, besides being peculiarly well suited to the growth of hemp and flax, there is not more than ... Read MORE...

1832 - Lacolle Post Office opens

www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~qcchatea/ placenames/

1836 - Methodist Church opened at Lacolle

Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique - Univeriste de Montreal

1842 - Église de Saint-Bernard established at Lacolle

www.gcatholic.org

The census of 1846 revealed a well-developed population of 3,228 in the seigniory of Lacolle.
Across the seigniory, there were 5 taverns, 3 stores with liquor, 1 each of grist, saw, fulling and carding mills and 2 threshing mills. There were also 3 pot or pearl asheries, 2 tanneries, a brewery and a trip hammer forge.
The English Settlers of Lacolle, Quebec

By 1851 the census of the seigniory revealed a population of 3,483. Of those, 1,760 were english speaking and 1,723 spoke french as a mother tongue. There were 1,886 Catholics and 1,597 Protestants.

The English Settlers of Lacolle, Quebec

1873
LACOLLE, a post village in St. Johns co., Que., on the Richelieu river, and on the G. T. R., (Champlain division,) 44 miles S.E. of Montreal. It contains a telegraph office, an iron foundry, several mills and factories, 3 churches, 6 hotels, and about a dozen stores. Lacolle is a port of entry. Total value of imports for 1872 $8,578 ; ex­ports $19,432. In 1812 a battle was fought here between the British and American troops, which resulted in the defeat of the latter. In 18?7, the rebels had possession of the village, but in 1838 they were defeated and a number of them captured. Pop. of village 750; of parish 3,307.
Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

1895 - Lacolle
Lacolle, ià'koll', a post-village in St. Johns co., Quebec, 'the Richelieu River, and on the Grand Trunk Railway (Champlain division), 44 miles S.E. of Montreal. It has an iron-foundry, several mills and factories, 3 churches, 6 hotels, and about a dozen stores. Lacolle is a port of entry. In 1812 a battle was fought here between the British and American troops, in which the latter were defeated. P. 750.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1901 - Église de Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel established at Lacolle

www.gcatholic.org

1916
Lacolle, a post-village and outport of St. Johns co., Quebec, on the Richelieu River and on the Grand Trunk R., 44 miles SE. of Montreal. In 1812 a battle was fought here between the British and American troops, in which the latter were defeated. Pop. about 500.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Lacolle and its surrounding areas:
La Roche à Veillon Park: This tranquil park is a great place to start your visit to Lacolle. It features walking trails, picnic areas, and beautiful views of the Châteauguay River. It's an excellent spot for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic.

Lacolle Border Crossing: If you're coming from the United States, Lacolle is known for its border crossing. While it may not seem like a tourist attraction, it's an interesting experience to witness the comings and goings of travelers at this important international border.

Château de la Roche: This historic site is just a short drive from Lacolle and offers a glimpse into the past. It's a beautiful stone castle that was built in the 18th century and has been lovingly restored. You can take a guided tour to learn about its history and architecture.

Vignoble de la Bauge: Wine enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to this local winery. Take a tour of the vineyard and sample some of the delicious wines produced in the region. It's a... Read MORE...