Bécancour, Nicolet, Québec, Canada (Nativité-de-Notre-Dame-de-Becancour) (Saint-Edouard-de-Gentilly)
1832 - BECANCOUR,

seigniory, in the co. of Nicolet, is bounded S.W. by Godefroi, N.E. by fief Dutord and by the townships of Aston and Maddington in the rear. 2 1/ 4 l. in front by 2 in depth. Granted April 16, 1647, to Sieur de Becancour, and now the property of the heirs of the late Lieut. Col. Bruere, Etienne Le Blanc, Esq. and Ezekiel Hart, Esq. The lands, conceded prior to 1759, pay a quit-rent of one livre and a capon for one arpent in front by 30 in depth, subject to the obligation of grinding corn at the seignorial mill, the right of pre-emption, droit de retrait, and a reservation as to timber. Three-forths of the property belonging to Mr. Le Blanc, being conceded priors to 1759, are, consequently, held under these conditions. Much higher terms are now demanded for the unconceded lands. - Towards the St. Lawrence the S. is flat and of an excellent and exuberant soil, producing good hemp and flax. - The timber is not much entitled to notice, the lowlands affording none but of the most inferior sorts, and the higher situations only beech, maple, birch and a little pine. - Three-fourths of the S. are in cultivation, and several of the farms exhibit a high state of improvement; the best are on the St. Lawrence, and on each side of the rivers Becancour and Blanche. Besides these rivers, this S. is watered by the Godefroi, Lake St. Paul and Lac aux Outardes. - The main road along the St. Lawrence crosses the R. Becancour just above Isle Droval, and two others lead up river, one for each side. The want of proper roads has, for many years, been a great impediment to the comfort and prosperity of the inhabitants, and has materially retarded the formation of new settlements...

The church, parsonage and a few houses surrounding it, are situated on the E. bank of the Becancour: a short distance from which is a village of the Abenaqui Indians, consisting of a few ill-built wooden houses, or, more correctly speaking, hovels; the manners and occupations of these people are precisely similar to those of the village in St. Francois. - The parish of la Nativite de la Ste. Vierge de St. Pierre, or Becancour parish, by virtue of a decree of the council of state, March 3, 1722, which confirmed the regulation of Sept 20, 1721, comprehends all the frontage on the St. Lawrence, extending from fief Cournoyer to fief Godefroi, including fief Dutord and all the S. of Becancour. - The following statistical account includes the whole parish, viz. the fief Dutord as well as the S. of Becancour.

Statistics
Population 2752
Persbyterise 1
Taverns 1
Churches, R.C. 1
Corn-mills 1
Artisans 15
Curates 1
Shopkeepers 1

A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

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