Two men named Plante or Plante' came to New France (now Quebec, Canada area) and founded families, Jean and Bernard. The parents of Bernard were Dominique Plante and Blaise des Palingues. The father, Dominique Plante, was a surgeon-major, at the royal hospital of Prechac, the Canton and Arrondisement of Argeles-Gazost, in the Hautes-Pyrenees, France. Near Prechac, the Gave River flows towards Lourdes and the valley of Bigorre. Bernard probably made the voyage from the south-west of France to Quebec, in a merchant ship, as a surgeon. In June of 1748, he stayed, at the Hotel-Dieu of Quebec, as a patient. He found the country to be attractive. He settled, at Neuville where, he was married, on April 10, 1752, to Marie-Therese Faucher, the daughter of Jean-Baptiste and Marie-Francoise Juneau. After becoming a widower, Bernard was remarried, on September 16, 1765, to Marie-Josephe Faucher, the daughter of Nicolas and Marie-Louise Vezina.

In the practice of his profession, Bernard used bleeding quite often. After having bled Augustin Beland, three times in two days, he nearly caused his patient's death.

On August 8, 1772, the physician, Plante, obtained a commission as royal notary between Cap-Rouge and the Grondines. His burial record was drawn up, on September 11, 1782, also mentioned that, he was a master chorister (a member of a choir), at Neuville. He had had children from both wives. One of his sons, Joseph-Bernard, became a remarkable notary, representative and founder of the newspaper "le Canadian" with Pierre Bedard.

The following paragraphs are devoted to the pioneer, Jean Plante.
 

FROM LALEU

The son of Nicolas Plante and Elisabeth Chauvin was originally from Saint-Pierre de Laleu, the former community, in the Department of the Charente-Maritime, previously L'Aunis, with La Rochelle as its capital. Today, we have Laleu-la-Pallice near the ocean. Jean Plante was born near La Rochelle, a very important seaport for the country, at the time.

The baptismal record of Jean has not been found. According to Canadian documents, we can verify that, he was born between the years 1621 and 1626. Jean had a little brother, Jacques, who was buried, at Laleu, on September 28, 1650. Father Archange Godbout also uncovered, in this place, a Marie Plante, married, in a second marriage, on August 21, 1668, to Mathurin Autin and a Pierre Plante buried, at Laleu, on March 7, 1656, at the age of 20. The ties of kinship between these last two and Ancestor Jean can not be linked. When Jean left his native village, his parents were deceased. Elisabeth Chauvin, 45 years old, died in February of 1646. As for Nicolas, he was buried, on May 21, 1647, at Saint-Pierre de Laleu, at the age of 60. I believe that, it was after these events that, Jean thought about coming to New France.

During the blockade, of La Rochelle, ordered, on August 5, 1627 and lifted, on October 28, 1628, Louis XIII followed the military operations by living, at a house, in Leleu. It still exists.
 

BEAUPRE COAST

Jean Plante arrived in arrived at Quebec, about 1648.

Did he work for one of the first residents of the Beaupre Coast: Jean Cauchon, Pierre Gagnon, Olivier Tardif/Letardif or Marin Boucher? We know that, on June 11, 1646, the latter, separated himself from Thomas Hayot. The two brothers-in-law had worked, at Beauport, on the Jesuit's domain. Boucher then went to take a concession near that of Olivier Tardif, on the Beaupre Coast, today known as Chateau-Richer.

In the civil archives, Jean Plante appeared, for the first time, on Thursday, the first of September, 1650, at the time of his marriage to Francoise Boucher, the daughter of Marin and Perrine Mallet, who were married, at Saint-Langis-les-Mortagnes, in Perche, about 1628.

Francoise Boucher had been born, in Canada, in 1636. She had been baptized, at Quebec, on June 22, by Father Nicolas Adam. Louise Couillard was her godmother. Francoise was 14 years old, when she committed herself to matrimony. The nuptial blessing took place, at the paternal home, at Chateau-Richer. The witnesses were Jean Cauchon senior, Simon Guyon and Toussaint Toupin, all friends and neighbors. The Jesuit, Joseph Poncet, tireless campaigner for the Gospel, recorded the act, at Quebec. At that time. there was no church, on the Beaupre Coast. Where would the new couple go to live?
 

FARMER

The Boucher-Plante couple lived with the in-laws perhaps. Marin Boucher was a mason and rather advanced in age. It is true that, his sons, Louis-Marin dit Beaubuisson and Jean-Galleran could easily handle the pick and axe. But, it was the custom to offer lodging to newlyweds during the first year of marriage.

On December 10, 1652, Jean Plante sold to Urbain Baudry dit Lamarche, a newcomer to the coast, 1 arpent and 2 perches of frontal land, at Sault-a-la-Puce. Jean Plante's deeds no longer exist. In the beginning, his property stretched 6 arpents wide, with a depth of a league and a half. On May 31, 1655, Jean ceded to Robert Anest 4 arpents, 8 perches of frontal land, with barn and house, for 400 livres.

On June 14, 1650, Marin Boucher had obtained, from Olivier Tardif, a concession of 8 arpents, 8 perches, of frontage, located, at Chateau-Richer, between Claude Auber and Olivier Tardif. On April 25, 1656, father-in-law Boucher ceded 2 arpents, of his concession, to his son-in-law, Jean Plante and 2 others to his son, Jean-Galleran. As Jean-Galleran had to pass through Plante's land, to reach his own, there were some problems, which were resolved, on December 15, 1662. Jean-Galleran had the freedom "to come and go by plow and cart above the remainder of their concession with as little disturbance as will be possible". In addition, within his arpents of frontage, Marin ceded to Plante a plot of 8 perches. This transfer was confirmed, on September 27, 1668.

In 1662, Jean Plante cast an eye towards the beautiful Ile d'Orleans. On August 26, Charles de Lauzon-Charny ceded to him 3 arpents, of land in width, located, in the parish of Sainte-Famille, between the landowners Pierre Merlin and Martin Nourice.

To end this very full chapter, let's add that, on February 2, 1660, when Msgr. de Laval went to make his first confirmation tour, on the Beaupre Coast, Jean Plante and Francoise Boucher found themselves, in the midst of the 173 confirmed people.
 

RETURN FROM FRANCE
 

In the autumn, of 1664, Jean Plante took a trip to France. The probable reason was to settle some business, along with a need to see his homeland again. He returned, in the spring, of 1665. Francoise Boucher had the protection of her family to help her oversee the proper running of the farm. In 1667, the censustakers noted that, Jean Plante had but one head of cattle, in his small stable. This is a surprising fact. His father-in-law had 8. His brother-in-law and neighbor, Jean-Galleran Boucher, didn't have any. Did they live on air?

Fourteen years later, in 1681, the Plantes admitted owning 1 gun, 4 head of cattle and 20 arpents of land under cultivation. It is certain that, this family lived quietly and did not waste a lot of time in law courts.

The patriarch, Marin Boucher, died, at Chateau-Richer, on March 25, 1671. The question arose, at that time, about the succession. Jean Plante had received a great deal from his in-laws. On April 13, he made a transaction with Louis Houde, the husband of Madeleine Boucher, by agreeing to pay him 300 livres for her share of the inheritance. In addition, Jean paid 50 livres for the furnishings.

During the same era, we remember that, Bertrand Chenay, Sieur de La Garenne, the great financier of the Beaupre Coast, had lost his wife, Marie-Madeleine Belanger. There was a great activity with the inventory of all of her property, on January 21, 1671. On this same occasion, we learn that, on the following January 30, Jean Plante owed 67 livres to Chenay, an amount to be repaid as soon as possible.

On March 29, 1677, Jean Plante admitted owing Jean Picard, a merchant from Sainte-Anne du Petit-Cap, 134 livres, 16 sols tournois for merchandise received. Notary Paul Vachon signed this debt, at the Plante house, in the presence of Barthelemy Verreau and Jean Cloutier.

In summary, the life of the Plantes presents nothing very sensational, except its orderliness, its simplicity and the kindness, which radiated from their home into the surrounding area.
 

THE HOMESTEAD
 

Between January 26, 1653 and January 7, 1678, Jean and Francois picked 13 living plants, in their family garden, at Chateau-Richer. They all reached adulthood, with the exception of  one.

   1) Claude was born January 26, 1653, at Chateau-Richer and baptized February 4, at Quebec. Claude married Marie Patenaude, the daughter of Nicolas and Marguerite Breton and widow of Guillaume Rouleau, on November 7, 1678, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. They had eleven children, 5 girls and 6 boys. Marie died June 13, 1699 and was buried the next day, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. Claude married again to Catherine Dufresne, the daughter of Pierre and Anne Patin, on January 11, 1706, at Saint-Laurent, Ile d'Orleans. They had a daughter and a son. Claude inherited the land, on the Ile d'Orleans and its debts. There was work to be finished there worth 200 livres. He had to account for this value, at the time of the future distribution with his brothers and sisters, after the death of his parents.

   2) Marie-Francoise was born, on January 27, 1655, at Chateau-Richer and baptized February 12, at Quebec. Nicolas Pacquin, the son of Jean and Renee Fremont, married Marie-Francoise, on November 18, 1676, at Chateau-Richer. They had thirteen babies, 7 girls and 6 boys.

   3) Jacques was born about 1657, at Chateau-Richer. He married Francoise Turcot, the daughter of Abel and Marie Giraud, on November 13, 1686, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. This couple had five little ones, 3 girls and 2 boys. What happened to Francoise ?? Jacques remarried to Genevieve Duchesne, the daughter of Pierre and Catherine Rivet, on February 6, 1696, at Chateau-Richer. They had ten offspring, 3 boys, 2 girls and 5 that were born and died at birth, gender unknown of all 5.

   4) Georges was born about 1659, at Chateau-Richer. On November 5, 1685, at Saint-Pierre, Ile d'Orleans, he married Marguerite Crepeau, the daughter of Maurice and Marguerite Laverdure. Eleven children came of this couple, 9 girls and 2 boys.

   5) Jean was born about 1661, at Chateau-Richer. Mathurine Delugre, the daughter of Jacques and Marie Taupier, became Jean's wife, on April 14, 1687, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. They had five children, 3 sons and 2 daughters. Mathurine died December 4, 1698 and was buried two days later, at Saint-Jean, Ile d'Orleans. Jean married for a second time to Suzanne Lefebvre, the daughter of Claude and Marie Arcular, about 1699, at Saint-Jean, Ile d'Orleans. They had six children, 3 girls and 3 boys. Jean passed away May 5, 1711 and was buried the next day, at Saint-Jean, Ile d'Orleans. Suzanne remarried to Daniel Thomas, the son of Daniel and Marie Rolland and the widower of Barbe Poisson, on September 9, 1715, at Saint-Jean, Ile d'Orleans. They had three babies, 2 boys and a girl.

   6) Thomas was born January 17, 1664 and baptized February 3, at Chateau-Richer. He married Marie-Marthe Paillereau, the daughter of Pierre and Elisabeth Roy, on February 9, 1687, at Saint-Jean, Ile d'Orleans. Eleven children enlivened their lives, 6 girls and 5 boys.

   7) Pierre was born and baptized April 7, 1666, at Chateau-Richer. He took for his bride Marguerite Patenaude, the daughter of Nicolas and Marguerite Breton, on November 6, 1691, at Sainte-Famille, Ile d'Orleans. They had seven offspring, 2 daughters and 5 sons.

   8) Francois was born, on December 3, 1668 and baptized the next day, at Chateau-Richer. Louise Berard, the daughter of Gabriel and Genevieve Hayot, united by marriage to Francois, on November 6, 1694, at Chateau-Richer. They had 3 sons. Louise passed on to a better world, on May 23, 1699 and was buried the next day, at Chateau-Richer. Francois married again. This time to Marie-Anne Cognac, the daughter of Claude and Francoise Simeon, on October 25, 1700, at Chateau-Richer. This twosome had ten children, 6 boys and 4 girls.

   9) Genevieve was born April 20, 1671 and baptized the 25th, at Chateau-Richer. She married Jacques Cauchon, the son of Jacques and Barbe-Delphine Tardif, on April 18, 1689, at Chateau-Richer. They had four little ones, 3 girls and a boy. On February 1, 1703, at Chateau-Richer, Genevieve died and was buried, probably from a flu epidemic, which took so many victims during that era. Jacques remarried to Jeanne Verreau, the daughter of Barthelemi and Marthe Quitel and the widow of Pierre Cloutier, on April 16, 1703, at Chateau-Richer. Five children came into their lives, 4 boys and a daughter.Jeanne died, on October 22, 1711, at the Hotel-Dieu. For a third time Jacques married. This time to Marie-Madeleine Garand, the daughter of Pierre and Renee Chanfrain, on February 9, 1712, at Chateau-Richer. They had no children. Marie-Madeleine died November 13, 1713 and was buried the next day, at Chateau-Richer. Not one to give up on marriage, Jacques married for a fourth time. Marie-Madeleine Riviere, the natural daughter of Marie-Madeleine Fontaine (daughter of Louis) and father unknown, on April 24, 1716, at Chateau-Richer. They had three children, 2 girls and a boy. She is listed, in Jette, as dying under her former marriage to husband Francois Riviere, on December 20, 1727 and being buried the next day, at Quebec.Very strange!! Five wives was the lucky number for Jacques Cauchon. His fifth and last wife was Louise Pinquet, the daughter of Pierre and Anne Chevalier and the widow of both Gaspard Petit and Jacques Delugre, on April 24, 1723, at Quebec. This couple had no children.

  10) Angelique was born January 9, 1673 and baptized the next day, at Chateau-Richer. She married Michel Chabot, the son of Mathurin and Marie Mesange, on January 23, 1690, at Chateau-Richer. They had fifteen little ones, 6 girls and 9 boys. On August 6, 1726, her husband, Michel and two of her sons, Pierre 22 and Augustin 15,  drowned. They were victims of waves, during a storm, while crossing  the river from Beauport to the Ile d'Orleans. Michel was buried the 13th and the boys the 11th, of August, 1726.

  11) Joseph was born and baptized December 15, 1674, at Chateau-Richer. He died and was buried September 17, 1730.

  12) Anonymous (gender unknown) was born and died, on the 10th of November, 1676 and was buried 4 days later, at Chateau-Richer.

  13) Louise was born and baptized January 7, 1678, at Chateau-Richer. Pierre Cognac, the son of Claude and Francoise Simeon and brother to Marie-Anne, who was the second wife of Francois, married Louise, on June 6, 1702, at Chateau-Richer. Nine children were born to them, 5 girls and 4 boys.

By the third generation, the Plantes had counted 122 grandchildren, an enviable success!

On February 22, 1694, Jean and Francoise thought that, the time had come to pass on the key to their house to one of their sons, during a family meeting. Considering the infirmity of their age, 73 and 58, they asked their children to decide among themselves the means necessary so that, they can live out the rest of their days. What polite and delicate manner towards their children! They decided that, Francois should be in charge "of the care and feeding of the parents and also of Louise and Joseph", still minors. Francois became the owner of his parents property. In addition to housing them, he had to pay the seigneurial rents, pay off all of the debts and have prayers said to God for the repose of their souls after death. Francois also promised to pay each of his brothers and sisters 150 livres to replace the 200 livres that, his parents had promised, on the occasion of their marriages.

Without there being any division or opposition, Francois took charge of the control of the house and the farm. Jean and Francoise became pensioners, without suffering any traumatic shocks. It would be this way for a number of years more.

On Tuesday, March 29, 1706, the parish of Chateau-Richer was in mourning. It had just lost Jean Plante, one of its pioneers. He was buried the next day. The registry noted the presence of his sons, Joseph, Thomas and Georges. Jean was 84 years old. Francoise Boucher survived him until April 18, 1711, the day of her death. She was laid to rest, in the cemetery, on the 20th., in the presence of her children, grandchildren, friends and two witnesses mentioned in her burial record, Charles Cauchon, Etienne Drouin and pastor Guillaume Gaultier.

..
Jean Plante's original dwelling is located in the Québec suburb of Chateau Richer, at 8294
Avenue Royale.  This "Québecois style" house was built of wood and an addition made in
1871 is clearly identified with a plaque as a historical site and that it was one of the first
concessions of the province.

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