Marguerite Couillard

• Sources:
  • Drouin Institute (Archived baptismal record - see attached in Media tab)
  • Drouin Institute (Archived marriage to Nicolas Macart record - see attached in Media tab)

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A Child of the Colony Marguerite Couillard (1626-1705)
Marguerite Couillard was born on August 06, 1626; in Ville Quebec; the daughter of Guillaume Couillard and Marie-Guillemette Hebert. As one of the first French-Canadian children born at the small trading post, the sights and sounds of what was then referred to as 'The New World', was all she'd ever known.

She also grew up amid a variety of cultures, from French to Montagnais and Huron; and even a brief stint when the Kebec Fort was under British control. Her widowed grandmother refused to go back to France, and the entire family stayed on, only losing a few cows, but gaining a negro slave; perhaps the first in the colony.
She was married for the first time on Oct 7, 1637, at Quebec, to Jean Nicolet de Belleborne. Marie was just eleven and her new husband already thirty-nine; but since their first child would not be born for three years, they may have waited before consumating the union.

Jean Nicolet was a well known Coureur Des Bois, who first arrived in Kebec in 1618, settling amoung the Algonquins in Upper Ottawa, and the Nipissing on Allumette Island; learning their language and customs. While on the island, he married a local woman and they had a daughter Euphrosine Marguerite, born in 1630. At the age of 13, she would marry Jean Leblanc, but spent most of her life on the first "Indian Reservation' in Canada at Sillery, where she died on September 30, 1689.

When the French were sent home by the Kirke brothers, Nicolet remained in the area, living with the Huron people where he learned of a tribe known as the Puans, or "People of the Sea", whom he believed may be able to lead him to the Northwest Passage, and the riches of the Orient. So when the French returned, Nicolet received permission to visit the Puans, who actually called themselves Winnibego, taking with him an embroidered silk robe, which he would wear when entertaining the Emperor of China, and two gold pistols as gifts from France. Of course, we know he didn't make it to China, but was able to gain the support of the local people and further open the interior for future trade.

However, in 1642, Jean, a non-swimmer, was drowned when his boat capsized; leaving Marguerite a widow at the age of 26. Their first son Ignace, born on December 4, 1640; died soon after his birth. Daughter Marguerite was born on April 21, 1642 and died January 21, 1722; at Montreal. She married Jean-Baptiste Legardeur and had six children. Family Number Two On November 12, 1646, Marguerite was married to Nicolas Macard, an employee with the Company of 100 Associates. Nicholas was born about 1625, in Champagne, France; the son of Thomas Macard and Marguerite Hardy. The couple would have six children before his death on October 5, 1659:

Marie Macard - Was born on November 9, 1647 and died on February 13, 1667. She married Charles-Pierre Legardeur and the couple had two children.

Genevieve Macard - Was born on October 4, 1649 and died on February 22, 1724. She married Charles Bazire and had one son.

Anne Macard - Was born on March 18, 1652 and died unknown. She married Pierre Becard, an ensign with the Grandfontaine Unit and they had twelve children.

Ignace Macard - Was born on January 7, 1654 and died in 1675.

Catherine-Gertrude Macard - Was born on November 15, 1655 and died November 20, 1681. She married Jean-Baptiste Francois D'Eschampes and they had two children.

Charles Macard - Was born on December 15, 1656 and died unknown. He married Marie-Jeanne Gordeau and the couple had five children. *six - one died after birth.

Marguerite Couillard Nicolet Macard was widowed again on October 5, 1659. Though just 33, she never remarried and died in Quebec City on April 20, 1705.