Wilmont Kreis

I think it’s time to move on to Book Fourteen, The Beaver Wars. We have seen how Champlain and later Montmagny have urged the fledgling population of New France in fits and starts, struggling against the wilderness, hostile natives, and a disinterested French government. In spite of their valiant efforts, Québec lacks sorely for citizens, especially women. In The Beaver Wars, we will watch the colony began to grow with more immigrants, better government, some French interest, and an odd woman from France who will bring new women to become the mothers of Canada. Hang onto your hats! It starts now. Read More 

Maisonneuve and his followers spent the winter of 1641-2 in Sillery preparing for their trip upstream in the spring. On May 8, 1642 he loaded his entourage onto three boats. These 45 souls Including Jeanne Mance, Madame de la Peltrie, three sisters of Saint-Joseph, seven other women and a cadre if men. Ten days later, they landed on the scenic bank of the large island where a stream ran through an idyllic site to the Saint-Laurent. He named his settlement Ville-Marie. In spite of the peaceful setting, it would be anything but peaceful for a long while. But for that, you must turn to the next book, THE BEAVER WARS. More about that next week. Read More 

Birth of Montréal:

In November of 1641, a late arrival from France contained an odd and historically important group. Paul Chomedey Sieur de Maisonneuve and Montréal arrived to settle the town of Ville-Marie on the large island of Montréal many miles upstream of current civilization. He arrived with an odd group of 35 men, 10 women, a few nuns and the very rich Jean Mance. They would winter in Sillery to the north of Québec city making plans to move upstream in the spring. This odd group did not have full support of the Québec government who felt it a foolhardy venture, but it would turn out to be one of the most important ventures in all of early Canada. Read More 

Return of Guy:

April has arrived without its usual vengeance and the Québécoise are taking full advantage of the uncharacteristic glorious spring. Noël and Jacques-Henri have taken Noël’s brother and the two oldest boys to hunt. The girls have gone with Nicole Boucher to a birthday party leaving Françoise alone with the infant Jean-Paul. Deciding to take advantage of the wonderful day for spring house cleaning, Nicole puts the baby in his crib and begins to work. When she returns from the loft, she is shocked by a man standing in the door way. Her worst nightmare is realized as she realizes the man with the eye patch and severely scared half-face is real—and it is none other than Guy! He threatens the baby with his evil knife and while offering Françoise the baby’s life if she will submit to him… But I suppose you should read the rest in the book, 1634-Return to the New World. Read More