TENTH GENERATION

906. Jean DURAND dit LaFortune @ was born about 1640 in Doeuil-sur-le Mignon, Sainte Onge, France. He died on 28 Jun 1672 in Sillery, Quebec, P.Quebec. Jean signed a contract to come to Canada to serve as a colonist for three years. This contract states that he was about twenty years old. Under terms of the contract, he was to receive passage to and from Canada, board and room and 75 livres per year, payable at the end of each year.

Jean sailed from LaRochelle on Les Armes d'Amsterdam at the beginning of April 1660 and arrived at Quebec the latter part of May. His three years of service was with Charles Gauthier. His life, like that of all colonists during that period, was quite varied--farming, fishing, land clearing, etc. It also included service in the militia, because during that time all colonists lived in constant fear of the Iroquois. In fact, Pierre Pinnelle, Jean's close friend and neighbor at Cap-Rouge, was murdered by them. The gun was a necessary adjunct to the plow.

During this period the King of France decided to send young women to Canada to become the wives of colonists. These young women were known as "Filles du Roi" (daughters of the King), because, in order to encourage them to travel to Canada, the King gave each a dowry. On 3 October 1661, Jean Durand made a contract of marriage with one of these, Marie Fayette. However, before the wedding date arrived they changed their minds and annulled the contract on 12 January 1662.

The next girl to capture Jean's heart was a young Indian maiden, Catherine Annennontak, who had been a refugee from the massacre at the Huron Missions by the Iroquois in 1648. This mission is now know as Martyrs' Shrine at Midland, Ontario.

On 23 September 1662, Catherine and Jean Durand signed a contract to be married. Three days later, 26 September, they exchanged their marriage vows in the parish church of Quebec, know today as the Bisilica.

From Michigan's Habitant Heritage, vol.2 #4 Oct 1981 pgs 49-51. French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan. He was married to Catherine ANENONTHA @ on 26 Sep 1662 in N.-D.-de-Quebec, Quebec, P.Quebec.

907. Catherine ANENONTHA @ was born in 1648. She died on 11 Jan 1709 in Batiscan, Champlain, P.Quebec. She was buried on 12 Jan 1709 in Batiscan, Champlain, P.Quebec. Catherines parents lived at the parish mission of LaConception. Nicolas had been one of the first Indian Chiefs to embrace the Christian religion and was well known to missionaries Brebreuf, Lalemont, Isaac Jogues, and others who were martyred during the massacre. Nicolas was among the missing, so he no doubt suffered martyrdom like many others on that fateful day.

Jeanne, who had given birth to Catherine in 1648, was left destitute, without any means of support. She, along with many others under the care of Father Chaumonot, fled to the country of the Petun Indians, who were friends of the Hurons. This flight is described in great detail in "Jesuit Relations."

The refugees who survived the hardships and starvation lived in exile until 10 June 1650, when some 300 Christian Hurons, with the help of the surviving missionaries and French soldiers, embarked in canoes for their long voyage to the Isle of Orleans. Those who survived the hardships and accidents on the way arrived at their destination, the Isle of Orleans, on 23 July 1650.

From Michigan's Habitant Heritage, vol.2 #4 Oct 1981 pgs 49-51. French Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan.
Children were:

453 i. Marie-Catherine DURAND @.