ROBERT DROUIN (1607-1685)

husband of

ANNE CLOUTIER (1626-1648) and MARIE CHAPELIER (1621-1697)

Here is information about more interesting ancestors, 8th Great Grandparents to Vernon Parent and his brothers/sisters, through whom we are descended in lines from both wives!

HISTORY OF THE DROUIN AND VILLAGE OF PIN-LA-GARENNE
THE DROUIN OF NORTH AMERICA (LES DROUIN D'AMERIQUE)

DROUIN SURNAME

The first item of this short story is that for the majority of the Drouin of North America, there is only one original descendant, his name was Robert Drouin and he came from Pin-la-Garenne (Perche) France. He arrived in Québec City in 1634. The surname Drouin, was spelled in different way in the church records of 1597 onward: Drouin, Drouyn and Droyn. Of course in their trek across North America, the Drouin name took on different forms, depending on the way the census or church people spelled it. In Detroit it became Derouin and in Louisiana DeRouen or Derouen.

PIN-LA-GARENNE (THE EARLY HISTORY)

The first official document concerning the parish of Pin was a chart contain in the records of the Abbey of Marmoutier situated near Tours, of which the monastery of Saint Martin-du-Vieux-Belleme was a branch. This chart from before 1064, confirmed the donation of half the church to the monks of Saint Martin by the "Chevalier dit Gauthier" of the Pin. La Peloniere attached to the Pin served as the castle for the "Seigneir" as well as barracks for the soldiers.

The official records of Pin were started 1595, and it is very difficult to find the origin of the Drouin family prior to that time. Local records indicated that in the years 1551 onward lived in Pin two adults Drouin: Jehan and Pierre. Thus for these two as well as others born prior to 1595, there just is not any records of birth, etc. However, we know of one Jeanne Drouin who married a Barthelemy Moyne (LeMoyne), whose children were born prior to 1595. Jeanne must have been at least the second generation in Le Pin, if we take it that Jehan and Pierre were the first. How many others from these two formed the second generation we do not know. (2)

First/Second/Third generations

FIRST GENERATION SECOND GENERATION THIRD GENERATION

Jehan (mention is made of him in the municipality records in 1551/1552/1553 Jeanne Plus many others.

Jeanne and her husband died and their wills read 2/12/1612 Oudard/Michelle/Antoine/ 
Genevieve/Julian/Jeanne/
Yves and Robert.

Pierre (as above in 1555) None known at this time. We do not know who the fathers of the above were.

It is more than likely that Drouins inhabited the area for many years prior to 1550, possibly in the early part of 1500. However, from church records we know that in 1606, there were several others, either brothers/sisters or relatives: Oudard (m) Perrine Chemineau: children=Pierre, Rose, Jeanne, et Marguerite; Yves (m) Antoinette Chemineau: children=Perrine; Antoine (m) Francoise Geslain; Genevieve.(source for this are the parish record held in Mortagne).

For a translation of the origin of the surname Drouin in France, as well as some information on the number, whereabouts and famous Drouin in French history see the Table Drouin Origin below. This was translated by your editor and passed on to us Drouin by Mrs Yvette Chevet of Touraine in France. Mrs Chevet has indicated that the major part of this information was first published by a local regional paper called "La Nouvelle Republique du Centre et Ouest" under the signature of "Odile Mergnac". We are grateful for this information from our French correspondents.

Robert who was born in 1565, died around February 1617. He was a tile maker (la tuile de couverture). Most of the Drouin seemed to have been involved in this profession. i.e., brothers and cousins. (The husband of Jeanne, Barthelemy Moyne was also a title maker.) Robert lived in a house outside the Pin (3/4 km on the way to Belleme), which also served as a factory for the tile making. The house and factory were called "La Tuilerie", and it is still known by that name today (1996). It remained in the Drouin family until 1890 when it was sold to the "Duplessi" family, whose descendants still live in the house. (3)

Robert Drouin the tile maker was married to Marie Dubois, and they had ten children, one of which was also named Robert, the direct ancestor of all the North American Drouin, Derouin, DeRouen, etc. who can trace their ancestors to Québec. He was known in the Pin as, Robert "Le Canadian". Robert was not only a tile maker but appear to also have been a tax collector for the municipality, collecting tax on land, buildings, etc.

Robert le Canadian's father and mother (Robert and Marie Dubois), had, as indicated ten children: Jehan born in 1597; Michel (b) 7 Feb 1600; Jacqueline (b) 18 May 1601; Roberte (b) 17 Jun 1602; Robert born 1603 died 1606; Barthelami (b) 24 Aug 1603; Roze (b) 14 Dec 1605; Robert (le canadian) (b) 6 Aug 1607; Hilaire (b) 23 Feb 1610; Marie (b) 5 Dec 1611). (4)

As indicated in the following account of Robert (le Canadian), which from now on will be known as Robert, left via the port of Dieppe in 1634.

NOTES
(1) The source for most of the information on Pin La Garenne comes from a small publication, completed by Michel Ganivet, a local historian. It is called Cahiers Percherons (1976)(49/50) and a special edition published in 1974.

(2) La Famille Drouin au Perche par Madame Pierre Montagne, published by La Revue, Sainte-Anne de Beaupre (1985).

 (3) On 27 June 1983, four descendants of Robert Drouin met in Pin-la-Garenne: Roger Drouin of Ottawa, his son Jean-Francois, Joseph Derouin of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Capt Raymond Drouin of Canadian Forces Base Baden-Soellingen in Germany.

(4) Dictionnaire Nationale des Can. Francais. (Info compiled by Mormons, Salt Lake City). 

Listed below is a short history of Robert Drouin's life from his departure from France, his arrival in Canada and subsequent travel, lodgings, home and marriages until his death in May 1685. Information from this short story was taken from an unknown donor, and from other sources. Should a person recognize some of it as their material, please contact me and I will be glad to give credit to its author.

Robert Drouin

Those who live in the Saint Lawrence River valley, in the United States or in the Canadian Provinces, under the name Drouin, Drouyn, Derouin, DeRouen, Droin and even Drovin, and who can trace their ancestor to Québec, are descended from one unique source, Robert Drouin and Marie Chappelier.

Our ancestor was born in the parish of Saint-Barthelemy, in a small town of no distinction, Pin-la-Garenne, a community in the Department of the Orne, District of Mortagne, Canton of Pervencheres, in the ancient and honorable Province of Perche. He was baptized on 6 August 1607, the son of Robert and Marie Dubois. He grew to manhood in the same house, which still exists: the Tuileries. There is no relationship between this small modest stone house and the royal playhouse at Versailles, except the name, derived from the ornamental tile and brick used to decorate the walls and chimneys of homes of that period. It was there that Robert Drouin learned the abc's of his trade.

In 1634, Seigneur Robert Giffard recruited several family members from Perche for an unknown life in Canada. Among these were the families Cloutier, Boucher, Giroux and others. A year later, in 1635, Robert Drouin joined with Francois Aubert, Philippe Amyot, Jean Cote and Martin Grouvel, who left from the port of Dieppe in their turn, to go out to the colony. The conditions of employment which Robert accepted were undoubtedly established the year before by Robert Giffard and Zacharie Cloutier before their departure.

Robert Drouin disembarked at Québec in the summer of 1635. According to the historian Benjamin Sulte, he was among the first to clear land in New France. Be that as it may, we find him living on the seigneurie of Giffard, in the home of Zacharie Cloutier, making bricks. He contributed materially to the building of the houses and out buildings of those first settlers who needed to expand and find accommodation elsewhere.

THE FIRST MARRIAGE CONTRACT IN CANADA

It was there that Robert met Anne Cloutier, who was to become his first wife. As the friendship between the 29-year old Robert and the Cloutier family grew stronger, he sought the hand in marriage of the daughter of his emplover. Robert Drouin himself was a young man of good character. Zacharie and Xainte Cloutier were very impressed with his qualities of honesty and his work ethics.

Zacharie the elder, lost no time in getting organized. He had already begun to plan for the future of his children and on the 27th of July 1636, he arranged for his daughter Anne to take Robert Drouin as her husband. Anne Cloutier was born in Mortagne, Perche, France on January 26, 1626. She was only 8 years old when she came to Canada with her parents, Zacharie and Xainte Dupont, on 4 June 1634, exactly 100 years to the day after Jacques Cartier.

Her marriage was unusual for two reasons. First the marriage contract with Robert Drouin was the first of its kind in Canada, and second, Anne was only ten and one half years old when the contract was signed!  So her time of childhood with its attendant freedoms and happiness was short lived.

Thus, did notary Jean Guvon come to prepare the first contract of marriage in Canada on July 27th. The agreement was signed in the house of Seigneur Giffard before the principals concerned and a number of witnesses. The marriage was to take place as soon as possible; however, the sacrament would not be consummated until a year later. The contract stipulated that the newlyweds were to continue to live in the Cloutier home "under the roof of Zacharie and Xainte" for a period of three years, and the bride, agreed to be "conseillee" by her parents. In this expression one may observe the prudence of the parents who indicated the desire that their child not be confronted with marital responsibilities too soon.

Roger Cloutier in his book The Story of the Cloutiers noted that young eligible women were so scarce in New France at this time that Drouin did not wish to risk not having a wife so he accepted the conditions of the contract.

Their marriage was celebrated on 12 July 1637, in the church of Notre-Dame de Québec, when Anne was eleven. But Robert had to content himself with non-conjugal visits for two more years. Robert was thirty years old. So their first child, Agnes, did not come into the world until January 1641, after those three years of parental surveillance.

Here is a copy of the contract:

MASTER BRICKMAKER

Robert knew the art of brickmaking. A contract from Notary Piraude, dated 25 March 1640, tells us that ancestor Drouin sold 7000 bricks to the nursing order of the Dames Hospitalieres. He contracted to deliver them about the 15th of the following June, "on the shore of the river near Beauport just opposite the workvard" for a price of "two poinsons of wheat." A poinson is a measure of volume, equivalent to 39 Canadian gallons.

On 14 October 1645, Robert promised to "lease to Grouvel 200 bricks." During this period our man was already busy with many other activities: He made planks, dry-docked the launch of Grouvel and sowed the fields of his friends. In spite of all this, Robert never abandoned his brickmaking. As proof, on 27 July 1682, on the occasion of the marriage of Etienne, the father invited the son to come around in his spare time to "make some bricks." The boy would get to keep half the profits.

A COLONIST AT CHATEAU-RICHER

In 1641, the surveyor Jean Bourdon drew up a map of the Beaupre Coast, on which we find the land of Robert Drouin. It was situated between the properties of Jacques Boissel and Claude Etienne, to the west of Riviere-aux-Chiens. By that tirne, Robert had cleared a plot of land and put a small cabin on it: The couple must have established a home at Beauport. In 1642, Robert and some people of Beauport were accused of having plotted to kill James Bourguignon, who sued them in the Criminal Court of Québec. The affair was not prosecuted. On 17 April 1646, a land grant was made by Oliver Le Tardif in favor of Drouin and signed by the Notary Morel. This land was 6 arpents of frontage by 126 in depth.

The marriage of Anne Cloutier and Robert Drouin was short-lived.

The years were difficult for Anne. She had her first child when she was but 15 years old herself. She had six children over all - three of whom died at birth. The Drouins had three daughters: Agnes, who died in 1641, Genevieve and Jeanne. The former had Jean Gagnon for a godfather and had been privately baptized by Mathurin Gagnon, family friends who lived at Chateau-Richer. Jeanne was baptized on 5 February 1647 by Father Jean Le Sueur, "in the house of Robert Drouin" at Riviere-aux-Chein.

The years were difficult for Anne. She had her first child when she was but 15 years old herself. She had six children over all - three of whom died at birth. Of the remaining children only two names are known, Genevieve and Jeanne (from whom the modern Parent generation are descended). Genevieve was also married at the age of 13, and her descendants are numerous

A sad event occurred in 1648! Anne Cloutier Drouin died the 4th of February 1648 at la Chandeleur after eleven and a half years of marriage. She was only 22 years old. Her body was transported from Chateau-Richer to Hotel Dieu in Québec City on 4 Feb 1648. She was buried in Québec the next day.The Jesuit Journal tells us about the arrival of the body at the Hospital of Québec, where vespers were said before the interment. The question arises: How did they transport the body from Chateau-Richer to Québec in the dead of winter?

Robert left the area. He gave his in-laws temporary custody of his two orphan daughters. Genevieve and Jeanne. So Genevieve and Jeanne were brought up by Zacharie and Zainte, their grandfather and grandmother, until their marriages. These marriages resulted in descendants who have played an important part in the settlement of two great cities, Detroit and New Orleans.

Robert rented his land to Julien Perreault, who agreed to allow an arpent of land to return to nature each year, but to take good care of the two cows, the heifer, the ox and the four pigs.

A SECOND MARRiAGE

Robert Drouin, husband of Anne found himself a widower at the age of 41, but not for long. The next year, on 26 November 1649, Robert penned his mark to the bottom line of his second marriage contract. Marie Chappelier (or Chapelier), the widow of Pierre Petit was a native of Compte Robert-en-Brie, daughter of Jean Chapelier and Marguerite Dodier. In accepting him as her second husband, Drouin promised Marie to "take a residence close to Québec." The following Monday, on 29 November, the religious ceremony took place at Québec. The marriage contract, perhaps a bit complicated, was adjusted on 25 July 1664. Together they had eight children

CAP-DE-I A-MADELEINE

Marie Chappelier had a cousin, one Robert Hache, a clerk in a store in Québec in 1649 who was present at the signing of her marriage contract. This Jesuit layman had lived at Trois-Rivieres. Could it have been he who gave his cousin the idea of going to live at the Cap? The Drouins had a little daughter, Marie, who was baptized at Trois-Rivieres in the autumn of 1 650.

Old Zacharie Cloutier did not trust stepmother Chappelier. "He feared that the said children were mistreated by this new woman. '' He took custody of his two grandchildren during the time his son-in-law lived at Trois-Rivieres.

On 6 June 1651, the Jesuits granted a plot of land to the Drouin couple, not from that of Sebastian Dodier, a relative of Marie Chappelier. This grant of 2 arpents in frontage on the river, to a depth of 20 arpents, was located on the Cap, between the properties of Jean Lanqueteau and Jean Poisson. While Jean was busy brickmaking, the fur trade did not leave him indifferent. He was seen selling a certain quantity of pelts at the Trois-Rivieres market. He may have received them in payment for bricks. On 18 September 1650, Marie, their first child, was baptized at this second home of the Drouins; but by January of 1652, they were back in Québec, where Nicholas was born. On 1 February 1652, son Nicholas was baptized in a private ceremony at Québec. The boy had already been conditionally baptized on 8 January by Nicholas Giffard.

SUBURBS OF QUÉBEC

On 24 March 1623, according to a contract made by Notary Audouart, we are told that the Drouins lived " on the farm of the Jesuit Fathers, called Notre-Dame de Bon Secours." Father Jean De Laplace, S.J., granted him a concession of land of 3 arpents in frontage by 20 deep. It was close by Jacques Badeau, at Notre-Dame-des-Anges, located between Beauport and Québec. Reading between the lines, we might assume that wife Marie had a holy horror of living in isolation in the country.

RIVIERE-AUX-CHIENS

Father Paul Rageneau, S.J., on 27 December 1655, at the home of Etienne Racine, a resident of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, baptized Marguerite Drouin. Thus, we see that the family had returned to the Riviere-aux-Chiens, no doubt back to the land of 1641. But their return to Sainte-Anne was not all that happy. The Cloutiers did not like Marie Chappelier, so, out of concern for their granddaughters Genevieve and Jeanne, they were able to obtain permanent custody. These two daughters of Anne Cloutier would be, during the life of their father, and even after his death, the center of judicial litigation aimed at protecting their right to the community property due from their father and natural mother.

On 27 July 1656, according to Audouart, Robert was living on the Beaupre Coast; we see that he had to pay 150 livres to Marie Crevel, widow of Robert Caron. Two years later 25 October, Robert was living at Beaupré where he certified that he owed 24 livres to Simon Denis. The same year, he made another declaration of debt of 18 livres to Jean Juchereau.

Robert and Marie loved their children very much and did all they could to help them, especially on the occasions of their marriages. For instance, when daughter Marie married, they gave her a milk cow, some clothing, some linens and dishes plus 100 livres in cash. The Drouins also boarded Genevieve and Marguerite with the Ursuline nuns at Québec.

In 1667, Robert owned 6 head of cattle and 10 arpents of cleared land. He sold a half arpent of his river frontage in 1668 to Francois Lacroix for 100 livres. The next year he granted a slice off the back section of his land, 2 arpents, 3.5 perches, to Francois Branliac. Enough land remained for his sons Nicholas and Etienne. In 1681, Robert Drouin was still cultivating 20 arpents of land. On 4 October of that year, he accepted the 14-year-old Charles Galarneau, for a 3-year indenture.

THE DROUIN FAMILY AND SAINT ANNE

The good Saint Anne did something special to recognize the faith of the founding family Drouin.

Nicholas, the 12-year-old son of Robert, "being afflicted by a falling sickness (epilepsy) who was in danger of dying in the fire or in the water, often fell down as if dead wherever he found himself, vowed to Saint Anne and started a novena in her honor. . . and recovered his health on the feast day of Saint Anne, 26 July 1662. His recovery was complete. "He continued all the years with his parents to give thanks to Saint Anne on her feast day, at the church of the Little cape."

Marie Chappelier had eight children. From various sources we now know that, of all these children, Nicholas and Etienne were the only ones to have perpetuated the name of their father. They married two sisters, Marie and Catherine Loignan, daughters of Pierre and Francoise Roussins originally from Tourouvre in Perche; therefore the Drouin family is doubly attached to this ancient province. The other children allied themselves as follows: Marie to Nicholas Lebel; Marguerite to Jean Gagnon and to Antoine Darde; Catherine to Michel Roulois and to Guillaume Simin.

In 1664, Madame Drouin made an offering of a livre to the church of Sainte-Anne. That same year an unfortunate event hit the farnily rather hard. Their daughter Marie, married in November 1662 to Nicholas Lebel, drowned at Riviere-aux-Chiens, coming to Sainte-Anne to hear the Holy mass... . and with the intention of making her devotions." She was buried at Chateau-Richer on 2 May 1664.

LEST WE FORGET

Robert Drouin at age 77, father of eleven children, died at the end of May 1685 " after having received the sacraments of penance, holy eucharist and extreme unction." Father Guillaume Gauthier presided at the funeral on the first of June, an inventory was made of his possessions by the Notary Etienne Jacob. It took three days, the 11th, 16th, and 17th, to complete.

His widow, Marie Chappelier, is without a doubt that wornan listed at the Hospital of Québec under the name of Marie Chapeliez who died on 15 March 1697. She was buried three days later.

Genevieve and Jeanne, the children of the first marriage, married Romain Trepagny and Pierre Maheu. Etienne and Nicholas Drouin took care that there were many descendants.

"Je Me Souviens" is not only the motto of the Province of Québec, it is also the motto that every family from these early settlers should adopt in order to keep alive the memory of those pioneers who made this country what it is.

A composite picture of Robert can be seen courtesy of book "No Ancetres" by Gerard Lebel, C Ss R. The composite pictures from these books (Nos Ancetres) were taken from the Anglish collection "Our French-Canadian Ancestors, vol 2 (1984), completed by Thomas J. Laforest and Weathers his much talented artist.

Table Drouin Origin as sent to us by Mrs Yvette Chevet (Drouin), this information first published in "La Nouvelle Republique du Centre et Ouest" under the signature of "Odile Mergnac". The Origin of the word "Drouin" is German, "Drogo" who signifies to go to war with guile. It is also the name of the bird in the LaFontaine story of "Le Renard". She estimates that there are approximately 7400 Drouin in France today, with the four Departments where they are more numerous being: La Sarthe, Paris, La Loire-Atlantique and Meurthe-et-Moselle. Some of the more famous Drouin in France were: Florent Drouin dit Le Viel died around 1609 was the master engineer for the Duc de Lorraine. As such he must have worked on the "Tour du Palais de Nancy", and was helped by his son Florent dit Le Jeune, who was an architect and sculptor.

Jean Jacques Drouin who had married Francoise Jeanne Elisabeth Gaultier (1720-1803) became (through I understand his wife's extracurucular activities with the right people) master of ballets at the "Comedie Francaise".

Francois Drouin (1752-1794) merchant, farmer, notary, and a lawyer had his head cut off under the revolution for having participated against it. Also Noel Drouin, a marchant from Orleans, lost his head during the same time. He had been held at the Luxembour jail.

Other Drouin, read-admiral Jean Auguste Leon Henri Drouin born in 1842 at "ile Maurice; Jean-Claude Drouin (1742-1826) mayor of Luneville for many years; writer Daniel Drouin, sieur de Bel-Endroict, born in Vienne arund 1550; Edme Alphone dit Edmond Drouin (1838-1904) specialist in oriental culture; Vincent Denis Drouin (1660-1722) Surgeon in chief of the French army.

In Touraine, there were several small "seigneurs" amongst them, Leonor Drouin mayor of Tours.

Finally there is the "Dictionnaire Etymologique des noms de famille" which translated is the French dictionnary on origin of Family name. In this dictionary available by clicking as indicated in the "Dictionnaire" it says that the Name Drouin seem more often in the West of France and Lorraine, is a name of German origin, from Droue, with variation into Drouineau, Drouineaud, Drouineault, Drouinot and Drouain. Thus the German origin is certainly confirmed and the proximity to Lorraine of a large group of related names to Droue, also help us inditify the source as Germanic.

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CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS OF ROBERT DROUIN

Source: http://www.travel-net.com/~drouin/drouin2.htm

DATE EVENT
6 Aug 1607 Born in Pin-La-Garenne, Perche, France. (9 kms from Mortagne au Perche on D938).

July 1634 Pays off his debts to his brother Hilaire, and rent his part of the family business (La Tuillerie), to his other brother Michel for three years.

1634 Departs the port of Dieppe for Canada, most likely in July following the contract with Hilaire and Michel which was signed in early July 1634.

1634-36 Arrive in Québec City and work for the Jesuit as a brickmaker/layer, as well as serving Robert Giffard.

12 Jul 1636 Married Anne Cloutier (who had arrived in Canada on 4 Jun 1634) She came from Mortagne, Perche.

27 Jul 1636 Signs for the first marriage contract done in Canada on his marriage to Anne Cloutier.

1636-1648 Robert settled at Riviere-aux-Chiens; makes bricks for hospital in Québec City (a sideline that he kept all of his life); helps build boats; help with neighbors fields; and clear his own land for farming.

5 Feb 1647 His daughter Jeanne baptized in his house at Riviere-aux-Chiens, proof that at that time he was well settled in there.

1648 By this time Robert and Anne had six children, four of which died after Birth; two girls remained, Genevieve and Jeanne.

4 Feb 1648 Robert's wife Anne died on that date. She had a service and was buried at the Hospital de Québec.

1648 Robert leaves his children with relatives i.e., Cloutier; Rent his farm for a contract of three years to a Julian Perreault (Pecault).

26 Nov 1649 Robert signs a marriage contract with a widow named Marie Chappelier. The contract may have been complicated, as it was readjusted on 25 Jul 1664.

29 Nov 1649 Married to Marie Chappelier in Québec City.

Fall 1650 Appeares to have moved to Cap-de-la-Madeleine with his new wife, leaving his two daughters from previous marriage in Québec. A daughter Marie was born in Three Rivers in the Fall of 1650.

6 Jun 1651 The Jesuit hand over a piece of land to Robert, 2 arpents frontage, and deep of 20, at Cap-de-la-Madelaine (on the St Lawrence river). It is situated between Jean Lanqueteau and Jean Poisson.

Feb 1652 It appear that Robert went back to Québec City, because not long after receiving the land at Cap-l-m, in Feb 1652 he had Nicolas his first born son, baptized in Québec City.

1653-1655 In March 1653, it appears as if Robert received another land grant from the Jesuit at Notre Dame des Anges (between Beauport and Québec). However, on 27 Dec 55, Marguerite Drouin was baptized at Riviere-a-c.

1656 Records indicate that Robert owed several amount of monies to at least three people.

1656-1665 Robert continue to farm, by 1667, he had six cows, and 10 arpents of land cultivated. By 1681, he had 20 arpents under cultivation.

1665 Robert donate 200 bricks for the construction of the presbytery at St Anne.

May 1685 Robert died at the age of 77. Funeral were held on 1 Jun 1685 at the Chateau Richer parish church. His wife Marie Chapelier survived him, but died at the Hotel Dieu hospital in Québec on 18 Mar 1697.

 Québec

NOTE (1) Genevieve et Jeanne born from the first marriage, married Romain Trepanier and Pierre Maheu. Through his two sons, Nicolas and Etienne and of course the many daughters, from his first and second marriage, Robert ensured that a whole clan of Drouin descendants have been involved in the birth and evolution of North America. In every aspects of our lives here in North America, some Drouin descendants has had a part in it. Je Me Souviens.

Prepared by Ray Drouin, 29 Jun 1999

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!BIRTH-PARENTS-CHRISTENING-SPOUSE-DEATH: L'Abbe Cyprien Tanguay, DICTIONNAIRE GENEALOGIQUE DES FAMILLES CANADIENNE, 1608-1800; Vol 1, p 201, Vol 3, p 453. Books in possession of Vernon F. Parent; SP also listed as 27 Aug 1986 OG

Robert Drouin was in Canada in 1636 and in 1641, he already had a farm near the Rivière aux Chiens (river of dogs). His marriage contract of July 27 1636, (one year after the religious ceremony) which was concluded in the house of Robert Giffard and executed by Jean Guyon du Buisson in the absence of a notary, is the oldest marriage document preserved in the original in Canada. It seems that he is the ancestor of all Drouin in the country.

Source: First Canadian Ancestors (from the "Ancestors of Jean-Guy Coté" Database)
http://www.leveillee.net/ancestry/histnotes.htm

See the following website for the following:

http://www.travel-net.com/~drouin/drouin1.htm#Table Drouin Origins

Much of the information on Anne Cloutier was provided by Dave Clutchey who has a web page on the Cloutier at http://gator.naples.net/~clutchey/anne.htm.

The historian Laforest writing about Robert Drouin (OFCA Volume #2 Robert Drouin pgs 64-73) tells about the unique and somewhat tragic life of Anne Cloutier. While doubtless Laforest's chronicle is true and documents support his facts, nevertheless not all of the descendants of Anne were noted and indeed the book Families in Transition is in error by suggesting (page 13) that one of Anne's daughters, Geneviève, had as short a life as that of her mother. Further examination will prove the inaccuracy of our earlier statement.
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!BIRTH-PARENTS-CHRISTENING-SPOUSE-DEATH: L'Abbe Cyprien Tanguay, DICTIONNAIRE GENEALOGIQUE DES FAMILLES CANADIENNE, 1608-1800; Vol 1, p 210, Vol 3, p 453. Books in possession of Vernon F. Parent.

Name: Anne Cloutier
  Sex: F
  Birth: 26 JAN 1625/26 in France
  Death: 4 FEB 1647/48 in Ville de Québec, Québec
  Note: 11 years of age at marriage. Gave birth to 6 children, 3 died. First gave birth at the age of 15.

Father: Zacharie Cloutier b: ABT. 1590 in St. Jean, Mortagne, Perché, France
Mother: Sainte Dupont b: 1596 in France

Marriage 1 Robert Drouin b: 6 AUG 1607 in Pin La Garenne, Sees, Perché, France

Married: 12 JUL 1637 in Ville de Québec, Québec

Children

   1. Jeanne Drouin b: FEB 1646/47 in Ville de Québec, Québec
   2. Geneviève Drouin b: 19 OCT 1643 in Québec

Death Record of Robert Drouin (1685)

This document records the death of Robert Drouin on 01 June 1685 in Chateau-Richer, Quebec. He was the husband of Anne Cloutier and son-in-law of Zacharie Cloutier. He came to Canada in 1635. He and Anne, were the subject of the first marriage contract in Canada, signed on 27 July 1636. She was only 10 years old at the time. The contract stipulated that her marriage to Robert Drouin would not take place for another year and that Anne would live with her parents until she was thirteen. Robert was born in Perche, France in 1607 and is the 6th great grandfather of Louis and John Bellware.

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