Pierre Desportes & Françoise Langlois
Key Historical Corrections
The historical record for Pierre Desportes is well-documented but often confused with later settlers. Pierre Desportes and Françoise Langlois were members of the earliest French settlement (pre-1632) and are significant figures in the colony's history.
| Original Claim (Incorrect) | Corrected Fact (Source) |
|---|---|
| Born around 1594 in Rouen | Born c. 1595 in Lisieux, Normandy, France [^1] |
| Arrived in New France in the 1630s | Arrived in New France in 1619 or August 1620 [^2] |
| Married Françoise Langlois in 1634 | Married Françoise Langlois before 1620 in Lisieux [^1] |
| Françoise Langlois was a Fille du Roi | Incorrect. The Filles du Roi program began in 1663. Françoise was an early pioneer woman [^3] |
| Had four children in New France after 1635 | Had only one known surviving child, HélÚne Desportes, born 1620 in Québec [^4] |
Early Life and Arrival in New France
Pierre Desportes was born around 1595 in or near Lisieux, Normandy, France. Prior to his emigration, he was a man of some means and is recorded as having been an Avocat au parlement de Paris (a lawyer) [^5]. This background suggests a significant social standing and likely a connection to the French trading or administrative elite.
Pierre married Françoise Langlois (c. 1599 - 1632) in France sometime before 1620. Françoise was the sister of Marguerite Langlois, the wife of Abraham Martin (after whom the Plains of Abraham are named), establishing an immediate and crucial family link among the earliest Quebec settlers [^6].
The couple, along with Françoise's sisters, arrived in New France around 1619-1620. Their daughter, HélÚne Desportes, was born at the Habitation (Champlain's fort) on July 7, 1620. She is widely celebrated as the first white child to be born and survive in New France [^4]. Her godmother was HélÚne Boulé, the wife of Samuel de Champlain [^4].
Career and Forced Repatriation
Pierre Desportes was a pivotal figure in the tiny settlement of Québec. His primary roles included:
- Warehouse Manager and Clerk: He was in charge of the main depot and managed fur trading operations [^5].
- Baker: He served as the baker for the small community [^7].
- Company Associate: Desportes was later named an original director (Associate) of the Company of the One Hundred Associates (Compagnie des Cent Associés), a royal chartered corporation established in 1627 to manage and populate New France [^8].
His time in the colony was cut short. On July 19, 1629, the English privateers, the Kirke brothers, seized Québec. Desportes, his wife, and daughter were among the settlers repatriated to France [^7].
Death and The Desportes-Langlois Lineage
Pierre Desportes and Françoise Langlois did not return to New France.
- Pierre Desportes died in France, possibly on May 18, 1629, shortly after the repatriation [^1].
- Françoise Langlois died in France on April 20, 1632, and was buried at the Saint-Jacques parish in Dieppe [^9].
Their daughter, HĂ©lĂšne Desportes (1620-1675), was the sole bearer of their legacy in New France. She returned to the colony and married twice, creating one of the most prominent ancestral lines in Quebecois history:
- First Marriage (1634): Married Guillaume HĂ©bert (c. 1614-1639), son of the first farmer of New France, Louis HĂ©bert [^4].
- Second Marriage (1640): Married Noël Morin (c. 1609-1680), a pioneer settler and member of the Sovereign Council of New France [^4].
HĂ©lĂšne Desportes herself became a respected member of the community, serving as a midwife [^10].
Legacy
Pierre Desportes and his family are memorialized today as part of the founding generation of Canada. His name, along with those of his wife and daughter, appears on the Louis HĂ©bert Monument in Quebec City [^11].
For genealogical research, the focus is almost entirely on the line established by their daughter, HélÚne Desportes. The incorrect children mentioned in the original text (Pierre Jr., Jacques, Marie, Françoise) are not part of this family line. The Desportes lineage is primarily traced through the Hébert and Morin families.
Genealogical Resources
| Resource | Value Proposition |
|---|---|
| Fichier Origine | Comprehensive, standardized dossiers for French ancestors of Quebec, including Pierre Desportes (Dossier 250052) and Françoise Langlois [^12]. |
| Dictionnaire Biographique du Canada (DBC/DCB) | Provides academic biographies on key figures, including his daughter, HĂ©lĂšne Desportes [^4]. |
| PRDH (Programme de recherche en démographie historique) | Essential for verified vital records and family reconstructions in New France, often superseding older, less reliable sources [^13]. |
| Notarial Records (BAnQ) | Contracts and legal documents (like commercial records or partnership deeds) can provide context on Desportes' business dealings as a Company Associate. |
Sources
[^1]: Fichier Origine: Pierre Desportes - Dossier 250052 (Born c. 1595, Lisieux). [^2]: Dictionary of Canadian Biography (DBC)/ Dictionnaire biographique du Canada (DBC), HélÚne Desportes entry (Arrival c. 1620). [^3]: The Filles du Roi program operated from 1663 to 1673. Françoise Langlois was in New France decades earlier. [^4]: DBC/DCB, "Desportes, HélÚne" entry. [^5]: Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec (Desportes, Pierre - Avocat au parlement de Paris). [^6]: ManyRoads - Françoise Langlois entry, referencing the sisterhood with Marguerite Langlois. [^7]: Benjamin Sulte, Histoire des Canadiens-Française (Roles as Warehouse Chief/Baker and repatriation in 1629). [^8]: Wikipedia article on the Company of 100 Associates and related genealogical research. [^9]: PRDH (Programme de recherche en démographie historique) and Fichier Origine (Françoise Langlois death April 20, 1632, Dieppe, France). [^10]: DBC/DCB, "Desportes, HélÚne" (Occupation: Midwife). [^11]: Genealogical sources referencing the Louis Hébert Monument plaque (Pierre and Françoise appear on the plaque). [^12]: Fichier Origine link: http://www.fichierorigine.com/recherche?numero=250052. [^13]: PRDH: http://www.genealogie.umontreal.ca/fr/member/union.asp?78 (Union between Pierre Desportes and Françoise Langlois).
Credits and Licensing
Compiled by Mark Rabideau, Opa & Professional Genealogist.
All materials licensed: CC BY-ND 4.0 by eirenicon llc.