The register for the parish church of Reveillion shows the following entries for the Giroux family:
Étienne Giroux : Baptized 25 Mar 1623
Nicolas Giroux: Baptized 4 Jan 1625 (Died)
Catherine Giroux: Baptized 19 Dec.1625 (Died)
Antoine Giroux: Baptized 19 Sep. 1627 (Died)
Thomas Giroux: Baptized 9 Mar. 1629
Toussaint Giroux: Baptized Nov 1633
Marguerite Giroux Baptized 6 Mar 1640 (Died)
Jean Giroux: Father 10 Jan 1641 (Died:)
Étienne Giroux: Eldest son Oct 1641 (Died:)
As stated, Toussaint's father died in 1641, and the eight year old was taken under the wing of his Godfather, Zacherie Mahue; a baker and mason who went by the nickname 'L'Aube' (Daybreak); and happened to live next door.
The three men were given joint property, and signed the following contract:
"Because we want to give thanks and show our will; Zacharie Maheult, Toussaint Giroux and René Maheult, residents of Beauport, we give them as a rentable seigniorial property, a land of high trees, and with the following limits: on one side, Jacques Badeau's and Robert Drouin’s land; on the other side, the river belonging to the Lord up to the fir-plantation."
"In order to use the property and to dispose of it, they must pay, every Christmas, 25 Sols for the rent, one Sol for the quit-rent and a fat chicken; according to the edicts of Paris under which this country is governed."
"For the amount of 200 acres, 100 acres for the grazing of cattle, and 100 acres for the cutting of firewood, the leaseholders, following the Lord's will, will give two days of work each week.
"In case of war the leaseholders will take shelter in the Lord's house in order to follow the Lord's orders and directions. The Lord (Giffard) promises the right to fish from the small meadows to the Buisson River, which belongs to the Lord of Beauport, to the leaseholders.
"Here we sign this original document on which we set our seal, and let the Notary of this place countersign, here in Beauport on June 20th, 1654".
(Signed:) Robert Giffard
(Signed ) Badeau, Royal Notary
By the following year, the census shows that the couple had 4 acres of land already cultivated, and though childless, they were preparing for the birth of their first. They had not moved into their own house yet but were still residing with the Giffard family. Marie was just sixteen and not in the best of health, when their son Charles was born. There is an entry in the church registry that describes the event:
"In Lord Giffard's house on April 30th, 1655, Toussaint Giroux and Marie Godard's son was delivered by Lord Giffard. On May 7th this son was baptized by Father Raganeau, a Jesuit. Godfather--Joseph Giffard; Godmother--Louise Giffard, Lord Charles de Lauson's wife. The name Charles was given to him. The child deceased and was buried the same day, May 7th, 1655."
The following year, a second son would prove to be healthy: "0n July 21st, 1656, Raphael was born, he was brought to the church on July 30th. He was baptized by Father Poncet, a Jesuit. Father Jerome LaLamant was the parish priest. The God father--Raphael Thierry, Godmother--Marie Rognouard, Lord of Beauport's wife."
With their growing family, they could no longer count on the kindness of the Giffards, and decided that it was time they built their home. On Oct. 14th, 1658, they purchased a lot from Jean Creste, which was recorded by the Notary Paul Vachon: "Jean Creste acknowledges that he sold and transferred to Toussaint Giroux, a piece of ground 7 poles in length by 6 poles in width for a location for a house, a yard and a garden. This sale has a condition, that Giroux must cear a piece of 1and of the same area as that given to him by Creste, and put it in the same shape as the land he is given, within one year; all this on Jean Creste's concession.
Witness: René Chevalier
Witness: Michel Baugis
Witness: Jean Langlois, Sr.
On June 12, 1661; another son was born, named Michel. He was baptized on June 19; and his Godparents were Michel Maugis and Marguerite Langlois, wife of Paul Vachon, the Royal Notary. October 17, 1663; another son Toussaint came into the world, baptized on October 21 with Godparents: Jean Creste and Nicole Rolland, wife of François Blondeau. He died on November 10, 1663. October 19, 1665, son Jean delivered by Monseigneur de Charney, and baptized by him on the same day. Godparents were Zacharie Maheult and Robine Poete, wife of Paul De Rainville.
On October 5th, 1665, Toussaint Giroux and his friend Michel Maugis, signed a contract with Charles de Lauzon, priest and Lord of Charny, for additional land: "Four acres in front of the St. Lawrence River by 40 acres deep, in the location called 'Mount Saint Michel in the Lauzon domain with a right to fish, to hunt and to let the cattle graze. For this they must pay every year, on Saint Remy’s Day, October 1st, the sum of Sols for each acre fronting on the St. Lawrence River. They also have to give 2 Deniers and 1/11 of the fish that they catch - these will be salted by them. The boats for fishing and salt shall be supplied to them.”
However, their venture proved to be unprofitable, and failing to meet their obligation with Lord Charny, the two men decided to unload it. They found a willing buyer, and since Marie was co-owner, the meeting took place in her kitchen on December 3, 1660, with Paul Vachon present to draw up the contract with Jean Drouard; which read in part: "The buyer promises to deliver 3000 eels; to the sellers, which will be well pickled, and in good condition. The payments will stretch over three years -1670, 1671 and 1672."
Drouard was no more successful and it would take him ten years to honour his debt. Finally, on March 9, 1680; the interested parties met at Paul Vachon's house in Beauport, where it was acknowledged that Drouard had delivered the 3000 pickled eels to the partners, Giroux and Maugis; and that the contract was closed.
The Giroux family continued to grow. On January 1, 1667, their first daughter, Marie Anne was baptized; her Godparents, Claude Besmen de la Martiniere and Marie Juchereau, daughter of the Siegneur of St. Denys. Jean-Baptiste was born on December 16, 1668, but died as an infant.
following:
"a concession consisting of three and 5/ 6ths yards in the village of St. Michel. This land has no bushes or trees; it has a hut and shed with all that depends upon it. There is a tax of 3 Sols, and pounds, 15 Sols, with 3 living capons. This tax is due on Saint Martin's day. After paying the price any amount of 100 Tournois Pounds, with valid money, they can use the land that has no wood at this time. The land is ready to be sowed; the Lord and his wife keeps the right on the seed for this year only. . . " On the 28th of October of that year, the sellers acknowledged that they received from Toussaint Giroux, the amount of 120 Pounds, Witnessed by a notary. Therefore, the Lord and his wife released Toussaint Giroux and others from the debt. Evidently, the money that the true family was receiving from the King of France was being used to buy more land.
