In January of 1628, Champlain writes that "Robert Giffard, some time before, wished to have a young Indian woman to educate her & to marry her, but her people would not give her up to him, whatever offers he made." (Marcel Trudeau, The Beginnings of New France, Pg. 155)
It was customary for Canadian women to enter into marriages for the benefit of trade, but they rarely left their own villages, preferring instead that their husband visit when he could, and remain loyal to her people; but any offspring were raised in her own community. Obviously Robert wanted to take her away, and this was rarely acceptable.
In 1628, he did marry Marie Regnouard, and the couple set off for New France, but were captured by the Kirke Brothers and forced into exile.
Giffard remained involved with the New France colony and certainly earned his right to the land grant, even if the whole concept was wrong; considering that the land did not really belong to France at all. However, the Canadian people in the area needed French protection from their enemies; the Iroquois; and were enjoying the benefits of trade with their new neighbours.
On January 15, 1634, he was officially given his grant and set sail with "all his family and a number of persons that he took with him to live in the country", leaving behind his brothers-in-law, Noel, Jean and Pierre Juchereau to recruit additonal craftsmen and laborers for the settlement.
Others aside from the Juchereau's; were Noel Langlois, Charles Pierre, Francois Baugy, Jean Bourdon and three Gagnon brothers.
"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 Seigneur's will, will give two days of work each week. In case of war the leaseholders will take shelter in the Seigneur's house in order to follow the Seigneur's orders and directions. The Seigneur promises the right to fish from the small meadows to the Buisson River, which belongs to the Seigneur 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, 1634".
(Signed:) Robert Giffard
(Signed ) Badeau, Royal Notary
Despite the hardships, slowly the fields were cleared and the population increased, and though most of the farmers were still relatively poor, they could see progress and hoped for a better future for their children.
In 1646, the road leading from the small hamlet of Beauport to the common mill on the Buisson River was named the King’s Way, and along the road a small village called Fargy emerged. Since this was a vulnerable spot, Robert Giffard ordered his settlers to build palisaded forts for their protection, and these small forts would become places of sanctuary in case of surprise attack.
Between l634 and 1663, Robert Giffard brought more than 50 men and their families to his Seigneury from France. He died on April 14, 1668 at Beauport.
Between 1665 and 1666, a census was taken in New France, and the following tally was recorded for Beauport:
71 - 80 - 2
61 - 70 - 6
61 - 60 - 8
41 - 50 - 12
31 - 40 - 16
21 - 30 - 41
16 - 20 - 16
11 - 15 - 21
9 - 10 - 8
7 - 8 - 6
6 - 7 - 7
5 - 6 - 6
4 - 5 - 4
3 - 4 - 4
2 - 3 - 8
1 - 2 - 6
Infants - 7
On June 18,1668, eighteen inhabitants of Beauport had their concessions revoked. The deposed tenants protested to the Lord's Council, but the eviction was upheld, and the Council further ruled:
- The inhabitants will be reduced to one acre each.
- The fences will be taken off and rebuilt according to the map drawn by Monseur Bouteroue, Intendent
- The buildings near the past will be pulled down or transferred from the locations by the owners at the owners expense.
- The new owners will refund the former owners for any clearing that has been done on the land of the former owners.
This would result in hardship and civil unrest, as these families now had only one acre of land to sustain their families. Some bounced back, but for others it spelled financial ruin.
The English soldiers went into camp near Beauport and harassed the villagers for three days, but they could not break down the defenses of the forts. In several skirmishes, the enemy burned six or seven farms, and took some cattle. Two more villagers were killed and 13 more wounded. All the time the English were camped near the settlements, they kept up the continual bombardment of Quebec with their cannon. Very little damage was done, however; and the English became discouraged. During the night of the 21st, they returned to their boats and floated down to the Isle of Orleans which they tried to capture, but again were repulsed. On the 25th of October, the English turned in the direction of Boston, and disappeared down the river.
Due to his courageous leadership during the attack, Lord Juchereau was awarded letters of nobility by the king of France. Meanwhile, the French settlers returned to their daily routine with only the fear of Iroquois raids to keep them on the alert.
