(1618-1645)
At the time, it was the responsibility of the father to arrange a suitable marriage for his daughters, so when presented with the offer on behalf of Charles Amador St. Just De La Tour, I'm sure he was satisfied that Francoise-Marie would be well taken care.
It is said that she and Charles were complete strangers to each other, but shortly after her arrival in early spring, the wedding took place at Fort St-Louis (formerly Lomeron); with a large audience in attendance, including Claude de La Tour and his wife. Francoise was described as pretty and petite; like a “breath of fresh air”, and she soon earned the respect and admiration of the other inhabitants of the fort.
What Francoise thought of her new home is uncertain. It definitely was not like the grand chateaus of France, not that she had ever lived in one. In her father's position her home would have been comfortable, though not lavish, and would have included at least one servant. In Acadia she had a complete household and even shared her dwelling with soldiers there to defend her husband's position.
Set high on a cliff, with steps leading to the maingate, which was well over 5 feet high, it was still an impressive site. Once you passed through the gate, you were led through a massive main entrance, with flanking gatehouses, into a small flagstoned courtyard, about 15’ x 30’ and to the left were the living quarters of the north wing.
The big central courtyard was 60’ x 60’, with a large cross and plaque bearing the royal arms. Her husband's masons had laid courses of rounded river stones to carry off the rainwater and his carpenters edged all the main buildings with open verandas. A post-gate led to the fields at the back.
Several of the principle structures were built of square horizontal logs, held in place every 8 to 10 feet by square uprights, all resting on a masonry base. The smaller buildings were made of upright logs on wooden sills and a high, spike palisade, sealed any gaps between the structures. In the main buildings there were small paned glass windows, but storehouses made do with oiled parchment to cover the openings.
The west wing , which formed part of the main gatehouse, met at a right angle with the north wing and smaller structures continued around the rectangular area of the fort. A chapel with a wooden cross over the gable, served as the Recollets quarters, the surgeon’s residence, workshops, blacksmith forge and bakery with the constant smell of cornbread, wheat bread and hot meat pies. The main gatehouse completed the circuit, measuring approx. 30’ wide by 70’ long, that housed a flagstone room with a shaft dug deep into the bedrock, to ensure a fresh supply of water.
The main living quarters were heated by two massive fireplaces, 11’ long, built of rectangular blocks and field stones. Another rough fireplace stood at the opening to the common room and above were the men’s quarters with bunks. Stacks of wood and coal from upriver provided the heat and fuel for cooking. A large copper cauldron, kettles and long-handled pans, stood by the fireplace with an array of hanging ladles, long forks and spits for roasting meat. Their food was eaten off copper-green earthen plates, which made up the fort’s tableware.
Another large fireplace warmed the officer’s quarters and dining room in the north wing, and it was here where La Tour's inner circle would meet, most of whom were friends or relatives, who shared a number of small private quarters. Charles and Francoise had a sitting room with a smaller fireplace and bedroom overhead.
The fort had it’s own cabinet makers who had built stools, benches, tables, cupboards, bunks or bedsteads and chairs, but La Tour had also acquired a few better pieces from France, including a chest with diamond point motifs, and an armchair, with tooled leather seat and back. Local furs cushioned the benches and warmed the beds in winter, and lanterns, oil cruse lamps and rushlights, complimented the light from the fires.
Francoise's own quarters had bright damask cushions, a bedcover and hangings, as well as a few silver and pewter pieces brought from home: a salt cellar, ewer and basin and a few plates. All in all, it was like a small fortress, and her husband every bit the Lord of the Manor.
No doubt she missed the sight of her father, clad in the typical dress of a seventeenth century doctor of medicine, in his fine black robe with white lawn collar and black velvet cap, walking along the cobblestone streets from the hospital to home, but the breathtaking scenery of her new surroundings would lift anyone's spirits.
Looking out from one of the many verandas, to the right were views of high cliffs; rising above the Bay of Fundy; and between them rushing whirlpools of water that changed with the tides. Directly across was the comforting sight of a Native village with smoke rising from the bark Wigwams, and bare chested men repairing canoes. To the left, men were hauling in nets filled with silver salmon and wild roses blanketed the rocky slopes.
Dark hills ran behind the fort, where she could see small outbuildings and garden plots tended by men in loose knee breeches and jerkins, working in their gardens and puffing away on small white clay pipes to keep away the mosquitoes.
And she certianly never had a chance to be lonely. The community buzzed with activity as tradesmen, soldiers and fur clerks went about their business amidst clusters of Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and even a few Passamaquoddies. From the blacksmith’s shop came a steady ring and the smell of hot metal and the buzz of a grinding wheel as the woodsman worked on his axe. It may not have been the life that she was accustomed to , but it certainly was the life!
Guillaume Desjardins, Sieur Du Val (Saint-Val), her husband's secretary and administrator. He was a wealthy and prominent businessman, and had replaced Georges, Macain and Lomeron, who had sued Charles in 1635, for not using them exclusively. Desjardins owned a number of ships and held the office of “Contoleur Provincial de Guerres” (Comptroller).
Catherine Ferrand, Desjardins’ wife, who would become Francoise's confidante. She was a good businesswoman and partner in her husband's concerns, handling many of his affairs. Pierre Ferrand, Catherine's brother; was granted land at Cape Sable in 1651 for his “good and faithful service”.
Etienne De Mourron, who was with Desjardins when Francoise and her family signed the marriage contract. He was a master mariner with two of his own ships. Jeanne Ferrand, sister of Catherine and Pierre, would later marry Etienne De Mourron.
Francois Godard, Sieur de Rainville, who was the stepbrother of Charles La Tour, and an ensign at one of his forts. He had also gone with Desjardin to negotiate the marriage contract.
All of the above were from upper middle class, La Rochelle families, and could keep Francoise up on the latest gossip from France.
It was early July, when La Tour set out in The Amity, on the pretense of introducing Francoise to Jeanne Motin, D'Aulnay's wife, and give her a tour of his old stomping grounds. However, he also suspected that his 'co-governor' was taking more than his share of the revenue, so wanted to go to Port Royal to inspect the traps; something he was well within his rights to do.
Also on board were Desjardins and the ship's captain, Jacques Jamin. As they entered the Annapolis basin, they dropped anchor in front of D’Aulnay’s fort at Port Royal, and took in the pastoral setting of his holdings. To the left was the Manor House, and beside that the chapel and mission. Further on was a cluster of smaller houses, one of which belonged to my G-g-g-g-g-g-g-grandfather, Jacques Bourgeois; and in the distance men and women could be seen working in the fields and vegetable gardens. The only sight to spoil the beautiful view, were the guns of the fort, propped menacingly in the open, where there was no cover to escape them.
Charles sent out a messenger to see if he could come ashore, but he came back with a flat refusal. D’Aulnay was in Pentagouet for supplies, so was not there, but had left strict instructions that La Tour was not to be admitted; despite the fact that the King’s orders allowed him to inspect the fort whenever he wanted.
Her husband was both embarrased and furious, and became more determined than ever to see what his enemy had to hide. They spent the night anchored in front, but a little before dawn he decided to pack it up and head for home; but they didn't get far before running into D'Aulnay's ships; The Notre-Dame commanded by Jacques Le Boeuf and the St. Francois under Bernard Marot; LaTour’s old enemy.
Gunfire was exchanged, and men were lost on both sides, including Captain Jamin, who Francoise knew well. Realizing that he was outgunned, her husband was forced to surrender, and all on board were taken prisoner and thrown into an underground, lightless dungeon, including Francoise. This was the same prison where a master carpenter of Nicholas Denys had died, with 50 pound weights on his feet. D'Aulnay showed no mercy to poor Francoise, stating that she was a woman “unworthy of respect”.
He then had his agent, Mathieu Cappon, take depositons from everyone involved on both sides, and had them all sign it. Finally, one of the Capucun priests from Port Royal, convinced D’Aulnay to release the prisoners, fearing trouble from the King.
Once back home, La Tour sent Desjardin to La Rochelle to tell their side of the story, and the next time that Captain LeBoeuf entered the port, La Tour had him arrested for the murder of Jacques Jamin and siezed his ship for damages. Later he received a letter from Desjardin’s wife, Catherine Ferrand, stating that her husband had been arrested and that La Tour was in trouble at court. Desjardin had tried to have Jamin’s murder charged to D’Aulnay but it didn't stick.
However, the case would be dragged through the courts for years and in the process D’Aulnay was heavily implicated in frauds against the 'Company of New France' by the diversion of several chests, barrels, and trunks of furs into private hands. But although these disclosures would confirm the Company's mistrust of him, the effect on D’Aulnay was negligible.
But for the La Tours it would prove to be costly. At the end of January, 1641; a warrant for the arrest of Desjardins was issued and all his goods were siezed. Two weeks later the king ordered La Tour to come to France to explain himself, and gave permission to D’Aulnay to arrest him if he wouldn’t comply. He was also instructed to take an inventory of everything at La Tour’s fort.
Catherine Ferrand advised Charles not to go back to France, fearing that he would be executed. Her own husband was eventually released, and despite the fact that the King had forbid anyone to send supplies to La Tour, he went about securing both supplies and reinforcements.
That summer, the orders were delivered and La Tour had to give up Fort St. Louis at Cape Sable to D’Aulnay. He no sooner left than D’Aulnay had the place torched, despite the fact that the king’s order stated that he had to find a replacement to run it. The habitation, church and Recollet monastry were all destroyed, and since the Cape Sable Fort had been La Tour’s first, he did not take it lightly.
At about this time, he made his wife a partner in his business, and time and time again she would prove her strength and loyalty; determined to protect her family at all costs; though it would eventually cost her dearly.
