Jean Grondin and Sainte Mignault are two of my French-Canadian ancestors, and their stories have always fascinated me. If you’re also descended from this couple, join me as I explore their origins, their lives in New France and their family’s place in the early settlement of Quebec’s Côte-du-Sud region.
Sainte Mignault’s Background
Unlike Jean Grondin, Sainte Mignault descends from one of the founding families of New France, specifically Zacharie Cloutier and Xainte Dupont. Her mother, Marie Louise Cloutier, was the youngest child of Cloutier and Dupont, while her father, Jean Migneault, was a soldier, tailor and farmer.
Sainte was born on January 6, 1653, in Notre-Dame de Québec and grew up in Beauport. She had 11 siblings: Jean Aubin Mignot, Thérèse Migneaux, Marie Madeleine Migneault, Françoise Mignault, Jeanne Mignot, Charles Mignault, Louis Mignot, Nicolas Mignaux, Jean Baptiste Migneault, Marie Mignaut, Marie Charlotte Mignaux and Marie Charlotte Mignot.
In the spring of 1669, Sainte Mignot reportedly gave birth to a daughter. The father, Jean Fortin dit Monbre, had a reputation for seducing women in Quebec. Although my uncle told me the two were married, I have found no evidence to substantiate this.
When Did Jean Grondin Arrive in Quebec?
Jean Grondin was the son of Pierre Grondin and Catherine Rigoulet. He was born on in Brouage, Notre-Dame, Saintonge, France.
Grondin reportedly came to New France in 1665 at 25 and was found in Quebec on the 1667 census. He left France following the death of both of his parents. In New France, Jean was living in the household of Nicolas Juchereau, sieur de Saint-Deny, who belonged to one of the founding families of New France. There, he tended cattle and performed various duties on Juchereau’s farm.
Jean and Sainte’s Marriage and Family
In July 1669, Grondin agreed to a marriage contract with Sainte Migneault. They were married on August 4, 1669, in Chapelle de Beauport, Canada, Nouvelle-France.
Following their wedding, Jean Grondin gave a dowry of 300 livres to Jean Mignault and received two arpents of land from him to cultivate as he pleased.
At some point, the couple moved to Quebec’s Côte-du-Sud region, specifically Rivière-Ouelle, where they had 11 children: Marie Grondin, Marie Agnès Grondin, Marie Louise Charlotte Grondin, Jeanne Sainte Grondin, François Grondin, Jean Baptiste Grondin, Louise Grondin, Sébastien Grondin, Jeanne Marguerite Grondin, Antoine Grondin and Joseph Grondin.
Early Settles in La Pocatière
Jean Grondin and Sainte Mignot moved to La Pocatière in 1678. Grondin was listed in the 1681 census with one arpent of land, one gun and three heads of cattle. Some other families who settled there included the Lizots, Pelletiers and Ouellettes.
By 1708, aged 62, Jean began transferring his land to his son François. He made further property divisions among his children in 1711 and 1714. In 1711, François and Sébastien received the bulk of his property with specific instructions for the two to support their parents and their younger brother Joseph until he came of age.
In 1714, Jean Grondin made more arrangements, giving Sébastien most of the land and buildings, while François received a smaller portion and additional land.
End of Life
Grondin died on October 1, 1714, and was buried in Rivière-Ouelle, Canada, Nouvelle-France, at 74. Sainte Migneault survived him by 21 years and died on March 4, 1736, at La Pocatière, at 83. She likely had been living with her son Sébastien following Jean’s death.
My Connection to Jean Grondin and Sainte Mignault
I am a direct descendant of Jean Grondin and Sainte Mignault through my mother.
- Jean Grondin (1640 – 1714) and Sainte Mignault(1653 – 1736)
- Sébastien Grondin (1687 – 1749) and Marie Anne Pinel (1694 – 1761)
- Jean Baptiste Grondin (1713 – 1775) and Geneviève Ouellet (1714 – 1761)
- Joseph Grondin (1742 – 1815) and Marie-Anne Jacques (1754 – 1822)
- Charles Grondin (1780 – bef. 1818) and Françoise Beneteau (1775 – 1812)
- Charles Grondin (1807 – 1881) and Susanne Renaud) (1811 – 1893)
- Charles Alexander Grondin (1853 – 1922) and Elizabeth Metivier (1860 – 1931)
- Edward Walter Grondin (1886 – 1973) and Pearl Leafy Bondy (1885 – 1966)
- Walter Grondin (1910 – 1998) and Mary Catherine Higgins (1908 – 1983)
- Martha Grondin (Born 1950) and Gary Willis (Born 1946) – my parents
Are you related to Jean Grondin and Sainte Mignault? Let me know!
Do you want to know more about the earliest settlers of New France? Check out New France’s Founding Families and Their Fascinating Stories.
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