Pierre Gaultier of Varennes and Vérendrye

Biography

Gaultier were originating in the area of Angers in France, where their name appears for the first time about the middle of the 16th century. They occupied an important row among the notable ones of the area. It was a family of rich person landowners; Varennes and Vérendrye was the names of two their fields. Its members occupied of the stations in the army, the magistrature and the administration.

Rene Gaultier, from Varennes, father of Pierre, came to the Canada in September 1665 as lieutenant in the Régiment from Carignan-Salt boxes. Its company was stationed in the government of Three-Rivers, during the winter which followed its arrival. He married Marie Boucher, the girl of the governor of the place, Pierre Boucher, which belonged to one of the families most distinguished from the area of the time.

Thirteen children were born from his marriage including eight, four boys and four girls, reached the adulthood. Pierre, the youngest child, was the only one to reach notoriety.

In 1731, Pierre begins his forwardings. Left to discover the sea of the West, forwardings continue business ends (furs). Vérendrye organizes ten stations of draft.

In spring of 1742, Pierre, moves towards north to establish the strong Dolphin on the lake Manitoba and the strong Bourbon with the northern point of the lake Winnipeg. The April 9th 1742, the two others wire of Vérendrye, Louis-Joseph and François leave the fort the Queen with the mission of going as far as possible towards the west. They move in a south-western direction. January 1st 1743, they go up High Missouri to the river Yellowstone. A stone screen their bar the road and sight on the West. They are with the foot of the Rocky Mountains, in the Western part of the Wyoming. The boys are certain that, if they cross these mountains, they will see the sea. Unfortunately, their indigenous guides refuse to carry on their way, saying that it is dangerous to continue in the territories of their enemies. Disappointed, the brothers Vérendrye turn back.

The father and his sons go back to Montreal in 1744. The recognition for their contribution to the exploration of News-France came only five years later. The king of France honors them by granting to the father the Cross with Saint-Louis, the most prestigious distinction of the time, as well as a seigniory for him and his family.

Pierre Gaultier of Vérendrye is promoted captain for his services. He is to be prepared a forwarding on the river Saskatchewan when he dies in Montreal, the December 5th 1749. He is 64 years old.

Epitaph

He made move back the borders of the News-France until the Manitoba; during its meetings with the Amerindian S, it registered fidelity with French monarchy in the middle of important news tribes; the stations which it built in the west of the Big lakes transformed the lake the Rain, the lake of Wood and the Lac Winnipeg in French inland seas and diverted towards the the St. Lawrence, with the profit of the French, a good portion commercial of the furs of the areas of the Saskatchewan and Assiniboine (Fort the Queen) which was done with the Hudson Bay. This valiant son of the News-France was recognized like a pioneer of this territory.

Source

Association Gauthier

External bonds

biography]
tallies historical
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