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Caron Family History

Antoine Caron with Sons, (L-R) Joseph, Alfred, Napoleon and Calixte -Circa 1890

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Lineage

Caron Family History

Antoine Caron with Sons, (L-R) Joseph, Alfred, Napoleon and Calixte -Circa 1890

~Scroll Down for Your History~

1. La Lignée de la Famille Caron - *The Caron Family Lineage

January 30, 2018

I am pleased to provide for you the first posting regarding the Caron family history. I was all ready to do this a few weeks back and was in the process of verifying my ancestry research when suddenly I discovered a small discrepancy in the information. The dates and individuals that I had thought were associated with our 2G grandfather Antoine Caron (1829-1910) appeared to be in error.

The problem stemmed from the fact that the individual who I believed to be our 3G grandfather was documented to have had three marriages. When I went back to discover for certain which one of these marriages produced our grandfather Antoine, all of my information began to fall apart. Anyone who has ever done genealogy research understands how frustrating something like this can be. The Caron information that had been meticulously built over the years dated back to at least 1612 and I was in peril of losing all of it if the connections from Antoine relating to his ancestry had to be severed. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what had to be done, so that I could begin the research again with a clean slate.

Following that decision I went right to work with in depth searches for all information relating specifically to Antoine Caron wherever I could find it. After some days of fruitless effort I somehow managed to find a reference to a Canadian genealogy website and VOILA! There I was able to make all of the connections once again to Antoine realizing that I actually had him positioned in the wrong generation. Antoine’s father was actually one of the children of the Caron who had been married three times, and I was finally back on track once again. Unfortunately, that meant that I had to begin from scratch in rebuilding all of the families dating back to the early 17th century in Quebec. This work did have a side benefit though of identifying the family information relating to the Caron origin in France, now dating to 1596.

So now I can confidently relate our Caron family lineage beginning with our dear grandma Agnes Caron along with spouses and dates all along the way.

Caron Family Documented Spouse

Agnes Caron (1896-1998) Francis Marion DeFrees (1875-1964)

Alfred Caron (1871-1956) Emma Marie Durand(1872-1961)

Antoine Caron (1829-1910) Sara Chouinard (1833-1908)

Pierre Caron (1797-1867) Reine Labbe (1795-1875)

Pierre Laurent Caron II (1763-1857) Marguerite Frigault (1771-1815)

Pierre Laurent Caron I (1736-1808) Marie Louise Chouinard (1744-1788)

Louis Caron (1699-1758) Marie Genevieve Lemieux (1705-1781)

Joseph Caron (1652-1711) Elisabeth Bernier (1668-1744)

Robert Caron (1612-1656) Marie Crevet (1621-1695)

Rene Edouard Caron (1596-????) ---France (no reference to spouse yet)

As fascinated as you may have been about the depth and breadth of the DeFrees family so far, prepare for just as much incredible history associated with the Caron family. Our 8G grandfather Robert and his wife Marie Crevet are two of the documented first settlers of Quebec in the colony then known as New France. The province settled was then known as La Belle Province, or The Beautiful Province. The Photo included with this story is a plaque monument in Quebec City entitled "Les Premier Colons De Quebec" or "The First Settlers of Quebec." It is to honor Louis Hébert by the renowned artist Alfred Laliberté. It is located in "Parc Montmorency" behind the Notre-Dame de Québec basilica and next to the street "Côte de la Montagne." It is about 300 yards north of the Château Frontenac Hotel should you ever find an opportunity to visit another one of our first family immigrant settling sites.

Les Premier Colons De Quebec - The First Settlers of Quebec

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2. Robert Caron: The First Caron Family Emigrant

February 15, 2018

Arrival of the St. Jehan in New France, a ship of 160 tons and 10 guns

In preparation for this story, from the beginning it quickly became apparent that most of the information regarding our 8G grandfather, Robert Caron, existed only in bits and pieces found here and there. Those snippets came from a wide variety of sources, at least half of which were in French. The creation of this story was a little like trying to find and reassemble a single document from a bin of shredded paper. We can be thankful that tools such as Google translate exist or there would never have been the level of detail that might be expected or at least desired. Some of those sources for the sake of possible future family investigators were, “Our French Ancestors” by Thomas Laforest; L’Association des Familles Caron d’Amerique; Genealogy of America, 3rd edition, 1996; The Quebec History Encyclopedia; and Généalogie du Québec et Amérique francaise. Understandably, a number of those sources contained conflicting information, most of which have been verified since it was possible to relate them to other events of the day which are well documented allowing for the establishment of the most correct dates.

As mentioned above, this story is about Robert Caron. Although the exact date could not be found, he was born in 1612, with several sources stating the birth location to be the Aunis section of La Rochelle, France. He arrived in the wilds of what is now Quebec City, QC, Canada at the age of 22, on June 4, 1634, aboard the St. Jehan, a ship of 160 tons and 10 guns, commanded by Captain Pierre Nesle. An artist’s rendering of the arrival of the St. Jehan is included with this posting. Although Robert’s arrival itself was not that noteworthy, being one of a number of first recruits of the “Company of 100 Associates,” he was in good company. It is documented that he was traveling on the same ship with such notables as Zachaire Cloutier, Robert Giffard, Noel Langlois, Charles L’Allemant, Jean Bourdon and of course many others responsible for the establishment, building, growth and protection of the infant settlement of Quebec. There are also a number of references to the fact that none other than Samuel de Champlain was also onboard. He was a well-known French navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier and explorer. He is also considered by some to be “The Father of New France.” http://bit.ly/2saWFjB

Since Robert was affiliated with the Company of 100 Associates, it is necessary to take a moment to explain that relationship. The Company of 100 Associates, also known as The Company of New France, was created by Cardinal Richelieu in 1627 with the sole purpose of establishing France’s external trade development with what is being referred to as New France. The Company was officially established in an edict of Louis XIII in May of 1628, after it had agreed to transport 4,000 colonists to the new world before 1653. In return, the Company was “granted in perpetuity the whole country of New France from Florida to the Arctic circle and from Newfoundland to lake Huron and beyond.” It is so very interesting to think that the King of France felt he had the presumptuous right to make such a promise. By the same token, the Company was granted a monopoly on the fur trade, and also given responsibility for the distribution of land, but understood that nobility could only be granted by the king. Although the company itself was essentially ruined and in debt to its shareholders by1631, it nevertheless continued to appoint governors, and administrative officials as well as establish the judicial system and courts right up until it went out of existence in 1663.

Not surprisingly, the Company granted contracts for three years only to native French Catholics interested in clearing, building or just settling in the new world. Our 8G grandfather just happened to be one of those who were so inclined and thus began his adventure. Robert was therefore engaged for free room and board, and 75 pounds (£)/year, an amount that might convert to about $6,000 in today’s dollars. He did whatever it was that he was responsible for, but after two years decided that he would not renew his contract for a third year, and set off on his own. It can only be guessed that he had an awareness of the condition of the Company at the time, and considered that he might be better off to simply go it alone.

So, in 1636, Robert begins to establish his roots by obtaining a concession of land from Pierre LeGardeur de Repentigny referred to as Longue-Pointe, and set up camp near Sault Montmorency. He either had an agreement to clear the land he was consigned, or “Robert is afraid of Iroquois,” according to some references, and he was none too keen to have them hiding behind every tree on his property. So clear the land he did. There are a number of references to the fact that he made a living on the sale of wood, which of course everyone used for building and more importantly for warmth, which therefore made it a valuable commodity of the day. There are also references to legal agreements and documents of which it was noted that Robert “cannot sign his name. He will do well with a small staff drawing.”

In 1637, Robert at the age of 25 became interested in finding a wife. To that end, he marries Marie Crevet, age 16, formerly from Bayeux in Normandi, France. There is nothing regarding what brought the young Marie to the Quebec area, but presumably she arrived with her parents, although it would be understandable to assume they would therefore be present at a marriage ceremony. However, the official record of that marriage reads as follows: “On October 25, 1637, the ordinary banns having been made and no impediment found, Father Charles Lallemant, Jesuit, acting as curate at Quebec, after having interrogated, heard and received their mutual consent, solemnly married and joined in the bonds of holy matrimony Robert Caron and Marie Crevet in the presence of Jamen Bourguignon, Noel Langlois and Robert Giffard, surgeon.” Other such records found in research typically list the presence of the parents. However, there is reference to their original marriage license being lost in a fire of the church in which they were married in 1640.

Robert and Marie then begin their life together at the Longue-Pointe location. They have their first child, Marie-Anne in 1639, and their second, Jean-Baptiste in 1641. Unfortunately, the Iroquois, who absolutely hate the presence of the new French settlers, are constantly harassing Robert and his new wife, as well as many other colonists in the area. It is most likely because of this that Robert and Marie sell their land at Longue-Pointe to Guillaume Couillard in 1642, for the sum of 150£. They then move to the Quebec City area where Robert obtains a concession on some land at Coteau Ste-Genevieve. He immediately begins to clear the land in 1643, and in 1649 he receives 40 acres of the concession. Without having actual documentation to attest to this, the pattern here certainly suggests that Robert entered into agreements to clear land with the understanding that he could sell the wood, and eventually become the owner of some portion of that land. But that is just speculation and nothing more. In 1651, the governor, M. Louis D’Ailleboust grants to Robert another 20 acres of land. It is documented that Robert and Marie stay on this land at Ste-Genevieve for 12 years, during which time they have more children. Robert is born in 1647, Marie-Catherine in 1649, Joseph (our 7G grandfather) is born in 1652, Pierre in 1654, and finally Aimee is born in 1656. In total they now have seven children to provide for.

For whatever reason, it is in 1654 that Robert sells their land in Ste-Genevieve for 1,700£ to Charles D’Ailleboust, a nephew of the governor. They then move even further north than their original property at Longue-Pointe, up the north coast of the St. Lawrence River to an area called the coast of Beaupre. Here they acquire land of five frontage acres and one to three miles deep into the wilderness. The location is referred to as Sainte-Anne-du-Petit-Cap. The land is purchased for 500£ from Julien Fortin de Bellefontaine. In view of the fact that it has already been established that Robert does not care for dealing directly with the Iroquois, this move does not seem to make any sense, especially when he and Marie have such a young family.

Meanwhile, their first daughter Marie-Anne is growing up and becomes interested in marriage herself at the age of 17. Her suitor is Jean Picard, age 21, son of Pierre Picard and Renee de Suronne apparently of Quebec. It appears their first bann of marriage is documented as being on June 15, 1656. Very sadly however, before the marriage can take place, our 8G grandfather Robert dies suddenly on July 8, 1656 at the age of just 44. He is buried in the cemetery of Notre-Dame parish of Quebec. All references to his death found said the same thing, that it was sudden and unexpected. There is no reference anywhere to the cause. In spite of the extremely sad set of circumstances, the marriage of Marie Caron and Jean Picard does take place just 20 days later on July 28, 1656.

The unfortunate and untimely death of Robert casts Marie Crevet into utter destitution. A standard condition of the time was that with no family provider, and no title to any of the property, women most often had to find some practical means of support with all haste. In this instance however, there are references to indications that Marie “continued to take care of family business and was mentioned in several events entered into the proceedings of Claude Auber and Guillaume Audourt.” But she remained unmarried for the next 10 years until she finally marries Noel Langlois, who arrived on the same ship as Robert in 1634, and who according to earlier reference stood as witness to Marie and Robert’s wedding in 1637. Unfortunately, those 10 years took their toll on the first Caron family in the new world. Marie could not support their seven children, so in 1658, the two oldest boys, Jean-Baptiste (17) and Robert (9) were sent to live with friends in Quebec. Then Marie Crevet moves with her remaining children, Marie-catherine (7), Joseph (4), Pierre (2) and Amiee (3 mo.), to a location on the coast south of their Sainte-Anne property called Chateau Richer, presumably to live with family friends. A future posting will include a map of the region from 1641, which will show all of the locations and properties of Robert and Marie that have been mentioned in this story.

By the same token, there are a few more details about the widow Marie Crevet’s life yet to be told, and most certainly a rather devastating story about their daughter Marie-Anne’s life, but that will be saved for another time.

For now, just a few more notes need to be added to round out this Robert Caron story.

First of all, while going through the various sources there appeared to be vague references to a Jean Caron who seemed to be referred to as a brother of Robert. It was indeed puzzling just exactly how Robert could effectively clear all of the land in such a few short years, and now it may be surmised that he was working with his brother Jean as a team. There is reference to Jean being born in 1611, which would make him Robert’s older brother who apparently arrived in Quebec along with Robert. The interesting story about Jean Caron that showed up was that on May 11, 1646 he left Trois-Rivieres (Three Rivers) to lead his calves to the land of the Hurons. Somewhere along the way he came across the frozen body of Father Anne de Noue. He brought the body back to Quebec upon his return where he gave it to the Jesuits for burial. The Jesuit priest had apparently died in a snowstorm on his way to Fort Richelieu. Forever after, Jean became known as “Master Valet” in the Jesuit’s service.

The second note is that when Robert and Marie left their property at Ste-Genevieve in Quebec, he apparently also had another relatively small plot of land (90 feet of frontage by 126 feet in depth) he owned in the “Upper-Town,” located on the Rue of Saint-Louis. On September 18, 1655, he sold a portion of that land for 30£ to the Ursulines (Catholic Sisters) so they could enlarge their convent. This connection will also be made with the posting of future Durand family information, but at this particular time it is well documented that our native American ancestor Catherine Annennontak was already present and living in the convent with the Ursulines at the age of 6 following the death of her mother in 1654. In just a few short years she will become the wife of our 8G grandfather Jean Durand. So our Caron and Durand ancestors were already indirectly interacting with each other even though they obviously had no awareness of their eventual life together in our time.

The last note of interest is that the large area of land that Robert cleared in Quebec at the Ste-Genevieve location was left that way for many years, and there is even evidence to the fact that it was forbidden to build on the property for some reason yet to be ascertained. Sometime later however, it became the site of the College St-Charles-Garnier, which stands there today. At that college they can still point to the land and declare that it was cleared by Robert Caron over 375 years ago.

Regrettably, the final thing to be said about our first Caron family emigrant is what was found in one of the many sources used to

assemble this story. About our 8G grandfather Robert it read: “His life was short but he established a descendance in New France with indestructible roots.” Today, more than ever that statement is so true.

Robert Caron looking out over Montmorency Falls.

Translation: Established on the Cote de Beaupre around 1636, Robert Caron married in Quebec, in 1637, Marie Crevet. They had seven children, who left a large number of descendants in French Canada. This family of heroic defectors had to undergo the barbarism of the savages: Marie, the elder, was removed by the Hurons, on June 4, 1660.

Montmorency Falls as it appears today.

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Robert Caron's cleared land at Ste-Genevieve

3. The Abduction of Marie-Anne Caron (Picard)

April 19, 2018

Our first Caron family emigrant, Robert Caron and his wife Marie Crevet as you may remember are noted as two of the first settlers in New France. Robert arrived in Quebec City in 1634, followed a couple of years later by Marie Crevet. They marry on October 25, 1637 and their union brings seven children into the wild world of Colonial Quebec. Their children were as follows: Marie-Anne (7/28/1639), Jean-Baptiste (7/10/1641), Robert (2/10/1647), Marie-Catherine (11/23/1649), Joseph (3/19/1652), Pierre (7/11/1654), and Aimée (4/10/1656). Although it is Joseph who is our 7G grandfather, it is Robert and Marie’s first born, Marie-Anne who is the subject of this story.

Just in the way of a little background, it’s important to remember that Robert, Marie and their family moved around a little more than one might expect. First settlers were constantly struggling to gain some kind of a toe-hold in the new land as they cleared trees and tilled and farmed the new fields. Nevertheless, it is the abject fear of the unceasing harassment of the Iroquois that tears at the soul of the family providers. Robert and Marie begin their life together on a parcel of land which is a part of what is referred to as Longue Pointe. Their tract is located very near the Rivière Montmorency, most likely within sight of the famous Montmorency Falls (Map Point 1).

Unfortunately it is Robert’s never ending anguish associated with protecting his young family from the Iroquois that causes him to sell his Longue-Pointe land and move to the relative safety of Quebec. There they purchase a concession of land at Coteau Ste-Genevieve (Map Point 2). They remain at this location for 12 years while Robert and his family grow in relative prosperity. Then as mentioned in his first emigrant story, for some unknown reason Robert sells his Quebec land and purchases a large tract in 1654 even farther from the security of Quebec than his first settlement.

In that year, Robert and Marie, along with children Marie-Anne, Jean-Baptiste, Robert, Marie-Catherine and Joseph, begin to resettle on what is referred to as the Beaupre Coast. The specific location is known as Sainte-Anne-du-Petit-Cap (Map Point 3). This new family settlement has five frontage acres on the coast, and extends back to the northwest into the wilderness for one to three miles in depth. Since this is at a turn in the St. Lawrence River, a silt and sand plain has been built up there over the years. This creates a reasonably large tract of land less in need of clearing and quite prairie-like, therefore more readily available for nearly immediate farming. In spite of continuing concerns with the Iroquois, several families work together to establish a small farming community with arrangements to guard each other while open and vulnerable in the fields.

Regardless, those six years on the Beaupre Coast see intensely worsening relations between the indigenous tribes and the settlers. For the most part, the Hurons or Wendat people have befriended the French settlers and due to the fervent efforts of the Jesuit priests of the day, many have converted to Catholicism. By the same token the Algonquin tribes have also found it more beneficial than not to align themselves with the French. However it is the tribes and confederate groups associated with the Iroquois that continue to harass the settling families, keeping them ever vigilant of theft, pillaging and general destruction of property as they fear for their lives. The Iroquois are far more likely to trade and deal with the British and Dutch, and will only rarely work or trade with the French.

In spite of these circumstances Robert Caron and Marie Crevet continue to grow their family, which by 1656 now includes their youngest two children, Pierre and Amiée. In the meantime the eldest, Marie-Anne manages to come of age and becomes interested in beginning a life with a young man by the name of Jean Picard. Jean was born on November 13, 1635 to Pierre Picard and Renée Suronne, a relatively wealthy family in Calvados, France. The family travels to New France in 1645 and settles in Quebec, where Jean and Marie-Anne meet and fall in love some 12 years later.

As has been mentioned in the family emigrant story, our grandfather Robert dies unexpectedly on July 8, 1656 at the age of 44. As tragic as that must surly have been, Jean Picard and Marie-Anne Caron have made firm plans to marry just 20 days later on July 28, 1656 after posting three banns of matrimony on the 24th, 25th and 29th of June, with no impediments found. Their marriage is not postponed perhaps because of a desire on the part of Marie-Anne to be married on her birthdate, but that is only speculation. They are married at the Chapelle-Notre-Dame-de-Quebec, which is the same church (rebuilt) where Robert and Marie were married in 1637. Jean is 20, and Marie-Anne is 17 at the time. They happily begin their life together with Marie Crevet and the rest of the family assisting with the farming on the Caron land along the Beaupre Coast.

Jean and Marie-Anne settle on Robert Caron’s land and toil away on the family farm with much the same conditions and potential perils as have always been experienced in the Native American wilderness. By 1658, Marie Crevet finds life and care of her six children far too difficult to bear and decides for her and her family’s safety and success to split them up. She sends the two oldest boys, Jean-Baptiste (17) and Robert (9) to live with friends in Quebec. Then Marie Crevet herself moves with her remaining children, Marie-Catherine (7), Joseph (4), Pierre (2) and Amiée (3 mo.), to a location on the coast south of their Sainte-Anne property called Chateau Richer (Map Point 4), presumably to live with family friends in relative safety. Jean and Marie-Anne remain at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre to continue farming the land by themselves.

Three years after their marriage Jean and Marie-Anne have their first child Louise, on September 29, 1659. By this time however, the relations between the settlers and the Iroquois have deteriorated to a point of constant harassment and more frequent attacks. Early in the spring of 1660, the leadership in Quebec learns of a potential large scale attack on the colonists by more than 800 Iroquois. Many of the settlers are convinced their lives are most certainly in peril and they flee to the safety of Quebec. They remain there according to news journals of the day for at least 15 days but no attack occurs. Surmising that this was most likely a false concern, Jean and Marie-Anne return to their Beaupre Coast property in order to prepare for the rapidly approaching planting season.

The date is June 4, 1660. Jean Picard has left the cabin, gathering with others in their farming community for protection as they begin their work in the fields for the day. Some of the other families have left their children with Marie-Anne to care for so both husband and wife can work the fields together. Marie-Anne has three children as well as her own 8 month old Louise to watch over and goes about her normal chores with perhaps only mild apprehension of Iroquois activity. However, it is not the Iroquois she needs to worry about, but a band of eight Hurons who have become disenchanted with their current lot in life. This group has decided to leave their tribe location on Isle d’Orleans in search of a better way of life which they believe to be with the Iroquois. Perhaps feeling they need some kind of peace offering introduction to engage successfully with a rival tribe, it is their intent to obtain some settler’s goods to turn over to the Iroquois in hopes of acceptance.

The now renegade Hurons approach the Beaupre Coast quietly appraising their circumstances and determining the best means of obtaining what they feel they need. They disembark from their canoes and move inland cautiously until they see an unprotected cabin with no one in sight. They break in to find a young mother and four children screaming in terror with no means of escape. The Hurons plunder and ransack whatever they can and decide to take Marie-Anne Picard and her children with them. They are dragged through the underbrush back to the river and are thrown into the canoes before any of the field workers become aware of what has happened. Then the canoes disappear up river in search of the Iroquois.

Within a few hours the families working the fields return home to find the cabin broken into with Marie-Anne and the children nowhere to be found. Based on past experience they know immediately what has happened and make all haste to alert authorities in Quebec to enlist some aid in finding the marauders and with any luck free the hostages.

Word of the raid and capture of a woman and children comes to the attention of the Governor of New France, Pierre de Voyer d’Argenson. Previously the Viscount de Mouzay and part of the French aristocracy d’Argenson receives the governorship due to his friendship with the King of France. This friendship arrises after having served as an ensign in the king’s guards in 1650, and also as a councillor of state. He is commissioned as Governor on January 27, 1657 at the age of just 32. It was his hope that he could come to Quebec, find an easy assignment and take a long sought after rest from his activities in the courts of France. Surprisingly though he finds that just the opposite is true and he is thrust into a very dark and foreboding period in the young history of New France. Not only does he find a struggling population, but an economy that is falling apart with the fur trade bottoming out. Combine that with the Iroquois constantly making bloody forays with the colonists and threatening their very existence, and the young governor finds himself with a massive demand for firm leadership. It is incumbent upon d’Argenson to step up to the task in use of the meager resources at hand. Records of the day document his leadership with statements such as, “Everyone would have thought himself as good as lost if Monsieur le Vicomte d’Argenson our governor had not heartened us by his courage and wise conduct, putting all the posts around Quebec in such good order that the coming of the Iroquois was desired rather than feared.” Another such account stated, “He showed his courage and boldness by attacking and pursuing the enemy bands; he gave evidence of prudence, on the military front, by implementing methods of surveillance and by speeding up the means of intervention, and on the diplomatic front by adopting a policy based on firmness and mistrust.”

Upon receiving the news of the abduction the Governor takes immediate action by pulling together a small group of French soldiers, aided by Algonquins to track down the renegade Hurons and bring them to justice.

It is now June 9, 1660 and Marie-Anne with her children have suffered at the hands of her captors for five full days. As might be expected, news accounts of the day establish her bravery in the sight of her lord with statements such as, “This woman of remarkable piety, did not cry for herself, although she knew that she was destined for fire, but she saw with horror the fate awaiting the children.” The soldiers and Algonquin trackers have discovered the location of the Huron raiders and decide to set a trap for them. Understanding their route of travel they know they must pass by Pointe-de-Lévis (Map Point 5). There they lie in wait for the Huron canoes to approach. The Hurons are suspicious and in the darkness stay close along the cliffs of Pointe-Lévis in hopes of evading detection. The search and rescue party confirms the presence of the woman and children in the canoes, and let them pass quietly as they begin to encounter rapids in the river. It is at this point that the soldiers and Algonquins ambush the Huron raiders with a volley of musket fire. Two of the Hurons are killed and three others are wounded, with several of the others falling into the rapids where they are quickly and easily captured. Unfortunately, upon hearing friendly voices in the melee, Marie-Anne rises from her canoe and is hit by one of the rescuers bullets which passes first through one of the children she is holding, wounding her, and killing the child. The skirmish is quickly over and Marie-Anne’s daughter Louise remains safe and alive.

The Huron prisoners and the victims are rowed across the river to Quebec. There, Marie-Anne is taken immediately to the Hotel-dieu (hospital) de Quebec to be cared for, but sadly it is too late and she dies from her wound and ordeal at just 20 years of age. However as the journals of the day reported it, “She died thanking God with great joy that He had issued His young family from the hands of these barbarians.”

Of the six remaining Huron prisoners, all are found guilty, but the youngest at age 15 is released. Three are burned at the stake in Quebec, and the last two are burned later at Trois-Riviéres (Three Rivers).

Without a mother, little Louise Picard is sent to live and grow up with Jean Picard’s parents, Pierre Picard and Renée Suronne, who are both 44 years old. Jean Picard marries two more times to Marie-Madeleine Gagnon in 1663, and to Marie-Anne Fortin in 1683. Jean himself lives to the age of 65, passing on November 29, 1700.

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4. Caron Family Research Expedition - 2018

September 5, 2018

Rhonda and I visited Quebec City and the surrounding area from August 19th to the 26th. While there we stayed in a time share condo located just north east of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupré. Our time was primarily spent in research and seeking to find as many actual present day property locations as we could for Robert Caron and his family as they lived in the region from 1636 and beyond 1656 when Robert Caron died. The photographs below will hopefully give you a sense of what we were able to discover in our search.

First Settlers Monument located in Montmorency Park in Quebec City. The names of Robert Caron and Marie Crevet are seen above 10 names up from the bottom. The park is located within easy walking distance of the famous Hotel Frontenac, across the boardwalk and down the stairs, crossing over Côte de la Montagne (street).

(Left) Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral standing on the original site of the Notre-Dame Parish Church. There on October 25, 1637, Robert Caron and Marie Crevet were united in marriage. That church later burned down in 1640. (Above) The interior of the Cathedral.

(Left) The famous Montmorency Falls found just a short distance from Robert Caron's first property on a subtle point along the St. Lawrence River called Longue-Pointe. Robert & Marie began their married life here and then sold the property in 1642 because of nearly constant Iroquois harassment. They moved west just a few miles into the settlement of Quebec. (That is a walking bridge directly above the falls.)

(Above) A portion of the property known as Saint Genevieve within the Quebec settlement, which was cleared by Robert Caron in 1642. The property (originally 60 acres) remained clear and empty for many years until it was allowed that Saint-Charles-Garnier College des Jesuites (Right) was built on the site.

(Above) Current site of the Ursuline convent standing in the exact location of the original building (foreground) in the 1600s painting (right). The property seen in the painting from the convent back to the fence (midground) was Robert Caron's, which he sold to the Ursulines for £30 so they could expand. That is where the Ursulines built their church which stands today.

(Above) This architectural representation from 1723 includes the two buildings (blonde wood look) seen in the painting (above right). It can be seen from this that the church was built on Robert Caron's property. (Right) The interior of the Ursuline church on our grandfather's property. This particular view is where the men were allowed to attend the service. Looking forward into the sanctuary, the space enjoining it to the left was the chapel used by the Ursuline nuns for the same services, separated because they were a cloistered order.

(Below left) Saint Anne Church on the coast of Beaupre where a number of Caron baptisms took place in the 1650s. This particular church was built in 1658 after Robert Caron's death. It stood on this site for at least 200 years which explains why this photograph exists. Currently standing on the exact same site is the small chapel seen in the photo below the Saint Anne church photo. On that building you will notice a plaque on the left side in the middle. That plaque is enlarged (below right) and represents an actual map of Robert Caron's Beaupre property represented as "Terres" (lands) 98. You can see the representation of the Saint Lawrence River (seaway) on the right side of that plaque.

(Left) A current day plat map of properties as they were represented at the time of Robert Caron in 1650. I have highlighted less than half of the section of land known as Terres 98 (above plaque) which actually extended approximately four and a half miles inland from the river's coast. You can also see on the left where I have highlighted the current day location of Saint Anne's Cathedral, which stands just across the street to the north from the original site of St. Anne Church (information above). (Below) A photo taken from Isle D'Orleans in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, looking north at the coast of Beaupre. I have drawn in a perspective representation of Robert Caron's Beaupre property based on the plat map for at least as far as the eye can see.

(Above) A wooden sign shown above the door (right) stating "Hotel-dieu de Quebec" translated to "Hospital of Quebec" This is the site of the location of the original Hotel-dieu in Quebec (sketch depiction below) where both Robert Caron and eventually his daughter Marie-Anne Caron (Picard) were taken and where they both died.

(right) Property location of the current day community of Chateau-Richer where Marie Crevet and five of her seven children (including our grandfather Joseph) went to live following the death of Robert Caron.

Over the course of the next several generations, although some portion of the Caron family remained on the coast of Beaupre, our grandfathers migrated across the Saint Lawrence river to the south shore. There, different generations continued to move eastward along the shores became residents of the early villages of Cap-Saint-Ignace (church above), L'Islet-sur-Mer (below), and eventually Saint-Jean-Porte-Joli where our 2G grandfather Antoine was born.

While visiting L'Islet-sur-Mer, we stopped for a visit at Notre-Dame de Bonsecours Church (left). Here following a lengthy personal tour we inquired about the Caron family and where the cemetery might be that could include some of our ancestors. Our tour guides just looked at us and said they are beneath our feet. They then explained that so many of the first families were simply buried under the church. They would remove the floor boards, dig the grave for the individual and then just close the floor back up. For reference they provided us with a copy of their Sépultures sous l'église (Sepultures under the church), in which we found a number of graves associated with the Caron family dating back to 1795.

Continuing eastward along the road between the villages of L'Islet-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Porte-Joli, we found the Caron Monument consisting of this single granite stone commemorating the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Robert Caron. The stone's translation reads: Tribute to Robert Caron and Marie Crevet pioneers in America
to his sons John-Baptiste, Robert, Pierre to his daughters Marie, Catherine, Amyee and Joseph, first defector of Porte Joly in 1686

Later we find our family residing in Canada in Saint Sauveur, the town of our great grandfather Alfred's birth. Interestingly enough, it is located back on the north side of the Saint Lawrence River and some distance south west of Quebec City. The last census record of this information is dated 1871. However, the first we see of Antoine and his family in the United States is in the 1880 census record of their residence in Salem, Massachusetts. Then one final mystery shows them in an 1881 Canadian census record once again, but this time located in L'Islet-sur-Mer. Further records show them to be residing in May of 1885 in Walcott, Rice County, MN.

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5. Caron Journey to Faribault - Part 1
March 7, 2019

Alfred Caron and Emma Durand Engagement Photo - Circa 1894

The long journey of the Caron family of course begins with Robert Caron, the first of the family settlers, arriving in the Quebec region of New France in 1634. Although Robert only lived to the age of 44, he and his wife Marie Crevet were able to bring seven children into the world, all of whom survived to become parents themselves. In a single line of descendency from grandfather to grandfather over a time frame of six generations to that of our 2G grandfather Antoine, no less than 70 children were born.

Fifth in line of Robert and Marie’s children was our 7G grandfather Joseph, 1652-1711. There is reference of his occupation in 1683, at the age of 31, as “Charpentier a la Seigneurie de Bellechasse,” or Carpenter for the Lordship of Bellechasse. Presumably this endeavor is not only what moved Joseph to begin living on the south side of the St. Lawrence River, but also began a very long line of carpenters in the Caron family. It is also very likely as a result of this line of work that he met his wife, Elisabeth Bernier. They together had eleven children, and resided for the remainder of their lives on the south bank of the St. Lawrence, in the village of L’Islet, or Cap-Saint-Ignace. At least four of their children did not survive past infancy.

The sixth child born to Joseph and Elisabeth was our 6G grandfather, Louis, 1699-1758. He was married to Marie-Genevieve Lemieux in Cap-Saint-Ignace on February 8, 1727 and together they had 13 children. Louis was also a carpenter and he and his family lived out much of their lives in Cap-Saint-Ignace, however there is evidence they resided in St-Jean-Port-Joli. The fifth of their children was our 5G grandfather, Pierre-Laurent, 1736-1808, who just happened to be born in St-Jean-Port-Joli. The distance between the two villages is only 16 miles, so there was not a lot of movement with these generations. Pierre-Laurent was married to Marie-Louise Chouinard on January 18, 1764, in St-Jean-Port-Joli, which also appears to be where they lived and had their family of 16 children. Unfortunately there is no reference to Pierre’s occupation in any documents that have been found.

Pierre-Laurent and Marie-Louise’ first born was our 4G grandfather Laurent-Julien, 1763-1857. This is where the tree begins to get just a bit confusing, since both Laurent-Julien and his father Pierre-Laurent actually have the same name of Pierre-Laurent, so some records which lacked specific dates were difficult to differentiate. To avoid that I have altered the son’s name to include a third given name of Julien. Laurent-Julien was also married three times, first to Marie-Charlotte Balanger in 1787 who gave birth to the first three children prior to her death in 1794. He then married our grandmother, Marguerite Frigault in 1794, who also had three children before she died in 1815. The families were living somewhere in the countryside between L’Islet and St-Jean-Port-Joli, and it has been documented that Laurent-Julien was a “Cultivateur” or farmer. Then in 1816 Julien married Marie-Josephte Chretien, but no children came from this last union.

In 1797 our 3G grandfather Pierre, 1797-1867, is born in St-Jean-Port-Joli, the third child of Laurent-Julien and Marguerite. Unfortunately, there is not much information relating to Pierre, except for the fact that sometime in 1819 he marries Reine Labbe in St-Jean-Port-Joli. Together they have eight children, the seventh of which is our 2G grandfather Antoine, 1829-1910. So, ever since the first generation following Robert Caron and Marie Crevet, the Caron family was quite thoroughly satisfied to remain within an approximate 20 mile radius of living on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River…that is until now.

The very interesting thing is that even with the reasonably large family into which Antoine is born, he alone seemed to have the wanderlust, since it was able to be documented that each of Antoine’s surviving siblings remained in the Quebec region of Canada all of their lives. The one thing specifically that was not able to be found was an exact date of immigration into the United States. As a result of putting together a number of other documents, it was decided that Antoine moved most of his family to Salem, Massachusetts between 1878 and 1879. The two main factors resulting in this assumption are that our great grandfather Alfred’s younger brother Napoleon was born in Canada in 1877, and baptized there in 1878. Then the 1880 U.S. Federal Census record shows the family to be well established, both living and working in Salem, Massachusetts. Antoine’s first three children, Sarah, 25, Leocadie, 24, and Caroline, 23, are not listed in the 1880 U.S. census with the rest of the family. Sarah has been married to Charles Julien, a shoemaker, since 1874, but does apparently immigrate with her family in 1879. Leocadie, on the other hand is the only child of Antoine and Sarah who remained in Canada for the balance of her life. However, Caroline is a different story completely. She is apparently the very first of the family to leave home and make the trek to Salem, Massachusetts, where she is married to Joseph Rocheleau on August 5, 1877, at least one or two years before the rest of her family made the move.

By 1878, Antoine is 49 years old, and has been working in the St-Jean-Port-Joli area as a "Menuisier." This occupation name is from French Catholic heritage and is known to be an artisan who works prepared wood used in furniture making. He met and married Sarah Chouinard in 1853 and then begin their family of nine children in 1854 with the birth of their daughter Sarah. What then might encourage Antoine and Sarah to make a 400 mile trip to Salem in 1878? Probably the one thing that prompts migrations, just like today, is the promise of steady work. I would surmise at this point that it is their daughter Caroline, who has been living in Salem for a few years, who was apparently able to convince the family that there are jobs to be had in Salem. It is documented in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census that not only Antoine, but Calixte, 22, Alphonse, 18, Joseph, 17, and Celanire, 15, are all working in the cotton mill in Salem. Our great grandpa Alfred at the age of 9 is listed simply as “at school.”

It was relatively simple then to find the cotton mill that was so attractive to so many in the late 1870s. The Pequot Cotton Mill was owned and operated by Naumkeag Steam Cotton Co. from 1847 until its closing in 1953. ... The Salem plant was one of the first steam-operated cotton mills in the country. The facility was built at a cost of just over $621,000 and initially employed 600 workers. During World War II it grew to 2,725 workers. It also seemed apparent that the cotton mill provided housing for many of its workers since the 1880 Census also shows the Antoine Caron family is living at 113 Naumkeag Street. This particular housing unit also happens to be the habitation of at least five other families at that same address. At least 12 people in those other families are also all listed as working in the cotton mill.

There is reference in Antoine’s obituary stating that the family remained in Salem for a 10 year period before striking out for the farmlands of Minnesota. However those 10 years were rather pivotal for the Carons and essentially fragmented the family, leaving us with many Caron cousins in the Salem area, and of course many more in the Quebec region over the next few generations. I will end this website entry however with a quick reference overview of just how Antoine and Sarah’s family was split up, showing who stayed in the Salem area and who migrated to Minnesota. To that end, here is the very short version of a practical breakdown of each individual in Antoine and Sarah’s family whether they journeyed on to Faribault or not.

Sarah 1854-1924 – Married Charles Julien in 1874. Immigrated to Salem, MA in 1885 and remained in the Salem area for the balance of their lives.

Leocadie 1855-1928 – Married Auguste Bois in 1875 and remained in Canada until passing in St. Sauveur near Montreal.

Caroline 1857-1923 – Immigrated to Salem, MA in 1869 and married Joseph Rocheleau in Salem in 1877. They are documented as moving a number of times through their lives, but Caroline finally passes in the Faribault area and is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Calixte 1861-1918 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family in 1879. Married Angelina Tremblay in Salem in 1882. The family migrates further to the Faribault area in 1884. They travel back to the Boston area and work for a short time but then return to Faribault where they remain for the balance of their lives.

Alphonse 1862-1941 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family 1879. He marries Josephine Desjardins in 1915. I have not been able to find any children documented from this marriage. Alphonse dies while serving in the Army during WWII on March 4, 1941. The family otherwise remained in Salem.

Joseph 1864-1950 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family in 1879 and then further migrates to the Faribault area in 1884. He is married to Francine Felanese “Fannie” Thibodeau in 1886 in Faribault at St. Lawrence Church, and remained in the Faribault area for the remainder of their lives.

Celanire 1865-1937 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family in 1879 and is married to Paul Fontaine in 1882. They and their family remained in Salem for the rest of their lives.

Alfred 1871-1956 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family in 1879 and further migrates to the Faribault area in 1884. He is married to Emma Durand in 1894 in Faribault at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They remained in Faribault for the balance of their lives.

Napoleon 1877-1931 – Immigrated to Salem, MA with the family in 1879 and further migrates to the Faribault area in 1884. He is married to Melinda “Minnie” Duffina apparently in 1900 although specific documentation as to the exact date has not been found. They remained in Faribault for the balance of their lives.

So you can see that only four of the nine families of the children of Antoine and Sarah Caron actually come to live in and make Faribault, Minnesota their home. The next part of this story will detail the circumstances of each of these children as they lived out their lives and will spend a little more time on our great grandparents Alfred and Emma.

Joseph Caron, 17th Century Carpenter

Antoine Caron & Sarah Chouinard - Circa 1860

Caron, Caroline & Joseph Rocheleau Famil

Caroline Caron & Joseph Rocheleau family - Circa 1900

Caroline Caron & Joseph Rocheleau - Circa 1920

Naumkeag Cotton Mill Co. Salem, MA - Circa 1880

Naumkeag Street Row Houses located at the Caron family address of 113 Naumkeag St. listed in the 1880 Federal census

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5. Caron Journey to Faribault - Part 2
March 14, 2019

Agnes & Edmund Caron - Circa 1898

As mentioned above in Part 1, here is a little bit more detail regarding the lives of the children of Antoine and Sarah Caron. The individual children family information is shown as follows from oldest to youngest, with the exception that our great grandpa Alfred, the second youngest, will be held for last.

1. Sarah 1854-1924, is married to Charles Julien in 1874 in Canada. Although she does not come to the U.S. with the family in 1878, records indicate that she and her family of at least five children at the time, did immigrate to the U.S. in 1885 and took up residence in Salem, MA where they remained for the rest of their lives.

2. Leocadie Diana 1855-1928, was born in “lower Canada” usually signifying the south side of the St. Lawrence River. She married Auguste Bois in St-Aubert, just a short distance from Saint Jean Port Joli, in 1875. They remained in Canada for their entire lives.

3. Caroline 1857-1923, is what I believe to be the enigma of the family. She is the first to arrive in the U.S., and is most likely the reason that others from her family immigrated. Interestingly enough, the 1920 US Federal Census states very clearly that the year she immigrated was 1869, when she was apparently only 11 or 12 years old. There is no other information that I have been able to find as yet that would explain why she would have been in the U.S. at such a young age. I believe there is a bit more of that story yet to be discovered. Nevertheless, she is married in Salem, MA to Joseph Rocheleau on August 5, 1877. Together they raise a family of nine children, but seem to move around a fair amount based on the census records. They are shown to be living in Faribault, MN in 1895 with their children. That same record shows their daughter Adelina was born in Connecticut in 1878, while their next daughter Elizabeth

is born in Minnesota in 1882, along with several others to follow. The 1910 Federal Census however shows Caroline and Joseph and their youngest three children living in Salt Lake City, UT. That same record shows the last of their children, Lawrence, is born in 1901 in Illinois. Then a 1915 city directory shows Joseph and Caroline once again living back in the Salem, MA area in the town of Lynn, MA. They remain in Salem until at least until 1921, but then records show that Caroline dies in Cannon City, MN in 1923, and she is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

4. Calixte (or Charles) 1861-1918, is born in Cap-Ste-Ignace, Quebec, and immigrates to the U.S. with his family at about the age of 17. Calixte is able to find work at the cotton mill. It is there that he learns the trade of being a leather currier. He is married to Angelina Tremblay on May 7, 1882 in Salem, MA. They have their first child, Angelina in Massachusetts prior to leaving for Minnesota in 1884, where they begin their life living with Antoine and Sarah in Walcott. There Calixte works as a carpenter. Then in 1887 they return to Massachusetts in the Boston area where he worked at the American Tool Machine Co., in the Millwright department. This period out east only lasts for about a year and a half until they return to Faribault in 1889 when Calixte begins work as a general contractor. Various Faribault city directories up until 1915 list Calixte as a contractor. Presumably he remains a contractor up until his death at the age of 57 in 1918, when it is believed that his brother Joseph took over the contracting business. Calixte and Angelina together had 10 children, all of whom were born in Minnesota, with the single exception as mentioned, of their first daughter Angelina. His obituary states, “Mr. Caron had been in poor health for the past year, but not confined to his home until the past several weeks.” At this time his youngest child, Margaret is 13. Calixte is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

5. Alphonse 1862-1941, is the first of Antoine and Sarah’s children who is not born on the south side of the St. Lawrence River. That would indicate that Antoine and his family are beginning to move from time to time most likely in search of work of some kind. In 1862 then the family is located in Saint-Sauveur, a small town north of Montreal, and some 263 miles or so from Cap-Saint-Ignace where they were previously living. Alphonse arrives in Salem, MA with his family at the age of 16 and also soon finds work in the cotton mill. Then in 1915 Alphonse marries Josephine Desjardins with the wedding document listing this as his second marriage with a (w) meaning he has been widowed. I made an attempt to determine who his first wife may have been, but there was too much confusion associated with an Alphonse and Josephine Caron who lived in Ware, MA and that information had to be deleted. There is no reference to this second union of Alphonse having any children. Although there is mention of Alphonse living in Superior, WI in his mother’s obituary in 1908, no evidence has been found to confirm that information. The family remains in Salem for the rest of their lives with Alphonse passing in 1941 while serving in WWII.

6. Joseph Henry 1864-1950, is born in Canada of course, but there are too many discrepancies as to exactly where, although the majority of records indicate he was born in Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers), putting the family approximately 126 miles now from their starting point of Cap-Saint-Ignace. Joseph is approximately 14 years old when the family arrives in Salem. Two years later, the 1880 Federal Census lists Joseph like others in the family working at the cotton mill. He apparently moves with the family to Minnesota in 1884, and there meets and marries Francine Felanese (Fannie) Thibodeau and they are married at St. Lawrence Church on October 11, 1886. Joseph goes into the contracting business with his brother Calixte, and continues working in this same endeavor for at least 50 years, taking over the business following the death of Calixte. Joseph retired in 1941. Together Joseph and Fannie have 10 children and they continue living in Faribault until the end of their lives.

7. Celanire 1865-1937, also has discrepancies regarding her place of birth, but most records seem to indicate that she is born in the Saint-Foy segment of Quebec City, also a part of Cap-Rouge. This is once again closer (55 mi) to their point of origin, the Cap-Saint-Ignace area. As mentioned above, she arrives with the family in Salem, and is listed as working at the cotton mill in the 1880 census at the age of 15. A very short time later Celanire meets and marries Henry Napoleon “Paul” Fontaine on September 17, 1882 at the age of 16. In the marriage document Paul is listed simply as a “Laborer.” The 1900 Federal census lists Paul as a Railroad laborer. Their oldest son Paul, who was born in 1881 a year before his parents married, is taking up an old family activity of working in the “cotton mill cloth room.” In 1910, Paul Sr. is now a foreman on the railroad, as so far, Celanire has not been listed as working while they have had children. But now one of their daughters, Delia is found working as a “spooler” in the cotton mill. Interestingly enough, with both mom and dad speaking French, at least two of the children, Annie and Alma at ages 16 and 12 respectively, list French as their native tongue. The family purchases a home for $3500 at 331 Jefferson Ave. in Salem in 1912, and continue living there for many years. Paul Sr. continues to work as a track foreman at the B&M railroad at least until 1930, two years before passing at the age of 70 in 1932.

9. Napoleon 1877-1931, is the youngest of the children of Antoine and Sarah, and we only know he was born somewhere in the Quebec area of Canada, with no legible record to draw from. He was baptized in 1878, and moved with the family most likely that same year to Salem, MA. Of course he also migrated at the age of 7 to Minnesota. The next record that can be found of him in 1902 at the age of 25 he is a machinist at Nutting Truck Co., and is renting at 1128 NW 2nd in Faribault, just a half block away from Alfred & Emma's home. The directory does not mention his wife Minnie Duffina, but since they begin having the first of their six children in 1902, it can only be assumed they were married in the 1900 time frame. He is also listed as a machinist in the 1903 directory, but by 1911 and 1913 his occupation in the directory is listed as a carpenter. Then Napoleon’s draft registration dated September 12, 1918 shows that he is a “woodworker” for Nutting Truck Co. The last reference to him in 1930 states that he is a carpenter working for a contractor. It can perhaps be surmised that he has left Nutting and begun working with the family contractor who at that time is his brother Joseph. He passes away in 1931 at the age of 53. There is no information that can be found in the way of an obituary, or anything about his passing at such a young age leaving his wife Minnie perhaps with the youngest of his children George at the age of 17. Napoleon is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

That brings us to the final entry and second youngest, our great grandpa Alfred.

8. Alfred “Fred” Joseph 1871-1956, is born in St-Sauveur, once again north of Montreal. He arrives along with his family in Salem, MA at the age of seven. Sadly only fragments of the 1890 Federal Census records are left in existence due to a fire at the Commerce Department in Washington, DC in 1921. Although some Minnesota records did survive, the grand total of pages (or pieces) came to 1,233, so that is why we have gaps in the family record. Regardless, we know Alfred migrates with the family to Walcott, MN in 1884 at the age of 13. After this point there are a few references indicating that Alfred is helping his father Antoine with the farming, and continues to do so up until around 1902 when it is first documented that he has begun doing carpentry work finally at the age of 31. By the same token the 1895 Minnesota Territorial and State Census lists both Calixte and Alfred as working in farming. In this same record though, their brother Joseph has already broken away and is working as a carpenter.

Somewhere in all of that farming, Alfred finds time to meet Miss Emma Marie Durand. They inevitably feel the sparks fly, and are married on December 31, 1894 at Sacred Heart Church in Faribault, with Rev. Joseph Darche officiating. Alfred’s best man is Emma’s brother Mederick Durand, and the maid of honor is Emma’s friend Delia Rocheban. At the time of their marriage, Alfred is 23 and Emma is 22. On February 1, 1896 they begin their family with the birth of Agnes. At this time they are still living with Antoine and Sarah and continue to speak French in the home as their primary language. A total of 10 more children enter into the lives of Alfred and Emma between the years 1896 and 1917 as follows:

Agnes 1896-1998

Edmund Joseph 1897-1982

Celania Sarah 1898-1972

Cordelia Mercedes 1900-1992

Alice Elizabeth 1902-1992

Theodore Joseph 1904-1966

Catherine 1906-1918

Esther Lillian 1908-1958

Robert Leo 1911-1987

Roland Lewis 1914-1926

Marion Mercedes ‘Mae’ 1917-1995

Of these, only two did not survive their youth. Catherine died at the age of 12 from appendicitis. The family story states that although she had taken ill, Alfred decided to wait until morning to see if her condition might improve, since hospitals of the day were not always to be trusted. By morning it is said that her appendix had burst and she died while undergoing emergency surgery. Roland on the other hand died at the age of 11 in 1926 when he was hit by a truck on his way to the county fair.

Apparently at some time during the year of 1901, family information states that Antoine and Sarah, being 72 and 68 years old respectively, had decided to sign over title of the Walcott 15 acre farm to Alfred. Unfortunately the farm had debts against it, and Alfred decided the best thing to do was to sell. He did that and with the proceeds of the sale he was able to purchase a home in Faribault at 1219 NW 2nd Street where the entire family, now including four children, moved in together with Antoine and Sarah. Apparently this move took place during the winter since family information states, “The belongings were moved in, and then the family packed into a horse-drawn sleigh for the trip.” In 1902, the Faribault City directory lists “Fredrick,” living at this address to be working as a carpenter.

Of course also in 1902, Agnes is just ready to begin her education, which was only a two block walk for her to Lincoln school. However, we all know the story of her difficulties there, not being able to speak anything but French. Eventually though, she came along and learned English with the help of her classmates who apparently assisted her with interpretation of class information. My only guess is there were other children who also knew French, which would have been completely understandable in that day with all of the French immigrants in town. French did remain the preferred language in the home out of respect for the grandparents, until Antoine and Sarah’s deaths in 1910 and 1908 respectively.

It is said that Sarah was a “bossy” lady, while Antoine “was content to sit by the fire all day with his pipe and didn’t do anything that could wait until tomorrow.” Although we all remember the family gatherings following Christmas midnight mass, what at least I was never aware of was that particular tradition began with Sarah, not Emma. Family information states, “Several days ahead of time Grama Caron would begin making apple pies and tutcare (Actually, “tourtière” is a traditional French-Canadian meat or pork pie {tourtière recipe}) a French tradition observed by many families. The upstairs corner bedroom was closed off in the winter because it was not heated, and the pies and tutcares would be laid out there on planks across saw horses where they would freeze.” Sadly, in 1908 Sarah passed away following more than a week with pneumonia. Two years later in 1910, Antoine at the age of 81 passes due to “the infirmities of old age.”

The family continued living in the 2nd street home until at least 1911. The next reference to a home was in the 1913 Faribault City Directory showing them at the corner of W 9th Ave S, where they are apparently renting. There are gaps in the Faribault city directories after this point, but they finally end up living at the home we all grew up to know, 504 NW 1st Street, which is first listed in 1921 as their residence.

Very little more is mentioned about the lives of Alfred and Emma outside of the documentation of a wonderful golden anniversary celebration which took place at their 1st Street home on December 31, 1944. Here are some excerpts of the event from a Faribault Daily News article published on January 3, 1945.

“More than 150 friends and relatives attended the celebration… A special mass for Mr. and Mrs. Caron, said by Rev. Arthur Guillemette at the Sacred Heart church at 6:30 am began the day.

During the afternoon open house was held and many friends called to extend best wishes. Gold and white pompoms decorated the rooms. The serving table was centered by a three-tiered wedding cake ornamented by a miniature bride and groom, and flanked on either side by double crystal candelabra with gold tapers. Mrs. Edmond Caron, Mrs. Robert Caron and Mrs. Norbert DeFrees poured.

Mrs. Caron was presented with an orchid corsage by her grand-children. Friends and relatives presented the honored couple with a purse of money, as well as many other gifts. During the evening several friends, including Joseph Burmeister, Don Clarine, Jack Glassco and H. H. Meyer called and rendered several musical selections.

All nine living children of Mr. and Mrs. Caron were present at the celebration Sunday… Of 27 grandchildren in the family, all were present except three, Mrs. Charles Betcher (Gene Morris) of Temple, Texas, Pvt. George Morris, U.S. Army, Camp Howzie, Texas and Captain Norbert DeFrees, U.S. Army, serving in southern France. Two great-grandchildren, Tommy and Lynn Rainey, were also present.

Alfred Joseph Caron died at home on December 28, 1956 after a lingering illness. “He was buried on his 62nd wedding anniversary date in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.” Emma Marie Durand (Caron) passed away just two days after her 89th birthday on May 8, 1961. She died at St. Lucas Convalescent Home following an extended illness.

Finally, as a special tribute to this wonderful family, the following video was taken by Jim Rainey on one of Agnes Caron (DeFrees’) birthdays somewhere between age 95 and 100. Agnes is surrounded by her daughters the five beautiful Defrees women and they regale us with several French song snippets. Enjoy. {Grandma DeFrees Birthday}