Antoine Roy dit Desjardins-France to Canada, A Brief History
Our line began with Antoine Roy dit Desjardins born in Joigny, Yonne, Bourgogne, France. Antoine came to New France with the French Militia to defend France in the war with the Iroquois, in 1665.
The war was over resulting with peace between France and the Iroquois. The Militia, not needed anymore were called back to France by order of the King of France. But many soldiers decided to remain and build a new life in Canada. Of these soldiers, our Antoine Roy dit Desjardins was one of them.
In France Antoine's surname was Roy. It was when Antoine joined the Militia that the dit name Desjardins was added. As this was the practice of the French Militia. All privates were given dit names and is still done to this day. Over the years some of our ancestors used other surnames. Some dropped the name Roy or Desjardins and kept the surname Roy or Desjardins. Also, some were known as Lauzon, Lauzier, Voisine or changed to the English translation of Desjardins, which is Gardner. Our line kept the dit name Desjardins.
Before Antoine came to Canada, while still living in France, he married a first time to Catherine Gyot. Antoine and Catherine had two sons. It is not known why Antoine left his family to join the French Militia, to defend France against the Iroquois Indians. Why did Antoine leave his family behind? Did they die? Was Antoine in trouble in France and fled? This we'll never know.
After the war against the Iroquois Indians was over Antoine married a second time to Marie Major. Marie Major an orphan in France, became a King's Wife, and travelled to Canada with a dowery given to her from the King of France.
Antoine and Marie Major had one child, a son, Pierre Roy dit Desjardins.
Antoine worked as a Cooper as well as a farmer, of which he didn't make much money. Antoine needed money and took a loan from a neighbor. Antoine never paid the money back. The lender called on the loan and after a while threatened Antoine with court. Antoine then fled to Lachine without his family.
It was here that Antoine took on a job and rented a place to live from Julien Talua. One day his landlord came home to find Antoine in bed with his "Talua's" wife. Talua murdered Antoine with a gunshot. Talua was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death for Antoine's murder. While awaiting appeal Talua became sick and was admitted to hospital. Then from the hospital Talua escaped and was never seen or heard from again. Talua's wife was convicted of adultry and was banished from the area forever. If she did return she would face imprisionment and possibly death.
After his "Pierre's" father's murder Pierre and his mother "Marie Major" moved to Quebec City. There Pierre, like his father, worked as a cooper.
After his, "Pierre's" mother's death Pierre married Marie Anne Martin. Pierre and Marie Anne Martin had ten children. After Marie Anne's death Pierre married a second time to Angelique Autin. Pierre and Angelique had six children. Pierre married a third time after Angelique's death to Marie Delugre and had three children.
It was after Pierre's marriage to Marie Delugre that Pierre died.