Fourteenth Generation

13244. Simon RICHOMME (RICHOME, RICHAUME) was possibly born in Clesles (Marne) (Champage-Ardenne Region), France. On 29 April 1644, "Simon Richorme", wheelwright and carpenter, was listed by Jérôme le Royer de la Dauversière as one of the 5 citizens from Brouage hired for 3 years at an annual salary of 100 livres (an engagé). He signed his engagement contract (as Richome rather than Richorme). In addition to serving as a carpenter, he committed to performing other duties commanded to him by the Governor and others. ^1,3084 Engagés were immigrants who were hired based on skills they could provide to employers in the colony. Some were domestiques (household or personal servants) while others were laborers or farm hands. They were often called trente-six mois (thirty-six months) because they were usually under a three-year contract. They were generally young (in their twenties), single and from western France. In return for their work, they received room and board, clothing and a salary, in addition to being reimbursed for the cost of the trip to Canada. Sometimes they received an advance before they left France. Employers were also responsible for covering the cost of their return, but after 1665 this obligation was transferred to the engagés in order to discourage them from returning to their homeland. Most of them arrived before 1660. Of the nearly 15,000 French people who came to Canada between 1608 and the end of the 17th century, more than two-thirds returned to France. The employers also had to fulfill certain obligations to the engagé in addition to room and board, most of which were specified in the contract. They were to treat their servants as a “good father and good Christian” would, but that in no way excluded punishment if the servants did not behave as expected. They also had a moral obligation to treat servants humanely, with tolerance and compassion, and to care for them when they were ill. If servants were very young, their masters were to see to their religious instruction by sending them to church and teaching them the catechism. He came to New France some time after his engagé contract was signed in April 1644. However, the date is unknown. (Note: According to "Le blogue de Guy Perron", he probably left La Rochelle aboard the ship "La Nôtre-Dame". ^1,3084) It is known that the couple buried a daughter in Brouage in December 1647. The burial record of his daughter does not indicate whether or not Simon was present at the burial but it was very likely that he was not present at the burial but, instead, had left his wife and children there - and possibly intended to do so for the term of his three-year contract. On 13 January 1648 in Montréal (Québec Province), Canada, Simon obtained land from the Société Notre-Dame de Montréal indicating that he was, indeed, in New France by this time ^1,3084 and, seemingly, confirming the fact that Simon had left his family in France. (At the same time, it appears that his wife, Catherine, never traveled to New France or lived in New France for a short time only to return to France after the death of her husband. She was still alive in France as late as 10 May 1668.) He was killed by a falling tree on 8 February 1655 in (Québec Province), Canada.^1,2638 He was buried on 9 February 1655 in Montréal (Nôtre Dame)(Québec Province), Canada.^1,2638 Catherine BÉLIER (BELLIER, BELLIOR) and Simon RICHOMME (RICHOME, RICHAUME) were married on 26 February 1634 in Brouage (Charente-Maritime) (Poitou Charentes Region), France.^2781,1770

Rough translation of his 29 April 1644 engagement contract:

Personally established noble man Jérôme Le Royer, Sieur de la Dauversière, attorney of the company of Messieurs les Associés pour la Conversion des Sauvages of Nouvelle-France in l’île de Montréal, ordinarily residing at La Flèche, being now in this city living in the home of Sieur Jaques Mousnier, merchant from this city on the one hand; and Simon Richome, wheelwright and carpenter, residing in the town of Brouage on the other hand. Between which parties of good will was done and passed what ensues. That is to say that said Richome has promised, obliges and will be required to serve on the said île de Montréal, as much of his said carpenter's trade as other things will be commanded to him by Paul de Chomedey, Squire, Sieur de la Maisonneuve, Governor commander on said Island or by others having his order during the time and space of the next three years consecutively that will begin the day that he will arrive in the country and will end at such a day thereon fulfilled. To the effect of what he promises and obliges himself to embark upon the first requisition made to him by said Sieur de la Dauversière. which will be required to provide him with necessary supplies of food both for the trip and stay (in New France), as also for his return at the end of three years. And again to pay him the sum of one hundred pounds a year which will be paid to him or to his order (to the order of?), net of what he has received from the said Sieur de la Dauversière until the day he embarks. Electing his irrevocable domicile in this city for the execution of the matter thereof in the house of the undersigned notary to receive there. Everything the said parties have stipulated and accepted and does so, to do and perform by thereon without coming on the contrary hardly of all costs, damages and interests. Have obligated all their present and future assets to each other. In addition, said Richome was personally renounced (given up), considered (deemed) and ordered. Done at La Rochelle in the study of said notary, afternoon, on the twenty-ninth day of April thousand six hundred and Forty-four. Present François Moreau, practitioner and Gabriel Pinet, cleric, residing in this city. (Signatures)

13245. Catherine BÉLIER (BELLIER, BELLIOR) died after 10 May 1668. On that date, she was listed as the godmother of a child born to her son, Gaspard. The child was baptized at Brouage (Charente-Maritime). On the document, Catherine was listed as the wife of the deceased "Simon Richeaume". Therefore, it appears that Catherine never traveled to Nouvelle France or she returned to France after the 1655 death of her husband.

Children were: