BERGENDAL MS 117
DOCUMENT
Signed by Claude de Ramezay
Trois Rivières, New France 1693
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General description: Manuscript in French on paper.
One folio 223 x 170 mm with a writing space of 115 x 160 mm with 12 lines.
Written by one person which may have been De Ramezay but certainly signed by him in black
ink in late 17th century cursive script. There is no ruling.
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Condition: A piece measuring 45 x 35 mm has been cut away from top left corner.
This has been repaired with contemporary paper. Creases indicate was once folded in four.
In bottom left corner is a perfectly preserved red wax seal impressed with
Ramezay's arms. This is the only one of his known to have survived.
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Text: A document certifying to the good conduct and bravery of Lambert Boucher
de Grandpré. It reads as follows:
Claude de Ramezay Chevalier seigneur de la Gesse Montigny et Bois Fleurans
gouveneur pour le roy des Trois Rivières et de ses depandances.
Nous certifions à tous qu'il apartiendra que Le Seigneur de Granspré major des Trois
Rivières y a fait les fonctions depuis quatres année que nous somme pourvenue dudit
gouvernement et mesme plusieurs année auparavant avec toute la ponctualité et vigilance
possible ayant donné dans toutes les occasions des marque de sa bravoure et de sa
conduite En foy de quoy nous lui avons donné le présent certificat pour luy valoir ainsy
que de rayson. Fait aux 3 Rivières le 16 octobre 1693.
De Ramezay
Lambert Boucher de Grandpré was baptized in Three Rivers on August 12th, 1656
and was buried there on April 3rd, 1699. In those days there were no civil records kept in
New France of births and deaths; however the Church's parishes kept scrupulously all
records of baptisms and burials. These records are available to this day. Thus
modern day Quebec having four centuries of vital statistics virtually complete, leads the
world in this regard. No other jurisdiction can begin to match this record.
As a reward for a brilliant military career Louis XIV gave him the appointment of major of
Three Rivers. He married Marguerite de Blason on August 13th, 1693, with whom he had but
two children.
Claude de Ramezay was born on June 15th, 1659 in Burgundy at the fief of La Gesse.
He joined the army and came to New France as a lieutenant at the age of 26. On
November 8th, 1690 he married Marie Charlotte Denys, having just been appointed governor
of Three Rivers. In 1699 he was appointed commander of all troops in New France. In 1704
he was made governor of Montreal and proceeded to build a home which is known as Chateau
de Ramezay to this day. He was acting Governor of New France from the summer of 1714 to
the summer of 1716. He died in Quebec on July 31st, 1724. He had 16 children. Two of his
sons predeceased him.
Provenance:
1) Prepared for Lambert Boucher (1656-1699) as a token of meritorious service.
2) At one time part of the Goodwin collection.
3) Bought from Warren Baker, Montreal, October 25th, 1991.
References:
1) Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. I:109; Vol. 11:545.
2) The Canadian Encyclopedia, Edmonton, 1985, Vol. III:1546.
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