15 Facts About Pierre Boucher

Pierre Boucher spoke fluent Iroquoian languages, of which Huron is a dialect.

In 1645, Boucher was appointed official interpreter of Indian languages at Trois-Rivieres.

Pierre Boucher rose through the ranks first as corporal, sergeant, and then as commissioned officer.

Pierre Boucher was appointed commissary-general of the trading post in 1648 and elected captain of the militia in 1651.

Pierre Boucher returned with soldiers, supplies, additional settlers and a commitment of support to the colony of New France by the French king, Louis XIV.

Pierre Boucher was the first Canadian settler to be ennobled by King Louis XIV.

Pierre Boucher was succeeded in the governorship by his son-in-law, Rene Gaultier de Varennes.

Pierre Boucher withdrew from public office to establish his Seigneurie centred on Boucherville on the south shore of the St Lawrence River near Montreal and extending out well into the Monteregie region.

Pierre Boucher's lands included parts of the North Shore extending out to la Mauricie and Trois-Rivieres.

Pierre Boucher died at his seigneury at Boucherville, which was named in his honour.

Pierre Boucher married Marie-Madeleine Chrestienne, a Huron girl who had been educated by the Ursuline order of nuns; she died in childbirth.

Pierre Boucher later married Jeanne Crevier, who bore 15 children; Their descendants took many names and thrived in the diaspora of New France, and many lines are still in existence today.

The eldest son, Pierre Boucher inherited the title and seigneurie of Boucherville, which had excellent land in the alluvial floodplain of the St Lawrence River.

Pierre Boucher married his eldest daughter, Marie-Ursule Boucher, to Rene Gaultier de Varennes, governor of Trois Rivieres, under whom he had served.

Surnames in the Pierre Boucher line include Montarville, or de Montarville, Grandpre, DeGrandpre, or de Grandpre, Grosbois, DeGrosbois or de Grosbois, Des Roches or DesRocher, Monbrun or de Monbrun, LaPerriere or de la Perriere, LaCoursiere or de la Coursiere, Montizambert or de Montizambert, Niverville or de Niverville, Bruyere or de la Bruyere, le Clerc, Lussier, Marcotte, Saucier, Gaultier de Varennes, LeGardeur de Tilly, Daneau de Muy, Sabrevois de SermonVille.