In 1630 there was an estimated population of 103 settlers in New France. However, the Aboriginal population was estimated to be close to 75,000 throughout North America, including the 5 Iroquois nation with 11,700, The Hurons with 12000 and the French Allies, Alogonquins with 11,475 as well as many other major tribes throughout North America.The Regiment de Carignan-Salières in 1665 was considered wrongly as a foreign troop of origin from Piedmont, Italy. The origin or part of these troops is listed according to the documents in the Archives in Paris as the regiment of King Louis XIV in 1659. Most of the soldiers were French at the time of the embarkation for New France (now Quebec).
They were paid by the King with the State expenses and under the budget for New France. This is also recorded in the Archives of Paris of 1666.The Jesuits having learned of the presence of Huguenots (Protestant French) in the troops, took considerable amount of time to convert them to Catholicism before the troops could leave. In addition to the religious conversion, there was another problem, the number of canoes to be used for transportation in New France were insufficient and immediately had to construct more canoes.
Finally, the regiment was now completed and ready to set sail mostly from La Rochelle, France to their new colony.The companies of the regiment intended to secure the territory and the colonist by retaining possession of the battle fields, villages, and protection of all the settlers. The settlers were under constant attack and ravaged by the Mohawks (part of the 5 tribes of the Iroquois Nation).There were a total of 23 companies that arrived in Quebec, from France; Saurel, Chambly, La Motte, Laubias, Des Portes, Rougemont, Grandfontain, Navrois, St Ours, Froment, Duqué, Monteil, Colonel, La Brisardière, LaFrédière, La Fouille, Contrecoeur, La Varennes, Bethier, Durantate, La Tour, Maximy, Petit.
The total population in 1666 census in New France was 3,215 which included soldiers, fur traders, explorers and settlers. Also in 1665 there were 700 young women between ages of 15-30 years old called, Les Filles du Roi or the King’s women for marriage.The 9 Regiment ships that were assigned for New France…
The Brézé 800 tons man-of-war- Captain Job Forant, Departed La Rochelle 6 February 1664 via Guadeloupe West Indies to settle disputes.
The Théron a smaller ship of war was accompanied by 12 companies 8 of them for the Caribbean and 4 which receive subsequently orders for New France, or approximately 135 men, departed 25 April 1665, Arrived in New France June 30 1665 with 4 companies: Berthier, La Brisardière (Orléans), La Durantaye (Chambellé), Montei (Poitou).
The Marquis Sieur de Tracy was already on board Le Vieux Siméon 200 tons-Captain Seur Pierre Gaigneur, departed La Rochelle April 19, 1665, arrived June 19 1665 in New France, with 4 companies: Chambly, Froment, La Tour, Petit. Departed again August 3, 1665.
La Paix 200 tons-Captain Etienne Guillon Seur de Laubertière. Departed La Rochelle May 13 1665, arrived 19 August 1665 in New France accompanied with the Aigle d’Or. La Paix, was shipwrecked near Matane and the Passengers transferred to the Saint Sébastien. There were 3 sailors killed while 8 soldiers died at sea and 80 to 100 of the troops became ill from the long trip to Quebec with 4 companies La Colonelle, Contrecoeur, Maximy, Saurel. Departed again 19 September 1665.
Le Aigle d’Or 400 tons-Captain Sieur de Villepars, departed La Rochelle May 13 1665, arrived 19 August 1665 in New France with 4 companies: La Fredière, Grandfontaine, La Motte Salières. Departed again 19 September 1665.
Saint Sébastien 200 tons-Captain Sieur du Pas de Jeu, departed La Rochelle May 24 1665 arrived September 12 1665 in New France with Jean Talon and Daniel de Rémy de Courcelle, with 4 companies: Rougemont, Boisbriand (Dugué), Des Porte (Duprat), Varenne. Departed again 14 October 1665.
Le Justice Captain Sieur Guillt, departed La Rochelle May 24 1665 arrived September 14 1665 in New France accompanying the Saint Sébastien, both ships combined had 20 men died at sea and 130 too weak to go ashore by themselves with 4 companies La Fouille, Laubia, Saint-Ours, Naurois. Departed again 14 October 1665.
Le Jardin de Hollande 300 tons-Captain Sieur Des Bouiges, departed La Rochelle June 22, 1665, arrived 12 September 1665 in New France. A supply ship departed again 14 September 1665.
Le Chat de Hollande 200 tons-Captain Charles Babin, Departed La Rochelle 27 April 1665 arrived 18 June 1665 in New France 155 Laborers. Departed again 3 August 1665.
Le Marie-Thérèse Captain Sieur Poulet, departed La Havre 10 May 1665, arrived 16 July 1665 New France with M. Bourdon, 12 horses, 8 women aboard. Departed again 3 August 1665.
Le St. Jean Baptiste 300 tons-Captain Pierre Fillye, departed Dieppe arrived 2 October 1665 New France, 82 women & 130 workers aboard. Departed again 4 November 1665.
The 26 companies of the Regiment Carignan consisted of approximately 2000 soldiers. Within the Regiment Carignan and the 26 companies, there were 13 soldiers that came from Champagne or used this name dit Champagne.i.e., Nicolas Baron Lopier dit Champagne soldier, company Grandfontaine, Jean Beaugrand dit Champagne soldier, company Saurel, Jacques Barté dit Champagne soldier, company Contrecoeur, Nicolas Choquet dit Champagne soldier, company Dugué, Jean Gabaret dit Champagne cadet, company Des Portes, Pierre Hannegrave dit Champagne soldier, company Des Portes, Aubin Lambert dit Champagne soldier, company Grandfontaine, Christophe Laurent dit Champagne soldier, company Chambly, Pierre Morin dit Champagne soldier, company Navrois, Jean Mouflet dit Champagne soldier, Navrois, Jean de Paris dit Champagne soldier, company Petit, Pierre Pageot dit Champagne soldier, company Latour, Nicolas Stvestre dit Champagne soldier, company Grandfontain. There were 45 soldiers assigned to the company of Saurel with Jean Beaugrand as part of this company but only one who arrived with the name Beaugrand to Quebec at that time.
Rainbow Line
I am grateful to Raymond Beaugrand for allowing me to reproduce the above article from his Blog at http://beaugrand.wordpress.com/