Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour
Encyclopedia
Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour (August 15, 1750 – November 22, 1834) was a seigneur
and political figure in Lower Canada
.
He was born in Trois-Rivières
in 1750, the son of Louis-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour, and studied at the Petit Séminaire de Québec
and then at the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris
and Oxford University. He returned to Quebec
in 1775. Godefroy de Tonnancour took part in the defence of Fort St. Johns (later Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) against the invading Americans
but was taken prisoner. He was released in 1777. He remained a member of the local militia until 1831, becoming lieutenant-colonel in 1784. After his father's death in 1784, he inherited part of the seigneury of Yamaska, becoming sole owner in 1787. He became a justice of the peace in 1784. Godefroy de Tonnancour opposed the reform of the constitution in 1788 but, in 1792, was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
for Buckingham. He served as commissioner for the building of churches in Trois-Rivières district and then was a commissioner of roads and bridges.
He died at Yamaska
in 1834.
His sons, Léonard
and Marie-Joseph
, both served in the legislative assembly. His daughter Agnès-Élizabeth married Léon Rousseau
. His half sister, Josette Godefroy de Tonnancour, was the first wife of Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
.
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
and political figure in Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
.
He was born in Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
in 1750, the son of Louis-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour, and studied at the Petit Séminaire de Québec
Petit Séminaire de Québec
Le Petit Séminaire de Québec is a private French-language Roman Catholic secondary school in the Vieux-Québec area of Quebec City which was originally part of the Séminaire de Québec...
and then at the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Oxford University. He returned to Quebec
Province of Quebec (1763-1791)
The Province of Quebec was a colony in North America created by Great Britain after the Seven Years' War. Great Britain acquired Canada by the Treaty of Paris when King Louis XV of France and his advisors chose to keep the territory of Guadeloupe for its valuable sugar crops instead of New France...
in 1775. Godefroy de Tonnancour took part in the defence of Fort St. Johns (later Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) against the invading Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
but was taken prisoner. He was released in 1777. He remained a member of the local militia until 1831, becoming lieutenant-colonel in 1784. After his father's death in 1784, he inherited part of the seigneury of Yamaska, becoming sole owner in 1787. He became a justice of the peace in 1784. Godefroy de Tonnancour opposed the reform of the constitution in 1788 but, in 1792, was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada
1st Parliament of Lower Canada
The 1st Parliament of Lower Canada was in session from December 17, 1792 to May 31, 1796. Elections in Lower Canada had been held in June 1792. All sessions were held at Quebec City.- External links :***...
for Buckingham. He served as commissioner for the building of churches in Trois-Rivières district and then was a commissioner of roads and bridges.
He died at Yamaska
Yamaska, Quebec
Yamaska is a municipality in the Pierre-De Saurel Regional County Municipality, in the Montérégie region of Quebec. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 1,643.-Population:Population trend...
in 1834.
His sons, Léonard
Léonard Godefroy de Tonnancour
Léonard Godefroy de Tonnancour was a political figure in Lower Canada.He was born in Saint-Michel-d'Yamaska in 1793, the son of seigneur Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour, and studied at the Séminaire de Nicolet. He worked as an administrator on the family estates...
and Marie-Joseph
Marie-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour
Marie-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour was a seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada. He represented Trois-Rivières in the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in 1820....
, both served in the legislative assembly. His daughter Agnès-Élizabeth married Léon Rousseau
Léon Rousseau
Léon Rousseau was a farm owner and political figure in Canada East. He represented Yamaska in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1848....
. His half sister, Josette Godefroy de Tonnancour, was the first wife of Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière
Colonel The Hon. Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière , de jure 2nd Marquis de Lotbinière...
.