...............LOOKING BACK...............
Please note that this section is still in progress... More details will be added shortly! Thank you!
SEIGNEURIE SAINT-GABRIEL
Before Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier as we know it was formed, it was actually a Seigneurie. In fact, on the 11th of April 1647, Robert Giffard de Moncel was granted the Saint-Gabriel Seigneurie, which was located about 18 miles from Quebec city. He did not however take possession of these lands; he gave a quarter of the seigneury of Saint-Gabriel to the Nuns Hospitallers of Quebec (later the fief of Saint-Ignace) as a dowry for his daughter, Marie Françoise Giffard dite Marie de Saint-Ignace, who became the first Canadian nun. The rest he gave to the Jesuits as an extension to their seigneury of Sillery.
Before Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier as we know it was formed, it was actually a Seigneurie. In fact, on the 11th of April 1647, Robert Giffard de Moncel was granted the Saint-Gabriel Seigneurie, which was located about 18 miles from Quebec city. He did not however take possession of these lands; he gave a quarter of the seigneury of Saint-Gabriel to the Nuns Hospitallers of Quebec (later the fief of Saint-Ignace) as a dowry for his daughter, Marie Françoise Giffard dite Marie de Saint-Ignace, who became the first Canadian nun. The rest he gave to the Jesuits as an extension to their seigneury of Sillery.
For years, the land belonged to the Jesuits, but upon the death of its last member, Jean Joseph Casot, in 1800, it became Crown property. Apparently, prior to 1814, Valcartier was unknown to most, except the Huron Indians of Lorette who hunted the abundant wildlife that thrived in the wooded area.
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VALCARTIER A.K.A. THE SETTLEMENT
In 1815, John Neilson, Andrew Stuart, Louis Moquin, and Nicholas Vincent, obtained a large portion of the concessions in the Saint-Gabriel Seigneurie. This marked Valcartier's true beginnings. ''Val-Cartier,'' as it was once spelled, was named as such due to its geographic location. The parish is nestled in a valley formed by the Jacques Cartier River.
The land purchased by the men, was to be distributed to immigrants who were willing to work and farm the land. It's said that some of the earliest settlers were United Empire Loyalists from the State of Connecticut. Later English, Scottish and Irish newcomers came to farm the land. The first settlers, both men and women, had to walk for miles through a trackless forest from Quebec to get to their designated homesteads.
They built their homes, sawmills, gristmills, Catholic and Protestant Churches. Many made their homes in the heavily wooded mountain ranges, while others farmed the North side of the Jacques Cartier River. Because there were no horses or oxen, the pioneer settlers were obliged to cover the distance between their rural homes and Quebec on foot in order to provide provide the bare necessities of life for their families. There were no doctors or clergymen for years. In 1824 the parish contained a population of several hundred, with an even number of Protestants and Catholics. By 1833, there were Anglican and Roman Catholic chapels, together with a visiting Scottish clergyman. This was the beginning of the formation of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier and in 1845 was recognized as a municipality.
In 1815, John Neilson, Andrew Stuart, Louis Moquin, and Nicholas Vincent, obtained a large portion of the concessions in the Saint-Gabriel Seigneurie. This marked Valcartier's true beginnings. ''Val-Cartier,'' as it was once spelled, was named as such due to its geographic location. The parish is nestled in a valley formed by the Jacques Cartier River.
The land purchased by the men, was to be distributed to immigrants who were willing to work and farm the land. It's said that some of the earliest settlers were United Empire Loyalists from the State of Connecticut. Later English, Scottish and Irish newcomers came to farm the land. The first settlers, both men and women, had to walk for miles through a trackless forest from Quebec to get to their designated homesteads.
They built their homes, sawmills, gristmills, Catholic and Protestant Churches. Many made their homes in the heavily wooded mountain ranges, while others farmed the North side of the Jacques Cartier River. Because there were no horses or oxen, the pioneer settlers were obliged to cover the distance between their rural homes and Quebec on foot in order to provide provide the bare necessities of life for their families. There were no doctors or clergymen for years. In 1824 the parish contained a population of several hundred, with an even number of Protestants and Catholics. By 1833, there were Anglican and Roman Catholic chapels, together with a visiting Scottish clergyman. This was the beginning of the formation of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier and in 1845 was recognized as a municipality.
Seignieuries on the north shore of the St. Lawrence
Author: J. Smillie Source: Library and Archives Canada Year: 1824 Source: Virtual Museum Canada Description: A map, from 1824, of Saint-Gabriel and adjacent seigneuries. It shows the lands on the north shore of the St. Lawrence and further inland:River Jacques-Cartier, Faussambault, St-Gabriel, St-Ignace, Stoneham, Guaudarville, Sillery, St-Ambroise, Indian Lorette, River St-Charles, Québec, Lake St-Charles, Ste-Foix, St-Ignace, L'Épinay, D'Orsainville, Notre-Dame-des-Anges, Beauport, Island of Orleans, River St-Laurence, Lauzon. |
SAINT-GABRIEL WEST & SAINT-GABRIEL EAST
According to the Municipal website, the civil formation of the municipality dates back to May 18th, 1861 whereby the Municipality was divided into two municipalities: Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier and St. Gabriel West. According to the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada this was made official in 1860.
According to the Municipal website, the civil formation of the municipality dates back to May 18th, 1861 whereby the Municipality was divided into two municipalities: Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier and St. Gabriel West. According to the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada this was made official in 1860.
Mayors of St-Gabriel West
1878-1881 Mr. Patrick Cosgrove 1881-1882 Mr. Ulric Gauvreau 1882-1884 Mr. Thomas Brown 1884-1887 Mr. James Burns 1887-1890 Mr. Thomas Brown 1890-1895 Mr. Samuel Clark 1895-1903 Mr. Thomas Brown 1903-1909 Mr. Lawrence Corrigan 1909-1911 Mr. James Bowles 1911-1924 Mr. Robert Hayes 1924-1930 Mr. Thomas Knox 1931-1932 Mr. Thomas Murphy 1932-1933 Mr. James Clark (3 James Clark) 1933 Mr. Albert Corrigan 1933-1941 Mr. John Murphy 1941-1946 Mr. John McCartney 1947-1955 Mr. Cecil Rourke 1955-1961 Mr. Simmons Crawford 1961-1967 Mr. George Murphy 1967-1971 Mr. John McCartney 1972-1985 Mr. Donat Rouleau -Source: Municipal Website |
Mayors of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier
1845-1846 Mr. William Neilson 1847-1856 Mr. Hopper Ireland 1848-1877 Mr. Henry Crawford 1878 Mr. Arthur Wolff 1879 Mr. William B. McBain 1880 Mr. Arthur Wolff 1881 Mr. Thomas Dacres 1882 Mr. William B. McBain 1883 Mr. Francis Ireland 1884-1885 Mr. William B. McBain 1886-1888 Mr. Thomas Dacres 1889 Mr. David B. McCartney 1890 Mr. Charles Jack 1891-1896 Mr. John McBain 1896-1903 Mr. William B. McBain 1903-1905 Mr. Lewis McBain 1905-1906 Mr. Thomas Knox 1906-1908 Mr. Andrew Brown 1908-1914 Mr. Thomas Knox 1914-1923 Mr. John McCartney 1923-1924 Mr. William Neil 1924-1927 Mr. Robert Goodfellow 1927-1936 Mr. Alfred J. Hicks 1937-1940 Mr. William Goodfellow 1941-1946 Mr. Irven Jack 1947-1948 Mr. William Hicks 1949-1950 Mr. Neilson McBain 1951-1961 Mr. William Hicks 1961-1969 Mr. Russel Paquet 1969-1988 Mr. Lewis Jack -Source: Municipal Website |
MILL HILL
As the Quebec Official Gazette reveals, a portion of the Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier municipality was sectioned off to form the municipality of Mill Hill. The area was located near the Nelson River. According to Bernie Monaghan's notes, John Navin appears to have owned a mill on the Nelson River in the 1830's. The same mill was eventually bought by Henry Hicks in 1841. His notes also mention that residents on the west side of the Jacques Cartier River called the area ''Far Mill Hill.''
As the Quebec Official Gazette reveals, a portion of the Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier municipality was sectioned off to form the municipality of Mill Hill. The area was located near the Nelson River. According to Bernie Monaghan's notes, John Navin appears to have owned a mill on the Nelson River in the 1830's. The same mill was eventually bought by Henry Hicks in 1841. His notes also mention that residents on the west side of the Jacques Cartier River called the area ''Far Mill Hill.''
RIVER AUX PINS
Another settlement that was formed on a part of the Valcartier territory was River aux Pins. Within this community, a small congregation had formed and they established a church and cemetery: the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Hill Crest Cemetery. Unfortunately, Rivière aux Pins was tragically abolished when the land was taken over by the Canadian Armed Forces for expansion purposes. This second expropriation wave (1965) affected many families in this area and left many without a trade. Today, special permission is needed in order for the families of these descendants to visit the Hill Crest Cemetery. It remains entirely closed off to the surrounding population.
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SAINT-GABRIEL-DE-VALCARTIER
As the municipal website notes, it was only in October 1985, that these two municipalities amalgamated to form the Municipality of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier.
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TODAY
As mentioned on the municipal website, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier is located north of the Quebec Urban Community, the Municipality of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier occupies a total area of 441.17 km2. It is located approximately 25 kilometres from the centre of Quebec City. The inhabited areas are located mainly along route 371 and along the Jacques-Cartier River. Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier is located at the foothills of the magnificent Laurentians and has always been known for the courage, good will and determination of its inhabitants.
The main characteristics of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier are:its family spirit, the harmonious existence between English-speaking and French-speaking people, the cooperation of all its residents and a highly developed community spirit.
The village is also known for its 4 centrally-located churches: the Saint-Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Saint-Andrew's United Church, Saint-Gabriel Catholic Church, and the Christ Church Anglican. Each of these churches also has its own cemetery. These churches continue to thrive as the citizens still attend the scheduled services.
The main economic activities include the poultry industry and a major recreational tourist centre, Village Vacances Valcartier. In addition, the economy is greatly influenced by the presence of a large military base.
As mentioned on the municipal website, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier is located north of the Quebec Urban Community, the Municipality of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier occupies a total area of 441.17 km2. It is located approximately 25 kilometres from the centre of Quebec City. The inhabited areas are located mainly along route 371 and along the Jacques-Cartier River. Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier is located at the foothills of the magnificent Laurentians and has always been known for the courage, good will and determination of its inhabitants.
The main characteristics of Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier are:its family spirit, the harmonious existence between English-speaking and French-speaking people, the cooperation of all its residents and a highly developed community spirit.
The village is also known for its 4 centrally-located churches: the Saint-Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Saint-Andrew's United Church, Saint-Gabriel Catholic Church, and the Christ Church Anglican. Each of these churches also has its own cemetery. These churches continue to thrive as the citizens still attend the scheduled services.
The main economic activities include the poultry industry and a major recreational tourist centre, Village Vacances Valcartier. In addition, the economy is greatly influenced by the presence of a large military base.
VALCARTIER CAMP
(To come... will be updated soon)
(To come... will be updated soon)
Sources:
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/giffard_de_moncel_robert_1E.html
http://www.pbalkcom.com/valcartier/History%20of%20Valcartier/valcartier_got_name_from_jacques.htm
http://saint-gabriel-de-valcartier.ca/en/site.asp?page=element&nIDElement=3689
http://shannoninfotce.tripod.com/Histoire.htm
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/giffard_de_moncel_robert_1E.html
http://www.pbalkcom.com/valcartier/History%20of%20Valcartier/valcartier_got_name_from_jacques.htm
http://saint-gabriel-de-valcartier.ca/en/site.asp?page=element&nIDElement=3689
http://shannoninfotce.tripod.com/Histoire.htm