The Oldest House in the Seigneury

In 1772, Louis Gouin, attorney for Charles- François Tarieu de Lanaudière, formally granted Jean-Baptiste Lafond and Thérèse Pepin a parcel of land 4 arpents wide (an arpent is a French linear and land measure of about 192 feet) and 40 arpents deep, bounded in front by the St. Lawrence River, behind by the ungranted lands of the second concession, on one side by Alexis Pepin, Thérèse's brother, and on the other by the heirs of Paul Lécuyer.

On 16 January 1793, at the request of Jean-Baptiste Lafond, widower of Thérèse Pepin, there was a « loyal inventaire et description de tous et chacun des biens meubles et immeubles, titres, papiers et argent » [a faithful inventory and description of each and every movable and immovable good, title, paper and sum of money]. That inventory forms part of the records of notary Jean-Baptiste Badeaux.

The inventory includes a description of the immovable property; first a parcel of land at Saint-Pierre, « prenant par devant au fleuve St-Laurent, par derrière aux terres non concédées, au nord à Alexis Pepin et au sud à la veuve de Jean-Baptiste Lavigne et une maison de pierre de 33 pieds de long par 26 pieds de large, cheminée de pierre, planchers haut et bas, portes et châssis ferrés et vitres, une vieille GRANGE de 30 pieds de long par 20 pieds de large, couverte en paille, une ÉTABLE de 24 pieds de long par 20 pieds de large, couverte en paille. Sur cette terre, 24 arpents en superficie sont en culture. » [a stone house 33 feet long by 26 feet wide, a barn, a stable, and 24 arpents under cultivation]

From the boundaries of the property, with the widow of Jean-Baptiste Lavigne and Alexis Pepin as immediate neighbours, we have been able to establish that this stone house stood on lot 120.

It was therefore built between the date of the grant (1772) and the date of the inventory (1793). One might suppose it was put up in the early years of the Lafond-Pepin couple, around 1780, but that is speculation.

We have visited this house, solidly built of stone, with thick walls and few openings, and it is a faithful witness to a style of construction particular to that period. What is more, its dimensions match exactly those of the house standing today.

In all the censuses consulted and in the other documents describing buildings and dwellings, no other mention of a stone building is to be found in this sector of the seigneury.

We have no details on the name of the mason who raised it, even though a notarial contract on the subject probably exists. Jean-Baptiste Lafond was its first owner, and it should be noted that he is the ancestor of all the Lafonds of our region.

This dwelling has been through a great deal: a sheriff's sale, abandonment, and a spell as shelter for farm equipment. It was bought back in 1971 by the actors Lionel Villeneuve and Hélène Loiselle, and later by Albert Millaire; it then underwent a restoration that gave it back its old-time character.

The house is now owned by Nellie and Yannick Lacoste, who look after it jealously; while working around the building they have turned up interesting artifacts, including a clay pipe, dishes and the like.

Jocelyne Lafond, Société d'histoire et de généalogie Lévrard-Becquet (Lévrard-Becquet Historical and Genealogical Society)