Robert de La Berge

Robert de la Berge is the original Laberge ancestor in North America. Most people with the surname Laberge or Labarge can trace their family roots back to him.

Robert de la Berge was born on May 24, 1638 in Colombières, Normandy, France in what is now the department of Calvados. Robert was the son of Jacques de la Berge and Marie Poitevin who were married on May 8, 1636 in Colombières. Marie Poitevin was the widow of Jacques Touchet and had a son, Thomas, from that marriage. Jacques and Marie had two other sons: Abraham (born 2 September 1640) and Guillaume (born 15 February 1643). Abraham and Guillaume remained in France.

Thomas Touchet, a carpenter by trade, had spent the years from 1650 to 1653 in New France. When he returned to New France in 1658, he took his half-brother Robert with him. Robert went to New France as a laborer, under a 3-year contract to work for a man named Massé Gravel in Château-Richer. Under the terms of the contract, Robert received a cash advance, an annual salary, and a guaranteed return trip to France. Robert arrived in New France aboard the ship Taureau on August 6, 1658.

In 1661, Robert completed his 3-year obligation to Massé Gravel, but instead of returning to France, he received a concession of land in Château-Richer. In the October of 1662, after a year of hard work, Robert sold the land to Charles Pouliot. Robert was apparently discouraged and intended to return to France. During the winter, Robert must have changed his mind. On February 4, 1663 Robert received a concession of land in the parish of Sainte-Famille.

At about this same time, Nicolas Durand and his wife Francoise Gausse dit Le Borgne were living on a farm in Château-Richer with their infant daughter, Marie-Ursule. Francoise was the daughter of Maurice Gausse and Marguerite Blay of Noyon, Picardy, France. In late March 1663, Nicolas Durand had a fatal accident while clearing his fields. His widow and young daughter were left to fend for themselves.

After only two months of widowhood, Francoise married Robert Laberge on May 28, 1663 in Château-Richer. Francoise probably knew Robert from his earlier years in Château-Richer. Robert sold his property in Sainte-Famille and took up residence on the Durand farm in Château-Richer.

In the years that followed, Robert became a respected citizen. He participated in the election of the first 3 church wardens of L'Ange Gardien. Records of his business transactions indicate that Robert prospered financially in New France. Robert was one of the early industrialists in the area. Sometime before 1674, Robert installed furnaces which were used for the manufacturing of lime.

The Laberge household also grew over the years. Robert and Francoise had six children:

Geneviève Laberge was born on 22 April 1664 and was baptised the following day. Francoise Laberge died a few days after her birth and was buried in Château-Richer on 6 February 1666. Catherin Laberge was baptised on 15 September 1667. Francois Laberge was born on 12 June 1669. Nicolas Laberge was baptised on 29 February 1672. Guillaume Laberge was born on 30 April 1674. Robert was involved in a near-fatal accident during a trip to Québec. The event which took place prior to 1667 was recorded by Father Thomas Morel as follows:

Charles Francois, Michel Haynault and Robert de La Berge, all inhabitants of Beaupré, finding themselves on the water, going to Québec during bad weather, were seized by a great wind and by so furious a storm that their boat capsized, which obliged them, seeing themselves in danger of losing their life, to call upon Ste. Anne and make her a vow, following which they received a particular help, having been led to land, from where help had come to them, attributing their deliverance to this great Saint, which they assure and proved by coming to give thanks in her Church where I was fulfilling the duties of curate in the capacity of missionnary. Robert Laberge became embroiled in a legal dispute with his step-daughter, Marie-Ursule Durande, that lasted for 5 years before finally being resolved. On March 22, 1694 Robert obtained a receipt for 600 pounds from Marie-Ursule and her husband, Antoine Huppé dit Lagrois. This receipt was in return for the 600 pounds stipulated in her marriage contract and granted the entire property in L'Ange Gardien to Robert. Later, in 1697, Robert sold a half acre to his son Guillaume. In 1697, Robert sold most of the remaining property to his sons, Nicolas and Guillaume. It was after these transactions, in 1698, that Marie-Ursule and her husband filed a petition with Sovereign Council seeking to have their marriage contract declared null and void and to renounce their inheritances. Marie-Ursule alleged that she was short-changed on her inheritance by Robert and Francoise who underestimated the value of her father's estate. She also alleged that she was a victim of her step-father's greed and that he had attempted to marry her off at the age of 12 to a simpleton. She stated that her marriage to Antoine Huppé freed her from the slavery and abuses of her step-father, Robert. The Court initially decided in favor of Marie-Ursule. Robert and Francoise appealed and the decision was overturned in August of 1703 and all of Marie-Ursule's claims were dismissed.

Robert Laberge lived to the age of 74. His son, Francois, took care of him during his last years. Robert was found dead in his bed on the morning of 12 April 1712. He died at the home of Guillaume Boucher, the father-in-law of his son, Francois. Robert was buried in Château-Richer on the same day.

Francoise Gausse died at the home of her daughter, Marie-Ursule Durant, in Beauport. She was buried on 8 March 1714. The burial records gave her age as 80 years.

References: Jetté, René. Dictionnaire généaloguque des familles du Québec. Montréal: Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, 1983, page 620.

LaBerge, Lionel. Robert de la Berge. L'Ange Gardien, Quebec: [Original source of this article is unknown], 1963.

Laforest, Thomas J. Our French-Canadian Ancestors, Volume XV. Palm Harbor, FL: The Lisi Press, 1992, pages 145-156. [This text is available directly from the publisher: Lisi Press, P.O. Box 1063, Palm Harbor, FL 34682-1063.]

Sorensen, Lola. LaBarge Genealogy. Manuscript prepared for Pierre L. LaBarge and donated to Mormon Family History Library, Salt Lake City (Call Number: US/CAN, Book Area, 929.273, L111s), 1985.

Tanguay, Cyprien. Dictionnaire généaloguque des familles canadiennes Vol. 5. Montréal: Esuèbe Senécal & Fils, 1871 (reprinted 1975), p. 51.