In Varennes, where is the Lordship of Michel Messier located? The first official document on which we can begin this research is the document signed by Mr. De Courcelles on May 14, 1668. Surveyor Jean Lerouge says on February 27, 1673, he entered three poles of the mouth of the Notre Dame River and he measured eighty-four acres (one mile) to the fief of Sieur Bory de Grandmaison later bought by Michel Messier.

 

On May 3, 1672 Jean Talon confirms the donation from M. de Courcelles to Michel Messier and Jacques Lemoine. So, all people can be found in the house of Michel Messier in Montreal on August 1st, 1676, with the notary Basset B. to legalize the sharing of the lordship. The document states: Starting from the Notre-Dame River, the first eighteen acres go to Jacques Lemoine. The following twenty two acres will be the properties of Michel Messier and will stop to the lands of Jacques Messier. Then, comes the second part of twenty four acres fallen to Jacques Lemoine. Finally, the remaining twenty acres go to Michel Messier. The total is eighty-four acres by one league and a half depth as it is stated in the document.

 

In 1705, the duet will receive another piece of land at the back of the manor. In addition to these lands, there are two islands in the St. Lawrence facing the Lordship. Bellegarde island returned to Michel Messier and Deslauriers island will be divided into two. It should be noted that the land of Jacques Messier is located in the lordship of Jacques Lemoine.

 

On 18 August 1736, François-Michel Messier is heir to the lordship of his father Michel, who died on November 2, 1725. The Fealty and homage is a document that confirmes his status of lord. François-Michel Messier must make an "inventory" of his lordship. Each owner of a lot is mentioned. The amount of land under cultivation and buildings are described.

 

In this paper, a contradiction is evident. The lordship widened. Of eighty-four acres measured in 1676, it is now ninety-six and a half acres and the neighbors have not moved yet. In 1676, Michel Messier has forty-two acres. In 1736, his son François-Michel inherits forty-nine and a half. A long research workhas to be done to clear everything. Is it possible that sixty years later, measure with more accurately? Twelve and a half acres, it's huge.

 

Interesting things come out of the document. It gives details of the land and buildings of Michel Messier. It is mentioned that the land belonged to Michel is now divided as follows: Half the heirs of Stephen Gentes and Ignace Hébert on which there is no building. The second half is awarded to François-Michel Messier. In this field there is a house with a foundation and a stone fireplace. The building is part on part (a wooden house) and measuring thirty feet by twenty-two feet. There is also a barn of forty feet by twenty-two feet. Finally, a barn and a stable "standing" of twenty-two feet by sixteen, all covered with a thatched roof.

Following all the documentation I consulted the map of the lordship of Michel Messier and Jacques Lemoine present in this paper is based on a mathematical calculation. I think lots numbers forty-eight, forty-nine and fifty were in the land of Michel and were then granted to individuals by Michel. The house is said to be the home of today Jacques Lemoine was not built in 1736 and was located on the land of Michel.

 

Cap St-Michel, this point of land jutting out into the river was cut to make room for navigation on the St. Lawrence River. In 1958, they were working on the Cap St-Michel to install a building used for navigation. During the excavation, the contractor was found at the scene, six muskets which could confirm the presence of a fortress that Michel has built on this place.

 

The fort would be located (number 43) on the lordship of Jacques Lemoine and was built before the partition of 1676. This would have tolerated this building on his land. It served its interests well in protecting its census of Indian attacks. It was located on the land of Jacques Messier, brother of  Michel. It should be noted that the field of Jacques Lemoine was adjacent to the lordship of René Gaultier de Varennes. To attract settlers, a fort so close made ​​the area safer.

 

 The second map is presented based on the act of 1736. If the division is done by the act of 1676 (first card), the explanation is clear. Futur research may confirm the hypothesis that I submit to our readers.