Francoise Durand

     Francoise was born on Thursday, 29 June 1656 in Quimper, Finistere, Brittany, France. She was christened there on 30 June 1656 in the chapel of St-Esprit, St-Corentin Cathedral.^1,2 She was the daughter of Martin Durand and Francoise Brunet. In May 1663, Francoise, with her family, left their home in France aboard the ship, "Le Phoenix de Flessingue", under the command of Guillaume Hurtini, departing from La Rochelle..^3,4 Due to the death of her father, she and her mother and sister were made "Filles de Roi". They arrived at Quebec the 30th of June. Francoise married Gabriel Samson, son of Toussaint Samson and Catherine Chevalier, on 29 November 1669 in ville de Quebec, Quebec, Canada, at the Basilica of Notre Dame.⁵ 1681, Francoise and her husband, Gabriel, were listed on the Canadian Census in Comte-de-Levis, Quebec, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Gabriel Samson [36 years], Francois Durand [24 years], Pierre [11 years], Perrine [9 years], Jeanne [6 years], Jean [4 years] & Marguerite [2 years].⁶ Francoise's husband, Gabriel, died on 30 June 1690 in ville de Quebec at Hotel-Dieu leaving her a widow. Francoise departed this life on Monday, 4 December 1713 in ville de Quebec at age 57 years, 5 months and 5 days. She was buried there in the Notre Dame Cemetery on Tuesday, 5 December 1713.⁷