Note on Olivier Le tardif

Olivier Letardif, born in Saint-Brieuc, in Bretagne, came from Honfleur to Quebec in 1618. In 1624, he is  an interpreter for Champlain, named  procurer for the  company of Beaupre on April 17, 1646 and, for 1500 pounds, became Lord of the Cote of Beaupre.

But between 1653 and 1664 the governors of Canada acted as procurer of this company and signs the concessions.

Letardif is not part of the eight primary associates. He had bought the share of and associate who was refusing to pay his part of the company spending.

He dies at the end of January 1665 at only 60 years old, "troubled" by the incursions of the Iroquois Indians, by anxiety and sickness.

I Olivier Le tardif Associate of the Company of Beaupre for the eight share, in my name and as general special procurer of Messieurs Bernier and Chapault proposed to conduct this company by act passed in front of Morel and Levasseur notaries at Chastellet in Paris on April the 17, 1646, acknowledge conceding as rent payable each year  ten acres of land in timber and meadow on the great Saint Laurent River and of ten pole of front for each acre and of depth up to one league and one half on Jean Pecauts boundaries, and with non conceded land, under the condition that said Etienne de Lessart establishes himself within this year and  build a house and pay to St-Martin for each acres on the said great river the amount of twenty sols. The concession rent  and twelve penny of census for each acres of front on the said  great river and the right to dime in due time and for the said concession two live chicken or (sic) twenty sols for each chicken to the liking of myself Le Tardif and to my successors and having cause in the said concession of  Beaupre or anywhere I will reside. The said census, rent and other dues will be according to the custom of the Provost ship and Viscount of Paris when it is time to be applied. The said Etienne de Lessart will be able to fish and hunt on his concession without the consent of his neighbours and at his own cost will have to build and maintain on each side of his concession a road of fifteen feet wide and also on the shore of the said river to be used has a road for navigation, and in case of myself Le Tardif, have a mill built the said Etienne Lessart will be obliged to bring his grains to be  grinded in this place. The meadow along this said river although common, he will be able to mow. And to prevent a process and entertain friendship between boundaries the said Etienne de Lessart is obliged to enclose his land has the need arises, if at fault he will not be able to sue for damages nor interest has the result of damages caused by his neighbour animals. To do or dispose of his concession, him, his heirs and descendant as they please,  this is in accordance, in faith of which I have signed this present concession in Beaupre on February 10, 1651.

Signed: "Le Tardif" with initials

And below it is righted:

A copy was given to me of the  present for the execution of this ordnance of Monsignor the Intendant, in Quebec April 9, 1966.

Signed: "Becquet" with initials.

Please note that the original contract is in old French, the translation is to the best of my knowledge.  Guy Lessard

Updated 06-05-2000