Hi,
I've a friend who is descended from this family who is interested in a possible family reunion in Manchester New Hampshire. The descendants of Pierre and Adelaide ended up in Manchester, NH (1. Joseph, 2. Stanislas-Odias/Osias/Audias, 3. Henry-Elzear, 4. Esdras 5. Delila/Adelia); Fitchburg, Mass (Theodore); St-Pierre-Baptist, Quebec (Pierre 'Junior'); and Marquette, Michigan (Philias). The girls (1. Marie-Philomine, 2. Delvina, 3. Belzemire) I've not as yet had a chance to check where they ended up (enlighten me on their destination/last residence?) Vermont may have been a destination.
The family started in a small community named St. Elzear. St Elzear was a break off of Ste Marie, Quebec, and was a farming commune (originally part of a fuedal system that ended in the mid 1800's). The Poirier ancestors came there from Beausejour and Port Royal, Acadia in the mid 1700's, where it was so vital for families to defend themselves that the census takers asked if the family owned a gun. Probably due to poor crop/soil, the family (Pierre and Adelaide) ended up moving to St-Pierre-Baptiste, and then some of the kids moved on to Manchester to work for Amoskeag Manufacturing Company--a clothing/mill manufacturer that had grown into the worlds best in the late 1800's. Many French Canadian immigrants ended up in Manchester, NH. Most of Pierre's boys ended up in the masonry/plastering business (also trucking/driving, and railroad engineer). Ever been to Manchester? You can't miss the warm red brick buildings that take up much of the center of the city. Those buildings (and the bricks they were made of) were built by Amoskeag Manufacturing to house the thousands of French Canadian immigrants. I've no doubt the Poiriers' lent a hand in building them. The Poirier's were an industrious working family with many of the wives and children working at the mill as well. I found one Poirier working for Red Arrow Restaurant in 1930, a restaurant known for its good food in Manchester still in operation today--some of you may even have eaten there, :).
Starting in the mid 1880's Pierre and Adelaide's children would hop between St-Pierre-Baptiste and Manchester looking for girls (and guys), work, and eventually some of them staying. In 1898, Theodore followed brother Philias (1897) to Fitchburg where he eventually started his Masonry business. Philias went on to Marquette by 1900, switching from stone mason to railroad engineer. I'm not sure if the oldest, Pierre (Jr) stayed in St-Pierre-Baptiste, but I find Poirier's living there today, and have no record of his leaving. I would love to come in contact with any of the descendants of the kids. You may send me a PM or respond here, or I can send you my email if you wish to respond that way.
125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ST-PIERRE-BAPTISTE. While I was writing this thread, I found a five day old article about the upcoming 125th anniversary of St-Pierre-Baptiste. From my research I know that Pierre and Adelaide and kids were original citizens of this village, and this year from June 29th to July 1st, they will celebrate their villages founding! This will include a photo exhibit of the history of the village--which may include photo's of Poiriers'--they will also put on a play, have multiple music performances with the support of 100 local performers with the purpose of musically telling the story of the community, and have a special childrens show. The Canadian government has set aside funds to help St-Pierre-Baptiste celebrate this special occasion. If you go, there is a good chance you'll bump into a distant cousin; you will at least get a vision of the beautiful country in which your great grandparents lived. Here is a link to more information:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/909507/government-of-canada-...Below I've included some record gems and photo's I've found for your enjoyment. Please comment, question, or enlighten! And let me know of your interest in any future re-unions in or near Manchester.
The records are as follows:
1) 1871 Canadian census. This shows Pierre and Adelaide with some of the children. His uncle/godfather is deceased and his aunt (Rose Perault) is living with him. He lives next door to his father Philippe.
2) Pierre and Adelaide's marriage record....Some translation (feel free to translate in a reply)..."Le dix-neuf Julliet mil huit cent cinquant neuf..." That would be, 'The 19th of July, 1859'. The document goes on to say something like...
After the three publications by bans of marriage in the parish of St Elzear between Pierre Poirier, farmer, resident of this parish, the underaged son (under 21) of Philippe Poirier and of Mathilde Allaire, of the first part, and Adelaide Dion ____ resident of this parish, adult daughter (over 21) of Thomas Dion and Theoliste Rousseau (deceased), on the other part....
I think the rest goes something like this...
We, the undersigned priest of St Elzear, recieved consent from the father of the groom (underaged) and mutual consent for marriage and present at the wedding ceremony was Philippe Poirier, father of the groom, and Thomas Dion, father of the bride, ________________, none could sign. (Traditionally parents, witnesses, and the parties involved were asked to sign the wedding record, but most in this time period couldn't.)
3. This next one is a gem, for I believe it's been rarely seen by other researchers. It's Pierre and Adelaide's 1891 Census. They were living in St-Pierre-Baptiste, QC. I know of two brothers of Pierre's living just a few miles east by north east of Pierre at this time (Damase and Theophile, who were not living in the same town). St-Pierre is about 37 miles from St-Elzear to the south by south west. What was so special about St-Pierre-Baptiste? Well first of all, the soil hadn't been tapped for almost 200 years as St-Elzear because it was rather virgin territory for farming, and secondly, it had beautiful maple tree's everywhere! :).
Lastly, I've included links to google maps and photo's so you can see what St-Elzear, St-Pierre-Baptiste, and Manchester is like (Manchester will show you the red brick buildings).
photo's of St-Pierre-Baptiste:
http://www.flickr.com/places/Canada/Quebec/St.-Pierre-Baptis...http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Saint-Elz%C3%A9ar,+QC,+Can...St-Elzear photos z(one of the countryside and hay wagons I loved):
http://www.flickr.com/places/Canada/Quebec/St.-Elz%C3%A9ar/i...Based on my research of the census records, this next photo is of a farm house in St Elzear I believe would have been very similar to where Philippe and Mathilde and Pierre and Adelaide lived:
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Saint-Elz%C3%A9ar,+QC,+Can...Photo of Manchester, NH. I love this next photo the most. It shows three things directly connected to your Poirier ancesters. First, on the right is the Red Arrow Diner where one of the girls worked. The Red Arrow was founded in 1922 by David Lamontagne (a possible relative, I'm checking on that). The web address is here with interesting photos and history:
http://redarrowdiner.com/about.aspSecondly, on the left is an example of the red brick produced by Amoskeag Manufacturing and than used to build housing and the humongous plant with multiple mills. That building in the photo could have been built by a Poirier or two.
Last, in the back ground is a steep to St Joseph's Cathedral, founded in 1868 (probably because of the French immigrants), and surely sat many a Poirier rear end.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Manchester+nh&daddr=Re...