Nicolas Pilote - Militiaman
Records do not indicate any military service on the part of members of my French Quebec ancestors, with the exception of my great- great-great-grandfather Nicolas Pilote. Born about 1796 in Les Eboulements, Quebec, Nicolas was the son of Francois Bernard Pilote and Julie Tremblay. A French-speaking British citizen, Nicolas served in the 1st Battalion Canadian militia during the War of 1812, according to Eric Jonasson, “Canadian Veterans of the War of 1812”.
In 1875 the Canadian Parliament voted to distribute $50,000 in $20 increments to all Canadian militia veterans who were still alive and residing in Canada. A minister was appointed to review all applicants and determine whether the declarations fit official government records, whether their names were listed on land grants for service, confirm a solid declaration of identity or a solemn declaration of services and personal identity by another veteran who had personal knowledge of his services. The veteran’s minister identified 2,554 surviving veterans in 1876 that had successfully proven their services. Jonasson wrote that documentation at the time indicated that the Canadian militia in the War of 1812 had an active military force of 6,617 men with a further 16,244 men being called up on occasion for service ranging from a few days to a few months. Another 674 men were involved in other military activities at the time. Nicolas Pilote was listed on the final approved list for the $20 gratuity. He was living in St. Fidele, Charlevoix, and was ranked as a private in the First Battalion militia.
According to Joseph Bouchette’s book, “Topographical Description of Lower Canada”, the Canadian militia of the time was composed of a “sedentary militia” of all males from 16 to 60 years of age. They were mustered four times a year on Sundays or holidays and received some form of military training. Out of this group an active militia was formed. During the War of 1812 it was set at a strength of five battalions, with the men chosen by ballot from the unmarried men of the sedentary militia. Their term of service was two years, but a provision was made to discharge one-half of the men each year and fill the vacancies with a fresh ballot.
Nicolas married Marie Anne Victoire Gobeil at St. Etienne Parish, Malbaie, Quebec, on 7 April 1818, according to church records. She was born 26 March, 1793 at Malbaie, the daughter of Barthelemy Gobeil and Victoire Tremblay. The bride was baptized in St Etienne at La Malbaie, but her parents were married in 1792 at the church on Isle-aux-Coudres, which is located in the St Lawrence just south of Les Eboulements.
The Nicolas Pilote family made their home at Malbaie and at nearby Les Eboulements. The 1851 Census of Canada listed them as residents of Les Eboulements, but all of the children were said to be born in Malbaie. The 1851 census said Nicolas and Marie were 55 and identified 10 living children. The youngest of the family was my great-great-grandfather, Charles Pilote, who was 9. The others listed were Eudofe, 25, M; Raimond, 21, M; Deardre, 19, F; Louis, 18, M; Cyprien, 16, M; Louise, 15, F; Theophile, 13, M; Emelee, 12, F; and Domitille, 31, F, who was listed after Thomas Brisson and two Brisson children were listed after her.
The members of this Pilote family did not live out their entire lives on the north shore of the St Lawrence, however. The 1862 church record of Charles’ marriage in Bagotville indicates that Charles and his parents were members of the parish of Notre Dame d’Hebertville. Both Bagotville and Hebertville are significantly north of the St Lawrence River. Bagotville is on the Saguenay River, which would have been in the early stages of development at this time.
Nicolas Pilote did end his days at Malbaie. In addition to the 1851 census, there was an 1858 church record of the marriage of his son, Louis Pilote, which indicated Nicolas and Marie Gobeil were members of the St Fidele parish in Malbaie. Nicolas was buried at St. Fidele, Malbaie, Quebec, on 8 November, 1879. His wife, Marie, had passed away before him. Witnesses at the funeral included a son, Raymond Pilote, and Paul Lapointe.
In 1875 the Canadian Parliament voted to distribute $50,000 in $20 increments to all Canadian militia veterans who were still alive and residing in Canada. A minister was appointed to review all applicants and determine whether the declarations fit official government records, whether their names were listed on land grants for service, confirm a solid declaration of identity or a solemn declaration of services and personal identity by another veteran who had personal knowledge of his services. The veteran’s minister identified 2,554 surviving veterans in 1876 that had successfully proven their services. Jonasson wrote that documentation at the time indicated that the Canadian militia in the War of 1812 had an active military force of 6,617 men with a further 16,244 men being called up on occasion for service ranging from a few days to a few months. Another 674 men were involved in other military activities at the time. Nicolas Pilote was listed on the final approved list for the $20 gratuity. He was living in St. Fidele, Charlevoix, and was ranked as a private in the First Battalion militia.
According to Joseph Bouchette’s book, “Topographical Description of Lower Canada”, the Canadian militia of the time was composed of a “sedentary militia” of all males from 16 to 60 years of age. They were mustered four times a year on Sundays or holidays and received some form of military training. Out of this group an active militia was formed. During the War of 1812 it was set at a strength of five battalions, with the men chosen by ballot from the unmarried men of the sedentary militia. Their term of service was two years, but a provision was made to discharge one-half of the men each year and fill the vacancies with a fresh ballot.
Nicolas married Marie Anne Victoire Gobeil at St. Etienne Parish, Malbaie, Quebec, on 7 April 1818, according to church records. She was born 26 March, 1793 at Malbaie, the daughter of Barthelemy Gobeil and Victoire Tremblay. The bride was baptized in St Etienne at La Malbaie, but her parents were married in 1792 at the church on Isle-aux-Coudres, which is located in the St Lawrence just south of Les Eboulements.
The Nicolas Pilote family made their home at Malbaie and at nearby Les Eboulements. The 1851 Census of Canada listed them as residents of Les Eboulements, but all of the children were said to be born in Malbaie. The 1851 census said Nicolas and Marie were 55 and identified 10 living children. The youngest of the family was my great-great-grandfather, Charles Pilote, who was 9. The others listed were Eudofe, 25, M; Raimond, 21, M; Deardre, 19, F; Louis, 18, M; Cyprien, 16, M; Louise, 15, F; Theophile, 13, M; Emelee, 12, F; and Domitille, 31, F, who was listed after Thomas Brisson and two Brisson children were listed after her.
The members of this Pilote family did not live out their entire lives on the north shore of the St Lawrence, however. The 1862 church record of Charles’ marriage in Bagotville indicates that Charles and his parents were members of the parish of Notre Dame d’Hebertville. Both Bagotville and Hebertville are significantly north of the St Lawrence River. Bagotville is on the Saguenay River, which would have been in the early stages of development at this time.
Nicolas Pilote did end his days at Malbaie. In addition to the 1851 census, there was an 1858 church record of the marriage of his son, Louis Pilote, which indicated Nicolas and Marie Gobeil were members of the St Fidele parish in Malbaie. Nicolas was buried at St. Fidele, Malbaie, Quebec, on 8 November, 1879. His wife, Marie, had passed away before him. Witnesses at the funeral included a son, Raymond Pilote, and Paul Lapointe.
posted by Cliff Vogel | 7:37 AM
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