Bio Jean DesRoches & Barbe Poirier with obit of son Laurent

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Miscouche, Prince Co., Prince Edward Island, Canada
Surname/tag: DesRoches, Poirier etc.

Jean L. DesRoches and Barbe Poirier Biography from Acadian Roots:

Written when their son Laurent DesRoches passed away on Feb. 15, 1897.

[SOURCE: Author unidentified. 1897. “Jean L. DesRoches and Barbe Poirier Biography from Acadian Roots: Written when their son Laurent DesRoches passed away on Feb. 15, 1897”. Acadian Roots website, defunct by Nov 2022. Digital copy of article provided privately by a descendant, Nov. 2022. - John Estano DeRoche (DeRoche-14) ]

Miscouche 15 Feb 1897

[Obituary of son Laurent DeRoches; verbatim]

Death came to cast its shadow on our village in taking one of its finest citizens, Monday, the 15th of this month; Laurent DesRoches left this valley of tears in order to receive the reward which god promised to those who love and serve him well. He was 71. He was active throughout his life time. Tireless worker, he was always ready to support every enterprise to advance the social and material welfare of his parish. He bore the sufferings of his illness with resignation to god’s will, and he died strengthened by the Grace which the Church grants to its followers. He was attended by his 9 children, who with their mother, will long grieve for him. He was grandfather to six children. We unite our prayers with those of his family in asking for the repose of his soul.

[Biographical information on parents of Laurent; verbatim, except added paragraph breaks]

The widow, of Jean DesRoches, mother of the deceased (in the first paragraph) is still living at the age of 95. Curiosity prompted me to gather some information on this interesting family. Mr. Jean DesRoches, son, with whom the old lady lives, provided me with the information which I impartially transmit to you. I trust the information will be (of) interest to a good number of our readers.

It is significant that I introduce here, the deceased husband of this old lady. His memory is precious to the inhabitants of Miscouche, and his name is uttered with the reverence which seems to indicate that these people were truly loved. Mr. Jean DesRoches was born at Rivierre Platte, better known as Malpeque, on November 30, 1799, and Barbe Poirier, his wife, saw the light of day for the first time at the same place on February 2, 1802.

They were married in the old church at Rivierre Platte on January 10, 1823. The Sacrament of Marriage was administered by Father Cecile, then missionary on the Isle of St. Jean. They settled in Miscouche immediately afterwards.

Mr. [Jean] DesRoches died December 3, 1893, having passed his ninety-fourth year; he had been married for seventy years. The Old Lady, (Barbe), reached her ninety-fifth year on Candlemas Day, 1897. She is in good health. Her sight is perfect. She never used glasses and can thread a needle as easily as a young girl. She busies herself, dividing her time between her rosary and her knitting. There’s an example of the Acadian life, and in the number dead (or) alive, we see the proverbial fruitfulness of our nationality.

I am listing the names of two generations with the number of their children. Those of the first generation are: Prospere, drowned at the age of 20; Laurent, died February 15, 1897; Marie Rose; Pierre; Isabelle (deceased); Marie (deceased); Bibianne; Joseph; Jean; Celeste. Laurent’s Descendant’s: Married Ursule Gaudet. Children: Marie, married Etienne Poirier, 11 children, from whom 6 grandchildren descended. We must add that Marie (says Mrs. Poirier), is a grandmother, and that she is still able to greet her own grandmother. Amelie, married Moise Gaudet, 11 children. Sophie, married Etienne DesRoches, (8 children crossed out). Joseph, drowned married to Ursule DesRoches, 8 children. Jerome, married Adoline Gallant, 11 children. Elizabeth, married Joseph DesRoches, 8 children. Emelianne, married Juste DesRoches, 5 children. Etienne, married Marie Gaudet. Stanislaus died in infancy. Madeleine married Joseph F. Gaudet, 2 children. Stanislaus [2nd] married Eleanore Gaudet.

Rose Marie’s Descendant’s: Married Thomas Gaudet. Children: Philias, married Elizabeth Gaudet, 12 children. Adoline, married Joseph Gaudet, 9 children. Madeleine, married Clovis Arsenault, 5 children. Philibert, married Marie Rose Poirier (deceased), 1 child. Pierre’s Descendants: Married Rosalie Gaudet. Children: Gilbert, married Marie Ann Poirier, 8 children. Emilienne, married Joseph F. DesRoches, 6 children. Marie, married Gilbert Gaudet, 3 children. Prospere, married Erma Gaudet, 4 children. Madeleine, Sylvia, Louis, Etienne, Celine, Arsene, Alice. Not married.

Bibiane’s Descendants: Married Philippe Gaudet. Children: Marguerite, married Fidele Poirier, 8 children. Celine, married Edilbert Arsenault, 5 children. Joseph, married Leonide Gallant, 4 children. Sylvere, married Anne Parent, 1 child. Melanie, Sister Gaudet, Sylvain, Catherine. Not married.

Joseph’s descendant’s: Married Julie Gaudet. Children: Marie, married Jean DesRoches, 9 children. Asterie, married Basile Gallant, 3 children. Hubert, married Marie Arsenault. Angeline, married Joseph Poirier, 1 child. Adolphe, Not married.

Jean’s Descendant’s: Married Genevieve Gaudet. Children: Obeline, (deceased). Julie, married W. H. Curtis, 2 children. Joseph, married Emilienne Poirier, 3 children. Prospere, Marie Anne, Etienne, Ferdinand, Arthur, Josephine. Not married.

Celeste’s Descendant’s: Married Eloi Gaudet. Children: Jean Honore, married Marie Anne Gaudet, 5 children. Marie Rose, married Fidele Gaudet, 2 children. Catherine, married Stanislaus DesRoches, 1 child. Philibert, married in the U.S.A., 1 child. Cyr, Dina. Not married.

We see that Mrs. (Jean) DesRoches is a grandparent who can list a great number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Let us wish her many more years.