Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil
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| Born | 1643 Vaudreuil, Revel, Haute-Garonne
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| Died | 10 October 1725 (aged 81–82) |
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse(s) | Louise Élisabeth de Joybert |
| Parent(s) | Jean-Louis de Rigaud de Vaudreuil Marie de Château-Verdun |
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Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil (born around 1643 – died October 10, 1725) was an important French military leader. He served as the Governor General of New France, which included parts of what are now Canada and the United States. He held this high position from 1703 to 1725. During his time as governor, he was in charge throughout two major conflicts: Queen Anne's War and Father Rale's War.
Contents
Philippe de Vaudreuil's Life and Work
His Early Life and Career
Philippe de Rigaud was born at the Castle of Vaudreuil in France, near a town called Castelnaudary. He was the second son of Jean-Louis de Rigaud and Marie de Château-Verdun.
He became a military officer and was sent to New France to lead French forces there. In 1699, he was made Governor of Montreal. Just a few years later, in 1703, he became the Governor General of New France. This was the most powerful role in the colony. He passed away in Quebec City.
His Family and Home
Philippe de Rigaud married Louise Élisabeth de Joybert. Her father was Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson. Philippe and Louise lived in a large house called Château Vaudreuil in Montreal. This house was built in 1723 but was later destroyed by a fire in 1803.
Like many wealthy people of his time, Philippe de Rigaud had enslaved people working for him. This was a common but unfair practice back then. Records show he had 11 enslaved people, some from First Nations and some from Africa.
His Children and Grandchildren
Philippe and Louise had several children who also became important. Their son, Pierre François de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, became the last Governor General of New France. He served from 1755 to 1760, just before the British took control during the French and Indian War.
Many of Philippe's other sons had successful careers in the French army and navy. His grandson, Louis-Philippe de Vaudreuil, was a brave naval officer. He defeated a British naval force in 1781 at the Battle of the Chesapeake. He also helped protect George Washington's army in 1782. Later, he brought the victorious French army back to France after the Siege of Yorktown.
Philippe de Vaudreuil's Legacy
The Château Vaudreuil was built in 1723 as Philippe de Rigaud's private home in Montreal. Today, a group of cadets at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean is named in his honor.
Philippe de Vaudreuil is also mentioned on a special plaque at Fort Saint-Jean. This plaque was put up in 1926 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. It talks about the fort's history. The plaque explains that the fort was built in 1743 for military trips towards Lake Champlain. In 1760, the fort was blown up on orders from Governor de Vaudreuil. This was done to stop it from falling into British hands.
His Children
- Louis-Philippe (1691-1763): He became a rear admiral in the navy.
- Jean (1695-1740): He was a Mousquetaire (a type of soldier).
- Pierre (1698-1778): He served as governor of Trois-Rivières and French Louisiana. He later became the Governor-General of New France.
- François-Pierre (1703-1779): He led the attack that captured Fort Massachusetts in 1746. He also served as governor of Trois-Rivières and Montreal.
- Joseph Hyacinthe (1706-1764): He became the governor general of Saint-Domingue.
See also
- Canadian Hereditary Peers
- Jacques Baudry de Lamarche
