Alexandre Berthier
Encyclopedia
Alexandre Berthier was a captain in the French army who was born Isaac Berthier and a Huguenot
; became known as Alexandre after his arrival in New France
in 1665. The name change appears to be because of his conversion to the Roman Catholic religion. He was part of the Carignan-Salières Regiment
which arrived in Quebec that year from the West Indies under the command of Prouville de Tracy
.
Berthier's first posting was as commandant of Fort de l’Assomption
and during Prouville de Tracy's 1666 action against the Mohawks, he and Pierre de Saurel
were co-commanders of the rear-guard of troops.
From 1674, Berthier spent most of his time settling and improving his seigneuries. He did lead a company of his own militia as part of an expeditionary force against the Senecas in 1687. This was part of the Brisay de Denonville
’s expedition. He was also actively involved in the fur trade along with some associates. His seigneury of Berthier-en-bas
became his major project during his later years.
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
; became known as Alexandre after his arrival in New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
in 1665. The name change appears to be because of his conversion to the Roman Catholic religion. He was part of the Carignan-Salières Regiment
Carignan-Salières Regiment
The Carignan-Salières Regiment was a Piedmont French military unit formed by merging the Carignan Regiment and the Salières Regiment in 1659. The regiment began their existence in combat against the Ottoman Empire before being reorganized to consist of twenty-four companies before being sent to...
which arrived in Quebec that year from the West Indies under the command of Prouville de Tracy
Alexandre de Prouville
Marquis Alexandre de Prouville de Tracy was a French aristocrat, statesman, and military leader. He was the seigneur of Tracy-le-Val and Tracy-le-Mont...
.
Berthier's first posting was as commandant of Fort de l’Assomption
Fort Assumption
Fort Assumption was a French fortification constructed in 1739 on the fourth Chickasaw Bluff on the Mississippi River at present day Memphis, Tennessee...
and during Prouville de Tracy's 1666 action against the Mohawks, he and Pierre de Saurel
Pierre de Saurel
Pierre de Saurel was a captain in the Carignan-Salières Regiment and a seigneur who was born in Grenoble and came to New France in 1665....
were co-commanders of the rear-guard of troops.
From 1674, Berthier spent most of his time settling and improving his seigneuries. He did lead a company of his own militia as part of an expeditionary force against the Senecas in 1687. This was part of the Brisay de Denonville
Jacques-René de Brisay de Denonville, Marquis de Denonville
Jacques-Rene de Brisay de Denonville, Marquis de Denonville was Governor General of New France from 1685 to 1689 and was a key figure in the Beaver Wars....
’s expedition. He was also actively involved in the fur trade along with some associates. His seigneury of Berthier-en-bas
Berthier-sur-Mer, Quebec
Berthier-sur-Mer is a town in the Montmagny Regional County Municipality within the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec, Canada. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, east of Quebec City on Route 132....
became his major project during his later years.