Claude-Michel Bégon de la Cour
Encyclopedia
Claude-Michel Bégon de la Cour (March 15, 1683 – April 30, 1748) was an officer in the colonial regular troops and a governor of Trois-Rivières
.
Claude-Michel was the brother of Michel Bégon de la Picardière and they came to Canada together in 1713. Their father was Michel V Bégon who was intendant
de la marine at the port of Rochefort
and intendant of the généralité
of La Rochelle
. It was through the fathers influence that Michel had been appointed intendant of New France
and Claude-Michel had risen quickly in his military career.
Claude-Michel Bégon came to New France
and was promoted to full captain with command of a company of troops in the Montreal garrison and, in 1714, he was made a naval lieutenant. In 1718, against his family's advice, he married Marie-Elisabeth Rocbert, the daughter of the garde magasin of Montréal
. While this marriage did not appear to affect his career in Canada, it probably closed the door to a rising career in France like his brother Michel who left for France in 1726. That year, he was promoted to town major of Quebec City
and Governor Beauharnois
had him lead an attempt to expel the English from Fort Oswego
on Lake Ontario. His negotiations were unsuccessful.
In 1743, Bégon became the governor of Trois-Rivières where he served until his death.
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
.
Claude-Michel was the brother of Michel Bégon de la Picardière and they came to Canada together in 1713. Their father was Michel V Bégon who was intendant
Intendant
The title of intendant has been used in several countries through history. Traditionally, it refers to the holder of a public administrative office...
de la marine at the port of Rochefort
Rochefort, Charente-Maritime
Rochefort is a commune in southwestern France, a port on the Charente estuary. It is a sub-prefecture of the Charente-Maritime department.-History:...
and intendant of the généralité
Généralité
Recettes générales, commonly known as généralités , were the administrative divisions of France under the Ancien Régime and are often considered to prefigure the current préfectures...
of La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
. It was through the fathers influence that Michel had been appointed intendant of New France
Intendant of New France
New France was governed by three rulers: the governor, the bishop and the intendant, all appointed by the King, and sent from France. The intendant was responsible for finance, economic development, and the administration of justice . He also presided over the Sovereign Council of New France...
and Claude-Michel had risen quickly in his military career.
Claude-Michel Bégon came to 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...
and was promoted to full captain with command of a company of troops in the Montreal garrison and, in 1714, he was made a naval lieutenant. In 1718, against his family's advice, he married Marie-Elisabeth Rocbert, the daughter of the garde magasin of Montréal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. While this marriage did not appear to affect his career in Canada, it probably closed the door to a rising career in France like his brother Michel who left for France in 1726. That year, he was promoted to town major of Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and Governor Beauharnois
Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois
Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois was a French Naval officer who served as Governor of New France from 1726 to 1746.Charles had two brothers who also impacted the history of New France...
had him lead an attempt to expel the English from Fort Oswego
Fort Oswego
Fort Oswego was an important frontier post for British traders in the 18th century. A trading post was established in 1722 with a log palisade, and New York governor William Burnet ordered a fort built at the site in 1727. The log palisade fort established a British presence on the Great Lakes....
on Lake Ontario. His negotiations were unsuccessful.
In 1743, Bégon became the governor of Trois-Rivières where he served until his death.