Fort Sainte Thérèse
Encyclopedia
Fort Sainte Thérèse is the name given to three different forts built successively on one site, among a series of fortifications constructed during the 17th century by France along the Richelieu River
, in the province of Quebec
, in Montérégie
.
. He finished the fortifications on October 15, which was the religious anniversary of sainte Thérèse. Situated at the end of the Sainte-Thérèse rapids, the location of the fort was strategic. Fort Sainte Thérèse was abandon in 1667..
, because of his concerns about the behavior of the Iroquois
and the English colonies to the south, ordered the reconstruction of forts along the Richelieu
. This operation led to the construction of forts Pointe-à-la-Chevelure
and Saint-Frédéric, both located near lake Champlain. Following these
undertakings, a road was built between Chambly
and the old fort of Sainte Thérèse, and again between Chambly and La Prairie
. In 1741 and 1742, Clément Sabrevois de Bleury constructed a hangar for boats at Sainte Thérèse, which served to store the boats of the King.
Because of English threats from the south, commander Vassant was asked to build a new fort at Sainte Thérèse in 1747, and posted several regiments. The fort was abandoned the following year to concentrate efforts on Fort Saint-Jean
, further south. However, what was left of Fort Sainte-Thérèse was used to stock merchandise during the British invasion of (1756–1759), until it was finally burned by major Robert Rogers
and his men in 1760.
, during the context of the British invasion, The French and Canadiens sent soldiers to Fort Sainte Thérèse during the summer of 1760. In September, the fort, already burnt, was abandoned by the French, after being defeated at île aux Noix
. The English took possession of the fort and built trenches all around it. The location served as a point of rally for the troops before the invasion of Fort Chambly
, on September 4, 1760.
, between 1831 and 1843, made the site of the fort less accessible. In 1927, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board erected a stone and plaque to Fort Ste. Thérèse (at 45.397233, -73.260073), which referred to it being "on the point south-east beyond the canal". Construction of a dam from 1930-38 disturbed the place where the fort was thought to be, and there was debate about its exact location. By the 1960s, archeologists had concluded it was impossible to confirm a precise location.
But around 2000, a well-known historian of the Richelieu Valley, Réal Fortin, along with Parks Canada, developed the hypothesis that it was situated on the south side of Point Portage facing the island of Sainte Marie. These findings were published in 2003. Reconstructing the deeds of the forts in the area, Fortin concluded that its location was lot 343 in the city of Carignan
, on the west side of the Richelieu
.
Subsequently, in November 2007, came a discovery: an aerial photograph taken in 1938, which showed the clear outline of the west side of the fort's remains (at 45.389111, -73.257515). This revealed it was south of where the 1927 plaque had described, but not too far. Archeological investigation commenced in the spring of 2008, and continued in August, 2009, and May of 2010. The fort's location was confirmed, and several discoveries made, including the layout of all three forts, bastions, and palisades. The dig site was open to the public while archeologists worked on it, with interpretive talks offered on weekends. Findings are to be reported to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board to revise the national historic site designation, so that it includes newly-found remnants of the outpost.
The site lies within Chambly Canal National Historic Site
, and so is administered by Parks Canada, from offices at Fort Chambly
.
Richelieu River
The Richelieu River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows from the north end of Lake Champlain about north, ending at the confluence with the St. Lawrence River at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec downstream and northeast of Montreal...
, in the province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, in Montérégie
Montérégie
Montérégie is an administrative region in southwest Québec. It includes the cities of Boucherville, Brossard, Granby, Longueuil, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Hyacinthe, Sorel-Tracy, and Vaudreuil-Dorion....
.
First fort (1665–1667)
The first fortification was constructed in Octobre 1665 by Henri de Chastelard de Salières, officer ofs under Alexandre de Prouville de Tracy, of the Carignan-Salières RegimentCarignan-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...
. He finished the fortifications on October 15, which was the religious anniversary of sainte Thérèse. Situated at the end of the Sainte-Thérèse rapids, the location of the fort was strategic. Fort Sainte Thérèse was abandon in 1667..
Second fort (1747–1760)
In 1731, the governor of New FranceNew 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...
, because of his concerns about the behavior of the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
and the English colonies to the south, ordered the reconstruction of forts along the Richelieu
Richelieu River
The Richelieu River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows from the north end of Lake Champlain about north, ending at the confluence with the St. Lawrence River at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec downstream and northeast of Montreal...
. This operation led to the construction of forts Pointe-à-la-Chevelure
Fort Crown Point
Crown Point, was a British fort built by the combined efforts of both British and Provincial troops in North America in 1759 at narrows on Lake Champlain on the border between modern New York State and Vermont...
and Saint-Frédéric, both located near lake Champlain. Following these
undertakings, a road was built between Chambly
Chambly, Quebec
Chambly is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada, about to the south east of Montreal.- Geography :It sits on the Richelieu River in the Regional County Municipality of La-Vallée-du-Richelieu, at .-History:...
and the old fort of Sainte Thérèse, and again between Chambly and La Prairie
La Prairie, Quebec
La Prairie is an off-island suburb of Montreal, in southwestern Quebec, Canada at the confluence of the Saint-Jacques River and the Saint Lawrence River in the Regional County Municipality of Roussillon...
. In 1741 and 1742, Clément Sabrevois de Bleury constructed a hangar for boats at Sainte Thérèse, which served to store the boats of the King.
Because of English threats from the south, commander Vassant was asked to build a new fort at Sainte Thérèse in 1747, and posted several regiments. The fort was abandoned the following year to concentrate efforts on Fort Saint-Jean
Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec)
Fort Saint-Jean is a fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec located on the Richelieu River. The fort was first built in 1666 by soldiers of the Carignan-Salières Regiment and was part of a series of forts built along the Richelieu River...
, further south. However, what was left of Fort Sainte-Thérèse was used to stock merchandise during the British invasion of (1756–1759), until it was finally burned by major Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers (soldier)
Robert Rogers was an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution...
and his men in 1760.
Third fort (1760)
After abandoning the forts on Lake ChamplainLake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
, during the context of the British invasion, The French and Canadiens sent soldiers to Fort Sainte Thérèse during the summer of 1760. In September, the fort, already burnt, was abandoned by the French, after being defeated at île aux Noix
Fort Lennox
Fort Lennox National Historic Site occupies most of Ile aux Noix, an island in the middle of the Richelieu River in the parish of Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix, Quebec, near the Canada-U.S. border...
. The English took possession of the fort and built trenches all around it. The location served as a point of rally for the troops before the invasion of Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly is a historic fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec. The fort is designated as a National Historic Site. Fort Richelieu was part of a series of five forts built along the Richelieu River. Fort Richelieu is at the mouth of the Richelieu River....
, on September 4, 1760.
Sainte Thérèse after the British
The location of the fort was used by the British as an English Post. The troops improved the road between Sainte Thérèse and Chambly, which was extended to Saint-Jean in (1776), during the American Revolution. The fortifications, however, were in ruins and were quickly forgotten..Location rediscovered
The digging of the Chambly CanalChambly Canal
The Chambly Canal is a National Historic Site of Canada in the Province of Quebec, running along the Richelieu River past Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Carignan, and Chambly. Building commenced in 1831 and the canal opened in 1843. It served as a major commercial route during a time of heightened trade...
, between 1831 and 1843, made the site of the fort less accessible. In 1927, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board erected a stone and plaque to Fort Ste. Thérèse (at 45.397233, -73.260073), which referred to it being "on the point south-east beyond the canal". Construction of a dam from 1930-38 disturbed the place where the fort was thought to be, and there was debate about its exact location. By the 1960s, archeologists had concluded it was impossible to confirm a precise location.
But around 2000, a well-known historian of the Richelieu Valley, Réal Fortin, along with Parks Canada, developed the hypothesis that it was situated on the south side of Point Portage facing the island of Sainte Marie. These findings were published in 2003. Reconstructing the deeds of the forts in the area, Fortin concluded that its location was lot 343 in the city of Carignan
Carignan, Quebec
Carignan is a town in southwestern Quebec, Canada on the Richelieu River in the Regional County Municipality of La-Vallée-du-Richelieu. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 7,426....
, on the west side of the Richelieu
Richelieu River
The Richelieu River is a river in Quebec, Canada. It flows from the north end of Lake Champlain about north, ending at the confluence with the St. Lawrence River at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec downstream and northeast of Montreal...
.
Subsequently, in November 2007, came a discovery: an aerial photograph taken in 1938, which showed the clear outline of the west side of the fort's remains (at 45.389111, -73.257515). This revealed it was south of where the 1927 plaque had described, but not too far. Archeological investigation commenced in the spring of 2008, and continued in August, 2009, and May of 2010. The fort's location was confirmed, and several discoveries made, including the layout of all three forts, bastions, and palisades. The dig site was open to the public while archeologists worked on it, with interpretive talks offered on weekends. Findings are to be reported to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board to revise the national historic site designation, so that it includes newly-found remnants of the outpost.
The site lies within Chambly Canal National Historic Site
Chambly Canal
The Chambly Canal is a National Historic Site of Canada in the Province of Quebec, running along the Richelieu River past Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Carignan, and Chambly. Building commenced in 1831 and the canal opened in 1843. It served as a major commercial route during a time of heightened trade...
, and so is administered by Parks Canada, from offices at Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly is a historic fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec. The fort is designated as a National Historic Site. Fort Richelieu was part of a series of five forts built along the Richelieu River. Fort Richelieu is at the mouth of the Richelieu River....
.
See also
- Fort ChamblyFort ChamblyFort Chambly is a historic fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec. The fort is designated as a National Historic Site. Fort Richelieu was part of a series of five forts built along the Richelieu River. Fort Richelieu is at the mouth of the Richelieu River....
- Chambly CanalChambly CanalThe Chambly Canal is a National Historic Site of Canada in the Province of Quebec, running along the Richelieu River past Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Carignan, and Chambly. Building commenced in 1831 and the canal opened in 1843. It served as a major commercial route during a time of heightened trade...
- Fort LennoxFort LennoxFort Lennox National Historic Site occupies most of Ile aux Noix, an island in the middle of the Richelieu River in the parish of Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix, Quebec, near the Canada-U.S. border...
- Fort RichelieuFort RichelieuFort Richelieu is a historic fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec. The fort is designated as a National Historic Site. Fort Richelieu was part of a series of five forts built along the Richelieu River. Fort Richelieu is at the mouth of the Richelieu...
- Fort Sainte AnneFort Sainte Anne-Canada:*Fort Sainte Anne on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia*Fort Albany, Ontario on James Bay, Ontario, formerly known as Fort Sainte Anne....
- Fort Saint-JeanFort Saint-Jean (Quebec)Fort Saint-Jean is a fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec located on the Richelieu River. The fort was first built in 1666 by soldiers of the Carignan-Salières Regiment and was part of a series of forts built along the Richelieu River...
- List of French forts in North America
- List of National Historic Sites in Quebec
- National Historic Sites of Canada