Thérèse de Couagne
Encyclopedia
Thérèse de Couagne was a knowledgeable business woman who played an active role in the New France
economy.
Thérèse de Couagne was married to François Poulin de Francheville
in 1718 and became a widow in 1733. She became interested in business after her husband died. She also inherited ownership of the slave
Marie-Joseph Angélique
, who was convicted of setting de Couagne's house on alight, starting the fire of Montreal in 1734. (Angélique was executed, but contemporary historians are unsure who set the fire.)
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...
economy.
Thérèse de Couagne was married to François Poulin de Francheville
François Poulin de Francheville
François Poulin de Francheville, Seigneur de Saint-Maurice was a Montreal merchant who was granted permission by the King of France to mine the iron ore deposits on his seigneury in 1730...
in 1718 and became a widow in 1733. She became interested in business after her husband died. She also inherited ownership of the slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
Marie-Joseph Angélique
Marie-Joseph Angélique
Marie-Joseph Angélique was the name given by her last owners to a Portuguese-born black slave in New France . She was tried and convicted of setting fire to her owner's home, burning much of what is now referred to as Old Montreal...
, who was convicted of setting de Couagne's house on alight, starting the fire of Montreal in 1734. (Angélique was executed, but contemporary historians are unsure who set the fire.)