Sister Fernande Dumont
Sister Fernande Dumont, s.g.m. (1922-1998) Born to farming parents in Bécancour, the young Fernande leaves school at the age of 14 to work on the family farm. After joining the Grey Nuns in 1944, she is a gardener at the Saint-Joseph during the summer and spends the winter months spinning and weaving. Over the years, […]
Farms in New France and the General Hospital (18th-19th Centuries), The Chambly Lands
The Chambly Lands Marguerite d’Youville and her companions also inherit the Charon Brothers’s property in Chambly owned since 1724. Wheat, oats, and peas are grown, and chickens, turkeys, beef, calves and lambs are raised, all of which supplies the General Hospital. Land owned in Chambly in 1747, in Notes and plans/Sister Saint-Jean-de-la-Croix, s.g.m., circa 1908. […]
Métairie Saint-Joseph, A Dairy Farm
A Dairy Farm Employees at the stable, 1931. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-I-Album 1-page 14. From left to right: Misters Thuribe Tremblay, Martial Chauvette, W. Richard, Sévère Paquin, Adrien Chauvette (son of Mister Martial) and Charles-Edouard Verville Sister Claire Lauzier, s.g.m., 1940. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns […]
Métairie Saint-Joseph, A Poultry Farm
A Poultry Farm Sisters Claire Lauzier, s.g.m. and Fernande Dumont, s.g.m., busy taking care of the turkeys, 1946. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie Saint-Joseph (Nicolet)’s Fonds, L054-N5E Sisters Claire Lauzier, s.g.m. and Fernande Dumont, s.g.m., busy caring for the little chickens, 1946. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Métairie […]
Métairie Saint-Joseph, Development
Development Dévelop-pement Various modifications and improvements on the farm demonstrate its successfulness and the Nuns concern for good management practices: better lodging for the farmer and his family, the construction of an ice-house and a larger stable-barn provided with electricity, expansion of the henhouse in 1918, acquisition of 130 acres of neighboring land and outbuildings […]
Saint-Charles Farm, A Prosperous Farm for Almost 50 Years
Saint-Charles Farm, Montréal (Côte-de-Liesse) A Prosperous Farm for Almost 50 Years With part of the proceeds from the sale of land at Pointe Saint-Charles, in 1907 the Grey Nuns acquire a parcel of agricultural land in the Côte-de-Liesse municipality. Subsequent acquisitions increase the property to a total of 575 acres, aptly named the Saint-Charles Farm […]
Saint-Charles Farm, Animals, Women and Men
Animals… An impressive number of livestock is raised on the farm. In 1946, there are 150 Holstein cows including 90 dairy cows, 300 Yorkshire pigs, 3,000 chickens, 1800 hens and 60 draft horses. Sister feeding hens, 1945. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Saint-Charles Farm (Montréal, Côte-de-Liesse)’s Fonds, L071-F Hen, undated. Photography: author […]
Saint-Bruno Farm
Saint-Bruno Farm Located in what is today downtown Montréal, the Saint-Joseph Hospice was on the verge of expropriation for a new Grand Trunk Railway station when the start of the Great War put the project on hold. That same year, 1914, the Hospice is gifted a 135 acre farm in the village of Saint-Bruno, county […]
Farm and Garden of the Saint-Joseph Hospital
Farm and Garden of the Saint-Joseph Hospital, La Tuque In 1912, the Sisters of Charity of the Hôtel-Dieu of Nicolet assume responsibility for the Saint-Joseph Hospital in the village of La Tuque, with an orphanage to accommodate around 50 children added in 1918. Saint-Joseph Hospital and Sacred Heart Orphanage, undated. Photography: author unknown. Grey Nuns […]
Farm of the Hospice Lajemmerais
Farm of the Hospice Lajemmerais, Varennes Founded in 1859, the Hospice Lajemmerais in Varennes houses an orphanage, a wing where the elderly reside, a section for adult boarders and also a kindergarten. The early years are very difficult with the Nuns living in conditions described in the mission chronicles as heroic. The most severe poverty […]
Châteauguay, The Farm and Livestock
The Farm and Livestock The Nuns at the Châteauguay farm diligently apply technical and theoretical knowledge acquired from Provincial government agronomists and the Trappist Monks of Oka. Successive directors manage the farm with the goal of continually increasing production. Although very fertile, a major challenge is that sections of arable land are prone to annual […]
Châteauguay, Acquisition and Beginning
Châteauguay By its longevity, the Châteauguay farm holds a unique place in the history of the Grey Nuns. For over 200 years it helped to supply food for the Congregation and its works, as well as providing a place of gathering and rest for the Nuns, boarders and students of their institutions. Acquisition and Beginning […]
Farms in New France and the General Hospital (18th-19th Centuries), The General Hospital under Marguerite d’Youville
The General Hospital under Marguerite d’Youville The Charon Brothers’ bankruptcy in 1747 prompts the Governor of New France to offer administration of the General Hospital and its lands to Marguerite d’Youville and her companions. The Grey Nuns maintain all the agricultural activities and decide in 1754 to build a bakery on the premises for the […]