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. […]
Farms in New France and the General Hospital (18th-19th Centuries), The General Hospital in the 19th Century
The General Hospital in the 19th Century In the 19th century, the garden located behind the hospital is reduced in size due to the building’s expansion, however it continues to be productive until 1871 when the Congregation and its residents move to their newly built Motherhouse. The walls of the compound are demolished, new streets […]
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 […]
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 and Convent of the Hospice Youville
Farm and Convent of the Hospice Youville, Saint-Benoît In 1859, the Grey Nuns establish a hospice for the needy & infirm as well as a girls’ school in the village of Saint-Benoît, county of Deux-Montagnes. Map of Saint-Benoit Farm/Nelson Cossette (agronomist), undated. Grey Nuns of Montréal’s Archives, Convent and Hospice Youville (Saint-Benoît)’s Fonds, L011-K-03 Youville […]
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 […]