Denys Chartier (c.1545-1608)

His parents are unknown, but historians of the Chartier name suggest he might be a descendant of Nicolas Chartier (1438-1490), Mayor of Tours. Denys was a merchant and his distinguished son, Sieur Rene Chartier, became a nobleman but did not bear arms nor a noble title on his marriage in 1608. These Chartiers were therefore not the ancient noble family that many other histories have fabricated. Denys is the ancestor of the Chartier de Lotbiniere family, ennobled by 1641. In 1784, his descendant Michel de Lotbiniere, was created a Marquis by King Louis XVI, the only Canadian-born subject to attain that rank. This line is now represented by the Harwood & Joly families.