Louise (de Joybert) de Vaudreuil (1673-1740)
Louise-Élisabeth (de Joybert) de Rigaud, Marquise de Vaudreuil
She was born at Fort Jemseg in New Brunswick where her father was in command. She was baptised at Quebec where her godparents were named as the Comte de Frontenac and her grandmother, Mme. Elisabeth (d'Amours) de Lotbiniere. Aged thirteen in 1686, she and one of the daughters of the Marquise de Denonville (who was very much attached to her) were sent to board at the Ursuline Convent in Quebec.
In 1690, she became the 17-year old wife of the 47-year old Marquis de Vaudreuil who would become the Governor-General of New France. In 1709, she left Quebec for France and was presented to Louis XIV by the Marquise de Maintenon. At Versailles, she advanced the interests of her husband and created careers for her sons, two of whom became Governors-General of Saint Domingue and New France, respectively, during the Seven Years War. She became a close friend of Jérôme Phélypeaux, Comte de Pontchartrain, the Secretary of State and Minister of the Navy and through his patronage in 1712 became Under-Governess to Charles of France, Duc de Berry. She succeeded in, "surrounding her husband with a large network of colonial clients, recommending colonists for advancement and promotion." Towards the end of his reign, she became a respected member of the inner entourage of Louis XIV who died in 1738. She had seven children including Pierre, the last Governor-General of New France. She died at Paris.
In 1690, she became the 17-year old wife of the 47-year old Marquis de Vaudreuil who would become the Governor-General of New France. In 1709, she left Quebec for France and was presented to Louis XIV by the Marquise de Maintenon. At Versailles, she advanced the interests of her husband and created careers for her sons, two of whom became Governors-General of Saint Domingue and New France, respectively, during the Seven Years War. She became a close friend of Jérôme Phélypeaux, Comte de Pontchartrain, the Secretary of State and Minister of the Navy and through his patronage in 1712 became Under-Governess to Charles of France, Duc de Berry. She succeeded in, "surrounding her husband with a large network of colonial clients, recommending colonists for advancement and promotion." Towards the end of his reign, she became a respected member of the inner entourage of Louis XIV who died in 1738. She had seven children including Pierre, the last Governor-General of New France. She died at Paris.
