Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour

Who was Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour?

Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour was a seigneur and political figure in Lower Canada.

He was born in Trois-Rivières in 1750, the son of Louis-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour. He was educated at the Petit Séminaire de Québec, the Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris and Oxford University. He returned to Quebec in 1775. Godefroy de Tonnancour took part in the defence of Fort St. Johns against the invading Americans but was taken prisoner. He was released in 1777. He remained a member of the local militia until 1831, becoming lieutenant-colonel in 1784. After his father's death in 1784, he inherited part of the seigneury of Yamaska, becoming sole owner in 1787. He became a justice of the peace in 1784. Godefroy de Tonnancour opposed the reform of the constitution in 1788 but, in 1792, was elected to the 1st Parliament of Lower Canada for Buckingham. He served as commissioner for the building of churches in Trois-Rivières district and then was a commissioner of roads and bridges.

He died at Yamaska in 1834.

His sons, Léonard and Marie-Joseph, both served in the legislative assembly. His daughter Agnès-Élizabeth married Léon Rousseau. His half sister, Josette Godefroy de Tonnancour, was the first wife of Michel-Eustache-Gaspard-Alain Chartier de Lotbinière.