Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour

Joseph-Marie Godefroy de Tonnancour (August 15 1750 – November 22 1834) 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, and studied at the Petit Séminaire de Québec and then at 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 (later Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) 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.

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2892 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
* [http://www.assnat.qc.ca/fra/membres/notices/g-i/godejm.htm Biography from Assemblée nationale du Québec (french)]