Jean-Baptiste Joyal

• General Notes
  • 1901 Canadian Census lists his birthdate as May 6, 1851.
    
    Jean-Baptiste Joyal was the son of David Joyal, Jr. and Catherine Lamere.  He was born at Sorel, Quebec in 1853.  While he was still young, his family went to live at Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  Many Quebec families moved to New England at this time, looking for better lives, and established what were known as "Little Canadas".  There, aged nineteen, he married Julienne Millette, daughter of Michel Millette dit St. Georges and Marie St. Georges.  The marriage took place in St. Charles Boromeo parish August 26, 1872.
    
    St. Pierre Register:His baptism reads as follows:
    136 ieme bapteme: Jean-Baptiste Joyal, Paroisse St. Pierre, Sorel. Ce 6
    mai, 1853, nous pretre Cure soussigne, avons baptise Jean-Baptiste, en
    ce jour, du legitime mariage de David Joyal, journalier, et de Catherine
    Lamere de cette paroisse.
    
    Parrain: Benjamin Piette
    Marraine: Angeline Matthieu
    
    eux ainsi que le pere n'ont pu signer.  M. Limoges, ptre.
    
    
    St. Charles Register:This is to certify that Jean-Baptiste Joyal and Julienne Millette were
    lawfully married on the 26th day of August, 1872, according to the rite
    of the Roman Catholic Church and in conformity of the laws of the State
    of Rhode Island.  Reverend J. B. Finnigan officiating, in the presence
    of Octavio Benoit and Emilia Daigle, witnesses as appears from the
    marriage registers of this church.
    
    
    NOTE:St. Charles parish was founded in 1846.  The French Canadians left St.
    Charles and had their Masses and other ceremonies, from 1868 to 1875,
    in "Institute Hall", owned by Harris Woolen Mills on South Street until a
    church was built for them, corner of Carrington and Park.  Gale winds
    destroyed the new church, February 2, 1876.  It was rebuilt in 1881 by
    Father Dauray, first pastor.
    
    
    Jean-Baptiste and his wife traveled to Pawtucket, R.I. on March 20, 1873 and to Milford, Mass. on May 11, 1874.  Although it is unclear as to why they travelled to Milford, there may be one of several reasons, or a combination of reasons for the visit.  Aside from the simple explanation that they may have gone for a visit to friends, we need to understand what was going on for French-Canadians at this time. In New England, French-Canadians were generally looked down upon by Americans.  Around the same time as the Milford visit some French-Canadians, like Father Albert Lacombe, were visiting the "Little Canadas" of New England impressing upon French speaking people that there was a need for French settlers in western Canada in order to keep pace with English settlers from Ontario.  There was a fear that the French would lose their way of life.  In 1874,  Louis Riel visited New England (Worcester, Mass.) inviting his French-Canadian audiences to emigrate to the North-West (western Canada.)  Perhaps the Joyals' visit to Milford was a preparation for their move in 1876.  It should be noted that Reine (Lagimodiere) Lamere moved back to Manitoba at the same time.  Her mother Marie-Anne had died in 1875, so perhaps everyone met at Milford to discuss plans of returning to Manitoba and resume relations with their kin. 
    
    Jean-Baptiste's oldest child, George was baptized April 7, 1874 at Precious Blood parish in Woonsocket.  His second child, Louis was also baptized at Precious Blood parish on September 13, 1875.  With many relatives, he left with his wife and two sons, Woonsocket for St. Boniface, on September 12, 1876.  They arrived in Winnipeg on September 26, 1876.  His daughter Emma was the first child born to him in Manitoba, on July 27, 1878.  Nine more sons and one daughter were born in Manitoba.  His first job in Manitoba was Constable for Selkirk, August 26, 1878.  He also became Police Officer for St. Boniface, December 9, 1878.  On January 1, 1880, he was the first appointed Chief of Police for all Manitoba.  His title, Provincial Constable.  He had two terms in that position, first term from 1880 to 1883, and the second term from 1887 to 1890.  At this time, his son Alexander was born, March 7, 1880.  He resigned his post as Constable for Selkirk, January 5, 1881.  He was sworn in as Prefect Chief for St. Boniface Municipality on March 10, 1881.  He was reappointed Constable for Selkirk County, November 24, 1881.  On May 16, 1883, he resigned as Provincial Constable.  On October 6, 1883, he moved with his family to Lorette, Manitoba.  There, his fifth son Joseph was born on December 4, 1883.  His fourth son, Jean-Baptiste, Jr. was born at St. Boniface on November 18, 1881.  The family returned to St. Boniface, February 26, 1884.  Henry was the next to be born on December 11, 1885.  Jean-Baptiste was re-appointed Chief of Police for St. Boniface and Fire Chief on February 8, 1886.  Gedeon was born on September 30, 1887.  Aime was next, born December 4, 1889.  On February 9, 1891, Jean-Baptiste enterred politics and was elected Councilor for Ward #2 in St. Boniface.
    
    POSTER:Attention voters, vote for a man who has properties and who
    lives in our District.  If you want Ward #2 to progress, vote for
    Jean-Baptiste Joyal.  If you want a free bridge in our Ward #2,
    vote for J.B. Joyal.  Voting will take place at the corner of
    Tache Avenue and Notre Dame Street in St. Boniface.  Meeting
    presided by Bishop Tache.
    
    
    Alfred, his ninth son, was born on March 29, 1891.  Napoleon, the tenth son, was born on December 17, 1893 and died on November 3, 1895.  Raoul was the last son to be born.  He was born on January 31, 1896.  The last of the children was Maria, born on April 13, 1900.  Jean-Baptiste was again appointed Chief of Police for all Manitoba on March 1, 1901.  He also started work for the Federal Life Insurance Company as inspector from 1901 until his death.  He became Superintendent of the French Department for the company and sold over a million policies.  On December 19, 1905, he went to Montreal and Woonsocket with his wife and two sons, Alfred and Raoul.  His youngest child, Maria was also taken along.  This was a two month vacation.  After visiting most of their relatives, they returned to Manitoba on February 19, 1906 after having a farewell party in "Institute Hall at 16 Main St. in Woonsocket.  J.B. and his two sons sang solos on that occasion.  It was also a family reunion for the Brindamour family, related by marriage to the Joyals.  On January 21, 1909 he received news that his brother Paul had died axphixiated while welding a water tank at College Notre Dame des Neiges in Montreal.  Paul left a wife and daughter.  Marianne Levesque, his sister, died at St. Boniface on November 2, 1913.  Jean-Baptiste died at St. Boniface, aged sixty-six on December 3, 1918 the same day his son Alfred died at The Pas, Manitoba,
    
    
    Cathedral Register:Le cinquieme jour de decembre, mil neuf cent dix-huit, nous soussignes,
    pretre-vicaire avons inhume dans le cimetiere paroissial le corps de
    Jean-Baptiste Joyal, decede le 3ieme jour de ce mois, age de soixante
    six ans.  Etaient presents ses fils et un grand nombre de parents et
    d'amis dont quelques-uns ont signe avec nous.
    
    Georges JoyalAlfred BleauT. Pelletier
    Gedeon JoyalA. LemayJ.J. Lavoie