Jacques Babie

Jacques Babie was a French soldier and fur-trader, who founded the distinguished Canadian family of this name.

Babie came to Canada in 1665 as a sergeant in the regiment sent by the King Louis XIV to fight the Iroquois. After the peace was signed the following year, he left the army and settled in Champlain on the St. Lawrence near Trois-Rivières. The region known as the “cradle of explorers and fur-traders”, offered numerous business opportunities and Babie became engaged in fur-trading and farming.

In the following period, Babie became involved in trade with the Indians of the upper Saint-Maurice and upper Ottawa rivers. He was also the government-accredited merchant who participated in the great fur mart held annually at Montreal. In 1669 he began to acquire lands in Champlain and Gentilly, across the St. Lawrence.

Jacques Babie died in Champlain in 1688, leaving a comfortable fortune.