LOUIS (COSTE) CÔTÉ (1726-1795)

            ​​Louis Côté, son of Jacques and Marie- Thérèse (Lambert Briere Vincenne), was born in St-Antoine de Tilly July 25, 1716,(1) one of seven children and Jacques’ eldest living son from his second marriage. 

            ​​​He would have a large family of his own with two marriages during difficult times. His first wife Marie-Josephte Houde gave him nine children (Jean, Marie-Josephte, François, Louis, Marie-Catherine, Marie-Monique, Jean-Marie, Joseph, and Marie-Thérèse) and the second with Genevieve Gautier another five (Rosalie, Elizabeth, Victoire, Thérèse and Angèle).

            ​​​​Louis Côté, died on 13th day of May 1795, at 73 and was interred in Ste-Croix or St-Antoine -De-Tilly; this detail is not clear because the parish priest of St-Antoine also served the parish of Ste-Croix-De-Lotbinière and may have been absent at the time of his death.​

            ​​Louis Côté was the militia captain of the parish, a job of prestige and influence. According to the Canadian Military Gateway History, (you will find a plethora of information there), men chosen for this position were from prominent families, and well liked in their communities. They had to read and write and since the position was unpaid; they had to be well off. There were other privileges and tasks carried out by militia captains such as carrying out censuses and arranging the billets for soldiers staying with families in their community. They handled the capture of fleeing criminals or deserters, enforced fire prevention and also carried out the enforcement of health regulations, 

            ​​Militia captains, well dressed in “capots” and hats, served as intermediaries between the locals and the seigneurs unless they were handling the both positions. During the reign of Louis XIV this was more apparent and up to two-thirds of the time the seigneur was the militia captain. This number would have declined by the time Louis Côté was a militia captain.

            ​​​​​​In June 1756, the priest of Varennes requested regulations from the Governor General to ensure order during the Corpus Christi procession. Some priests felt militia captains were not always very strict regarding innkeepers — the priest complained that in the past people had gotten drunk “too many times ... which was very scandalous for religion.” (Archives of the Séminaire de Québec, Saberdache rouge, Vol. M1, No. 26, p. 66.) "

            ​​​​On the first day of the May, militiamen accompanied by their wives reported to their captain, who granted them permission to plant a large fir tree at the top of which a wreath and a weather vane had been placed. The militiamen then fired a round of ammunition in honour of their captain, who responded by firing a salute of his own. Celebrations continued as it offered the captain a drink. He would reciprocate by entertaining the militiamen at his home, serving them copious amounts of food. He also served strong drink, and after each glassful, several of the men would shoot the target atop the maypole. They encouraged even wives to take shots, after which a dance would ensue.

            ​​Intertwining military traditions of New France with religion and folklore, the authorities, while of some annoyance to the community, created a mutual respect for one another and the Militia Captain served as a buffer between the two. ​​

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