Arnaud Bessière

Arnaud Bessière. ‘La Domesticité Dans La Colonie Laurentienne Au XVII Siècle Et Au Début Du XVIII Siècle, 1640-1710’Université Paris IV – Sorbonne École Doctorale 2: Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine et Université du Québec à Montréal.

This thesis examines servants in Canada from 1640 to 1710. Recruited in France or in the colony, this generally masculine labour force worked mostly for peasant landowners and religious communities. Its function was primarily related to agricultural tasks: clearing land, cultivating crops and tending livestock. Other work, such as caring for the sick and housekeeping, might also be included among the duties servants performed for religious communities and better off urban employers. Over the period, the composition of this labour force changed: indentured workers increasingly came from the colony itself and entered service at a younger age. This trend helped to offset the decline in the number of migrants to Canada, many of whom were servants. In addition to analyzing hiring practices, this thesis addresses the relations between masters and servants and examines the social fortunes of the latter group in the colony.

Other laureates since 1996