The Samson Early History
| The ancestral home of the Samsons of Quebec and Nova Scotia is St. Gatien-des-Bois, France, located about 150 miles north west of Paris, in the region of Normandy. St. Gatien, in the 17th century was a small village of less than 500 people with about twenty to thirty Samson families residing in the area.The Samson name in Normandy has been traced back to a monk who evangelized the region in the 5th century, built two monasteries, and was later made a saint. Samsons, therefore, were already in northern France when the Normands, or Norse men, invaded the area from Norway and established their Viking settlements. |
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The village today has retained much of its medieval charm, with half timbered buildings and forested areas. St. Gatien is about a 15 minute drive from Deauville on the shores of the English Channel, and almost as close to the port of Honfleur. The name Gatien or Grathien was the name of the Bishop of Tours. Today, there are no Samson families in the vicinity of St. Gatien, although the Samson surname is still fairly common in other parts of Normandy. |
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The earliest Samson ancestor of record was Toussaint Samson, born in the early 17th century, and possibly the son of Paul Samson and his wife Guillette Le Cardier. Paul was born around 1585, married to Guillette around 1609, and was buried at St. Gatien on May 24, 1642. The relationship of Paul as Toussaint's father, however, has not been confirmed, and thus Toussaint may have been the son of another Samson of St. Gatien. In any case, On November 30, 1641, Toussaint Samson married Catherine Le Chevalier in the St. Gatien parish church. Catherine was most likely the daughter of Jean (Jehan) Le Chevalier and Isabeau Hebert, as she was the only person by that name in the area. She was baptized on August 19, 1607, named by Catherine, wife of Jehan Hebert. |
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Within two years, the couple would have their first son. His baptism in the church records reads: "Un fils pour Toussaint Samson fut baptise et nomme Gabriel par Gabriel Samson, fils de Paul et Suzanne Perrone, femme de Paul Samson, Sr. des Aulnes le 28 aout 1643". (translation: A son for Toussaint Samson was baptized and named Gabriel by Gabriel Samson, son of Paul and Suzanne Perrone, wife of Paul Samson, Sr. of Aulnes, on August 28, 1643).Their second child, Jacques, was born four years later in 1647. There are no records of other children. |
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After eighteen years of marriage, Toussaint Samson died, and was buried in St. Gatien on May 19, 1659. Three years later, his widow Catherine died and was buried on March 5, 1662. These dates are also recorded in the church records as follows: "Toussaint Samson fut inhume dans l'eglise, la charite presente, le 19 may 1649...Catherine Le Chevalier veuve de Toussaint Samson fut inhume dans l'eglise, la charite presente, le 5 mars 1662". |
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The young Samson brothers, now orphans, must have decided to leave France, and at 22 and 18 years old, left Normandy in 1665 destined for the New World. In January of 1997, a plaque commemorating the Samson brothers was erected in the original church of St. Gatien-des-Bois. |
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Written by Charles Samson, December 1997. Source: "Familles Samson, Tricentenaire au Canada", July 23, 1967; Roger and Marcel Samson. |
Descendants Of Touissaint Samson
Photos of St Gatien-des-Bois, France
Map of Surrounding area of St. Gatien-des-Bois