BAUDEAU (Boudeau), PIERRE, surgeon-major; b. 1643; arrived in New France in 1692 (according to a note by Frontenac [Buade*], whose correspondence tells the circumstances of Bandeau’s appointment); buried in Montreal in 1708.

In 1692 Michel Sarrazin, one of the most famous Canadian doctors and naturalists, decided to enter the Jesuit order. Frontenac relates that he was obliged to replace the practitioner by a person “who arrived here before the said Sieur Sarrazin left to go to France, and who [Baudeau] is a very skilful man, expert in his profession, loved and esteemed by everybody here, and who has served for a long time in the land and naval forces.” Subsequently Sarrazin changed his mind and studied medicine in Paris. Frontenac requested the minister to continue to give Sarrazin his support, “but I ask you above all,” he went on, “to withdraw nothing of what is due to the Sieur Baudeau, surgeon-major, a man who must at all costs be retained.”

From 4 Oct. to 7 Nov. 1693 and from 22 Feb. to 31 March 1695, Baudeau served at the Hôtel-Dieu of Quebec, as he did from 22 Aug. to 30 Oct. 1708; he was assigned to the women’s ward there.

In 1705, Baudeau was performing his duties at Montreal; he had occasion to examine a soldier of M. de Ramezay, Jean Du Tartre (de Tard), dit La Verdure, who had received a sword wound during a brawl that involved the brothers Étienne* and Jacques-Urbain Rocbert de La Morandière and some soldiers of the garrison. Baudeau was buried 4 Nov. 1708 at Notre-Dame de Montréal.

Hervé Biron