GAMELIN, IGNACE, Montreal merchant (usually confused with his second son of the same name); b. in 1663, probably in the Trois-Rivières area, the eldest son of Michel Gamelain* and Marguerite Crevier; d. at the age of 76 in Montreal and buried on 9 Jan. 1739.

Ignace Gamelin married Marguerite Lemoine, the daughter of Jean Lemoine and Madeleine de Chavigny de Berchereau, on 10 Nov. 1693, in Batiscan parish. They appear to have had nine children, most of whom died before their father. The eldest son, Jacques-Alexis (bap. 14 June 1697 and buried in 1730), and the second child, Ignace* (bap. 10 Dec. 1698), were born when the Gamelin family was still in the environment of Batiscan. They were domiciled in Montreal by 1702, but probably lived in rented quarters. Gamelin is not listed as a house-owner in the census of 1731. It was not until 1732 that his son Ignace began building his own house.

Evidence Is lacking to distinguish Gamelin clearly from his son of the same name, who played an important rôle in the commercial life of the colony. It would be natural to presume that since his son did not reach his majority until 1723, documents signed “Ignace Gamelin” before that date should concern the father. However, a verification of the signatures indicates that the son entered contractual obligations before his majority. Moreover, it seems certain that it was the younger Gamelin who formed a partnership with Poulin de Francheville in 1732 for the development of the St Maurice Forges. Indeed, in a memorandum dated 1742, three years after his father’s death, he mentions his participation in the ironworks with Francheville.

Gamelin’s brother, Pierre, was the founder of the Gamelin, dit Châteauvieux, or Maugras line.

Cameron Nish