Eel Fishing Nets on the Isle of Orleans
View of Sorel along the Richelieu River. Painting by
Philip John Bainbrigge, 1839
Settlements in the Montreal Region
The Ville-Marie settlement, on the southeast side of the Island of Montreal, was founded in 1642 by missionaries. Its location meant that it would become the economic hub of New France’s lucrative fur trade. However, settlements were slow in becoming established because of ongoing Iroquois raids.
The earliest arrivals were mainly skilled workers and labourers who settled in Ville-Marie. Growing numbers arrived from France and by 1692 settlements had sprouted on the Island of Montreal and Ile Jésus as well as along the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence. And tiny pockets of settlement were also appearing along the Richelieu River.
To strengthen the region’s security, disbanded officers and soldiers from the Carignan-Salières Regiment were encouraged to settle along the shores of the Richelieu River as well as along the south shore of the St. Lawrence from the Richelieu to Montreal.
By 1760 both the north and south shores were continuously settled. The Island of Montreal and Ile Jésus were very well populated as were the shores of the Richelieu and Assomption Rivers. By this time, three substantial villages had formed on and near the Island of Montreal.
