(90.) 1. Amable OUELLETTE was born 15 March 1807, and baptized the same day in St-Roch-des-Aulnaies, Quebec. ⁽¹⁾ (Thanks to Dennis Prue and Allen Voisine for discovering this fact and Amable's parents. For the details of this search see the page on Solving the mystery of Amable Ouellette's parentage). His godparents were Louis Lebel (a cousin) and his sister Louise.

Marriage record of Amable Ouellet and Esther Gardner. Click for enlarged view. From Institut Drouin Collection. Thanks to Dennis Prue for locating this record!

He was married to Esther GARDNER (daughter of David GARDNER and Elizabeth FORRESTER) on 24 Jun 1835 in Quebec by a minister of the Chalmer's Presbyterian Church. They are described as from the parish of River du Loup. Given that Esther's family were members of the Church of Scotland (according to the 1831 census of Rivière-du-Loup), and that she did not renounce that faith until 1858 (see below) it is not surprising they were married in that church. It is likely that they were married in Cacouna or Rivière du Loup, and that the minister had come to one of those places to conduct the wedding, though it is possible that they went to Quebec. Unfortunately this record, like Protestant records in general, did not mention the names of the parents of either bride or groom. Witnesses to the marriage were Joseph and Margaret Tinkler; Joseph Tinkler had also been a witness at the marriage of Esther's sister Christine at St.Andrew's Church in Quebec in 1830. [Joseph Tinkler married Margaret Smith in 1820; in the text of their marriage bond, Margaret is described as "of the parish of River du Loup", so it is likely she knew the Gardner family.]

(91.) Esther GARDNER was born on 14 Jun 1814 in Cacouna, Québec, and was baptized the following day at St. George church. In the baptismal record, her father is described as "soldier in the 10th battalion of veterans established at the portage of Lake Temiscouata" ("soldat au dixième bataillon des veterans, etablis dans le portage du lac Themisquata"). (1850 census gives age as 36 ⁽⁵⁾, but 1860 census gives age as 40.) Her godparents were Eloi Hion (who signed his name in the register) and Judith Nadeau.

Sometime between 1843 and 1845 Amable, Esther, and their children moved from Quebec to Maine. (The 1850 Census notes that son David was born in Canada about 1843, while son George was born in Maine about 1845.) In 1850 they were settled in Township 17, Range 9. By the time of the 1860 census, however, they had moved up the St.John River to the Castonia Settlement, in Twp.16, R.12, to the area that is now known as the Ouellette Farm (named after Amable).

They appeared on the 1850 US census in Township 17, Range 9, Aroostook, Maine, as Amat Willet, age 40, farmer, real estate valued at $500, unable to read or write, and Esther Willet, age 36, able to read and write, born in Canada, with children Christie, 10, David, 7, George, 5, Elizabeth, 3, and Josephine, 1 month (supposedly data as of 1 Jun).⁽²⁾

On 19 Mar 1858 Esther renounced the Protestant faith and professed the Roman Catholic faith. Her act of abjuration or renunciation noted that this took place at the Church of St.François-Xavier during the Lenten season:

Gravestone of Amable Ouellette in St François, NB:
Thanks to Jeanette Voisine for this photo!

Amable and Esther appeared on the 1860 US census in Township 16, Range 12, the Castonia Settlement, on the Upper St.John River near Ouellette Brook, Aroostook, Maine, as Amabe Ouillette, age 45, farmer, real estate value $800, personal estate value $750, and Esther Ouillett, age 40, born in Canada, with children Christine, 21, David, 17 (both born in Canada), George, 16, Elisabeth, 11, and Josephine, 8, Emeline, 6, and Raphael, 3 (all born in Maine). ⁽³⁾

They appeared on the 1870 US census on "the upper St. John above St. Francis", Maine, as Amable Ouillette, age 50, farmer, born in Canada, real estate worth $890, and Ester Ouillette, age 47, born in Canada, with children Ralph (14) and Emeline (16).

They appeared in the 1880 US census in Township 17, Range 11, as Amab Owlette, 61, born in Canada, and Christie Ouwlette, 60, born in Canada, with son Raphael (24).

From some time in the 1850s the family was living in Township 16, Range 12, along the upper St.John River above the confluence with the Allagash, at Ouellette Brook. This is just a mile or so from the Castonia Settlement (at the Chimenticook Stream).  (More information on the Castonia Settlement.)

Amable OUELLETTE die on 2 Apr 1883, and is buried in a small cemetery in St François, New Brunswick. The gravestone reads: "Amable Ouellette, husband of Esther Garner, died 2 April 1883".

Amable OUELLETTE and Esther GARDNER had the following children:

2 i. Marie OUELLETTE was born on 13 May 1836. She was baptized on 15 May 1836 in St-Patrice, Rivière-du-Loup, Québec. Described as born "from the legitimate marriage of Pierre Ouellet, day laborer, and of Esther Gardner of this parish" (du legitime mariage de Pierre Ouellet, journalier, et de Esther Garner de cette paroisse). Her godparents were Pierre Dubé and Marie Anne Lemieux.
3 ii. Elisabeth OUELLETTE was born in Jul 1837. She died on 27 Jan 1839. She was buried on 28 Jan 1839 in St-Patrice, Rivière-du-Loup, Québec. She was described as "fille légitime d'Amable Ouellet, journalier de cette paroisse et d'Ester Gardner." (legitimate daughter of Amable Ouellet, day laborer of this parish, and Esther Gardner) She died at the age of 18 months. Present at the burial were Jean Baptiste Fraser and Isaac Fraser.
+4 iii. Marie Desneiges OUELLETTE.
(45.) +5 iv. Christine OUELLETTE.
6 v. David OUELLETTE was born on 4 Sep 1842 in Rivière du Loup, Lower Canada (Québec), and baptized the same day in St-Patrice church in Rivière du Loup [source: Roy, Naissances de St.Patrice de Rivière du Loup, p.462]. His godparents were Jean Alexis Ouellet (Amable's first cousin) and Marie Zélie Dubé. He appeared on the 1850 US census in Township 17, Range 9, Aroostook, Maine as David Willett, age 7, born in Canada, living in his parents' household (Amat and Esther). ⁽¹¹⁾ He appeared in the 1860 US census in Township 12, Range 16, Aroostook, Maine as David Ouillett, age 17, born in Canada, living in household of his parents (Amable and Esther).⁽¹²⁾
7 vi. George OUELLETTE was born about April 1845 in Maine. He was baptized on 27 Sep 1845 at Ste-Luce church (the baptismal record notes he was born "five months ago") [source: Ste Luce parish register]. His godparents were George Duplessis and Christine. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Township 17, Range 9, Aroostook, Maine as George Willett, age 5, born in Maine, living in his parents' household (Amat and Esther).⁽¹⁵⁾ He appeared on the census in 1860 in Township 12, Range 16, Aroostook, Maine as George Ouillett, age 16, born in Maine, living in parents' household (Amable and Esther). ⁽¹⁶⁾
8 vii. Elizabeth (Léa) OUELLETTE was born about July 1847. She was baptized on 23 Mar 1848 at Ste-Luce church (her baptismal record notes she was born "eight months ago"). Her godparents were François Michaud and Léa Albert. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Township 17, Range 9, Aroostook, Maine as Elizabeth Willett, age 3, born in Maine, living in her parents' household (Amat and Esther).⁽¹⁸⁾ She appeared on the census in 1860 in Township 12, Range 16, Aroostook, Maine as Elisabeth Ouillett, age 11, living in parents' household (Amable and Esther).⁽¹⁹⁾
9 viii. Josephine OUELLETTE was born on 7 Jun 1850, and was baptized on 29 Dec 1850 at Ste-Luce church. Her godparents were Bénoni Pelletier and Eléonore Daigle.  She appeared on the 1850 US census in Township 17, Range 9, Aroostook, Maine as Josephine Willett, age 1 month (data supposedly as of June 1; census enumeration undertaken Sept. 31), born in Maine, living in household of her parents (Amat and Esther).⁽²⁰⁾ She appeared on the census in 1860 in Township 12, Range 16, Aroostook, Maine as Josephine Ouillett, age 8, born in Maine, living in her parents' household (Amable and Esther). ⁽²²⁾
+10 ix. Emeline (Olympe) OUELLETTE.
+11 x. Raphael (Ralph) OUELLETTE.

 

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Last revised 16 Sep 2016