THE SEIGNEURIAL SYSTEM Landholding system in New France

 In New France, the population is divided in two groups: 20 percent are farmers; the other 80 percent are administrators,merchants, members of religious communities, soldiers, craftsmen and voyageurs.

 The occupation of the colony rests entirely on the Seigneur which is responsible for integrating the engage into the colony, its climate, lifestyle and work. Finally and above all the Seigneurial system operates to ensure the equitable distribution of the land.

 At the termination of their contract hired labourers wishing to settle down are given a parcel of land- called censive- which is free.  Its dimensions are usually 3 arpents at the front by 30 arpents deep (180 m by 1800 m). In the time when most of the land granted was situated along the St. Lawrence River,  the word frontage meant the part along that river. Elsewhere, it defines land facing hills, rises, roads and other rivers.

 Certain conditions- that must be respected, otherwise the land may be forfeited are listed on the land deed. The settler must have hearth and home, which means, build a house, live in it and, clear the land at a rate of two arpents per year. Once he has become a censitaire, the habitant must pay his rights in cash- the cens (rent), annuity, lots and sales, the commons (resources that are shared amongst the habitants)- or in kind- corvees (unpaid labour), fishing fees, and milling fees.

 When parishes are set up, the settler must also pay the tithe to help support the parish priest and maintain the parish church. In 1680, tithing is set at one thirteenth of the crop and the habitants find this excessive. At the beginning of the XVIIIth century, this percentage is reduced to one twenty- sixth of the crop.