He was born in Quebec City in 1750, the son of Jacques Perrault and grandson of Pierre Boucher de Boucherville. He entered his father"s business and continued in business after his father died in 1775. Like his father, Perrault later referred to himself as Perrault l"aîné.
Like other businesspeople of the time, he lobbied for a representative assembly for the province. Perrault was a captain in the local militia and a justice of the peace. With the aim of developing his seigneury, he purchased property which include a sawmill, barley mill and blacksmith"s stop.
He built a wharf and set up a sugar bush.
He was named colonel in the local militia. Perrault was elected to represent Cornwallis in the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada in 1804.
He was named to the Legislative Council in 1812. He was found dead in his bath at Rivière-Ouelle in 1812 after having been ill for several days.
While in the assembly, he supported legislation that banned judges from being members of the legislative assembly.
