Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil was a French politician, who was Governor-General of New France from 1703 to 1725, throughout Queen Anne"s War and Father Rale"s War.
Background
He was the second son of Jean-Louis de Rigaud (d1659), Baron de Vaudreuil. Seigneur d"Auriac and de Cabanial, by his wife Marie de Château-Verdun, daughter of Francois, Seigneur de la Razairie. He married a daughter of Pierre de Joybert de Soulanges et de Marson, by his wife Marie-Françoise, daughter of Louis-Théandre Chartier de Lotbinière.
Career
Born at the Castle of Vaudreuil, near Castelnaudary, France. As Chevalier de Vaudreuil, he was sent to command French forces in New France before being appointed Governor of Montreal in 1702, and then Governor-General of New France in 1703. He died at Quebec City.
They lived at Château Vaudreuil, which was built in 1723 by Chaussegros de Léry, but was eventually destroyed by a fire in 1803.
Their son, Pierre François de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, served as the last French Governor-General of Canada before the British Conquest of New France from 1755 to 1760 during the French and Indian War. Château Vaudreuil was constructed in 1723 as his private residence in Montreal.
A Squadron of cadets at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean was named in his honour. Vaudreuil is mentioned in a Fort Saint-Jean plaque erected in 1926 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean.
"Constructed in 1743 by M. de Léry under orders from Governor la Galissonnière.
This post was for all the military expeditions towards Lake Champlain. In August 31, 1760, Commandant de Roquemaure had it blown up in accordance with orders from the Governor de Vaudreuil in order to prevent its falling into the hands of the English. Rebuilt by Governor Carleton, in 1773.
During the same year, under the command of Major Charles Preston of the 26th Regiment, it withstood a 45 day siege by the American troops commanded by General Montgomery.".