Joseph Montferrand 1802-1864
Text from the plaque
Born in the Saint Laurent district of Montreal, Montferrand (Jos) acquired a reputation as a strongman with extraordinary fighting and boxing abilities. He worked briefly in the fur trade but spent most of his life in the lumber industry along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa River valleys. Associated with Ottawa Valley labour disputes involving French Canadians and rival Irish workers, Montferrand fought in what became known as the Shiners' Wars. Legend has it that, in 1829, he single-handedly fought 150 Irish workers (or Shiners) on the Chaudière Bridge that connected Bytown (now Ottawa) and Hull (now Gatineau). Tales of his feats were widely circulated in the oral tradition and have passed into literature and song. Joseph Montferrand is symbolically important to French-Canadians. The legends of Montferrand have persisted into this century and have become interwoven into French-Canadian cultural folklore.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The City of Ottawa
On the Ontario side of the Chaudière bridge
Also recorded for this place: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/41759253
(unknown)
More information
Where it stands
Visitors' notes
May 11, 2013
My orchestra performed a concert at St. Brigid's church a couple weeks ago and I saw the plaque just sitting there on the right side of the stage! I don't know what it was doing there, but it doesn't look like it's going to be moved anywhere soon! Stuart
November 25, 2011
The plaque honouring Joseph Montferrand will not be located at the corner of St. Patrick and Cumberland streets in Ottawa, Ontario. This is simply the location of its unveiling (St. Brigid's Church in 2009). It is supposed to be installed on the Ontario side of the Chaudière bridge, though I have not seen it yet - maybe due to the many years of construction and repairs (via Public Works Canada) which are still ongoing?
November 24, 2011
To:. Jos was six feet, four inches tall. -- see book written by Benjamin Sulte (1899). Montferrand died at his home on Oct. 4th, 1864 (no 212, rue Sanguinet, Montreal). for a cool sculpture of Jos, seehttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/41759253. There is a park named after him: Parc Jos-Montferrand is a park in the region of Quebec, the country of Canada.
October 14, 2011
150 shiners..lol I can't imagine that...he's my roomies (from Montreal) hero!
March 31, 2011
hi I was wondering if anyone knew how tall he was and his weight thanks
November 11, 2009
He is buried in Notre Dame Neiges Montreal.
April 8, 2009
I wonder if anyone would know where Joseph Montferrand 1802-1864 is buried? Sincerely Beca Lehr
March 31, 2011
hi i was wondering id you knew how tall he was and his weight thanks
November 11, 2009
He is buried in Notre Dame Neiges Montreal
April 8, 2009
I wonder if you would know where Joseph Montferrand 1802-1864 is buried? Sincerely Beca Lehr