Jean Bochart de Champigny

Jean Bochart de Champigny, Sieur de Noroy et de Verneuil (; 1643–September 27, 1720), was Intendant of New France from 1686 to 1702. His mandate was one of the longest, rivalling those of Hocquart and Bégon. He served as intendant during the terms of Governors Denonville, Frontenac, and Callière, and was in office at the time of King William's War, the Lachine Massacre, the Battle of Quebec, and the Great Peace of Montreal.

Early life

Jean Bochart de Champigny was born in 1643 in France, the son of Jean Bochart de Champigny (Intendant of Rouen) and Marie Boivin. Little is known about his life before his appointment as intendant, however, it is likely that he was educated at a Jesuit college, studied law, and had held a number of minor administrative posts in France. He married Marie-Madeleine de Chaspoux, Dame de Verneuil et Du Plessis-Savari.

Intendant of New France

Champigny was appointed as Intendant of New France by Louis XIV on April 24, 1686. He embarked from La Rochelle with his pregnant wife and two of his sons on July 22. He took with him a bronze copy of the Bust of Louis XIV by Gian Lorenzo Bernini which he installed in the market square of the lower town of Quebec, site of present-day Place Royale, so that the inhabitants of New France would know what their sovereign looked like.

Jacques-René de Brisay, Marquis de Denonville, Governor General of New France, was pleased that Champigny had been chosen for the position. Champigny's predecessor, Jacques de Meulles, had frequently quarrelled with Denonville as well as with the previous governor Antoine Lefèbvre de La Barre.

Champigny helped Devonville organize the 1687 military campaign against the Seneca. The Seneca threatened the French hold on the Pays d'en Haut and in recent years had become extremely aggressive.

During King William's War, Champigny was critical of Frontenac's leadership. He strongly disagreed with Frontenac's decision to rebuild Fort Frontenac which Denonville had ordered destroyed in 1689. Champigny considered the fort "useless" and believed that maintaining a garrison there was a waste of resources. Frontenac was reluctant to invade Iroquois territory, but under pressure from Champigny and the minister he launched an invasion of Onondaga and Oneida territory in the summer of 1696.

Return to France and Death

In May 1701, Champigny was appointed by the king to the post of intendant at Le Havre. He returned to France with his wife the following year. While at Le Havre he served for several years as an adviser on colonial affairs to the minister.

Jean Bochart de Champigny died on September 27, 1720, aged 77, and was buried the next day at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Le Havre.