He was born at La Rochelle, France. He was a privateer and a Naval Captain. Gargot began his career as a soldier at the age of thirteen. He served his country in many battles and in 1645, at the seige of Le Motle in Lorraine, the loss of his leg led to the nick-name "Peg-Leg". In 1648 he was promoted to ship's captain. In 1650 and 1651 Gargot was active in the waters off Placentia as a Privateer attacking Spanish fishing vessels. In 1651 his crew mutinied, took Gargot prisoner and later delivered him to Spanish authorities. He was imprisoned in Spain but freed and returned to France where he was admitted to the Order de Saint Michel. In 1660 King Louis granted Gargot a fief at Plaisance (Placentia) which included a grant of land twenty-six leagues (about 125 km) in depth on the South Shore of Newfoundland. The King also appointed Gargot the first Governor with the title "Count of Placentia". Gargot received no salary from the French Government but his commissions allowed him to rent property and collect fines from individuals who broke the laws. Gargot's commissions also allowed him to construct forts and found colonies wherever it might be of benefit to the French. When the English trespassed on his land Gargot headed a naval expediton and seized the settlements of Grand and Little Placentia and Little Paradise. King Louis, however later forbade Gargot to harass the British in any way while they were fishing off Newfoundland's coast. Gargot made several trips across the Atlantic and several times sailed to Quebec. It was in Quebec that he tried and hanged the murderers of Thalour De Perron, Gargot's appointed commander and Lieutentant-Governor of Placentia Fort. Leaving Bellot Lafontain to act as governor, Gargot returned to France where he died in December 1664.