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Michel Rodrigue (1710 - 1777)
Merchant
Michel Rodrigue was an important asset to the sea trade of New France. He often sailed up the Saint Lawrence with French and West Indian goods ready for trade with Canada for their many grains, flour, and dried vegetables which Louisbourg was very reliant upon. As his business began to grow he hired captains to haul his freight around the Atlantic instead of doing it personally.
Rodrigue married Marguerite Lartigue in 1738, daughter of the judge Joseph Lartigue. Together they had five children. He lived in his home, rented from neighbour Michel de Gannes, with his wife and five children, his two brothers and two domestics.
Rodrigue commanded a militia company during the 1745 siege of Louisbourg. After the first deportation of the French inhabitants he moved his business to France with his brothers looking after the Louisbourg trade.