Of noble French birth, de Roybon was the first European woman to own land in what is now Ontario. She came to Fort Frontenac (Kingston), probably in 1679, where she acquired property from René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle, governor and seigneur of the fort. In 1681 she loaned him money to finance his explorations, and about this time he granted her a seigneury extending westward from Toneguignon (Collins Bay). On this land she built a house, outbuildings and a trading post, grew crops and raised cattle. Marauding Iroquois, angry at the French for their campaign against the Senecas in 1686, destroyed de Roybon's establishment in August 1687 and took her prisoner. Released the following year, she lived in Montreal until her death.

Location

On her former land holding, Highway 33, east of the floating bridge at Parrott Bay - just west of Amherstview

Themes

• Communities
• Franco-Ontarian heritage
• Industry and trade
• People
• Women's history