Marie Barbe Bajolet was born on May 22, 1608, in the charming town of Troyes, Aube, France. She entered a world marked by the reigns of Louis XIII and the burgeoning influence of Louis XIV—a period when royal power in France was at its zenith, and French culture began to spread across Europe. However, the religious turmoil of the 30 Years War, with its conflict between Catholics and Protestants, cast a shadow over the continent.

Marie Barbe was the daughter of Antoine Bajolet ou Bayole and Jeanne Baudinet, and she had a brother named Nicolas Bayols. Little did she know that her life would be a remarkable journey spanning three marriages, motherhood, and pioneering efforts in the New World.

In 1632, at the age of 24, Marie Barbe embarked on a life-changing adventure when she married Major Isaac Petitpas sieur de Pesselet in Piney, Aube, Champagne-Ardenne, France. Their union marked the beginning of a family that would leave an indelible mark on the history of Acadia.

Isaac’s military service led the family to La Rochelle, Aunis, France, a bustling port city that played a vital role in the French colonial expansion. It was a time of exploration and discovery, but also of challenges as France and other European powers competed for dominance in the New World.

Subsequently, the Petitpas family journeyed across the Atlantic to Port-Royal, Acadia, New France. Here, they faced the harsh realities of colonial life, including the rigors of the Canadian wilderness and the constant threat of conflict with neighboring British settlements. Marie Barbe, along with Isaac, was among the pioneers who laid the foundations of Acadia, becoming one of its founding mothers.

Marie Barbe’s life was a testament to resilience and adaptability. After Isaac’s passing in 1645, she went on to marry twice more. Her second marriage was to Martin Lefebvre de Montespy in La Rochelle, Aunis, France, in 1647. Later, she wed Savinien de Courpon in La Rochelle in 1654.

Throughout her long life, Marie Barbe nurtured a growing family that included children from her marriage to Isaac Petitpas and her subsequent unions. Her legacy extended through her children, including Etienne, Marguerite, Pierette, Jeanne, Charlotte, Henriette, Gilles, Marie Pinulet-Pesseley, Claude Petitpas Sr., Marie Pinulet Pitre, Marie-Anne Lefèbvre, and Louise Lefèbvre.

Marie Barbe Bajolet’s journey through life was a testament to the resilience and fortitude of women in colonial Acadia. She witnessed the birth and growth of a new world, enduring hardships, and contributing to the foundation of a vibrant French-speaking community. Her life, which spanned 75 years, was a chapter in the rich history of Acadia, and her memory lives on in the Garrison Graveyard of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she rests alongside her beloved husband Isaac and their descendants. Marie Barbe Bajolet, with her pioneering spirit and unwavering determination, remains one of the enduring figures of Acadia’s heritage.