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Claim

Detail of the handwritten list of the losses sustained by the family of André Leroux dit Cardinal. Each item on the list is accompanied by a monetary value. The page has yellowed, and the handwriting is old-fashioned.

“État détaillé des pertes de Sieur André Leroux Cardinal, causées par l'incendie de la Maison du Parlement à Montréal, le 25 avril 1849” (detail), City of Montréal, CA M001 VM001-01-2-011-D001, p.21-24.

After the Parliament fire, André Leroux dit Cardinal lost all his belongings, prompting him to press the authorities for compensation. This list, uncovered in the archives after the archaeological excavations, confirms that his apartment was indeed located on this site.

Personal Effects

Handwritten list of the losses sustained by the family of André Leroux dit Cardinal. Each item on the list is accompanied by a monetary value. The page is yellowed, and the handwriting is old. The document is dated April 1849.

“État détaillé des pertes de Sieur André Leroux Cardinal, causées par l'incendie de la Maison du Parlement à Montréal, le 25 avril 1849”, City of Montréal, CA M001 VM001-01-2-011-D001, p.21-24.

The list is remarkably precise: the household’s belongings are itemized room by room. It even includes the holy water font mentioned earlier, in the bedroom. Total losses came to 323 pounds—more than twice Cardinal’s annual salary, a considerable sum.

A Matter of Quality

A set of fine Japanese-style faience tableware, visibly damaged by fire. The set includes a sauceboat, a soup tureen, a plate and a salad bowl.

René Bouchard, Pointe-à-Callière, City of Montréal archaeological collection.

Cardinal mentioned two sets of tableware, without describing them. Strangely, he asked for a much higher sum for the breakfast service than for the dinner service, without explaining why. The dinner service uncovered by archaeologists is made of fine earthenware, decorated with a printed pattern known as “Japanese.”

Different values

Fine porcelain artefacts, damaged by fire. A set consisting of a cup and an egg cup, each with its own saucer.

René Bouchard, Pointe-à-Callière, City of Montréal archaeological collection.

The breakfast service is made of fine Bone China porcelain. More expensive than fine earthenware, this porcelain accounts for the higher value estimated in Cardinal’s list.

Egg Cup

Guy Lessard, Pointe-à-Callière.

Show Transcript

The video opens with a 360-degree view of a 3D model of a black porcelain egg cup, rotating on itself. It stops after 10 seconds, offering a complete view of the reconstructed egg cup.