The Pioneer years in Ontario were full of hardship, suffering and uncertainty. Yet the Cloutiers managed to grow, spread and prosper throughout the Generations. Jean Francois had brought his young family into an area where there were few
French speaking people and even fewer catholics. Yet it is clear the family fit into their new surroundings well. While one of the daughters, Josette married a Lachapelle, more anglicized names such as Tucker, Perkins, and Koster, suggest that their other daughters married non
French speaking persons. Indeed the name Cloutier, soon became Clutchey, and in one case Clutchy. Jean Francois himself was a skilled 'cooper' (barrel maker), and his skills were much in demand. One son, John, remained single, another, Israel, married twice, and eventually was killed by lightning near Udora, Ontario. (The lightning had nothing to do with his wives or vice versa)
was the fifth child and second son of Jean Francois Cloutier and Charlotte Salois. Unable to provide for his young family in the Borelia, Port Perry area he decided to move to Brechin Ontario. The family loaded its possessions and children onto a wagon pulled by oxen and made the arduous journey over trails to their new home on the shores of Lake Simcoe. The move may have been questionable, for the land on which they settled was not so fertile being on glacial till, and proved difficult to farm over the years.
Joseph and his wife 
, were the parents of 14 children, ten of whom survived. They were as follows: Joseph II, Francis, Peter, Sarah, Fred, Gertrude, Israel (d,), James, Rosella, Charlotte (d.)
Thomas (d.), David, Louis, Stafford (d). ( 'd' = died as infants or young children )
The descendants of Jean Francois Cloutier and Charlotte Salois are the center piece of the book 'Families in Transition' researched and written by Catherine Seemann
and David Clutchey Jr., the writer of this Web Page. The family history of each of the children of Jean Francois and Charlotte is traced as accurately as possible with a second edition of this 412 page book published in September 1996. Anyone who feels he or she might have some connection with the family would receive a welcome response if the person would be kind enough to "send mail" through our Home Page Email address. We welcome responses from any Cloutier, Clutchey or member of an Allied family.
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