Jeanne Testard was a “Fille a Marier,” or “daughter to marry.”  There were roughly 270 “filles a marier” sent over from France between 1634 and 1662 to “New France,” or French Canada, to become wives to the employees of the French trading companies who sponsored their passage aboard ship.  In addition, between 1663 and 1673 King Louis XIV of France sent between 700 and 900 (accounts vary) women to “New France” for the purpose of marriage to French soldiers in the hope that they would then stay in New France after their enlistments expired and establish settlements.  At the time the entire European population of New France was only about 2500, and to hold France’s claim to the territory it was considered vital to establish settlements between the Iroquois to the north and west and the English colonists to the south and east.    The difference between filles a marier and filles du roi was who sponsored their passage aboard ships from France to New France.  From 1634-1662 the trade companies in France paid the passage of the filles a marier.  From 1663-1673 King Louis XIV paid their passage.  Each fille du roi was given a modest dowry to bring with her to New France in addition to having her ship passage paid.