[MCLACHLAN] FIRST RECORDED AUCTION AT MONTREAL 121 
As there is no mention of regular furniture or real estate in this 
sale it may be surmised that Léonard Lucault neither owned a house 
nor held one under lease, but lived at the “Chateau” or in barracks, 
along with a number of other citizen soldiers, and used with them in 
common, the dining table, benches, and other necessary furniture. 
And it is also shewn that, from the fact that he owned his bedding and 
cooking utensils, few and primitive as they appear, that each family 
did its own cooking. 
From the agricultural implements enumerated, the stock of grain 
on hand and the fair nucleus of a herd of cattle, which constituted 
more than half of the whole value of the estate, it may be safely asserted 
that, although he had as yet secured no regular concession, he was 
allotted a portion of the “Corn lands that is of public right,” which he 
_ tilled as opportunity offered or the incessant attacks of the Iroquois 
permitted. As he owned no large agricultural implements, it is probable 
he hired them from better equipped neighbours or more likely still was 
accorded the use of those provided by the Society of Ville Marie de 
Montreal. 
From the fact that he owned five saws, ten axes and a few other 
tools there is presumption that he carried on a lumber business in a 
small way, cutting down trees and with the aid of an assistant or partner 
sawing them by hand into boards and beams. 
The hundred board nails, with a set of strap hinges and two door 
bolts, go to show that he contemplated building as soon as he should 
secure his concession from the Seigneurs. He evidently employed 
his spare time in making nails, having accumulated a supply of scrap 
iron for the purpose. 
The details of the clothing are interesting as giving an idea how 
these early colonists were prepared to meet the rigours of a Canadian 
winter. It may be possible to picture up Leonard Lucault as farmer, 
lumberman and warrior with his tapabor or hunting cap drawn over 
his ears; his doublet thrown over his short jacket, a pair of breeches 
and long stockings with souliers de boeuf to make up the balance of 
his outfit. 
Then there should be added a brace of pistols in his belt, an arque- 
buse or a gun over his shoulder and an axe in his hand. 
Thus this old document has served, after 260 years, to afford a 
glimpse of life in Montreal, when it was first founded, a view of these 
strenuous times and when the Iroquois kept the whole community 
under arms and on the alert to prevent absolute extermination. 
