PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="js cssanimations">   <head>  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="1410A94B8EF57EB5E09DF8429A48077F" /> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, user-scalable=no" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform-api.sharethis.com/js/sharethis.js#property=65b0432b92c73d001906c92a&product=inline-share-buttons" async="async"></script>  <meta property="og:title" content="PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:type-check" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/2117?revision_id=35848" /> <meta property="og:image" content="http://www.biographi.ca/bioimages/s500.3708.jpg" /> <meta property="og:description" content="PICHON, THOMAS, known as Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel), colonial official, spy, and author; b.&nbsp;30&nbsp;March&nbsp;1700 at Vire (dept of Calvados), France, son of Jean Pichon, a minor merchant, and Marie Esnault; d.&nbsp;22&nbsp;Nov.&nbsp;1781 at Saint Helier, Jersey." /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Dictionary of Canadian Biography" /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@dcb_dbc" /> <meta property="twitter:creator" content="@dcb_dbc" /> <meta property="twitter:title" content="PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography" /> <meta property="twitter:description" content="PICHON, THOMAS, known as Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel), colonial official, spy, and author; b.&nbsp;30&nbsp;March&nbsp;1700 at Vire (dept of Calvados), France, son of Jean Pichon, a minor merchant, and Marie Esnault; d.&nbsp;22&nbsp;Nov.&nbsp;1781 at Saint Helier, Jersey." /> <meta property="twitter:image" content="http://www.biographi.ca/bioimages/s500.3708.jpg" /> <meta name="removed-author" content="DCB/DBC Staff, John Beadle Graphic Designer" />   <title>PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography</title>   <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@3.4.1/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" integrity="sha384-HSMxcRTRxnN+Bdg0JdbxYKrThecOKuH5zCYotlSAcp1+c8xmyTe9GYg1l9a69psu" crossorigin="anonymous">   <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://use.fontawesome.com/releases/v6.5.1/css/all.css"> <script src="https://kit.fontawesome.com/a5049f3fd8.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>     <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/OwlCarousel2/2.3.4/assets/owl.carousel.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/OwlCarousel2/2.3.4/assets/owl.theme.default.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lightgallery/1.6.12/css/lightgallery.min.css" integrity="sha512-UMUaaaRK/i2ihAzNyraiLZzT8feWBDY+lLnBnhA3+MEfQn4jaNJMGBad6nyklImf7d0Id6n/Jb0ynr7RCpyNPQ==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lightgallery/1.6.12/css/lg-transitions.min.css" integrity="sha512-TLkzsbRon8DBy6TwaafTGapb+90/t0ZsGes1jMyHKaImbAUSTaedyS8HbDQOZt3H+j1s4BFKUlWXcPBEJNtPgw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/share-this/1.3.1/share-this.min.css" integrity="sha512-D2vagE/4+QTyP2FukMZNoZxcO1Uqcd0SsnqczdOm+zu35XDsFDIroYXxDD0WrYbyPFKD1vUmhxaCC3kR8WBNZA==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" />    <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/css/plugin-shared.css?time=1729526930">   <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/css/shared-base.css?time=1729526930">  <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/css/base.css?time=1729526930">   <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/css/bio.css?time=1729526930">  <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/css/mod_boot_0_0_css_bio.css?id=1733971387" />    <style> .owl-dot { display: none; } </style> <style type="text/css">.fb_hidden{position:absolute;top:-10000px;z-index:10001}.fb_reposition{overflow:hidden;position:relative}.fb_invisible{display:none}.fb_reset{background:none;border:0;border-spacing:0;color:#000;cursor:auto;direction:ltr;font-family:"lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1;margin:0;overflow:visible;padding:0;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;visibility:visible;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal}.fb_reset>div{overflow:hidden}@keyframes fb_transform{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(.95)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}.fb_animate{animation:fb_transform .3s forwards} .fb_dialog{background:rgba(82, 82, 82, .7);position:absolute;top:-10000px;z-index:10001}.fb_dialog_advanced{border-radius:8px;padding:10px}.fb_dialog_content{background:#fff;color:#373737}.fb_dialog_close_icon{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;cursor:pointer;display:block;height:15px;position:absolute;right:18px;top:17px;width:15px}.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_icon{left:5px;right:auto;top:5px}.fb_dialog_padding{background-color:transparent;position:absolute;width:1px;z-index:-1}.fb_dialog_close_icon:hover{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 -15px transparent}.fb_dialog_close_icon:active{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 -30px transparent}.fb_dialog_iframe{line-height:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_title{background:#6d84b4;border:1px solid #365899;color:#fff;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;margin:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_title>span{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yd/r/Cou7n-nqK52.gif) no-repeat 5px 50%;float:left;padding:5px 0 7px 26px}body.fb_hidden{height:100%;left:0;margin:0;overflow:visible;position:absolute;top:-10000px;transform:none;width:100%}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/ya/r/3rhSv5V8j3o.gif) white no-repeat 50% 50%;min-height:100%;min-width:100%;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;top:0;z-index:10001}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered{background:none;height:auto;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;width:auto}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered #fb_dialog_loader_spinner{width:100%}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered .fb_dialog_content{background:none}.loading.centered #fb_dialog_loader_close{clear:both;color:#fff;display:block;font-size:18px;padding-top:20px}#fb-root #fb_dialog_ipad_overlay{background:rgba(0, 0, 0, .4);bottom:0;left:0;min-height:100%;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:100%;z-index:10000}#fb-root #fb_dialog_ipad_overlay.hidden{display:none}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading iframe{visibility:hidden}.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_iframe{position:sticky;top:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header{background:linear-gradient(from(#738aba), to(#2c4987));border-bottom:1px solid;border-color:#043b87;box-shadow:white 0 1px 1px -1px inset;color:#fff;font:bold 14px Helvetica, sans-serif;text-overflow:ellipsis;text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header table{height:43px;width:100%}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header td.header_left{font-size:12px;padding-left:5px;vertical-align:middle;width:60px}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header td.header_right{font-size:12px;padding-right:5px;vertical-align:middle;width:60px}.fb_dialog_content .touchable_button{background:linear-gradient(from(#4267B2), to(#2a4887));background-clip:padding-box;border:1px solid #29487d;border-radius:3px;display:inline-block;line-height:18px;margin-top:3px;max-width:85px;padding:4px 12px;position:relative}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header .touchable_button input{background:none;border:none;color:#fff;font:bold 12px Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:2px -12px;padding:2px 6px 3px 6px;text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header .header_center{color:#fff;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;line-height:18px;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_content{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y9/r/jKEcVPZFk-2.gif) no-repeat 50% 50%;border:1px solid #4a4a4a;border-bottom:0;border-top:0;height:150px}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_footer{background:#f5f6f7;border:1px solid #4a4a4a;border-top-color:#ccc;height:40px}#fb_dialog_loader_close{float:left}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_button{text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_icon{visibility:hidden}#fb_dialog_loader_spinner{animation:rotateSpinner 1.2s linear infinite;background-color:transparent;background-image:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yD/r/t-wz8gw1xG1.png);background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;height:24px;width:24px}@keyframes rotateSpinner{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} .fb_iframe_widget{display:inline-block;position:relative}.fb_iframe_widget span{display:inline-block;position:relative;text-align:justify}.fb_iframe_widget iframe{position:absolute}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop,.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop span,.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe{max-width:100%}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe{min-width:220px;position:relative}.fb_iframe_widget_lift{z-index:1}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid{display:inline}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid span{width:100%}</style><style type="text/css">.st-1 { font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;; direction: ltr; display: block; opacity: 1; text-align: center; z-index: 94034; } .st-1.st-animated { -moz-transition: o 0.2s ease-in, p 0.2s ease-in, a 0.2s ease-in, c 0.2s ease-in, i 0.2s ease-in, t 0.2s ease-in, y 0.2s ease-in; -ms-transition: o 0.2s ease-in, p 0.2s ease-in, a 0.2s ease-in, c 0.2s ease-in, i 0.2s ease-in, t 0.2s ease-in, y 0.2s ease-in; -o-transition: o 0.2s ease-in, p 0.2s ease-in, a 0.2s ease-in, c 0.2s ease-in, i 0.2s ease-in, t 0.2s ease-in, y 0.2s ease-in; -webkit-transition: o 0.2s ease-in, p 0.2s ease-in, a 0.2s ease-in, c 0.2s ease-in, i 0.2s ease-in, t 0.2s ease-in, y 0.2s ease-in; transition: o 0.2s ease-in, p 0.2s ease-in, a 0.2s ease-in, c 0.2s ease-in, i 0.2s ease-in, t 0.2s ease-in, y 0.2s ease-in; } .st-1.st-hidden { opacity: 0; } .st-1.st-hide { display: none; } .st-1 .st-btn { -moz-box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; -moz-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in, top 0.2s ease-in; -ms-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in, top 0.2s ease-in; -o-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in, top 0.2s ease-in; -webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in, top 0.2s ease-in; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in, top 0.2s ease-in; -moz-border-radius: 0px; -webkit-border-radius: 0px; border-radius: 0px; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; height: 32px; line-height: 32px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0 10px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 0; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap; } .st-1 .st-btn:last-child { margin-right: 0; } .st-1 .st-btn > svg { height: 16px; width: 16px; position: relative; top: 8px; vertical-align: top; } .st-1 .st-btn > img { display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; position: relative; top: 8px; vertical-align: top; } .st-1 .st-btn > span { -moz-transition: all 0.2s ease-in; -ms-transition: all 0.2s ease-in; -o-transition: all 0.2s ease-in; -webkit-transition: all 0.2s ease-in; transition: all 0.2s ease-in; color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.5px; min-width: 60px; opacity: 1; padding: 0 6px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; } .st-1.st-has-labels .st-btn { min-width: 120px; } .st-1.st-has-labels .st-btn.st-remove-label { min-width: 50px; } .st-1.st-has-labels .st-btn.st-remove-label > span { display: none; } .st-1.st-has-labels .st-btn.st-hide-label > span { display: none; } .st-1 .st-total { color: #555; display: inline-block; font-weight: 500; line-height: 12px; margin-right: 0; max-width: 80px; padding: 4px 8px; text-align: center; } .st-1 .st-total.st-hidden { display: none; } .st-1 .st-total > span { font-size: 16px; line-height: 17px; display: block; padding: 0; } .st-1 .st-total > span.st-shares { font-size: 9px; line-height: 9px; } .st-1.st-justified { display: flex; text-align: center; } .st-1.st-justified .st-btn { -moz-flex: 1; -ms-flex: 1; -webkit-flex: 1; flex: 1; } .st-1 .st-btn:hover { opacity: .8; top: -4px; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='facebook'] { background-color: #4267B2; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='facebook'] svg { fill: #fff; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='facebook'] > span { color: #fff; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='twitter'] { background-color: #55acee; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='twitter'] svg { fill: #fff; } .st-1 .st-btn[data-network='twitter'] > span { color: #fff; } </style> </head> <body>  <div id="bootstrap-wrapper" class="dcb-container container-fluid wrapper">  <nav id="nav_main" class="navbar navbar-default navbar-dcb navbar-fixed-top"> <div class="container-fluid">  <div class="navbar-mobile" id="dcb-mobile-1"> <div class="dropdown show-outline" id="dcb-hamburger-mobile"> <button id="dlabel" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><i class="fas fa-bars fa-lg"></i></button> </div> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="dcb-collapse-1"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav">  <div class="dropdown show-outline" id="hamburger"> <button id="eLabel" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"> <i class="fas fa-bars fa-lg"></i> </button> </div> <div class="input-group" id="mobile-search"> <input id="search-2" type="text" class="dcb-search form-control" placeholder="Search" data-brx-ls="template_search"></input> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button data-target="#search-2" class="dcb-search btn btn-default" type="button" data-brx-ls="template_go_mobile">Go</button> </span> </div>  <li class=""><a href="/fr/bio/pichon_thomas_4F.html" title="Version française">Français</a></li> <li class=""><a href="/en/" title="Home">Home</a></li> <li class=""><a href="/en/news_feed.html" title="News">News</a></li> <li class=""><a href="/en/about_us.php" title="About Us">About Us</a></li> <li class=""><a href="/en/contact_us_general.php" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a></li> <li class=""><a href="/en/contact_us_newsletter.php" title="Subscribe">Subscribe</a></li> <li class=""><a target="_blank" href="https://donate.utoronto.ca/dcb/" title="Donate">Donate</a></li>   </ul> <ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar-right">  <li><a class="fa-brands fa-square-x-twitter fa-lg" aria-hidden="true" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dcb_dbc" title="Follow us on Twitter" data-brx-ls="template_follow_twitter"></a></li> <li><a class="fab fa-facebook fa-lg" aria-hidden="true" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/dictionaryofcanadianbiography" title="Follow us on Facebook" data-brx-ls="template_follow_facebook"></a></li>  </ul> </div> </div> </nav>   <div id="row-top-section" class="container-fluid"> <div class="row" id="row-breadcrumbs"> <div id="breadcrumbs" class="col-sm-12" data-brx-ls="template_breadcrumbs">Breadcrumbs</div> </div>  <div class="row reader-mode" id="row-logo"> <div class="col-sm-7" id="col-logo"> <a href="/en/" data-brx-ls="template_home" title="Dictionary of Canadian Biography"><img class="responsive" alt="Dictionary of Canadian Biography" src="/img/dcb_en.svg" data-brx-ls="template_home"></a> </div> <div class="col-sm-5" id="col-search"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row" id="search"> <input type="text" id="simple-search" class="dcb-search simple-input" placeholder="Search" data-brx-ls="template_search"></input> <span data-target="#simple-search" class="dcb-search btn-lg glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right" id="search_go"></span> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="float-right" id="tools">  <nav class="navbar navbar-tools navbar navbar-default"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar"> <li><a href="/en/browse.php" title="Browse content by category" data-brx-ls="template_navtools_browse"><span class="btn-sm glyphicon glyphicon-th-list"></span> <span data-brx-ls="template_navtools_browse_span">Browse</span></a></li> <li><a href="/en/search.php" title="Use options such as Boolean operators and limiters" data-brx-ls="template_navtools_search"><span class="btn-sm glyphicon glyphicon-search"></span> <span data-brx-ls="template_navtools_search_span">Advanced Search</span></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:void(1);" onclick="return startReaderMode();" title="“Reader mode” hides everything but the navigation bar and the footer. To return to regular mode, click on "Exit reader mode" at top left." data-brx-ls="template_navtools_reader"><span class="btn-sm glyphicon glyphicon-book"></span> <span data-brx-ls="template_navtools_reader_span">Reader Mode</span></a></li> <li><a href="javascript:void(1);" onclick="return printDocument();" title="Printer-friendly" data-brx-ls="template_navtools_print"> <span class="btn-sm glyphicon glyphicon-print"></span> <span data-brx-ls="template_navtools_print_span">Printer-friendly</span></a></li> </ul> </nav>  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div style="display:none;" id="announcements" class="row alert-warning col-sm-12 announcements" data-brx-dyn="ajax:content:/en/ajax/announcements.php"> </div> <div id="content-container" class="container-fluid"> <div class="row mobile-logo"> <div class="col-md-12">  <a href="/en/"><img src="/img/dcb_en_sm.svg" alt="mobile"></a> </div> <div class="col-md-12 .bio-jump">  <p><a href="javascript:void(0);" class="jump-first-paragraph" alt="Click here to go directly to the biography text">Jump to the biography</a></p>  </div>  </div> <div class="row">  <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4 col-lg-3 col-xl-2 content-left reader-mode" id="sidebar"> <div id="sidebar-inner"> <nav class="dcb-generic-sidebar"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked"> <div class="row sidebar-dropdown-extra"> <input type="text" id="nav-search" class="dcb-search simple-input" placeholder="Search" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_search"></input> <span data-target="#nav-search" class="dcb-search btn-lg glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right" id="nav-search_go"></span> </div> <div class="row sidebar-french-home sidebar-dropdown-extra">   <div class="btn-group btn-group-justified" role="group" aria-label="..."> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/fr/bio/pichon_thomas_4F.html" title="Version française"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Français</button></a> </div> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/en/" title="Home"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Home</button></a> </div> </div> <div class="btn-group btn-group-justified" role="group" aria-label="..."> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/en/news_feed.html" title="News"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">News</button></a> </div> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/en/about_us.php" title="About Us"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">About Us</button></a> </div> </div> <div class="btn-group btn-group-justified" role="group" aria-label="..."> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/en/contact_us_general.php" title="Contact Us"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Contact Us</button></a> </div> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a href="/en/contact_us_newsletter.php" title="Subscribe"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Subscribe</button></a> </div> </div> <div class="btn-group btn-group-justified" role="group" aria-label="..."> <div class="btn-group" role="group"> <a target="_blank" href="https://donate.utoronto.ca/dcb/" title="Donate"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Donate</button></a> </div> </div>   </div>    <nav style="" class="dcb-generic-sidebar col-theme-grey"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked"> <li role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#bio-outline-sidenav" class="accordion-toggle collapsed" aria-expanded="true" title="Outline">Outline</a> <div id="bio-outline-sidenav" class="collapse in" aria-expanded="true">   <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="#first" title="First paragraph">First paragraph</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="#second" title="Bibliography">Bibliography</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="#image-gallery" title="Images">Images</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="#citations" title="How to cite">How to cite</a></li> </ul>   </div> </li> </ul> </nav>   <section style="display:none;">   </section>     <nav style="" class="dcb-generic-sidebar col-theme-grey"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked">  <li style="display:none;" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#bio-special-sidenav" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="Related Themes">Related Themes</a> <div id="bio-special-sidenav" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false" style="height: 0px;">     </div> </li>  <li style="" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#bio-related-topics-sidenav" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="Related Topics">Related Topics</a> <div id="bio-related-topics-sidenav" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false">   <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item"><a target="_blank" href="/en/topics/topic-match-list.php?id=2260" title="Age of Enlightenment">Age of Enlightenment</a></li> </ul>   </div> </li>  <li style="" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#bio-related-bios-sidenav" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="">Related Biographies</a> <div id="bio-related-bios-sidenav" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false" style="height: 0px;">   <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/du_pont_duchambon_de_vergor_louis_4E.html" title="DU PONT DUCHAMBON DE VERGOR, LOUIS">DU PONT DUCHAMBON DE VERGOR, LOUIS</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/raymond_jean_louis_de_4E.html" title="RAYMOND, JEAN-LOUIS DE, Comte de RAYMOND">RAYMOND, JEAN-LOUIS DE, Comte de RAYMOND</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/scott_george_3E.html" title="SCOTT, GEORGE">SCOTT, GEORGE</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/jacau_de_fiedmont_louis_thomas_4E.html" title="JACAU (Jacault, Jacob) DE FIEDMONT, LOUIS-THOMAS">JACAU (Jacault, Jacob) DE FIEDMONT, LOUIS-THOMAS</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/lawrence_charles_3E.html" title="LAWRENCE, CHARLES">LAWRENCE, CHARLES</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/le_loutre_jean_louis_4E.html" title="LE LOUTRE (LeLoutre), JEAN-LOUIS">LE LOUTRE (LeLoutre), JEAN-LOUIS</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/monckton_robert_4E.html" title="MONCKTON, ROBERT">MONCKTON, ROBERT</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/bio/rouer_de_villeray_benjamin_3E.html" title="ROUER DE VILLERAY, BENJAMIN">ROUER DE VILLERAY, BENJAMIN</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-command show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="javascript:void(0)" title="Show more items" class="show-more-toggle use-smk-related-bios">more</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/boschenry_de_drucour_augustin_de_3E.html" title="BOSCHENRY DE DRUCOUR (Drucourt), AUGUSTIN DE (Chevalier de Drucour)">BOSCHENRY DE DRUCOUR (Drucourt), AUGUSTIN DE (Chevalier de Drucour)</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/daudin_henri_3E.html" title="DAUDIN (d’Audin, Dandin, Daudier), HENRI">DAUDIN (d’Audin, Dandin, Daudier), HENRI</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/le_courtois_de_surlaville_michel_4E.html" title="LE COURTOIS DE SURLAVILLE (Le Courtois de Blais de Surlaville), MICHEL (Achille-Michel-Balthasar)">LE COURTOIS DE SURLAVILLE (Le Courtois de Blais de Surlaville), MICHEL (Achille-Michel-Balthasar)</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/padanuques_jacques_3E.html" title="PADANUQUES, JACQUES">PADANUQUES, JACQUES</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/prevost_de_la_croix_jacques_4E.html" title="PREVOST DE LA CROIX, JACQUES">PREVOST DE LA CROIX, JACQUES</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="/en/bio/rigaud_de_vaudreuil_francois_pierre_de_4E.html" title="RIGAUD DE VAUDREUIL, FRANÇOIS-PIERRE DE">RIGAUD DE VAUDREUIL, FRANÇOIS-PIERRE DE</a></li> <li class="list-group-item show-more-item smk-related-bios"><a href="javascript:void(0)" title="Show fewer items" class="show-more-toggle use-smk-related-bios">Less</a></li> </ul>   </div> </li> </ul> </nav>    <nav style="" id="content-doc-history-1" class="dcb-generic-sidebar col-theme-grey"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked"> <li role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#doc-history-1" class="accordion-toggle collapsed" aria-expanded="true" title="View the previous version of this text">Publication History</a> <div id="doc-history-1" class="collapse in" aria-expanded="true">   <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item"><div title="Published:: 1979">Published: 1979</div></li> </ul>   </div> </li> </ul> </nav>    <nav style="" id="content-doc-history-2" class="dcb-generic-sidebar col-theme-grey"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked">  <li style="" id="content-doc-history-2-identifiers" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#doc-history-2-identifiers" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="Occupations and Other Identifiers">Occupations and Other Identifiers</a> <div id="doc-history-2-identifiers" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false">   <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/browse.php?type=identifier&term1=32" title="Identifier -- Authors">Authors</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/browse.php?type=identifier&term1=50&term2=232" title="Identifier -- Office Holders -- French Régime">Office Holders – French Régime</a></li> </ul>   </div> </li>  <li style="display:none;" id="content-doc-history-2-birth" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#doc-history-2-birth" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="Region of Birth">Region of Birth</a> <div id="doc-history-2-birth" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false">     </div> </li>  <li style="display:none;" id="content-doc-history-2-activity" role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#doc-history-2-activity" class="accordion-toggle" aria-expanded="false" title="Region of Activities">Region of Activities</a> <div id="doc-history-2-activity" class="collapse" aria-expanded="false">     </div> </li> </ul> </nav>    <div class="row" style="" id="sidebar-social-1"> <div class="col-md-12 share-this"> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons st-center st-lang-en st-has-labels st-inline-share-buttons st-animated st-1"> <div class="st-btn st-first" data-network="facebook" style="display: inline-block;"> <img alt="facebook sharing button" src="/img/facebook.svg"> <span class="st-label" data-brx-ls="template_share_facebook">Share</span> </div> <div class="st-btn st-last" data-network="twitter" style="display: inline-block;"> <img alt="twitter sharing button" src="/img/twitter.svg"> <span class="st-label" data-brx-ls="template_share_twitter">Tweet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div>    <nav style="" id="sidebar-main-menu" class="dcb-generic-sidebar dcb-generic-sidebar col-theme-red"> <ul class="dcb-pills nav-pills nav-stacked"> <li role="presentation"><a href="/en/new_biographies.html" title="New Biographies" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_new_bios">New Biographies</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a href="/en/updated_biographies.html" title="Minor Corrections" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_updated_bios">Minor Corrections</a></li> <li role="presentation"> <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#panelBioOfTheDay" class="accordion-toggle collapsed" aria-expanded="true" title="Read the story of a subject who died or was born on this day" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_botd">Biography of the Day</a> <div id="panelBioOfTheDay" class="collapse in" aria-expanded="true"> <div class="dcb-image-panel dcb-panel panel"> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="botd-dynamic feed-item-sidebar" data-brx-dyn="ajax:content:/en/ajax/botd.php">  </div> <div class="see-all"> <strong><a href="/en/bio_of_the_day.html" class="see-all" title="See all previous entries for Biography of the Day" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_botd_all">See previous</a></strong> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li role="presentation">  <a data-toggle="collapse" href="#panelSpecialProjects" class="accordion-toggle collapsed" aria-expanded="true" title="Significant themes in Canadian history and guides for educators">Themes, Essays, and Guides</a> <div id="panelSpecialProjects" class="collapse in" aria-expanded="true">  <ul class="list-group">  <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/special_confederation.html" title="Confederation">Confederation</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/special_first_world_war.html" title="The First World War">The First World War</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/special_femmes.html" title="Women in the DCB/DBC">Women in the DCB/DBC</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/special_sports.html" title="Sports">Sports</a></li> <li class="list-group-item"><a href="/en/special_acadians_c19.html" title="The Acadians">The Acadians</a></li>  <div class="dcb-image-panel dcb-panel panel"> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="see-all"> <a href="/en/gallery_special_projects.html" class="see-all" title="See all Themes, Essays, and Guides" data-brx-ls="template_sidebar_themes_all">See complete list</a> </div> </div> </div> </ul>  </div> </li> </ul> </nav>    <div class="row" style="display:none;" id="sidebar-social-2"> <div class="col-md-12 share-this"> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons st-center st-lang-en st-has-labels st-inline-share-buttons st-animated st-1"> <div class="st-btn st-first" data-network="facebook" style="display: inline-block;"> <img alt="facebook sharing button" src="/img/facebook.svg"> <span class="st-label" data-brx-ls="template_share_facebook">Share</span> </div> <div class="st-btn st-last" data-network="twitter" style="display: inline-block;"> <img alt="twitter sharing button" src="/img/twitter.svg"> <span class="st-label" data-brx-ls="template_share_twitter">Tweet</span> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8 col-lg-9 col-xl-10 content-area" id="content-area">     <section style="display:none;" id="summary" class="summary bio">    </section>  <section style="" id="first" class="bio">  <div style="" class="pull-left inset-area" id="bio-primary-image">  <div id="bio-main-image" class="image-container left w600">  <a class="open-gallery" href="javascript:void()"><img class="img-responsive" src="/bioimages/w600.3708.jpg" alt="Original title: Pichon, Thomas. " title="Pichon, Thomas. "></a>  <p>Source: <a href="http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=2895778" onclick="return true;" title="Original title: Pichon, Thomas. " target="_blank">Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 2895778</a></p>  </div> </div>  <p id="paragraph_333351" class="FirstParagraph"><strong>PICHON</strong><span class="NotReallyBold"><strong>, THOMAS</strong>,</span> known as <strong>Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel),</strong> colonial official, spy, and author; b. 30 March 1700 at Vire (dept of Calvados), France, son of Jean Pichon, a minor merchant, and Marie Esnault; d. 22 Nov. 1781 at Saint Helier, Jersey.<br /></p> <p id="paragraph_333357" class="NormalParagraph">Thomas Pichon is one of the most intriguing figures in the early history of Canada. For much of his life there is autobiographical material, though what is said about his early career is often contradictory. According to Pichon his parents wanted him to become a priest, but he left school at 14 and went to Paris to study medicine. When his father withdrew his stipend, Pichon was forced to clerk for several lawyers. Later he tutored a seigneur’s children and managed his business affairs. He left this position to aid his father in a complicated law suit which took six years to resolve. His father refused to compensate him, and he resumed his work as a legal secretary. In 1741 he obtained a position, probably as a clerk, in the hospital service of the French armies in Bohemia and Bavaria. Again according to his own account, he became a forage inspector of the army in upper Alsace and in 1745 was appointed to organize hospitals on the Lower Rhine and in the Netherlands, where he met Jean-Louis de <a href="/en/bio/raymond_jean_louis_de_4E.html" hreflang="en"><span class="SmallCaps">Raymond</span></a>. In 1751 Raymond was appointed governor at Louisbourg and Pichon became his secretary, allured by promises of advancement.</p> <p id="paragraph_333352" class="NormalParagraph">Little is recorded about him during his first two years in the colony. In 1752 he accompanied Raymond on his tour of Île Royale and Île Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island) and gained the intimate geographical knowledge of the area displayed in the book on Cape Breton he wrote eight years later. He also prepared many of the governor’s reports to France, carefully retaining copies for use in his future publication. Raymond’s promises proved illusory and Pichon became increasingly disenchanted with the governor’s imperious conduct. Raymond recommended him to the minister of Marine for the position of king’s attorney of the Admiralty Court, but was refused. Pichon drew closer to Louisbourg’s financial commissary, Jacques Prevost de La Croix, who granted favours to anyone willing to join his camp against the governor. When Raymond returned to France in 1753, Pichon remained behind. Raymond provided Pichon with a glowing recommendation and asked the minister to send him to Fort Beauséjour (near Sackville, N. B.) as commissary, noting that such an appointment would meet with the approbation of Abbé Jean-Louis <a href="/en/bio/le_loutre_jean_louis_4E.html" hreflang="en"><span class="SmallCaps">Le Loutre</span></a>. But it was Prevost who dispatched Pichon to Chignecto and requested a commission for him as scrivener and subdelegate of the intendant of New France. Pichon arrived at Beauséjour on 3 Nov. 1753. For the next two years he acted as chief clerk responsible for stores, although his commissions never arrived from France. A man of letters, well versed in the classics, Pichon served as scribe to the commandants, taking down their correspondence, editing it, and improving the grammar. Pichon also helped Le Loutre with his writing, although his suspicions about Roman Catholicism were confirmed by the missionary and he came to despise the priest.</p> <p id="paragraph_333353" class="NormalParagraph">The British commandant at nearby Fort Lawrence, Captain George <a href="/en/bio/scott_george_3E.html" hreflang="en">Scott*</a>, had previously met Pichon at Louisbourg. The boredom of garrison life on the Acadian frontier brought the French and British into frequent contact, and no one noticed when Scott invited Pichon to Fort Lawrence. Scott offered to advance Pichon’s fortune in exchange for information about French activities. Although he later gave several explanations for accepting this overture, Pichon seems to have had little other reason than monetary gain.</p> <p id="paragraph_12179" class="NormalParagraph">For more than a year Pichon practised espionage and subterfuge against the French under the assumed name of Tyrell. He sent Scott and his successor, Captain John Hussey, detailed accounts of French activities in Quebec and Acadia, plans of forts Beauséjour and Gaspereau (near Port Elgin, N.B.), comments on the defences of Louisbourg, copies of official documents, censuses of Acadian refugees, gossip of the French court, and, most commonly, reports on French missionaries and warnings of attacks by Indians and their Acadian allies. Prior to the successful British assault on the French forts of Chignecto in the summer of 1755, Pichon supplied Scott with an outline of the steps necessary for their capture, which Lieutenant-Colonel Robert <a href="/en/bio/monckton_robert_4E.html" hreflang="en"><span class="SmallCaps">Monckton</span></a> later used in the attack. Pichon discouraged the Acadians from joining the Indians and retarded the strengthening of Beauséjour by advising that the British would not attack that year. During the siege he further weakened the French side with his counsel to the Acadian settlers to terminate the ordeal by demanding that the commandant, Louis <a href="/en/bio/du_pont_duchambon_de_vergor_louis_4E.html" hreflang="en"><span class="SmallCaps">Du Pont</span></a> Duchambon de Vergor, capitulate. Pichon also helped draft a letter sent by an Acadian settler to the commandant of Gaspereau, Benjamin <a href="/en/bio/rouer_de_villeray_benjamin_3E.html" hreflang="en">Rouer*</a> de Villeray, calling for a swift surrender. While the fighting was going on he wrote a generally accurate and dispassionate journal that was later partially reproduced in his book.</p> <p id="paragraph_264232" class="NormalParagraph">Before the fall of Beauséjour Pichon had made arrangements with the British to continue his spying. As a prisoner in Halifax, he passed on to Archibald Hinchelwood, acting secretary to Charles <a href="/en/bio/lawrence_charles_3E.html" hreflang="en">Lawrence*</a>, some of the correspondence entrusted to him by a captured French naval officer, including a plan for seizing the town; the rest he carried with him to London late in 1755.</p> <p id="paragraph_333355" class="NormalParagraph">In London Pichon continued his duplicity for a short period with some Acadians and attempted to sway the allegiance of Louis-Thomas <a href="/en/bio/jacau_de_fiedmont_louis_thomas_4E.html" hreflang="en"><span class="SmallCaps">Jacau</span></a> de Fiedmont, the artillery officer at Beauséjour. With a pension of £100 sterling he was able to devote much of his time to the preparation of his book, <em>Lettres et mémoires pour servir à l</em>’<em>histoire naturelle</em>, <em>civile et politique du Cap Breton</em>, <em>depuis son établissemént jusqu</em>’<em>à la reprise de cette isle par les Anglois en 1758</em>, which appeared in 1760. Based on previous writings and composed in the form of letters to a friend, the book is a generally accurate but uneven description of Île Royale and Île Saint-Jean. His account of the customs and behaviour of the Micmacs and Malecites is strikingly realistic, but his discussion of the role of the missionaries is marked by a sneering contempt for the Roman Catholic Church, appropriate to an Enlightenment mind. His views on colonial government are distorted by his supposition that the bitter political factionalism of the Raymond-Prévost years characterized all adminstrations. The remainder of the book, concerned mainly with the military events he witnessed, presents little that is new or revealing. The work remains, nevertheless, one of the few reliable published sources about the French in Acadia during the 18th century.</p> <p id="paragraph_333354" class="NormalParagraph">During his early life in Paris Pichon had acquired an unsavoury reputation as a seducer of young women, and after his arrival in London, undeterred by age, he became involved in a series of amorous adventures. The most tortuous involved Marie-Barbe de Beaumont, <em>née</em> Le Prince, a novelist and the editor of a children’s magazine, whose marriage had been annulled. Her infatuation with Pichon was more intense than his devotion to her; they never married, but Pichon moved into her apartment in 1757 and continued to reside there after she left England in 1760. Unable to speak English, Pichon lived in a restricted circle, but in the 1760s he took several mistresses and became a friend of John Cleland, the author of <em>Fanny Hill</em>, <em>or the memoirs of a woman of pleasure</em>. Some time after 1769 Pichon moved to Saint Helier. Pichon left as a legacy to his Norman birthplace all his letters, manuscripts, and a library of over 3,000 volumes, mainly works of history, science, and political economy.</p> <p id="paragraph_12183" class="NormalParagraph">Assessments of Thomas Pichon have been universally harsh. The tone of exaggerated self-importance struck in his correspondence, his ambition and avarice, his treason, and his sexual promiscuity have all led to condemnation. Pichon himself, always dissatisfied with his lot in life, was to end in mortification of spirit over his betrayal of his country. He desired to be loved, but was incapable of truly loving.</p> <p id="paragraph_333350" class="NormalParagraph">During his last years the sins and excesses of his former life overwhelmed Pichon and led to a profound spiritual crisis. Lonely and tormented, he was repulsed by the physical deterioration that accompanied his advancing years. “What a horrible thing is old age!” he wrote. “The sprightliness of my senses is worn by time, maybe by debauchery, and as they say, for having lived too much. My infirmities are constantly increasing, and my days and nights are spent in unbearable torment. My legs, once my adornment and the object of admiration at balls and gatherings, are stretched, swollen and immobile, on a chair or footstool. My cheeks, once glowing and plump, are parched and shrivelled with wrinkles; my lips are covered with tense and livid skin. I have lost, not only the power to enjoy pleasure, but the desire for enjoyment.”</p> <p id="paragraph_12185" class="NormalParagraph">The thought of death confused and frightened Pichon even more. Having rejected religion, he found reason an uncomforting solace with which to meet that fate he had once ridiculed as an illusion. “I tremble in spite of myself,” he wrote, “before something that threatens and which, in vain, I strive not to believe.” He contemplated suicide and turned in desperation to God, dying as a Protestant. His anguish was best expressed in the epitaph he wrote for himself: “Dear God, who regards this world and the anxieties of men, take pity on my soul.” But Pichon also hoped that others might learn from his example “whether or not it beseems a man of sense to live according to a system in which he does not dare to die.”</p> <p class="AuthorParagraph"><a href="/en/contrib/4"><span class="SmallCaps">T. A. Crowley</span></a></p>   </section>  <section style="" id="second" class="biblio">  <p id="paragraph_12187" class="BibliographyFirstParagraph"><a target="window_10" href="/Vol_IV_B_Eng.htm"></a> Thomas Pichon is the author of <em>Lettres et mémoires pour servir à l</em>’<em>histoire naturelle</em>, <em>civile et politique du Cap Breton</em>, <em>depuis son établissement jusqu</em>’<em>à la reprise de cette isle par les Anglais en 1758</em> (La Haye, Pays Bas, 1760; réimpr. [East Ardsley, Eng.], 1966).</p><p id="paragraph_333356" class="BibliographyParagraph">AD, Calvados (Cæn), F, 1894 (fonds Surlaville) (mfm. at PAC). AN, Col., C<sup>11B</sup>, 31, f.51v; 33, f.70; 34, f.167v. Bibliothèque municipale de Vire (dép. du Calvados), Coll. Thomas Pichon, 1750–62 (transcripts at PAC). BL, Add. mss 19071, pp.141–42 (transcript in PAC, MG 21). PANS, RG 1, 341–41 1/2 (Thomas Pichon papers). <em>Les derniers jours de l</em>’<em>Acadie</em> (Du Boscq de Beaumont). [L.-T. Jacau de Fiedmont], <em>The siege of Beauséjour in 1755</em>; <em>a journal of the attack on Beauséjour</em> . . . , ed. J. C. Webster, trans. Alice Webster (Saint John, N.B., 1936). <em>Military affairs in North America</em>, <em>1748–65</em> (Pargellis). Pierre Bagot, <em>Marie Le Prince de Beaumont</em>, <em>lettres à Thomas Pichon</em> (Vire, France, 1924). J. C. Webster, <em>Thomas Pichon</em>, “<em>the spy of Beausejour</em>,” <em>an account of his career in Europe and America</em> . . . ([<em>Sackville</em>, N.B.], 1937). Albert David, “Le Judas de l’Acadie,” <em>Revue de l</em>’<em>université d</em>’<em>Ottawa</em>, III (1933), 492–513; IV (1934), 22–35; “Thomas Pichon, le `Judas’ des Acadiens (1700–1781),” <em>Nova Francia</em> (Paris), III (1927–28), 131–38. Gustave Lanctot, “Le traître Pichon,” <em>BRH</em>, XXXVI (1930), 328–40. Régis Roy, “Thomas Pichon,” <em>BRH</em>, V (1899), 92–93.</p>    <div id="general_biblio" class="col-xs-12 GeneralBibliography BibliographyParagraph"><a href="/en/biblio/4" onclick="return true;" title="General Bibliography">General Bibliography</a></div>   <div id="copyright" class="col-xs-12 CopyrightBiography BibliographyParagraph"><a href="/en/notices.php" onclick="return true;" title="© 1979–2024 University of Toronto/Université Laval">© 1979–2024 University of Toronto/Université Laval</a></div>  </section>    <div style="" class="container-fluid reader-mode" id="bottom-content"> <div class="row"> </div>   <div style="" id="content-image-gallery" class="row"> <div id="image-gallery" class="col-xs-12 col-theme-white"> <h2 data-brx-ls="template_bio_image_gallery">Image Gallery</h2>  <div class="container-fluid">   <div class="image-gallery-caption" id="caption1" style="display:none"> <h4>Pichon, Thomas. </h4> <p>Source: <a href="http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=2895778" onclick="return true;" title="Original title: Pichon, Thomas. " target="_blank">Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 2895778</a></p> </div>     <div class="demo-gallery"> <ul id="captions" class="list-unstyled row">  <li class="image-gallery-entry col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-4" data-src="/bioimages/original.3708.jpg" data-sub-html="#caption1"> <a href=""> <img class="img-responsive" src="/bioimages/s500.3708.jpg"> <div class="demo-gallery-poster"> <img src="/img/zoom.png"> </div> </a> </li>   </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div id="citations" class="column-section col-theme-white col-xs-12">   <h3>Cite This Article</h3><p>T. A. Crowley, “PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)),” in <em>Dictionary of Canadian Biography</em>, vol. 4, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed <span class="today-mdy">December 11, 2024</span>, <span class="permalink">https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/pichon_thomas_4E.html</span>. <h4> The citation above shows the format for footnotes and endnotes according to the <em>Chicago manual of style</em> (16th edition). Information to be used in other citation formats:</h4> <br /> <table cellpadding="3"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <strong>Permalink:  </strong></td> <td> <span class="permalink">https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/pichon_thomas_4E.html</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Author of Article:  </strong></td> <td> T. A. Crowley</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Title of Article:  </strong></td> <td> PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel))</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Publication Name:  </strong></td> <td> <em>Dictionary of Canadian Biography</em>, vol. 4</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Publisher:  </strong></td> <td> University of Toronto/Université Laval</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Year of publication:  </strong></td> <td> 1979</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Year of revision:  </strong></td> <td> 1979</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <strong>Access Date:  </strong></td> <td> <span class="today-mdy">December 11, 2024</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> </p>   </div> </div>  </div> </div> </div> </div>  <a id="button" data-brx-ls="template_return_to_top" title="Return to Top of Page"></a> </div>  <footer> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="row">  <div class="col-md-8 ut_laval"> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.utoronto.ca/"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/uoft3.svg"></a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.ulaval.ca/en/"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/laval.svg"></a> </div>  <div class="col-md-4 cmh"> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.historymuseum.ca/"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/cmh-logo.svg"></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-6 cmh-text-left"> We acknowledge the financial support of the Canadian Museum of History through the Online Works of Reference Program funded by the Government of Canada. </div> <div class="col-md-6 cmh-text-right"> Nous reconnaissons l'aide financière du Musée canadien de l'histoire à travers les œuvres du programme de référence en ligne financés par le gouvernement du Canada. </div> </div> </div>  <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="row">  <div class="row chc-full"> <div class="col-md-12"> <a href="https://www.canada.ca/home.html"><img class="img-responsive" src="/img/govCan.svg"></a> </div> <div class="col-md-12"> <p>We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.</p> <hr class="chc-full"> <p>Nous reconnaissons l’appui du gouvernement du Canada.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <article id="involved"> <div class="col-md-12"> <p><span>© 2003-2024 University of Toronto/Université Laval</span></p> <p><a href="/en/contact_us_corrections.php" title="Suggest corrections or additions">Suggest corrections or additions</a></p> <p><a href="/en/notices.html" title="Terms governing use of website and the collection and use of personal information">Important Notices</a></p> <p><a href="/en/links.php" title="Links to related sites">Websites of Interest</a></p> </div> </article> </div> </footer>   <div id="login-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="forgot-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="forgot-user-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="register-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="contact-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="choose-language" class="dcb-dialog"> </div> <div id="change-holder" class="dcb-dialog"> </div>  <div style="display:none;" class="msgbox" id="msgbox"> <div class="text"> </div> <div class="twobuttons" id="msgbox_buttons"> <a class="okay" href="javascript:void(0)">OK</a> <a class="cancel" href="javascript:void(0)">Cancel</a> </div> <div class="onebutton" id="msgbox_buttons_one"> <a class="okay" href="javascript:void(0)">OK</a> </div> </div>  <div id="reader-mode-exit"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-primary reader-mode-exit" data-brx-ls="template_reader" title="Exit reader mode">Exit reader mode</button> </div>    <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.12.4/jquery.min.js" integrity="sha512-jGsMH83oKe9asCpkOVkBnUrDDTp8wl+adkB2D+//JtlxO4SrLoJdhbOysIFQJloQFD+C4Fl1rMsQZF76JjV0eQ==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jqueryui/1.12.1/jquery-ui.min.js" integrity="sha512-uto9mlQzrs59VwILcLiRYeLKPPbS/bT71da/OEBYEwcdNUk8jYIy+D176RYoop1Da+f9mvkYrmj5MCLZWEtQuA==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery-easing/1.3/jquery.easing.min.js" integrity="sha512-ahmSZKApTDNd3gVuqL5TQ3MBTj8tL5p2tYV05Xxzcfu6/ecvt1A0j6tfudSGBVuteSoTRMqMljbfdU0g2eDNUA==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@3.4.1/dist/js/bootstrap.min.js" integrity="sha384-aJ21OjlMXNL5UyIl/XNwTMqvzeRMZH2w8c5cRVpzpU8Y5bApTppSuUkhZXN0VxHd" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>    <script type="text/javascript" src="/js/js_strings.js?time=1729526930"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/js/modernizr-3.6.js?time=1729526930"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/js/shared-base.js?time=1729526930"></script>    <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-25429501-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch (err) { } </script>  <script async="None" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-HJG3WCKTF7"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-HJG3WCKTF7'); </script> <script charset="utf-8" src="/js/button.js"></script>  <script charset="utf-8" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/OwlCarousel2/2.3.4/owl.carousel.min.js"></script>  <style type="text/css">.fb_hidden{position:absolute;top:-10000px;z-index:10001}.fb_reposition{overflow:hidden;position:relative}.fb_invisible{display:none}.fb_reset{background:none;border:0;border-spacing:0;color:#000;cursor:auto;direction:ltr;font-family:"lucida grande", tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:1;margin:0;overflow:visible;padding:0;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0;text-shadow:none;text-transform:none;visibility:visible;white-space:normal;word-spacing:normal}.fb_reset>div{overflow:hidden}@keyframes fb_transform{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(.95)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}.fb_animate{animation:fb_transform .3s forwards} .fb_dialog{background:rgba(82, 82, 82, .7);position:absolute;top:-10000px;z-index:10001}.fb_dialog_advanced{border-radius:8px;padding:10px}.fb_dialog_content{background:#fff;color:#373737}.fb_dialog_close_icon{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;cursor:pointer;display:block;height:15px;position:absolute;right:18px;top:17px;width:15px}.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_icon{left:5px;right:auto;top:5px}.fb_dialog_padding{background-color:transparent;position:absolute;width:1px;z-index:-1}.fb_dialog_close_icon:hover{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 -15px transparent}.fb_dialog_close_icon:active{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yq/r/IE9JII6Z1Ys.png) no-repeat scroll 0 -30px transparent}.fb_dialog_iframe{line-height:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_title{background:#6d84b4;border:1px solid #365899;color:#fff;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;margin:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_title>span{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yd/r/Cou7n-nqK52.gif) no-repeat 5px 50%;float:left;padding:5px 0 7px 26px}body.fb_hidden{height:100%;left:0;margin:0;overflow:visible;position:absolute;top:-10000px;transform:none;width:100%}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/ya/r/3rhSv5V8j3o.gif) white no-repeat 50% 50%;min-height:100%;min-width:100%;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;top:0;z-index:10001}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered{background:none;height:auto;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;width:auto}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered #fb_dialog_loader_spinner{width:100%}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading.centered .fb_dialog_content{background:none}.loading.centered #fb_dialog_loader_close{clear:both;color:#fff;display:block;font-size:18px;padding-top:20px}#fb-root #fb_dialog_ipad_overlay{background:rgba(0, 0, 0, .4);bottom:0;left:0;min-height:100%;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;width:100%;z-index:10000}#fb-root #fb_dialog_ipad_overlay.hidden{display:none}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile.loading iframe{visibility:hidden}.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_iframe{position:sticky;top:0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header{background:linear-gradient(from(#738aba), to(#2c4987));border-bottom:1px solid;border-color:#1d3c78;box-shadow:white 0 1px 1px -1px inset;color:#fff;font:bold 14px Helvetica, sans-serif;text-overflow:ellipsis;text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0;vertical-align:middle;white-space:nowrap}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header table{height:43px;width:100%}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header td.header_left{font-size:12px;padding-left:5px;vertical-align:middle;width:60px}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header td.header_right{font-size:12px;padding-right:5px;vertical-align:middle;width:60px}.fb_dialog_content .touchable_button{background:linear-gradient(from(#4267B2), to(#2a4887));background-clip:padding-box;border:1px solid #29487d;border-radius:3px;display:inline-block;line-height:18px;margin-top:3px;max-width:85px;padding:4px 12px;position:relative}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header .touchable_button input{background:none;border:none;color:#fff;font:bold 12px Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:2px -12px;padding:2px 6px 3px 6px;text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_header .header_center{color:#fff;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;line-height:18px;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_content{background:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/y9/r/jKEcVPZFk-2.gif) no-repeat 50% 50%;border:1px solid #4a4a4a;border-bottom:0;border-top:0;height:150px}.fb_dialog_content .dialog_footer{background:#f5f6f7;border:1px solid #4a4a4a;border-top-color:#ccc;height:40px}#fb_dialog_loader_close{float:left}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_button{text-shadow:rgba(0, 30, 84, .296875) 0 -1px 0}.fb_dialog.fb_dialog_mobile .fb_dialog_close_icon{visibility:hidden}#fb_dialog_loader_spinner{animation:rotateSpinner 1.2s linear infinite;background-color:transparent;background-image:url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v3/yD/r/t-wz8gw1xG1.png);background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;height:24px;width:24px}@keyframes rotateSpinner{0%{transform:rotate(0deg)}100%{transform:rotate(360deg)}} .fb_iframe_widget{display:inline-block;position:relative}.fb_iframe_widget span{display:inline-block;position:relative;text-align:justify}.fb_iframe_widget iframe{position:absolute}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop,.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop span,.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe{max-width:100%}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe{min-width:220px;position:relative}.fb_iframe_widget_lift{z-index:1}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid{display:inline}.fb_iframe_widget_fluid span{width:100%}</style>  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/share-this/1.3.1/share-this.js" integrity="sha512-YQH3AWzoNd5UBgAzelMJ0L74JzsE1RfD7zrTDfveB5Xm5j9PBCU+Q2tD4RavX2iVVAt4iJ/gi1mSRCbX/X55pw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/share-this/1.3.1/sharers/email.min.js" integrity="sha512-4+h27jVJhdlqWwk0hvKQX2Ow5TYcyRWaYwj5hhDem63JbmslVJHqJu29zQN/ZRM/Dbg4qi9nbbx6wRwmf/S2Yw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/share-this/1.3.1/sharers/facebook.min.js" integrity="sha512-Wh1ZDYa/KLkn2iK8a0D4FoZSqXbw1bRFCPjVs490MpcMFs1zHtMQMpqBVAqheGpRFLcGEMy/jnFmFx+6rbGJzw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/share-this/1.3.1/sharers/twitter.min.js" integrity="sha512-p0d6Rkeb1XLqCBlKVz7aF+UQNu4tGmAxT5NjJPYasGU8KmXvL8iEd8j/cvuJbqYK3HnVJqmf4ulWZvLx+2a4Fw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script>    <script type="text/javascript" src="/js/bio.js?time=1729526930"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var m_languageId = '1'; var m_title = "PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel))"; var m_url_pch = 'http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1266037002102/1265993639778'; var m_url_ut = 'http://www.utoronto.ca/'; var m_url_ul = 'http://www2.ulaval.ca/en/'; var m_loggedIn = ''; // BasePublicHelper variables var m_pageId = 'public_bio-2117-35848'; var m_pageIdIsUnique = '1'; // BioHelper variables var m_biography_id = '2117'; var m_revision_id = '35848'; var m_volume_id = '4'; var m_volume_name = 'Volume IV (1771-1800)'; var m_publicationYear = '1979'; var m_revisionYear = '1979'; var m_print = false; $(document).ready(function() { // here:getJavascriptOnReady renderBreadcrumbs(); }); </script>  <script> var affixSettings = { offset: { top: 100, bottom: function() { return (this.bottom = $('.footer').outerHeight(true)) } } }; $('#myAffix').affix(affixSettings); </script>  <script src="/js/prettify.js"></script>  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/picturefill/2.3.1/picturefill.min.js" integrity="sha512-O5Diz2AkqKWK7Lw4t8BnHF/47CLMPiGH9nT4A6U6+tZHCAq+jj3dA/Ngkc1LK3HmrThtjIemw5MtMrHwsV8tTg==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script>  <script src="/js/transition.js"></script>  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lightgallery/1.6.12/js/lightgallery-all.js" integrity="sha512-ib6swbZG+2gcZ5gtx5NIi4enGrvMry+1bAJRXG2KlWr+3rPkB8sPUmzBuKZBPegm8pD1IiRsXbQ1XWd+5HSLbA==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script>  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lg-fullscreen/1.2.1/lg-fullscreen.min.js" integrity="sha512-GvMYZx1AUxtd+OYSc33H9DYX9qeT/OY90+O8kJ65cLXvSelNSgeytaxDV8bY58TeoZxz1HiqgAfpchczH7S8qA==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script>  <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/lg-autoplay/1.0.4/lg-autoplay.min.js" integrity="sha512-MzBa78b0IGK8BBiW2gMkSkruc9ppE9bQVBMqiFf1fcMNQ2mDuNJejZh/aWGDvhtPDpChaevAAI8WRCeHBlYqRw==" crossorigin="anonymous" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></script>       <div id="reader-mode-exit"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary reader-mode-exit">Exit reader mode</button></div>  </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

PICHON, THOMAS (Thomas Tyrell (Thirel, Tirel)) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography