The Surgères section of Companion Union is one of the oldest companies in the world.
In the 19th century, two corporations of the Devoir had a Cayenne in Surgères: the Companions nailers of the Devoir and the Companions Cordonniers-Bottiers du Devoir.
On April 7, 1866, five former companions wrote to the Prefect to form a society of mutual relief of the former Companions of all the duties gathered, the Countries: GABORIAU Cloutier, BREGEON Vitrier, ARMANT Vitrier, SAVE Boulanger, LAVAUD Charpentier.
On May 5, 1866, the mayor of Surgères wrote to the sub-prefect to announce to him the refusal of the Companions concerning the statutes of the government which provided that it was the Emperor who appointed the president of the Society.
On June 6, 1866, the mayor of Surgères sent a letter to the sub-prefect in order to obtain permission to create the society of the former companions Gaboriau Mathurin Cloutier, GABORIAU Antonin Cloutier, PRILLIE Louis Cloutier, TRAINQUE Jean Cloutier, ARMAND Thophile Vitrier, BREGEON Edmond Vitrier, PROUQUER André Charpentier, LAVAUD Jean Charpentier, LAVILLE Louis Cordier, SAVE Charles Boulanger, SAVE Constant Boulanger, DIOT Jean-Baptiste Toulier.
On the occasion of the first feast of the Reconciliation of the Society of the ancient Companions of the Reunited Duties of the city of Surgères, Country A. Gaboriau I Espérance de Saintonge, Compagnon Cloutier, made a speech of which here is an excerpt:
« Dear Brothers and Friends,
This feast reminds me of memories that I do not have the strength to repel; such emotions stifle what is bad in the soul and leave to exist in mine only an invincible gratitude for the friends of progress all gathered here, and for all those who, like us, form societies to bring back the young active companions to the right path and make them forget the mistakes of the past.
If we have formed this company, this is the example of the Brothers of the cities of Villefranche, Lyon, Vienna (Isère), Macon, Châlons s/Saône and others... »
And a verse from the Fraternity also written by Country A. Gaboriau:
« To live happily, companions, on earth
Hands out to all travelers
It is the duty of the working class
To support the noble workers
Doing so, you will see harmony
Who will rule in society
You will fulfill a mission dear
Living in fraternity »
On April 22, 1866 the Society of « Former Companions of True Duty »This was to counter the other company, but was short-lived.
The Society of the former Gathered Companions operated from 1866 to 1874.
1874 saw the birth of the Companion Federation of All Duties Reunited...
1889 Creation of the Companion Union, the former companions of Surgères adherent to it and on October 23, 1894 the first reception of six Aspirants, a Tonnelier-Foudrier, two Typographs, a Chapeller, a Vitrier-Peintre and a Menuier took place.
During World War I, Cayenne had to slow down its activity; It was at the end of the war that she had a new boom, thanks to the Land Abel Poyaud, Saintonge the Beloved, Companion Mechanic D U.
The first Mother was Madame Jardonnet, then Mother Boyer Lucie, Angoumese Hope, in 1930 and our Mother Gorioux Bernadette Vendéen IActivity in 1956.
1927: Cayenne organizes professional courses declared in the Official Journal of 19 September 1927.
1950: Death of Abel Poyaud Country.
1957: Inauguration of Abel Poyaud Street.
1972: Cayenne organizes the 21st Congress of the Companion Union.
From 1866 to the present day, the companions of the Tour de France were always present in Surgères.
After Niort Street, our section settles 3 Paul Bert Street, then 19 Gambetta Street, where we are now.
