Born a slave in the West Indies, the woman was brought to the North American colonies in 1742. The government had made her the wife of the executioner Mathieu Léveillé, in the hope that her presence would cure his depression. However, due to the risks of infection, she was scarcely allowed in Léveillé's presence; nonetheless, Léveillé confided in her his knowledge on the First Civilization and she promised to keep it safe.