Шамбли
Provost was born December 21, 1785 in Chambly, Quebec, son of Albert Provost and Marie Anne Menard. He was baptized December 21, 1785 at Saint-Joseph-de-Chambly Church, Chambly County, Quebec, but little is known about his early life. He made his home in St. Louis, Missouri for 10 years marveling at the Arkansas River as late 1814 with Joseph Philibert. He left there with Auguste Chouteau and Jules deMun. He was imprisoned at Santa Fe, New Mexico twice.