This information was originally published by:
ONTARIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Papers and Records
Volume 3, Published in Toronto in 1901
Pages 123-166.
Return to my main index.
NOTE: The Thunder Bay mentioned in this work is NOT the the one located
on Lake Superior, but rather a bay in the vicinity of Tiny Twp., Simcoe Co.
THE MIGRATION 0F VOYAGEURS FROM DRUMMOND ISLAND
TO PENETANGUISHENE IN 1828.
BY A. C. OSBORNE.
[Facing the first page is a drawing of Penetanguishene Bay, with
the following caption:
View from "The Establishment," on the hill near Wallace's Inn,
looking toward the head of the bay, and the recently-cleared land
on the west side of the harbor. Sketched by G. R. Dartnell, Esq.,
surgeon of the 1st Royal Regiment, Penetanguishene, Oct. 12th, 1836.
Original kindly loaned by Mrs. de Pencier, Uxbridge, for use in
this volume.]
[The story of the transfer of the British garrison from
Drummond Island to Penetanguishene in 1828 and the migration of
voyageurs connected with the post has never been told in print.
In the following notes Mr. Osborne has endeavored to gather this
story from the lips of the few survivors who migrated at that
time. Descendants of French-Canadians largely predominated in
this movement, but we also get glimpses of what a strange and
heterogeneous people once gathered around Mackinaw and Drummond
Island, especially about the time of the coalition of the
two fur companies in 1821. The migrant voyageurs settled
principally near Penetanguishene, in the township of Tiny,
Simcoe County. Offshoots of the band settled at Old Fort Ste.
Marie, at Fesserton and Coldwater, and another south of Lake
Simcoe, near Pefferlaw, York County. These notes will form a
useful supplement to Joseph Taase's "Les Canadiens de l'Ouest."
They are intended as a chapter in a larger work that will deal
with the history of Penetanguishene and vicinity-a work that
Mr. Osborne hopes to complete at an early date.]
The British military post at Michilimackinac was transferred to
the United States in 1796 by mutual agreement, and the forces
stationed there retired to St. Joseph Island, where a fort and
blockhouse were erected. From this latter post, at a
subsequent period, issued that famous volunteer contingent of
one hundred and sixty Canadian voyageurs, accompanied by a few
(30) British regulars with two field pieces, under Captain
Roberts,* who effected the recapture of Mackinaw for the British.
* This hero of Mackinaw in 1812 was an uncle of Field-Marshall
Roberts, who conducted the recent campaign in South Africa.
This occurred on the 16th of July, 1812, the first year of the war.
In a subsequent attack by the Americans to recover the post the
Canadian voyageurs gallantly assisted in its defence. Mackinaw was
again restored to the United States according to treaty stipulations
in 1815, when the British garrison found refuge on Drummond Island,
in proximity to the former post of St. Joseph. The Canadian voyageurs
still preferring to follow the fortunes of the British flag, with
one or two exceptions, removed with the forces to Drummond Island.
On the completion of the treaty surveys, Drummond Island proved to
be in United States territory. Thereupon the British forces, under
Lieut. Carson, commanding a detachment of the 68th Regiment, withdrew
to the naval station at Penetanguishene, which event occurred on the
4th of November, 1828. ("Canadian Archives," 1898, p. 553.)
Mr. Keating was fort adjutant at the island; John Smith,*
commissariat issuer; Sergeant Santlaw Rawson, barrack master,
and William Solomon, Indian interpreter to the Government.
*A Narrative from the lips of John Smith (recorded by Rev. George
Hallen) may be found in Rev. Dr. Scadding's "Toronto of Old" p. 504.
It fell to the lot of Sergeant Rawson to haul down the British
flag. After performing this somewhat disagreeable duty, he
remembers Lieut. Carson handing over the keys to the U. S.
officers, when they shook hands all round in the most cordial
manner. Sergeant Rawson accompanied the troops to
Penetanguishene, and afterwards moved to Oro township, where he
died in 1843 at the age of ninety-six. (These personal
reminiscences were gathered from his son, Wm. Rawson, who was
born on Drummond Island, and who died recently in Coldwater at
an advanced age.)
The Government employed the brig Wellington and a schooner
named Hackett (Alice), commanded by the owner, Capt. Hackett,
for the purpose of conveying the troops, military stores and
Indian supplies to the new post. The schooner, with its cargo,
was wrecked on Fitzwilliam (Horse) Island, in Lake Huron, on its
way down, but the brig reached its destination in safety.
The voyageurs on the island, some seventy-five families, soon
followed the garrison, moving to the neighborhood of the new
post at Penetanguishene, the majority during the same and
following years. In the wise provision of a paternal Government
they were granted, in lieu of their abandoned homes, liberal
allotments of lands on the borders of Penetanguishene Bay.
Here they settled on twenty-acre and forty-acre lots, of which
they became the original owners and patentees from the Crown in
what are known as the Town and Ordnance Surveys.
These hardy voyageurs or half-breeds are the descendants of
French-Canadians born principally in Quebec, many of whom were
British soldiers, or came up with the North-West Company, and
who married Indian women, their progeny also becoming British
soldiers or attaches of the fur company in various capacities.
Their fervent loyalty to the British Government is simple-hearted,
genuine, unobtrusive and practical. Some of the original voyageurs
belonged to the Voltigeurs and had seen active service. Some were
the proud recipients of medals, still treasured by their descendants,
and gained for bravery at Plattsburgh and on other historic
battlefields, and some carried wounds received while gallantly
upholding British supremacy. They were in the front of battle
during the stirring scenes at Mackinaw, St Joseph Island, Sault
Ste. Marie and other sanguinary points during the war of 1812-15.
This is a testimony more eloquent than words to the loyalty and
worth of the ancestors of the settlers around Penetanguishene.
The military posts became centres towards which they naturally
gravitated, hence Drummond Island became the nucleus of voyageurs
from Mackinaw and the numerous posts in the west. The removal of
the British troops to Penetanguishene became the subject of official
correspondence by Lord Dalhousie as early as 1822.
Several residents of Drummond Island appear to have taken time
by the forelock. A Scotch trader named Gordon from Drummond
Island made, in 1825, the first permanent settlement at Penetanguishene,
on the east side of the harbor, just beyond Barracks Point, and
called it the "Place of Penetangoushene." It subsequently
became known as Gordon's Point. Rounding Pinery Point to the
right of the incoming voyager is the "Place of the White Rolling Sand,"
which gives to the picturesque bay within its romantic
name. On the opposite shore is Gordon's Point, to the left and
almost straight ahead. Gordon's first wife was a daughter of
Mrs. Agnes Landry, a French-Ojibway woman, who was born on Drummond
Island, and who accompanied the daughter's family to their wilderness
home. At a later date he formed the nucleus of the future town,
building the first house, which still stands, and is occupied by his
descendants, the Misses Gordon. His second wife was a daughter of
Charles Langlade. Gordon died in 1852, aged 65 years.
Other voyageurs are known to have been at Penetanguishene as
early as 1816, but only as transient traders. Mrs. Gordon and her
mother, Widow Landry, whose remains now rest near the ruins of
the old Gordon homestead, are therefore fairly entitled to rank as
the pioneers of the voyageurs from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene.
Their marriage customs were necessarily of the most primitive
character, simply a mutual agreement, and, usually, one or two
witnesses. A priest or missionary at those distant posts was a
rare sight in the early days. Fidelity, however, was a marked
characteristic among them, only two or three exceptions having
been so far discovered in the history of this people, and they
invariably took advantage of the first opportunity to have a proper
marriage ceremony performed. This also explains the apparent
anomaly of numerous couples, with large families, being married
after their arrival at Penetanguishene, notably on the visit of
Bishop McDonnell there in 1832.
Nameless graves are scattered here and there, showing the last
resting-places of many of these pioneers. Seven are at Gordon's
Point, some of which are known. Six graves occupy a spot near the old
cricket ground at St. Andrew's Lake, only two of which are
identified while the numbers that sleep on the hiliside near
the Ontario Reformatory are not known. Seven lie on the Gidley
farm-four out of one family. Six are on the Mitchell homestead,
two on the Copeland estate and one at the Tiny Cross-roads,
besides many elsewhere, the records or memory of which are entirely
lost. Mrs. Sicard's remains were the first deposited in St. Anne's
churchyard (R. C.), where, and at Lafontaine most of the future
interments were made.
Their descendants retain many of the characteristies of the
early voyageurs, taking naturally to hunting, fishing,
guiding tourists and campers and kindred adventure, though
gradually drifting into other and more permanent occupations.
Six of the more interesting personal narratives are here
presented almost, or as nearly as possible, in their own words,
beginning with that of Lewis Solomon:
LOUIE SOLOMON.
Lewis Solomon was the youngest son of William Solomon,* who was
born in the closing years of the last century, of Jewish and
Indian extraction. This Wm. Solomon lived for a time in Montreal,
but entered the service of the North-West Company and drifted to
the "Sault', and Mackinaw. Having become expert in the use of the
Indian tongue, he was engaged by the British Government as Indian
interpreter at the latter post during the War of 1812. During his
sojourn at Mackinaw he married a half-breed woman named Miss Johnston,**
the union resulting in a family of ten children, of whom, at the first
writing of these notes, Lewis was the sole survivor, but joined the
majority March 9th, 1900. Lewis very humorously claimed that in his
person no less than five nationalities are represented, though he
fails to tell us how. As the Indian nature appeared to predominate, and
since his father was partly German, his mother must have been of very
mixed nationality.
* Ezekiel Solomon, the grandfather of Lewis, was a civilian
trader at Michilimackinac when the massacre of June 4th, 1763,
took place. (See Alex. Henry's Journal.) He was taken prisoner,
but was rescued by Ottawa Indians, and later on was ransomed at Montreal.
**She was a daughter of John Johnston, whose "Account of Lake
Superior, 1792-1807," may be found in Masson's "Bourgeois" (Vol II).
Henry R. Schoolcraft, the noted scholar of the Indian tribes, and
Rev. Mr. McMurray also married daughters of Mr. Johnston; and both
of these gentlemen were accordingly uncles, by marriage, of our
narrator, Louie Solomon.
[The facing page gives a picture of four elderly men labelled as:
A GROUP OF VOYAGEURS (From Photo, taken in 1895)
1.-Lewis Solomon, born on Drummond Island, 1821; died at Victoria Harbor,
Ont., March 1900.
2.-John Bussette*, born in the Rocky Mountains (near Calgary), 1823.
3.-James Larammee, born on Drummond Island, 1826.
4.-Francis Dusome, born at Fort Garry, Red River, 1820. ]
* Joan York advises this surname should be Brissette.
When the British forces were transferred to Drummond Island,
Interpreter Solomon and his family accompanied them
thither; and later, when it was decided that Drummond Island was
in U.S. territory, he followed the British forces to
Penetanguishene in 1828, where he subsequently died, and where
he and his wife and the majority of his family lie buried. It
was the fond hope of the family that Louie would succeed his
father in the Government service as Indian interpreter. In
pursuance of this plan, his father sent him to a French sehool
at L'Assomption;* to the Indian schools at Cobourg and
Cornwall; also, for a term, to the Detroit "Academy"; so that
Louie became possessed of a tolerably fair education, and was
regarded by his compatriot balf-breeds and French-Canadians as
exceedingly clever and a man of superior attainments. Though his
memory appears almost intact, the reader may find in his
narrative a little disregard for the correct sequence of events,
and a tendency to get occurrences mixed, which is not surprising
when the length of time is considered. As Louie's command of
English is somewhat above the average of that of his fellow
voyageurs, he is permitted to present his narrative, with few
exceptions, in his own words.
*Probably Assumption College, or the school which was its prototype,
at Sandwich, Ont., rather than a school at L'Assomption, Que.
His Narrative.
My name is Lewis Solomon-spelled L-e-w-i-s-though they call me
Louie. I was born on Drummond Island in 1821, moved to St.
Joseph Island in 1825, back to Drummond Island again, and then
to Penetanguishene in 1829. My father's name was William
Solomon, Government interpreter. His father, Ezekiel Solomon,
was born in the city of Berlin, Germany, came to Montreal and
went up to the "Sault." My father was appointed Indian
interpreter by the British Government and was at Mackinaw during
the War of 1812, then moved to Drummond Island with the British
forces, and afterwards to Penetanguishene. My mother's maiden
name was Johnston, born in Mackinaw, where she and my father
were married. She died in Penetanguishene. My father received
his discharge under Sir John Colborne, retiring on a pension of
seventy-five cents a day after a continued service of fifty-six
years with the Government, and he died at Penetanguishene also.
When the military forces removed from Drummond Island to
Penetanguishene, the Government authorities chartered the brig
Wellington to carry the soldiers, military and naval supplies,
and government stores; but the vessel was too small, and they
were obliged to charter another vessel, and my father was
instructed by the Government to charter the schooner Hackett
(Alice) commanded by the owner, Capt. Hackett.
On her were placed a detachment of soldiers, some military
supplies, and the private property of my father, consisting of
two span of horses, four cows, twelve sheep, eight hogs, harness
and household furniture. A French-Canadian named Lepine, his
wife and child, a tavern-keeper named Fraser, with thirteen
barrels of whiskey, also formed part of the cargo. The captain
and his crew and many of the soldiers became intoxicated, and
during the following night a storm arose, during which the
vessel was driven on a rock known as "Horse Island"
(Fitzwilliam) near the southernmost point of Manitoulin Island.
The passengers and crew, in a somewhat advanced stage of
drunkenness, managed to reach the shore in safety; also one
horse, some pork, and the thirteen barrels of whiskey, though
the whole company were too much intoxicated to entertain an
intelligent idea of the operation, but were sufficiently conscious
of what they were doing to secure the entire consignment
of whiskey. The woman and her infant were left on the wreck, as
her husband, Pierre Lepine, was on shore drunk among the others,
too oblivious to realize the gravity of the situation, or to
render any assistance. Mrs. Lepine, in the darkness and fury of
the storm, wrapped the babe in a blanket, and having tied it on
her back, lashed herself securely to the mast, and there clung
all night long through a furious storm of wind and drenching
rain, from eleven o'clock till daylight, or about six o'clock in
the morning, when the maudlin crew, having recovered in a measure
from their drunken stupor, rescued her from her perilous
position in a yawl boat. Such an experience on the waters of
Lake Huron, in the month of November, must have certainly
bordered on the tragical. The vessel and the remainder of the
cargo proved a total loss. The lurching of the schooner from
side to side pitched the big cannon down the hatch way, going
clear through the bottom, thus, together with pounding on the
rocks, completing the wreck. The horse, a fine carriage roadster,
remained on the island for several years. My father offered a
good price to any one who would bring him away, but he never got
him back, and he finally died on the island. This circumstance
gave it the name of Horse Island. The infant lived to grow up and
marry among the later settlers, but I do not remember to whom,
neither do I know what became of her. Fraser, who owned the
whiskey, started a tavern in Penetanguishene, near the Garrison
cricket ground, where the old mail-carrier, Francis Dusseaume*
afterwards lived. Slight traces of the building are still to be seen.
* The variations in the spelling of this name are legion. Here
are a few of them: Deshommes, Dusome, Deschamps, and Jussome.
My father came to Penetanguishene in another vessel with
the officers and soldiers. The rest of the family left Drummond
Island the next spring (1829). We started on the 25th of June
and arrived at Penetanguishene on the 13th of July, coming in a
bateau around by the north shore, and camping every night on the way.
My mother, brother Henry and his wife and eight chudren, myself,
Joseph Gurneau and his wife, and two men hired to assist
(Francis Gerair, a French-Canadian, and Gow-bow, an Indian), all
came in one bateau. We camped one night at the Hudson's Bay
Company's fort at Killarney. We landed at the Barrack's Point,
near the site of the garrison, and where the officers' quarters
were erected, now occupied as a residence by Mr. Band, the
Bursar of the Reformatory. We camped there in huts made of poles
covered with cedar bark. There were only three houses there: a
block-house, the quarters of Capt. Woodin, the post-commander; a
log-house covered with cedar bark for the sailors near the
shore; and a log-house on the hill, called the "Masonic Arms,"
a place of entertamment kept by Mrs. Johnson.*
*This is the famous hostelry where Sir John Franklin was
entertained in 1825 on his way north, John Galt in 1827, as also
the Duke of Richmond, Lord Sydenham, Lord Lennox, Lord Morpeth,
Lord Prudhomme, Capt. John Ross, R. N., Sir Henry Harte, and
several other men of note.
The town site of Penetanguishene was then mostly a cedar swamp,
-with a few Indian wigwams and fishing shanties. Beausoleil
Island (Prince William Henry Island) was formerly called
St. Ignace by the French. A French-Canadian, named Beausoleil, from
Drummond Island, settled there in 1819, and it was named
afterwards from him. He died at Beausoleil Point, near
Penetanguishene. We lived next neighbor to Post Sergeant Rawson,
who hauled down the British flag at the garrison when the
Government delivered Drummond Island to the Americans. His son
William afterwards lived in Coldwater. M. Revolte (Revol), a
trader from Drummond Island, built the first house in
Penetanguishene, on the lot in front of where the late Alfred
Thompson's residence now stands, and afterwards occupied by
Rev. Father Proulx. Gordon, a trader from Drummond Island, built
the next on the lot beside it, afterwards occupied by Trudell,
who married Miss Kennedy. The house is still standing and
occupied by the Misses Gordon, daughters of the original
Gordon who settled at Gordon's Point. (Louie's account does
not coincide with that of the Misses Gordon, who say their
father came several years previous to M. Revol and built first,
removing from Gordon's Point, just east of the Barrack's Point,
where he settled in 1825, while the house was still unfinished.
During this period Revol built his residence.) Dr. Mitchell,
father of Andrew Mitchell, built the next house on the lower
corner of the lot, where the Mitchell homestead now stands.
It was burned some years ago.
William Simpson married a squaw who had a small store in
Drummond Island. Like the rest of the fur-trading class, he, in
those days, was given to wandering about the country. He lived
among the Drummond Islanders in various capacities, at one time
with my father. One day my mother hinted to him that he might
marry the squaw with the little store and he would then have a home.
"Will you speak to her for me?" said bashful young Simpson.
My mother said she would and found it would be quite agreeable,
and they were married. This is the way Mr. Simpson got his start
in life, and he afterward became a shrewd business man and a rich
merchant.* They came to Penetanguishene and started a small store.
His wife died soon after, and he then married a sister of Joseph
Craddock, of Coldwater. His first wife is buried behind the
old store, originally log, but now clapboarded and owned by
Mr. Davidson. Mr. Simpson built about the same time as Dr.
Mitchell, and on the opposite corner eastward.
Andrew Mitchell's wife was a daughter of Captain Hamilton, of
North River. Andrew retired one night in usual health and died
suddenly during the night. His widow married his clerk, James Darling,
(afterwards Captain Darling). Lieutenant Carson was in command
of the 68th Regiment when the forces moved from Drummond Island
to Penetanguishene. Sergeant Rawson was barrackmaster, and Mr.
Keating was fort adjutant. Lieutenant Ingall of the 15th
Regiment, also from Drummond Island, died in Penetanguishene.
Mr. Bell, barrackmaster at Drummond Island and Penetanguishene,
died at the latter post. His son married a sister of Charles
Ermatinger of the North-West Fur Company, who built the stone
mansion** at the "Sault."
*William Simpson represented the townships of Tiny and Tay in the
Home District Council at Toronto for the year 1842.
**This mansion was built about the time of Lord Selkirk's visit
to Canada in 1816-18. It is still standing, and has many
interesting family associations.
George Gordon, a Scotch trader from Drummond Island, married a
half-breed, settled at Gordon's Point, a little east of the
Barrack's Point. Squire McDonald of the North-West Company
bought from my father the farm where Squire Samuel Fraser now
lives. He often called at Drummond Island on business of the
company, and came to Penetanguishene with the soldiers. Fathers
Crevier and Baudin were the only priests who visited Drummond
Island in my recollection. There was another interpreter named
Goroitte, a clerk at Drummond Island, who issued marriage
licenses. Hippolyte Brissette and Colbert Amyot went with the
North-West Company to Red River, Fort Garry and across the Rocky
Mountains to Vancouver. Hippolyte was tatooed from head to
foot with all sorts of curious figures, and married an Indian
woman of the Cree tribe. She was rather clever, and superior to
the ordinary Indian women. Francis Dusseaume was also in the
North-West Company at Red River, and married a woman of the Wild
Rice Tribe. H. Brissette, Samuel Solomon and William Cowan were
all with Captain Bayfield in the old Recovery during his survey
of the thirty thousand Islands of the Georgian Bay in 1822-25.
William Cowan was a halfbreed, whose grandfather, a Scotch
trader and interpreter, settled at the "Chimnies," nearly
opposite Waubaushene, in the latter part of last century. This
man was drowned near Kingston.*
*This probably refers to the interpreter Cowan, who was lost in
the schooner Speedy near Brighton in 1805. It was at his place
the "Chimneys", where Governor Simcoe stayed on his way to visit
Penetanguishene Harbor in 1793.
Hippolyte Brissette was 102 years old when he died. The first
St. Ann's (R.C.) church was built of logs about the time we came
here. It was afterwards torn away and rebuilt of frame, which
again was replaced by the present memorial church of stone. I
remember Bishop McDonnell's visit to Penetanguishene about 1832.
Black Hugh McDonnell, as he was called, was related to the
Bishop. The late Alfred Thompson was clerk for Andrew Mitchell,
who, with his father, Dr. Mitchell, came from Drummond Island
about the time the soldiers came. Highland Point (now
Davidson's Point), was called Lavallee's Point; the next point
east was cal]ed Trudeaux Point, after the blacksmith; the next
point east, now called "Wait a Bit," was named Giroux Point,
formerly called Beausoleil Point; next was Mischeau's Point;
next, Corbiere's Point all named after Drummond Islanders. Louis
Lacerte, Joseph Messier, Prisque Legris, Jean Baptiste Legris,
Jean Baptiste LeGarde, Pierre LaPlante, all settled on park
lots, now known as the Jeffery or Mitchell farm, and all came
from Drummond Island. Louis Descheneaux settled on a farm and
built the first house at Lafontaine, still standing. Joseph
Messier built the next. H. Fortin, Thibault, Quebec, Rondeau
and St. Amand, all French-Canadians from Red River and Drummond
Island, settled at the old fort on the Wye. Champagne, the
carpenter, settled on the lot now owned by Mr. McDonald. John
Sylvestre, my brother-in-law, had the contract for building the
Indian houses on Beausoleil Island, at the first village.
Captain Borland built the others. He was Captain of the
Penetanguishene, the first steamer that was built in
Penetanguishene. It ran between there and Coldwater. Louis
George Labatte, blacksmith, came from Drummond Island after we
did. He and his family left Penetanguishene in a bateau to go
toward Owen Sound. They were towed by the steamer Penetanguishene
with two ropes. A storm came on and one of the ropes broke. His
nephew took the rope in his mouth and crawled out on the other rope
and hitched it again. It broke the second time and the storm drove
them into Thunder Bay (Tiny), where they settled; descendants
are still living there. Prisque Legris shot a deserter on
Drummond Island, and fell and broke his neck while building
a stable for Adjutant Keating in Penetanguishene. People
thought that it was sent as a punishment to him. Three
French-Canadians- Beaudry, Vasseur and Martin-started for
French River and camped over night with an Indian at Pinery Point.
They got the Indian drunk, and Vasseur attempted to assault
the squaw. Next morning as they started the squaw told her
husband. The Indian came down to the sbore and shot Vasseur.
He was taken to the house of Fagan, Commissary's clerk at the
garrison, where he died in three days.
Once I took a Jesuit priest to Beausoleil Island to look for a
Eucharist said to be buried there, with French and Spanish
silver coins guns, axes, etc. The spot, he said, was marked by a
stone two feet long with a Latin inscription on it. The priest
had a map or drawing showing where the stone ought to be, and
where to dig, but we found nothing. I knew the hemlock tree and
the spot where it was said Father Proulx found the pot of gold,
and I saw the hole, but it was made by Indians following up a
mink's burrow. Peter Byrnes, of the "Bay View House,"
Penetanguishene, and a friend spent a day digging near an elm
tree not far from the same spot, near the old Fort on the Wye.
Sergeant James Maloney, of the militia, found two silver crosses on
Vent's farm, near Hogg River. Many pits bave been dug on Beausoleil Island,
Present Island, Flat Point and other places in search of hidden
treasures. An Indian and myself once found a rock rich with gold
near Moon River. We marked the spot, but I never could find it on going
back. My chum would never go back with me, for he said, "Indian dies
if he shows white man treasure." I found red and black pipe-stone
images at Manitoulin, brought from the Mississippi River by the Indians.
I was once asked by Dr. Taché to go with him to the supposed site of
Ihonatiria, at Colborne Bay or North-West basin, across Penetanguishene
Harbour, and J. B. Trudeaux also went. I told him of the spot on the
creek where they would find relics. They spent some time in digging
and found pieces of pottery, clay pipes, etc.
Once I conducted the Earl of Northumberland through the Indian trail
from Colborne Bay (North-West Basin) to Thunder Bay and back
in one day, and we got twenty five dollars for my services (Antoine
Labatte says the distance by this trail was seven miles). I was the
first man to pilot the steamer Dutchess of Kalloola to the "Sault."
I got four dollars per day for this service. She was built at Owen Sound,
I think. I also piloted the Sailor's Bride into Port Severn, the first
vessel that ever entered there. She was loaded with lumber at Jenning's
mill. I was guide for Captain West and David Mitchell (a young
man from Montreal) to Manitoulin on snowshoes. I had three
assistants-Aleck McKay, Pierre Laronde and Joseph Leramonda,
half-breeds. I received one hundred dollars for the trip. Captain
West was an extensive shipowner in England, on a visit to his
brother, Col. Osborne West, commandant of the 84th Regt.
stationed here. I was guide for Col. W. H. Robinson, son of
Chief-Justice Robinson, to Manitoulin, also Bishop Strachan and
his son, Capt. James Strachan, to Manitoulin and the "Sault,"
and varlous other notables at different times. I went with
Captain Strachan for two summers to fish for salmon; also for
three seasons to Baldoon, on the St. Clair flats, to shoot ducks.
My father once owned the land where Waubaushene now stands.
Indians always call it "Baushene." The garrison once owned a big
iron canoe, curved up high at each end just like a birch-bark
canoe. It was built by Toussaint Boucher on the spot where Dr.
Spohn's house now stands. The pattern was cut out by an Indian
named Taw-ga-wah-ne-gha. It carried fourteen paddlers and six
passengers, besides the usual attendants, with provisions and
supplies, and was about forty-five feet long. I made several
excursions up Lake Huron in it. It was rigged for sailing, but
was no good in a storm, as it cut through the waves and was in
danger of filling, while the bark canoe bounded over them.
I remember Colonel Jarvis, Colonel Sparks, Captain Buchanan,
Captain Freer, Captain Baker, Lord "Morfit "* (Morpeth), Lord
Lennox, Master George Head** (a boy about fourteen years of age),
*Lord Morpeth, the seventh Earl of Carlisle, made this trip in
1842. In a pamphlet, a copy of which is preserved in the Toronto
Public Library, giving his "Lecture on Travels in America,"
delivered to the Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary
Society, Dec. 6th, 185O, he says (p. 40): "I was one of a party
which at that time went annually up the lake to attend an
encampment of many thousand Indians, and make a distribution of
presents among them. About sunset our flotilla of seven canoes,
manned well by Indian and French-Canadian crews, drew up, some
of the rowers cheering the end of the day's work with snatches
of a Canadian boat-song. We disembarked on some rocky islet
which, as probably as not, had never felt the feet of man
before; in a few moments the utter solitude had become a scene
of bustle and business, carried on by the sudden population of some
sixty souls." He then describes the camp scenes at greater length.
**As Mrs. Jameson says Master Head was one of the party with her
in 1837, he was probably not in this party with Lord Morpeth.
It is likely the narrator's memory has failed him in regard to
the exact party which Master Head accompanied, and this is not
surprising, as Louie went with so many expeditions.
the son of Sir Francis Bond Head, Mr. Lindsay and several
gentlemen, starting for a trip to Manitoulin and the "Sault"
accompanied by my father as interpreter, myself and fifty-six
French voyageurs from Penetanguishene. Two of the birch-bark
canoes were about twenty feet long, while the iron canoe and
one bark canoe were of equal length.* Each canoe had its
complement of paddlers and passengers in addition to
provisions and supplies. On arriving at Manitoulin we held
a grand "pow-wow" with the Indians and distributed the
annual presents, after which the party started for the
North Shore (having previously visited the Hudson's Bay Co.'s
post at French River), Killarney, and other points onward
to the Sault. While at the "Sault", Lord Morpeth,
Lord Lennox and party stopped at the big stone mansion built by
Charles Ermatinger a long time ago. From the "Sault" we
started for Detroit, calling at Drummond Island, Mackinaw,
Bay City, Saginaw, Sable River, Sarnia and other points on
the way. I was attendant on Lord Morpeth and Lord Lennox. I was
obliged to look after their tents, keep things in order and
attend to their calls. Each had a separate tent. My first
salute in the morning would be, "Louie, are you there? Bring me
my cocktail."-soon te be followed by the same call from each
of the other tents in rotation, and my first duty was always
to prepare their morning bitters.
* Louie's idea of dimensions is evidently astray. Competent
authorities say the "Iron Canoe," was about twenty-four feet in
length, and capable of carrying twenty barrels of flour; as to
birch-bark canoes, I have seen one that was said to have carried
sixty men, and was capable of carrying fifty barrels of flour.
While camped near the Hudson's Bay post at French River Lord
Morpeth went in bathing and got beyond his depth and came near
drowning. I happened to pass near, and reached him just as he
was sinking for the last time, and got him to a safe place, but
I was so nearly exhausted myself that I could not get him on
shore. Mr. Jarvis came to his lordship's assistance and helped
him on to the rock. Lord Morpeth expressed his gratitude to me
and thanked me kindly, saying he would remember me. I thought I
would get some office or title, but I never heard anything
further about it. Mr. Jarvis afterwards got to be colonel, and I
suspect he got the reward that should have been mine by merit.
On passing Sarnia we had a narrow escape from being shot at and
sunk to the bottom. It was dark as we got near, and the
sentinel, Mr Barlow, demanded the countersign. Colonel Jarvis
refused to answer or allow any other person to do so. The guard
gave the second and third, challenge, declaring, at the same
time, that if we did not answer be would be compelled to fire.
Still Mr. Jarvis would not answer for some unexplained reason,
when my brother Ezekiel, called out, contrary to orders, and
saved the party. upon landing Mr. Jarvis was informed by the
sentinel that be had barely saved himself and the party from
a raking fire of grape-shot, and wauted to know what he meant
by risking the lives of the whole fleet of canoes, but Mr. Jarvis
made no reply.*
*This is in marked contrast with the frankness of Lord Morpeth
on another occasion, which Louis fails to relate, but which was
told by another of the voyageurs. One day while duck-shooting
Lord Morpeth brought down a duck, at the same time peppering
his companions so that they bled prefusely, Mr. Jarvis among
the rest. In a stern voice, manifesting a fair show of rage,
Mr. Jarvis shouted "Lord Morpeth, what do you mean? You have
shot the whole party!" The reply came prompt, but frank,
"I don't care a d__n I've killed the duck anyhow."
When we arrived at Detroit two of the birch-bark canoes were
sent back, and Lord Morpeth, Lord Lennox and myself boarded the
steamer for Buffalo. There they took the train for New York,
intending to sail for England. They wanted me to go to England
with them but I refused. When Lord Morpeth asked me what he
should pay me for my attendance I said, "Whatever you like, I
leave that to yourself." "Ha! ha!" said he, with a twinkle in
his eye, "What if I choose to give you nothing?" He gave me the
handsome sum of two hundred dollars, besides a present of ten
dollars in change on the way down, which I was keeping in trust
for him. Lord Lennox sailed from New York ahead of the others,
and was never heard of after. The vessel was supposed to have
been lost, with all on board. I left them at Buffalo and went back
to Malden, where I met my fellow voyageurs, and we came down
Lake Erie, making a portage at Long Point. We came up the Grand
River, crossed to the Welland Canal and down to St. Catharines.
We got two wagons here and portaged the canoes down to Lake Ontario,
as the canal was too slow. We went round the head of the lake to
Hamilton, and so on to Toronto, where they gave us a grand
reception. We left the canoes in Toronto, and the "iron canoe"
was brought up the next year. It was hauled over the Yonge
Street portage on rollers with teams to Holland Landing and
taken up Lake Simcoe to Orillia, through Lake Couchiching, down
the Severn River to Matchedash Bay, and home to Penetanguishene.
Neddy McDonald, the old mail-carrier, sometimes went with us,
but he was not a good paddler, and we did not care to have him.
It is said that it fell to Neddy's lot, on the trip with Lady
Jameson, to carry her on his back from the canoe to the shore
occasionally when a good landing was not found. As Mrs. Jameson
was of goodly proportions, it naturally became a source of irritation
to Neddy, which he did not conceal from his fellow voyageurs. Mrs.
Jameson had joined the party of Colonel Jarvis at the Manitoulin
Island. She was a rich lady from England, well educated, and
travelling for pleasure. She was an agreeable woman, considerate
of others and extremely kind-hearted. I was a pretty fair singer
in those days, and she often asked me to sing those beautiful
songs of the French voyageurs, which she seemed to think so nice
and I often sang them for her. Mrs. Jameson ran the "Sault Rapids"
in a birch-bark canoe, with two Chippewa Indian guides. They named
her Was-sa-je-wun-e-qua,* "Woman of the bright stream."
*This name is spelled Wah-sah-ge-wah-no-qua by Mrs. Jameson
("Winter Studies add Summer Rambles," vol 3, p. 200). She gives its
meaning as "Woman of the bright foam," and says it was given her
in compliment of her successful exploit of running the rapid.
I was attendant on Mrs. Jameson, and was obliged to sleep in her
tent, as a sort of protector, in a compartment separated by a hanging 4
screen. I was obliged to wait till she retired, and then crawl
in quietly without waking her. Mrs. Jameson gathered several human
skulls at Head Island, above Nascoutiong, to take home with her. She
kept them till I persuaded her to throw them out, as I did not
fancy their company. When I parted with Mrs. Jameson and shook
hands with her I found four five dollar gold pieces in my hand.
We lived near the shore just past the Barrack's Point while my
father was in the Government service at Penetanguishene, and where
my mother died. After he retired we moved into town, near Mrs.
Columbus, where he died. Col. Osborne West, commandant of the 84th
Regiment, stationed at the garrison, cleared the old cricket
ground, and was a great man for sports. My mother was buried with
military honors. Captain Hays, with a detachment of the 93rd
Highlanders, Colonel Sparks, the officers of the Commissariat,
Sergeant Major Hall, Sergeant Brown, the naval officers and the
leading gentry of the garrison, besides many others, formed the
escort to St. Anne's cemetery, where she was buried. My father's
remains were buried beside hers, and the new St. Anne's
Church was built farther to the west and partly over their graves.
Stephen Jeffery owned a sailing vessel which he brought from
Kingston, and in which he brought the stone from Quarry Island to
build the barracks. He kept the first canteen on the spot now
occupied by the Reformatory, just above the barracks, and built
the old "Globe Hotel" where the "Georgian Bay House" now stands.
He felled trees across the road leading to Mundy's canteen, on
the old Military Road, so as to compel customers to come to the
"Globe" tavern and patronize him. He afterwards built the
"Canada House." Keightly kept the canteen for the soldiers at
the garrison, and then a man named Armour.
Tom Landrigan kept a canteen, and bought goods and naval supplies
stolen by soldiers from the old Red Store. He was found guilty
with the others, and sentenced to be hung. It cost my father a large
sum of money to get Tom clear. He was married to my sister.
One day I went up to the cricket ground and saw something round
rolled in a handkerchief, which was lying in the snow, and
which the foxes had been playing with. When I unrolled it, the
ghastly features of a man looked up at me. It was such a
horrible sight that I started home on the run and told my
father. He went up to investigate, and found it was the head of
a drunken soldier, who had cut his throat while in delirium
tremens at Mundy's canteen, and had been buried near the cricket
ground. Dr. Nevison, surgeon of the 15th Regiment, had said in a
joke, in the hearing of two soldiers; that he would like to have
the soldier's head. They got it, presented it to him, when he
refused it, horrified. They took it back and threw it on the
ground, instead of burying it with the body, and it was kicked
about in the way I mention for some time. One of the two
soldiers afterwards went insane, and the other cut his thumb and
died of blood-poisoning in Toronto. The names of the two soldiers
were Tom Taylor and John Miller.
I remember seeing a big cannon and several anchors standing
near old Red Store, the depot of naval supplies, but I don't
know what became of them. I remember the sale of the old gun-boats at
public auction by the Government, together with the naval stores
and military supplies. One of the old gunboats sunk in the
harbor, the Tecumseth, nearest the old naval depot, is said to
have a cannon in her hold. I knew Capt. T. G. Anderson, Indian
Agent and Customs Officer at Manitoulin Island. The 84th
Regiment, Col. Osborne West, Commandant, was the last regiment
stationed at Penetanguishene. Captain Yates, in the same
regiment, was dissipated and got into debt. He was obliged to
sell his commission, and finally left for Toronto. St. Onge dit
La Tard, Chevrette, Boyer, Coté, Cadieux, Desaulniers, Lacourse,
Lepine, Lacroix, Rushloe (Rochelieu or Richelieu ?), Precourt,
Desmaisons and Fleury, a Spaniard, all came from Drummond Island.
Altogether (in Louie's opinion) about one hundred families came.
MICHAEL LABATTE.
Michael Labatte, a typical French-Canadian voyageur, lives on an
island in Victoria Harbor (Hogg Bay). His family history and
descent is an interesting one. He claims over one quarter Indian
blood, but the aboriginal element in his nature is most unmistakably
marked. His father went up to the North-West in the closing years
of the last century, and probably accompanied the British army in
their first move to "Sault Ste. Marie" and St. Joseph Island, on
the first transfer of Mackinaw to the Americans in 1796. He also
formed one of the contingent of one hundred and sixty French-Canadian
voyageurs accompanyiug Mr. Pothier, under Captain Roberts, at
the capture of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, and three
years later he moved to Drummond Island with the British forces
on the second transfer of Mackinaw to the Americans, and finally
to Penetanguishene. For a man of his years (over 85) Michael is
vigorous and alert, and his memory is apparently intact.
His Narrative.
I was born at Sault Ste. Marie (on the American side) in 1814,
the last year of the war, my mother being there on a visit to
friends at the time, though our home was on Drummond Island. My
father was Louis George Labatte, a blacksmith by trade, who was
born in Lower Canada. He was a soldier in the British Army, and
was at the capture of Mackinaw in 1812. He went up from
Montreal with the North-West Company, and moved from Mackinaw
with the British soldiers to Drummond Island. My mother's name
was Louisa Cadotte, a Chippewa, from whom I learned the Indian
language. I was the eldest of a family of three children, two
brothers and one sister, the others being dead. Nothing but
French and Indian was spoken at Drummond Island. I learned
English at Penetanguishene, where I first heard it spoken. I was
twelve years old when we left Drummond Island. I came in a
bateau with my mother, brother, sister, and an Indian, named
Gro-e-wis-Oge-nier, and his wife. We were two weeks coming.
Several families started together in sail-boats, bateaux and
canoes. We camped at Thessalon River, Mississaga River, Serpent
River, LaCloche, She-bon-aw-ning,* Moose Point and other places on
the way. We stopped at Pinery Point and made our toilet before
entering Penetanguishene Bay. We landed at the Reformatory
Point. We were all looking for the place where we expected to
see the sand rolling over and over down the hill. I was married
in Penetang. by Father Charest. My wife's maiden name was
Archange Bergé, whose father came from Drummond Island. I was a
volunteer in the enrolled militia of Simcoe. I have my discharge
papers for 1839, signed by Colonel Gourlay and Horace Keating,
certified by Wm Simpson. Also for 1843, signed by Col. W. A Thompson.**
* The Ojibway name of Killarney.
**He presentel both documents for my inspection.
I remember Bishop McDonnell's visit to Penetanguishene. I took
him and two priests up to Manitoulin and round to the "Sault"
and back again to Holland Landing in a big canoe. Henry and
Louie Solomon and Francis Giroux were with us, and there were
several other canoes. I often went with the late Alfred
Thompson, of Penetang., to the Blue Mountains hunting. I was
with Captain Strachan at Baldoon, on Lake St. Clair, shooting
ducks. I went up the Nottawasaga and over the Portage to Lake
Simcoe, when there were no white settlers there-nothing but
Indians. Drummond Island had the best harbor on Lake Huron. The
barracks at Penetanguishene was built of Norway pine from Pinery
Point. The first houses built in Penetanguishene were built by
Revol, Mitchell and Simpson for stores, all of cedar. Old Ste.
Anne's (R.C.) church was built by Rev. Father Dempsey,*
missionary, who died while on the road to Barrie, and was buried
in the cemetery at Penetanguishene. The old church was built of
upright posts and the spaces filled in with cedar logs, laid
horizontally, and let into the posts by a tenon and extended
mortise. Rev. Father Proulx was the next priest, then Father
Charest. I came to Victoria Harbor (Hogg Bay) over thirty years
ago. My mother has been dead over fifty years. She is buried
at Lafontaine with my father. Kean & Fowlie built the mill at
Victoria Harbor. Asher Mundy, who kept the canteen on the old
military road, was married to Mrs. ValliŠres, widow of a
French-Canadian. There was no house at Lafontaine when I first
saw it. It was first called Ste. Croix. The nearest house was
my father's, at Thunder Bay, about seven miles distant. Louis
DeschŠneau built the first house there. Toussaint Boucher built
the "Iron Canoe" on the spot where Dr. Shohn's residence now
stands in Penetanguishene, for Father Proulx, who afterward
presented it to the Government.**
*For a notice of Father Dempsey and his work, see Lizars' "In
the Days of the Canada Company."
**It was made of Russian sheet iron.
I made a trip in the "Iron Canoe" with fifteen men, Father
Proulx, a young priest named Lavelle and a bishop from Europe,
up to Manitoulin, the "Sault" and Mackinaw, and back. Father
Crevier visited Drummond Island twice in my recollection. I
carried the mail to the "Sault" in winter on snow-shoes. I made
the trip from Penetanguishene to the "Sault" and back (three
hundred miles) with a sleigh and two dogs in fifteen days-snow
three feet deep. I once made the trip in fourteen days. Dig a
hole in the snow with my snow-shoes, spread spruce boughs, eat
piece of cold pork, smoke pipe and go to sleep. I often had Mal
de racquette. I would sharpen my flint, then split the flesh of
the ankle above the instep in several places, and sometimes down
the calf of the leg for a remedy. I was in the Shawanaga country
for furs on two occasions when I could not get out, on account
of floods. I was four days without food, which was cached at the
mouth of the river. At another time I was five days without
food, except moss off the rocks on account of floods and soft
weather. I was sent by the Government to clear the land where
Waubaushene now stands, for the Indians. I planted potatoes and
sowed grain. I was there when the Government built the first
grist-mill and houses for the Indians at Coldwater. The
Government afterwards moved the Indians to Beausoleil Island,
Christian and Manitoulin Islands. A man named Stone built the
first mill at Severn River, before there was any mill at
Waubanshene. I remember seeing several cannons at the old Red
Store or Naval Depot at Penetanguishene.
Squire McDonald, uncle of Squire Sam. Fraser, of Midland, was
agent for the North-West Company, and came from Drummond Island
the year before we did. Dr. Mitchell, his son Andrew, Wm.
Simpson and Revol, all came about the same time. I knew about
the Tom Landrigan scrape-getting into trouble about stolen
Government military supplies-mighty close shave for Tom-he was
sentenced to be hanged. I saw Prisque soon after he fell and
broke his neck in Penetanguishene. He looked as if he had a
black handkerchief tied round his neck. He was sawing off a
board lying across the beams, and sawed it too short and pitched
down head first. I saw the drunken soldier, who cut his throat
at Mundy's Canteen, and who was buried near the old cricket
ground. I was fireman for three summers on the steamer Gore,
commanded by Captain Fraser, who married a daughter of Hippolyte
Brissette. I went with the volunteers to Chippawa and Navy
Island to clear out the Mackenzie rebels. My father was married
twice. I was the eldest of the first family, and worked for
myself since I was fourteen years old. I have had a family of
fifteen children.
MRS. BOUCHER'S NARRATIVE.
My maiden name was Rosette Larammee, born on Drummond Island
December 12th, 1815, the year after the war. My husband was
Jean Baptiste Boucher, also a native of Drummond Island. My
father's name was Jacques Adam Larammee, born in Lower Canada.
He hired with the North-West Company and went up to Lake
Superior, came back, and went to New Zealand (?),where he caught
the fever. On recovering, he came home and went up to Mackinaw
with the British soldiers, where he afterwards married Rosette
Cloutier, a half-breed woman; then moved with the forces to
Drummond Island. We left Drummond Island in April, 1828, and
were in the sugar camp when some of the others started. The
Labattes left before the soldiers. We came in a large
bateau with two other families and a span of horses. Our family
consisted of father, mother, four children Julien, Zoa, James,
and myself. James was only two years old. I was about thirteen.
There were with us Louis Lepine, wife, and one child, Frances,
who afterwards became the wife of William Rawson, of Coldwater.
Pierre Lepine, who with his wife and child were wrecked with the
soldiers, was Louis's brother. Antoine Fortin, wife, and three
children, were also with us. We came by the North Shore, and were
one month on the way. We camped at Mississaga Point, McBean's Post,*
La Cloche, She-bon-an-ning, Moose Point and Minniekaignashene, the
last camping-place before reaching Penetanguishene. Belval, Quebec,
and Rondeau all came from Drummond Island and settled at old
Fort Ste. Marie. Pierre Rondeau, while planting potatoes, found
a root of la carotte a moureau, and his wife took it away from him.
While she was getting dinner he ate some and died. Fraser, who kept
a canteen on Drummond Island and was wrecked with the soldiers,
started a tavern at the old cricket gronnd, near the little lake,
which was afterwards called Fraser's lake.** Joseph Craddock, of
Coldwater, and his sister, Mrs. Simpson, came from Drummond Island.
Their mother was a half-breed. I remember a bishop, named Thombeau,
and Father Crevier, once visited Drummond Island. My father and
mother were married in Penetanguishene by Bishop McDonnell,
who married several couples during his visit to Penetanguishene
shortly after we moved from Drummond Island. Louis Descheneaux
and his wife, Gustave Boyer and his wife, Charles Cadieux and his
wife, and several others were married at the same time. We
settled on the lot now owned by Quesnelle, and afterwards moved
to our present borne on lot 17, con. 17, Tiny. Dr. Boyer practised
and lived in Penetanguishene. Joseph Giroux started for Thunder Bay
with provisions for his son, Camile, who was fishing. He lost his way
and wandered down to Pinery Point. My son, Narcisse Boucher, and
several others started out to hunt for him. The snow was two feet
deep and no roads. They found him on the third day in the afternoon
lying on some boughs behind a big oak log, his hands and feet frozen
solid, and his dog wrapped in the breast of his coat to help keep him
warm. They made a stretcher of withes covered with boughs, and carried
him borne on their shoulders, relieving each other by turns. Giroux
was obliged to suffer amputation of both hands and feet. Mr. Boucher,
my husband, died several years ago.
*Mrs. Jameson, writing in 1837 ("Winter Studies and Summer Rambles,"
Vol. 3, p. 256) places McBean's Post at La Cloch.
**Now St Andrew's or Mud Lake.
[On the facing page to the next narrative, there are two photos, as
follows:
1.-Baptiste Sylvestre. Born at Mackinac, on All Saint's Day, 1813,
removed to Penetanguishene and Newmarket in 1816.
2.-Antoine Labatte. Born on Drummond Island, 16th. Sept. 1824;
removed to Penetanguishene, 1831. ]
JEAN BAPTISTE SYLVESTRE'S NARRATIVE.
I was born at Mackinaw on All-Saints' day in 1813, the second year
of the American War. My father's name was Jean Baptiste Sylvestre,
who went up with the North-West Company, became a soldier in
the British army and fought at Mackinaw. He received his discharge,
moved to Drummond Island with the troops, and started business as a
fur trader. He came from the North-West to help the British,
and joined the force at St. Joseph Island. My mothers' maiden name
was Angelique McKay, a half-breed woman of Scotch descent, whom my
father married at Mackinaw, where she was drowned when I was about
two years old. Just before Mackinaw was given up to the Yankees
my mother left in a small sailboat with a company of young people
to visit Manitoulin Island, and was only a few yards from the shore
when the boom shifted, and, striking my mother on the forehead,
knocked her overboard, and she was drowned. The officers and men
of the garrison assisted in dragging the lake for her, and did all
they could to find her but her body was never recovered. After
moving to Drummond Island in 1816, my father brought me to
Nottawasaga River in a large birch bark canoe, with some Indians,
on our way to Montreal, to leave me with my grandfather. We went
up the river, crossed the portage to Hewson's Point, Grassi Point,
Roache's Point, where we met a lot of Indians, then to Holland Landing
and on to Newmarket. There were only a storehouse and two small log
huts at the landing. My father made arrangements with Mr. Roe,
merchant at Newmarket, who sent me to school, and then I engaged
to drive team for him and make collections all over the country.
I met a party of young people in Georgina and played the fiddle
all night for them while they danced. My father came to Newmarket
with his furs. He met tribes of Indians in the west clothed in deer
and rabbit skins* and who had no axes, knives or iron instruments.
He traded among the Muskoka lakes and at Sylvestre's Lake in
Parry Sound. He took me with him on one trip. We got short of
provisions, and he sent two Indians out for more. They got drunk
and did not return. Father was obliged to eat moss from the rocks
and kill our little dog to save our lives. At last we reached
the Narrows, near Orillia, where Francis Gaudaur, a half-breed, lived.
Captain Laughton and my father came from Holland Landing across
Lake Simcoe to the Narrows, down the Severn River to "Baushene',
(Waubausbene), thence to Penetanguishene to see the channel.
*Some branch or tribe of the Beaver Indians of Peace River or
Mackenzie River.
When they arrived at Penetanguishene Bay the Drummond Islanders were
camped on Barrack's Point, in wigwams made of poles covered with
cedar bark. My father traded with Gordon, who settled on Penetanguishene
Bay long before the troops moved from Drummond Island.
William Beausoleil came before him and settled on Beausoleil Island.
I was with the party who brought Colonel Jarvis, Colonel Sparks and
Lady Jameson down from Manitoulin Island to Penetanguishene in
birch-bark canoes. We stopped at Skull Island, where there was
a large pit in the solid rock filled with skeletons. Mrs. Jameson
asked someone to get a skull for her, and Thomas Leduc went down
and got one. They put it in the canoe near my feet, and I told them to
take it away. Mrs. Jameson kept it in the canoe with her. We took
her to Coldwater, where an ox-team and waggon was procured, and she
was driven to Orillia (the Narrows), where she boarded a vessel
for Holland Landing, thence on to Toronto. I once took the wife
of Colonel Jarvis in a canoe, with two Indians, from Coldwater
to Beausoleil Island and Penetanguishene to visit the Indians.
She returned by the old military road to Kempenfeldt Bay, and
across to the Landing home. I recollect seeing Sir John Franklin
at Newmarket in 1825. I hauled the oak timber from Lanigan's Lake
to build the Penetanguishene, the first steamer built here, near
the site of McGibbon's mill. Mr. Morrison had the contract for
building the first Indian houses on Beausoleil Island. Mr. Roe
had the contract for supplying provisions to the garrison at
Penetanguishene. He hired twenty-two teams from the Davidites,
near Sharon. I drove one team, and they followed each other at
intervals of one bour, going from the landing across the ice, through
the old military road to Penetanguishene and the barracks. I was
with Mr. Longhouse in Vaughan for two years, and with Captain Strachan
for three seasons hunting on Lake St. Clair. Two of the vessels
sunk here in Penetanguishene harbor (Scorpion and Tigress) were
American schooners captured at the Détour by Adjutant Keating
and his men. William Robinson built the first mill at the head
of the bay, now owned by Copeland. Andrew Mitchell was the first
postmaster at Penetanguishene. Serpent River got its name from a
perpendicular rock at its mouth, on which a huge serpent is
neatly carved. I went with Colonel Sparks, Colonel Jarvis and
several Government officers on a trip round the lakes hunting
for the rebel Mackenzie. My brother-in-law, Lewis Solomon, and
several French-Canadians went as assistants. We went up to
Manitoulin and the Sault, around by Mackinaw and down to Sarnia,
Detroit and Malden, then down Lake Erie to Buffalo. The
Americans said, "If he were hidden anywhere there, they would give
him up". We went down the Niagara, portaged round the falls, and
went round the head of Lake Ontario, Hamilton, then down to
the Credit to see the Indians, and so on to Toronto.* One of the
Government officials expressed himself very strongly, saying, "They had
no business spending money on such a trip." Lady Jameson had been up
to Lake Superior, and had been brought down from the "Sault" by some
of our people of the North-West Company to Manitoulin Island, where
she was taken in charge by Colonel Jarvis and his party. I often
stopped with Capt. T. G. Anderson, Indian superintendent at Manitoulin.
I was at Baushene (Waubaushene) when Mackenzie's Rebellion broke out
in 1837. We lived at Coldwater, where my father died at the age of
seventy-one years. I married Rosette Solomon, daughter of William Solomon,
Government interpreter to the Indians.
*An expedition (perhaps this one) to intercept W. L. Mackenzie
in 1837, is mentioned in the Narrative of John Monague, of
Christian Island. See Transactions of the Canadian Institute,
Fourth Series (1892), vol. 3, p. 4.
ANTOINE LABATTE'S NARRATIVE.
I was born on Drummond Island, 16th September, 1824. We left the Island
in 1827. My father's name was Louis George Labatte, a soldier in the
British Army, and a blacksmith by trade. He was at the capture of Mackinaw,
and fought in the war of 1812. He was born in Lower Canada, and went up
with the North-West Company, and after three years in the British service
at Mackinaw, returned to Drummond Island with the soldiers and stayed
there eleven years. He then moved to Holland Landing, stayed there
two years, then to Penetanguishene, and lastly to Thunder Bay (Tiny),
where he died in 1872. My mother died in 1863, and both are buried
at Lafontaine. Her maiden name was Julia Frances Grouette, a half-breed.
I am three-quarters French and one-quarter Indian blood. We left
Drummond Island in August, in a bateau, towed by the schooner Alice,
Captain Hackett commander. The vessel was subsequently wrecked on
Horse Island. We came by the outer channel, past Tobermory, and
landed at Cedar Point in Tiny the same month. Eighteen persons came
in the bateau, besides provisions and household effects. There were
six of the Labatte family, four of the Grouette family, Antoine Recollet
and child, Francois Recollet and child, Jessie Solomon, and an Indian
named Jacobe. Captain Hackett had suffered shipwreck on the sea. His
vessel was burned and he saved his life by clinging to a small piece
of the burning wreck till he was rescued. Captain Hackett was badly
burned on one side of his face and neck, so that the cords were drawn
down, causing a peculiar twitching of the muscles and a continual
turning of his face to one side.
We camped at Cedar Point one night and left next morning for
Nottawasaga. We went up the Nottawasaga to Pine River, within
nine miles of Barrie, and portaged over to Lake Simcoe, and
down to Holland Landing. We stayed there two years, then went to
White's Corners in Oro and stayed there about one year, then
came to Penetanguishene in 1831. We first lived on the lot on
the corner next Shannahan's blacksmith shop, Penetanguishene,
now owned by Mrs. Mundy, then on the lot now owned by Charles
McGibbon. The little steamer Penetanquishene was built, I think,
about 1832, by Mitchell & Thompson, on the spot where McGibbon's
Mill now stands, on Water Street. We left Penetanguishene
in 1834, to go to Meaford to take up land received for
Government service. We were in a bateau with our goods and
provisions, being towed by the steamer Penetanguishene, on board
of which were Captain Workman and family and Mr. Rattray and
family, with their household furniture, also going to Meaford,
accompanied by a Mr. Vail; Stephen Jeffrey in his sail-boat was
also being towed. A heavy storm arose before we reached
Christian Island. Our bateau smashed the back windows of the
cabin of the little steamer, and one of the lines broke by which we
were being towed. We were driven on Christian Jsland, near where the
lighthouse stands. After a little time the captain thought be would try
again, and my father refused to go. We were obliged to unload the
bateau, as it belonged to the steamer. We unloaded our goods and
blacksmith's tools into a birch canoe, while they started the second
time for the Blue Mountains, but were obliged to return. We camped
there about a week. There were no Indians there then. When the
storm ceased, Captain Beman came along with his sloop and took
Captain Workman and his party to Meaford, but left Mr. Vail. My
father found him one day without any food, and brought him to our
camp. Antoine Lacourse, a fisherman from Penetanguishene, and some
friends, came to take us back to Penetanguishene. We started, but
the ice was so thick it took three men with sticks in the front
of the bateau to break it. We got as far as Thunder Bay (Tiny),
and landed at a fisherman's cabin, but twelve feet square, where
we stayed for the night, with fifteen men, besides eight of our
own family. We built a place to winter in, then built a log
house, and lived on the bay ever since. The old house is still
standing. Tontine Martin, a fisherman from Penetanguishene, built
a small cabin just before we came, but occupied it only temporarily.
Camile Giroux was the next settler, about twenty years after we came.
My father set out fruit trees, which grew from seed dropped on the
beach by fisherman and travellers. Michael Labatte, of Victoria
Harbor, is my half-brother. His mother's Indian name was Oh-ge-ke-qua.
In my father's time a "Yankee" vessel often came to Thunder Bay
with whiskey and hid the barrels in the sand. Stephen Jeffery,
of Penetanguishene, would come through the Indian trail from
Colborne Bay and get the whiskey and take it across to his canteen.
After the barrels were emtied they would break them up and leave the
staves in the sand. They would sometimes dig holes in the gravel
at Lighthouse Point, on Christian Island, and hide the whiskey and
cover it with brush, until they came after it. The distance through
the Indian trail across to Colborne Bay opposite to the barracks was
called seven miles. I worked two years in Saginaw and at the Bruce
Mines, with three hundred men, under Manager Campbell.* I attended
school in Penetanguishene three mouths under a teacher named Antoine
Lacourse. His grandson, Wm. Lacourse, and Francis Marchildon were
drowned some years since on their way to Christian Island. I knew
Rondeau at the old Fort, who ate a root of la carotte à moureau (wild
parsnip) and was poisoned. He was planting potatoes and found the
root. His wife said it was good to eat. While she was getting dinner
he ate some and died the same night. I saw him when they buried him
in Penetanguishene. The Labattes left Drummond Island in 1827; the
troops left in 1828, and most of the French-Canadians in 1829.
* A very interesting account of the Bruce Mines when at the
height of their prosperity (in 1849-5O) may be found in the
Second Report of the Ontario Bureau of Mines (1892) pages 171-8.
It was written by Walter William Palmer, and is entitled,
"A Pioneer's Mining Espreience on Lake Superior and Lake Huron."
I heard of the burning of the schooner Nancy at Nottawasaga. She
ran into the river followed by the Yankee schooners. She got
inside the bar, where they had a slight skirmish, when the
captain set fire to her to prevent her falling into the hands
of the Yankees. While passing Detroit the captain kept a keg of
powder on deck ready to blow her up in case of attack. The captain
and his men were left with nothing but the yawl boat, and they made
their way back to St. Joseph Island by the North Shore, where they
saw two "Yankee" vessels. They ran across to Mackinaw and got
permission from the Colonel and returned and captured the two
schooners. Capt. McTavish boarded one of the vessels as a negro
was in the act of loading a cannon, when he cut off his head with
a sword, the former falling overboard. The captain seized the body
and pitched it over also, saying, as he did so, "Follow your head."*
* This is a popular version of the capture of the two "American"
schooners, Scorpion and Tigress, near Mackinaw in 1814. Another
version of the capture, from the pen of John McDonald of Garth,
may be found in Massons "Bourgeois," II, p. 55.
Pierre Giroux took a squaw for his wife from Moose Point and
settled on Penetanguishene Bay. She appeared to be a little
crazy. When Bishop McDonnell visited Penetanguishene be ordered
them to marry or separate. Giroux gave her a blanket and sent
her away. She wrapped her babe in the blanket and started across
the ice, but when she reached Giant's Tomb Island her babe was
frozen to death. Pierre afterwards got his hands and feet so
badly frozen while hauling fish down from Moose Point that they
had to be amputated. His brother, Joseph, started with
provisions for his son, Camile, who was fishing on Thunder Bay,
and got lost. The snow was two or three feet deep and no roads.
He was found three days later near Pinery Point, with his hands
and feet frozen. They had to be amputated. His son Joseph still
lives in Penetanguishene. Andrew Vallier parted with his squaw
and they afterwards met again and were married by Rev. Father Proulx.
They generally married their wives when the priest came. Point Douglas,
to the west of Thunder Bay (Tiny), was named after a marine surveyor.
My lot is north half No. 16, con. 19, broken front, Tiny. My brother,
Ambrose, lives on lot 13, con. 17, Tiny. I married Mary Coté for my
first wife.
ANGELIQUE LANGLADE.
The concluding narrative of these personal recollections is that of
Angelique Langlade, still living in Penetanguishene at an advanced age,
and the last survivor but one of a somewhat noted family. Her command
of English is very limited, but her mixed dialect so picturesque
and pointed, that I am constrained to present it almost verbatim,
in her own simple but expressive style, with apologies to several
writers of dialect literature.
Her Narrative.
Ma name, Angelique Langlade; born Drummon Islan; me Chippawa half-breed;
ma mudder, Josephine Ah-quah-dah, Chippawa squaw, Yankee tribe; ma fadder,
Charles Langlade, French half-breed, hees born Mackinaw, an move
Drummon Islan wid Breeteesh. I no spik good Eengleesh ver well. I
not know how old I be- ha-a - I no chicken-me. I tink bout seven,
ten, mebbe tirteen year ole when we come Pentang. Mebbe some day God
tell me how ole I be when I die. Ma fadder, mudder, Charlie, Louie,
Pierre, two Marguerites, Angelique, dats me, an Delede, all come in
big bateau from Nort shore. Priess mak mistak an baptise two Marguerites.
Katrine born Pentang. All dead but two, Delede (Mrs. Precourt) an
me-dat's Angelique. We come Gordon's pinte; mak wigwam cedar bark,
stay dare leetle tam; wait for land, den come ware
McAvela's place on de hill, an leeve dare lang, lang tam.*
Soldiers come nex year after we come Gordon's pinte. Ma granfadder
Capn. Charles Langlade.** Good French, come Montreal; work for
Hudson Bay Coy., marry Chippawa squaw- big, big soldier in Breeteesh
army-he fight fer Mackinaw 1812-much good, loyal to Eengleesh-had
ver fine sword- after war went to Green Bay, where be die-had tousan
acre lan-built ver big fine stone house, where he lef hees sword,
piano an lots money-ver, ver rich. Had tree sons an tree daughters-Alixe,
Indians mak him big chief way, way off in Unat Stat; Charlie, dats
ma fadder, he come Drummon Islan wid Breeteesh soldiers and den he
come Pentang; Napoleon, be go way an nevare come back no more-nevare
hear from him every years-speks lak hees dead long tam. One daughter
kep Mackinaw, where she married an leeve; two go to school,
Montreal, get married an go to Lac Montaigne to leeve. Lots ma
friens Langlades leeve Montreal-fine peoples-ver rich. Ma
granmudder, Angelique Langlade, she come on visit from Green Bay
an die in Pentang. She ver, ver ole when she die. Father Point,
Missionary Priess, on veesit from Wek-wam-i-kon, he bury her. He
say she more as hunner year ole. Ma sister, Marguerite, she marry
George Gordon, hees secon wife. She die in Toronto. Odder Marguerite,
she die in Pentang. Dr. Mitchell come Drummon Islan, too; hees wife
Chippewa squaw; she die fore he come here. Hees son, Andrew Mitchell,
kep store in ole log-house where Charlie Wright's barn ees, on
Water Street. Ole Dr. Mitchell, hees son André an some more
buried on ole Mitchell farm. Jacko Vasseur, Batcheesh, young Jacques,
Marguerite, Paul an Rosette all buried on Gidley's. Mr. Simpson,
trader, he marry squaw on Drummon Islan; she buried behind ole store
on Water Street ; hees secon wife half-breed, sister Jo. Craddock,
Coldwater. Mr. Keating capture Yankee schooner on Drummon Islan.
* The old Langlade mansion and original block-house is, still
standing.
**For a long article ou Chas. de Langlade, see Joseph Tasse's
"Les Canadiens de l'Ouest" Vol. I, which also contains some
lists of his descendants. See also the index to Coues' edition
of the Journal of Alex. Henry the younger, under "Langlade," for
a concise biography.
[I have in my possession a copy of a letter (Report) in French,
written by Capt. Charles Langlade, Angelique's grandfather, in
1783, from La Bai to the commandant at Mackinaw, detailing an
attack on Wisconsin Portage by the Indians, which he was
sent to repulse.* He was also sent with a detachment to the
relief of Governor Hamilton, who was imprisoned by the Indians
at Vincennes. At the close of the war Captain Langlade and one
son went to Green Bay, Wis., while another son; Charles, accompanied
the British forces to Drummond Island. Subsequent to the Captain's
death in Green Bay, his wife died in Penetanguishene, while on a
visit to her son, about the year 1845, at an advanced age. She was
reputed to be over one hundred years. The stone mansion, sword
and piano are still in possession of descendants at Green Bay,
and highly prized as memorials of Captain Langlade. Records in
possossion of the Gordon family prove that Angelique was born
about 1820, if not earlier.]
*Notices of Langlade and his Indians, at Labaye (Green Bay)
and Vincennes may he found in the Report on Canadian Archives,
1890, Calendar of State Papers, pages 81, 84, 85, 109, etc.
LIST OF THE DRUMMOND ISLAND VOYAGEURS.
AMYOT, COLBERT, was born in Quebec, went up with the Hudson's
Bay Company, was with Admiral Bayfield in the survey of the
thirty thousand islands of Georgian Bay in the old Recovery.
He accompanied the admiral to Fort William, and with Hippolyte
Brissette and William Cowan, also half-breeds, helped to build
the new Recovery, a sailing vessel, with which they completed
the survey. His ancestors were Charles and Joseph Jean Baptiste Amyot,
of Vincelotte, Quebec, the original grantees of that fief in 1672.
He has a son, Colbert, living at St. Joseph Island, and another
at St. Ignace, Mich. He was married to a daughter of the interpreter,
Wm. Solomon. (See Louie Solomon's Narrative.)
AUGER, JOSEPHETTE.
BARNARD, M., married a daughter of Alixe Lamorandiere, returned
to the "Sault," where he has sons still living, and at St Joseph Island.
BELL, JOHN. A genuine French half-breed with an English name, and married
to a half-breed woman. I have been unable to ascertain the origin of his
name. He appears to have been more than usually clever, as Gordon, the
trader, tried to retain his services for collecting furs from the Indians.
He soon returned to the "Sault."
BOUCHER, JEAN BAPTISTE, first settled on lot No. 15, concession 16, Tiny;
removed to lot No. 17, concession 17, still occupied by his widow
and son, Narcisse Boucher. He was born in Quebec. His family
connections include that noted branch of Jean Baptiste Boucher de Chambly,
a grandson of M. de Chambly, the original grantee in 1672, who was killed
in an Italian campaign. He died at the age of seventy one years, and is
buried at Lafontaine.
BOUCHER, PIERRE, once owned the lot where Beck & Co.'s mill now
stands in Penetanguishene.
BOISSONNEAU, JOSEPH, came from St. Joseph Island. His
descendants still live in Tiny.
BERGER, JOSEPH. His son Charles, at Victoria Harbor, and other
descendants are still living.
BRUNEAU, BAPTISTE, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie, Tay, on the
Jesuit lot, and gave the name to Bruneauville Station at that
place. He is descended from the family of Francois Pierre Bruneau,
of Montarville, Quebec, who purchased that fief in 1830.
His descendants live in Victoria Harbor and Tay.
BOURASSA, GABRIEL. Descendants of his are still living in Tiny.
BAREILLE, Louis, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie, Tay.
BEAUBIEN, M.
BOISVERT, EDOUARD, went to Lake Simcoe.
BOYER, GOTFRIED (near sighted), settled in Tiny. His son is
living in Midland.
BOYER GUSTAVE.
BOYER, BAPTISTE.
BOYER, PIERRE.
BOYER, CHARLES.
BOYER, JOSEPH.
BOYER, WILLIAM.
BEAUDRIA, ANTOINE.
BELLVAL, BAPTISTE, had no hair on his head or nails on his
fingers and toes. He settled at old Fort Ste. Marie, was
mail-carrier for some time, and died at Bruce Mines.
BEAUDRIA, LOUIS, returned to La Cloche with the Hudson's Bay Company.
BEAUSOLEIL, LOUIS, settled on Beausoleil Island (marked "Prince
William Henry Island" on maps) in 1819, and from him the island
received its name. He afterwards moved to Beausoleil Point, on
Penetanguishene Bay, where he died at an advanced age. His wife
was a full-blooded Chippewa. He is remembered by early
settlers as the owner of a monster black ox, which he drove or
worked on all occasions. He had two sons and one daughter.
BEAUSOLEIL, ALIXE, died in Penetanguishene. Several chudren are
living in Tiny.
BEAUSOLEIL, ANTOINE, went to Trenton, Ontario.
BEAUSOLEIL, FELICITE, married Antoine Recollet, of Green Bay.
She died in Penetanguishene. Her daughter, Cecilia, married
Antoine Trudeau and is still living in Tiny.
BARBOU PIERRE went to Waubaushene.
BLETTE, DIT SORELLE, PIERRE, was the grantee of Park lot 24,
the patent having been issued in 1834. He died in Owen Sound.
BLETTE, LOUIS, was the grantee of Park lot 26, the patent
having been issued in 1834.
BLETTE, FRANCOIS. Descendants of his are living in Parry Sound.
BENOIT, LOUIS, came from the "Sault."
BENOIT, FRANCOIS.
CHEVALIER, Louis, died in Penetanguishene. Sons are living on
Dokis' Reserve, Nipissing. His father, Louis Chevalier, took a
prominent part in charge of Indians at the post of St. Joseph in
1783, under Governor Sinclair, of Mackinaw. He was well versed
in Green Bay incidents.
CHAMPAGNE, ANTOINE, carpenter, owned part of the lot belonging
to Allen L. McDonnell.
CRADDOCK, JOSEPH, was born on St. Joseph Island in 1812, the first
year of the American war. He came to Penetanguishene with the
soldiers and lived near the barracks. He was employed by the
government on the Orillia portage in 1830-32, in the erection
of houses for the Indians, and received a grant of fifty acres
of land in Coldwater, on which he resided till his death. His
father was an officer in the 42nd Regiment, and returned to the
Old Country soon after he (Joseph) was born, and was killed in
the battle of Waterloo. His aboriginal-descent was so very marked,
and the Indian so predominant in his character, that he received
a government annuity with the other members of the Indian bands.
He was scrupulously honest and upright in his dealings,
highly respected, and a pattern to the community in which he
lived over sixty years. He died at Coldwater on the 13th April, 1900.
He has numerous descendants.
CRADDOCK, KATRINE (Joseph's sister), became the wife of
William Simpson, the early trader in Penetanguishene. Her
descendants now reside in Montreal.
CHEVRETTE, LOUIS, of lot 13, concession 17, Tiny, was born at
St. Hubert, Quebec, in 1801, joined the North-West Company to
trade with the Indians, but returned to the "Sault" and Drummond
Island, thence to Penetanguishene. In early years he had a sugar
camp on the corner where Dr. Spohn's residence now stands on
Main Street, Penetanguishene. He settled on Quesnelle's place,
near McAvela's, afterwards moved to Tiny, where he died in 1880,
aged 79 years. Two sons, Moses (Moise) and Louis, are living in
Tiny; one daughter, Mrs. Wynne, 18 living in Penetanguishene,
besides numerous descendants.
CADIEUX, ANDRE, a pensioner, on a Park lot, South Poyntz Street,
Penetanguishene, was born in the Province of Quebec, on the
Island of Montreal, and went up with the Hudson's Bay Company. He had a
medal, won in the British army in Lower Canada. He saw some hard
service going up the Ottawa. After reaching a certain point
meat supplies were stopped; the allowance then became four ounces of
tallow, and one quart of corn per day for each man, and any game they
could shoot. He was descended from the family of Charles Cadieux,
of Quebec city, who took the oath in 1767, and another of his ancestors
was Joseph Cadieux, who was at the battle of Bennington, ana drew
seven hundred acres of land at St. Sulpice under Lord Dorchester
in 1788. He had six sons and one daughter. The sons were: André jun.,
killed at Port Severn; Isidore, living in Penetanguishene; Louis, Joseph,
Jean, and Baptiste, living at the "Sault", and in different parts of the
United States. All these were born in Penetanguishene.
CHARPENTIER, ANTOINE, moved to Lake Simcoe.
COUTURE, WILLIAM, died at Owen Sound. He was descended from
the family of Guillaume Couture, of Beaumont, Quebec, who took
the oath of fealty in 1759.
COUTURE, JOSEPH, died in Killarney.
CHENIER, MICHAEL, returned te the "Sault" and Mackinaw, and
died in the House of Refuge.
CLERMONT, FRANCOISE, came from Red River as the wife of
Francis Dussaume, sen.
CHAPIN, MARGUERITE, married William Couture.
COTÉ, CHARLES, of lot 16, concession 16, Tiny, died at the age
of seventy, and is buried at Lafontaine. He came originally
from La Cloche, and had been in the employ of the Hudson's Bay
Company. He was descended from the family of Jean Baptiste Coté,
of Ile Verte, Quebec, 1723. His descendants are still living in Tiny.
COTÉ, JOSEPH, owned lot 18, concession 15, Tiny. his
descendants are living in Penetanguishene.
COTÉ, FRANCOIS, settled on lot 14, concession 15, Tiny.
CRUSON, JOSEPH.
CADOTTE, ANGELIQUE, became the wife of Pierre Lepine; died at
the advanced age of 95 years, and is buried at Lafontaine. She
was wrecked on the schooner Hackett with her babe. (See Louis
Solomon's Narrative.)
CADOTTE, M.
CADOTTE, LOUISE, "Oh-ge-ke-quah", also known as Mother Pecon, was
the first wife of Louis George Labatte, and the mother of
Michael Labatte. (See his narrative.) She died in Penetanguishene.
CARON, JOSEPH, sen., was the grantee of Park lot 27 in 1834
(old Mitchell farm).
CARON, JOSEPH, jun., was the grantee of Park lot 28 in 1834
(old Mitchell farm).
CARON, Louis.
CORBIERE, ELI, a half-brother of Louis, has lived at Holland
Landing for sixty years.
CORBIERE, Louis, of lot 18, concession 15, Tiny, won a medal
in the army in Lower Canada. Descendants of his are still living
on Beausoleil Island.
CORBIERE, DAVID, owned Park lot 33 and the town lot where the
Arcade now stands.
CORBIERE, MARIA (daughter of Louis), was accidently shot by
her brother while hunting cows.
CROTEAU, CHARLES, sen., settled on Water Street, near Mitchell's corner.
CROTEAU, CHARLES, jun., moved to Holland Landing.
CROTEAU, JEAN BAPTISTE.
CLOUTIER, ROSETTE (wife of Jacques Adam Larammee), died at the
age of eighty-three, and was buried at Lafontaine.
CADIEUX, JULIE (daughter of Andre, sen.), was born at Drummond
Island, and became the wife of Joseph Legris. She is now a
widow living at Byng Inlet. Her father and William Couture at one
time occupied a double house, standing on the corner where Dr.
Spohn's residence now stands in Penetanguishene.
DESMAISONS, ARCHANGE, the daughter of Francis Desinaisons,
became the wife of Henry Modest Lemire.
DESMAISONS, FRANCOIS, once owned the lot where the Memorial
Church now stands. Has a grandson, Narcisse, living in Penetanguishene.
DUSANG, AMABLE, moved to Fesserton, where his descendants still live.
DUSANG, BENJAMIN, dit Monagre. One of his sisters married into
the Vent family.
DESCHAMBAULT, PIERRE, went to Waubaushene. His ancestor,
Captain Deschambault, was at the siege of St. John, and drew
700 acres of land in Longueuil, under Lord Dorchester, in 1788.
Descendants are living in Tiny.
DESCHENAUX, LOUIS, of lot 16, concession 16, Tiny, (now owned by
M. Duquette) built the first house in Ste. Croix (Lafontaine)
about 1830. It is still standing. His father was born at
Beaumont, Quebec, and came up with the North-West Company. Among
his ancestors was the famous curé of Ancienne Lorette,
Charles Joseph Deschenaux, son of Joseph Brassard Deschenaux,
of Beaumont, 1781. Louis is buried at Lafontaine.
No descendants are living
DESAULNIERS, Louis, settled at Gordon's Point, then moved to
Tiny. He died at the age of 86 and is buried at Lafontaine.
DESAULNIERS, CHARLES, settled on Robert street, Penetanguishene
on the site of Elliott's livery stable.
DOUCETTE, EDWARD, once owned lot 13, concession 17, Tiny
(now Moise Cbevrette's).
DELOGE, WIDOW, was Charles Vasseur's mother. She was buried
on the Gidley farm.
DUCLOS, CALIXTE.
DESJARDINS, CHARLES, settled on Water street, next to Mr.
Hubert, Penetanguishene. He died in Owen Sound.
DESJARDINS, JOSEPH, the grantee of Park lot No. 23, in 1834. His
descendants are still living in Tiny. Their name recalls the
memorable disaster near Hamilton in 1858.
DESMARAIS, AUGUSTIN. His descendants are still living in Penetanguishene.
DOLEUR, JOSEPH, a stonemason. He once owned the lot on Robert
street, where Wynne's residence stands. He returned to the
"Sault," where his descendants still live.
FORTIN, HENRI, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie. He went to Owen
Sound, where he died.
FREISMITH, JOSEPH, baker, settled on one of the original lots of
the Gidley farm.
FARLINGER, JAMES, blacksmith in the navy. The two latter are
reputed to be Germans, though speaking French and married to
half breed women.
FONTAINE, Louis.
FORTIN, ANTOINE, owned the park lot on Poyntz street, opposite
Mr. Plouffe's, Penetanguishene.
FRECHETTE, MICHAEL, settled near Lake Tyndall (or Semple), Midland.
FRECHETTE, ETIENNE, the grantee of Park lot No. 17, Tiny, in 1834.
FRECHETTE, BAPTISTE, occupied a Park lot in Penetanguishene.
FRECHETTE, CHARLES.
FRECHETTE, LOUIS. The correct name of these brothers is
Desroches except the first, Michael, whose mother married the
second time. They all retained the name of the first.
Descendants are still living in Tiny.
FAILLE, LOUIS.
FLEURY, JOSEPH, owned the lot on Poyntz street, Penetanguishene,
that is now Corbeau's. He was one of Adjutant Keating's party
that captured the Yankee schooner near Drummond Island. He was
said to be a Spaniard. He married a half breed woman and spoke French.
GIROUX, PIERRE, the grantee of Park lot No. 4, Tiny Reserve, in
1834. He was one of Adjutant Keating's party in the capture of
the American schooner near Drunimond Island. He was severely
frozen while on his way from Giant's Tomb Island and suffered
amputation of both bands and feet. Some of his descendants are
living in Tiny.
GIROUX, JOSEPH, died at the age of 76 and was buried at
Lafontaine.
GAGER, ANTOINE.
GERAIR, FRANCOIS. His daughter married Joseph Boucher and is
still living.
GREVEROT, MARGUERITE, became the wife of Charles Coté. She
was buried at Lafontaine.
GUIMONT, FRANCOIS.
GURNEAU, JOSEPH.
GORDON, WILLIAM D., was the eldest son of George Gordon. He
was born at Drummond Island in 1820. He was lost in the woods
near Penetanguishene in 1832, and was supposed to have been devoured
by wolves. The skeleton of the boy was found fifteen years later
near the site of Midland. The skull was identified by a
peculiarly shaped tootb, and was preserved till his father's
death, five years later, when it was buried in his coffin.
GORDON, BETSY, married Joseph Lacourse, a brother of Judge
Lacourse, of Waterloo County. Her second husband was James
Bailey. Both are still living in Tiny.
GREVOTE, PIERRE.
GOULET, Francois, was a noted violinist. He occupied the house
built by D. Revol in Water street.
GOULET, MARGUERITE, eloped with Michael Lavallee and never retured.
GOROITE, JULIE FRANCOISE, was the second wife of Louis George Labatte.
She died at the age of 75, and was buried at Lafontaine. Her
brother, William Goroite, was Government interpreter for the
Indians at Port Credit, Ont.
GOULIN, PIERRE.
GOROITE, JULIE, half-breed, mother of Julia Frances Labatte. She
came from Drummond Island witb Louis George Labatte, and died at
Holland Landing the same year of typhoid fever. She married
James Goroite, a Protestant Englishman, who went from
Montreal to Drummond Island as schoolmaster, "avocat," and
issuer of marriage licenses. He wore a wig, was very methodical
in his habits, and scrupulous in the observance of holy days.
Though a Protestant, be would always remind his wife of any day
to be observed in her Church and insist upon her attending to it.
He also died at Holland Landing of cholera the same year.
JOHNSON, MARGUERITE, was born at Mackinaw and became the
wife of William Solomon, the Indian interpreter at Drummond
Island. She died in Penetanguishene and was buried with military
honors. (See the Narrative of Louie Solomon.)
JOURDAIN, LOUIS.
JOLINEAU, M.
LACERTE, LOUIS, the grantee of Park lot No. 20, Tiny, in 1834,
in the Mitchell farm. He was buried there.
LA RONDE, CHARLES, a titled gentleman who claimed descent from
the Bourbons of France. Letters addressed to him always bore
his title. One of his ancestors was Sieur Pierre Denys de la Ronde,
who obtained a grant in the city of Quebec in 1658.
Charles lived at Penetanguishene, Beausoleil Island and Coldwater.
LARAMMEE, JACQUES ADAM, settled on a Park lot in Tiny, part of
McAvela's. He died at the age of 80, and was buried at
Lafontaine. (See Mrs. Boucher's Narrative.)
LARAMMEE, JAMES, jun., left Drummond Island at two years of
age. He lived on Tiny Ordnance Reserve.
LARAMMEE, ROSETTE, became the wife of Jean Baptiste Boucher, and
is still living on lot 17, concession 17, Tiny, aged 85 year,
totally blind. (See Mrs. Boucher's Narrative.)
LARAMMEE, JULIE, married Charles Lamoureux, and is living at Pine Point.
LARAMMEE, ZOA, married Pierre Gendron, and is living at Byng Inlet.
LANDRY, WIDOW, the mother of Mrs. Gordon. She came to
Penetanguishene in 1825. She is buried at Gordon's Point, now
owned by William Crosson, Tay. (See also Introduction.)
LANDRY, AGNES, the first wife of George Gordon, the trader of
Scotch descent who went up from Montreal with the Hudson's Bay
Company, came to Drummond Island, thence to Gordon's Point,
which he called the "Place of Penetanguishene," in 1825. He was
the grantee of Park lot No. 8, Tiny, in 1836, now owned by John
Belyea. His father was Colonel Gordon, of Montreal, who was
killed in action in the West Indies, and whose widow
subsequently married Joseph Rousseau, a wealthy merchant of
Montreal. Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Vallee, of Tiny, and the Misses
Gordon, of Penetanguishene, are daughters.
LAVALLEE, CELESTE (daughter of Dennis Lavallee), became the wife
of John Borland, and died in Coldwater. John Borland is still living.
He is a son of Captain Borland, who was shot and wounded by the
Americans at the sacking of Toronto in 1812, but subsequently
became commander of the steamer Colborne, on Lake Simcoe, and
later of the Penetanguishene, the first steamer built at
Penetanguishene. John Borland helped his father build the houses
for the Indians on Beausoleil Island, under contract from the Government.
LAVALLEE, DENNIS, the grantee of Park ]ot No. 5, Tiny, in 1834,
which became known as "Lavallee's Point," now "Highland Point,"
owned by D. Davidson, Esq.
LAFRENIERE, ANTOINE, cooper, the grantee of Park lot No. 18,
Tiny, in 1834, now the Gidley farm. He was buried at Lafontaine.
LAFRENIERE, OLIVER, of lot No. 18, con. 15, Tiny, married widow Lacombe.
LAFRENIERE, ANTOINE, jun., of lot 18, con. 15, Tiny. His descendants
are living in Tiny.
LAFRENIERE, AMABLE, died in Penetanguishene.
LA PLANTE, PIERRE, the grantee of Park lot No. 38, Tiny, part of
the Mitchell farm, where his remains lie buried, with those of Le Garde.
LE GARDE, JEAN BAPTISTE, the grantee of Park lot No. 37, Tiny,
part of the Mitchell farm.
LARANGER, REGIS, clerk for Andrew Mitchell. His family moved to
Ontonagon, Mich., and he died there.
LABATTE, MICHAEL, owned the Park lot on Poyntz Street, now owned
by Mr. Plouffe, Penetanguishene. He lives on an island in
Victoria Harbor; is over eighty-five years of age, is vigorous,
alert, and his memory is almost intact. A typical French
voyageur, his aboriginal descent being most unmistakably
marked. He married Archange Berger, and has a family of fifteen
chudren. (See the Narrative of Michael Labatte).
LABATTE, LOUISE (Michael's sister), married Pierre Blette dit Sorelle.
LABATTE, ANTOINE, of lot 16, con. 19, Tiny, at Thunder Bay. He
has numerous descendants. (See the Narrative of Antoine Labatte.)
LABATTE, AMBROSE, of lot 13; con. 17, Tiny, is still living.
LABATTE, DOMINIQUE, the third son of Louis George Labatte, was
killed at the raising of a building in Tiny. He was buried at Lafontaine.
LABATTE, KATRINE, of lot 16, con. 16, Tiny, the early home of
Louis Deschenaux. The original block-house is still standing.
She became the wife of M. Duquette, and has a vivid recollection
of the family trip in the bateau up the Nottawasaga River and
over the portage to Lake Simcoe; also of the subsequent landing
at their future home beside Thunder Bay, in Tiny, on a cold Christmas eve.
LABATTE, Louis GEORGE, blacksmith in the navy, lived on lot 16
con. 19, Tiny, at Thunder Bay, which thus became the early home
of the Labattes. (See Antoine's Narrative.) He was buried at
Lafontaine.
LESOIR, PIERRE, the grantee of Park lot No. 36, Tiny, in 1834, part
of the Gidley farm in the hollow. He was small in stature and a
clever violinist.
LEMEUX, AMABLE, the grantee of Park lot 31, Tiny, in 1836, part
of the Mitchell farm.
LEDUC, TROMAS, the grantee of the Park lot now owned by Mr. Lamb,
also of lot 112, con. 2, Tiny. He procured the skulls for
Mrs. Jameson from the cave at Nascoutiong, as mentioned in that
lady's "Winter Studies and Summer Rambles," Vol. 3.
LACROIX, JOHN, senr., of lot 16, con. 16, Tiny, had two sons and
three daughters. He was a descendant of Hubert Lacroix, of
Mille Iles Quebec, 1781.
LACROIX, PIERRE, baker, occupied part of the site where Sneath's
Block stands.
LACROIX, ANTOINE. His descendants are living in Tiny.
LACROIX, THERESE, married Cyril Pombert, and died at the age of
eighty. She was buried at Lafontaine.
LEGRIS, JEAN BAPTISTE, the grantee of Park lot No. 32, Tiny, in
1834 part of the Mitchell farm.
LEGRIS, PRISQUE, the grantee of part of Park lot 32, Tiny, in
1834, with his brother. He fell from the loft of a stable he was
building for Adjutant Keating and broke his neck. It was
popularly reported that he was sent in pursuit of a deserting
soldier on Drummond Island and shot him. He has numerous
descendants on Beausoleil Island and in Penetanguishene, all
known by the name of Prisque. Paul Prisque, who perished on the
ice two years ago while returning to Beausoleil Island, was his grandson.
LEGRIS, JOSEPH, died in Penetanguishene. His wife is still
living at Byng Inlet. He has a daughter, Mrs. Paul Vasseur,
living in Penetanguishene.
LEGRIS, GABRIEL, on lot 96, con. 1, Tiny.
LACHAPELLE, ETIENNE, went to Holland Landing.
LEMAIS, PHILIP, cooper; his descendants live in Waubaushene and Coldwater.
LEMAIS, PIERRE.
LEMAIS, J. B.
LAMORANDIERE, CHARLES. His father was born in Quebec, was well
educated, went up with the Hudson's Bay Company, and married a
Chippewa squaw. His ancestor, Capt. Etienne Lamorandiere, was
at the Siege of St. John, and drew 700 acres of land at
Varennes, Quebec, under Lord Dorchester, in 1788.
LAMORANDIERE, ALIXE. Two sons of his are prominent business men
at Killarney.
LAMORANDIERE, JOSEPH, occupied a town lot on Water Street. A
son of his is Indian interpreter at Cape Croker.
LAMORANDIERE, JULIE, married Jean Baptiste Rousseau. She is still
living at the "Sault," Mich., ninety years of age, hale and hearty.
LAMORANDIERE, CHARLOTTE, married M. Barnard. Descendants of hers
are living at St. Joseph and the "Sault."
LAMORANDIERE, ADELAIDE, became the wife of Regis Loranger. She
died at Ontonagon, Mich.
LAMORANDIERE, JOSEPHETTE, married Captain Peck, of the steamer
Gore. Her descendants live at the "Sault."
LARCHE, CHARLES, walked all the way to Toronto on foot with
several others under Captain Darling to join the British
against the rebels in 1837, and while absent his wife eloped
with Dennis Lavallee, and never returned.
LORETTE, PIERRE.
LAGACE, JOACHIM, the grantee of Park lot No. 29, Tiny, in 1834.
He was buried at Lafontaine.
LAGACé, JOSEPHETTE, became the wife of Louis Desehenaux. She was
tall and stately, of a commanding presence, and an accomplished
violinist. While at Drummond Island she furnished music for the
officers and gentry at halls and parties, and was frequently
called away to Mackinaw and other points for the same purpose.
Her services were in constant requisition, even after moving to
Penetanguishene. Finally, Mr. Deschenaux, her husband,
demolished the violin by placing his foot on it, suddenly and
"violently."
LANGLADE, CHARLES, sen., the grantee of Park lot No. 35, Tiny,
in 1834. He was born in Mackinaw. His father, Capt. Charles
Langlade, was commandant at Wisconsin Portage in 1783. Another
relative, Lieut. Langlade, was at Bennington and drew 500 acres
of land at Detroit, under Lord Dorchester, in 1788. He had a
family of eleven children. The original Langlade house is still
standing on McAvela's farm. (Sce Angelique Langlade's Narrative.)
LANGLADE, CHARLES, jun., the grantee of Park lot No. 33, Tiny,
in 1835. One son and two daughters are in Marquette, Mich.
LANGLADE, DEA or DEDIER, inherited Park lot 35 from his father.
LANGLADE, LOUISE, became the wife of Joseph Restoul, in Duluth.
LANGLADE, PIERRE, has descendants living in Penetanguishene.
LANGLADE, ADELAIDE, married Joseph Precourt, and is still living
in Penetanguishene, a widow with numerous descendants.
LANGLADE, MARGUERITE THE 1st, became the second wife of George
Gordon. She died in Toronto.
LANGLADE, MARGUERITE THE 2nd, died in Penetanguishene, unmarried.
LANGLADE, ANGELIQUE, (see her Narrative).
LANGLADE, KATRINE, the youngest, was born and died in Penetanguishene.
LANGLADE, MARGUERITE, a cousin, became the wife of Charles Vasseur.
She died in Ontonagon, Mich.
LANGLOIS, JEAN BAPTISTE, another form of the name Langlade. He belonged
to a distant branch of the Langlade family.
LAVIOLETTE, PIERRE, died in Marquette, Mich. Descendants live there.
LERAMONDA, JAMES, coast pilot, married a daughter of Wm. Solomon.
LERAMONDA, OUILLETTE, son of James, also a coast pilot.
LORRIN, THERIZE, died aged 80, and was buried at Lafontaine.
LEMAIRE, ANGELIQUE.
LARIVIERE, JOSEPH, returned to the "Sault."
LECRUYER, FRANCOIS.
LECRUYER, LOUISE, became the wife of Joseph Giroux. She is
buried at Lafontaine.
LACOMBE, N.
LACOMBE, MADELINE, became the wife of Louis Langlade, after
whose death she married Leon Dusome. She is still living in
Tiny. Her father died on Drummond Island, after which her mother
married Oliver Lafreniere, with whom she came to Penetanguishene.
LANGLADE, Louis, son of Charles, died in Penetanguishene.
LAMOUREUX, CHARLES, owned lot 15, con. 5, Tiny. He is still
living at Pine Point, 80 years old.
LEMIRE, HENRY MODESTE, known only by the latter name. He was
small in stature and nick-named "Court à Pouce" (short in inches).
He left his wife and went to Cheboygan, Mich., where be died.
LEPINE, Louis, came with the Larammee family. He settled on a
park lot in Tiny, part of McAvela's farm. He was buried at Lafontaine.
LEPINE, PIERRE, wrecked with his wife and child on the schooner
Hackett. He was buried at Lafontaine.
LEPINE, THERISE, daughter of Pierre; was wrecked on the schooner
Hackett and with her mother clung to the wreck till rescued by
the crew next morning. She died in the House of Providence, Toronto.
LEPINE, FRANCOISE, daughter of Louis, married Wm. Rawson, Coldwater.
She is still living at Girard Pen. Thomas Rawson, of Coldwater
is her son, and she has numerous other descendants living at Coldwater
and Girard.
LEPINE, HENRI.
LEGRIS, JOSEPHINE, became the second wife of Interpreter
Solomon, after whose death she married Toussant Latard. A
daughter is living in Penetanguishene, Mrs. Charles Gendron.
LATARD, TOUSSANT, has a son Philip living at Byng Inlet.
MESSIER, JOSEPH, of lot 15, con. 16, and Lot 17, con 15, Tiny.
His father was born in St. Francis, Quebec, and went up with the
North-West Company. He was closely connected with the Deschenaux
family. He built the second house in Lafontaine. His ancestors,
Joseph and Michael Messier, of Saint Michael, took the oath in
1772. Descendants are still living in Tiny, and a grandson,
Joseph Messier, lives at Victoria Harbor.
MINSIE, JOSEPH, obtained Park lot No. 20, Tiny, from Louis Lacerte in 1836.
MARTIN, TONTINE, fisherman, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie, on the Wye.
MANGEON, CHARLES.
NALON, CHARLES.
NORMANDAINE, JOSEPH.
OGIER, PIERRE, occupied the lot subsequently owned by the late
William Hoar, Tiny. He and Deschenaux traded wives, after which
they married.
OREILLE, BENJAMIN, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie. He went to
the "Sault" and St. Ignace.
PERRIGEAUT, FRANCOIS, settled on the lot now owned by Allen B.
McDonnell, Tiny. He also owned the lot where Payette's foundry
stands in Penetanguishene. He died in 1871.
PERRAULT, CHARLES, his grandfather went to Mackinaw in 1781 from Quebec.
PERRAULT, LOUISE, married Gotfried Boyer. He has a son in Midland.
PALLADEAU J. from St Joseph's Island settled near F. Dussaume's, Tiny.
PARISSIEN JACQUES, went to Waubaushene.
PARADIS JOSEPH, moved to Coldwater.
PAYETTE, LOUIS, owned a lot near Payette's foundry, Penetanguishene.
PAYETTE, EAS, married Katrine Lavallee. He died in Owen Sound.
PROUSSE, FRANCIS, went to Waubaushene.
PUYOTTE, FRANCOIS, settled at Gordon's Point.
PELLETIER, JOSEPH. His descendants are still living in Tiny.
PAQUETTE, IGNACE, went to St. Ignace, Mich.
PAQUETTE, Louis, went to St. Ignace also.
PRECOURT, AUGUSTIN, carpenter, father and two sons lived on
lot 16, con. 15, Tiny. He was buried at Lafontaine.
PRECOURT, JOSEPH. His descendants are living on a Park lot in
the Ordnance Reserve.
PRECOURT, BAPTISTE.
PRECOURT, MARGUERITE, married F. Brunelle, Tiny.
PARENT, SOPHIE, married Louis Rondeau, who was poisoned. She
subsequently became the wife of William Cowan. She is buried at Lafontaine.
POMBERT, CYRIL, the grantee of Park lot No. 12, Tiny, in 1835,
and of lot 16, con. 16, Tiny. He died, aged seventy eight, and
was buried at Lafontaine.
QUEBEC, M., settled at old Fort Ste. Marie. He was a fine horse
rider. He was rendered almost blind from a lightning stroke, and
died at Bruce Mines.
QUEBEC, LOUISE, married Baptiste Belval, the mail-carrier.
ROLLAND, PIERRE, the grantee of park lot No. 22, Tiny, in 1834.
ROSS, MARIE, became the wife of Joseph Boissonneau, St. Joseph Island.
RONDEAU, LOUIS, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie. He died of
poisoning from eating a root of la carotte à moureau (wild parsnip)
which he found while planting potatoes. His wife took it from him,
but while she was absent preparing dinner he ate it, with fatal results.
He was buried in St. Ann's, Penetanguishene.
RESTOUL, MICHAEL. His daughter became Mrs. John Michon, and is
still living in Tiny.
RESTOUL, WILLIAM.
RESTOUL, JOSEPH.
RESTOUL, FRANCOIS.
RESTOUL, PIERRE, was killed on Lake Nipissing in a fray by one McKenzie.
RECOLET, JOHANNAH (widow).
RECOLET, JOSEPH, the grantee of Park lot No. 39, Tiny, in 1834.
RECOLET, ANTOINE.
RECOLET, FRANCOIS.
REVOL, D. built the second house in Penetanguishene, next to
Gordon's, on Water Street, on a lot owned by the late Alfred
Thompson, and for some time occupied by Father Proulx. He acted
as catechist for the congregation of St. Ann's in the early
days. He returned te Montreal, where he died.
ROY, JOSEPH, the grantee of Park lot No. 1, Tiny, in 1832. His
father was born in Quebec, descended from Joseph Roy, of
Vincennes, who took the oath in 1749. He returned to Bruce Mines.
ROY, JAMES.
ROY, GEORGE.
ROY, ALEXANDER.
RUSHLEAU, GEORGE, is said to have been a Spaniard, though
married to a half-breed.
ROUSSEAU, JEAN BAPTISTE, was born in Montreal. He and his
half-brother, George Gordon, went up to Fort William with the
Hudson's Bay Company as clerks, and then removed to Drummond
Island, thence to Penetanguishene, where he was clerk for
Gordon, and ranged the wilderness collecting furs from the
Indians. From him Lake Rousseau, in Muskoka, received its name.
He afterwards removed to Kostawang, was sent as returning
officer to Bruce Mines during the Cumberland election, and died
suddenly during the night. He was buried at Kostawang, St.
Joseph Island. His wife removed to the "Sault," Mich., where
she is still living, aged ninety.
ROUSSEAU, CHARLES, also was a clerk for his half-brother,
Gordon, and afterwards kept a store and post-office on St.
Joseph Island. He returned to Montreal, where he died. The
Rousseaus and Gordons are related by marriage to Madame Albani
(Lajeunesse), the famous Canadian songstress.
SIMPSON, MARGUERITE, a Chippewa squaw, first wife of William
Simpson, trader, who was the grantee of Park lot No. 16, Tiny,
in 1834. She is buried bebind the old store on Water Street.
ST. AMAND, PIERRE, settled at Old Fort Ste. Marie. His
descendants are still living there.
ST. ONGE, DIT LATARD, JOSEPH, married Katrine Vasseur, and went
to Newmarket.
ST. ONGE, MADELINE, married Antoine Lafreniere. She is buried at Lafontaine.
SOLOMON, WILLIAM, Government interpreter (See the Narrative of Louis).
He died in Penetanguishene.
SOLOMON, SOPHIE, married Benj. Dusanque. Their descendants are
living in Tiny.
SOLOMON, HENRY, died at Killarney, aged 80. He has a son at St. Joseph.
SOLOMON, EZEKIEL, the father of William, the interpreter.
William also had a son by this name.
SOLOMON, SAMUEL, was with Admiral Bayfield in the old Recovery during
the survey of the thirty thousand islands of Georgian Bay in 1822-5.
SOLOMON, LISETTE, married Louis Desaulniers. She is buried at Lafontaine.
SOLOMON, ROSETTE, married Jean Baptiste Sylvestre. She is buried in
Penetanguishene in St. Ann's Cemetery. A daughter, Mrs. Belrose, lives
in Penetanguishene.
SOLOMON, ANGELIQUE, married Thomas Landrigan, caretaker of the naval
store and magazine for the navy. She eloped with James Murphy
and went to Bruce Mines.
SOLOMON, MARGUERITE, became the wife of Joeeph Leramonda.
SOLOMON, JESSIE became the wife of Charles Rousseau, then married
Colbert Amyot, and died at St. Joseph Island. A son Colbert is
still living there.
SOLOMON, THAISE died in Penetanguishene, unmarried.
SOLOMON, LEWIS, the youngest of eleven chudren, died at Victoria.
harbour, March 9th, 1900, and was buried in Midland. He has one
son in Tiny. (see his Narrative.)
SICARD, FRANCOIS the grantee of Park lot No. 41, Tiny, in 1834.
He hanged himself near Bruce Mines. Mrs. Sicard was the first
person buried in St. Ann's cemetery, Penetanguishene.
SICARD, SIMON, has a son, Benjamin, still living on the Tiny
Reserve. His ancestor, Sergeant Pierre Sicard, was at the siege of
St. John, and drew two bundred acres of land at Riviere du Loup, Quebec,
under Carleton, in 1788.
SOULIERE, MARGUERITE, came from the "Sault," married Louis Chevrette,
and died in Tiny. She was buried at Lafontaine.
SOULIERE, JOSEPHETTE.
SENECAL, PIERRE.
SYLVESTRE, JEAN BAPTISTE, went up with the North-West Company,
came to Penetanguishene and Newmarket in 1816. (See his son's Narrative.)
SYLVESTRE, JEAN BAPTISTE, Jun., born at Mackinaw, 1813; had three
sons and four daughters. The sons were, Louis, drowned at the
"Sault", Alexander, drowned near the Reformatory,
Penetanguishene; and Henry, supposed to be in the Klondike. The
daughters were: Mary, who became the wife of Capt. Allen; Rose,
who became Mrs. Langlade and died in French River; Sophia, who
became Mrs. Trudeaux; and Angelique, who became Mrs. Belrose, of
Penetanguishene. He is still living at Byng Inlet. (See his Narrative.)
THIBAULT, JOSEPH, the grantee of lot 16, concession 16, Tiny,
part of Louis Deschenaux'.
THIBAULT, PIERRE, settled at old Fort Ste. Marie, but
subsequently moved to Neddy McDonald's farm, Tiny, and gave the
name to Thibault's (or Tebo's) Lake (now dry) near
Penetanguishene. It was a considerable body of water, which at
one time occupied parts of the McDonald, Columbus and Quigley
farms. Afterward he moved to Sault Ste. Marie.
THIBAULT, JULIE, wife of Pierre, and mother of fifteen children,
died at the "Sault," aged over one hundred.
THIBAULT, JULIE, daughter of Pierre, married Joseph Craddock.
She died in Coldwater.
THIBAULT, KATRINE, married Joseph Payment at the "Sault."
THIBAULT, CONSTANCE, married Charles Beron of the "Sault."
THIBAULT, HARRIET, married Joachim Beron of the "Sault,"
brother of the preceding.
THIBAULT, SCHOLASTIQUE, married James Quigley, medalist and pensioner.
THIBAULT, FANNY, married Henry Solomon of the "Sault."
THIBAULT, PIERRE, went to the United States and enlisted in the
American Civil War.
THIBAULT, JOSEPH, was clerk for trader Simpson, but absconded
for embezzlement.
THIRIDAULT, M.
TRUDEAUX, JEAN BAPTISTE, blacksmith in the navy, settled on a
park lot in Tiny Reserve, and gave the name to "Trudeaux Point".
He went to Lake Simcoe, but returned. Has two sons, Antoine,
living on Tiny Reserve, and Eustache, living at Byng Jnlet; also
one daughter, Angelique, married to Jean Baptiste Contan, living
at La Crosse, Wis., besides several grandsons living in Tiny.
TAUPIER, FRANCOISE (widow), grantee of Park lot No. 3, Tiny, in 1834.
TAUPIER, ANDREW.
VARNAC, JAMES, went to Lake Simcoe.
VASSEUR, ANDREW, of lot 84, concession 1, Tiny, went to Bruce Mines,
and is buried there.
VASSEUR, LOUIS, once owned part of the lot on which Lafontaine
church stands, and is said to be buried there, but it is uncertain.
VASSEUR, JACQUES, was shot by an Indian at Pinery Point. He
asked the Indian to shake hands with him, and while reaching for
his hatchet with the other hand discovered his arm was broken.
He is buried on the Gidley farm.
VASSEUR, JOSEPH, was buried on the Gidley farm.
VASSEUR, BAPTISTE.
VASSEUR, CHARLES, the grantee of Park lot No. 6, Tiny, in 1834.
He was born at St. Maurice, Quebec, served with the "Voltigeurs,"
then went west with the Hudson's Bay Company. He joined the British
forces and was at the capture of Mackinaw in 1812. There were
six brothers and all went to Mackinaw and followed the British to
Drummond Island, thence to Penetanguishene. While at Mackinaw
Charles married a young half-breed woman, named Marguerite Langlade,
a near relative of the famous Captain Langlade and cousin of the
Langlades of Tiny. Charles and several others, under Captain
James Darling, walked all the way to Toronto and back during the
Rebellion of 1837. He brought the first cow and the first yoke
of oxen ever used in Penetanguishene from Georgina, around by
Point Mara, the Narrows (Orillia) and Coldwater, thence home;
the latter portion of the way being only an Indian trail so
narrow and bad that he often had to carry the yoke on his shoulders
and drive the animals ahead in single file. His mother visited
Penetanguishene twice while living at Mackinaw, after which she
moved to Green Bay, Wis., where she died. Charles was drowned
near Manitoulin Island, where his remains are buried. His wife
died at Ontonagon, Mich., where his son Louis still lives. He
had a family of fifteen chudren, only the two eldest having been
born on Drummond Island. I gleaned these reminiscences from his
son, Paul, living in Penetanguishene, who claims that his father
had a medal won fighting for the British, but that it has been lost.
VASSEUR, CHARLES, jun., married Miss Vallee. He has a daughter
living at Byng Inlet.
VASSEUR, MARGUERITE, was buried on the Gidley farm.
Bill Martin, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
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