mississippi valley during the 17th century – part 1 - 1603...

French-Canadian Exploration, Missionary Work, and Fur Trading in Hudson Bay, the Great Lakes, and Mississippi Valley During the 17th Century – Part 1 - 1603 to September 1642

Diane Wolford Sheppard© 2009, 2010 and 2013, FCHSM Member ([email protected])


Diane Wolford Sheppard, FCHSM Member ([email protected])Introduction

This is the first installment of a timeline that covers French-Canadian exploration, missionary work, and fur trading in Hudson Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi Valley during the 17 th century. Sources such as the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online2 should be read to get a more accurate history of an event, and to correct some of the primary and secondary sources. For example, Pierre Esprit de Radisson did not participate in Médard Chouart DesGroiseilliers’ 1656 expedition to present-day Michigan and Wisconsin; Groiseilliers and Radisson did not go to Hudson Bay in 1659-1660; René Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle, did not explore the Ohio River or precede Jacques Marquette, S.J., and Louis Jolliet to the Mississippi; Reverend Louis Hennepin did not precede La Salle to the gulf of the Mississippi, and Louis Armand Baron de Lahontan’s voyage on the Long River is believed to be imaginary. The biographies in the DCB also correct inaccuracies, exaggerations, and bigotry contained in some 19th century works. Finally, some of the DCB’s excellent work has been corrected since its original publication of Volume I in the 1960s. I have added additional events in New France’s, North American, and European history to the timeline to add perspective.

Timeline

Samuel de Champlain arrived at Tadoussac and explored the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers:26 May to 16 August 1603 – Samuel de Champlain arrived in Tadoussac Harbor. He met with members of the Montagnais, Etchemin, and Algonquin Tribes between 28 May and 9 June. Following his meeting with the Native Americans, Champlain explored the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers from 11 June to 3 August. He departed from Tadoussac on 16 August and arrived in Honfleur, France, on 20 September 1603.3

Jamestown, Virginia, was founded:20 December 1606 (O.S.) to 31 December 1607 (O.S.) – James I of England granted the Virginia Company of London a royal charter. The Company departed from England on 20 December 1606 with 120 colonists for Virginia. The colonists landed in Jamestown, Virginia, on 24 May 1607. During the first seven months, the Jamestown colony was reduced to 32 due to starvation and disease.4

1 This timeline combines entries from a series of seven articles that were originally published in Michigan’s Habitant Heritage (MHH), from Vol. 30, # 4 (October 2009) to Vol. 32 #2 (April 2011) under the titles “French-Canadian Voyages and Attempted Voyages to the Northern Sea (Hudson Bay) 1611 to 1672 – A Genealogical Guide” and “A Guide to those Who Were in the Western Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley during the 17 th

Century – A Timeline.” I have added new entries, including coverage of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Hudson Bay, bold-faced summary headings, and illustrations to the online version. The timeline should not be regarded as a substitute for a history or analysis of New France. Readers can consult one of the following books for a one-volume history and analysis of New France: Marcel Trudel, Introduction to New France (Toronto and Montréal: Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Limited; and Pawtucket, R.I.: Quintin Publications, First American Edition, 1997) or W. J. Eccles, The Canadian Frontier 1534-1760 (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, revised edition, 1999). Readers can consult Trudel for the the pre-17th century history of New France. See: Gilles Havard, Phyllis Aronoff and Howard Scott (translators), The Great Peace of Montreal of 1701 – French-Native Diplomacy in the Seventeenth Century (Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2001) for an excellent analysis of French and Native American relationships during the 17th century. 2 University of Toronto and Université Laval, Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, ( http://www.biographi.ca/index-e.html ), hereafter DCB.3 David Hackett Fischer, Champlain’s Dream (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008), p. 575. Readers should consult Fischer for Champlain’s activities in Acadia, New England, and France. 4 Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., The Almanac of American History (New York, NY: Barnes and Nobles Books, 1993), p. 30. The abbreviation, O.S. means Old Style dating. France adopted the Gregorian calendar on 20 December 1582, while Britain did not adopt it until 14 September 1752.

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Samuel de Champlain began construction of a storehouse and habitation at Québec:1608 to 4 July 1608 – Henry IV King of France granted Pierre du Gua Sieur de Monts a one-year extension of his trade monopoly which extended from the 46th parallel (present-day Cape Breton Island) to the 40th parallel (present-day Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Sieur de Monts instructed Samuel de Champlain to establish a habitation on the St. Lawrence River. Champlain began to clear the land in Québec on 3 July; construction of a storehouse and habitations began the following day.5

Champlain’s Illustration of the Habitation at Québec6

Champlain accompanied Algonquin, Huron, and Montagnais Warriors to a battle against the Mohawk: July 1609 – Champlain’s Native American companions guided him south on the Richelieu River to Lake Champlain. On 30 July, the group attacked and defeated a group of Mohawk near Ticonderoga (present-day New York).7

Henry Hudson discovered Hudson Bay:17 April 1610 to 23 June 1611 – Henry Hudson sailed from London on a search for the Northwest Passage. Hudson and the crew wintered in James Bay because they were marooned by ice flows. Supplies ran low and the crew suspected that Hudson was hoarding food for himself and his favorites. Hudson wanted to continue his search for the Northwest Passage, but the mate, Robert Juet, who had been demoted, conspired with crewmember, Henry Green, and others to mutiny. On 21 – 22 June 1611, the mutineers sent out Hudson, his son, and seven others in an open boat. The ultimate fate of Hudson and his companions is unknown. Juet, Green, and several others were killed in a skirmish with the Eskimo. Although Hudson failed to discover the Northeast Passage, the Northwest Passage, or to subdue the mutiny that led to his death, his discoveries formed the basis for English claims to much of Canada and Dutch claims to New Netherlands.8

5 Trudel, 36 (Trudel usually only provides the year, not the precise date); Fischer, pp. 244-245, 576. Between 1608 and 1635, New France was under the authority of seven viceroys who reported directly to the King. All except Gua were absentees. Due to space limitations only Gua and Richelieu are mentioned in the timeline. During the same period, six trading companies were given monopolies in New France; only Gua’s and the Compagnie des Cent-Associés are mentioned in the timeline. For a complete description of the Viceroys and trading companies see Fischer, 601 to 608.6 Samuel de Champlain, Voyages of Samuel de Champlain: 1604-1610, Vol. 2 (Boston: The Prince Society, 1878), pp. 182 (map) and 183 (legend).7 DCB, Champlain’s biography; Fischer, pp. 575, 614-615.8 DCB, Hudson’s biography (his biography also references other attempts to reach Hudson Bay); Joseph Burr Tyrell, Documents relating to the early History of Hudson Bay (Toronto: Champlain Society, 1931), hereafter Tyrell, Hudson Bay, pp. 3-4.

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Algonquin, Huron, Montagnais, and Champlain defeated the Mohawk:June 1610 – Champlain and his Allies killed a group of Mohawk warriors near present-day Sorel. This battle ended major hostilities with the Mohawk for 20 years.9

Henry IV of France was assassinated:4 May 1610 – Henry IV of France was assassinated by a religious fanatic. His widow, Marie de Medici served as regent for her son, Louis XIII, until 1617 when he assumed the throne of France. Armand Jean du Plessis, known as Cardinal Richelieu, served as prime minister from 1624 until 1642.10

Étienne Brûlé learned the Huron and Algonquin languages:July 1610 to June 1611 – Samuel Champlain arranged for Étienne Brûlé to live among the Native Americans, learn Native languages, and to learn what lay to the west and north of the St. Lawrence River. In June 1611, the Huron brought Brûlé to Champlain.11

Champlain selected the site for Montréal:1-13 June 1611 – At the urging of the Algonquin, Champlain selected the site for the future settlement of Montréal and planted test gardens. Champlain hoped that this settlement would help make the trade route more secure.12

The first Jesuits arrived in Port Royal, Acadia:22 June 1611 – The first Jesuits, Pierre Biard, S.J., and Énemond Massé, S.J., arrived in Port Royal.13

Nicolas Vignault may have visited the Northern Sea (Hudson Bay):Winter 1611 to 1613 – Nicolas Vignault spent the winter of 1611 with Tessouat, an Algonquin chief, on Allumette Island on the present-day Ottawa River. He is believed to have accompanied one of the Tessouat’s relatives to the Northern Sea (Hudson Bay) where he saw the wreck of an English vessel in the bay. He described his journey to Champlain in France. In 1612, Champlain published a map of New France which included information that he learned about Hudson Bay (see the map below). In 1613, Champlain set off with Vignault in an attempt to reach the Northern Sea, but they were stopped by Tessouat. Tessouat controlled the access to the Northern Tribes and wanted to prevent the French from having access to these Tribes and possibly entering into trade relations with the Tribes; thereby, potentially depriving the Algonquin of the heavy tolls they charged anyone who wished to pass through their territory. The Algonquin told Champlain that the Nipissing Tribe were enemies and vigorously denied that Vignault visited the Northern Sea. After he was subjected to an interrogation that was filled with threats, Vignault told Champlain that he had lied, and only told Champlain about his voyage in order to return to New France. Although the Algonquin wanted to keep Vignault (so they could assure that he never told another lie), he left with Champlain to return to Québec. When they reached the Sault St. Louis Rapids, Vignault asked to be left in the area, but none of the Native Americans wanted him. Champlain left him in the area and nothing is known about the remainder of his life. In spite of his denials, many historians believe that Vignault made the journey.14

9 Fischer, p. 577.10 Fischer, pp. 282-283, 604; Wikipedia.org, biographies of Henri IV and Louis XIII (accessed 20 October 2009).11 Fischer, pp. 294, 295, 578; Bruce G. Trigger, The Children of Aetaentsic, a History of the Huron People to 1660 (Montréal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1987 edition), p. 288; DCB, Brûlé’s biography.12 Fischer, p. 578; Trudel, pp. 37, 51.13 Ruben Gold Thwaites, editor, The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents (Cleveland: The Burrows Brothers. Available online at: ( http://puffin.creighton.edu/jesuit/relations/ ), hereafter JR, Vol. 3, pp. 155-171. This volume also contains a summary of French exploration in North America, a description of Acadia, and the Native-American Tribes in the area; DCB, Biard’s biography.14 DCB, Biography of Vignault (Vignau in the DCB); Brian Leigh Dunnigan, Frontier Metropolis Picturing Early Detroit, 1701-1838, (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2001), Figure 1.1, p. 8 is a depiction of Pierre Du Val’s map based on Champlain’s maps; Louise Phelps Kellogg, The French Régime in Wisconsin and the Northwest (Madison: Wisconsin State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1925), hereafter French Régime in Wisconsin, p. 53; Trigger, pp. 275-286; Fisher, pp. 303, 308-310.

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Champlain’s 1612 map Carte géographique de la Novelle Franse en son vray moricha15

Sir Thomas Button wintered on Hudson Bay:April 1612 – Sir Thomas Button sailed from England with two ships, the Resolution and the Discovery, to search for Henry Hudson and to “ye full and perfect discovery of the North-west Passage.” He passed through Hudson Strait and sailed west to a point near present-day Cape Eskimo before turning south. On 15 August 1612 (O.S.), he sailed into the mouth of the Nelson River (in present-day Manitoba), which was named after Robert (or Francis) Nelson, master of the Resolution. Button and his crew wintered on the northwest bank of the river. The crew suffered from scurvy, resulting in the death of Nelson. The Resolution was damaged by the spring ice flows. Button and the remaining crew abandoned the Resolution and sailed for England in the Discovery.16

The Dutch founded a preliminary post on present-day Manhattan Island:1612 – The Dutch founded a preliminary post on present-day Manhattan Island to facilitate trade with the Native Americans living in the Hudson River Valley.17

The Dutch built a permanent trading post on present-day Manhattan Island; Dutch exploration:1613 – Dutch explorers Adriaen Block and Hendrick Christianson built a permanent trading post and fort on present-day lower Manhattan Island to protect the lucrative Dutch fur-trading activities with the Native Americans of the lower Hudson River Valley. Christianson remained as governor of the island, while Block returned to Holland. On his return voyage to Holland, Block discovered and explored the present-day Connecticut and

15 Available from BAnQ: (http://www.banq.qc.ca/accueil/) Collections> Collection numérique> Cartes et plans. 16 DCB, Button’s biography; Tyrrel, Hudson Bay, pp. 4-5; The DCB calls Nelson, Robert, while Tyrrel calls him Francis. 17 Schlesinger, p. 34.

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Housatonic Rivers, Long Island Sound, and the New England Coast up to Salem, Massachusetts. He also completed several maps of the newly explored areas.18

Sir Samuel Argall destroyed French settlements and captured 15 prisoners:July 1613 – Sir Thomas Dale, of Virginia, ordered Sir Samuel Argall to destroy the French settlements in Maine and Acadia. Argall burned the settlement at Port Royal (present-day Nova Scotia) and expelled the Jesuits from their post on Mount Desert Island. Argall brought 15 French prisoners, including the Jesuits, Pierre Biard, S.J., Énemond Massé, S.J., and Jacques Quentin, S.J., to Virginia. In December, while en route from Nova Scotia to Virginia, Argall stopped at the newly established Dutch fort on Manhattan and forced them to raise the English flag.19

Champlain offered the missionary work in New France to the Récollets:1614 – Champlain offered the missionary work in New France to the Récollets, a branch of the Franciscans.20

Dutch Fur Traders established a fort near present-day Albany, New York:1614 – Dutch fur traders built a stockaded fort on the upper Hudson River near present-day Albany, New York.21

Four Récollet Missionaries arrived in New France:24 April to June 1615 – The St. Étienne sailed from Honfleur with four Récollets: Father Denis Jamet, the Superior, Father Jean Dolbeau, Father Joseph le Caron, and Brother Pacifique Duplessis. They landed at Tadoussac on 25 May, and arrived in Québec on 2 June. Dolbeau and Duplessis remained in Québec to erect a small chapel, while le Caron and Jamet continued to the future site of Rivière-des-Prairies, on Montréal Island where they celebrated Mass on 24 June. Dolbeau celebrated Mass in Québec on 25 June. After consulting with Champlain, Dolbeau was designated as the missionary for the Tadoussac mission to the Native Americans living along the Saguenay River; while le Caron was designated as the missionary for the Huron villages.22

Le Caron established the first mission in Huronia; Champlain and Brûlé arrived in Huronia:July and August 1615 – Le Caron traveled to the Huron villages as their missionary and established his residence at Carhagouha (near present-day Midland Bay, Midland, Ontario). He was accompanied by twelve voyageurs who had been designated to assist the Huron with intertribal warfare. On July 9, Champlain departed from Rivière-des-Prairies for a campaign against the Iroquois, taking the northern route to avoid the Iroquois. While he was en route he met with the Nipissing on 26 July and the Ottawa (Cheveux-Relevés) two days later. When Champlain arrived in Huronia on 1 August with his interpreter, Brûlé, and his Native American guides, he also found a number of French traders living with the Huron. On 12 August, Le Caron celebrated the first mass in Huronia. Champlain is given credit for “discovering” Lake Huron because he was the first man to publish information about its existence, not because he was the first European to have seen it. Champlain named present-day Lake Huron, La Mer Douce.23

18 Schlesinger, p. 35.19 JR, Vol. 3, pp. 273-283; Vol. 4, pp. 7-97 (this volume also contains a summary of French exploration and contrasts it with English claims in North America); DCB, Biard’s biography; Schlesinger, p. 35.20 George Paré, The Catholic Church in Detroit 1701-1888 (Detroit, Michigan: The Gabriel Richard Press, 1951), p. 11.21 Schlesinger, p. 35.22 Paré, p. 12; DCB, biographies of Jamet, Dolbeau, Le Caron, and Duplessis.23 DCB, biographies of Le Caron; Fischer, p. 580.

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Charles William Jeffery’s 1925 illustration Champlain Discovers Georgian BayCourtesy of Library and Archives Canada, Mikan #2955147.

[Champlain was not the first French Canadian to visit Georgian Bay. See the preceding entry]

Champlain and his Huron Allies planned their campaign against the Iroquois; Brûlé and Huron guides sought aid from the Susquehanna in the campaign against the Iroquois:17 August to 1 September 1615 – On 15 August, Champlain met with Huron warriors to plan the expedition against the Iroquois. On 1 September, Étienne Brûlé and 12 Huron left Champlain’s party and followed the present-day Humber River to its mouth (present-day Toronto, Ontario). Historians believe that they followed the shore of Lake Ontario to its western end, landing on the southern shore, possibly between the Niagara and Genesee Rivers (in present-day New York) to the Susquehanna capital of Carantouan (present-day Barton, Tioga County, New York). The group planned to ask the Susquehanna for help in the Huron battle against the Iroquois.24

Champlain and his Native-American Allies fought the Onondaga:October 1615 to Winter 1615/1616 – Champlain and his Allies fought against the Onondaga in their fort on Lake Onondaga (present-day New York) from 9 October to 16 October 1615. Although Champlain believed that he had been defeated by the Onondaga, modern scholars, looking at the campaign from the standpoint of the Native American participants, believe that the campaign was a success. Étienne Brûlé, his Huron guides, and the Susquehanna warriors arrived at the designated meeting spot two days following the battle. Due to wounds suffered in the battle, Champlain was forced to return with the Huron to present-day Georgian Bay where he spent the winter of 1615-1616.25

Champlain’s Plan of the Fort of the Iroquois26

24 Fischer, p. 580; DCB, Brûlé’s biography.25 Fischer, pp. 330-334, 580, 615-616; French Régime in Wisconsin, p. 55; DCB, Brûlé’s & Champlain’s biographies. 26 Samuel de Champlain, Voyages of Samuel de Champlain: 1604-1618 (New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1907), p. 294.

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Brûlé explored Pennsylvania and Maryland:Fall 1615 – After Champlain and his Allies departed for Huronia, Brûlé returned to Carantouan with the Susquehanna and then continued his exploration. He later told Champlain that he had made his way along a river to the coast of Florida; historians believe that he followed the Susquehanna River to its mouth in Chesapeake Bay; therefore, he was probably the first French Canadian to have explored present-day Pennsylvania and Maryland.27

Champlain and Le Caron visited the Tobacco/Petun, the Ottawa, and Nipissing:January to 15 February 1616 – Champlain left Huronia with Fr. Le Caron to visit the Tobacco/Petun Nation who lived south of Nottawasaga Bay (on present-day Georgian Bay) and the Ottawa who lived south of Georgian Bay. On 17 January, Champlain and Le Caron met with the Tobacco/Petun, the Ottawa, and the Nipissing. On 15 February 1616, Champlain mediated a dispute between the Huron and the Petite Nation (an Algonquin Tribe).28

Champlain estimated potential revenues from New France:1618 – In an effort to gain Crown support for Québec, Champlain attempted to estimate Crown revenues if New France was developed in a systematic way. He estimated that fisheries, wood and wood products, furs, mines, farming, and stockbreeding could generate 6,500,000 livres. In addition, Champlain believed that the Saint Lawrence would provide a faster route to Asia; therefore, Québec could become a customs port that would generate great revenues from the ships that passed through on their way to Asia or Europe. Champlain requested that a town be built in the present-day St. Charles Valley and that 300 families be transported to New France.29

Munk, sailing on behalf of Denmark, attempted to discover the Northwest Passage:May 1619 – Jens Eriksen Munk sailed for Danish king, Christian IV, in two ships on a voyage to discover the Northwest passage. His crew numbered 64 men. Munk named the whole of Hudson Bay Novum mare Christian. Munk sailed across the Bay and made landfall at a place later named Cape Churchill. Munk encouraged his men to exercise and hunt; by winter, however, they were confined to their ships. Although the ships had adequate stores of herbs, waters, and medicines, no one knew how to administer them. The crew began to succumb to scurvy by January 1620. Half the crew had died by March. By 4 June 1620, 61 men had died, leaving only the weakened Munk and two others alive. They recovered sufficiently to sail in the sloop on 15 July 1620. Munk arrived in Norway on 21 September 1620; he arrived in Copenhagen by 25 December 1620.30

Étienne Brûlé and Grenolle traveled to Lake Superior:1620 – 1621 or 1623 – (estimated dates) Étienne Brûlé and Grenolle traveled through Georgian Bay to the St. Mary’s River, portaged the rapids at present-day Sault Ste. Marie into Lake Superior, and followed the northern shore, possibly to present-day Portage, Superior, and Duluth, Minnesota. Brûlé returned with a copper bar that he obtained from the Native Americans. Grenolle reported that the Native Americans obtained the copper from mines. He also reported seeing Native-American women who had the tips of their noses cut off for promiscuous behavior. This punishment was later reported among the Miami and other Tribes living in the Great Lakes.31

27 DCB, Brûlé’s biography. 28 Fischer, p. 580; French Régime in Wisconsin, p. 55; DCB, Champlain’s biography. 29 Trudel, p. 39.30 DCB, Munk’s biography; Tyrrel, Hudson Bay, p. 5.31 DCB, Brûlé’s biography; Fischer, pp. 495, 497. Fischer does not place an end to the voyage, other than on Lake Superior. On page 497, Fischer provides a map which shows what he believes were the voyages of Vignau (travel to Hudson Bay area in 1611-1612), Brûlé’s multiple voyages (travel to Chesapeake Bay in 1615), Grenolle’s voyages with Brûlé (the voyage to Lake Superior and a 1625 voyage to Lake Erie), Jean Nicolet/Nicollet’s voyages and the one to the northeast by Nicolas Marsolet, who was an interpreter to the Algonquin and Montagnais; Trigger, pp. 372, 375. Trigger believes that this voyage took place in 1623. He also points out that Brûlé and Grenolle may have travelled no farther than Sault Ste. Marie and that their knowledge of Lake Superior was based on what they had learned from the Native Americans. Grenolle’s first name is not known.

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Canadian Stamp Étienne Brûlé nears Lake Superior From Library and Archives Canada (http://collectionscanada.gc.ca), Mikan #2266052

Champlain drew his final map of North America:Circa 1620 to 1632 – Champlain drew a final map which incorporated all that he knew about North America up to about 1620, including the information obtained from Brûlé. The map, which was published in 1632, shows Grand Lac (Lake Superior), Mer douce (Lake Huron), and Lac St Louis (Lake Ontario).32

A portion of Champlain’s 1632 map of Nouvelle France33

32 Derek Hayes, America Discovered (Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre, 2004), p. 59, map 73. 33 Available from BAnQ: (http://www.banq.qc.ca/accueil/) Collections> Collection numérique> Cartes et plans. The full title is: Carte de la Nouvelle France, augmentée depuis la dernière, servant à la navigation faicte en son vray meridien, par le Sr. de Champlain capitaine pour le Roy en la Marine: lequel depuis l'an 1603 jusques en l'année 1629 ; a descouvert plusieurs costes, terres, lacs, rivières et nations de sauvages, par cy devant incognuës, comme il se voit en ses relations quil a faict imprimer en 1632, ou il se voit cette marque ... ce sont habitations qu'ont faict les François.

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Jean Nicolet lived with the Nipissing:1620 – 1629 (approximate dates) – Champlain ordered Jean Nicolet to travel to the Nipissing Tribe who lived on Lake Nipissing. The Nipissing acted as intermediaries between the French and the Native-American Tribes who lived to the west of Lake Nipissing and of Hudson Bay. Nicolet lived with the Tribe until 1629. He had his own lodge and a trading station, where he traded with the Native Americans and visited many Native-American Tribes living between Huronia and Hudson Bay.34

The Mayflower sailed for North America:16 September 1620 – The Mayflower embarked from Plymouth, England, with 101 passengers on their journey to America. The group included Miles Standish, who had been hired as a military leader, several craftsman, and 14 indentured servants.35

The Pilgrims arrived in present-day Massachusetts:9 November 1620 to 5 April 1621 – The Pilgrims reached Cape Cod and decided to colonize in the area even though it was outside the area granted to the Virginia Company. On 11 November, while anchored in Provincetown harbor, the 41 men aboard the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact which had been drafted by the Pilgrim leaders. After exploratory expeditions, the Mayflower anchored off Plymouth on 21 December, and the passengers began to disembark. During the winter, half of the colonists succumbed to disease and starvation. The Mayflower remained anchored off the Plymouth colony until 21 March, when the last passengers embarked. The Mayflower began its return trip to England on 5 April 1621.36

James I granted the Council for New England rights to all of present-day New England:13 November 1620 – James I, of England, granted the Council for New England rights to the land area in North America from sea to sea between 40°N and 48°N. The Council was a new entity that resulted from the reorganization of the Plymouth Company. Their goal was a land company, rather than a trading organization, although they received a trading and fishing monopoly in the area under their control. Their charter gave them title to all of New England and their future land grants formed the basis of the future colonies of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut.37

Joseph Le Caron, Nicolas Viel, and Gabriel Sagard departed for Huronia; with the help of the Huron they built a cabin near Carhagouha:2 August 1623 – Joseph Le Caron, Nicolas Viel, and Gabriel Sagard departed for Huronia after they had attended the annual fur trading fair held at the mouth of the Rivières des Iroquois (the Richelieu River) that year. Each of the missionaries travelled in a different Huron canoe; Sagard arrived at Lake Huron on 20 August, and at Ossossané (on present-day Pointe Varwood, Nottawasaga Bay on Georgian Bay) two days later in Oonchiarey’s canoe. Later that summer, the Huron helped the missionaries build a 20’ by 10-12’ cabin near Carhagouha, about five leagues from Ossossané. Sagard departed from Huronia the following May to obtain provisions in Québec. Shortly after his arrived, he received instructions from his superior to return to France.38

Champlain and Joseph le Caron negotiated peace with the Iroquois:July 1624 – Champlain, aided by Joseph le Caron, established a temporary peace between the Iroquois, the French, and the French Native-American Allies.39

Charles I succeeded his father, James I, as king of England:27 March 1625 (O.S.) – James I of England died. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Charles I.40

34 Fischer, p. 503; DCB, Nicolet’s biography under Nicollet. 35 Schlesinger, p. 38.36 Schlesinger, p. 38.37 Schlesinger, p. 38.38 DCB, Sagard’s biography; Sagard, Gabriel and H.H. Langton (translator), The Long Journey to the Country of the Huron (Toronto, Ontario: The Champlain Society, 1939).39 JR, Vol. 4, p. 261, footnote 23.40 Wikipedia.org, accessed 4 October 2009.

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War between France and England:25 May 1625 (O.S.) – Louis XIII’s sister, Henriette Marie, married Charles Stuart King of England (Charles I) on 25 May 1625 by proxy. Only half of her 2,400,000 livres dowry had been paid by the time of the marriage. Later that year, Louis XIII’s forces attacked the Huguenots of La Rochelle who had made the city a fortress. Charles I supported the Huguenots, resulting in war between France and England.41

Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., ministered to the Montagnais:20 October 1625 to 27 March 1626 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., departed from Québec to minister to the Montagnais. He returned to Québec on 27 March 1626.42

The Mohawk reserved for themselves fur trading with New Netherlands:Circa 1626 – In spite of opposition from the Mohican, the Mohawk, the easternmost member of the Iroquois, set up a trade route to the Hudson River. They reserved the fur trade with New Netherland for themselves, much to the detriment of the other members of the alliance (Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca).43

The Jesuits arrived in Huronia:1626 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., Anne de Noue, S.J., and Joseph de Laroche d’Aillon (a Récollet), and their companions reached the Huron settlements at Carhagouha/Toanché (present-day Toanche, Ontario) on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. The missionaries lived in the cabin erected by Joseph le Caron in 1615. De Noue returned to Québec in 1627; Brébeuf remained at the mission until the capture of Québec.44

Laroche d’Aillon wintered with the Neutral Nations:1626 – Joseph de Laroche d’Aillon wintered among the Neutral Nations in Ontario. He was treated poorly by the Native Americans and was rescued by French Canadians.45

Charles I of England authorized the Kirke Brothers to attack French vessels on the St. Lawrence:1627 – Charles I decided to take the war to North America. He authorized the Alexanders, of Stirling, Scotland, and the Stewarts of Ochiltree, Scotland, to attack Acadia. The same year, Charles I authorized the sons of Gervaise Kirke, an English merchant who lived in Dieppe, to seize French shipping vessels on the St. Lawrence.46

Cardinal Richelieu founded the Compagnie des Cent-Associés:29 April 1627 to 28 April 1628 – Cardinal Richelieu founded the Compagnie de Cent-Associés and granted it a monopoly on the fur trade in perpetuity, a fifteen-year monopoly on all other trade except fishing, and a seigneury that stretched from Florida to the Arctic Circle, and Newfoundland to “the Freshwater Sea” (Great Lakes). The members were required to invest 3,000 livres, all of their profits for the first three years and 2/3 of the profit in succeeding years. Richelieu promised that twelve members of the group would be elevated to the nobility. The Compagnie’s primary objective was settlement; therefore, its members promised to send 4,000 colonists to New France over the next 15 years and support them for a period of three years. The Compagnie encouraged tradesmen to immigrate, promising them the rank of master craftsman and the right to own a shop if they practiced their trade in New France for six years and then wished to return to France. Richelieu wanted to avoid the religious wars that plagued France by excluding Huguenots from the list of potential immigrants. In an effort to rapidly integrate the Native American population, Richelieu promised that the Native Americans who converted to the Catholic faith would be recognized as French Nationals.47

41 Fischer, p. 406; Wikipedia.org, biography of Charles I, accessed December 2009.42 JR, Vol. 4, pp. 169-182; 211; 43 Trudel, p. 54.44 JR, Vol. 4, pp. 219-221, 260, footnote 23, p. 264, footnote 30, p. 265, footnote 31; Ernest J. Lajeunesse, C.S.B. The Windsor Border Region (Toronto Ontario, University of Toronto Press, 1960) p. xxx; DCB, biographies of Brébeuf and Nouë (spelling in the DCB)45 JR, Vol. 4, p. 259, footnote 23; Vol. 21, pp. 202-203.46 Fischer, p. 409.47 Trudel, pp. 45-46; Fischer, pp. 404-409.

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The Kirke Brothers captured Québec:Spring 1628 to 1629 – David, Thomas, and Louis Kirke left for New France in four heavily armed ships and seized the Compagnie’s supply ship that was bound for Québec. On 10 July 1628, the Kirke Brothers appeared at Québec and demanded its surrender. Champlain met with the colonists and urged that they call the British bluff and fight if necessary. The colonists agreed with Champlain. Champlain replied to Kirkes’ demand of surrender by stating that “honor demands that we fight to the death.” The Kirkes retreated and prepared to starve the colony. On 17 and 18 July, the Kirkes captured the French ships that had transported 400 colonists across the Atlantic; all except the leaders/officers, who were held for ransom, were transported back to France. Supply ships were not able to reach Québec during the summer, autumn, or the following spring. During the winter and spring, the Native Americans helped the colony, which Champlain estimated at 90 – 100, by taking in substantial numbers of French Canadians and bringing food to the settlement. The Kirke family formed the Company of Adventurers to Canada with William Alexander and a group of Scottish investors. In February 1629, Charles I granted the Company a monopoly on the fur trade in the St. Lawrence. In the spring of 1629, David, Louis, Thomas, John, and James/Jarvis Kirke sailed for New France. On 24 April 1629, the Treaty of Susa ended war between France and England, but the news did not reach New France for several months. On 20 July 1629 Champlain surrendered New France to the Kirke Brothers, knowing that the colony could not survive without supplies. The Hébert and Couillard families, as well as some of the interpreters, decided to remain in New France. Four French Canadians defected to the Kirke Brothers: Le Bailiff, Pierre Raye, and two interpreters, Étienne Brûlé, and Nicolas Marsolet. On the return trip to England, Champlain told David Kirke that he had heard about the treaty, but Kirke dismissed the rumors. From the time they landed in Plymouth, England, on 16 October 1629, Champlain labored tirelessly in England and France for the restoration of New France.48

English Captains Thomas James and Luke Fox/Foxe, travelled to Hudson Bay:1631 – Captains Thomas James and Luke Fox/Foxe set sail from England for Hudson Bay. Fox returned to England in 1631, while James wintered at present-day Charlton Island at the southern end of James Bay and returned to England in 1632. The next recorded voyage to Hudson Bay did not occur until 1668 when the Nonsuch, captained by Zachary Gillam, with Médard Chouart sieur DesGroseilliers aboard, entered Hudson Bay.49

The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye restored Québec to France:29 March 1632 – After Louis XIII paid the remainder of Henriette Marie’s dowry to Charles I, of England. Québec was restored to France under the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.50

The French returned to Québec:5 to 6 July 1632 – Paul Lejeune, S.J., and Anne (de) Noue, S.J., arrived in Québec to find that the English had burned a greater part of the detached buildings as well as the settlement. Emery de Caën had sent Thomas Kirke, who had captured Québec with his brothers, David and Louis, an extract of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which ordered him to surrender the fort in seven days; Kirke replied that he would obey the order to surrender when he saw the original. The treaty was brought to Kirke on 6 July. On the same day, the Jesuits celebrated Mass at the home of Marie Rolet/Rollet, the widow of Louis Hébert. Her family, including Guillemette, who married Guillaume Couillard, was the only family that remained in New France during the English occupation. The Native Americans had helped them survive during the greater part of the time.51

The Jesuits learned of the depravities committed by drunken Native Americans; the chiefs begged the missionaries to help prevent the French from trading brandy with the Native Americans: 6 July 1632 – Lejeune and Noue spoke to the Lutheran minister who had ministered to the English during their occupation of Québec. The Jesuits learned that although the Montagnais had hoped to negotiate a peace with the Iroquois, two drunken Native Americans, who had traded furs with the English for brandy, killed two captives. When the Lutheran minister rebuked them, the Native Americans blamed the English, stating that if they had not been given brandy, they would not have killed the prisoners. The Jesuits confirmed that when the Native Americans drank, they fought, shouted, raved, and killed Marie Rolet’s cattle, but when they had slept off their drunkenness, they were at peace with their neighbors, blaming everything on the brandy. Lejeune worried that the

48 Fischer, pp. 409-436, 584, 585; DCB, David Kirke’s biography (dates the surrender on 19 July); Trudel, p. 46. 49 DCB, biographies of James and Fox; Tyrrel, Hudson Bay, p. 6.50 Fischer, pp. 409-436, 584, 585; DCB, David Kirke’s biography; Trudel, p. 46. 51 JR, Vol. 5, pp. 38-41.

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Native Americans might kill some of the French. Lejeune also learned that when sober Native Americans were able to catch their drunken tribal members, they tied them up to prevent them from attacking the others. Some of the tribal chiefs or captains pled with Lejeune and Noue, hoping that the missionaries could prevent the French from selling or trading brandy or wine with the Native Americans, saying that the brandy trade would lead to the death of their people.52

The English surrendered Québec to the French:13 July 1632 – Thomas Kirke surrendered the settlement to Emery de Caën and Charles Duplessis-Bochart.53

The Jesuits began publishing the Jesuit Relations:24 August 1632 – Lejeune sent his first relation or letter to France. The Jesuits began publishing the Relations, an annual report that informed their Superiors of news from New France, as well as being used as a means of recruiting new colonists. This publication continued until 1673. Although the Jesuit Relations was edited in New France and France prior to publication, the JR contains some of the earliest contemporary accounts of Native Americans.54

Champlain and additional Jesuits arrived in Québec in a fleet of three ships:22 May to 3 July 1633 – Champlain arrived in Québec with Jean Brébeuf, S.J., in a fleet of three ships. The ships transported 200 people, most of whom were soldiers. Énemond Massé, S.J., arrived in Québec on 8 June from Tadoussac and Antoine Daniel, S.J., arrived on 24 June, while Ambroise Davost, S.J., arrived on 3 July 1633.55

The Jesuits’ departure for Huronia was delayed until 1634 because of inter-tribal disputes:July to August 1633 – Although the Jesuits planned to accompany the Huron back to Huronia, inter-tribal disputes between the Algonquin of Allumette Island and the Huron caused the Jesuits to postpone their departure until 1634.56

Champlain prohibited French Canadians from trading liquor with the Native Americans:1633 – Champlain prohibited French Canadians from trading or selling brandy or wine to the Native Americans.57

Jean Nicolet travelled to present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin:Summer 1633 to 1634 (or July 1634 to fall 1635) – In June 1633, Champlain and Jean Nicolet planned an important voyage to the Western Frontiers of New France. Nicolet’s voyage had a number of objectives: (1) to explore the country and evaluate its resources; (2) to map the rivers and lakes; (3) to investigate Native-American reports of the lake that lay beyond Lake Huron (Lake Superior); (4) to try to find a route to China; (5) to seek out the Native-American Tribe called the Puants who had travelled west to the coast of a big salt sea; (6) to meet other Native-American Tribes and to extend trade alliances; and (7) to encourage peace among New-France’s Allies and the Tribes living farther west. Nicolet probably traveled through northern Lake Huron, through the straits at Michilimackinac and then to the west coast of Lake Michigan to the area of Baie des Puants (near present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin). Nicolet and his Huron guides gathered 4,000 to 5,000 Native Americans and Nicolet greeted them in an embroidered robe of Chinese Damask. Peace was established among the Tribes, which probably included Winnebago, a Tribe that spoke Siouian language. Nicolet failed to find the China Sea, although he traveled the Rivière aux Renards (Fox River) as far as the village of the Mascoutin and journeyed toward the Illinois River, which is a tributary of the Mississippi. Nicolet was the first French Canadian documented to have traveled on Lake Michigan and into the interior of the present state of Wisconsin.58

52 JR, Vol. 5, pp. 48-49.53 JR, Vol. 5, p. 41.54 JR, Vol. 5, p. 72; Trudel, p. 55. 55 JR, Vol. 5, pp. 199, 213, 215, 219, 223; Trudel, p. 50.56 JR, Vol. 5, pp. 238-239, 243-263; JR, Vol. 6, pp. 5-17.57 JR, Vol. 5, p. 230.58 Fischer, pp. 503-505; DCB, Nicolet’s biography under Nicollet (1634-1635); Louise Phelps Kellogg, editor, Early Narratives of the Northwest 1634 – 1699 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1917), pp. 9-16 (1634-1635); JR, 23, pp. 274-281; The French Régime in Wisconsin, Chapter V. Nicolet, Chapter III (1634-1635).

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Trois-Rivières was founded:1634 to 17 April 1636 – Champlain directed Laviolette to build a settlement at Trois-Rivières. The settlement was designed to control the movement of the Iroquois and to provide a trading post for the Native American Tribes that lived to the west or north. Laviolette commanded from 4 July 1634 to 17 April 1636, when he probably returned to France.59

The Jesuits founded La Conception, a mission at Trois-Rivières:1634 – Paul Lejeune, S.J., decided that he and Jacques Buteux, S.J., would act as the missionaries for the new settlement at Trois-Rivières; their mission was known as La Conception.60

The Jesuits founded St. Joseph I at Ihonatiria:July to September 1634 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., Antoine Daniel, S.J., Simon Baron and two other French Canadians departed for Huronia with the Huron who had come to Trois-Rivières to trade. On 1 August, the Huron set Brébeuf ashore near Toanché, where he had stayed from 1626 to 1629. Brébeuf, his fellow missionaries, and donnés lived with Huron families until late September when their multi-roomed cabin was erected at St. Joseph (Ihonatiria, near the west end of Gignac Lake in present-day Tiny Township, Ontario), a village near Toanché, rather than at Ossossané, the village nicknamed La Rochelle.61

Example of a reconstructed Huron/Wendat Longhouse courtesy of Sainte Marie Among the Hurons

http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/Home/index.htm

Drawing of a small Mohawk Village courtesy ofNew York State Museum

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/villageone.html

The French Canadians built a small fort on present-day Richelieu Island:Before September 1634 – Champlain ordered the erection of a small fort on present-day Richelieu Island, opposite present-day Deschambault to control ships traveling on the Saint Lawrence.62

France Declared War on Spain: May 1635 – France officially entered the Thirty Years’ War by declaring war on Spain.63

59 Fischer, p. 495; Trudel, p. 50; DCB, Laviolette’s biography. His first name is not known.60 JR, Vol. 6, pp. 41-45; JR, Vol. 7, p. 261. The remainder of this volume is devoted to Lejeune’s requests for additional missionaries, lay brothers and other workers, baptisms of Native Americans, as well as a description of the beliefs, religious beliefs, superstitions, etc. of the Montagnais. The description continues in Vol. 7.61 JR, Vol. 6, pp. 39-41; JR, Vol. 7, p. 211-219, 261 (does not give exact date); JR, Vol. 8, pp. 67- 111 (Brébeuf’s account of his arrival and their decision to settle at Ihonatiria; description of their cabin), 111-153 (Brébeuf’s description of Huron villages, customs, beliefs, etc.); DCB, Brébeuf’s biography (states that the mission was started on 19 or 20 Sept. 1634).62 Trudel, Marcel, p. 50; JR, Vol. 7, p. 227, JR, Vol. 8, pp. 15-17.63 Wikipedia.org, The Thirty Years’ War, accessed November 2009.

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http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/villageone.html

http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/Home/index.htm



Brébeuf advised the Huron to build their forts with towers:1635 – Brébeuf advised the Huron that they should construct their forts as a square with four towers in the corners so that they could defend a whole village from the towers. The Huron constructed a fort at Ossossané (nicknamed La Rochelle) in this fashion.64

The Jesuits built a school for Native Americans and planned one for the French-Canadian children:1635 – The Jesuits built a “seminary” or school for the Native Americans at Notre-Dame-des-Anges. Paul Lejeune, S. J., also planned to build a “college” or school to educate the children of the French Canadians. Although the school had not been built, he planned to begin teaching the children in 1635. Lejeune received a large sum of money from Nicolas Rohault, Marquis de Gamache, for this purpose in 1635.65

The Native Americans were informed about the regulations regarding trading furs with the French Canadians for wine or brandy:18 December 1635 – Due to Champlain’s illness, François Deré/Derré sieur de Gand, a member of the Compagnie des Cent-Associés and its commissary general, spoke to the Native Americans about the trade in brandy and other intoxicating drinks. He told them that if any of them became drunk they would be asked after their intoxication wore off who supplied them with the brandy. If the Native American answered honestly, the French Canadian would pay the fine. If the Native American refused to reveal who had supplied them with the brandy, then he would be forbidden to enter the residence of any of the French Canadians. If a French Canadian admitted him to his house, both would be punished. Many of the Native Americans were happy to hear these rules, stating that if the French Canadians did not give them brandy or wine, they could provide well for their families by the sale of their furs, but if they traded their furs for brandy or wine, the men and women who drank endangered their health and lives. They urged the French Canadians to enforce these regulations.66

Champlain died in Québec; the Compagnie des Cent-Associés appointed Charles Huault de Montmagny Governor of New France:1635 – News of Champlain’s poor health reached France. Champlain died on 25 December 1635 in Québec, having suffered a stroke in mid-October. Marc Antoine Brasdefer de Châteaufort acted as Interim Commandant/Governor of New France from 25 December 1635 until 11 June 1636. In January 1636, before the news of Champlain’s death reached France, the Compagnie des Cent-Associés appointed Charles Huault de Montmagny Governor of New France.67

Notices were erected on the Church in Québec regarding certain laws and penalties:29 December 1635 – A notice was placed on the pillar of the Church in Québec which listed certain laws and penalties, including blasphemy, drunkenness, failing to attend Mass, and giving or trading brandy or wine with the Native Americans. An iron collar was attached to the pillar and a chevalet (a torture device) was erected nearby. On 6 January 1636, a resident convicted of drunkenness and blasphemy was placed in the chevalet, and on 22 January, one of the residents was fined 50 livres for having traded or given brandy to a Native American who subsequently became drunk.68

The Algonquin from Allumette Island unsuccessfully tried to convince the Huron to participate in a retaliatory attack on the Iroquois:28 March 1636 – François Marguerie, who had wintered at Allumette Island, brought Tessouat and three other Algonquin ambassadors to Huronia. The Algonquin presented the Huron with 23 porcelain collars to induce the Huron to join them in a revenge attack upon the Iroquois who had who had killed 23 Algonquin. The Huron refused because they feared an attack by the Iroquois themselves. Brébeuf met with the ambassadors, briefly explained the Jesuit mission to the Huron, and promised that at some point in the future, the Jesuits might come to Allumette Island to instruct the residents. Thereafter, the Algonquin departed with a canoe and small presents, satisfied with their visit.69

64 JR, Vol. 10, p. 5.65 JR, Vol. 7, p. 263; JR, Vol. 9, p. 309, note 32. Also see the entry for March 1626.66 JR, Vol. 9, pp. 199-203.67 DCB, Champlain’s, Brasdefer and Montmagny’s biographies; Jetté, p. 221; Fischer, pp. 512, 518, 586. . 68 JR, Vol. 9, p. 143.

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Charles Huault de Montmagny arrived in New France:11 June 1636 – Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of New France, landed in Québec 11 June 1636 and remained in office until 1648.70

A smallpox epidemic devastated Huronia:September 1636 to summer 1637 – Smallpox broke out in Huronia, killing many of the residents. Seven of the missionaries or their workers also caught the disease, but none died. The epidemic was most severe during the late fall and winter, and severely affected the residents of Ossossané. The missionaries visited the surrounding villages to render care to the sick and baptize those who were willing. Unfortunately, some of the non-Christian Huron started to spread the rumor that the Jesuits were the cause of the disease and had come to Huronia to destroy the Tribe. In spite of the rumors, the Jesuits baptized 200 and were invited to almost all of their villages. Simon Baron, who had learned to use a lancet, bled many of the sick.71

Charles Garnier, S.J., visited the Tobacco/Petun nation: 13 April 1637 – Charles Garnier, S.J., and some of the donnés visited the Tobacco/Petun nation, which lived two days’ journey from Huronia. Their journey lasted two weeks. The Jesuits eventually established two missions: St. Jean (Etarita; its exact location is unknown) to the Nation of the Wolves and St. Mathias (Ekarenniondi; its exact location is unknown) to the Nation of the Deer.72

Algonquin and Montagnais warriors departed from Québec to make war on the Iroquois:24 to 26 April 1637 – A party of Algonquin and Montagnais warriors visited Québec on their way to make war on the Iroquois; they met with Governor Charles Huault de Montmagny two days later. In the ensuing battle, the Iroquois defeated the French Allies and killed the chiefs.73

The Montagnais requested permission and help to enclose a village at Trois-Rivières: 27 April to 19 May 1637 – Makheabichtichiou, a Montagnais chief, met with Paul Lejeune, S.J., Governor Montmagny, Olivier Tardif, and Jean Nicolet. He requested permission and help to construct a stockaded village and clear some land at Trois-Rivières. Makheabichtichiou told the French that a number of families had resolved to move to the area and live in peace with the French because the ignorance of God was killing their souls and the Iroquois, who were slaughtering their bodies, forced them to be wanderers. They also realized that must farm in order to make up for the depletion of game near the French. Tardif and Nicolet assured Montmagny that Champlain promised them this help if they became sedentary and allowed their children to be raised Catholic. Montmagny assured them that he would fulfill Champlain’s promise and that the French would build a “seminary” or school for their children if they would leave their children in Québec for instruction until the school had been constructed. Makheabichtichiou returned to his village to discuss the conference with his Tribe. Lejeune reported that the French did not urge to Montagnais to move immediately to Trois-Rivières because they were short of men and food to help them. On 18 May, Lejeune received a letter from Trois-Rivières informing him that a panic had spread among the Montagnais because they feared that the Iroquois were on their way to attack them. The letter begged the French to take the women and children into the fort. The French agreed to loan them stakes the next day that they could use to enclose a sort of village near the fort. The next morning the Montagnais gathered the stakes and barricaded themselves in less than four hours.74

The Jesuits founded La Conception at Ossossané: 17 May to 9 June 1637 – Jean Brébeuf, S.J., met with the Huron in Ossossané. The Huron agreed to construct a cabin and chapel for the missionaries, which the Jesuits named La Conception. The first mass in the house/chapel was held on 5 June and the house/chapel was finished on 9 June. Pierre Pijart, S.J., and Charles Garnier, S.J.,

69 JR, Vol. 10, pp. 73-79. A large portion of this volume contains Brébeuf’s description of Huron belief’s customs, religion, and feasts, including the Feast of the Dead.70 DCB, Champlain’s, Brasdefer and Montmagny’s biographies; Jetté, p. 221; Fischer, pp. 512, 518, 586. . 71 JR, Vol. 11, pp. 11-13; Vol. 13, pp. 84-115, 143-265; Vol. 14, pp. 5-31, 39-41; Vol. 19, pp. 85-119.72 JR, Vol. 14, pp. 33-35; JR, Vol. 33, p. 141.73 JR, Vol. 12, pp. 151-159.74 JR, Vol. 12, pp. 159-165, 167-169.

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were assigned to the mission. François Joseph Lemercier, S.J., went to Ossossané in June when Pijart departed for Québec to consult about the Huron missions.75

The Jesuits founded the St Joseph de Sillery reservation:1637 – The Jesuits founded the St Joseph de Sillery reservation, four miles from Québec, to train the Native Americans to live in the French fashion. The mission was named after Noël Brulard/Brulart, chevalier de Sillery, who became a priest in 1634. In 1637, he gave a large sum of money to Paul Lejeune, S.J., to establish the reservation. Two Algonquin families came to live at the reservation the first year.76

Montmagny ordered the Abenaki who had come to Québec and Trois-Rivières to return home without trading:July 1837 – A party of Abenaki come to Quebec to visit the Montagnais. Although the Montagnais chief had forbidden them from travelling to Trois-Rivières to trade for beaver, the Abenaki ignored him. Montmagny met with members of both Tribes and forbad the Abenaki from travelling to Trois-Rivières because he felt that their trade would injure the Compagnie des Cent-Associés. Although the Abenaki pretended to return home, they proceeded to Trois-Rivières. When Montmagny learned that they had defied his orders, he sent a messenger to Marc Antoine Brasdefer de Châteaufort, governor of Trois-Rivières, and asked that Brasdefer de Châteaufort stop the trading. Brasdefer de Châteaufort met with the Montagnais and Abenaki chiefs; the Abenaki denied that they had come to trade and insisted that they had come to help their Allies in attacks upon the Iroquois. After their cabins and baggage was examined and three arquesbuses were confiscated, the Abenaki returned home.77

A party of 500 Iroquois attacked the Huron and missionaries and threatened to attack Trois-Rivières:August 1637 – Approximately 500 Iroquois attacked Huron canoes as they were returning home from trading. Although some of the Huron were captured, others, including Paul Ragueneau, S.J., escaped. The Iroquois then threatened Trois-Rivières, but Governor Montmagny and the French held them at bay until reinforcements arrived from Quebec and the Iroquois departed.78

Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., founded St. Joseph II, a Huron mission:June 1638 – After the Jesuits decided to abandon St. Joseph I because most of the residents had been killed by epidemics or scattered to other villages, Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., founded St. Joseph II, a Huron mission, in present-day Teanaustaye, Ontario. The first mass was celebrated on 25 June 1638.79

The Wenro fled west or north-west to avoid the Iroquois:Summer to fall 1638 – Some of the Wenro (Wenroronon) fled west from their homes near the Niagara River area (present-day New York) to the Neutral Nation to avoid the Iroquois. Other members of the Wenro sent deputies to the Huron asking permission to settle among the Huron. The Huron not only granted the Wenro permission to live with them, they also went with the Wenro deputies to escort them to their new home. The majority of the more than 600 Wenro who started on the journey were women and children. Many died on their journey and most were sick when they arrived at Ossossané or immediately afterwards. The majority settled at Ossossané, but others were welcomed in the other Huron villages.80

The Jesuits founded St. Michel, a Huron Mission:Late November to early December 1638 – The Jesuits founded St. Michel, a Huron mission, in present-day Scanonaenrat, Ontario.81

75 JR, Vol. 11, pp. 10; 17; Vol. 14, pp. 55-73; 103, 107; Helen Hornbeck Tanner, Atlas of Great Lakes History (Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1986), Chart: French Missions in the Great Lakes 1636-1698 (states that it was established in 1636).76 JR, Vol. 14, pp. 203-217, 286, footnote 12; Trudel, p. 55.77 JR, Vol. 12, pp. 185-189.78 JR, Vol. 12, pp. 197-215.79 JR, Vol. 17, p. 9, 59; Tanner, Chart: French Missions in the Great Lakes 1636-1698.80 Tanner, p. 30 (fled to the Neutral Nation); JR, Vol. 17, pp. 25-29.81 JR, Vol. 17, pp. 85-95; Tanner, Chart: French Missions in the Great Lakes 1636-1698.

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The Société de Notre Dame de Montréal was founded:Late February 1639 – Jérôme Le Royer de La Dauversière, Jean Jacques Olier (founder of the Sulpicians) and Pierre Chevrier baron de Fancamp founded the Société de Notre Dame de Montréal pour la conversion des Sauvages82 de la Nouvelle France (hereafter Société de Notre Dame de Montréal). They hoped to use the Jesuits to convert the Native Americans and bring them together in a settlement on Montréal Island. During the meeting, they agreed to purchase the island of Montréal from Jean de Lauzon (future governor of New France) and to found a society of laymen. On the recommendation of Charles Lalemant, S.J., (first superior of the Jesuits in New France), the Société later chose Paul Chomedey de sieur de Maisonneuve as the leader of the colony.83

The Iroquois began to trade furs for guns with the Dutch:Circa 1639 – The Iroquois began to trade their furs for guns with the Dutch living in present-day Albany, New York. The acquisition of guns gave the Iroquois military superiority over the Huron. Governor Montmagny continued Champlain’s policy which prohibited the French Canadians from selling guns to the Native Americans.84

The Jesuits visited the Neutral Nation:Winter 1639 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., and Joseph Marie Chaumonot, S.J., visited the Neutral Nation, a journey of six days from the Huron villages. Although they baptized many sick children without their parents’ knowledge, the missionaries met with great distrust and threats from the adults due to rumors spread by non-Christian Huron.85

The Jesuits founded Sainte Marie I:Summer 1639 – During the summer of 1639, Jérôme Lalemant, S.J., the new superior of Huronia, made the decision to establish Sainte Marie I as a permanent residence for the missionaries; it also served as a retreat for the missionaries when they returned from their travels to the missions. Sainte Marie was located in present-day Midland, Ontario, about 150 feet from the shore of the present-day Wye River. The new mission combined the residences of St. Joseph and La Conception into a permanent residence. Isaac Jogues, S.J., was responsible for the overall construction; in 1640, Gabriel Boivin, an architect, was sent to supervise the building. During the ten years that Sainte Marie I existed, several buildings for the missionaries, as well as visiting Native Americans were constructed. Ste. Marie also served as a mission for four Huron villages of about 1,400 people: Ste. Anne (present-day Penetanguishene, Ontario); St. Louis (in Tay Township on the east bank of the Hogg River); St. Denis (on the east bank of the Hogg River); and St. Jean (on the east side of the Sturgeon River).86

The Jesuit Chapel at Sainte Marie I The Church of Saint Joseph built for visiting Huron/Wendat at Sainte Marie I

Courtesy of Ste Marie Among the Hurons – Huronia Historical Parks

82 Fischer, p. 142. Champlain called the Native Americans les Sauvages. In the 17th century, the word meant wild things that lived in the forest; hence, when Champlain used the term, he meant forest dwellers. The word should not be translated into English as savages.83 DCB Chomedey de Maisonneuve’s biography; Trudel, p. 51. 84 DCB, Huault de Montmagny’s biography; Tanner, p. 30. 85 JR, Vol. 18, pp. 35-41. 86 JR, Vol. 19, pp. 123; 131-135; 165, 271-272, footnote 9; Tanner, Chart: French Missions in the Great Lakes 1636-1698.

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The Jesuits departed for their missions among the Huron and Tobacco/Petun Tribes:1 November 1639 – Having decided that it was better to travel from the missions to the neighboring Tribes in the late fall when the Native Americans returned from their trading expeditions, the Jesuits and their donnés departed from their missions. The Jesuits from Ste. Marie went to the Ataronchronon (People of the Marshes or Bogs, part of the Huron Tribe); those from St. Joseph went to the Attigneenongnahac (the Cord Nation, part of the Huron Tribe); those from La Conception went to the Attignawantan (the Bear Nation, part of the Huron Tribe); and those from the Apostles went to the Khionontateronon (the Tobacco or Petun Tribe). While they were travelling, the Jesuits took a census of the 32 villages. They found that about 12,000 Native Americans lived in about 700 cabins in the 32 villages.87

Brébeuf and Châtelain’s 1639/1640 missions:1639/1640 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., and Pierre Châtelain, S.J., served the St. Joseph Mission and the Huron villages which the Jesuits named St. Michel and St. Ignace.88

The Jesuits added small villages to the La Conception Mission:1639-1640 – Paul Ragueneau, S.J., François Duperron/Dupéron, S.J., and Joseph Marie Chaumonot, S.J., served the Mission of La Conception and the Huron villages which the Jesuits named St. François Xavier, St. Charles, Ste. Agnès, Ste. Magdelaine, Ste. Geneviève, St. Martin, St. Antoine, Ste. Cécile, Ste. Catherine, Ste. Thérèse, Ste. Barbe, and St. Étienne.89

The Jesuits founded St. Jean Baptiste:1639/1640 – The Jesuits founded St. Jean Baptiste, a Huron mission to the Ahrendarhonon (Nation of the Rock), the most eastern Nation of the Huron, in present-day Oro Township, Ontario. Antoine Daniel, S.J., and Simon Lemoine/Lemoyne, S.J., served the mission and the villages which the Jesuits named St. Joachim and Ste. Élisabeth.90

The Jesuits founded the Mission of the Apostles for the Petun/Tobacco Nation:1639/1640 –The Jesuits founded the Mission dedicated to the Apostles, which served the Petun/Tobacco Nation (the Khionontateronon). Charles Garnier, S.J., and Isaac Jogues, S.J., established this Mission, but they were poorly received by the residents and were often forced to move to another village in the middle of the night or threatened with death. They named the principal village St. Pierre and St. Paul; the other villages were named St. André, St. Jacques, St. Thomas, St. Jean, St. Jacques and St. Philippe, St. Barthélemi, St. Mathieu, St. Simon and St. Jude. In addition to the Petun/Tobacco Nation, many members of the Neutral Nation fled to the Petun/Tobacco Nation because of the famine in their country.91

Jérôme Lalemant, S.J., requested French interference to stop the Iroquois advances:8 March 1640 – Jérôme Lalemant, S.J., wrote to Cardinal Richelieu. His letter requested French interference on behalf of the Native-American Allies to check the hostile advances of the Iroquois who had been encouraged and incited by the English and Dutch colonists. He told Richelieu that it was only through the Huron that the Jesuits could penetrate farther south or west. The Iroquois had so reduced the Huron that Lalemant did not think that the Huron could exist much longer unless the evil was stopped at its source. Although the Huron might be strong enough to resist the Iroquois in their own country for a little while, Lalemant expected that their trade with the French Canadians would soon be broken off because the Iroquois became stronger every year and more formidable on the river routes to Huronia. The rupture of trade relations would be equivalent to their ruin because it would make it impossible for the Jesuits to subsist and continue their missions in Huronia.92

87 JR, Vol. 19, pp. 123-12588 JR, Vol. 19, pp. 181-183.89 JR, Vol. 19, pp. 181-183, 207.90 JR, Vol. 19, p. 123; JR, Vol. 20, pp. 17-19; Tanner, Chart: French Missions in the Great Lakes 1636-1698.91 JR, Vol. 20, pp. 41-75.92 JR, Vol. 17, 5, pp. 218-225; Vol. 22, pp. 29-33; DCB (under Le Jeune).

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The Huron Map:1640 or 1641 – The “Huron Map” was drawn on an animal hide. The map showed the distribution of Native Americans in the area around four of the Great Lakes (Lake Michigan was not illustrated). The map may have been drawn by a Jesuit missionary based on information received from Native Americans.93

Fire destroyed the Notre-Dame Chapel:15 June 1640 – A fire destroyed the Notre Dame Chapel, the adjoining Champlain Chapel, the Jesuit monastery, and the Church records in Québec. The registers for the Church were reconstructed from the memory of the priests and the residents.94

The Société de Notre Dame de Montréal negotiated the purchase of the island of Montréal:August to December 1640 – Charles Lalemant, S.J., representing the Société de Notre Dame de Montréal, started negotiations with Jean de Lauzon for the purchase of the island of Montréal. Lauzon was the Intendant of the Compagnie des Cent-Associés and through his influence and straw men he had obtained huge grants of land, including Montréal, in New France, making his family by 1640 the largest landowners in the colony. Lauzon sold Montréal to the Société de Notre Dame for the exorbitant figure of 150,000 livres. The Compagnie des Cent-Associés annulled the sale in December 1640 and regranted the island to the Société de Notre Dame de Montréal.95

The Jesuits founded the Mission of the Angels for the Neutral Nation:2 November 1640 – Jean de Brébeuf, S.J., and Pierre Joseph Chaumonot, S.J., left Huronia to preach to the Neutral Nation. As they travelled through the villages, the missionaries gave each village a Saint’s name. They also visited some Wenro refugees who had settled among the Neutral Nation in a village called Khioetoa, which they renamed St. Michel. Based on Nicolas Sanson d’Abbeville’s Map Le Canada, ou Nouvelle France drawn in 1656, it is possible that Brébeuf and Chaumonot were in the area of present-day Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.96

93 Derek Hayes, Historical Atlas of the United States (Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 2007), p. 8, map 8. 94 Basilique-Cathédrale Notre Dame, Québec, http://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/orgues/quebec/ndameq.html#English ; www.ancestry.com, Drouin Collection, Q> Québec> Notre-Dame (baptêmes, 1621-1679)> 1621-1679, image 1.95 DCB, Jean Lauzon’s (Lauson in the DCB) biography. 96 JR, Vol. 20, pp. 9-10, 42-65, 102, 105, 307 (footnote 6); Vol. 21, pp. 14, 185-230, 239-249; Bruce G. Trigger, The Children of Aetaentsic, a History of the Huron People to 1660 (Montréal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1987 edition), pp. 688-689, 694-697; Brian Leigh Dunnigan, A Picturesque Situation, Mackinac before Photography 1615 – 1860 (Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 2008), Figure 1.3, p. 10, Nicolas d’Abbeville Sanson’s map of Canada published in 1656; Derek Hayes, America Discovered (Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre, 2004), p. 68, map 83. Nicolas Sanson d’Abbeville was a French cartographer who never visited North America. His maps, therefore, were based on other maps of North America or information received from those who had been to North America, such as the missionaries.

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http://www.ancestry.com/

http://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/orgues/quebec/ndameq.html#English



Portion of Nicolas Sanson’s 1656 Map Le Canada, ou Nouvelle France. . . . showing Lakes Ontario, Erie, and HuronAvailable from BAnQ: (http://www.banq.qc.ca/accueil/) Collections> Collection numérique> Cartes et plans.

(Onguiara Sault is present-day Niagara Falls; Aietaeronen is approximately the site of present-day Detroit; Lac des Eaux de Mer became Lac Sainte Claire and then present-day Lake Saint Clair. In present-day Ontario, S. Simon and Iude (Jude) was a mission to the Petun/Tobacco; S. Pierre and S. Pol (Paul) was a mission to the Petun/Tobacco; S. François was a mission to the Huron/Wendat; N.D. des Anges was a mission to the Neutral; S. Michel was a mission to the Neutral; S. Joseph was probably a mission to the Neutral; and KAREGNON DI is present-day Lake Huron).

The Jesuits founded the Holy Ghost Mission for the Nipissing:Circa 2 November 1640 to September 1641 – Members of the Nipissing Tribe moved near Ste. Marie to spend the winter. Charles Raimbault, S.J., and Claude Pijart, S.J., visited them frequently to learn their language and instruct them. On 8 May 1641, they accompanied the Nipissing to their home, which they named the Holy Ghost Mission. In September, they witnessed the Great Feast of the Dead that was attended by about 2,000 Native Americans from the Allied Nations. While the Feast of the Dead was being held, Raimbault and Pijart held feasts and distributed presents to the members of the Allied Nations that attended the Feast of the Dead.97

The Iroquois captured François Marguerie and Thomas Godefroy: a later peace conference turned into a skirmish in which the French Canadians were victorious: Circa 20 February to June 1641 – About 90 Iroquois, who had left Iroquoia the previous fall, captured François Marguerie and Thomas Godefroy while they were fishing. Prior to departing for Iroquoia, one of the men left two messages informing the French Canadians that they had been captured, but not harmed, and that they were being taken to Iroquoia. After a number of councils, Marguerie and Godefroy were adopted into Iroquois families. In June, the Iroquois brought Marguerie and Godefroy to Trois-Rivières; upon their arrival, Marguerie was sent to meet with François Champflour, the commandant. Marguerie reported that 350 Iroquois were prowling the river and that they wished to discuss peace with New France, but not with the Algonquin or Montagnais, whom they wished to exterminate. Marguerie warned them that the Iroquois were well armed with guns, as well as bows, 97 JR, Vol. 20, p. 95; Vol. 21, pp. 119-121, 237, 243. Pages 249 – 263 contain a short Huron/English dictionary; pages 295-307 discusses the Jesuit donnés and give an example of two contracts signed in 1639 and 1642; JR, Vol. 23, pp. 203-223.

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arrows, and javelins; he also related that he had been warned by an Algonquin captive that the Iroquois intended to use Marguerie and Godefroy as bait so that the Iroquois could capture the Native Americans, the French Canadians, ruin New France and make themselves masters of the Great River. Champflour sent for Montmagny (Onontio) and sent Marguerie, Jean Nicolet and Paul Ragueneau, S.J., to hold preliminary discussions with the Iroquois. After Montmagny arrived, discussions continued over several days and gifts were exchanged; but the Iroquois reproached Montmagny because he would not supply them with guns. Based on discussions with the French Canadians, Montmagny realized that the Iroquois only wished an alliance with the French in order to have a better opportunity to attack the Huron and Algonquin Tribes. The negotiations degenerated into a brief skirmish after the Iroquois erected the scalp of an Algonquin over their fort, but left the area after the French Canadians attacked them with cannons.98

Paul Chomedey de sieur de Maisonneuve, Jeanne Mance, and the first settlers destined for Montréal arrived in Québec:9 May to late summer 1641 – Paul Chomedey de sieur de Maisonneuve, Jeanne Mance, and the first group of 56-58 settlers destined for Montréal departed from La Rochelle in two ships. When the ships reached Québec during the late summer Governor Montmagny advised them that it would be foolish to settle on the island because of the exposure to Iroquois attack, and urged them to settle on Île d’Orléans. When they insisted on continuing to Montréal, Montmagny was forced to agree that they could settle on Montréal. It was too late in the season for the ships to be unloaded, however, and the group to proceed to Montréal, so arrangements were made for them to stay in Québec.99

Mary Stuart married the future William II Prince of Orange:12 May 1641 – Mary Stuart (Charles I of England and Charlotte Marie of France’s daughter) married the future William II Prince of Orange.100

New France requested help from Louis XIII against the Iroquois:1641 – Paul Lejeune, S.J., and Thomas Godefroy de Normanville went to France to obtain aid from Louis XIII against the Iroquois.101

Isaac Jogues, S.J., and Charles Raimbault, S.J., visited Sault Ste. Marie:September 1641 – Isaac Jogues, S.J., and Charles Raimbault, S.J., left Huronia to visit the Chippewa and Potawatomi at the southeast end of Lake Superior. They travelled seventeen days along Lake Huron before they reached their destination which they named Sault Ste. Marie (present-day Michigan). Approximately 2,000 Native Americans lived at the Sault in a location known as Bawating. They invited Jogues and Raimbault to live with them. While they were at Sault Ste. Marie, they learned about the Sioux (Nadouessis) and the route to reach them via the western end of Lake Superior, the St. Louis River, then by various portages to the lakes near the upper Mississippi. They learned that the Sioux lived in defended villages because of their wars with the Cree (Kirishnons) and the Illinois (Irinions). The Cree lived north of Lake Superior and ranged as far west as present-day Lake Winnipeg. The Illinois were the largest Tribe living south of Lake Michigan, between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.102

Governor Montmagny, Barthélemy Vimont, S.J., and several French Canadians selected the site for the settlement on Montréal:15 October 1641 – Governor Montmagny, Barthélemy Vimont, S.J., and several French Canadians proceeded to Montréal to choose the most favorable site for the creation of the new settlement. Maisonneuve did not accompany

98 JR, Vol. 21, pp, 8-9, 19-65; DCB, Marguerie’s, Godefroy’s, Champflour’s, and Montmagny’s biographies. 99 JR, Vol. 21, pp. 10, 105; JR, Vol. 22, pp. 201-209 (description of Montréal and its history); DCB, Huault de Montmagny’s and Chomedey de Maisonneuve’s biography.100 Wikipedia.org, accessed 4 October 2009.101 JR, Vol. 22, pp. 29 – 33; JR, Vol. 24, p. 196; DCB, Lejeune (under Le Jeune) and Godefroy’s biographies.102 JR, Vol. 23, p. 13 (the summary of the volume mistakenly states that their voyage took place in 1642), pp. 223-227 (Jérôme Lalemant’s narrative of Raimbault and Jogues’ Voyage to the Sault; Lalemant’s narrative was dated 10 June 1642 from Ste. Marie among the Huron. As further proof that the journey took place in 1641, Jogues was captured by the Iroquois on 2 August 1642 and taken to Iroquoia); DCB, Jogues’ & Raimbault/Raymbault’s biographies; Paré, pp. 24-26. Kellogg, editor, Early Narratives of the Northwest 1634 – 1699, pp. 19-26.

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the group because he was supervising the preparations being made in Québec and lodging for the settlers. Pierre de Puiseaux seigneur de Monrtrénault joined the Société de Notre Dame and gifted his seigneuries at present-day Ste-Foy and St-Michel at Sillery to the group for use as lodging and a building yard.103

New France’s population was about 240:1641 – The population of New France was about 240 people.104

The Jesuits were forced to abandon a visit to the Nipissing due to severe weather:1641/1642 – Shortly after Charles Raimbault, S.J., and Isaac Jogues, S.J., returned from the Sault, Raimbault and René Ménard, S.J., left to visit the Nipissing in their winter quarters. The weather in Georgian Bay, however, was so severe that the canoe was forced to return to Ste. Marie. Raimbault fell seriously ill when he returned.105

The Jesuits stopped formal missions to the Tobacco/Petun and Neutral Nations:1641/1642 – The Jesuits decided that they should stop the formal missions to the Tobacco/Petuns and Neutral Nations because the non-Christian Huron had spread too many rumors about the Jesuits to the Tobacco/Petuns and Neutral Nations. Although the formal missions stopped, Pierre Pijart, S.J., and Charles Garnier, S.J., journeyed to the St. Pierre and Paul village.106

The Jesuits expanded Ste. Marie:Circa 1641/1642 – The Jesuits built a hospital, a cemetery, a Church, and a place for non-Christians at Ste. Marie. The non-Christians were only admitted during daylight hours.107

1964 plan of Sainte Marie among the Hurons – courtesy of Archives of Ontario http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/franco_ontarian/big/big_14_marie_plan.aspx

Charles Lalemant, S.J., presented plans to drive the Iroquois from New France:28 February 1642 – While in Paris, Charles Lalemant, S.J., wrote to Father Charlet about Lejeune’s request for French aid and plan to drive the Iroquois from New France (which he thought was possible) and the Dutch from New Amsterdam (which he thought would be too costly, impracticable, and useless). He reported that Richelieu was well disposed to the plan and asked Charlet’s opinion.108

103 JR, Vol. 22, p. 209; DCB, Chomedey de Maisonneuve’s biography.104 Statistics Canada, Early French Settlements (1605-1691) (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/98-187-x/4064812-eng.htm). 105 JR, Vol. 23, p. 225.106 JR, Vol. 23, pp. 177-179.107 JR, Vol. 26, pp. 199-215.108 JR, Vol. 21, 15-16, 267-273, footnote 4.

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http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/franco_ontarian/big/big_14_marie_plan.aspx

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/98-187-x/4064812-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/98-187-x/4064812-eng.htm



Governor Montmagny placed Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, in possession of Montréal:17 May 1642 – Governor Montmagny placed Paul Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, in possession of Montréal. The Montréal colonists built a small fort on the spot that Champlain had cleared for his settlement in 1611. Although the Societie’s goals were spiritual, Montréal’s location destined the colony to become the most important fur trading post in New France because the fort was the first obstruction in the passage upstream and the last stop downstream from the fur country.109

The Iroquois murdered René Goupil: 2 August to 29 September 1642 – The Iroquois, armed by the Dutch with arquesbuses, attacked a convoy of 12 canoes bearing about 40 people who were returning to Huronia from Trois-Rivières. They captured Isaac Jogues, S.J., donné René Goupil, Guillaume Couture, and their Huron companions, brought them to the Mohawk territory and tortured the captives. On 29 September 1642, René Goupil was killed in Ossernenon (present-day Auriesville, N.Y.), with a hatchet by an Iroquois who was angered after Goupil made the sign of the cross over a child. He was the first Jesuit martyr from New France and was canonized with his fellow martyrs on 29 June 1930.110

Portrait of René Goupil and Jean de Lalande; Statue of René Goupil at the Martyr’s Shrine http://www.martyrs-shrine.com/

109 JR, Vol. 22, pp. 14, 201-217; DCB, Chomedey de Maisonneuve’s biography; Trudel, pp. 52-53.110 DCB, Jogues and Goupil’s biographies; JR, Vol. 22, pp. 33, 268-269; Vol. 23, pp. 248-249 (describes how Isaac Jogues was tortured); Vol. 24, pp. 279-285, 297-305, 293-296 (Jogues’ 30 June 1643 letter to Montmagny from Iroquoia; this volume also discusses other attacks by the Iroquois); Vol. 25, pp. 42-73 (Jogues’ letters about the capture of the French-Canadians and his eventual escape from the Iroquois with the aid of the Dutch); Vol. 26, pp. 181-199; Vol. 28, pp. 115-135 (Jogues’s biography of Goupil; description of their capture; and description of Goupil’s death); Vol., 31, pp. 15-49 (capture and torture of the French Canadians), 51-67 (adoption of the French Canadians and the death of Goupil), 69-89 (Jogues was given as a servant to some Iroquois hunters).

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