THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
The St. Joseph Baptismal Register
(Due to length divided here into five
parts)
Par, Rev. George and Quaife, Milo M., eds. in:
The Mississippi Valley Historical Review,
vol. 18, pp. 201-239.
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pp. |
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1 (Title), |
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THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
HISTORICAL REVIEW
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Board of Editors
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EUGENE M. VIOLETTE |
ISAAC J. COX |
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ORIN G. LIBBY |
BEVERLEY W. BOND JR. |
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WILLIAM O. LYNCH |
WM. E. CONNELLEY |
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AUGUSTUS H. SHEARER |
R. S. COTTERILL |
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Managing Editor
MILO M. QUAIFE
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VOLUME XIII
June, 1926, to March, 1927
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Published quarterly by the Mississippi Valley Historical Association
DOCUMENTS
THE ST. JOSEPH BAPTISMAL REGISTER
Edited by REV. GEORGE PAR and M. M. QUAIFE1
St. Joseph, on the bank of the St. Joseph River, a short distance south of the modern city of Niles, Michigan, was one of the earliest seats of civilization in the western country. The valley of the St. Joseph is a delightful region and in its primitive state afforded an attractive abode for the red man. Moreover, St. Joseph was on a principal highway of commerce, for here the important trails from Detroit to Chicago and from Fort Wayne to Chicago came together, while not far away lay one of the "keys of the continent," the St. Joseph-Kankakee Portage. Here prior to 1689 Father Allouez established a mission, and here in the year noted, he died. Less than a decade later Fort St. Joseph was established with a regular garrison, which continued to be maintained until the Pontiac massacre of 1763. The place was never afterward regarrisoned, although it became the scene of certain notable military operations during the Revolutionary War.
It is not possible to say at what date French traders first settled at St. Joseph, but it is not unreasonable to suppose that they were here at least as early as the priests. Until the coming of the American settlers in the nineteenth century, St. Joseph remained an important center of Indian trade. Here the Chevaliers and Burnets long resided. Here Jean Lalime lived prior to his purchase of the establishment of Jean Baptiste Point Sable at Chicago in 1800; and here also lived John Kinzie prior to his removal to Chicago four years later.
Despite the interest which attaches to its history, St. Joseph still awaits a historian. Much has been written about it in more (page 202) or less desultory fashion, it is true, but unlike Mackinac, Green Bay, Kaskaskia, Detroit, and other early centers of French activity in the West, no determined effort has ever been made to recover and record the history of St. Joseph. Even Parkman blundered sadly in so vital a matter as the location of Fort St. Joseph; his confusion has been shared by many other writers including such men as Butterfield and Thwaites, and only within the last two or three decades has the question of the fort's location been cleared up.
The St. Joseph baptismal register here published sheds a flood of light on the history of the place prior to the Revolution, and in addition it constitutes a source of information of prime importance for the history of the Northwest in general. The original manuscript is preserved in the archives of Quebec Seminary.
Charles Chaboillez, to whose care the preservation of the register from destruction is due, was a notable figure in the western country for upwards of half a century. His father, also named Charles, was brought to Mackinac from Montreal in boyhood through the circumstance of his mother's removal thither, about the year 1720. In 1735 he married there Marie Anne Chevalier. He spent his entire life in the Indian trade, and, dying in his fifty second year, was buried at Mackinac, Nov. 19, 1757. To him and Marie Anne Chevalier nine children were born, most of whom were intimately associated with the fur trade. The first five were sons, and all of them became traders. Of them the eldest, Charles, was the most notable. He early embarked on the trade of the far Northwest, and his enterprises were successful and profitable. In his later years he was admitted to partnership in the North West Company, being one of but two French Canadians to attain this distinction.
In October, 1769, already a man of means, he married Marguerite L'archevque, whose father was a wealthy Montreal trader. Of their children, one married Simon McTavish, in some respects the most notable of the Montreal traders of his day, and another became the wife of Roderick McKenzie, also a prominent trader. It will thus be seen that Chaboillez enjoyed intimate relationship with two of the foremost families of St. Joseph, the (page 203) Chevaliers and the L'archevques. The "burning" of Fort St. Joseph of which Viger speaks probably has reference to the Spanish sack of the place in 1781. Madame Chaboillez died at Montreal, April 29, 1798, her husband being at the time absent on one of his prolonged sojourns in the interior. This circumstance may explain how her papers came to pass into the possession of Mme. Munro. Charles Chaboillez outlived his wife a decade, dying Sept. 25, 1808.
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M. M. QUAIFE |
The translation has been made from a photostatic copy procured in the summer of 1925 through the kindness of Mgr. Amde Gosselin, archivist. The original register consists of about 40 leaves measuring 30x18 cm. The actual entries take up 63 pages and are prefaced by a page of annotations in the writing of Jacques Viger, who at one time owned the register. The first entry page is a recto and is numbered 4. An examination of the pagination shows that in general both the verso and recto pages were counted as one with the figure on the recto page. Assuming that the register was begun on a recto page, it is quite likely that six pages are lost. Many of the entries are almost illegible, as the leaves are badly waterstained and in some cases patched with opaque paper. In translating the register I have tried to give a faithful rendering of the original even in cases where a little transposing would render the entries less ambiguous. However, I have taken some liberties in the matter of punctuation, generally by inserting it where there was none, to make the entries more readable. Empty brackets enclose words or parts of words which are absolutely illegible. Wherever possible to determine, the number of brackets corresponds to the number of illegible words. Words or parts of words in brackets denote missing or illegible words which can be plainly inferred from other entries.
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GEORGE PAR |
MEMORANDUM ACCOMPANYING THE REGISTER
Names of the Missionaries who officiated in this mission of the River St. Joseph of the Illinois between 1720 (August) and 1773 (March):
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Rev. Michael Guignas, Jesuit |
In 1720 and 1721 |
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Rev. Jean Saint Pe, Jesuit |
In 1721 and 1734 |
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Rev. J. C. Guymonneau, Jesuit |
In 1722 and 1723 |
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Rev. C. M. Mesaiger, Jesuit |
In 1724, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31 |
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Rev. J. Bap. Chardon, Jesuit |
In 1729 |
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Rev. J. L. De La Pierre, Jesuit |
In 1735 |
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Rev. Peter Du Jaunay, Jesuit |
In 1738, '42, '45, and in 1752 |
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Rev. J. Bap. Lamorinie, Jesuit |
In 1740, '41, '43, '44, '50, '52, |
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'53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59 and in 1760 |
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Rev. Peter Potier, Jesuit |
In 1761 |
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Rev. Peter Gibault, Secular Priest, Missionary and Vicar |
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General of the Illinois country |
(August) 1768 |
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The same styling
himself Vicar General of the Illinois coun- |
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Names of the Military Commandants
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A.D. |
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1720 |
Martin de
Montmidy, Officer in the Marine detachment |
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1725 |
M. de Villiers,
Senior |
The |
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1734 |
M. Du Puy |
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Note: This manuscript was sent and given to me last July by Mme. Josette Munro (nee Serindac). It had been in her possession for nearly 50 years. She found it among the papers left by Mme. Charles Chaboillez, her friend, to whom they had been left by her husband, formerly a trader at Fort St. Joseph, Lake Michigan. This gentleman had brought it to Montreal after the burning of the aforesaid fort.
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J. VIGER |
Montreal, Aug., 1857 |
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THE ST. JOSEPH BAPTISMAL REGISTER
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Magdel. Collet born the 15th August baptized the same day, died and buried the 8th October 1720 |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty the fifteenth day of the month of august I the undersigned Michel Guignas1a Priest of the Society of Jesus Missionary of the mission of the same Society at the River St Joseph, baptized the daughter, born this same day the fifteenth of august of the same year one thousand seven hundred and twenty, of Claude Collet and of Marguerite faucher of the parish of Lachine and her said husband Claude Collet soldier in the Troops of the parish of ( ) Albin Diocese of Chalon sur Marne. the name Magdeleine was given. The godfather was Francois Baune from the parish of pointe Claire. The godmother Ma(rguerite) Kouk from the parish of Trois Rivieres. both declared they could neither write nor sign when asked according to the law |
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M. Guignas of the Soc. |
__________________________
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Joseph Bonne born the 8th of october baptized the same day 1720 died at caskakias 1723 |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty the eighth day of the month of october I Michel Guignas Priest of the Society of Jesus missionary at the mission of the same society at the river St Joseph, baptized the son, born the day above stated of the same month and year, of Albert Bonne and of Marianne Sancer-ferron his father and mother married,2 voyageur, to whom was given the name of Joseph. The Godfather was Sieur Martin de Montmidy3 officer in the troops of the marine detachment and at present commandant at the post of the said mission, and the godmother Michel LeBer wife of Sieur Pierre Pepin Laforce from the parish of prairie la madeleine in front of Ville-Marie and they signed with me |
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Montmidy |
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M. Guignas |
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michel leber |
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Michel Pepin Laforce born the 16th march 1721 and baptized the next day |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty one the seventeenth day of the Month of March I Michel Guignas Priest of the Society of Jesus missionary at the mission of the same Society at the River St. Joseph, baptized the son, born the sixteenth day of the same month and year as above, of Pierre Pepin Laforce voyageur and of Michelle leBer from the parish of prairie de la Magdeleine, his father and mother married, to whom was given the name Michel. l'Ange Lafontaine a young man from the parish of prairie de la Magdeleine, his uncle, held him over the font taking the place of and acting for another godfather: the godmother (was) Marie Anne Sancer ferron from the parish of Ville-Marie in Canada who signed with me. The aforesaid Ange Lafontaine declared he could neither write nor sign when asked according to the law |
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marie anne feront |
M. Guignas priest of the |
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Soc. of Jesus |
__________________________
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francois-marie St. Ange born and baptized the 17th of April 1721 died in the illinois (country) |
In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty one the seventeenth day of the month of April I the under signed Michel Guignas Priest of the Society of Jesus missionary in the mission of the same Society at the river St. Joseph baptized the son, born on the above mentioned day the seventeenth of (April of the) said year 1721, of Sieur ( ) (St. Ange) sergeant in the troops and of ( ) ( ) (chorel) his father and mother married (from the parish of) Ville-Marie in Canada to whom was given the name francois-Marie. The Godfather was Louis Grotton son of the said Sieur St. Ange (and the godmother) Marguerite Kouk wife of Sieur Mass voyageur from the parish of Ste. Marie in Canada who declared they could neither write nor sign |
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M. Guignas |
__________________________
In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty-one the first day of the month of october I the undersigned Jean St. P4 Priest of (page 207) the Soc. of Jesus Missionary at the mission of the River St. Joseph, baptized the son, born the day and year as above, of Claude Collet serving in the troops of the marine detachment and of Marguerite Faucher married, to whom was given the name Charles-Ange. The godfather was Sieur Charles Artel cadet in the marine detachment, son of Sieur Jacques Artal5 esquire from the parish of trois Rivieres, (and the godmother) Marie-anne ferron wife of Albert Bonne voyageur from the parish of point Claire who signed with me
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chambly |
J. St. P S.J.S. |
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marie anne feront |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty two I baptized in the course of the summer 4 Potawatami children who were at the point of death. They died the same day or shortly after
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J. C. Guymonneau |
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I also baptized a Miami child ( )
a child of papissa ( )
another potawatami ( )6
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and 22 the thirtieth of the month of august I, priest of the society of jesus missionary at the river St. Joseph, supplied the ceremonies of baptism to Marie Joseph. daughter of albert bonne and of Mariane Ferron married in the eyes of the church.7 she was born the 19th of this month and baptized the 21st of the same month on account of the danger she was in. the Godfather was Sieur (page 208) Estienne de Villedene8 captain of a company of the marine detachment and at present commandant of the said post of the river St. Joseph. the godmother was Marguerite Kouk wife of Sieur Michel Mass voyageur from the parish of Ste Marie in Canada who declared she could not sign
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De Ville donne |
J. C. Guymonneau9 S.J. |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and 22 the thirtieth of the month of august I the undersigned priest of the society of jesus missionary at the river St Joseph baptized the son of la Verrue, Abnakis living at the river St Joseph, about two years old. the Godfather was Jacques Du tremble from Champlain and the godmother Marguerite Kouk
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Jaque du tramble |
J. C. Guymonneau S.J. |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and 22 the thirtieth of the month of august I the undersigned priest of the Society of jesus missionary of the river St Joseph baptized the son of an abnaxis from the ( ) ( ) aubry called Des Gayobs he was named ( ) (the) godfather was Pierre St Ange son of Mr St (Ange) ( ) in the marine regiment the godmother ( ) ( ) Chorel wife of Mr St Ange
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J. C. Guymonneau S.J. |
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and 22 this 18th of october I priest of the society of jesus missionary at the river St. Joseph baptized the son of the widow miche8ace8e about six months old. the godfather was Jean baptiste faucher and the godmother Marguerite Kouk. the child was named Jean baptiste
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Jean Faucher |
J. C. Guymonneau |
Item the child of a saxis women who died a few days later
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In the year one thousand seven hundred and twenty three this second
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1 In the editing of the manuscript, Father Par, who procured the copy from Quebec, assumes sole responsibility for the translation; he has also supplied a number of the footnotes.
1a (1, p. 204) Michel Guignas was born at Condom, department of Gera, France, Jan. 22, 1681. He entered the Jesuit order in December, 1702, and in 1716 came to Canada and was sent to the Ottawa mission at Mackinac. In 1722 he went to the college at Quebec to teach hydrography. In 1727 he accompanied Boucherville on his expedition to the Sioux country. The fort then established was soon abandoned, by reason of the Fox War, and Guignas made his way to the Illinois. From 1731 to 1737 he was again among the Sioux, and in 1738 was teaching in the college at Quebec. He died there Feb. 6, 1752.
2 Various expressions, differing according to the taste of the writer, are used to designate the relationship of the parents. Whenever the child was a natural one the fact is duly recorded. The original manuscript has here, ses pere et mere marries ensemble. George Par.
3 Montmidy had been commandant since 1720, having succeeded Jean Baptiste de St. Ours, Sieur Deschaillons at this post. An account of the career of the latter is given in Mich. Pio. Colls., XXXIV, 318-20. Montmidy was succeded at St. Joseph in 1722 by Etienne de Villedonn.
4 Jean Baptiste St. P was born Oct. 10, 1686, and entered the Jesuit order in October, 1703, at Bordeaux. In 1719 he came to Canada and from 1720 to 1737 was attached to the Ottawa mission. He was then recalled to Quebec, where from 1739 to 1748 he served as Superior General of the Jesuits in Canada. From 1748 to 1754 he was Superior of the Montreal house, and from the latter date to 1763 was Superior General again. He died at Quebec July 8, 1770.
5 The original manuscript has both Artel and Artal, as here printed. The word ecuyer has been translated throughout as "esquire." George Par.
6 Three half-lines of this entry are illegible. George Par.
7 The original manuscript reads, maries en face d'eglise. Many of the entries record merely the supplying of the ceremonies of baptism. This is a technical term in the Catholic church. According to the discipline of the time, if a child were baptized outside the church building, especially if this were done by a layman, merely the pouring of the water took place and the other ceremonies which make up the liturgical rite were gone through only when the child could be brought to church, and the baptism, being considered valid, was not repeated. In French, the word ondoyer is employed, instead of baptizer, for these extra-liturgical baptisms. Wherever it occurs in the present manuscript it has been translated baptized, for lack of a more precise English equivalent. George Par.
8 Etienne de Villedonn was born in Paris about the year 1663 and migrated to Canada about the year 1685. In 1689 he joined an expedition against the Iroquois and, being captured, was a captive in their hands for three years. In 1692 he effected his escape, and by way of recompense for his captivity Governor Frontenac made him an ensign on half pay. He subsequently rose to the rank of captain in June, 1713. In March, 1722, then fifty-nine years of age, he was sent to command St. Joseph. He was succeeded by de Villiers in 1724. He died at Quebec, May 12, 1726. See Le Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, XXVIII, 353-54.
9 Jean Charles Guymonneau was born at Rouen, March 14, 1684, and entered the Jesuit order in October, 1703. He came to Canada in 1715 and died on the Illinois mission, Feb. 6, 1736.
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