Fort Michillimackinac

Mackinac Marriage Records 1750-1759

February 1, 1750, I, the undersigned priest of the society of Jesus, performing the duties of parish priest, received the mutual marriage consent of Poncelet Batillo de Clermont, a soldier, son of the late Jean Batillo and of Marguerite Pierrot, of the parish of St Pierre de Mousar in Clarmontor, bishopric of Treves; and of Francois[e] Cardinal, widow of the late Pierre Hubert la Croix, of the parish of Lachine, and gave them the nuptial benediction * * * P. Du Jaunay, miss. of the society of Jesus. Poncelet Batillo et Clermont; Francois Cardinalle; Allexis Sejourne dit Sansragin [Sanschagrin]; Bourassa; … Read more

Miscellaneous Notes In The Mackinac Registers

In the original Mackinac Register these are scattered through the register, in the neighborhood of entries on other subjects. They are here brought together under one head. July 22, 1787, after invoking the enlightenment of the Holy Ghost, we, the undersigned, elected by a majority of votes, as church wardens of the church of Ste. Anne de Michilimakina, messieurs Ch. Chaboillé and Daniel Bourassa, who formally promised and undertook to care for the interests of the Said Church as their own and on their soul and conscience. In testimony whereof they have signed with us. Payet, missionary priest. Chles Chaboillez; … Read more

Mackinac Marriage Records 1760-1769

January 7, 1760, I, * * * received the mutual consent of and gave the nuptial benediction to Michel Boier and to Josette Margueritte de Lignon, after the publication of three bans – in the presence of the undersigned witnesses and of others in attendance. M. L. Lefranc, Miss, of the society of Jesus. Mi. Lamarque; Michelle Boyer; Jean Romain dit Sanscrainte; Sejourne; Bourassa; Farly; Langlade; La Faintessie; René Bourassa, fils; Bourassa Langlade; Amable Chaboillez; René Bourassa, petit-fils. In the presence of the undersigned witnesses, I received the mutual consent of Pierre Duprés and of Marie Joseph Carignan at Michilimakinak … Read more

Fort Michillimackinac and Fort Holmes

Fort Michillimackinac and Staten Park, Mackinac Island, Michigan

Fort Michillimackinac, with over three centuries of history, began at Saint Ignace due to the efforts of Father Marquette and the Sieur de la Salle, representing the Church and State, respectively. Established among the Ottawas by Marquette, it was fortified by La Salle, who also lost the Griffon, the first Great Lakes sailing vessel. Lauded by local tribes, Michillimackinac’s name means Great Turtle. Despite fortifications by notable figures like La Motte Cadillac, the fort waned with Detroit’s rise and eventually relocated to Mackinaw City. It saw bloody conflict when Indians, aligned with Pontiac, massacred the English garrison in 1763. The site changed hands between British and American control through wars until being garrisoned for the last time in 1895. Now restored and maintained by Michigan’s park commission, the revered fort remains a historical tourist destination.