Michilimackinac

Ottawa Indian Chiefs and Leaders

The following were chiefs or leaders of the Ottawa Indians. Pontiac An Ottawa chief, born about 1720, probably on Maumee river, Ohio, about the mouth of the Auglaize. Though his paternity is not positively established, it is most likely that his father was an Ottawa chief and his mother a Chippewa woman. J. Wimer says that as early as 1746 he commanded the Indians, mostly Ottawa, who defended Detroit against the attack of the northern tribes. It is supposed he led the Ottawa and Chippewa warriors at Braddock’s defeat. He first appears prominently in history at his meeting with Maj. Robert Rogers, in … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1790-1799

September 29, 1792, was born and privately baptized by me, the undersigned, on the Thirtieth, Michel, son of Mr. Daniel Bourassa and of Dame Marguerite Bertrand his father and mother, born in lawful marriage. *** C. Gauthier. October 21, 1792, by me the undersigned, was privately baptized Therese Victoire, born this day, of the lawful Marriage of Mr. Jean Baptiste Barthe and of Dame Genevieve Beaubien. *** Adhemar St Martin. February 7, 1793, I, the Undersigned, privately baptized Etienne, son of a woman savage called Veronique, belonging td Mde. J. Bte. Barthe. The said child was born this day. *** … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1800-1809

January 19, 1800, by us the Undersigned, one of the justices of the peace of the United States, was privately baptized Marie Louise of the Saulteux nation. The godfather was Sieur Fr Catin; and the godmother Genevieve Plessey, wife of Mr. Bourdon. The godmother signed with us in the presence of the undersigned witnesses. Adehemar St Martin J. P. J. Giasson, witness; genevieve plaissee; Alexis Laframboise, witness. March 21, 1800, by me the Under signed, was privately baptized Marie, born yesterday evening of the lawful Marriage of Sieur Alexis Laframboise and of Dame Joseph Adhemar, In the presence of Adhemar … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1810-1821

No baptisms are entered in the register between 1804 and 1821, possibly because no priest visited the island in that long interval; although the entry in Wisconsin Historical Collections, xviii, p. 512, would indicate the presence of a priest at Mackinac in 1818. When the British retired from Mackinac in 1815, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Ghent, their commandant was ordered to establish a post as near Mackinac as possible, in order to keep control of the Indian trade. Accordingly the post was built on Drummond Island, opposite the strait of Detour, now a part of the state … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1780-1789

August 13, 1781, was privately baptized Domitille, legitimate daughter of Sieur Charles Gautier and Madelaine Pascal, his lawful Wife, born the same Day at Noon. John Coates, Notary Public. I certify you that, according to the due and prescribed order of the Church, at noon on this day and at the above place, before divers Witnesses, I baptized this Child Charlotte Claves. Patt. Sinclair, Lt. Governor, & Justice of the Peace. Witnesses signed: William Grant; John L Macnamaa; Geo. Mc Beath; D. Mc Crae; George Meldrum. John Coates, Notary Public. July 15, 1786, I, the undersigned Priest, supplied the ceremonies … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1755-1759

January 18, 1755, I, the undersigned, solemnly baptized Charle Louis Bourassa, legitimate son of René Bourassa and of Anne Charlotte Veronique Chevalier, his father and mother. The godfather was Mr. The Chevalier de Repentigni, the Officer Commanding for the King at the Sault; and the godmother Mde de L’anglade. *** M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus. Louis Le Gardeur, Chevalier Repentigny; Bourassa D’anglade March 30, 1755, I, the undersigned priest, missionary of the society of Jesus, solemnly administered holy Baptism to two adults: one about twelve or thirteen years old, called Piere François, a panis [slave] belonging … Read more

Register of Interments in the Parish of Michilimackinac

The register of interments was evidently not as carefully kept as those of marriages and baptisms. The following first four entries have been abstracted from the baptismal register, being entered after the records of baptisms on the death of the child previously baptized. The record kept by Father Le Franc, beginning in 1754 and continuing through 1760, is continuous, and entered in one portion of the register, headed “Registre des morts depuis le ler aoust 1754” . The remaining entries were scattered miscellaneously among the marriages and baptisms, but have here been assembled in chronological order. Died August 10, 1743 … Read more

An Historical Sketch of the Tionontates or Dinondadies, now called Wyandots

les Tionontatacaga

The tribe which, from the time of Washington’s visit to the Ohio, in 1753, down to their removal to the West, played so important a part under the name of Wyandots, but who were previously known by a name which French write Tionontates; and Dutch, Dinondadies, have a history not uneventful, and worthy of being traced clearly to distinguish them from the Hurons or Wyandots proper, of whom they absorbed one remnant, leaving what were later only a few families near Quebec, to represent the more powerful nation.

Mackinac Baptism Records 1760-1769

March 2 [1760], I privately baptized a young girl Savage called Kioueiatchiouenoukoue, to whom I gave the name of Charlotte. She is about 14 or 15 years old. Since she has been with Antoine la Fortune she has always been very assiduous at catechism. She seems to be in danger of death from an abscess in the side. May 22, I supplied the ceremonies of baptism to and baptized conditionally Charlotte, born at Sault Ste. Marie at the beginning of last October, legitimate daughter of Jean Baptists Cadot and of Athanasi, her father and mother. The godfather was Mr. Janise; … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1770-1779

I, the Undersigned Royal Notary, the Justice of the peace at Michilimakina, Certify that, in the absence Of the Missionary of the said post, the daughter of Charles Sanguinet and of Veronique Cardin, Born on the twenty-seventh of September of this year, was privately Baptized by Sieur Pierre Chaboille. In testimony whereof we have signed these presents on the day and in the year aforesaid at michilimakina September 27, 1770. Cabdin. Chle. Sanguined. June 27, 1775, by us, missionary Priest, the Ceremonies Of holy Baptism were supplied to Laurent, born June 8, 1771, Of the Lawful marriage of Joseph Laurent … Read more

Registers of the Parish of Michilimackinac

Entry in Mackinac Registry 28 July 1768

The records from the register at Michilimackinac are here provided as they were translated by Edward O. Brown back in 1889. His translation came from a transcript of the original, which latter is kept in the parish church of Ste. Anne, at Mackinac. Annotated throughout are Mr. Brown’s biographical knowledge of the events of Michilimackinac and the people within. Don’t pass over the footnotes for the record, you may find a biographical reference hidden there!

Narrative of the captivity of Alexander Henry, Esq – Indian Captivities

Narrative of the captivity of Alexander Henry, Esq., who, in the time of Pontiac’s War, fell into the hands of the Huron Indians. Detailing a faithful account of the capture of the Garrison of Michilimacki-Nac, and the massacre of about ninety people. Written by himself. When I reached Michilimackinac I found several other traders, who had arrived before me, from different parts of the country, and who, in general, declared the dispositions of the Indians to be hostile to the English, and even apprehended some attack. M. Laurent Ducharme distinctly informed Major Etherington that a plan was absolutely conceived for … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1750-1754

March 17, 1750, I administered holy baptism to Basile, born this month, son of Marianne, a slave of Sieur Bourassa, voyageur, whom she declared to belong to Sieur Jasmin, also a voyageur. The godfather was the said Sieur Bourassa; and the godmother Mde Langlade. *** P. du Jaunay, miss. of the society of Jesus. Bourassa. March 24, 1750, I administered holy baptism to Ignace François Xavier, son of Agathe Villeneuve Amiot, daughter of Sieur Amiot, born this day, whom she declared to belong to Sieur Ignace Bourassa dit la Ronde, son of Sieur René Bourassa now wintering at la Grande … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1742-1744

In the year one thousand seven Hundred and forty-one, on the twenty-fourth of October, I, the undersigned priest and missionary of the society of Jesus in the mission of St ignace at the post of Michilimakinak, did baptize Louis Joseph Chaboyer, one day old, son of Charles Chaboiller and of Marianne Chevailler, his Wife. The godfather was Joseph Ens, and the godmother Nannette Chevalier, both residing at the said post, who have signed with me. Jean Baptiste Lamorinie missionary of the Society of Jesus. Nanette Chevalier; Joseph Hains. May 12, 1742. *** two adults *** being slaves: one of Mr … 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 Baptism Records 1745-1749

Feb. 1, 1745, I baptized in the church of this mission Pierre Louis, legitimate son of Sieur Charles Chaboyer and of Marianne Chevalier, His wife, residing at this post – the said child having been born last night. The godfather was Louis Chevalier; and the godmother Charlotte Parent. *** P. du Jaunay, miss. of the society of Jesus. C. Chaboillez; Marianne Chaboillez Parent. April 30, 1745, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mission Thomas, legitimate son of Thomas Blondeau and of Demoiselle Marie Joseph de Celle, his lawful wife, residing at this post – the said child having … Read more

A Short History of Michilimakinak

No more colorful settlement existed in the Middle West than the mission and fort at the Straits of Mackinac, for the French early realized its importance and directed their westward explorations from this base. The concentration point for the fur trade of the Middle West, Mackinac held an important place for many years, both during the British and American regimes.