TERRE HAUTE —
On the eve of the French and Indian War, France asserted fragile ownership of the greatest part of the North American continent from the St. Lawrence River to the valleys of the Mississippi River.
The French claim was based almost entirely upon exploration and discovery, not occupation. Fewer than 100,000 Europeans were permanently settled in that expanse.
The province of Canada in the north and New Orleans of the Louisiana province in the south contained the great bulk of the population.
The colonies settled by Great Britain boasted more than a million people confined to a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Allegheny mountains.
As early as 1750 some colonists began moving west, threatening France and its fur trade monopoly. To discourage encroachment, France had established a line of forts from the St. Lawrence through the Ohio Valley to the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisbourg, Niagara and Frontenac provided protection to Canada while New Orleans and Mobile gave the French command of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi. The Ohio River valley was its major weakness.
In 1749, Pierre-Joseph Celoron de Blainville headed what became known as “The Lead Plate Expedition” down the Ohio River, to bury inscribed leaden plates affirming France’s claim to ownership of the Illinois Country — the expanse bounded by the Mississippi, Ohio and Wabash rivers — which had been annexed to Louisiana in 1717.
Previously, the area was governed by Quebec.
The unofficial boundary between the Canada and Louisiana provinces during the French regime was “the highlands (terre haute) of the Wabash River.”
The French settlement at Ouiatenon on the Wabash near the Tippecanoe River, established in 1719, was governed from Quebec while Cahokia, Kaskaskia, Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher and St. Phillippe, early settlements on the Mississippi, were administered from New Orleans.
To serve the lower Great Lakes, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Ponchartrain in 1701 on the Detroit River between Lake Huron and Lake Erie as a fur trading depot.
In 1702, Charles Juchererau de St. Denis built a tannery on the Ohio River near present Cairo, Ill, and convinced 80 lodges of Mascouten to locate there to support him. A smallpox epidemic killed Juchererau and dozens of Mascouten. However, some survived and fled to the Wabash River valley near the present city of Terre Haute.
Lightly-manned forts in the wilderness could not survive without Native American allies. The French understood the indigenous tribes better than other ethnic groups. Gender imbalance also played a significant role. Spanish, Dutch and English women were common in the east but Caucasian females were novelties west of the Alleghenies.
French soldiers sought Indian women as consorts. Priests expressed opposition but French military leaders encouraged marriage between French men and Indian women. Children of those marriages usually became French in culture, attitude and loyalty. An illegitimate child normally stayed with its mother and was a potential enemy.
Though the French developed strong relations with many Native American nations, the Fox was not among them. The Fox made travel to the Mississippi on the Kankakee and Illinois rivers extremely hazardous. Even before the Fox Wars in 1712, the Maumee-Wabash river corridor offered a safer route between Canada and Louisiana.
France enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Miami nation, thanks to diplomatic efforts by Jean Baptiste Bissot de Vincennes, who lived at Miami villages on the St. Joseph and Maumee rivers in what is now northern Indiana. His death on Oct. 28, 1719 caused much concern. The only person who seemed qualified to replace him was his 19-year old son, Francois-Marie Bissot de Vincennes.
Young Vincennes eventually moved to Ouiatenon to nurture a relationship with the Wea branch of the Miami. While there, he attracted the attention of Gov. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, in New Orleans, which was nearly defenseless to a British invasion from the East.
Bienville coveted a French post on the Wabash near its confluence with the Ohio River with Vincennes in command. Phillippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil, governor-general of Canada, strongly opposed the move. Surprisingly, Vincennes began receiving half-pay from Louisiana as early as 1722.
On Sept. 30, 1726, the Company of the Indies offered Vincennes a supplemental annual stipend of 300 livres. Charles de Beauharnois, Vaudreuil’s successor, reluctantly relented. However, the Wea opposed relocation, which delayed the migration.
Jesuit priest Etienne D'Outreleau was named a missionary to the Quabache in 1728 in anticipation that a fort would be built on the southern Wabash. But the ship supplied to deliver him sank and there is no evidence that he ever served there.
By October 1730, Vincennes had persuaded some Wea to relocate on the southern Wabash. Thirty months later he described a small fort he had built “eighty lieues up the Wabash, above the rivers by which the English will be able to descend,” named Post d’Ouabache. A common French lieue is 2.76 miles while a post lieue is 2.42 miles.
Post d’Quabache was frequently attacked by Chickasaw and other southern tribes. A French army under Pierre D’Artaguiette, commandant of Fort Chartres, responded. On Palm Sunday 1736, Vincennes and 19 other French soldiers were ambushed, captured and burned at the stake on the banks of the Tennessee River.
Louis Groston St. Ange succeeded Vincennes as commandant of Post d’Ouabache, which was referred to thereafter as Post St. Ange.
Embroiled in other wars, France was unwilling to devote the resources necessary to counter Britain’s resolve during the French and Indian War. Post Ouiatenon was secured for the British by Lt. Edward Jenkins.
Under the Treaty of Paris of Feb. 10, 1763, France ceded to Great Britain all of Canada, the territory east of the Mississippi and all settlements in the Illinois Country.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: French and natives occupy Wabash
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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