920.077352 
 
 Ea7i 
 
 cop, 3 EAST £ntfsi £ 
 
 THE INHABITANTS OF 
 THREE FRENCH 
 VILLAGES AT PSORIA 
 ILLINOIS 
 
 Clt**) 
 
LI E> R.AFLY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 Of ILLINOIS 
 
 \WKWS WSIOTWM SBWEY 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/inhabitantsofthrOOeast 
 
The Inhabitants 
 or 
 
 Three French Villages 
 
 at 
 Peoria, Illinois 
 
CThe Inhabitants 
 
 of 
 
 Three French "Pillages 
 
 at Peoria, Illinois 
 
 &®2) 
 
 A DIRECTORY: 
 Old Peoria, 1765 to 1796 
 La Ville de Maillet, 1778 to 1812 
 Trading House, after 1812 
 
 Compiled by Ernest E. East 
 
 Price fifty cents 
 
 Peoria Historical Press 
 
 1112 Prospect Road 
 
This edition limited to 100 copies 
 
 Copyrighted 1933 
 
 by ERNEST E. EAST 
 
 All rights reserved 
 
 Page 2 
 

 
 FOREWORD 
 
 A journalist has attempted simply to collect and 
 preserve in one pamphlet the names of French settlers 
 and traders who dwelt on Lake Peoria under British 
 and early American occupations of the Illinois Coun- 
 try. Their names seemed to be found only in scatter- 
 ed public records and in limited number in Illinois and 
 Peoria county histories. 
 
 Robert LaSalle erected Fort Creve Coeur on the 
 east side of the Illinois river in 1680, but its life was 
 very short. First settlements were at Fort Pimiteoui 
 on the west bank of Peoria Lake where there was a 
 large village of Peoria Indians, and where Father Jac- 
 ques Gravier, a Jesuit, in 1693 dedicated his mission 
 church. One St. Michel was blacksmith here in 1705. 
 The priest's servant was named Deman. History of 
 the next half-century is obscure. France ceded this 
 territory to England in 1763. 
 
 Antoine Saint Francois sowed corn here in 1765 
 and there is some evidence of earlier colonization al- 
 though such settlement probably was not continuous. 
 The population was a floating one and the inhabitants 
 were forced to remove, once for two years on account 
 of Indian depredations. Mostly illiterate, the French 
 of Peoria were a care-free people, able to adjust them- 
 selves quickly to changes of political fortune. Lives 
 of many were filled with adventure and romance. 
 
 No attempt has been made to correct misspelled 
 French names. They are presented as found in pub- 
 lic record. 
 
 ERNEST E. EAST 
 Peoria, Illinois, 
 August 1, 1933. 
 
 Page 3 
 
ANTOINE LeCLAIRE 
 
 Bought two lots on Main street in La Ville de Maillet in 
 1809 and 1810. Claims were confirmed by acts of Congress. He 
 was one of the founders and wealthiest men of Davenport, Iowa. 
 LeClaire and wife deeded his lots in Peoria to Albert Kelsey of 
 Syracuse, N. Y., and Peter W. Potter of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1857. 
 The consideration was $1,000. 
 
 Patre 4 
 
DWELLERS IN OLD PEORIA 
 
 Also called "Old Peorias Fort and Village." At 
 or near site of Fort Saint Louis (Fort Pimiteoui) 
 erected 1691-92 by Tonty and LaForest. 
 (U. S. survey approved Sept. 20, 1840, shows village 
 lay on west bank of the Illinois river in section 3, 
 township 8 in range 8 east of the 4th P. M., be- 
 ginning at a point slightly below Hayward street, 
 thence N. E. to a point on N. Perry Ave. about 
 125 feet above Cornhill St., thence at right angles 
 to a point near corner of Mary St. and N. Perry 
 Ave., thence to a point 75 feet above intersection 
 of alley and Caroline St. between N. Monroe St. 
 and N. Madison Ave., thence to the Illinois river 
 at point 100 feet above Caroline St.) 
 Note 1: Known years of residence indicated thus: 1765-1780; 
 
 -1782 means before 1782; 1784$ means after 1784; 1795 
 
 (?) means year doubtful. 
 
 A 
 
 Amlin (Emelin ?) Jean B., -1783; 3 land claims con- 
 firmed, one for military service. 
 
 Arcoitte, Francois, 1782-1783$; petitioned Congress, 
 1807; 2 land grants. 
 
 Arundel, William, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807; 
 2 land grants, 1 military; removed to Cahokia ; St. 
 Clair Co. clerk and recorder; died Kaskaskia, 1816 
 
 B 
 
 Babo, Francis, military land grant. 
 
 Belhumer, Joseph, 1795 (?). 
 
 Bernard, Etienne, 1778-1785; 400 acre claim confirm- 
 ed "near the River Coteneau (Kickapoo creek) 
 within 3 miles of Pioria." 
 
 Beuro, Pierre de, store clerk 1776 ; trader at Bureau 
 creek ; slain 1790. 
 
 Biore, Louis, -1783; pet. Congress 1807; lant grant. 
 
 Biore, Louis Junr., -1783; petitioned Congress 1807. 
 
 Boucher, Francis, 1795; died before 1820; 2 land 
 grants, 1 military. 
 
 Boucher, Josephte, 1795; heir of Francis. 
 
 Brunette,, Louis, -1782$; land grant. 
 
 Buisson, Louis, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807; mil- 
 itary land grant. 
 
Chatelerean (Chatelereaux?) Louis, 1778; died 1795. 
 
 Chatellerean (Chatelereaux?) Louis Junr., -1795; pe- 
 titioned Congress, 1807; he or father had horse- 
 mill ; 3 land grants, 1 military. 
 
 Chevalier, Pascal, 1780. 
 
 Cerre, Pascal, 1790-1795. 
 
 Chevery (Cherory, Chervry) Jean Baptiste, 1779-1783; 
 petitioned Congress, 1807; land grant. 
 
 Chevery (Cherory, Chervry) Baptiste, Junr.; petition- 
 ed Congress, 1807. 
 
 Chorette, , 1795. 
 
 Chorette, Marie Josephte, nee Tieriereau, wife of 
 Chorette. 
 
 Coinoi, Louis, 1780-1795. 
 
 D 
 
 Ducharne, Jacqiie, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 Deschamps, Ante., -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 
 Diffon, . Seen at Petit Etroit (Little Detroit, the 
 
 narrows) 1773. 
 Dineau, . Seen at Petit Etroit, 1773. 
 
 Emelin, John Baptiste. 
 
 F 
 
 Fiailteau, Augustine, 1789-1796; had blacksmith shop. 
 Fecto, Augustin. Seen at Petit Etroit (Little Detroit, 
 the narrows), 1773. 
 
 G 
 
 Grandbois, Ante, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807; 
 
 military land grant. 
 Graza, Baptiste, 1769-1780. 
 
 J 
 
 Jourdain, Jean, -1783; pet. Congress 1807; land grant. 
 
 L 
 
 La Bell, Antonio. 
 
 Laframboise, Joseph, 1795; (one Joseph Laframboise 
 was son of Francis Laframboise who died in Chi- 
 cago, then Peoria Co., April 26, 1830.) 
 
 Pa^e o 
 
Landeau, Charles, 1790; military land grant. 
 
 Lapattre, Joseph, 1789-1794. 
 
 Lapierre, Francois, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 
 Laroach, , (7 years a resident). 
 
 Lavassieur, dit Chamberlain, Pierre, 1794$; military 
 
 land grant. 
 Leframbroise, Joseph (probably same as Laframboise) 
 Lonigo, Charlotte, 1780. 
 
 Louvel, Michael, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 Lusby, Thomas, 1795. 
 
 M 
 
 Maillet, Jean Baptiste, settled before 1773; trader; 
 
 sold land at "Old Peorias Fort" to Pointe Sable, 
 
 March 13, 1773; founded new village 1}/% miles 
 
 southward, probably about 1778. 
 Mailliette, Theresa, widow of Cattenoir; sold house 
 
 and lot 1798. 
 Miney, . Seen at Petit Etroit (Little Detroit, the 
 
 narrows), 1773. 
 
 N 
 Novelle (or Lovel), Francois, 1780 (?). 
 
 Parent, Jean Bte., 1780-1783; farmed near old fort; 
 petitioned Congress, 1807; two land grants, one 
 military. 
 
 Parent, Jean Bte., Junr., -1783; petitioned Congress, 
 1807. 
 
 Petit (alias Lalumiere), Louis; sold military grant to 
 I. Darneille. 
 
 Pettier, Jean Bpte., -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 
 Pilette, Louis, -1783; military land grant. 
 
 Pointe Sable (Pointstable, Point au Sable, de Sable, 
 de Saible) Jean Baptiste 1773, perhaps earlier, 
 to 1783, perhaps later; Franch mulatto, probably 
 from San Domingo; bought land March 13, 1773, 
 from J. B. Maillet; sold to Isaac Darneille; re- 
 moved to Chicago river; gained wealth as trader; 
 retired about 1796 ; probably died at home of 
 Clamorgan (Jacques?) in St. Louis; pet. Con- 
 gress, 1807 ; one land claim confirmed ; one re- 
 jected by Kaskaskia commission, 1809; testimony 
 that he cultivated land between the old fort and 
 the new settlement, 1780. 
 
 Pa ere 7 
 
R 
 
 Rocque, Augustine, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807; 
 
 two land grants. 
 Rochere, Francois, -1783; petitioned Congress, 1807. 
 
 Saint, Francis, Antoine, 1765-1780; sowed corn, 1765; 
 died in S. Illinois. 
 
 Saint John, (Shoenberger?) 1780-1795. 
 
 St. Cyr, Hyacinthe, 1780; witness, 1820. 
 
 Shoenberger (alias St. Jean) Jean Baptiste, 400 acre 
 grant near the old fort of Peoria confirmed on ac- 
 count of improvements. 
 
 Sibinger, , 1781; lot owner. 
 
 Tieriereau, (see Charlotte Chorette). 
 
 Trogue, Charlotte, (insane in 1820) widow Pierre, and 
 daughter of Antoine Saint Francis. 
 
 Verbois, (alias Blondeaux) Pierre, -1783; petitioned 
 Congress, 1807; military land grant. 
 
 Note 2 : Testimony indicates inhabitants of Old Peoria were 
 forced to remove in 1780 or 1781 on account of Indian 
 depredations. They returned after the peace of 1783. Old 
 Peoria was abandoned gradually in favor of La Ville de 
 Maillet. 
 
 Note 3 : "Inhabitants of the Illinois and village of Peoria" in 
 1807 memorialized Congress to include Peoria in the Kaskas- 
 kia district that they might avail themselves of the benefits 
 of an act granting land donations to settlers. Twenty-four 
 signed petition which was received by Congress Feb. 26, 
 1807. It seems likely some of the signers lived at Cahokia 
 or elsewhere in 1807, but had lived in Old Peoria prior to 
 1783, proof of such residence being required under the act. 
 Peoria was included in consideration of claims by the board 
 at Kaskaskia. Nicholas Jarrott, then of Cahokia, also sign- 
 ed petition, but proof is lacking he ever lived in Old Peoria. 
 
 Page 
 
DWELLERS IN LA VILLE DE MAILLET 
 
 also called Au Pied du lac (at the foot of the 
 
 lake) and its several corrupted forms: Au Pay, 
 
 Dupee, Dupice, Le Pe, Lee Pee, Opa, Opea, Opee, 
 
 Pay, Pays, Pe and Pees, and New Village of 
 
 Peoria. 
 
 U. S. survey approved Sept. 20, 1840, shows village lay on west 
 
 bank of the Illinois river in section 9, township 8 north in 
 
 range 8 east of the 4th P. M., beginning at a point 125 feet 
 
 above Liberty street and the river, thence northwestwardly 
 
 to Washington street, thence southwestwardly to Oak street, 
 
 thence southeastwardly to Illinois river. Outlots or fields 
 
 extended westwardly toward the bluffs and southwardly to 
 
 Kickapoo Creek). 
 
 B 
 
 Bellanger, alias Belonge, Raphael, -1812. 
 
 Bertrand, Mary, wife of Simon, and widow of John 
 
 Demonchelle. 
 Bertrand, Simon, 1799-1803$. 
 Binet, Louis, 1810-1812; lived lot 45. 
 Buisson (Bisson, Beesaw, Besong, Bissow, Besau, Bea- 
 
 son, Bieson) Louis, -1812. 
 Blondeau, Drezy, 1788-1806. 
 Blondeau, John Baptiste, 1793-1799. 
 Bourbonne, Antoine, 1801-1812. 
 Bruce, Elijah, -1812. 
 Buche, Francis, 1809-1812; petitioned Congress, 1813; 
 
 lived St. Louis, Mo., 1836. 
 Buche, Rev. Father Jacques. 
 Buche. Sarah, wife of Francis. 
 
 Casterique, Bpte., signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 26, 
 
 1778. 
 Castion, Joseph, 1793-1794. 
 Champlaine, John Baptiste, 1802-1810. 
 Chatellerault, Louis; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 
 
 26, 1778. 
 
 Chorette, , 1800; lived on lot No. 39. 
 
 Cicare, Antoine, 1802; witness, 1820. 
 
 Condier, Joseph, 1796; rem. 1797-8; died before 1820. 
 
 Coursoll, Jean Marie, 1801$. 
 
 Coursoll, Michael, 1801. 
 
 Page !) 
 
D 
 
 Darneille, Isaac, b 1770; lawyer, second in Illinois; 
 Pease says he eloped to Peoria with a Cahokia 
 matron; McCulloch says he was "brilliant but pro- 
 fligate" ; bought 800 acres from J. B. Maillet July 
 6, 1801; sold to William (Colonel?) Russell Oct. 
 5, 1807; also sold to Russell land bought of Bap- 
 tiste Pelletier (Pettier?), of Pierre Verbois, dit 
 Blondereau, and of Jean Baptiste Pointe Sable; 
 practiced in Cahokia court ; died in Kentucky in 
 1830. 
 
 Defond, John Baptiste, 1805-1812; commissioned Aug. 
 8, 1811, captain 2nd Regt. (St. Clair Co.) 111. Ter. 
 militia; military land grant; died before 1820. 
 
 Defond, Louis, -1812. 
 
 Defond, Madame, wife of John B. ; married (2) Fran- 
 cis Racine, Jr. 
 
 Dejeney Joseph, 1809. 
 
 Demonchelle, John, died before 1803. 
 
 Demonchelle, Josephte, married (1) Louis LaBonshier; 
 married (2) Hypolite Maillet. 
 
 Demonchelle, Mary, wife of John; m. (2), Simon Ber- 
 trand. 
 
 Deschamps, Antoine, 1778-1812; justice of peace, In- 
 diana Ter. 1801 ; justice of peace St. Clair Co. 
 111. Ter. 1809; 111. river mgr. American Fur Co. 
 
 Dupre, Francis, -1799-1801. 
 
 Fontaine, Felix, 1806-1812; petitioned Congress, 1813; 
 removed St. Louis; died after Jan. 8, 1835; prob- 
 ably married (2), Annex . 
 
 Fontaine, dit Carsereau, Josephte, wife of Felix. 
 
 Forsyth, Robert, son of Thomas ; born lot No. 7 ; pay- 
 master U. S. army 1833 ; lived St. Louis; platted 
 Forsyth's addition in Peoria (on Forsyth St.) ; 
 bought and sold French claims; married Ann 
 M. . 
 
 Forsyth, Thomas, 1806-1812; born Dec. 5, 1771, at 
 Detroit of William ; est. trading post at Ft. Dear- 
 born with brother Robert and half-brother John 
 Kinzie about 1802; removed to Peoria; allowed 
 two land grants on Lake St. Clair, Michigan Ter. 
 1809; justice of peace 111. Ter. Aug. 8, 1811; U. 
 S. Indian agent, April 1, 1812; pet. Congress 
 
 Page 10 
 
1813; U. S. Indian agent at Fort. Armstrong 
 (Rock Island) 1817-1830; died Oct. 23, 1833, near 
 St. Louis; will, proved Nov. 1, named sons, Robert 
 Allan and Thomas, and daughter Mary; manu- 
 scripts in Missouri and Wisconsin historical col- 
 lections. 
 Forsyth, Mrs., wife of Thomas, nee LeMotte, born in 
 Hagerstown, Maryland. 
 
 Grand Bois, Antoine, 1801$; died 1807 or 1808. 
 
 Grand Bois, Madame, wife of Antoine, -1806; died 
 after 1807. 
 
 Grand Bois, Antoine, Junr., probably son of Antoine, 
 removed to Co. of Kent, Upper Canada ; removed 
 to Wayne Co., Mich. 1837; married Sophia . 
 
 Grand Bois, Aspasia, daughter of Antoine, (Sr.) mar- 
 ried Blondeau ; removed to Jo Daviess Co. 111. 
 
 Grand Bois, Constance, probably daughter of Antoine 
 
 (Sr.) married to Vandrz ; her heirs sold interest in 
 , claim to Antoine Grand Bois, Jr. 
 
 Graveline, Joseph, -1788. 
 
 Guerrette, Joseph, petitioned Congress, 1813. 
 
 Gunoille, , -1812. 
 
 J 
 
 Jauntetot, Louis ; signed letter to Rocheblave, Jan. 26, 
 
 1778. 
 Jourdean, Francis, 1800-1802. 
 
 La Belle, Charles, -1812; petitioned Congress 1813; 
 
 died before 1820. 
 
 La Blond, , 1798-1799. 
 
 La Bonshier, Josette, nee Demonchelle, wife of Louis; 
 
 married (2) Hypolite Maillet. 
 La Bonshier, Louis, 1794; died 1802 or 1803. 
 La Bonshier, Magdeline, daughter of Louis; married 
 
 (1) Joseph Touchette ; married (2 ) Nicholas Glo- 
 
 den; lived St. Clair Co. 1836-1846. 
 Labosierre (LaBonshier?) Lewis, appointed justice of 
 
 peace for the county of St. Clair, Indiana Ter., 
 
 Oct. 29, 1801. 
 
 La Croix, Adeline, daughter of Michael ; married to 
 
 Samuel B. Chandler. nolTV nc 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 Page 1 1 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
La Croix, Catherine, wife of Michael and daughter or 
 cousin of Julian Dubuque; married (2) John Rey- 
 nolds (Governor Illinois 1831-1834.) 
 
 La Croix, Michael, 1808-1812; storekeeper and voy- 
 ageur; served British army war of 1812; died in- 
 solvent before Nov. 21, 1848, in St. Clair Co.; left 
 will. 
 
 La Croix, Julia Maria, daughter of Michael ; married 
 to Lewis Morris. 
 
 La Croix, Rene M., son of Michael, married Mary A. 
 ; lived St. Clair Co. 1848. 
 
 Lambert, Eustache ; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 
 26, 1778. 
 
 La Pance, Antoine, 1811-1812; pet. Congress 1813. 
 
 Lavassieur, Angelique, daughter of Pierre ; married to 
 Benjamin Roi; removed to LaFayette Co., Wis. 
 
 Le Claire, Antoine, 1809-1812; born Dec. 15, 1797, at 
 St. Joseph (Mich.) of Francis Antoine and Indian 
 squaw; petitioned Congress 1813; married 1820 
 at Peoria Marguerite LePage, born 1802, died 
 1876; granddaughter of the Sauk chief, Acoqua; 
 interpreter at Fort Armstrong 1818; among foun- 
 ders of Davenport, la. ; Le Claire, la., named for 
 him; died Davenport Sept. 25, 1861. 
 
 Le Claire, Michael, 1801-1806. 
 
 Le Doux, Charles, 1793; died before 1799. 
 
 Le Doux, Madame, wife of Charles; married (2) 1799 
 Simon Roi. 
 
 Lionnais, ; signed letter to Rocheblave, Jan 26, 
 
 1778. 
 
 Lusby, Thomas, 1798-1802$. 
 
 M 
 
 Maillet, F. ; received letter from Rocheblave before 
 Jan. 26, 1778. 
 
 Maillet (Maihet, Mayet, Mallet, Moillott) John (Jean) 
 Baptiste, born perhaps at Mackinac ; important 
 trader; process server for Cahokia court, lived 
 in stockade fort on lot Number seven (French 
 claims) probably post commander under British ; 
 retained by Col. G. R. Clark and Gov. St. Clair 
 as commander; may have accompanied expedi- 
 tion against British post at St. Joseph ; awarded 
 800 acres in 3 grants, 1 for military service; kill- 
 ed 1801 probably in an affray with one Senegel 
 yho shot him ; John Lyle, administrator. 
 
 Page 12 
 
Maillet, Hypolite, son of J. B., born in fort 1777-78; 
 evicted 1812 ; lieut. 2nd Regt. St. Clair Co. 111. Ter. 
 militia; petitioned Congress 1813; died Cahokia, 
 1824, leaving 3 children, Hypolite; Ellen, daugh- 
 ter, unmarried, and Simon, died 1842, unmarried. 
 
 Mette, Jacques, 1801?-1812. 
 
 Mette, Lisette, present at R. Forsyth's birth ; witness. 
 
 Montplasier, Francis, 1806. 
 
 P 
 
 Pencenneau, Louis, 1812; petitioned Congress 1813; 
 
 re-appeared 1815-1817. 
 Pencenneau, Louis, Junr., son of Louis. 
 Pilette, Angelica, 1788?-1806; wife of Louis and only 
 
 child of Francis Wilette ; married (2) Lafram- 
 
 boise; probably married (3) Bartholomew Fort- 
 
 ier; lived St. Clair Co. 1849. 
 Pilette, Hypolite, born 1799 of Louis. 
 Pilette, Louis, -1799-1812. 
 
 Raboin, Baptiste, 1803-1809. 
 
 Raboin (?) Margaret, wife of J. B. Gervais, heir and 
 
 probably daughter of Raboin. 
 Racine, Francis, 1801-1812; petitioned Congress 1813. 
 Racine, Francis Junr., 1801-1812; born 1794; petition- 
 ed Congress 1813; married Madame Defond, 
 
 widow of John B. 
 Roi, Antoine, 1793-1798; brother of Simon. 
 Roi, Catherine, daughter of Simon ; married to Balt- 
 
 zare Latour; removed to St. Clair Co. 
 Roi, Marie, daughter of Simon ; married to Touissant 
 
 Gondrion ; removed to St. Clair Co. 
 Roi, Simon, 1794-1803; married 1799 Madame Le 
 
 Doux, widow of Charles. 
 Roque, Augustine, 1779-1789J; granted 400 acres 
 
 "near Pioria." 
 Roque, Augustine, Junr. 
 
 S 
 
 Saint Dennis, Antoine, -1812; witness 1820. 
 Soulard, Tousant, 1778; witness 1820. 
 
 Page 13 
 
Truteau, Jyte; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 28, 
 
 1778. 
 
 U 
 
 Urquette, (Parquette?) 1778-1793. 
 
 Val. Amable; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 26, 1778 
 Venault, Joseph; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 26, 
 
 1778. 
 Verinat, Joseph; signed letter to Rocheblave Jan. 26, 
 
 1778. 
 
 W 
 
 Whitby, , 1801. 
 
 Wilette, Francis, 1788 or 1789; died 1804. 
 
 Wilette, Madame, wife of Francis; died about 1806. 
 
 Wilette, Angelica, daughter of Francis (see Pilette). 
 
 Note 5: Thirteen dwellers of New Peoria on Dec. 20, 1813, pe- 
 tioned Congress for relief on account of losses suffered in 
 burning of village and eviction of 42 inhabitants by Capt. 
 Thomas E. Craig of the 111. Ter. militia in November, 1812. 
 Congress under act approved May 15, 1820, directed the reg- 
 ister of the land office at Edwardsville, 111., to examine and 
 report on claims at Peoria. Edward Cole, the register, after- 
 ward governor, heard witnesses and reported on 70 claims 
 filed by 31 claimants. Congress under act approved March 
 3, 1823, confirmed claims with minor limitations. Surveys 
 were not approved until 1840. American settlers had occu- 
 pied lands. Suits for possession followed. Thirteen cases 
 went to U. S. supreme court. Cash settlements ended the 
 last litigation over these "French Claims" in 1867. 
 
 Note 6 : Ten dwellers "at the Pees" signed a joint letter to Roch- 
 eblave, last British governor at Fort Gage, Jan. 26, 1778, 
 assuring him of their "most humble respect and submission." 
 They acknowleded Rocheblave's previous letter to F. Maillet, 
 evidently directing him to obtain submission of "Mascoutin 
 Chiefs." 
 
 Page 14 
 
TRADING HOUSE 
 
 also called Opa post and the old French Trading 
 post. (Situated on the east bank of the Illinois 
 river in Tazewell County 3 miles southwardly 
 from present Franklin street bridge, Peoria) 
 
 Alscomb, Antoine, 1825; tax assess. $50; father of 
 Josette. 
 
 Alscomb, Josette, daughter of Antoine; married May 
 19, 1826, to Francis Bourbonne, Junr. ; divorced 
 him on charge of desertion June 2, 1829. 
 
 B 
 
 Bebeau, , 1818; American Fur Co employee. 
 
 Beabor, Louis, 1825; tax assess. $700. 
 
 Bourbonne, Antoine, voted 1825; independent trader; 
 agent American Fur Co. ; same at Kankakee 
 river; lived Portage des Sioux, Mo. 1838. 
 
 Bourbonne, Catishe, wife of Francis, Sr. 
 
 Bourbonne, Francis, 1825, 1826; tax assess. $200; li- 
 censed 1825 to keep tavern with son, Francis. 
 
 Bourbonne, Francis, Junr., licensed to keep tavern as 
 above; tax assess. $100; married May 19, 1826, 
 Josette Alscomb. 
 
 Buisson, Louis, 1818-1828$; American Fur Co. agent. 
 
 Buisson, Madame, Pottawatomie Indian, wife of Louis. 
 
 Buisson, Mary, daughter of Louis; married to Ander- 
 son; removed to Leavenworth, Kan., 1845. 
 
 C 
 
 Chevelire (Chavelier?) Pierre, 1825. 
 
 D 
 
 Dullioriee, Andevine ; voted 1825. 
 
 Deschamps, Antoine, 1818-1826$; Illinois manager, 
 American Fur Co. 
 
 L 
 
 La Booncan, Eubelle; voted 1825. 
 
 Landri, Pierre, slain 1825 by No-ma-que, an Indian. 
 
 Page 15 
 
M 
 
 Marsecau, Touissant; voted 1825. 
 
 Mette, Jacques; court interpreter, 1825. 
 
 Mette, Marie Louise, nee Dervin, wife of Jacques. 
 
 O 
 
 Ogee, Joseph, French Indian; came from Fort Clark 
 where he was 1821 ; rented cabin to Peoria Co. 
 for court house, 1825; removed about 1828 to 
 Rock River (now Dixon, 111.) ; left there soon. 
 
 Ogee, Madeline, Pottawatomie Indian, wife of Joseph ; 
 they separated; she married (2) Joe Alcott; re- 
 moved to Kansas with Pottawatomies. 
 
 Ogee, John, son of Joseph. 
 
 T 
 
 Tromley, , trader; removed to Kansas 1844. 
 
 * * * 
 
 (Peter Dumont, assessed $50 in 1825, lived at Little 
 Detroit, the narrows). 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 American State Papers, Public Lands, Vols. I, II, III. 
 
 Annals, Ninth Congress, U. S. 
 
 U. S. Statutes at large 3, pp. 605, 786. 
 
 U. S. Supreme court reports, (15 Howard 357). 
 
 Public records of Peoria County. 
 
 Illinois Historical Society Publications, Nos. 6, 9, 37. 
 
 Illinois Historical Society Collections, Volume XXI. 
 
 Pioneers of Illinois (Matson). 
 
 History of Peoria (Drown, 1851). 
 
 Early Days of Peoria and Chicago (McCulloch). 
 
 Davenport Past and Present (Wilkie). 
 
 Life of Gurdon S. Hubbard (Hamilton). 
 
 Historcial Encyclopedia of Illinois (Bateman and Selby). 
 
 History of Tazewell County (Chapman). 
 
 My Own Times, and Pioneer History of Illinois (Reynolds) 
 
 Indiana Historic Society Publications, No. 3, Volume III. 
 
 Wau-Bun (Kinzie). 
 
 Page 16 
 
Record Publishing Compf 
 108 Main Street, Peoria, 
 
■ 
 
PAMPHLET BINDER" 
 
 ,. Syracus©, N. Y. 
 — — SfocKton, CoHf. 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 Q?Q D77352EA7I CQ03 
 
 THE INHABITANTS OF THREE FRENCH VILLAGES 
 
 3 0112 025346054