The Bourassa Legacy: Pioneers of the Fur Trade in New France

The Bourassa family stands as a cornerstone of the early fur trade in New France, embodying the spirit of adventure, commerce, and cultural exchange that defined the 18th-century frontier. Originating from François Bourassa (1659-1708), who emigrated from Luçon, France, to Canada around 1680, the family quickly embedded itself in the lucrative beaver pelt industry. François married Marie Le Ber in 1688, whose own relatives were deeply involved in the trade—her uncle Jacques Le Ber co-founded Lachine's first fur trading post, and her grand-uncle Jean Godefroy de Linctot served as an interpreter under Samuel de Champlain. François himself ventured into the wilderness as a coureur de bois, making notable trips such as a 1686 expedition to Hudson Bay for the Compagnie du Nord and a 1690 journey to Michilimackinac with partners like Pierre Bourdeau and Joachim Le Ber. His sons—René Bourassa dit La Ronde (1688-1778), François Joachim Bourassa (1698-1775), and Antoine Bourassa (1705-1780)—carried on this legacy, earning the moniker "the fathers of the fur trade" for their daring voyages, strategic partnerships, and role in expanding French influence across the Great Lakes and beyond.

Antoine Bourassa, our 7th great-uncle, was born on March 22, 1705, in La Prairie, Quebec, a bustling riverside community south of Montreal that served as a hub for voyageurs. He grew up amid the rhythms of the trade—canoes laden with trade goods like knives, beads, and cloth departing in spring, returning in autumn with bundles of beaver pelts destined for European markets. Antoine married twice: first in 1729 to Marie Catherine Barette dit Courville (1707-1729), who tragically died young, and then in 1731 to Marie-Anne Moquin (1713-1743). Together with Marie-Anne, he had several children, continuing the family line in La Prairie. Antoine passed away on January 28, 1780, in his hometown, leaving a legacy tied to the waterways that connected French Canada to distant colonies and Indigenous nations.

The fur trade was more than commerce for the Bourassas; it was a web of alliances, often sealed through intermarriage with Native American communities. Later generations, such as Daniel Bourassa II (born 1780 at Michilimackinac), married into Chippewa/Ottawa families, like his union with Aranwaiske (Theotis Pisange), niece of Chief Shabbona. This blending of cultures strengthened trade ties but also exposed the family to hardships, including the forced removal during the 1838 Trail of Death, where Daniel and his kin were marched from Indiana under U.S. government orders. Antoine's brother René's daughter, Charlotte Bourassa, married Charles Michel de Langlade, a prominent fur trader and war chief of mixed French-Ottawa heritage, who defended French interests in conflicts like the Seven Years' War and later became known as the "Father of Wisconsin" for his trading post at Green Bay established in 1745.

The Epic 1740 Voyage to Philadelphia: A Journey Through Contested Waters

In the summer of 1740, amid the fragile peace between French and British colonies, Antoine embarked on one of his most remarkable adventures: a canoe expedition from Montreal to Philadelphia and back. On June 8, Governor Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois, issued a license to Antoine, along with Claude and François Bizaillon and Pierre Brosseau, permitting them to travel to "Philadelphia, city of New England" (an archaic French reference to British colonial territories) to "attend to their affairs." They were urged to return within four months, passing through Fort Chambly on the Richelieu River and Fort Saint-Frédéric (near modern Crown Point, New York) both ways, where their canoe would be inspected for contraband. A notary's minutes from June 13 detail the inspection by François Malhiot and Jean-Baptiste Adhémar, confirming the group's departure.

This journey was no mere errand; it highlighted the Bourassas' savvy in navigating the illicit trade networks that skirted colonial rivalries. While official French policy restricted trade to allies, coureurs de bois like Antoine often dealt with British merchants for better prices on goods or pelts. The route likely followed the Richelieu River south from Montreal to Lake Champlain, a vital corridor for fur transport and smuggling. From there, they may have portaged or sailed south toward the Hudson River valley, reaching Albany—a notorious hub for illegal exchanges—before continuing overland or via coastal waters to Philadelphia on the Delaware River. Paddling birchbark canoes loaded with trade items, the group braved rapids, portages, and potential encounters with Iroquois or British patrols. The round trip, covering over 800 miles, tested their endurance in an era when such voyages could take weeks, fraught with risks from weather, wildlife, and geopolitical tensions.

Imagine the scene: a fleet of canots de maître, the large birchbark vessels favored by voyageurs, slicing through misty waters under the power of rhythmic paddles and chansons like "À la claire fontaine." These canoes, up to 36 feet long and capable of carrying tons of cargo, were the lifeblood of the trade.

1740s North Arerican map corner (PA, NY, New England & Lower Canada)

The 1745 Expedition to Michilimackinac: Heart of the Great Lakes Trade

Five years later, on June 9, 1745, Antoine joined another pivotal voyage, this time to the strategic fur post of Michilimackinac (modern Mackinaw City, Michigan). Governor Beauharnois granted permission to Sieur Ignace Gamelin to send a canoe from Montreal, equipped with seven men under leaders Nicolas Volant and Antoine Dubois. The crew included Antoine, his brother Joseph Bourassa, Pierre Gaspard, Pierre Gagnier, and Jacques Saint-Pierre—all from La Prairie de la Madeleine. Strict orders prohibited trading outside the post and its dependencies, underscoring the regulated nature of the French fur empire.

Michilimackinac, established in 1715, was a bustling fortified community at the straits connecting Lakes Huron and Michigan. It served as a rendezvous for French traders, Odawa and Ojibwe allies, and voyageurs, where pelts from the vast northwest were exchanged for European goods. The journey from Montreal involved ascending the Ottawa River, portaging around rapids, crossing Lake Nipissing, and descending the French River to Georgian Bay—a grueling 800-mile trek demanding skill in navigation and survival. Antoine and his kin wintered there, trading with Indigenous partners who provided furs in exchange for tools, textiles, and firearms.

Map of Michilimackinac in 1765

The Brothers' Wider Adventures and the Family's Enduring Impact

Antoine's brothers amplified the family's influence. René, the eldest, was a bold entrepreneur fined 500 livres in 1722 for illicit trade with Albany merchants but undeterred. He partnered with explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, establishing posts like Fort Vermilion in 1736 and hiring crews for western expeditions. 

Drifting Cowboy’s 2018 exploration of the Vermillion River post location on Crane Lake

In 1736, René was captured by Sioux en route from Fort St. Charles but freed through a dramatic plea; he later settled at Michilimackinac, where his family endured the 1763 Ojibwe capture of the fort during Pontiac's War. François Joachim, meanwhile, hired out as a voyageur to Detroit in 1757, extending the Bourassas' reach southward.

Their sister, Marie Elisabeth Bourassa (1695-1766), married Jacques Pinsonneau dit Lafleur, linking the family to other trading networks. Through these exploits, the Bourassas not only amassed wealth but fostered alliances that shaped the cultural mosaic of the Great Lakes—blending French, Indigenous, and later British worlds. Descendants like Joseph Napoleon Bourassa, a Potawatomi interpreter and dictionary compiler, carried this hybrid heritage into the 19th century, signing treaties and preserving traditional knowledge amid displacement.

Antoine's story, from the rivers of Quebec to the lakes of Michigan and the streets of Philadelphia, captures the essence of a bygone era: one of exploration, risk, and interconnection. His voyages remind us how individual lives wove the fabric of North American history.

Thank you to Grok xAI for the updated information.  -- Drifting Cowboy

The Great Peace of Montreal: A Landmark Treaty Ending the Beaver Wars

 

The Great Peace of Montreal, known in French as La Grande Paix de Montréal, was a pivotal peace treaty signed on August 4, 1701, in Montreal, New France (present-day Quebec, Canada).  This accord brought together representatives from New France and approximately 39 Indigenous nations, including the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) and various French-allied groups from the Great Lakes region, such as the Huron-Wendat, Odawa, Algonquin, Abenaki, and others.  Over 1,300 Indigenous delegates participated in the month-long negotiations, marking one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in early North American history.  The treaty effectively ended the Beaver Wars—a series of brutal conflicts spanning nearly a century (roughly 1609–1701) driven by competition over the fur trade, territorial expansion, and European colonial rivalries. 

Historical Background: The Beaver Wars and Rising Tensions

The Beaver Wars erupted in the early 17th century as the Iroquois, armed by Dutch and later English traders, sought to control the lucrative beaver pelt trade in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Valley regions.  These conflicts pitted the Iroquois against French settlers and their Indigenous allies, leading to devastating raids, massacres, and population displacements. For instance, the Iroquois dispersed the Huron in the 1640s–1650s, weakening French trade networks.  By the late 1600s, French military campaigns under governors like Frontenac, including destructive raids on Iroquois villages in 1687 and 1696, combined with disease, economic exhaustion, and shifting alliances, pushed all parties toward peace.  Preliminary talks began in 1700, with a ceasefire between the French and Iroquois, setting the stage for the grand assembly in Montreal. 

This context ties directly to our Le Moyne ancestors' campaigns, as discussed previously. Figures like Paul Le Moyne de Maricourt (our 8th great-granduncle's nephew by marriage) played crucial diplomatic roles in the 1690s, negotiating with the Iroquois using his adopted name "Akouessan" to foster trust and pave the way for the treaty. 

The Negotiations and Signing Ceremony

In the summer of 1701, delegates converged on Montreal from as far as the Mississippi Valley, James Bay, and Acadia.  The event unfolded over several weeks, blending Indigenous diplomatic traditions—such as condolence ceremonies, gift exchanges, and the return of prisoners—with French protocols.  Louis-Hector de Callière, Governor of New France, represented King Louis XIV, emphasizing unity and arbitration in disputes.  Indigenous leaders, including the prominent Onondaga orator Teganissorens and Huron chief Kondiaronk (who tragically died during the talks but influenced the outcome), delivered speeches affirming peace. 

The treaty document itself is unique: While Callière signed in French script, Indigenous representatives affixed totemic symbols (clan emblems like animals or abstract designs) representing their nations—a fusion of oral and written traditions.  At the top of the post is an image of the original treaty pages, showcasing their signatures.

Key Terms of the Treaty

The agreement outlined mutual peace and cooperation:

• End to Hostilities: All parties agreed to cease warfare, bury the "tomahawk," and resolve future disputes through French mediation (Callière positioned as an arbitrator). 
• Neutrality and Trade: The Iroquois pledged neutrality in Anglo-French conflicts, allowing French expansion (e.g., settlement at Detroit in 1701).  In return, they gained access to French markets at reduced prices and shared hunting grounds. 
• Broader Peace: The treaty extended to inter-Indigenous relations, fostering alliances from Acadia to Lake Superior and south to the Mississippi. 

Notably, the treaty included an arbitration clause, where Callière (and successors) would mediate conflicts, reflecting early international diplomacy principles.  It remains legally recognized in Canada today, influencing modern Indigenous rights discussions. 

Key Figures and the Le Moyne Connection

• Louis-Hector de Callière: The architect of the peace, his diplomatic finesse turned military stalemates into lasting accord. 
• Indigenous Leaders: Kondiaronk (Huron) advocated for unity; Teganissorens (Onondaga) represented Iroquois interests. 
• Le Moyne Family Role: As extensions of our ancestry through Jeanne Le Moyne's marriage, the Le Moynes were instrumental. Paul de Maricourt's earlier negotiations and Charles II Le Moyne de Longueuil's military support helped weaken Iroquois resistance, enabling the treaty.  Their efforts in the 1690s campaigns directly contributed to this peace, allowing our La Prairie forebears to live in a more stable New France.

Legacy and Significance

The Great Peace secured French dominance in North America for decades, facilitating expansions like Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville's Louisiana ventures.  It reshaped Indigenous-French relations, promoting trade and alliances until the Seven Years' War (1754–1763) disrupted the balance.  Today, it's commemorated at sites like Pointe-à-Callière Museum in Montreal and recognized as a National Historic Event in Canada.  For our family history, it symbolizes the end of the era's violence that the Le Moynes helped navigate, fostering the colonial environment where our Leber and Pinsonneau lines thrived.

Special thanks to Grok xAI for generating and enhancing my Le Moyne research and wrapping it up with this extraordinary bit of history. -- A Drifting Cowboy

The Seven Years' War: A Turning Point for New France and the Le Moyne Legacy

 

The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict often called the "first world war" due to its involvement of major European powers across multiple continents, including Europe, North America, Africa, India, and the Caribbean. In North America, it was known as the French and Indian War (1754–1763), pitting France and its Indigenous allies against Britain and its colonies, with significant implications for colonial empires. This war marked the end of French dominance in Canada (New France), reshaping the continent and affecting families like our Le Moyne kin through marriage, whose descendants played roles in the conflict.

Causes and Global Context

The war stemmed from colonial rivalries, particularly between Britain and France over trade, territory, and influence. In North America, tensions escalated in the Ohio River Valley, where both nations claimed land rich in fur trade resources. French forts like Duquesne (modern Pittsburgh) clashed with British expansion, leading to skirmishes as early as 1754 when a young George Washington ambushed French forces at Jumonville Glen. Globally, it involved alliances: Britain with Prussia against France, Austria, Russia, and others. The formal declaration came in 1756, but North American fighting predated it.

Key Events and Battles in North America

The war unfolded in phases, with early French successes giving way to British dominance after 1757. Indigenous nations played crucial roles, often allying based on local interests—the Iroquois largely with Britain, while Huron, Algonquin, and others sided with France. Here's a timeline of major North American events:

Year	Event	Key Places	Details and Outcome
1754	Battle of Jumonville Glen & Fort Necessity	Ohio Valley (near Pittsburgh, PA)	Washington's defeat sparked open conflict; French victory under Joseph Coulon de Jumonville's brother.
1755	Battle of the Monongahela (Braddock's Defeat)	Near Fort Duquesne, PA	French and Indigenous forces ambushed British Gen. Edward Braddock; heavy British losses (900+ dead/wounded).
1755	Battle of Lake George	Lake George, NY	British victory over French; Baron Dieskau captured, but French built Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga).
1756–1757	French Offensives	Oswego (NY), Fort William Henry (NY)	Louis-Joseph de Montcalm captured forts; infamous "massacre" at William Henry by Indigenous allies.
1758	Battle of Carillon (Ticonderoga)	Ticonderoga, NY	Montcalm repelled 16,000 British; French tactical win but strategic strain.
1758	Siege of Louisbourg	Cape Breton Island, NS	British captured key fortress, opening St. Lawrence to invasion.
1759	Battle of the Plains of Abraham	Quebec City, QC	Decisive British victory; both generals (James Wolfe and Montcalm) died; Quebec fell.
1760	Fall of Montreal	Montreal, QC	Last major French holdout surrendered; New France effectively conquered.

British naval superiority blocked French reinforcements, while supply shortages and disease weakened France. Total casualties: ~11,000 French/Indigenous dead, ~14,000 British/colonial.

The map below illustrates territorial changes in North America post-war:

The Le Moyne Family's Involvement

Our extended Le Moyne relatives—descendants of Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil et de Châteauguay (1626–1685)—were deeply embedded in New France's military elite. While the famous brothers (like Pierre d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste de Bienville) predated the war, later generations defended the colony:

• Charles Le Moyne de Longueuil (1687–1755), 2nd Baron: Son of Charles II, he served as Governor of Montreal (1749–1755) and interim Governor-General of New France in 1752 after Marquis de la Jonquière's death. He oversaw early defenses in the Ohio Valley, including expeditions against British incursions. He died in January 1755, just before major hostilities, but his leadership set the stage for French resistance.
• Charles-Jacques Le Moyne de Longueuil (1724–1755), 3rd Baron: Son of the above, he fought as a captain in the colonial troops. He went missing in action and was presumed dead after the Battle of Lake George (September 8, 1755), an early French defeat where British forces under William Johnson halted a French advance.
• Joseph-Dominique-Emmanuel Le Moyne de Longueuil (1738–1807): Grandson of Charles II, he was a lieutenant who led Huron allies in key battles. In 1754–1755, he participated in Ohio campaigns, including Fort Necessity and the Monongahela victory. In 1757, he commanded Indigenous forces at Fort William Henry. During the war's climax, he fought in the Beauport campaign (1759), the Plains of Abraham defeat, and Montreal's surrender (1760). After the conquest, he adapted to British rule, becoming a militia colonel.

These Le Moynes upheld the family's "Maccabees of New France" reputation, focusing on frontier warfare and Indigenous alliances—echoing earlier campaigns against the Iroquois.

Outcomes and Legacy

The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763): France ceded Canada, Acadia, and eastern Louisiana to Britain; western Louisiana to Spain (regained in 1800). Britain emerged as North America's dominant power, but the costs fueled taxes that sparked the American Revolution. For New France, it meant anglicization: French habitants like our La Prairie ancestors (Leber/Pinsonneau) navigated new British rule, with many names anglicized (e.g., Pinsonneau to Passino). The war's end disrupted fur trade networks the Le Moynes helped build, shifting focus southward.

This conflict bridges our ancestral story from French colonial glory to British North America. 

Most of this was generated by Grok xAI as a followup to my research notes. Thank you.