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” 1 . The remaining entries were scattered miscellaneously among the marriages and baptisms, but have here been assembled in chronological order.

Died August 10, 1743 [Marie Coussante, daughter of Joseph Hins]; she was the first one buried in the new church built by her father, under the holy water font.


She [Marie Athanase, slave of Charles Hamelin] died fortified with all the sacraments, on January 24, 1748, and was buried in the church the following day beside her deceased mistress.


Died [Jacques, son of Jacques Dumay, baptized February 1, 1748] a few days afterward and was buried in the church near
the little Hins girl.


The child [Augustin Laffertiere dit jasmin, baptized February 27, 1752] died 2 or 3 months afterwards and is buried in the cemetery on the left hand side on entering.


August 1, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this mission the body of Jean Bapt. Gourn dit Champagne, about forty-five years old. He had received the holy Viaticum and extreme unction; the prayers for the dying were said for him. He was married and was returning to the Ilinois with his wife. He was interred after the celebration of a requiem high mass by me the undersigned priest, missionary of the society of Jesus, performing the duties of parish priest.

In testimony whereof I have signed beneath.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


August 2, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this place the body of Jean Bapt. Rocheleoi, fourteen years old. He had received extreme unction as he had not made his first communion. The prayers of the church for the dying were said for him. He died yesterday evening and was interred this evening with the usual ceremonies. * * *

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


August 11, 1754 was interred in the cemetery of this place the body of Joseph Tellier dit la Fortune, ten or eleven years old. He received extreme unction.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


In the same year, and on the twenty-third of the month aforesaid, I interred in the cemetery Joseph Marie le Tellier, brother of the above, nearly eight years old, with the same ceremonies. I had interred Marie Josephe, their sister, a year and a half old, at the end of the month of July; I am not sure of the day.


Moreover, four men whose names I do not know died last winter at Nipigoung, and one at the detour 2 this month.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


September 14, 1754, was buried in the cemetery of this mission Jean Baptiste a slave of Mr. Guion whom I had privately baptized fifteen days ago. He was about eleven or twelve years old.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


In the evening of the same day was interred in the same place François le Tellier, about twenty years old, after having received all the sacraments and been assisted with the prayers of the church.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


In the same year as above on the 15th of the same month, was interred in the same place Antoine des Coteaux, about twenty years old, after receiving all the sacraments and having been assisted with the prayers of the church.

M. L. Lefranc, Jesuit.


I have learned that the panis [slave] of Mr. Kocheveau died at the Sault about five weeks ago. I had privately baptized him shortly before.


December 10, I interred the panis of Monbrun whom I had privately baptized August 29, 1754.

Lefranc, Jesuit.


I interred Marie Françoise Brisbé in the cemetery of this place. She was born June 1, of the present year. At Michilimakimak August 30, 1757.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.

I interred in the cemetery of this place Octobor 11, 1757, Joseph Parent, aged twenty-three years, after having received all the succors of the church.

Lefranc, Jesuit.


I interred in the same place on the 13th, the brother of Kigesse whom I had privately baptized on Monday.

On the 14th I interred Ouichema whom I had privately baptized the previous night.

I interred Kininchioue and the son of Ouichema whom I had privately baptized yesterday.

I, the undersigned, interred in the cemetery of this post Catherine, a slave of Monsieur Bourassa who died yesterday evening in the most Christian sentiments. This 26th of October, 1757.

M. L. Lefranc, of the society of Jesus.


In the same year and month I interred in the same place Louis Amiot, twelve years old, and a little panis girl belonging to Sieur Bourassa, the younger, whom I had privately baptized October 28, 1757.

Lefranc, Jesuit.


November 4, I interred in the same place ignace Parent, 19 years old.

On the same day and in the same place I interred a little girl savage whom I had privately baptized yesterday.


November 8, of the said year, I interred Anne Villeneuve, wife of Monsieur Blondeau, in this place, who died yesterday.

Lefranc, Jesuit.


I interred the son of Memamghiouinet, who died on the 7th.

I interred in the cemetery of this post, in accordance with his last wishes, Jacque Michel Hamelin, trader, of the parish of Grondines, who died yesterday. At Michilimakinak, this November 15, 1757.

M. L. Le franc, of the society of Jesus.


On the same day I interred Charlotte, a panis of Mr. Bourassa, the younger, in the same place.


This day, November 19, I interred in the church of this post Charles Chaboillez, 3 and Marie Joseph Farly. 4

Le Franc Miss. of the society of Jesus.


On the 22nd, I interred in the cemetery a little boy slave of Mr. Cardin.

November 26, I interred a woman savage whom I had privately baptized.

December 10, I interred ignace, a slave of Mr. Bourassa.

December 15, I interred Claude Peletier dit la Haie, voyageur, after having administered the sacraments to him and said the prayers for the dying.

M. L. Le Franc. Miss. of the society of Jesus.


February 27, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this place Louis Joseph farly, three days old.

Le franc, Miss, of the society of Jesus.


August 16, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this post Marie Anne, wife of Mr. Amiot 5 who died yesterday after receiving all the the sacraments of the dying and the suffrages of the church.

M. L. Le franc, miss, of the society of Jesus.


October 5, I interred in the cemetery of this post Marie Joseph, born and baptized yesterday.

M. L. Lefranc, Miss. of the society of Jesus.


October 27, 1758, I interred in the cemetery of this post [blank in MS.] a soldier, whom Mr. Giasson had brought back ill from the west, and who died suddenly last night. I had given him absolution last Monday and he was found dead although it was thought he would linger.

M. Le Franc Miss. of the society of Jesus.


October 19, 1759, I interred in the cemetery of this post François Louis Cardin born on August 17, last.

M. Le Franc Miss. of the society of Jesus.


August 22, 1760, I interred in the cemetery of this post Antoine St amand, who died yesterday after hp^dng received extreme unction.

M. Le Franc Miss. of the society of Jesus.


June 13, I interred nicolas Stinedard, who died after having; received the last sacraments.

M. L. Le Franc. Miss. of the society of Jesus.


She [young female slave of Mr. Parent, baptised March 8, 1762] died on the 17th and was buried on the 18th of the same month.


August 4, 1773, was interred Jean Baptiste Metivier, 6 who died yesterday, with public prayers in the absence of a Missionary.

Cardin, notary.


August 7, 1787, by us the undersigned priest, was buried (with the usual ceremonies) in the cemetery of this parish, the body of Jean Baptiste Bourbonniêre who died yesterday (after receiving the sacrament of Penance), about fifty years old, husband of Manon Drouin, residing on the river of l’Assumptlon in the government of Montreal. There were present: messieurs Etienne Campion, Jean Baptiste Barthe, and Louis Carignan, who signed with us, besides a large concourse of various persons who can neither write nor sign their names.

Payet, Miss, priest.

L. Carignan ; J. Bte Barthe.

December 13, 1791, about seven o’clock in the morning, Jean Louis Carignan, Esquire, superintendent of inland navigation at Michilimakina and notary Public of the said Post, Was drowned in Lake Michigan while going to fish with his hired man, Jean Bte Dubois, who was saved as well as several persons who were unable to give him assistance. 7


January 6, 1795, was interred Felicité Carignant, about twenty-two years old. She died yesterday about seven o’clock in the morning and was interred in the church of Michilimakina.

Gabriel Bichard, priest.


January 22, 1795, was interred in the cemetery of this post Jean Bongas, 8 a free negro – who died the day before yesterday evening about nine o’clock – with public prayers in the absence of a missionary.

Adhemar St Martin J. P


August 2, 1796, was interred in the cemetery of this parish, a child born yesterday, son of Charles Spinard and of a savage mother, by us, the undersigned.

Lavadoux, Vic.-gen.


July 10, 1799, was interred in the cemetery of this parish Marie Louise, a Sauteuse child, about two years old, baptized the previous day and who died during the night—by us the undersigned priest.

Gabriel Eichard, priest.


July 17, 1799, was interred in the cemetery of this Parish a male child about two months old, born of André Charlevoix and of Josette Ammillain, his lawful wife. 9

Gabriel Richard, priest.


July 27, 1799, I interred in the cemetery of this parish the body of Josette Ammelain, wife of Andre Charlevoix who died yesterday. ***

Gabriel Eichard, priest.


October 4, 1799, about three o’clock in the afternoon, Mr* Paul Lacroix died and was interred in the cemetery of M^Kinac in the afternoon of the following day.


April 2, 1800, Sieur Alexis Laframboise, Esquire, 10 Captain of Militia, died suddenly about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and was interred in the church of McKinanc on the fourth of the said month.

Adhemar St Martin


July 13, 1801, Mr. Eustache Legal dit Sans Cartier died and was interred in the cemetery of this Post in the morning of the fifteenth.


July 11, 1804, we the undersigned priest, the missionary at Michilimakina, buried with the usual prayers of the Roman church, Jacques St Germain who died at the age of forty-two years.

J. Dilhet.


November 22, 1804, Sieur Adhemar St Martin 11 died, at three quarters past 6 o’clock in the morning, and was Interred in the Church of McKinac on the 23rd of the said month.

Antne Dupré, Witness.


January 2, 1806, at two o’clock in the afternoon, Charlotte Chandonette 12 died and was Interred in the cemetery of McKina on the third of the said month.

Davd Mitchell, Witness.


Collection:
Translation from a copy of the original in possession of the parish church of Ste. Anne at Mackinac.

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Citations:
  1. Register of deaths after August 1, 1754[]
  2. The Detour is the southeastern point of the upper peninsula of Michigan; so called because of the abrupt change of direction made by a boat in rounding this point.[]
  3. This was the father mentioned in Wisconsin Historical Collections, vol. xviii, p. 255, note 51.[]
  4. Either wife or daughter of Jacques Philippe Farly, for whom see Wisconsin Historical Collections, vol. xviii, p. 258, note 54.[]
  5. For an account of Jean Baptiste Amiot, who was blacksmith at Mackinac, not Green Bay, see Wisconsin Historical Collections, iii, pp. 202, 203; vii, pp. 127, 128. See also mention of Amiot and his wife. Wisconsin Historical Collections, xviii, p. 483. She, was of Ottawa descent, and they were married in 1715.[]
  6. For his marriage in 1757 see Wisconsin Historical Collections, p. 483.[]
  7. Jean Louis Besnard dit Carignan was born in Canada in 1737; in 1770, at Montreal, he married Felicité Pillet of Lachine. It would appear that they did not remove to Mackinac until during the Revolutionary War, but they speedily became prominent citizens, the husband being notary public, churchwarden, and clerk of the court of inquiry held in 1787. His tragic drowning was a serious loss to the small community.[]
  8. For his marriage notice see Wisconsin Historical Collections, xviii, p. 497.[]
  9. For their marriage see Wisconsin Historical Collections, vol. xviii, p. 499.[]
  10. Alexis Laframboise was a native of Canada, where the family name was Fafard. His father, Jean Baptiste Fafard dit Laframboise, married Genevieve Bissoniere in 1760. Alexis was probably born about 1763, being the second son of the family. At what time he came to the Northwest is not known, but he is supposed to have traded at Milwaukee about 1784-85. In 1792 he married at Mackinac Josette Adhemar; see Wisconsin Historical Collections, vol. xviii, pp. 494, 498. Milwaukee was his wintering place for several years. Later, he sent his brother François to take charge of his goods at that point; but François was improvident, and after wasting his property was finally killed by Winnebago Indians. He left a considerable family by a Potawatomi wife. His daughter Josette was with the Kinzies in the Chicago massacre of 1812, and afterwards became the wife of Jean Baptiste Beaubien, an early Chicago pioneer. Claude, Joseph, and Alexis Laframboise, who also were settlers of early Chicago, were probably sons of François, and went thither from Milwaukee. The senior Alexis, who died as here recorded, is not known to have left descendants.[]
  11. Toussaint Antoine Adhemar dit St. Martin was born in Montreal, Sept. 10, 1740. Sometime before the Revolution he removed to Detroit, where a branch of his family had settled at an early date. He was educated for a physician, and is known to have been at Fort Miami in 1773. Several years were passed at Detroit, and at the close of the Revolution he appears to have settled for a time at Vincennes, Indiana, receiving while there, from the British authorities, a commission as justice of the peace. Shortly after this, he removed to Mackinac, where as notary and justice of the peace he was an important functionary. Upon the Americans assuming control, St. Martin was appointed (September 1, 1801) as justice of the peace by Governor Harrison of Indiana Territory. He married (probably at Montreal) Genevieve Blondeau. One of their daughters married Alexis Laframboise, and another, Angelique, taught the first girls’ school at Mackinac.[]
  12. Charlotte Chandonnet’s marriage is cited in Wisconsin Historical Collections, xviii, pp. 495, 509. Her adopted son, Jean Baptiste, was clerk for John Kinzie at Chicago, at the time of the Fort Dearborn massacre (1812), where he was instrumental in saving the life of Mrs. Nathan Heald, wife of the commandant. In 1814 he arrested a number of British traders at St. Josephs River, and it was on that occasion that he killed his uncle, who had been serving with Robert Dickson as British agent in Wisconsin, and had been sent for information to St. Josephs. This explains the seeming anomaly noted in Wisconsin Historical Collections, x, pp. 112, 113, where the then Editor thought that the younger Chandonnet was in Dickson’s service, because he places the altercation and consequent shooting of the elder Chandonnet at an earlier date. The time is fixed as 1814 by a letter in our Draper MSS., 4T8, which accounts for the fact that the elder Chandonnet did not return to Dickson, as noted in his letter of March 15, 1814. Jean Baptiste Chandonnet married Marie Chapoton of Detroit, who visited Mackinac in the winter of 1815-16, and joined her husband at Chicago the following year; see Wisconsin Historical Collections, xiv, pp. 24-27. Chandonnet interpreted for the United States at Greenville in 1814, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815. In 1831 he visited the Healds in their Missouri home, on his way to Kansas to select lands for the Potawatomi. He was at the Chicago treaties of 1832 and 1833, but died soon thereafter, somewhere in Michigan.[]

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