François Vaillant de Gueslis
Encyclopedia
François Vaillant de Gueslis (20 July 1646 – 24 September 1718) was a Jesuit missionary, born in Orléans
. He entered the Society of Jesus, on 10 November 1665, and went to Canada in 1670; and was ordained priest at Quebec
, on 1 December 1675.
He attempted to convert the Mohawks to Christianity
between 1679 and 1684. In the beginning of 1688 he was chosen by the Canadian authorities as ambassador to Thomas Dongan, the Governor of New York
. He was also the first missionary to work among the Native Americans
in Detroit; but he remained only a few months, not entering into the plans of Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac
. After the conclusion of peace between the French and the Iroquois
he attempted to convert the Senecas from 1702-1707. There he contributed not a little to defeat the efforts of Colonel Schuyler
at Onondaga
who was trying to induce the Five Nations
to drive out the French missionaries. The two principal scenes of his missionary zeal in Canada were Quebec and Montreal
. At Quebec (1685–91; 1697–1702), he filled the important posts of minister; procurator of the mission, and preacher, and at Montreal (1692–96; 1709–15), he was the first superior of the residence established by the Jesuits in 1692. He founded the Men's Congregation of Villemarie which exists to the present day. He returned to France in 1715.
He died in Moulins
in 1718.
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
. He entered the Society of Jesus, on 10 November 1665, and went to Canada in 1670; and was ordained priest at Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, on 1 December 1675.
He attempted to convert the Mohawks to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
between 1679 and 1684. In the beginning of 1688 he was chosen by the Canadian authorities as ambassador to Thomas Dongan, the Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
. He was also the first missionary to work among the Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in Detroit; but he remained only a few months, not entering into the plans of Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac
Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac
Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac was a French explorer and adventurer in New France, now an area of North America stretching from Eastern Canada in the north to Louisiana in the south. Rising from a modest beginning in Acadia in 1683 as an explorer, trapper, and a trader of alcohol...
. After the conclusion of peace between the French and the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
he attempted to convert the Senecas from 1702-1707. There he contributed not a little to defeat the efforts of Colonel Schuyler
Pieter Schuyler
Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York and the head of the Albany Commissioners for Indian Affairs...
at Onondaga
Onondaga
- Native American/First Nations :* Onondaga people, a Native American/First Nations people and one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois League* Onondaga , Onondaga settlement and traditional Iroquois capital* Onondaga language- Geology :...
who was trying to induce the Five Nations
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
to drive out the French missionaries. The two principal scenes of his missionary zeal in Canada were Quebec and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. At Quebec (1685–91; 1697–1702), he filled the important posts of minister; procurator of the mission, and preacher, and at Montreal (1692–96; 1709–15), he was the first superior of the residence established by the Jesuits in 1692. He founded the Men's Congregation of Villemarie which exists to the present day. He returned to France in 1715.
He died in Moulins
Moulins
Moulins or Moulin may refer to:-People:*Jean-François-Auguste Moulin, politician in the French Revolution*Jean Moulin, member of the French Resistance during World War II*Pierre Du Moulin, Huguenot minister and author in France...
in 1718.