Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes
Encyclopedia
Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes, was a Canadian
soldier, explorer, and friend to the Miami Nation
.
Vincennes was born in Quebec
on January 19, 1668. His father, tanner François Bissot, was granted a seigniory
for his tannery
on the St. Lawrence River in 1672. Later, he became a ward of his brother-in-law, Louis Joliet, who entered him in the seminary at Quebec.
Through the efforts of his godfather, Jean Baptiste Talon
, he secured a commission as ensign in the French marine
. In 1696, the Comte de Frontenac appointed him as commander of the French outposts in Northeast Indiana
. Here he became good friends with the Miami people, settling first at the St. Joseph River
, and, in 1704, establishing a trading post and fort at Kekionga
, present day Fort Wayne, Indiana
.
In 1712, Vincennes served as second in command at Fort Detroit
. In this position, he helped defeat the forces of the Fox Nation. He acquired a young Fox slave, whom he named François-Michel. This slave eventually was owned by his son, François-Marie Bissot.
He died in 1719 at Kekionga and was succeeded by his son as commander of the French in Miami country.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soldier, explorer, and friend to the Miami Nation
Miami tribe
The Miami are a Native American nation originally found in what is now Indiana, southwest Michigan, and western Ohio. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is the only federally recognized tribe of Miami Indians in the United States...
.
Vincennes was born in 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 January 19, 1668. His father, tanner François Bissot, was granted a seigniory
Seigneurial system of New France
The seigneurial system of New France was the semi-feudal system of land distribution used in the North American colonies of New France.-Introduction to New France:...
for his tannery
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
on the St. Lawrence River in 1672. Later, he became a ward of his brother-in-law, Louis Joliet, who entered him in the seminary at Quebec.
Through the efforts of his godfather, Jean Baptiste Talon
Jean Talon
Jean Talon, Comte d'Orsainville was a French colonial administrator who was the first and most highly regarded Intendant of New France under King Louis XIV...
, he secured a commission as ensign in the French marine
Troupes de marine
The or Infanterie de marine, formerly Troupes coloniales, are an arm of the French Army with a colonial heritage. The Troupes de marine have a dedicated overseas service role. Despite their title they have been a part of the Army since 1958...
. In 1696, the Comte de Frontenac appointed him as commander of the French outposts in Northeast Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Here he became good friends with the Miami people, settling first at the St. Joseph River
St. Joseph River (Maumee River)
The St. Joseph River is an tributary of the Maumee River in northwestern Ohio, and northeastern Indiana in the United States, with headwater tributaries rising in southern Michigan. It drains a primarily rural farming region in the watershed of Lake Erie. It shares its name with the St...
, and, in 1704, establishing a trading post and fort at Kekionga
Kekionga
Kekionga, also known as Kiskakon or Pacan's Village, was the capital of the Miami tribe at the confluence of the Saint Joseph, Saint Marys and Maumee rivers on the western edge of the Great Black Swamp...
, present day Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
.
In 1712, Vincennes served as second in command at Fort Detroit
Fort Detroit
Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. The location of the former fort is now in the city of Detroit in the U.S...
. In this position, he helped defeat the forces of the Fox Nation. He acquired a young Fox slave, whom he named François-Michel. This slave eventually was owned by his son, François-Marie Bissot.
He died in 1719 at Kekionga and was succeeded by his son as commander of the French in Miami country.