People of Detroit

All | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


Notice: Undefined variable: birth_date in /home/tinamar/public_html/historydetroit.com/people/index.php on line 73

Notice: Undefined variable: death_date in /home/tinamar/public_html/historydetroit.com/people/index.php on line 78

Edward Abbott

Lieutenant

James Abbott

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

James Abbott (II)

Son of James Abbott. Was one of Detroit's first postmasters. Lived in a house that was later the site of the Hammond Building.

Chapman Abraham

First known Jew in Detroit, Chapman was one of the few men who escaped the fort during "Pontiac's War".

William Adair

Nurseryman and landowner.

Charles S. Adams

Husband of Mary Sibley.

Guilleaume Aguet

Held lot #35 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Claude Allouez

Father

Jesuit who was the first known non-Native American to hear of the Mississippi River. Native Americans told him of the great river in 1665.

Jeffrey Amherst

Sir

Governor-general of the British colonies.

Read more...

William Ancrum

Major

Twelfth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1785?-86?).

James Anderson

Architect of Old City Hall

John Anderson

Colonel

Commanded artillery defense of Detroit during the War of 1812 and for the following 21 years.

Colin Andrews

Active citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's. Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Charles Anthon

Professor

Son of Genevieve Jadot and George Christian Anthon. An esteemed Greek and Latin scholar.

George Christian Anthon

Doctor

Born: 08-25-1734

German-born garrison doctor at Detroit under British rule.

Read more...

Henry Anthon

Reverend

Son of Genevieve Jadot and George Christian Anthon. Rector at St. Mark's in the Bowery.

John Anthon

Son of Genevieve Jadot and George Christian Anthon. A New York attorney.

Dennis Archer

Mayor

68th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1993-2002).

William Smead Armitage

Born: 06-11-1830
Died: 01-28-1887

Son of William and Rosina Armitage. Secretary and treasurer of Detroit's American Glass Plate Company, and later, of Eureka Iron Company, and still later, of Galvin Brass and Iron Works.

James A. Armstrong

Husband of Augusta Sibley.

Arnault

Company of the Colony representative sent with Radisson to take over Fort Ponchartrain.

Adelaide Askin

Daughter of John Askin. Wife of Elijah Brush.

John Askin

Detroit settler. Owner of the Askin farm, which became the Brush Farm when Askin's daughter married Elijah Brush.

Reuben Attwater

Secretary of Michigan Territory

Marie Louisa Augier

1st wife of Philip Dejean.

Baby

Settler who at first agreed to use his own resources to help Sabrevois repair Fort Ponchartrain. Others talked him and two others out of this. May be Jacques Duperon Baby (alive during Pontiac's time - mid 1700's) or his son, Francis.

Duperon Baby

Owned a lot neighboring that of John Steadman in the citadel.

Absalom Backus, Jr.

Born: 09-07-1824

Son of Absalom and Mary (Hildreth) Backus. Formed Backus and Brother in Detroit in 1867.

Electus Backus

Colonel

Husband of Sarah Brady.

John Judson Bagley

Governor

Thomas Barber

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Kirkland Barker

Mayor

33rd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1864-1865)

Catherine Barrois

Mother of Theotiste St. Cosme.

A. Barthe

Active French citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's. Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit. . Served at times as an arbitrator.

Henry Bassett

Major

Ninth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1772-1774).

Pierre Bassinet

Held lot #56 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Asher B. Bates

Born: 05-02-1810
Died: 06-01-1873

15th (non-elect) Mayor of the City of Detroit (1838); finished Porter's term

George Battzes

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Robert Bayard

Major

Succeeded Bradstreet as unofficial commadant of Fort Detroit in 1765. Served as Campbell's assistant from 1765-66.

Carleton Abbey Beardsley

Born: 10-04-1852

Son of Lockwood H. and Catherine (Myer) Beardsley. Moved to Detroit in 1880. There he practiced law, bought and sold real estate, and manufactured furniture.

Antoine Beaubien

French settler who lived at present day Jefferson and Beaubien. During Pontiac's war in 1763, Pontiac set up his headquarters at Beaubien's house.

Marguerite Beaubien

Detroit citizen who was responsible for the Madame Cadillac tablet in 1903.

Antoine Beauregard

Held lot #58 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Thomas Bennett

Thirteenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1786).

Guillaume Beranger, Sieur de Rougemont

Father of Jean Baptiste Henry Beranger

Jean Baptiste Henry Beranger

Acting commandant of Fort Ponchartrain in 1758

Frances Beridge

Born: 1743
Died: 10-16-1817

Wife of Major Henry Gladwin

Thomas Berry

Born: 02-07-1829

Son of John and Catharina Berry. Co-founder of Berry Brothers varnish manufacturer in Detroit.

John Biddle

Born: 1792
Died: 08-25-1859

4th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1827-1828)

Read more...

Francois Bienvenu dit de L'Isle

Held lot #22 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Angelique Bienvenue

Mother of Catherine L'Esprit. Wife of Claude L'Esprit dit Champagne.

Andre Bombardie

Held lot #49 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Lewis Bond

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Francois Bonne

Held lot #54 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Etienne Bontran

Held lot #12 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Henry Boquet

Colonel

Commandant of Fort Pitt in 1760. Was part of the group, led by Major Rogers, that tookover Detroit from the French.

Francois Bouat

Loaned de Tonty money to pay Fort Ponchartrain expenses.

Louis Bourbon, XIV

King of France

Born: 1638
Died: 1715

French King in the late 1600's and early 1700's. AKA The Sun King and Louis the Great.

Guillaume Bovet dit Deliard

Held lot #16 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Charles Bowles

Mayor

57th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1930).

Hugh Boyle

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

John Bradstreet

Colonel

4th commandant of Fort Detroit (1764)

Read more...

Cassandra Brady

Daughter of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

Electus Brady

Colonel

Husband of Mary Laithy Brady.

Elizabeth Hall Brady

Daughter of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

Hugh Brady

Major-General

Born: 1768
Died: 1851

Served in the War of 1812. Commanded the Detroit garrison from 1837-1844.

Read more...

Jane Brady

Daughter of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

John Brady

Father of Hugh Brady. John was killed by Native Americans (during the Revolutionary War?).

Mary Brady

Mother of Hugh Brady. Wife of John Brady.

Mary Laithy Brady

Daughter of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

Samuel Preston Brady

Son of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

Sarah Brady

Daughter of Hugh Brady and Sarah Wallis.

Calvin Knox Brandon

Born: 09-06-1841

Son of George S. and Nancy (Craighead) Brandon.

Joseph Brant

English name of a Mohawk man. Brother of Molly Brant. Joseph is often considered the first Native American to have been educated at a white school and college.

Molly Brant

English name of Mohawk woman who married William Johnson.

H.J.B. Breevort

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Philip Breitmeyer

Mayor

48th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1909-1910).

Suzette deBeaubien Brown

Suzette deBeaubien Brown is granddaughter of Warren co-founder, Hugo J. Hesse. Suzette is also the granddaughter of Jay William Henry deBeaubien, a descendent of the Beaubien family for whom Beaubien Street was named. Her father, Philip F. deBeaubien was once the publisher of the Detroit Times.

William Brown

Dr.

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Elizabeth Browne

Died: 1811

Wife of Robert Rogers. After Rogers died, Browne married John Roche.

Thomas Bruce

Likely replaced Captain Turnbull as commandant of Detroit. If so, he held the post for only a short time (June to September of 1769).

Etienne Brule

Born: 1592
Died: 1632

1st European to visit Michigan with companion, Grenoble, in 1622.

Read more...

Francois Brunet

Held lot #57 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Adelaide Brush

Wife of Elijah Brush

Alfred Brush

Son of Elijah Brush

Elijah Brush

Died: 1813

2nd Mayor of the Town of Detroit (1806). One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Read more...

Christian H. Buhl

Born: 05-09-1812

31st Mayor of the City of Detroit (1860-1861)

Frederick Buhl

Born: 11-27-1806
Died: 1864

22nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1848); brother of 31st mayor, Christian Buhl

Theodore C. Buhl

Museum Official

Detroit Museum of Art official in 1903

James Burnett

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

William Austin Burt

Born: 06-13-1792

Manufacturer and inventor.

J. Cabasie

Active French citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's.

Joseph Cabassier

Owner of farm on St. Louis near present day 12th and 13th Streets. The farm adjoined Laferte's farm. Second husband of Angelique Bienvenue.

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, Sieur de Douaguet and Mont Desert

Born: 03-05-1658
Died: 10-16-1730

Founder of Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit).

Read more...

Francois Cadillac

Born: 03-27-1709

11th child of Cadillac. Born in Detroit.

Jacques Cadillac

Born: 03-16-1695

4th child of Cadillac. Born in Quebec.

Jean Antoine Cadillac

Born: 01-19-1707
Died: 1709

9th child of Cadillac. Born in Detroit.

Joseph Cadillac

13th child of Cadillac.

Judith Cadillac

Born: 1689

1st child of Cadillac. Born in Port Royal (Annapolis, Nova Scotia)

Magdelene Cadillac

2nd child of Cadillac

Marianne Cadillac

Born: 06-07-1701
Died: 1701

6th child of Cadillac. Born in Quebec

Marie Agathe Cadillac

Born: 12-28-1707

10th child of Cadillac. Born in Detroit.

Marie Therese Cadillac

Born: 02-02-1704
Died: 1753

8th child of Cadillac. Born in Detroit. First child baptized in Detroit (Fort Ponchartrain)

Marie Therese (Guyon) Cadillac

Madame

Born: 1671
Died: 1740 (1746?)

Wife of Antoine Cadillac. First non-Native American woman in Detroit.

Read more...

Pierre Denis Cadillac

Born: 06-13-1699
Died: 1700

5th child of Cadillac. Born in Quebec.

Rene Louis Cadillac

Born: 03-17-1710
Died: 1714

12th child of Cadillac. Was born in Detroit; buried in Quebec.

Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (II)

Ensign

Born: 04-26-1692

3rd child of Cadillac. Born in Quebec

Claude Campau

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Jacques Campau

Held lot #60 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jacques Campau

In 1763, Major Robert Rogers and his men regrouped at Campau's farm after the Battle of Bloody Run. Campau lived on Belle Isle in 1768 when the island was sold to George McDougall.

Jean Bte. Campau

He also served as a notary in British Fort Detroit, serving French settlers there.

Michel Campau

Held lot #18 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Simon Campau

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Donald Campbell

Died: 1763

1st commandant of Fort Ponchartrain under British rule (12/23/1760).

Read more...

John Campbell

Lieutenant-Colonel

Fifth official commandant of British Fort Detroit

Read more...

Guy Carleton

Governor of Canada

Governor of Canada in 1769 through at least 1775 but not beyond 1779.

Jacques Cartier

Born: 1491
Died: 1557

Discovered the St. Lawrence River. Claimed the Canadian territory for France.

Read more...

James Casety

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Sent to Quebec as a prisoner for "sympathizing" with the US during the Revolutionary War.

Lewis Cass

1st High Priest of the Monroe Chapter #1 RAM of the Capitular Masonry.

Jean Casse

Held lot #46 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Robert Cavalier, Sieur de LaSalle

Born: 11-21-1643
Died: 03-19-1687

Explorer. One-time commander of Fort Frontenac. Founder of Fort Crevecoeur (near present day La Salle, IL). "Discovered" the mouth of the Mississippi. Claimed the Louisiana Territory for France.

Read more...

Jerome Cavanagh

Mayor

65th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1962-1970).

Catherine Eury (de Parelle) Celoron

Second wife of Pierre Joseph Celoron, ninth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Helen Picote (de Belestre) Celoron

Mother of Pierre Joseph Celoron, ninth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Jean Baptiste Celoron

Father of Pierre Joseph Celoron, ninth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Marie Madeleine (Blondeau) Celoron

1st wife of Pierre Joseph Celoron, ninth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Marie Madeleine Celoron

Daughter of Pierre Joseph Celoron, ninth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain, and Catherine Eury de La Parelle.

Pierre Joseph Celoron, Sieur de Blainville

Died: 04-12-1759

Ninth and eleventh official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Read more...

Chabert

Detroit settler whose estate was the subject of concern due to moneys owed to creditors and the lack of a probate court.

M.H. Chamberlain

Born: 11-05-1842

41st Mayor of the City of Detroit (1886-1887)

Zachariah Chandler

Born: 12-10-1813
Died: 11-01-1879

25th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1851-1852)

Pierre Chantelon

Held lot #21 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Marshall Chapin

Born: 02-27-1798
Died: 12-26-1838

7th and 9th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1831; 1833). Established Detroit's first drugstore.

Alexis Chapoton

B. Chapoton

Citizen of British Detroit.

Joseph Chapoton

On March 7, 1761, Joseph had a will drawn up in the presence of the notary and witnesses.

Magdelaine Chapoton

Died: 01-05-1763

Sister of Joesph Chapoton. Wife of Gabriel Legrand (married around 1758).

Charconacle (Chacornacle?)

Lieutenant

An officer of Cadillac's. Was a member of the Fort Ponchartrain founding party.

Pierre Francois Xavier Charlevoix

Was instrumental in the founding of the Huron Mission in present day Windsor.

Read more...

Andre Chauvet

Born: 1670

Andre Chauvet dit Camiran was born in France around 1670 in the region of Guyenne (now Aquitaine). He was baptized in the church of St-Pierre in the village of Camiran, in the wine-producing ''Entre-Deux-Mers'' area, upstream from Bordeaux on the Garonne river.

Andre was a ''sergent des troupes de la Marine'' when he arrived in Fort Pontchartrain in 1703. There he met Anne Pastourel dit Lafranchise, a young widow with two children, who had been hired as a midwife to Cadillac's wife. Andre and Anne eventually married in Montreal (July 17th 1707) and returned to live in Fort Pontchartrain for a few years. Two sons were born there, Pierre and Andre. The family left sometime between 1711 and 1714 and settled in Trois-Rivieres were Andre became a cabaretier (pub owner). This is a very fitting occupation since the Chauvet family is still in the wine business to this day in the region of Camiran.

Andre, whose surname is sometimes misspelled ''Chovet'' (and was for a long time misspelled ''Chouet'' on this very site), held lot #02 (on Rue Ste. Anne) of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

[A big ''thank you'' goes out to Anne Camirand, Ph.D., a descendant of Andre Chauvet dit Camiran, for providing much of this information and for giving me the correct spelling of the name Chauvet.]

Isidore Chene

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Louis Antoine Chenonvoizon (Cheauonvouzon?)

Born: 1659
Died: 04-27-1707

AKA Quarante Sols (Chenonvoizon is his baptized name). Wyandot (Huron) Chief.

Read more...

Pierre Chesne

Held lot #01 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Daniel Chester

Artist of Russell A. Alger Fountain

Robert Chevalier de Beauchene

A member of Cadillac's Detroit-founding party. Chevalier's adventure were written by a man named le Sage in 1745.

George R. Chittenden

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

James Chittenden

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Jean Baptiste Chornic

Held lot #45 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Cicot

Active French citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's.

Francois Clairambault, d'Aigremont

Inspector of the western posts. Investigated matter with Bourgmont at Fort Ponchartrain.

James Hill Clark

Trader murdered by Jean Myer at the Maumee River.

William Claus

Major

Interim commandant of British Fort Detroit in 1792.

Albert Cobo

Mayor

63rd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1950-1957).

George Codd

Mayor

46th Mayor of Detroit (1905-1906).

Thomas Colhoon

Was ordered by Henry Boquet to take supplies to and start a trade business in Detroit in 1760. Couldn't comply due to bad weather.

Bonnaventure Compien dit L'Esperance

Held lot #07 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

John Congsett

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

John Connolly

Was promised command of Detroit at the outbreak of the Revolution - he never assumed the post.

Jean Baptiste Contencineau

Figure of some controversy. Was involved in an arson charge. Was hanged, along with an African-American woman who was sentenced to be his executioner.

Read more...

Levi Cook

Born: 12-16-1792
Died: 12-02-1866

8th and 12th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1832; 1835-1836).

Courcelles

Governor of New France 1669

Frank Couzens

Mayor

59th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1933-1938).

James Couzens

Mayor

50th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1919-1922).

J.B. Craite

Official sent from Quebec in 1780 to appraise the McDougall holdings on Belle Isle.

Ann Crane

Wife of FJB Crane

FJB Crane

Landowner

Croghan

Antoine Crozat

Acting Governor of Louisiana in Cadillac's absence.

Alexis Cuillerier

Man accused of drowning the child of James Fisher in 1763. He was banished from Detroit, then called back when the accusation was proven false.

Abraham Cuyler

Lieutenant

Led a party from Niagara with supplies for Fort Detroit. Were attacked en route by a faction of Pontiac's "army". Cuyler and nearly half of the 96 men escaped.

D'Argenteuil

M.

Held lot #09 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. An officer of Cadillac's.

Ruette D'Auteuil

Procurer-General of the High Council.

Claudius (Claude) Dablon

French Jesuit who helped found Sault Ste. Marie. Served as Superior of all missions in the west. Compiled the Jesuit Relations from 1672-79.

Dalzell

Captain

Along with Major Robert Rogers, Dalzell was able to get supplies to Detroit during Pontiac's war.

Jacques Pierre Daneau, Sieur de Muy

Born: 1695
Died: 05-18-1758

Twelfth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain

Read more...

Touissaints Dardennes

Held lot #55 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Simon Daumont, Sieur de St. Lusson

Represented King Louis at a celebration of France's formally taking possession of the Great Lakes region in 1671.

Robert Davers

Sir

Resident of British Fort Detroit. Led a survey team to Lake St. Cliar in 1763. Was murdered with the rest of his team by Pontiac's army.

George de Baptiste

Got involved in the Underground Railroad in 1838. Came to Detroit in 1846. Helped organize the First Michigan Colored Regiment during the Civil War.

de Beauharnois, Governor of New France

Marquis

Governor of New France from 1726-1747

François Marie Picote de Belestre

Born: 1677
Died: 10-09-1729

Father of a Fort Ponchartrain commandant, Belestre is often cited as a commandant himself. He may have filled in for Tonty, but was never commandant.

Read more...

François Marie Picote de Belestre (II)

Born: 1719
Died: 1793

Last French commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Read more...

Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac (et Palluau?)

Governor of New France in 1690

Died: 1698

Governor of New France 1672 - 1682 and 1684(89?) - 1698

Read more...

Hector Louis de Callieres, Governor of New France

Chevalier

Born: 1648

Governor of New France from 1698 or 1699 to at 1703 (Burton says at least until 1710).

François Dollier de Casson

Father

Born: 1620

Sulpician priest who passed through the Detorit area in 1670.

Read more...

Jean Bochart de Champigny

Intendant le Chevalier

Intendant of Canada from 1686 - 1702.

Samuel de Champlain, Governor of New France

Born: 1582
Died: 12-25-1635

Governor of New France 1612-1619 and 1633-1635. Also known as the "Father of New France". Founded Quebec in 1608.

Read more...

de Denonville

Marquis

Governor of New France in 1688

René Brehant de Galinée

Father

Sulpician priest who passed through the Detorit area in 1670.

Read more...

Bartholomey de Gregoire

Cousin and husband of Marie Therese Cadillac (grand-daughter of Cadillac)

François Vaillant de Gueslis

Father

Jesuit priest who accompanied Cadillac on his trip to found a settlement along the Detroit River. He ended up leaving the settlement because of a dispute with Cadillac regarding Cadillac's encouraging his men to marry Native American women.

de la Epinay

François Dauphin de la Forest

Born: 1648
Died: 10-16-1714

Took temporary control of Fort Ponchartrain on September 25, 1705. Was commissioned to replace Cadillac in 1712 but refused due to his age and health. Despite his age, he did hold the post from 1712-14.

Dominique de la Marche

Sulpician priest at Fort Ponchartrain who replaced Father del Halle after his murder.

Louis de la Porte, Sieur de Louvigny

Died: 08-27-1725

Some sources name Louvigny as Tonty's successor as commandant of Fort Ponchartrain. He never held that post. He was (very briefly) a member of Cadillac's garrison.

de la Rane

An officer of Cadillac's.

Armand de la Richardie

Father

Was sent to the Detroit area by the Jesuit order of Quebec in 1728 to found a mission for the Hurons.

Read more...

François Fafard de Lorme

Held lot #28 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. Native American translator. One of the very first people to whom Cadillac granted land outside of the village borders.

Jean Fafard de Lorme

Native American translator

Jacob de Marsac (de Cobrion?), Sieur de L'Omnesprou

Sergeant

Held lot #30 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. Part of Cadillac's party which established Fort Ponchartrain.

Jacob de Marsac dit Desrocher

Held lot #08 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Catherine (Daillebout) de Noyan

Wife of Charvis, the eighth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Pierre Louis de Noyan

Son of Charvis, the eighth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Pierre Jacques Payan de Noyan, Sieur de Charvis (or Charvois)

Born: 11-03-1695

8th official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain (1739-1742)

Read more...

Jeanne de Pechagut

Cadillac's mother

Arent Schuyler de Peyster

Colonel

Born: 06-27-1736
Died: 11-02-1832

11th official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1779-1784).

Read more...

Claude de Ramezay, Governor of Montreal

Philippe de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil

Governor

Calliere's successor as Governor of New France (10/20/1703 (or 1705) - 10/10/1725)

Jean Baptist de St. Ours, Sieur des Chaillons (Deschaillons)

Born: 1670
Died: 06-09-1747

Fifth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Read more...

Marguerite (La Guardeur) de St. Ours

Wife of Jean Baptist de St. Ours, fifth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Alphonse de Tonty

Captain

Died: 1727

Second in command to Cadillac at the founding of Fort Ponchartrain to 1705. In 1720 he became commandant and served until 1727.

Read more...

Henry de Tonty

Lieutenant

La Salle's Lieutenant on the Griffon

Marianne (la Marque) de Tonty

Daughter of Francois la Marque. Was the 2nd wife of Alphonse de Tonty (he was her 3rd husband). 1st husband - JB Nolan. 2nd husband - Antoine de Fresnel (Fruel?)

Read more...

Marie-Anne (Picote de Belestre) de Tonty

Madame

Alphonse de Tonty's first wife. NOT the wife he had in Detroit. There is much confusion here.

Read more...

Therese de Tonty

Daughter of Alphonse and Marianne de Tonty. First non-Native child born in Detroit (Fort Ponchartrain)

Angelique Cuillerier deBeaubien

French woman who may have indirectly informed Major Gladwin of Pontiac's plan to attack Detroit in 1763. Engaged to (or dating) James Sterling.

Jay William Henry deBeaubien

Jay William Henry deBeaubien was a descendent of the Beaubien family for whom Beaubien Street was named. His son, Philip F. deBeaubien, was once the publisher of the Detroit Times. -- Special thanks to Suzette deBeaubien Brown, granddaughter of Jay William Henry Hesse, for this information.

Philip F deBeaubien

Philip F. deBeaubien was once the publisher of the Detroit Times. He was the son of Jay William Henry deBeaubien, descendant of the well-known Beaubien family. -- Special thanks to Suzette deBeaubien Brown, daughter of Philip F. Beaubien, for this information.

Philip (Philippe?) Dejean

Chief justice, notary, and sheriff at Fort Detroit from 1768 to ?

Philip (Philippe?) Dejean (II)

Born: 1774

Son of Philip Dejean and Marie Louisa Augier.

Nicholas Constantin del Halle

Father

Died: 06-10-1706

Recollet priest who accompanied Cadillac on his trip to found a settlement along the Detroit River.

Read more...

Edwin Denby

Born: 1870
Died: 1929

Marine private during WWI, congressman, business man, and Secretary of the Navy.

Cherubin Deniau

Came to Fort Ponchartrain in 1706 to help Father de la Marche.

Derance

Held lot #40 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Joseph des Noyelles (or Desnoyelles), of Crecy

Father of Nicolas Joseph des Noyelles, unofficial commandant of Fort Ponchartrain from 1736 to 1739.

Nicolas Joseph des Noyelles (or Desnoyelles)

Born: 1694

Unofficial commandant of Fort Ponchartrain from 1736 to 1739.

Read more...

Catherine Gertrude (Macard) Deschamps

Mother of Fort Ponchartrain's sixth commandant, Louis Henry Deschamps, Sieur de Boishebert.

Genevieve (de Ramezay) Deschamps

Wife of Fort Ponchartrain's sixth commandant, Louis Henry Deschamps, Sieur de Boishebert. Daughter of Claude de Ramezay.

Jean Baptist Deschamps

Died: 1703?

Father of Fort Ponchartrain's sixth commandant, Louis Henry Deschamps, Sieur de Boishebert.

Jeanne Marguerite (Chevalier) Deschamps

2nd wife of Jean Baptist Deschamps.

Louis Henry Deschamps, Sieur de Boishebert

Born: 02-08-1679
Died: 06-06-1736

Sixth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain

Read more...

Desloriers

Held lot #32 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Peter Desnoyers

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Joseph Despre

Held lot #04 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

John Dicks

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Claude L'Esprit dit Champagne

Father of Catherine L'Esprit.

Louis Veziere dit Laferte

Owner of farm on St. Louis near present day 12th and 13th Streets. The farm adjoined Cabassier's farm.

Michel Dizier (Disier)

Held lot #29 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

John Dodge

Frank Doremus

Mayor

52nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1923-1924).

du Figuier

Held lot #41 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. An officer of Cadillac's.

Antoine du Fresne

Held lot #44 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jacques du Moulin

Held lot #34 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Pierre du Roy

Held lot #50 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Salomon Joseph du Vestin

Held lot #05 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Dugne (Dugue?)

Lieutenant

An officer of Cadillac's. Was a member of the Fort Ponchartrain founding party.

William C. Duncan

Born: 05-18-1820
Died: 05-20-1875

32nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1862-1863)

Antoine Dupuis dit Beauregard

Held lot #14 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Dusable

Settler who at first agreed to use his own resources to help Sabrevois repair Fort Ponchartrain. Others talked him and two others out of this.

David Edgar

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

William Edgar

Active citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's. Trader. Member of Detroit's largest trade house: Macomb, Edgar and Macomb. Was "sent down" from Detroit during the Revolutionary War for supporting the US. Edgar County, IL, is named for him.

Richard England

Colonel

Seventeenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1792-1796).

Pierre Esteve

Held lot #23 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

George Etherington

Captain

8th official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1772).

Catherine Madeleine Fafard dit Laframbois

Wife of Jean Baptiste Henry Beranger

John Farrell

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Pierre Faverau dit LeGrandeur

Held lot #03 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Antoine Ferron

Held lot #26 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

James Fisher

Resident of Belle Isle during Pontiac's siege in 1763. His family was murdered by native Americans during the siege.

Ann Forsyth

Wife of William Forsyth.

William Forsyth

Tavern keeper in British Detroit. Built a "ball alley" near the fort.

Franceour

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Alexander Fraser

Landowner

Thomas Gage

General

Lieutenant of Jeffrey Amherst.

Read more...

Isadore J. Gagnier

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Antoine Gamelin

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Eustache Gamelin

Active French citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's. Also signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Medard Gamelin

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit. Served at times as an arbitrator.

Pierre Gamelin

Citizen of British Detroit.

Louis Gastineau

Held lot #36 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. One of two men to whom de Tonty gave exclusive trade rights to in Fort Ponchartrain.

Gies

Click for a list of Gies who immigrated from Germany and had Detroit connections.

Henry Gladwin

Major

Born: 1732
Died: 1794

Second commandant of Fort Ponchartrain under British rule (July, 1762).

Read more...

Martha Gladwin

Born: 1785
Died: 10-17-1817

Daughter of Major Henry Gladwin.

Mary Gladwin

Daughter of Major Henry Gladwin. Mary died in infancy.

Henry Gladwin (II)

Son of Major Henry Gladwin. Henry died in infancy.

Godet

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

William Graham

Settler of British Detroit.

Veron Grandmesnil

Cadillac's lawyer and storehouse employee.

Alexander Grant

Served with Patrick Murray on the land board of the District of Hesse (east side of Detroit River). One of three members of parliament elected in Detroit (late 1790's).

Marie Gregoire

Great granddaughter of Cadillac (daughter of Marie Therese Cadillac and Bartholomey de Gregoire)

Marie Therese (Cadillac) Gregoire

Granddaughter of Cadillac (daughter of Joseph). She and her family eventually became the legal owners of Cadillac's lands Donaquec and Mount Desert.

Nicolas Gregoire

Great grandson of Cadillac (son of Marie Therese Cadillac and Bartholomey de Gregoire)

Pierre Gregoire

Great grandson of Cadillac (son of Marie Therese Cadillac and Bartholomey de Gregoire)

Grenoble

Explorer who traveled with Etienne Brule.

Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Luth (Duluth)

Established Fort St. Joseph (Port Huron) in 1686.

Roman Gribbs

66th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1970-1974).

Stephen Benedict Grummond

Born: 09-18-1834

40th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1884-1885).

Paul Guillet

Held lot #66 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Denis Guyon

Mother of Marie Therese (Guyon) Cadillac

Elizabeth (Boucher) Guyon

Mother of Marie Therese (Guyon) Cadillac

François Guyon

Ship owner who may have provided Cadillac with trading vessels during his time in Port Royal, New France (Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Canada). Guyon was also the uncle of Cadillac's wife, Marie Therese Guyon of Quebec.

Frederic Haldimand

General

Succeeded Guy Carleton as Governor of Canada (1778-1784).

Hamback

Took supplies to and started a trade business in Detroit in January, 1761.

George Louis Hanover

King of England

Born: 1660
Died: 1727

English King in late 1700's.

John H. Harmon

Born: 06-21-1819
Died: 08-06-1888

26th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1852-1853)

John Harvey

Town baker. A fire started in Harvey's barn destroyed all of Detroit on June 11, 1805.

Jehu Hay

Lieutenant-Governor

Last lieutenant-governor of British Fort Detroit.

Read more...

Pierre Hemard

Held lot #13 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

David Henderson

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Louis Hennepin

Friar

Born: 05-12-1626

Franciscan Priest of the Recollet order. Penned the first known written description of the Detroit area.

Read more...

Hugo J Hesse

Hugo J. Hesse and his real estate business partner Walter C. Piper were early settlers of Warren, Michigan. Their company was called Piper-Hesse. Special thanks to Suzette deBeaubien Brown, granddaughter of Hugo J. Hesse, for this information.

Henry Hope

Lieutenant-Governor

Lieutenant-governor of Canada(?) in 1786.

Douglass Houghton

Born: 09-21-1809
Died: 10-13-1845

18th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1842)

Read more...

Charles Howard

Born: 08-07-1804
Died: 11-06-1883

23rd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1849-1850)

Henry Howard

13th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1837)

Bela Hubbard

Born: 1814
Died: 1896

Learn more about Bela Hubbard at Wikipedia.

Cleveland Hunt

Nephew of Henry Jackson Hunt, second Mayor of the City of Detroit.

Henry Jackson Hunt

Mayor

Died: 1826

2nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1826; died in office)

Read more...

Oliver Moulton Hyde

Born: 03-10-1804
Died: 06-28-1870

27th and 29th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1854-1855 & 1856-1857); helped establish the Detoit House of Correction

Genevieve Jadot

Born: 1763

Second wife of George Christian Anthon. Member of the Navarre family.

Benjamin James

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Edward Jeffries

Mayor

61st Mayor of the City of Detroit (1940-1948).

Read more...

William Johnson

Sir

Died: 1774

Lieutenant of Jeffrey Amherst. Controlled area surrounding Detroit. Superintendent of Indian Affairs in 1755

Read more...

Jolicoeur

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Adrien Joliet

Brother of Louis. Explorer. Some believe he was the first non-Native American to visit the Detroit area (1669).

Read more...

Louis Joliet

Born: 09-21-1645
Died: 1700

Brother of Adrien. Explorer. With Father Marquette, discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Read more...

De Garmo Jones

Born: 11-11-1787
Died: 11-14-1846

16th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1839); first stockholder of the bank of Michigan.

Richard H. Jones

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Charlotte Francoise Juchereau

Wife of Francois de la Forest

Read more...

Louis Kamper

Detroit architect. Designed the Cadillac Square Building (demolished).

Jonathan Kearsley

Born: 08-20-1786
Died: 08-31-1859

3rd (non-elect) and 5th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1826 (called to finish Hunt's term); 1829)

Samuel Kennedy

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Kwame Kilpatrick

Mayor

69th Mayor of the City of Detroit (2002-present).

George Knaggs

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Also known as an "Indian fighter".

Jacques L'Anglois

Held lot #15 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Paul L'Anglois

Held lot #47 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

L'Arramee

Held lot #63 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

l'Esperance

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Catherine L'Esprit

Wife of Louis Veziere dit Laferte. Daughter of Claude L'Esprit. Owned a farm 2.5 arpents wide on the north side of the Detroit River.

La Barre, Governor of New France

Governor of New France from 1682 - 1684

La Bute

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

la Giroflee

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Francois La Marque

One of two men to whom de Tonty gave exclusive trading rights in Fort Ponchartrain.

La Montagne

Held lot #42 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

la Roze

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Jean Labatier dit Champagne

Held lot #11 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Dominique Labrosse

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

John Ladue

Born: 1803
Died: 1854

24th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1850-1851); came to Detroit from New York in 1847

Lafleur

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

A. Langan

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

George C. Langdon

Born: 1833

38th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1878-1879)

Emeric Lannoo

Born: 1871
Died: 1957

Emeric LannooEmeric Lannoo was an immigrant from Zwevezele, West Flanders, Belgium. Lannoo owned a farm on the land that currently houses St. John's Hospital and the 7-Mack Shopping Center. Before buying that land, Lannoo owned a farm near Gratiot and 6 Mile. When that area started being developed, he sold the land. A Montgomery Wards store may have been built on that spot. Lannoo also built houses. He died in 1957 in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Jacob Lansing

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Laplante

A soldier in Cadillac's garrison at Fort Ponchartrain.

Agatha Laselle

Wife of Hyacinthe Reaume.

Jean Laumet, (Sieur de Cadillac?)

Cadillac's father

Jean le Blanc

Born: 1675

AKA: Outoutagan / Ottoutagan / Jean Le Bland. Ottawa Chief.

Read more...

Antoine Le Moine

Governor of Cayenne

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Charles Le Moine, Baron de Longueville

Father of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Francois Le Moine, Sieur de Bienville

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Gabriel Le Moine

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Jacques Le Moine

Held lot #65 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jacques Le Moine, Sieur de Ste. Helene

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Jean Baptiste Le Moine, Sieur de Bienville

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Joseph Le Moine, Sieur de Serigny

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Louis Le Moine, Sieur de Chateauguay

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Marie Genevieve (de Joybert) Le Moine

Wife of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Paul Joseph Le Moine, Chevalier de Longeuil, Sieur de Maricourt

Born: 09-19-1701
Died: 05-12-1778

Tenth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain

Read more...

Pierre Le Moine, Sieur d'Iberville

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Rene Le Moine

Held lot #64 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Charles Le Moine (II), Baron de Longueville

Brother of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Marie Le Page

Held lot #59 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

le Pezant (or Pesant)

Ottawa Chief who was was jailed by Cadillac who then helped him "escape" after an Ottawa attack on a Miami village near Fort Ponchartrain in 1706.

Marie Ann Leclaire

Mother of Louis Veziere dit Laferte. Wife of Pierre Veziere.

Henry Ledyard

Born: 03-05-1812
Died: 06-07-1880

28th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1855-1856)

J.M. Legare

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Pierre Leger dit Parisien

Held lot #06 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Gabriel Christoph LeGrand, Sieur de Sintre

A notary serving French settlers in British Fort Detroit. He had a reputation for incompetence and didn't hold the job for long. Later he was notary at Kaskaskia where he completed screwed up the land deed records.

J.M. Legras

Citizen of British Detroit.

Richard Beringer Lernoult

Captain

Tenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1774-1779).

Alexander Lewis

Born: 10-24-1822

37th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1876-1877)

Gordon W. Lloyd

Architect of Central Methodist Church.

John C. Lodge

Mayor

51st, 54th and 56th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1922-1923, 1924, 1927-1929).

Stephen Lynch

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Archibald Lyon

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Andrew Mack

Born: 12-29-1800
Died: 04-03-1883

11th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1834)

Mackinac

Chief

Ojibwa Chief who led an attack on Detroit in 1746.

Alexander Macomb

Son of John Macomb. Brother of William Macomb.

John Macomb

Father of William and Alexander Macomb. Grandfather of General Alexander Macomb.

William Macomb

One of three members of parliament elected in Detroit (late 1790's). The uncle of General Alexander Macomb. The son of John Macomb. Brother of Alexander Macomb. One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Antoine Magnant

Held lot #53 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Marie Anne Magnun

Second wife of Francois Marie Picote de Belestre (II)

Pierre Mallet

Held lot #43 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Manitou

Chief

Ojibwa Chief from the Saginaw area. Attended several peace councils and conference in Detroit (1760; October 17, 1763; July 29, 1765).

Marantet

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Francois Margue

Held lot #52 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jerome Marliard

Held lot #48 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jacques Marquette

Father

Born: 06-10-1637
Died: 05-18-1675

Founded first permanent settlement in Michigan (Sault Ste. Marie). With Joliet, discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Read more...

Anderson Martin

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Joseph Martin

Mayor

53rd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1924).

Oscar Marx

Mayor

49th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1913-1918).

Mashaginarabek

Chief

Ojibwa chief. Lived in a village near Detroit.He signed a deed to William Thorn Junior for land on the east shore of the St. Clair River, August 28, 1798.

Michael Masse

Held lot #17 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Robert Matthews

Captain

14th official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1787-1788).

Marie Clemence Maupetit

Along with her husband, Pierre Poirier, Marie was an early settler of Detroit. Moirier was one of the original land grantees. [Special thanks to Annette Sheline (nee Annette Marie Montpetit), a descendent of Maupetit, for this info).]

William C. Maybury

Mayor

45th Mayor of Detroit in (1897-1904).

George McBeath

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

J. McDonnell

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Allan McDougall

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

George McDougall

Lieutenant

Lieutenant of Detroit garrison in 1768.

Elizabeth McGregor

Wife of Gregor McGregor.

Gregor McGregor

Settler of British Detroit.

Lachlan McIntosh

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Alexander McKee

Served with Patrick Murray on the land board of the District of Hesse (east side of Detroit River).

J.P. McKinstry

2nd husband of Mary C.A. Williams.

David McLean

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Richard McNeal

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Also signed a petition supporting the election.

Robert McWilliams

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

George Meldrum

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Owned Meldrum Farm east of Meldrum Avenue. An ancestor of the Ebert family.

Baptiste Meloche

Farmer on whose land Pontiac and his men camped before attacking Detroit.

Rene Menard

Father

Founded the mission of La Point du saint Esprit on Lake Superior in what is now Wisconsin (1665).

Alexander Mercier

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Merrill I. Mills

Born: 11-04-1819
Died: 09-14-1882

34th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1866-1867)

Mere Minique

Sorcerer

Fictitious? Psychic who foretold of problems in Fort Ponchartrain (City of Destiny).

Louis Miriani

Mayor

64th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1957-1962).

Hugh Mitchell

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Hugh Moffat

Born: 1810
Died: 08-06-1884

36th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1872-1875)

Read more...

F. Mollere

Active French citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's.

Charles Moran

Judge

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit. Later became a judge himself. Father of John V. Moran.

John V. Moran

Son of Charles Moran.

Gershom Mott

Major

Father of Mary Mott.

Mary Mott

Wife of John R. Williams, the City of Detroit's first mayor.

Mumford

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Frank Murphy

Mayor

58th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1930-1933).

Patrick Murray

Major

Fifteenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1788-1790).

Jean Myer

Detroiter who falsely accused Alexis Cuillerier of drowning James Fisher's son in 1763. Myer himself may have murdered James Hill Clark and/or the Fisher child.

Louise (de Marsac) Navarre

Wife of Robert Navarre (II); granddaughter of Jacob de Marsac.

Mariana Navarre

1st wife of George Christian Anthon.

Mary (Lootman) Navarre

Mother of Robert Navarre (II).

Robert Navarre

Descendent of the "old kings" of France. Robert Navarre came to Detroit in the 1720's or 30's from Nova Scotia.

Robert Navarre (II)

Born: 1739
Died: 11-21-1791

Son of Robert Navarre and descendent of the "old kings" of France, Navarre became the royal notary at Fort Ponchartrain in 1734. He remained in similar positions through British and part of American rule.

Read more...

Neven

Settler who at first agreed to use his own resources to help Sabrevois repair Fort Ponchartrain. Others talked him and two others out of this.

Jean Nicolet

Born: 1598
Died: 1642

1st European to see Green Bay area?

Marie Anne Nivard

1st wife of Francois Marie Picote de Belestre (II)

Louis Normand

Held lot #19 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Joseph Parent

Held lot #37 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. The man for whom Parent's Creek was named.

James Patterson

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

John Patton

Born: 03-01-1822

30th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1858-1859)

Catherine Jeanne (le Moine) Payan

Mother of Charvis, the eighth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain. Sister of Paul Joseph le Moine, tenth commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Pierre Payan, Sieur de Noyan

Father of Charvis, the eighth official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Anne (de Corbarboineau) Pean

Mother of Fort Ponchartrain's seventh commandant, Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere.

Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere

Born: 1682
Died: 01-26-1747

Seventh official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Read more...

Jean Pierre Pean

Father of Fort Ponchartrain's seventh commandant, Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere.

Mare Francoise (Pecody) Pean

Wife of Fort Ponchartrain's seventh commandant, Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere.

Michael Jean Hugues Pean

Son of Ives Pean. Ives Pean is often mistaken for his son, who led a questionable life.

Antoine Pecody

Father-in-law of Fort Ponchartrain's seventh commandant, Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere.

Jeanne (de St. Ours) Pecody

Mother-in-law of Fort Ponchartrain's seventh commandant, Ives Jacques Hugues Pean, Sieur de Livandiere.

Jacques Peltier

French settler in Detroit.

Pemoussa

Fox (Renard) Chief

Marie Petit

See Marie Clemence Maupetit

Jerome Phélypeaux, Comte du Ponchartrain

Minister of Marine

Son of Louis du Ponchartrain. Sometimes credited as Fort Ponchartrain's namesake in his father's place. Succeeded his father as Minister of Marine (1699-1715).

Louis Phélypeaux, Comte du Ponchartrain

Minister of Marine

Minister of Marine in 1699, after which he became a chancellor.

Hazen S. Pingree

Mayor

43rd Mayor of Detroit (1890-1897); was elected governor during his term - tried to hold both positions, but the courts ruled against him and he left his mayoral post

Walter C Piper

Walter C. Piper and his real estate business partner Hugo J. Hesse were early settlers of Warren, Michigan. Their company was called Piper-Hesse. Special thanks to Suzette deBeaubien Brown, granddaughter of Hugo J. Hesse, for this information.

Zina Pitcher

Born: 04-14-1797
Died: 04-04-1872

17th and 19th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1840-1841 and 1843-1846)

Pierre Poirier

Held lot #25 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710. Was married to Marie Clemence Maupetit (aka Marie Petit).

Edward Pollard

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Pontiac

Chief

Chippewa chief who first protected (1746), then attacked Fort Ponchartrain (1763).

Read more...

John Porteous

Citizen of British Detroit.

Augustus S. Porter

Born: 01-18-1798
Died: 1873

14th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1838)

J.A. Portier

Citizen of British Detroit.

Pierre (Louis?) Antoine Potier

Father

Born: 1708
Died: 1781

Jesuit priest who stayed with the Hurons on Bois Blanc Islands when they were in conflict with the Ottawas at Fort Ponchartrain.

Read more...

J. Poupard

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

William Dummer Powell

Served with Patrick Murray on the land board of the District of Hesse (east side of Detroit River). The only Canadan Government-appointed Canadian judge to serve Detroit (1790's).

John Pridgeon, Jr.

Born: 08-01-1852

42nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1888-1889).

Louis Prigian

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Israel Putnam

Built the first part of the citadel in 1764.

Quilenchive

Held lot #39 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Radisson

Company of the Colony representative sent with Arnault to take over Fort Ponchartrain.

James Rankin

Settler of British Detroit.

Richard Reading

Mayor

60th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1938-1940).

Hyacinthe(?) Reaume

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Marie Reaume

Died: 03-23-1795

Wife of Jehu Hay.

Charles Regnault (Renaud?), Sieur du Buisson

Replaced Cadillac as commandant of Fort Ponchartrain (1710). Stark says it was Joseph Guyon, Sieur du Buisson.

Duncan Reid

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Rencontre

Held lot #31 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Jean Richard

Held lot #10 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

H.H. Richardson

Artist of the Bagley Memorial Fountain

Richelieu

Cardinal

Reorganized Canada in 1627, closing it to all but Catholics

Richelieu

Cardinal

Reorganized Canada making it closed to all but Catholics (1627).

William Rickert

Mayor

44th Mayor of Detroit (1897).

Joseph Rinaud

Held lot #67 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Augusto Rivalto

Sculptor of Detroit's Christopher Columbus monument

Pierre Robert

Held lot #62 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

William Robertson

Served with Patrick Murray on the land board of the District of Hesse (east side of Detroit River). This may or may not be W. Robertson, one of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

John Robinson

Active citizen in British Detroit in the late 1760's. Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

John Roche

Second husband of Elizabeth Browne.

James Rogers

Early settler of of Dunbarton, New Hampshire. Originally from Ireland. Father of Major Robert Rogers.

Robert Rogers

Major

Born: 1727
Died: 1800

Took command of Fort Ponchartrain for the British (11/29/1760). Leader of "Rogers' Rangers". Known as the "New England Ranger". There are many sources of information available regarding Major Rogers. Very old Detroit history books say he was born in 1727. Wikipedia and other sources say he was born in 1731. Who is right I don't know. Here are some sources: Spycurious, Project Gutenberg, Google Books, Wikipedia.

Read more...

James Rouget

Signed a petition supporting the election of Philip Dejean as judge and justice of Detroit.

Pierre Roy

Held lot #51 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

William Russell

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Jacques Charles Sabrevois, Sieur de Bleury

Born: 1667
Died: 06-19-1727

Was commandant at Fort Ponchartrain from some time after 1712 to 1717.

Read more...

Jean (Boucher) Sabrevois

Wife of Jacques Charles Sabrevois, the third official commandant of Fort Ponchartrain.

Jonas Schindler

A silversmith who was tried and acquitted of an unknown offense in British Detroit in 1776 or 1777.

Abraham Schuyler

Colonel

Grandfather of Arent Schuyler de Peyster.

Peter Schuyler

Colonel

Uncle of Arent Schuyler de Peyster, as well as, his commanding officer in the 8th Regiment.

William M. Scott

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Conrad Seek

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Jean Serond

Held lot #61 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Alexander Hamilton Sibley

Son of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat.

Augusta Sibley

Daughter of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat. Wife of James A. Armstrong.

Ebenezer Sproat Sibley

Colonel

Son of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat.

Frederic Baker Sibley

Son of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat.

Henry Hastings Sibley

Son of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat. Governor of Minnesota.

Mary Sibley

Daughter of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat. Wife of Charles S. Adams.

Sarah Alexandrine Sibley

Daughter of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat.

Solomon Sibley

Mayor

Born: 10-07-1769
Died: 04-04-1846

1st Mayor of the Town of Detroit (1806)

Read more...

Leonard Simons

Director of the Detroit Historical Commission in 1973

Sirier

Held lot #38 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

David Smart

1st husband of Mary C.A. Williams.

Robert Smart

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

David William Smith

Son of Major John Smith, commandant of Detroit. Secretary of the land board of the District of Hesse in 1790. Served in parliament in Canada - was elected in Detroit. Was later surveyor-general of Canada.

John Smith

Major

Died: 1794

Sixteenth official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1790-1792).

John Smith

Mayor

55th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1924-1928).

Joseph Spencer

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Sarah Whipple Sproat

Wife of Solomon Sibley.

Pierre St. Cosme

Father of Theotiste St. Cosme. Signed petition supporting Philip Dejean's election to judge and justice of Detroit.

Theotiste St. Cosme

2nd wife of Philip Dejean (July 25, 1778?). Daughter of Pierre St. Cosme and Catherine Barrois.

St. Martin

Citizen of British Detroit.

Alexander Stanton

Son of General Henry Stanton

Henry Stanton

General

General

John Steadman

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Owned a lot 80 by 100 ft in the citadel that he sold to William and Alexander Macomb in 1773 for 550 pounds.

James Stephenson

Captain

Seventh official commandant of British Fort Detroit (1770-1772).

James Sterling

Hired to survey and report on the land in and around Detroit on April 21, 1774. May have informed Gladwin of Pontiac's plan to attack Detroit in 1763 (having heard the plan from Angelique de Beaubien, whom he was courting or engaged to).

Mark Chancellor Stevens

Member of the Detroit Historical Commission in 1973(?)

Frederick Stubbs

Assistant Curator of Education, Detroit Historical Museums (1994).

Blaise Surgere

Held lot #24 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Pierre Tacet

Held lot #27 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Israel Taylor

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Conrad Ten Eyck

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Francois Tesee

Held lot #20 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

James L. Thompson

Captain

Husband of Jane Brady.

William B. Thompson

Mayor

47th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1907-1908).

William G. Thompson

Born: 07-23-1842

39th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1877-1879).

William Thorn, Jr.

Acquired land on the east shore of the St. Clair River from Ojibwa Chief Mashaginarabek on August 28, 1798

Charles Christopher Trowbridge

10th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1834)

Antoine Tuffe dit du Fresne

Held lot #68 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

George Turnbull

Captain

Sixth official commandant of British Fort Detroit

Read more...

Sam Tymes

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Eugene Van Antwerp

Mayor

62nd Mayor of the City of Detroit (1948-1950).

Van der Velder

Took supplies to and started a trade business in Detroit in January, 1761.

H. Van Schaak

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

James A. VanDyke

Born: 1813
Died: 05-07-1855

21st Mayor of the City of Detroit (1847)

Z. Veauchers

Citizen of British Detroit.

Etienne Venyard, Sieur de Bourgmont

Lieutenant

Surname may be spelled Veniard. Interim commandant at Fort Ponchartrain (1706).

Read more...

Thuner Vessecher

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Pierre Veziere

Father of Louis Veziere dit Laferte

John Vicegerier

Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768.

Charles I. Walker

Judge

John Walker

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

Sarah Wallis

Wife of Hugh Brady.

George Washington

General

American General during the Revolutionary War. First president of the United States of America.

Read more...

Salon Weeks

Director of the Detroit Historical Society in 1973.

William W. Wheaton

Born: 04-05-1833

35th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1868-1871)

Katherine Whipple

Daughter of Solomon Sibley and Sarah Whipple Sproat. Wife of C.C. Trowbridge.

Whitney, President of the Women's Bi-Centenary Committee

Mrs. Bertram C.

Presented the Madame Cadillac tablet to the city of Detroit and the Detroit Museum of Art on May 30, 1903.

Cecilia Williams

Daughter of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

Elizabeth Williams

Daughter of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

Ferdinand Williams

Son of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

J.C. Devereux Williams

Son of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

James Mott Williams

Son of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

John C. Williams

Son of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

John R. Williams

Mayor

Born: 05-04-1782
Died: 10-20-1854

Mayor of the City of Detroit (1824-1825, 1829-1830, 1844-1847). Colonel in the militia in the War of 1812. Delegate to Michigan's first constitutional convention in 1835.

Read more...

Mary C.A. Williams

Died: 1876

Daughter of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

Nathan Williams

Official sent from Quebec in 1780 to appraise the McDougall holdings on Belle Isle.

Theodore Williams

Son of Mary Mott and John R. Williams.

Thomas Williams

Born in Albany, NY. Came to Detroit in 1765. Appointed justice of the peace in Detroit in 1778. Father of the City of Detroit's first major, John R. Williams. Voted in Detroit's first election in 1768. Married to a sister of Joseph Campau.

Alexandrine M. Willis

Wife of Jean (?) B. Campau

William Wilson

One of thirty leading Detroit citizens deported by General Proctor for criticizing the General's actions during the War of 1812.

John Winder

Colonel

Husband of Elizabeth Williams.

Wiseman

Major

Possible commandant of British Fort Detroit in part of 1787.

B.J.H. Witherell

Husband of Cassandra Brady.

Augustus Brevoort Woodward

Judge

1st president of Detroit Bank.

Xaintonge

Held lot #33 of the original 68 land grants Cadillac made to private individuals from March 1707 to June 1710.

Michael Yax

1st known 'alien' in Detroit, Yax and his family came to the settlement from Germany in the 1720's or 30's. The Yax's were actually brought to Detroit as prisoners by Native Americans.

Coleman Young

Mayor

67th Mayor of the City of Detroit (1974-1993).

Close Help Window

Glossary:
Algonquin

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes (and others): Delaware, Fox, Huron, Miami, Ojibwa (Chippewa), Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sac, Shawnee and Winnebago.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
arquebus

A 39 pound (approximate) musket that two men would prop on a tri-pod and fire with a small torch. The arquebus was used by Champlain's men against the Iroquois to defend the Hurons. This may be the cause of decades of Iroquois abuse of the Hurons.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
clay and wattle

Building technique used in the construction of chimneys in the early days of Fort Ponchartrain. The technique involved piling sticks and packing them - inside and out - with clay and mud.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Colbertism

Name for early French mercantilism in America, which Jean-Baptiste Colbert was influential in developing.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
conges

Trade permits issued by the Canadian government/court of France in the late 1600s to early 1700s.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
coureurs de bois

Very early French inhabitants of the current US and Canada who gave up their farmsteads for lives in the fur trade. They often lived with Native Americans.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
District of Hesse

Land district provisioned by the Canadian Council on July 24, 1788. The area was on the east side of the Detroit River.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Fox

"Properly ""Mesh-kwa-ki-hug"". Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Renyard. An allied tribe of the Sacs and Mascoutin."
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Huron

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Iroquoian

General term sometimes used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Iroquois

"A Native American tribe known for antagonizing and brutalizing the Hurons (see also arquebus)"
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Mascouten

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes and Sacs. Also spelled Mascoutin.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Miami

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Muskhogean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
New York Currency

First standard currency used in Detroit (first used in 1765).
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Ottawa

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Outagamies

Native American tribe living in the Grand Traverse Bay area at the time Detroit was founded. An allied tribe of the Foxes (and Sacs?).
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Plains Indians

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Pawnee (Pani).
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Potawatomi

A Native American tribe that built a village near Fort Ponchartrain.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Quebec Act

Act of June 22, 1774, in which British Parliament decides to exercise English law in criminal cases and old French provincial law in civil cases in western settlements. The idea was to discourage people from settling in the west.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Renyard

See Fox
Close Help Window

Glossary:
ribbon farms

Original land grants given by Cadillac. The lots were typically around 200 feet wide at the river front, with lengths up to 3 miles.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Sac

See Sauk
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Sakis

See Sauk
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Sauk

Native American tribe living in the area between Saginaw Bay and Thunder Bay at the time Detroit was founded. The French called the tribe Sakis; English and Americans generally call them Sacs. An allied tribe of the Foxes/Renyards and Mascouten.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Shoshonean

General term used to describe Native Americans of the following tribes: Bannock and Shoshone.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Treaty of Montreal

Treaty ending the war between the Iroquois and France and England. Negotiations began in July of 1698 and the treaty was signed in August of 1701.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
Treaty of Ryswick

September 20, 1697 treaty ending war between France and England.
Close Help Window

Glossary:
voyageurs

Early French explorers who traveled mainly by water.