Early Montreal - Tennessee connections
The “French Lick” reference made look for Montreal - Tennessee connections, perhaps the first
European in Tennessee was from Montreal? Hmmm, that distinction may belong to Hernando
de Soto, vetran of Pizarro’s army in Peru who might have entered what is now TN in 1540-41.
The first Quebec connection I found were Louis Jolliet & jesuit priest Jacques Marquette who in 1673
together travelled down the Mississippi as far as the Arkansas river making them the alternative
candidates as the first Europeans to visit Tennessee. Jolliet was born in Beaupré Quebec.
together travelled down the Mississippi as far as the Arkansas river making them the alternative
candidates as the first Europeans to visit Tennessee. Jolliet was born in Beaupré Quebec.
A better connection between early Montreal and Tennessee is from René-Robert Cavelier,
Sieur de La Salle, better known simply as La Salle. He came to New France in 1666 and was granted
lands just west of the settlement of Montreal. Later in 1682 he explored down the Mississippi, in hopes
of building a fur trading empire and to try to find a route to Asia. He built Fort Prudhomme near present
day Memphis, the first European structure in Tennessee. On his return to Montreal, without a route to
Asia in 1667, he and his men were derisively named les Chinois and his lands near Montreal took on
the name Lachine.
Sieur de La Salle, better known simply as La Salle. He came to New France in 1666 and was granted
lands just west of the settlement of Montreal. Later in 1682 he explored down the Mississippi, in hopes
of building a fur trading empire and to try to find a route to Asia. He built Fort Prudhomme near present
day Memphis, the first European structure in Tennessee. On his return to Montreal, without a route to
Asia in 1667, he and his men were derisively named les Chinois and his lands near Montreal took on
the name Lachine.
Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine 13 August 2019
The most interesting connection is also directly associated with French Lick aka Nashville. Martin
Chartier came to New France on the same ship as La Salle in 1666. In 1674 he accompanied Jolliet
on an expedition to the Mississippi . During this time he married the daughter of the Shawnee
chief Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa and had a daughter by her.
Chartier came to New France on the same ship as La Salle in 1666. In 1674 he accompanied Jolliet
on an expedition to the Mississippi . During this time he married the daughter of the Shawnee
chief Straight Tail Meaurroway Opessa and had a daughter by her.
Chartier also accompanied La Salle on an expedition in 1679 and helped in the construction of Fort
Crèvecœur near present day Peoria Illinois.
Crèvecœur near present day Peoria Illinois.
The following year, 1680, while at this fort Chartier became involved in a mutiny against La Salle
and then returned to Montreal. Because of the mutiny he became an outlaw and in 1685 he searched
out the Shawnee and after a 900 mile canoe trip was reunited with his wife and daughter on the
Cumberland River in Tennessee.
and then returned to Montreal. Because of the mutiny he became an outlaw and in 1685 he searched
out the Shawnee and after a 900 mile canoe trip was reunited with his wife and daughter on the
Cumberland River in Tennessee.
In 1689 Chartier established a trading post at French Lick, near present day Nashville TN. He lived
the rest of his life with the Shawnee. Martin Chartier died in 1718 on his farm in Dekanoagah PA.
An historical marker was erected in 1925 in Washington Boro PA.
the rest of his life with the Shawnee. Martin Chartier died in 1718 on his farm in Dekanoagah PA.
An historical marker was erected in 1925 in Washington Boro PA.
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