Carlyle House

D OCENT D ISPATCH Northern Regional Park Authority April 2007 Michel Pepin dit La Force and John Carlyle: A Link to the Seven Years’ War by Melanie La Force and Norman La Force On occasion, genealogical research reveals more to the researcher than names, births, deaths, baptisms, and marriages. A family member recounts a story about ancestors and describes their participation in a historical event. A comment is inserted in a document; a name is mentioned in a journal. Sometimes a physical description is given. Finally, a link is made to a prominent person and a different picture of history develops. This is the case for ancestors in the Canadian La Force family line. It would include an accurate marriage record and a note of power of attorney that would reveal which La Force was involved in the events that started the . In French Canadian history, the La Force family will be linked to life in , to Duluth, Governor Duquesne, Commander Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, Jumonville Glen, the people, and the Seven Years’ War. In American history Michel Pepin dit La Force is linked to John Carlyle, life in Nova Francia et Canada, 1597. As it was upon the arrival of Alexandria, , and the French and the Guillaume Pepin dit Tranchemontagne. Indian War through a small note in one of John Carlyle’s Tranchemontagne a hardy, skilled, and strong man, letters. went with Duluth on the expedition to Minnesota. Carlyle’s note mentioned the events of the Jumonville Guillaume’s grandson, Pierre, married Michelle Le Glen attack in 1754 in which a La Force was captured. Bert and had four sons: Michel, Pierre, Francois, and But what were the events that lead up to this historic Rene Hypolite. The father and the four sons were very attack? A La Force was listed as one of the captured, but active in New France as the King’s Storekeepers at Fort which La Force? There were a number of known and Niagara and at Fort Carillon (Ticonderoga) as documented La Forces. How were Michel Pepin dit La interpreters, as leaders in Native American attacks on Force and John Carlyle brought together? One way that the British, and in battles in the French and Indian War. they were brought together was that both served as While the earlier La Force ancestor’s full name was Commissaries to their prospective Kings. More detailed “Pepin dit Tranchemontagne,” the “dit” name changed information from French notary documents, letters and to “La Force” and then the entire name shortened to reports, an eyewitness account of an Iroquois warrior, become “La Force.” The word dit pronounced “dee,” and the journals of George Washington shed new light on John Carlyle’s letter and on a pivotal event in history. While John Carlyle was busy establishing his family CARLYLE HOUSE in Virginia, the Pepin dit La Force family had already begun to grow and prosper. Guillaume Pepin dit Mary Ruth Coleman, Director Tranchemontagne (“slice of a mountain”), great- Jim Bartlinski, Curator grandfather to Michel Pepin dit La Force, appeared Erin Adams, Curator of Education in New France in 1608. Guillaume Pepin dit Page 2 Carlyle House indicated that the person owned land in New France. following events and news on the Ohio Wilderness where Often “dit names” were given to describe an individual he had made investments. In 1755, he hosted Major for his characteristics and his personality. Slowly over General Edward Braddock, and was working as King’s time the family name dropped and the “dit name” Commissary to the Braddock campaign. He wrote in his remained as the family name. These name changes make letters of various events of the time. His letters described genealogical searches of French Canadian names the fear that the English had of the French and the extremely difficult. Indians. The French, with the incitement of the Iroquois, The “dit name” of “La Force” is interesting in that if were attacking English settlers’ homes, brutally Pierre Pepin had been merely physically strong he would massacring families, and capturing children to replace have taken a “dit name” of “le fort.” However, “La lost family members from previous wars. As King’s Force” implies strength of personality. It was written that Storekeepers at (Ticonderoga), Pierre Pepin Pierre Pepin dit La Force was a strong leader among the dit La Force and Michel Pepin dit La Force would have Indians and that the eldest son, Michel Pepin dit La been knowledgeable of these events as news traveled Force, carried on this tradition, was a King’s Storekeeper, quickly to the trading center of the fort, the Commissary. was reliable, spoke a number of Iroquois languages, and Skilled in Native American languages, they would have was able to incite the Iroquois to war. He was also been able to speak with warriors and scouts who could known for his active work in making sure France would recount first hand information. As the French King Louis take North America. His brother, Francois, had an XVth’s subjects they would see an imperative to carry Iroquois name of “Ginghissway”, was French storekeeper out the strategy of Montcalm and Vaudreuil to hem in the at Fort Carillon, participated in the De Regaud expedition English east of the Mississippi and to conduct active to Fort William Henry, and died leading 300 Iroquois trade in the Ohio Valley. In turning to genealogical against Rogers’ Rangers at the Battle of Pointe au fer. documentation we have learned some details. Another brother, Rene Hypolite, as captain of the We can now clearly state that it is Michel Pepin dit La schooner Iraquoise, participated in defending Fort Force who was captured at the Jumonville Glen attack. Niagara at the siege and was known as a brave man. But On November 25, 1744 Michel married Agathe Limoges. it would be Michel’s comment on the destiny of France Then a letter from Michel to Agathe gave her power of that would alarm George Washington and lead him to attorney to release a large sum of money to Louis de la convince Governor Dinwiddie to raise a small militia and Corne. While we do not know who Louis de la Corne return to the Valley to remove the French was, we gain a small piece of information on French life from the area. The events that follow are history and La in New France in that women had power of attorney Force and Carlyle would be involved. through their husbands. These activities also place In 1753 John Carlyle finished the construction of his Michel at an age where he would be young enough to house in Alexandria and moved in with his first wife carry out active assignments in the rough country of the Sarah Fairfax, who then gave birth to their third child. In Ohio valley. Finally, in Memoirs on the Late War in 1753, in New France, Ange de Menneville, the Marquis North America Between France and England by Captain Duquesne, Governor of Canada, ordered an expedition Pierre Pouchot, a member of King Louis XVth’s Royal with the direct purpose of challenging the appearance of Engineers, a definitive reference is made to Michel Pepin English traders in the Ohio wilderness. As early as 1747, dit La Force’s capture at a group of mainly Virginia businessmen had formed the Jumonville Glen: King Louis XV of France of Virginia and were active in the Ohio Michel, eldest of the Valley. To counter this activity from the Virginia traders, three La Forces, was the French built three forts: La Presentation, Presque involved in the earliest Isle, and Le Boeuf. The Ohio Wilderness, to the French, clashes with the English would be an important link in a chain of forts from He was captured in 1754 Louisbourg to Quebec, onto , and down during the Jumonville through Illinois and concluding at New Orleans. These affair and remained in three forts were to show strength to the Indians in the enemy hands, his area, to entice them away from the British with new trade exchange frustrated by goods that would be coming in through these forts, as the dispute over the well as provide food and supplies for French troops. The Violation of the Fort area of the Ohio Wilderness was the weakest link in this William Henry chain of French forts. capitulation. In 1754, John Carlyle was in Alexandria, carefully

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In the capitulation of Fort William Henry, agreement Fort Niagara, today. was made with the French to allow safe quarter to those surrendering the fort. This did not occur, as Iroquois warriors, furious at their inability to collect war booty, attacked and massacred those leaving the fort. Montcalm came much later onto the scene, only to note how difficult it was to work with the Iroquois in curtailing their bloodlust. Some historians believe that Montcalm knew the French were outnumbered by the English and stood by to let the massacre occur. It must be noted that the Native Americans fighting for the French were considered independent of French command. They fought alongside the French and were divided in their loyalty between the British and the French. In a rich and detailed account of the French surrender at Fort Niagara of 1758 by Pouchot, insight into the knowledge and understanding of the Iroquois kings, their concern for their warriors, their own sense of the French and Indian Pepin dit La Force. A number of characteristics noted in War was provided. In this surrender, Pouchot succeeded George Washington’s journals are central to his in providing safe quarter to those who survived the siege identification, such as his large physical size, youth and and were present at the surrender by giving important vigor, language ability with the English and the Iroquois, advice to his men on how to behave toward the Iroquois scouting skills, and respect from reputable commanders warriors, by asking the Iroquois to leave the battle, by and leadership of the Iroquois. agreeing to protect the Iroquois women and children The next morning Washington prepared to leave present at the fort, and by promising the Iroquois Chief Venango to go to to meet with the General that he would not kill those few warriors who stay to Officer, Sieur Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, and fight for the English. Pouchot forgave the Iroquois for wrote “That Monfieur La Force, Commiffary of the betraying their “father”, the French King they called French Stores, and three other soldiers came over to “Onontio,” and gave them wampum. The Iroquois King accompany us up.” At this time, the commanding officer tells Pouchot that their land is being taken by the British of the French troupes in the Ohio River Valley was and the French and that they are dead men. Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, an elderly and Captain Pouchot in his memoirs spoke favorably of experienced French military officer from an old French Michel Pepin dit La Force and it was Michel’s brother, Canadian family. Legardeur was an officer, a gentleman, Rene Hypolite, who was present at the siege with his and an entrepreneur. His experience with Indians as well warship Iraquoise and ordered by Pouchot to bombard as his extensive work and travels in North America made the English. Because Pierre Pepin dit La Force was him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in elderly, it is probably Michel who followed in his father’s working, trading, and fighting with Indians. footsteps and became the King’s Commissary as well as We learn of La Force’s skills with Indians and the interpreter to the Indians. When Governor Dinwiddie sent value it brought to the French effort in a letter from the young George Washington to the Ohio Wilderness to Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre to Governor demand that the French vacate the land, he met Michel Duquesne: Pepin dit La Force. After leaving Wills Creek in The News that I Found out concerning Virginia made Maryland, Washington traveled on with Jacob Van me decide to send La force to the Theya8ouindeoguin Braam, a Dutch interpreter, and , an River to be certain about The Englishman’s experienced backwoodsmen. Upon arriving at Fort movements. He learned on his trip from various Indians Venango, the French Captain Joncaire invited the young coming back From War that they were to take the Virginia militia major to dine with him and a few of his portage of the Great Mountain which is About thirty men, among them La Force. At this dinner, George leagues (about 73 miles) distant from the Ohio River. I Washington noted that after copious amounts of wine, have absolutely no doubt that the wear and tear that “They told me, That it was their abfolute Defign to take they had to Undergo will delay their arrival here until Pofeffion of the Ohio, and by G—they would do it.” The quite late in the month of March” quotes from these journals were used by Paul Truax to And in another letter, Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre track the family’s lineage and confirm details on Michel stated, “Monsieur La force will make you more keenly

Page 4 Carlyle House aware, Sir, than I am able to Explain by this Letter, of , the Seneca the sad Situation to which we have been reduced.” La Chief. National Park Force is mentioned in more letters as tension rises Service. between England and France. This tension would reach its peak at Jumonville Glen where an attack would ignite the entire French and Indian War. It is this historic event that will bring together Michel Pepin dit La Force and had been taken (captive) with all of the detachment, John Carlyle, as well as other individuals and shape these which was thirty men. [.] Messieurs de Boucherville individual’s lives, linking them in history with George and Du Sable, cadets, and La force, commissary, were Washington, Governor Dinwiddie, and a poor translation. among the number of prisoners [.T]hat there were Upon receiving Washington’s report from the Fort Le between ten and twelve Canadians killed and that the Boeuf encounter, and watchful of French activity, Robert prisoners had been carried to the city of Virginia Dinwiddie established a small regiment, with the newly- [Williamsburg]. promoted Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, and George Washington gave his own cursory account of Colonel Joshua Fry as commander. The commander of the attack, and noted that “Mons’r La force, who your the French forces at at this time was Honour has often heard me speak of as a bold Captain Claude-Pierre Pecaudy, siegneur de Contrecoeur. Enterprising Man, and a person of great subtlty and On 25 May 1754, Washington and his men reached the cunning” had been captured. Washington continued to Great Meadows. Needing reinforcements, Colonel insist that the French were on a spy mission. In a letter Joshua Fry left Winchester with two companies under the dated 25 July 1754, from Governor Duquesne to the command of Captain Robert Stobo, a fellow Scotsman Commander on the Ohio, Captain Pierre Contrecoeur and friend of Governor Dinwiddie. Captain Stobo’s life another perspective is revealed: would become entwined with Michel Pepin dit La I implore you to get some trustworthy savages who can Force’s life. On 27 May 1754, the Seneca Chief, named be used as spies. I have been told that you had with “Tanacharison,” or “Half King,” reported a French you a man named La Force, who is invaluable and contingent near Great Meadows. Washington and a small untiring in discovering what he is asked to. I do not see detachment headed out after 10:00 p.m. in darkness and how you can put your trust in better hands for rain. What followed has been much discussed by savages are still savages, especially in a place where historians, and Fred Anderson, in Crucible of War, the English used to be. provides new information on the events that follow. In a Shortly after the attack, Washington wrote to Dinwiddie final account of the attack and massacre at Jumonville and further described La Force: Glen, the mystery of what actually occurred is revealed in Besides, looseing La Force, I really think, w’d tend a report by Contrecoeur to Duquesne. An English more to our disservice, than 50 other Men, as he is a deserter, or Catholic Iroquois, named Denis Karninguen Person whose active Spirit, leads him into all parlys, gave a detailed account which Lieutenant Joseph- and brought him acquainted with all parts, add to this a Gaspard Chaussegros de Lery, commandant at Fort perfect use of the Indian Tongue, and g’t influence with Presque Isle, transcribed before sending to Montreal: the Indians. He Ingeniously enough confess’d, that as He reports […] That Monsieur de Jumonville had been soon as he saw the Commission and Instructions that killed by an English detachment which surprised him. he believ’d and then said he expected some such [T]hat the officer had gone out to communicate his tendency, tho’ he pretends to say he does not believe orders to the English commander […] the Commander had any other but a good design. [N] otwithstanding the discharge of musket fire that the Washington then wrote that he had arranged to have the latter [Washington] had made upon him, he intended to prisoners escorted to Williamsburg: read it [the summons Jumonville carried] and had Mr. La Force […] beg to be recommend to your withdrawn himself to his people, whom he had Honour’s notice, and I have promis’d they shall meet [previously] ordered to fire upon the French[, T]hat with all the fafor that’s due to Imprison’d officer’s: I Monsiuer de Jumonville having been wounded and have shew’d all respect I co’d to them here, and have having fallen[,] Thanninhison [Tanaghrisson], a given some necessary cloathing, by which I have savage, came up to him and had said, Thou art not yet disfurnish’d myself, for having brought no more than dead, my father, and struck several hatchet blows with two or three Shirts from Will’s C’k that we might be which he killed him. That Monsieur Drouillon, ensign light I was ill provided to furnish them. and second in command to Monsieur de Jumonville, The English had attacked at 7:00 a.m. as the French were

April 2007 Page 5 preparing breakfast and many were without proper offered a surrender. In signing the document of his clothing. surrender, George Washington admitted to the It was then on the way to Williamsburg prison that assassination of the Ensign Jumonville. As was the Michel Pepin dit La Force met John Carlyle. During this custom of the time, one side offered an officer to be escort Washington made no mention of the need to prisoner for the side that surrendered. This officer provide English interpreters for La Force. He described would be sent to Quebec and held as a prisoner until a La Force as telling “Smooth Stories.” We do not know the captured officer from the other side was released. In exact circumstances under which Carlyle met La Force, this case it was two men, Captain Stobo and Jacob Van nor do we have documentation as to where La Force Braam, a Dutchman and the translator of the French stayed. In a letter from John Carlyle to George Carlyle surrender document that went to Quebec in exchange for dated 3 July 1754, Carlyle, noted that La Force was a Michel Pepin dit La Force. While Stobo stayed in Fort King’s Commissary like him and that La Force told him Duquesne, he smuggled out important information some interesting information about his language abilities. including a comment about La Force: “La Force is (We know that La Force spoke English as John Carlyle did greatly wanted here, no scouting now, he certainly must not speak French.) have been an extroaordinary man amongst them – he’s Also the other Colonys Yett have done Nothing his so regretted and wished for.” Stobo stayed in Quebec Majesty order three Independent Company from New and, while a prisoner, was brought to trial for spying York & Charles Town, to Aid our New Levys Who are because of the note he smuggled from Fort Duquesne. All Arrived with us, the Virginia Regiment is got out To He had become so popular with the French women, that The Ohio, & the 28 May had an Ingagement (a party of he was acquitted. He made an exciting escape to later ours of 40 men & Comd. By Coll. Washington Meet A finish his life in poverty in England. Van Braam was party of French of 35 Comanded by Monr. De noted as being present at the surrender of Quebec. Jamunville & We had So much the Advantage that with Governor Dinwiddie refused to release La Force until the Loss of one man only We Killd 14& Took 21 much later in 1760. prisoners among the first was the Comander & Amongt Michel spent a considerable amount of time in jail in the Last was 2 Officers & 2 Cadetts one of the Officers Williamsburg. While in prison there, he wrote to George named Laforce is A man of Great Consequence, he is My Washington requesting his quick release and some Brother Commissary of Stores for the French Army & clothing. He then escaped, but was apprehended by a Speaks 14 Indian Langs (as he told me himself). Virginia backwoodsman when he asked for directions to While Michel Pepin dit La Force made his way to Fort Duquesne. He was returned to Williamsburg Williamsburg prison, French forces led by Louis Coulons prison and put into leg irons and chained to the stone. Ecuyer, Sieur de Villiers de Jumonville—the half-brother Another controversy followed Michel Pepin dit La of Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville who was Force in 1760 when he returned to Montreal at the end killed at Jumonville Glen—attacked George Washington of the French and Indian War. Michel was making his and his small, ill-equipped militia at Fort Necessity. The way to Canada with Pouchot’s party in 1759 when, near French forces defeated Washington and his militia and Saratoga on November 29, General Amherst “stopd Mons La Force whom Capt Wheelock had sent until I can learn whether Mr. Van Braham may be exchanged for him.” No exchange arrangements had been made by the time of the capitulation of Montreal, and Michel probably returned home only in the autumn of 1760. Although we do not see more references to La Force in Carlyle’s letters after the Jumonville Glen attack, it is interesting that Carlyle refers to La Force as “my Brother Commissary.” While this reference may merely reveal that Carlyle felt a kinship to La Force in his profession as King’s Commissary, the reference is intriguing and remains a mystery. Learning about ancestors and their role in historic events can be exciting and frustrating at times. When two seemingly distant individuals from two separate Battle at Jumonville Glem, Virtual War Museum. cultures, speaking two different languages, come

Page 6 Carlyle House together by the mere force of fate, a new twist on history focus on the British side of the French & Indian War, it is and its meaning can be appreciated. While it still remains enlightening to see a little about the French side of the war a mystery whether Michel Pepin dit La Force stayed in as well. the Alexandria jail and where John Carlyle met and spoke with him, John Carlyle’s letters can be appreciated in that French & Indian War Events they bring us closer to understanding events that occurred 2007 is the second year of the French & Indian War at the time before and after the Jumonville attack. A Commemoration. Some important events this summer: glimpse of the French and Indian War from the French  18th-Century Market Fair, Fort Fredrick. April 26-29. perspective sheds new light on the role the French and http://www.friendsoffortfrederick.org/ Indians played in fighting against England, one of the  Fort Ticonderoga’s Grand Encampment, June 30– July most powerful empires at the time. The new documents 1. www.fort-ticonderoga.org were translated from the French and one only can guess  Old Fort Niagara Encampment, July 6-8. https:// how many more oral histories from families and oldfortniagara.org/ translations of documents and letters, could describe  Battle of Bushy Run, August 4-5. http:// history at this time. www.bushyrunbattlefield.com/Tours.html

Sources: Click on any of the highlighted links for more details. Melanie La Force would like to thank her brother, Norman Charles La Force, for all of his efforts in Library Update researching the La Force family lines. It was he who Keep your eyes open for several new volumes on our worked to find the notary documents needing translation library shelves: from French to English and who put her in touch with  Architectural Treasures of Early America, Vols. 1, 2, Mr. Paul Truax. A true historian at heart, Norman 4, 8-10. National Historical Society, 1987. reviewed this article and humbly answered that credit  Beckerdite, Luke. American Furniture 2006. must be given to Mr. Paul Truax for his work. All efforts Chipstone Foundation, 2006. to properly give credit where due were made in the  Del Mar, Alexander. History of Money in America. writing of this article. The following sources were used 1899. Omni Press, 1997. to put this article together:  The George Washington Collection: Fine and  Alberts, C. Robert. The Most Extraordinary Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon. MVLA, 2006. Adventures of Major Robert Stobo. Houghton  Lossing, Benson J. George Washington’s Mount Mifflin Company. Boston, 1965. Vernon. 1870. Random House, 2001.  Anderson, Fred. Crucible of War, The Seven Years’  Schama, Simon. Rough Crossings: Britain, the War and the Fate of Empire in British North Slaves, and the American Revolution. New York: America, 1754-1766. Random House. New York, Ecco, 2006. 2001.  Peyser, Joseph L. Jacques Legardeur de Saint- Pierre, Officer, Gentleman, Entrepreneur. Michigan State University Press, Mackinac State Historic Parks, East Lansing/Mackinac Island, 1996.  Pouchot, Pierre. Memoirs on the Late War in North America Between France and England. Translated by Michael Cardy. Edited by Brian Leigh Dunnigan. Old Fort Niagara Association, Inc., Youngstown, New York, 1994.  Truax, Paul W. La Force Descendants In North America. Paul W. Truax, Vermont Built, Inc., Publications, Hinesburg, Vermont, March 2001.

Thank You! A special thank you is extended to Melanie La Force and her brother, Norman La Force, for sharing this insightful research with the Carlyle House. Since we