Chicago's Authentic Founder: Jean Baptiste Point Dusable or Haitian Secret Agent in the Old Northwest Outpost 1745-1818

Rosier, Marc O

ISBN 10: 1490726543 / ISBN 13: 9781490726540

Published by Trafford Publishing, 2015

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9781490726540

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Chicago's Authentic Founder: Jean Baptiste Point Dusable or Haitian Secret Agent in the Old Northwest Outpost 1745-1818
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1490726543
• ISBN 13: 9781490726540
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Chicago's Authentic Founder traces the life and time of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable from Haiti through Louisiana, Peoria, Chicago, and Saint-Charles, Missouri, where he died in 1818. It examines important historical events such as the foundation of Chicago, George Rogers Clark's conquest of the French villages in Illinois, and DuSable's arrest and appointment as manager of the Pinery in Michigan. The extent of DuSable's Chicago business or trading post is treated in full. DuSable's life in Saint-Charles is recounted in light of various court documents. His relationship to and leadership of the Pottawatomi tribe is explored and analyzed in ways that correct many of the inaccuracies found in the accounts publicized by the Kinsies and their allies. This volume contains many photos depicting DuSable's grave site, former places of residence, artistic representation, the cabin along the Chicago River, etc. DuSable's place of origin-Saint-Domingue, today's Haiti-as represented by Juliette Kinsie's Wau-Bun, is fully explored. The aggression of the European colonial powers and of the United States against Haiti after the successful Haitian Revolution and subsequent Haitian sponsorship of abolitionist and revolutionary activities is explored at length to show the reader possible motivation for associating DuSable with Haiti. Though widely admired by Native Americans and the older class of settlers in the contested territories of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, new American settlers, who arrived in Chicago after the building of Fort Dearborn, sought to discredit DuSable so and erroneously credit John Kinzie as Chicago's founder.

About the Author

Marc O. Rosier has taught history for many years. He presents fascinating information that will interest both the scholar and every one else who likes a good story.