Charles Beaubien facts for kids

Charles Beaubien (born August 8, 1748, at Fort Detroit – died July 4, 1794, at Fort Wayne) was a French Canadian trader in the 1700s. He later became a special agent for the British with the Miami Nation.

Early Life and Family

Charles Jean Baptiste Cuillerier dit Beaubien was born in Fort Detroit, which is now Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Jean Baptiste Cuillerier dit Beaubien and Marie Anne Lootman dit Barrois.

Beaubien married Tacumwah, who was the mother of Chief Jean Baptiste de Richardville. Tacumwah was a very important woman in her community. Their marriage in 1774 was connected to a big disagreement over a valuable trade route.

Control of the Portage

The disagreement was about who controlled an 8-mile path called a "portage." This portage connected the Maumee and Wabash Rivers. It was a key link between the Great Lakes, Canada, and the Mississippi River. Tacumwah's family owned this important path.

However, two brothers, Alexander and Francis Maisonville, had recently taken control of it. Tacumwah's former husband supported these brothers. When the arguments became very serious, Tacumwah moved in with Beaubien. He supported her family in the court case at Fort Detroit. Tacumwah not only kept all her property, but the British also gave control of the portage to Beaubien instead of the Maisonville brothers.

Charles Beaubien and Tacumwah had one daughter named Josetta Beaubien Roubidoux.

Working with the British and Native Americans

Beaubien was chosen to be the British Agent to the Miami tribe. He seemed to be loyal to both the Miami and the British. He helped lead or joined attacks against settlements along the Ohio and Wabash rivers. He also provided weapons to Native American allies.

In one situation, the Miami tribe did not want to go on a raid into Kentucky. So, Beaubien got help from the Shawnee people, led by Chief Blackfish. In 1778, this group captured Daniel Boone during the Siege of Boonesborough.

Beaubien's Role in the Revolution

Beaubien also worked as a scout for the British. He went ahead of Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton when the British tried to take back Vincennes in 1778.

However, there is some information that Beaubien might have also helped the Americans. While on a trip to Kaskaskia with the Wea people, he might have warned George Rogers Clark about a plan by the Ottawa tribe to harm Clark. After Clark captured Vincennes, he told Hamilton that Beaubien had given information to the Americans against the British.

Despite this, Beaubien kept his job with the British. Many French Canadian residents and new American settlers did not like him. In 1780, La Balme came to the area with a plan to capture Fort Detroit. He promised to arrest Beaubien.

When La Balme arrived in Kekionga, Beaubien and his family were not there. So, La Balme's group raided Beaubien's storehouses for 12 days. This gave Little Turtle enough time to gather a defense. Little Turtle's forces defeated La Balme's group, and nearly all of La Balme's men were killed. All the stolen goods were returned to Beaubien.

Arent De Peyster, who was the commander at Fort Detroit, believed that the Miami fought La Balme's group because they were loyal to Beaubien, not just to the British. After this, the British trusted Beaubien even more. While other traders were told to go to Fort Detroit, Beaubien was allowed to stay at Kekionga, and British rangers were sent to help him.

Later Life

Not much is known about Beaubien after the American Revolution. He was not with the Miami people when they had to surrender to Anthony Wayne in 1795. It is believed that Charles Beaubien died near Fort Wayne, Indiana.