Charles Gratiot Sr. facts for kids

Charles Gratiot (born 1752 – died 1817) was an important merchant and trader. He lived in the American Midwest during the time of the American Revolution. Charles Gratiot helped the American cause by providing money and supplies.

A Pioneer Merchant

Charles Gratiot was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. His family were Huguenots, a group of French Protestants. When he grew up, he moved to Montreal, Canada. There, he worked with his uncle in the fur trade. This was a big business back then.

Starting His Own Business

In 1777, Charles Gratiot moved to the Illinois Country. This area is now part of the United States. He started his own trading business in a town called Cahokia. He quickly became a very important trader in the region.

Helping the American Revolution

In 1778, a famous American soldier named George Rogers Clark arrived in the Illinois Country. Clark was leading a campaign to fight the British during the American Revolution. Charles Gratiot helped Clark's soldiers by giving them supplies. He even loaned Clark $8,000 for his Illinois campaign. This was a huge amount of money at the time. Sadly, Charles Gratiot was never paid back for this loan.

Memorial plaque in Vincennes, Indiana honoring Charles Gratiot.

Life in St. Louis

In 1781, Charles Gratiot moved to St. Louis, which is now in Missouri. There, he married Victoire Chouteau. Her father, Pierre Laclède, was also a very important merchant. Charles and Victoire had 13 children together. Two of their sons were Charles Gratiot Jr. and Henry Gratiot.

After the American Revolution ended, Charles Gratiot tried to get his $8,000 back from the government. He traveled all the way to Virginia to ask for the money. Instead of cash, he was given land in Kentucky.

A Friend to Explorers

Charles Gratiot was well-known and respected. In 1795, he hosted William Clark in St. Louis. William Clark would later become famous for exploring the American West with Meriwether Lewis. Charles Gratiot also helped Meriwether Lewis. He acted as a translator between Lewis and the Spanish governor. This was important because the United States was buying a large area of land from France, known as the Louisiana Purchase.

A New Role in Government

In 1804, Charles Gratiot was an official witness to a big event. This was when Upper Louisiana was officially transferred from Spain to the United States. After this, he was given several important jobs. He became a judge, a justice of the peace, and a clerk for the land commissioners.

Charles Gratiot passed away in St. Louis in 1817. He died from a stroke.