François Riday Busseron facts for kids
François Riday Busseron was a brave French-Canadian man who lived in the American village of Vincennes. He was a fur trader, which meant he bought and sold animal furs. He also ran a general store and was a leader in the local army, called a militia captain. During the American Revolution, he strongly supported the Americans. He even helped pay for the very first American flag ever made in Indiana! Later, as a U.S. citizen, he worked as a judge.
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Early Life and Choosing a Side
François Busseron was born in 1748. At that time, the area where he lived, known as the Northwest Territory, was part of New France. After the French and Indian War, this land became part of the British Empire. Even though the British took over, Busseron decided to stay in Vincennes.
When he heard news about the American Revolution and that France was joining forces with the Americans, Busseron chose to support the Americans. This was a big decision, as it meant going against the British.
Helping the American Cause
When the British Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton took control of Fort Sackville, he took away the local ammunition. But Busseron and another leader, Colonel Legras, secretly buried most of their gunpowder and bullets to hide them from the British.
When American forces led by George Rogers Clark arrived in Vincennes in February 1779, their own gunpowder was ruined. Clark was very happy to find that Busseron and Legras had saved supplies. Hamilton, the British governor, even noted that Busseron not only gave Clark gunpowder but also offered himself and 75 men from the Vincennes militia to help. This show of support from the local people made the British soldiers inside Fort Sackville feel very discouraged.
Leading the Militia
Busseron was a key part of many actions taken by the Vincennes militia. He was involved in a mission led by Captain Leonard Helm that captured British reinforcements on the Wabash River. These were soldiers sent to help Hamilton.
When George Rogers Clark and his Virginia troops left Vincennes in the spring of 1780, he trusted Busseron to take charge of the fort. The fort was renamed Fort Patrick Henry in honor of the American cause.
Challenges and Legacy
By 1781, the French-Canadian people living in Vincennes were becoming unhappy with the Virginia government. The American money they were paid was losing its value, and Virginia militias sometimes took their property without paying for it. François Busseron and other important citizens wrote a letter to the governor of Virginia to complain about these problems.
During the American Revolution, Busseron lent a lot of money and supplies to George Rogers Clark and the American forces. Sadly, he was never paid back for most of what he gave. He died in 1791 at the age of 43. He is buried near the Old French Cathedral in Vincennes, close to the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park.
Even though he faced difficulties, François Busseron is remembered for his important contributions. Busseron Street in Vincennes is named after him. Also, Busseron Creek and Busseron Township, both in Knox County, Indiana, are named in his honor.
Images for kids
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François Busseron's grave in Vincennes, Indiana.
