François-Marie Picoté de Belestre facts for kids

François-Marie Picoté, sieur de Belestre II (born November 17, 1716 – died March 30, 1793) was a brave soldier who fought for both New France and later for Great Britain. He was an important figure during a time when these two powerful countries were often at war in North America.

Belestre served as a soldier for 30 years in the French colonial army, called the troupes de la marine. He fought against British and American colonial troops across a huge area, from Nova Scotia to the Mississippi River valley. He became well-known during the Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War (1754–63), which was a big conflict between France and Great Britain.

He was one of the last French officers to surrender to British forces in New France. In 1758, Belestre became the 13th and final French commander of Fort Detroit. His time as commander ended in 1760 when French rule in Detroit finished. After this, he was sent to England. Later, he returned to Quebec under British rule. He even joined British troops to defend Fort Saint-Jean from American forces in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. He rose to the rank of colonel in the British Army before he passed away.

Belestre's Early Life and Military Start

François-Marie Picoté de Belestre was born in Lachine, a town in the French province of Canada, on November 17, 1716. In 1738, he married Marie Anne Nivard Saint-Dizier in Montreal. They had six children together.

In 1739, Belestre followed his father and joined the military. He began his career in the Troupes de la marine, which was the colonial army of New France. He fought in the Chickasaw Wars and was active in battles against the Iroquois people. He was promoted to second ensign in 1741. After his first wife died, Belestre married Marie Ann Magnan in Montreal on January 29, 1753.

Fighting Against British Colonies

When the French fort of Louisbourg was captured by the British in 1745 during King George's War, Belestre was sent to Acadia to help resist the British takeover. By 1747, he was back on the western frontier. He worked with Pierre Joseph Céloron de Blainville to make sure Fort Detroit had enough supplies.

During the 1740s, British colonists started moving into the Ohio Country. They were very successful at trading furs, which competed with the French. Belestre was sent to Paris in 1749 to report on the situation with the Native American tribes. From 1749 to 1759, he was in charge of managing the fur trade in Michigan. In 1751, he was asked to lead a raid on a village called "La Demoiselle." He was promoted to Lieutenant in late 1751 or early 1752. By 1752, he was back in Canada, leading the Wabash Post.

The Seven Years' War

In 1755, Belestre led a group of French colonial soldiers and Native American allies. They fought in the important Battle of the Monongahela, where British General Edward Braddock's forces were defeated. For his part in this victory, Belestre received the Order of Saint Louis, a special award.

In April 1756, he led a raiding party into the Carolinas. They captured Fort Vause along the way. Later that year, he helped Montcalm win the Battle of Fort Oswego. He was then promoted to lieutenant and put in charge of Fort de Miami.

In the summer of 1757, Belestre was ordered to raid Fort Cumberland on the Virginia frontier. He led an expedition with French soldiers and Native American allies. On their way back, they were attacked by Cherokees who were allied with the British. Belestre was captured during this fight.

Belestre was taken to Fort Loudoun in Winchester, Virginia. He was questioned by British officials, including Colonel George Washington. It's not clear if he was released or if he escaped, but he managed to return to Montreal by the fall of 1757.

On November 28, he led about 300 Canadian and Native American soldiers towards Fort Frontenac (now Kingston, Ontario). They moved east towards the Mohawk River valley. Belestre received an order to attack the settlement of German Flatts. They destroyed the area, killing 40 German settlers and taking 150 prisoners. Most of the houses were burned. This "hit and run" attack caused a lot of damage. This raid was seen as a big victory for France because a small team had gone deep into New York without being stopped. They took food, horses, and cows back to Montreal.

In 1758, Belestre was promoted to captain. He became the 13th official commander of Fort Ponchartrain du Detroit, which was founded by Antoine de Lamothe Cadillac in 1701. This happened after the death of the previous commander. He led a small army in the fort, which was more of a fur trading center than a strong military base. Because many Native American allies were camped around the fort, the French army didn't think it needed many soldiers. But it soon became a storage place for supplies for troops in the northwest of New France. As French settlements in the east began to fall to the British in 1759, some French citizens fled to Detroit for safety. Belestre also helped in the French effort to help Fort Niagara that same year.

More colonial troops were sent to strengthen Fort Detroit in 1760. But in September 1760, Governor Vaudreuil surrendered Montreal and the rest of New France to the British. All communication with France and other French troops was cut off. Fort Detroit and other frontier outposts became completely isolated. Belestre did not know that the French had given up.

British General Jeffery Amherst then ordered Major Robert Rogers to travel up the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. Rogers was to take control of the French forts at Detroit, Michilimackinac, and other places. Rogers was also told to avoid fighting unless it was necessary. On September 13, 1760, Rogers left Montreal with his soldiers.

When Rogers got close to Fort Detroit in late November, he sent a messenger with a letter for Belestre. The letter told Belestre that the western forts now belonged to King George. The messenger explained that Rogers had a letter from the Marquis de Vaudreuil and a copy of the surrender agreement. Belestre was very upset and irritated by the news. He wondered if he could trust Rogers, who was an enemy. No real proof was given. Four hundred soldiers were stationed at the entrance of the Detroit River to stop Rogers' troops. Belestre planned to fight and arrested the officer who delivered Rogers' message. Belestre's doubts grew because no French officers had confirmed the situation in Montreal. He sent messengers to try and find out the truth.

The next morning, near what is now Ecorse City, Michigan, the British troops approached Fort Detroit. Rogers sent Captain Donald Campbell with a small group to Belestre. Campbell carried an official copy of Montreal's surrender, along with Vaudreuil's letter telling Belestre to surrender the fort. These documents were convincing enough, and Belestre gave up. On November 29, Rogers took control of Fort Detroit.

Under British Rule

Captain Campbell took command of Fort Detroit. Belestre and his soldiers were made prisoners of war. They were sent to Philadelphia in chains, guarded by British officers and soldiers. This marked the end of Belestre's career as a French military officer. He was then sent to England as a prisoner.

Even though Belestre was sad about the defeat, he was also very disappointed with the French Crown. He felt they had let New France and its people down. He later learned that the French government was almost bankrupt after the Seven Years' War and had little choice but to stop fighting. He eventually accepted British rule. He decided he wanted to return to Montreal, where he was born, with his family. In 1764, he was released in England and returned to Canada by way of France.

He became a respected citizen in Quebec. In 1767, he served on a jury. In 1771, Belestre also joined a group called St. Peter's Lodge.

American Revolutionary War

When the American Revolutionary War began in 1775, American colonists launched an invasion of Quebec. Belestre volunteered to help defend Fort Saint-Jean on the Richelieu River. The fort was attacked in September by American forces. Belestre was taken prisoner when the fort's defenders surrendered.

On May 1, 1776, he was named "Grand Voyer" of the Province of Quebec. As a reward for his service in the Revolutionary War, he was made a provincial lieutenant-colonel in the Québec Militia on July 12, 1790. He also became a member of the legislative Council on August 17, 1775.

Later Years

In 1784, Belestre was appointed as a member of the executive Council. From January to March 30, 1792, he was a member of the first Legislative Council of Lower Canada. He served for three months until he became too weak.

François-Marie Picoté de Belestre II died in Montreal on March 30, 1793, at the age of 76. He was buried in the Notre-Dame parish on April 2.

Family History

Origins

Belestre's family came from French nobility, and their history can be traced back to France in the 1400s. The family played an important part in the affairs of New France and later after the British took over around 1760.

Belestre's father had the same name: Francois Marie Picote, Sieur de Belestre I (born in Montreal 1677 - died 1729). His father was an officer and commander of the fort of Ville-Marie (now Montréal). His father was also governor of Fort Detroit for a short time in 1721-1722. Belestre's mother was Marie-Catherine Trottier des Ruisseaux de Beaubien (1681–1731).

Belestre was a descendant of "Pierre Picotté, Sieur de Belestre," who was listed in the 1666 census of Montreal.

Descendants

François-Louis, Francois Marie's oldest son from his first marriage, also joined the troupes de la marine. He later settled in Louisiana. After the Expulsion of the Acadians, descendants of Belestre (or Belletre, Bélêtre) spread out across North America, Germany, and France.

His Character

Belestre was known as a brave and tough fighter. It has been written that "Belestre overcame all the difficulties that came his way at every moment." His leaders thought he was a skilled and effective warrior, and his enemies saw him as a scary threat. It's surprising that he wasn't killed in battle or executed after being captured several times.

According to reports, "After the capture of Fort DuQuesne in 1758, General Forbes planned an attack on Detroit. Sieur de Belestre, hearing that the enemy was marching, put himself at the head of the Hurons and other Indians to attack the advance guard, which he defeated." Belestre was also said to write French with a unique "German phonetization."

See also

• Legislative Council of Lower Canada
• Adam Dollard des Ormeaux