James Le Tort facts for kids

James Le Tort (often spelled Letort) was an important fur trader in early Pennsylvania. He was born around 1675 and passed away around 1742. He was also known as a coureur des bois, which means "runner of the woods" in French.

James Le Tort set up trading posts in faraway Native American villages in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He learned to speak the Delaware and Shawnee languages very well. In the 1720s, he often helped as an interpreter. He translated conversations between Native American leaders and the government of Pennsylvania.

Early Life and Family

James Le Tort was born in France, likely in Bonnétable. His parents were Jacques Le Tort and Anne. They were Huguenot refugees, meaning they were French Protestants who had to leave their home country.

In 1686, James and his parents moved to Quebec, Canada. Later, they settled in eastern Pennsylvania. James had a younger brother, Francis, and a younger sister, Ann Margaret. They were born after the family arrived in America.

James's father, Jacques Le Tort, first tried to start a French Huguenot colony. When that didn't work out, he became a fur trader. He partnered with Martin Chartier and Peter Bisaillon. Their first trading post was on the Schuylkill River. Around 1700, they moved their business to the Susquehanna River.

In 1692, James agreed to work for a Canadian sea-captain named John King for five years. After this time, he returned to Pennsylvania. He joined his father's fur trading business near Northumberland, Pennsylvania. In 1702, his father was lost at sea while returning from a trip to London. James then worked with his father's partner, Peter Bisaillon. They traveled to Canada together from 1701 to 1703.

Challenges and Arrests

The government of Pennsylvania, including William Penn, sometimes worried about traders like James Le Tort. They suspected that these "runners of the woods" might be spying for the French. They thought these traders were "very dangerous persons" who talked secretly with French and Native American groups.

Because of these suspicions, James and others were sometimes bothered, arrested, and put in jail. This often happened for small or false reasons. For example, in June 1703, James was questioned after returning from Canada. Even though he had grown up in Pennsylvania and seemed harmless, he was asked to pay a large sum of money as a guarantee of good behavior. Peter Bisaillon also had to do the same.

A year later, in October 1704, James was put in the Philadelphia jail. He wrote a letter asking for help, saying he had always been loyal. He was released after paying even more money as security. He continued his trading business with the help of his mother. In August 1711, he was again imprisoned because he was of French descent. He had to pay another security to be released.

Tragedy and Trading Adventures

James Le Tort's younger brother, Francis, was working for a trader named John Hansson Steelman. In 1711, Francis ran away with some other workers. Steelman offered a reward to some Shawnee warriors to bring him back. Sadly, Francis was killed.

In February 1707, James Le Tort joined other Frenchmen and a Swiss explorer named Franz Ludwig Michel. They traveled to the upper parts of the Potomac River. Michel thought they would find silver there. They built cabins and asked the Conestoga Indians for help. The Native Americans were suspicious and told the Pennsylvania government. No silver was ever found, and Michel disappeared.

Later in 1707, Governor John Evans found James Le Tort trading with the Shawnees. At that time, many traders tried to get Native American groups to side with either the French or the British. Governor Evans convinced James Le Tort and Martin Chartier to help catch another trader, Nicole Godin. Godin was accused of trying to turn the Shawnees against the British. Godin was arrested and tried, but we don't know the final outcome of his trial.

James Le Tort officially received a license to trade with Native Americans in January 1713. His name appeared on the first tax list for Conestoga Township in 1718.

Expanding Trading Posts

By 1720, after his mother passed away, James Le Tort set up a trading post at Le Tort's Spring. This was near the Delaware village of Shamokin, close to where Carlisle, Pennsylvania is today. He also had another trading post on the Allegheny River.

In 1722, James Le Tort asked the Chester County Court to renew his trading license. He mentioned that he had been trading with Native Americans for 25 years. A letter from 1724 noted that James Le Tort had been trading in the areas near the Mississippi River and far up the Susquehanna River for two winters.

Between 1725 and 1727, Le Tort had a store at the forks of the Susquehanna River. He traded with the Shawnees, Mingoes, and Delawares living in different villages. A map from 1727 shows James Le Tort's store east of Shamokin.

After 1727, Le Tort continued to operate his trading post at Le Tort's Spring. He was one of the first traders to go west of the Allegheny Mountains. A place near Shelocta was known as "James Letort's Town" in 1769. This was likely the location of his trading post "at Allegheny" after 1729. Places like Le Tort's Town, Le Tort's Falls, and Le Tort's Island in the Ohio River are named after him. These names come from the time he traded with the Shawnees and Delawares in that area. He probably traveled between Philadelphia and the Allegheny region even when he was older.

In 1734, five Shawnee chiefs wrote a letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania. They listed traders who were operating without a license and those who caused trouble. They asked that these traders be kept away. However, Le Tort and Peter Chartier were allowed to continue trading. The chiefs also set limits on how much rum traders could sell and asked for good quality gunpowder. James Le Tort witnessed this important letter.

Le Tort's name also appears as a witness to an agreement signed by Delaware chiefs in Philadelphia in 1737.

Gift of Land

In 1719, James Logan, a prominent figure in Pennsylvania, arranged a gift of land for James's mother, Anne Le Tort. This land was on the Susquehanna River. James also received an additional plot of 500 acres for himself. Logan wanted Anne to have a permanent home and something to leave to her grandchildren.

Role as an Interpreter

James Le Tort was very good at speaking the Unami dialect of Delaware. Because of this, he was officially hired as an interpreter for many important meetings. He also learned enough Algonquian languages like Shawnee to interpret them.

His first known role as an interpreter was in May 1704. He helped translate for two Iroquois who brought a message from the Five Nations.

In 1707, some people in the government wanted him removed as an interpreter because of his French background. They thought he was not trustworthy. However, he continued to serve.

He was an official interpreter at the Conestoga Councils in July 1721 and June 1722. These meetings were attended by Governor William Keith. In May 1722, Le Tort helped relay messages from Lenape chiefs to the Pennsylvania Council. In September 1722, he was one of several interpreters at the Albany conference of 1722 where an important treaty was signed.

In June 1732, Le Tort's name appeared as an interpreter on a letter from Shawnee leaders. The letter explained why the Shawnees had suddenly moved from one area to Wyomink. The Five Nations had suggested they move and even attack English settlements, but the Shawnees refused. By this time, Le Tort was very fluent in the Shawnee language.

Preventing Conflict in 1728

In April 1728, James Le Tort played a key role in preventing a conflict. He reported to Governor Patrick Gordon about a Munsee Delaware chief named Manawkyhickon. Manawkyhickon had discouraged Le Tort from a trading trip. He hinted that Le Tort might meet "some Indians who come to hunt."

Le Tort spoke with Madame Montour, who was supposed to go with him. She told him that a Delaware woman, whose son was killed by the Shawnees, had sent a special belt of black wampum to Manawkyhickon. This belt was a sign of sadness and a request for revenge. Manawkyhickon had then sent this belt to the Five Nations, who sent it to the Miamis. The message asked if they would join against the Christians, and the Miamis agreed. Manawkyhickon then called his own people home.

Le Tort questioned Manawkyhickon, who admitted it was true. Manawkyhickon was still angry about the death of a relative in New Jersey in 1727. He had been trying to turn the Miamis and possibly the Five Nations against the Pennsylvania colonists.

The Governor immediately sent Le Tort and John Scull with messages and gifts to the Native American leaders. They received reassuring answers. More gifts were sent, and tensions began to calm down. James Le Tort and other traders who often met with Native American communities were very important. They carried messages, cleared up misunderstandings, and helped keep everyone informed. This helped prevent a larger conflict.

Important Testimony in 1731

In October 1731, James Le Tort and his colleague Jonas Davenport were asked to give testimony to Governor Patrick Gordon. Le Tort and Davenport had traveled widely and knew the Native American communities in western Pennsylvania very well. This information was valuable to the Pennsylvania government. They were competing with the French for control of the fur trade in the Ohio Country.

In his testimony, Le Tort said that he had recently returned from Allegheny. He reported that there were several settlements of Delaware, Shawanese, Asswikalus, and Mingoe Indians there, totaling about four or five hundred people. He also mentioned that a French gentleman named Cavalier had been visiting these communities every spring for three years. Cavalier mostly stayed with the Shawnees and held frequent meetings with them. Le Tort believed Cavalier was trying to turn them away from the English. Le Tort also spoke about visits made by the Shawanese to Montreal in 1730 and 1731.

During their examination, Davenport and Le Tort provided an estimate of the populations and chiefs of various settlements in the Allegheny region. This included:

• Connumach: 20 families, 60 men, Delawares.
• Kythenning River: 50 families, 150 men, mostly Delawares. Chiefs: Capt. Hill, Kykenhammo, Sypous.
• Senangelstown (possibly Shannopin's Town): 16 families, 50 men, Delawares. Chief: Senangel.
• Lequeepees: Mostly Mingoes and some Delawares; 4 settled families, but many visitors.
• On Connumach Creek: Three Shawanese Towns; 45 families, 200 men. Chief: Okowela.
• Asswikales: 50 families, 100 men; recently from South Carolina to Ptowmack. Chief: Aqueloma.
• Ohesson upon Choniata: Shawanese; 20 families, 60 men. Chief: Kissikahquelas.
• Assunepachla upon Choniata: Delawares; 12 families, 36 men.

Later Life and Death

One report says that James Le Tort was living with his wife, Ann, at his settlement at Le Tort's Spring in 1720. Shawnee Indians set fire to his cabins due to a disagreement. Le Tort rebuilt his trading post and continued his business.

A James Letort, who might have been his son, is listed as serving under George Washington. This was at the Battle of Great Meadows on July 9, 1754. He was part of Captain Peter Hog's company and was later listed as "Lame on the road."

James Le Tort lived until at least July 1742. He disappears from records after this time. The year 1742 is usually given as the date of his death.

Images for kids

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  1771 map of the British colonies in America showing "Letarts Falls" on the Ohio River in the lower left quadrant.