Jean Baptiste Rousseau (fur trader) facts for kids

Jean Baptiste Rousseau was an important person in early Upper Canada. He worked as a fur trader, a merchant, and a government official. He also served as an officer in the British Indian Department.

Early Life and Fur Trade

Jean Baptiste Rousseau was born in Montreal, which was then part of New France. His father, Jean-Bonaventure Rousseau, was also a fur trader. He worked in the area around Lake Ontario.

Jean Baptiste learned a lot from his father. He became very good at the fur trade. He also learned the languages of the local First Nations people. This helped him communicate and trade with them.

In 1770, Rousseau's father got a special permit to trade furs. This was at the mouth of the Humber River. This river was a key stopping point for First Nations people. They used it to travel between Lake Ontario and the larger lakes further north.

Important Connections

Rousseau had strong friendships with Joseph Brant. Brant was a very important leader of the Mohawk Nation. He had fought alongside the British during the American Revolution.

Rousseau's second wife, Margaret Clyne, was Joseph Brant's adopted daughter. Rousseau and his wife even named one of their sons Joseph Brant after him. Later, Rousseau bought a large amount of land, about 12,000 acres, from the Mohawk people through Brant.

Land and Business

John Graves Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. A Lieutenant Governor is like the main leader of a province. Simcoe gave Rousseau 500 acres of land. This land was around Rousseau's fur trading post on the Humber River. Today, this area is known as the Swansea neighbourhood.

Rousseau became one of the first merchants in early Canadian towns. He had businesses in York (which is now Toronto) and later in Hamilton. He owned or co-owned several grist mills and taverns. A grist mill grinds grain into flour, and a tavern was a place to eat, drink, and stay. His businesses were in places like Kingston, York, Ancaster, and Brantford.

Military Service and Death

Rousseau was a long-time officer in the militia. A militia is a group of citizens who are trained as soldiers but are not part of the regular army. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. This is a high-ranking officer position.

He served during the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812. This was an important battle during the War of 1812. Rousseau survived the battle without being hurt. However, he became very sick soon after. He died in November 1812.