FRANCOIS LOUIS ROBIDOUX
Francois Robidoux was born on September 24, 1788, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was the second son of Joseph III. He was named as an heir of Joseph III's estate on December 20th, 1790, when he was one and a half years old. According to his only biographer, Stella Drumm he received a very good education and was prominently identified in the highst social circles of St. Louis.
On February 23rd, 1805, he is listed as a buyer from the Gabriel Cerre' estate. It is apparent that by fifteen years of age, he was helping his father out with his business, and was probably already taking voyages up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers by that time. It is very likely that he was the young Mr. Robidoux met by Zebulon Pike on his voyage up river in 1805. Zebulon Pike, on his expedition along the Mississippi, has entered in his journal in 1805 "met a young gentleman (Mr. Robedoux by whom I sent a letter) to St. Louis."
On the 9th of June, 1806, Darnielle, a solicitor, wrote to Chouteau in regard to Francois Robidoux:
St. Louis the 9th of June, 1806
Monsieur Chouteau.
By your invitation (request) of your good desire to deliver to Mons. Francois Robidoux the porter of this of the amount of one thusand forty three pounds in peltries, or the value in silver, which man is the (representative?, demonstrator?) of the (judgement) in favor of J. B. Deroin against Mrs. Fras Perrin for whch you should be cautious. (You will be oligated?)
Mons.
your servenat
D. Darnielle, Advocate
(?) of power
(Chouteau demands that this man is payabe in (skins?) of deer at the ratio of forty sols to the pound.)
Yes, certainly. (depends?) Darnielle.
On July 14, 1806, Francois signature appears on a receipt to one Saugrain:
Received from Mons. Saugrein the amount of eleven livres on quart of (Paris) roe (deer?).
Made at St. Louis the 14 July 1806
For My Father
Franc: Robidoux, son
(the 2nd July 1806, (payed?) this due to Mons. Robidouxto alieve pain? for a complaint? of of his false teeth? John (Fischer?) Augte. Chouteau)
He figures in parallel, though less prominent fashion, in the shadow of Joseph. According to the Orral Messmore text, it was Francis whom Lewis and Clark met and reprimanded on September 16, 1806, on board a trading boat at the mouth of the Wolf River, three miles north of St. Joseph headed for trade with Pawnee and Mahas, and whom Lewis no doubt chastized for having improper trading licenses. Francois would have been 18 years old at this encounter.
Tuesday 16th September 1806
the Day proved excessively worm and disagreeable, so much so that the men rowed but little, at 10 A. M. we met a large trading perogue bound for the Panias we continued but a Short time with them. at 11 A. M. we met young Mr. Bobidoux with a large boat of six ores and 2 canoes, the licenes of this young man was to trade with the Panias Mahars and ottoes reather an extroardinary a license for young a man and without the Seal of the territory anexed, as General
Wilkinsons Signeture was not to this instrement we were somewhat doubtfull of it. Mr. Browns Signiture we were not acquainted with without the Territorial Seal. we made Some enquireys of this young man and cautioned him against prosueing the Steps of his brother in attempting to degrade the American Character in the eyes of the Indians. (Devoto, 474)
Though Orral Messmore attributes this to Francois, whoever it was that met Lewis and Clark that day, the meeting nonetheless locates the Robidoux brothers clearly in the vicinity of Blacksnake hills engaged in Indian trade at a fairly early time.
Whoever it was on that boat that Tuesday, it is clear that he had a brother whom Lewis and Clark were already acquainted with and that this brother was also engaged in the Indian trade and had made some (not altogether honorable) reputation for himself in relation to the U. S. government. It is likely that this "young man" was either Francois, and that the brother in question was Joseph.
On August 27, 1807, Francois's signature appears as a witness along with Joseph Robidoux, Bernard Pratte, H. Hight in the sale of a house and lot in St. Charles to Charles Tayon.
According to Stella Drumm, in 1807, he reportedly married Therese dit Bienvienue Deslisle, the sister of Eugenie Deslisle, the first deceased wife of Joseph III. According to Drumm, baptismal records and next of kin to the deceased wife Therese indicate six children by this marriage, including Therese, Francois, Antoine, Jean Baptiste, Marie and Cecile. A 35 year old woman, with the maiden name of Deslisle, appears on the death records of the Church of St. Louis. She appears to have died in late October, 1825. Collet's Index indicates that she died in 1833. Clyde Rabideau's geneaological reconstruction of Francois's family indicates that he married on Clarissa Delisle about 1825. This Clarissa may have been a sister of Therese and of Joseph IV's first wife Eugenie, and she may have married Francois after the death of his first wife Therese in 1825. She would therefore have been the mother of the offspring of Francois born after this date--the three youngest daughters and possibly a son named Louis. This indicates, among other things, that Francois was probably in and about St. Louis until the mid 1820's, and in about 1825 he sojourned to Taos where he had time to produce another offspring.
Baptismal records indicate the following offspring of Francois and Therese Deslille: Therese Eugenie, born on April 15th, 1809, and baptized on the 8th of July, 1810; Francois, born on the 6th of April, 1811, and baptized on the 21st of February, 1812; Jean Baptiste was baptized on the 10th of September, 1813; the birth of Antoine in September or October of 1816, and his baptism five and half months later on the 6th of March, 1817; Marie baptized on 29th of August, 1818, Joseph Sellico (Callicour, or Charless?) on the 24th of July, 1820; Irene on the fifth of April, 1824, being 10 months old and probably born in June of 1823; Cecile baptized on June 19th, 1825, at seven months.
old (born probably in December of 1824); Margaret baptized on April 26th, 1829 at 8 months of age, probably having been born in August or September of 1828; and Genevieve baptized on the 27th of April, 1831. Church burial records indicate that a child ten years old named Clarisse died in 1833, about four days after the mother died--this child is supposed to be one of Francois and Therese, though her inferred date of birth conflicts with the baptismal record of Irene--either her name was Irene Clarisse or else she may have been a twin sister. In addition, there is at least one recorded offspring of Francois Robidoux from Taos. One Maria Juana Robidoux was born on January 30th, 1826, the natural daughter of Francisco Rubidoux, "Frenchman", and Luisa Romero.
It is known from Church Burial Records that Therese Delille Robidoux, Francois's wife, died a few days before June 12th, 1833, and that she was 45 years of age at her death. It is apparent to that one of their children, a daughter named Calrisse, was buried four days later, and her ages was given as ten-years-old.
The time in which the Robidoux family operated a bakery has been unknown. The traditional story has been that the American Fur Company "bought out" the Robidoux brothers, probably in their post below Council Bluffs, sometime in the 1820's, for a period of two years. Though a transaction was affected in the later part of the 1820's, no evidence suggests that they necessarily returned to St. Louis to bake. A bill of receipt dated the 14th of May, 1807, signed by Francios L. Robidoux, is one of the few pieces of evidence suggesting that they were operating a bakery during the period 1805-1809--probably before the death of their Father. It was known that the father had acquired a mill and presumably a bakery in St. Louis during this time. The bill reads roughly:
Mr. Lucas to Robiodux-- Debt
for Baking of 150 (lbs, loaves?) bread flour
" " " 750 " (le cent?).... ...2.25
for the same (said?) flour 150
for a Good of (said, same?) 130
280
Credit received---- 100
Balance of (amount, trade?) due 180 @ (4) $7. 20
$ 9. 45
Receipt of 14 May 1807
Fr. L. Robiodux
(Lanv. Colony?)
On Sept. 8th, 1808, Francois Louis Robidoux is engaged by his father Joseph III to winter on the Missouri River as a clerk. It is apparent that they were trading with the Otoes and Omahas near the Council Bluffs site during these years. This contract of engagement is surprisingly similar to that one which Francois signed in 1832 with the American Fur Company, and appears to have been a standard type of such contract for engagement. Roughly translated, it reads:
Before the notary testimony the undersigned was presented Francois Robdioux son, whom for the present time engages himself voluntarily to M. Joseph Robidoux, father, for the requisition to part from this town in quality of clerk for the entire winter residence within the Missiouri to regularly possess well his (peniart) the routs and of the said Sieur of the merchandise, rations, peltries, utensils of the Voyage; to serve, obey and to execute all that the said Sieur Joseph Robidoux makes to command of the trip and honestly making his profit, to avoid his damage and general (lement? loss) all of which a clerk owes and is obligated to make, without being absent or quiting the said services, his his punishment of losing his engages. This Engagement thus and made for the Price and sum of six hundred silver piastres payable in skins that (winter) of receipt to fourty sols to the pound that the said Sieur Joseph Robidoux father is obliged to deliver and to pay upon his return from winter residence.
Thus agreement made and passed in the (handwritten) rough draft, St. Louis of the eighth September, one thousand eight hundred and eight.
Ante. Dubreuil (Signed) Joseph robidoux
Testimony (Lacemte?)
C. Bpoerons Fran. Robidoux, son
That he had within a few years obtained considerable status as a trader is attested to by his signing of a 1809 petition for incorporating St. Louis. On March 30th, 1809, he along with his brother Joseph and his widowed mother Catherine Rollet, filed on behalf of their father Joseph III. He appears as one of the three heirs of this estate, and as a buyer at the Robidoux succession sale on this day. On this day also, he received from the succession sale the balance of the wages that his father apparently owed to him. On November 25th, 1810, Francois again formally requested from Auguste Chouteau money for payment of debts after previous refusals:
St. Louis 25 Nov. 1810
At thehouse of Mons.
Mons. How my brother you wrote several times making of me to owe seventy piasters for paying my debt that was owed the charges of Justice. Mons. you say strongly well that and a long while that you this to demand for payment the personal that I owed, (nattendre) plus said (Expenses?, respects?). In (seeing?) one evidence and another that enabled you to inform to Mr. Garnier thus at Mons which disagreement for my brothers and my own (ruin). To execute for (freut) My brother? choses that you our (E'disea?) in our consideration along with all respects of company that you owe.
Your obedient servent
Francois Robidoux.
On December 8th, Thomas F. Riddick was paid by Auguste Chouteau in case of Francois Robidoux versus Auguste Chouteau, executor of J. Robidoux, deceased. It is apparent that Francois Robidoux won this suit against Auguste Chouteau, as the charges against Chouteau indicate his loss.
Francois Robidoux
vs.
August Chouteau
Executor of J. Robidoux decd.
Clerk...................................................$9.48
(Tas?).......................................................50
Sheriff Connor.........................................90
ditto McNair......................................2.81
2 Jury pers.............................................6.00
Interpretter..............................................75
$26.44
Received St. Louis 8th December 1810. Of Mr. Auguste Chouteau the within amt. of twenty six dollars and forty four.
Thos. F. Riddick, Clk.
On March 26th, 1811 Francois Robidoux was requested by William Clark to bear witness to a deed conveyed to Clark from Charbonneau, husband of Sacagewea. Charbonneau had acquired a piece of land on October 30th, 1810, on the Missouri River in the St. Ferdinand Township "with the view to settling down to civilized life, but, becoming weary of it...transferred his property to Clark and returned to the Mandans." (Drumm, 138) He sold his land to Clark for the sum of $100. "The witness to this deed was Francois Robidoux, a mutual friend of Gen. Clark and Charbonneau."(Drumm, 138)
He is next found referred to in 1812 in Luttig's Journal as one of several traders met below Fort Osage.
Thursday the 4th (June, 1812) started after breakfast, about 9 A. M. met several Perogues coming from their Winter quarters, Mess fr Robideau La Jeuness & others, Louis Bijou embarked with us, as also two hunters embarked at fort Osage Greenwood & Laurison, Immel went back to the fort for his Dog and on his Return informed of the party going to Santa Fe he met this Day at the fort. Strong Current, Made 9 Miles distance.
The activities of Joseph and Francois after the war of 1812 is not clear, but it is evident from these early accounts that they were participating in the fur trade along the upper Missouri at least as far as the trading posts of Council bluffs.
The only document of record indicating Francois's whereabouts during this period are the birth-baptismal records of his children, and a legal deed that was recorded on the 12 of August, 1814, in St. Louis, by Joseph deeding an earlier sale of land to Joseph Robidoux IV from Francois and his wife on September 6th, 1809.
Know all men by these presents that I Francois Robidoux and Therese, my wife, residing in the town and district of St. Louis territory of Louisiana for the price and consideration of the sume of five hundred and fifty Dollars which has been well & Duly paid us by Joseph Robidoux as we acknowledge by these presents have this Day sold, ceded, relinquished, surrendered, abandoned & transfered, as by these presents we sell cede, relinquish, abandon & transfer to the said Joseph Robidoux his heirs or legal representatives the exct half of a certain piece of land situated in this town St. Louis, with a house, appurtenances & dependencies by us acquired of widow Rigaude the twentieth of June, 1808, and recorded in the office of the Recorder of this district, Book A page 82, as following ont he 27th of June, 1808, for the said Joseph Robdioux, his heirs or legal representatives to have, manage & dispose of the above said half of the said lot & house, appurtenances & dependencies as property to them belonging and by their lawfully acquired possession thereof to Date from this date. In Testimony Whereof, we have signed and sealed these presents in the town District & Territory aforesaid this sixth of September A. D. 1809.
Fr. Robidoux
Theresea Delile Robiodux...
signed, sealed & delivered in presence of Mr. J Leduc.
It is evident that the war left the fur trade in shambles. Between the years 1812-15 the Government attention was diverted away from the frontier. According to the Joseph Robidoux letter to Jean Lafitte in 1818, mention is made of the recent destruction by the Indians of their post at Ft. Dearborn, a frontier military post on the site of present day Chicago that was established in 1803 and named for the secretary of War Henry Dearborn. It's garrison was massacred by Indians in 1812, but was reoccupied in 1816 and continued to be used until 1836.
The next recorded reference to Francois Robidoux is in a court case on December 28th, 1815, as a juror in a hearing of the case of one "negro Joe" who was stabbed to death by one William Henderson.
Territory of Missouri
County of St. Louis At a Coroner's inquest held at the house of Abraham Salladin in the County of St. Louis on the twenty eight day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen before Anthony O. Garrett coroner of said county
Were present the following persons as Jason Joshua Barton, John McKnight, James Brady, Andre Landoeville, Philippe Rosebluff, Francois Rubidoux, Andrew Elliott, thoms W. Welch, Anthony L Badgels, (Leany) Stoother, Charles Y Skeen, Daniel Freeman, Bartholomew Berthold, Mechel Droin, Thomast Cartmill, Alfrit Butsinger, who being duly sworn diligently to enquire a true presentment make how in what manner and by whom Joe a Negro man before them lying dead came to his death. And to delivedr to the said coroner a true inquest thereoff accordingly to such endeaver as should be called before them & accordingly to their knowledge, proclamation was made for any person who could give evidence to come forward and they should be heard--whereupon James Thompson sent Elija Salatin, John H. Reed and Margaret Reed came and were sworn to give evidence in the case.
John A. Reed saith--He was told that the said negro Joe was killed, went out and saw him lying on his face--turned him over found he was not dead and had him brought in the kitchen--the negro man did not speak the the deponent knows of--he (the deponent) saw a Mr. William Henderson standing two or three steps from the negor--that the said Henderson said the said negro attacked him with a stick and that he (Henderson) in self defence stabbed the negro with a knife.
John H. Reed.
James Thompson said-- saith--That on the eveing of the 27 instant. That wm Henderson told Joe the negroman that he had not watered the Horses during the day. The negro replied he had, and the negro walked away grumbling but deponent did not hear what he said.When the negro returned Henderson swor by God he would make him (the negro) talk less. the negro replied he could not or should not as the deponent things--Henderson then picked up a stick about two feet long and struck the negor with it--that the negro then picked up a stickand struck Henderson, and then threw the stick at Henderson but whether he hit him or not deponent does not know. that Henderson then closed with the negro and that the negro fell but deponent does not know whether Henderson struck him with the stick or not. That after the negor fell down Henderson struck him once or twice in the head with the stick. this deponent said to Henderson; you will kill the negor Henderson replied he would kill him if it cost him his life. This deponent told Henderson that he (Henderson) had broken the negro's skull and Henderson went to the negro and put his hand upon the negroes head. what made this deponent think the negro's skull was broken was because he appeared to be strangling in his blood. This deponent heard Henderson tell Wm. Reed that he (Henderson had ---------------- (stabbed the negro) put his knife into the negro. That the negro man here spoken of was the same negro man that now lies dead before the Jury--The stick the negro had was about two feet long and tolerably large at the time the negro fell he had no stick in his hand that deponent knows of--the negro did not appear to be trying to avoid fighting at the time he fell.
James Thompson
Mrs. Eliza Galaten saith. She saw the negro man after he was dead, and heard Wm. Henderson say he was stabbed. Mrs margaret Reed (Eliza Gallatin) saith She knows nothing concerning the matter.
We the Jurors on our oaths do find that the negro man Joe who lie's dead before us came to his death by the stab of a knife in his left breast about two inches below the nipple which stab is about an inch in length and entered into the hollow of his body and that he had received a stroke on the back of his head which occasioned a fracture of the skin. We also find that (the) stabe which occasioned the death of the said negro was given him by William Henderson on the evening of the twenty seventh December instant in the presence of James Thompson Senior and that the said negro was removed from the place where he was killed to the kitchen of (Abraham?) Gallatin where the view of his body was taken.
(singed) Joshua Barton foreman
James G. Bralli
Andrew Likkett
Philp Rochbalve
George Strather Daniel (?)
Thos. W. Welch Frs. Robidoux
Thos. Cartmill
Lar. Dreville Charles F. Allen
Alper erstig M. Tesons
A L Bigley John McKniht
A. Berthold
Will Sullivan Coroner
of the County of St. Louis
On March 21st, 1816, Francois and Joseph appear on an account with Auguste Chouteau, and it has been surmised that the brothers were actively trading together in a partnership on the Missouri during this period. The account book dated April 29th, and May 5 and 6th show that the brothers were dealing with Chouteau on a partnership basis:
M. Aug. Chouteau L/C Debt
to Jh. & F. Robidou
1816
May 29 8 yd. (ginga?) coat or (perra?)--- $ 6.00
2 yd. ditto or (mim?)---- 1.50
In silver----- " ditto .75
March 5 5 (Pieces) (Indenim) to contain 116 yards each 43.50
6 2 tin eggflips--- 3.00
22 yd. (ginga) " 62% 13.75
$68.50
Without error or omission
For payment at St. Louis, 21 March, 1819
Fr. Robidoux
On June 17th of 1816, Francois Robidoux gave a receipt to one Francois Dinelle. It reads:
Franc. Dinelle Debit (Due)
1816 to Sanguinet & Rodgers
Jan. 21" 1" (Carotte?) Tobacco.................1.50
"............"........................."................."..........................1.25
$2.75
For recept St. Louis, on 17 June 1816
Francois Robidoux.
This suggests that young Francois may have been operating some kind of store, probably in St. Louis, during this period of time. I have not identified what a "carotte" is but it is likely it is a small box or container for holding tobacco.
Both Francois and Joseph's names appear again in account records with Auguste Chouteau dated March 10th, 1818, at about the time of Joseph IV's letters to Jean Lafitte mentioning, among other things, a new trading project on the Missouri and the loss at Fort Dearborn.
Luis 9 March 1818
M. Augte. Chouteau L/C. D
J. & F. Robidoux
1817
October 3 1 piece plated carrying bottle $7.--- $7.00
1 piece Candle ditto (n?)--- 5.00
2 large liverpool bowls " 150--- 3.00
2 med. ' " Ditto--- Ditto--- 100 2.00
1 vermillion drinking pot " " 1.50
3 small (vermillion) plates " 37@ 1.12
1 medium red (plate) " " .87
2 capes (works, tapestry?) " 4.50 9.00
1 ditto--- " " " 5.00 5.00
5 (vuide?) chests " " 1.50 7.50
Oct. 13 1 saw--L to (maturin?) " " 3.00
29 1 piece carry bottle for which used?
to the negress} 8.00
November 7 1 large (vuide) chest " " 2.50
Credit $55.50
Silver received 3 October 1817
from Madame" " " 40.00
Balance$15.50
Received payment in full
St. Louis 10 March 1818
J. & S. Robidoux
This Deed made the tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen, between Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife and Francis and Therese his wife all of the Town and County of Saint Louis in the Territory of Missouri of the one part and Joseph Henderson of the same place of the other part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in Consideration of the sum of one Thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States by the said Joseph Henderson to them in hand paid at or before the sealing or delivery of their presents, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge and the said Joseph from the payment of the same, forever exonerate and discharge have this day, granted, bargained, aliened, (enfeoffed?), sold and convey as by these presents they do grant, bargain, alien, enfeoff, sell and convey unto the said Joseph Henderson his heirs and assigns, a certain parcel of gorund or town lot stituate, lying and being in the town of Saint Louis aforesaid and fronting on many or front street, bounded Eastwardly by the said Front street, Westwardly by the reamineder of the said lot the property of the said Joseph and Francois Robiodux, Northwardly by the lot owned and occupied by Michel Rollet dit Laderoute and Southwardly by the lot on which resides Francois M. Benoit containing the said lot or parcel of gorund the quantity of Sixty feet front by one hundred and fifteen feet deep and being part of the lot which the said Joseph and Francois Robidoux acquired by purchase of said Michel Rollet (dit Laderoute) and Marie his and of Marie P. Leduc by deed bearing date the Eighth day of December Eighteen hundred and fifteen reference being had to the same will more fully and at large appear. To have and to hold the said granted, bargained, aliened, enfeoffed, sold and conveyed premises, with the appurtenances unto the said Joseoph Henderson his heirs and assigns forever, and the said parties of the first part for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators or assigns, thaty they the said parties fo the first part are lawfully seized and possessed of the premises aforesaid with the appurtenances and have good right, full power and authority to sell or dispose of the same and that the the said Joseph Henderson, his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever, after by virtue of these presents lawfully peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the same with the appurtenances free and clear of and from all and all manner of former and other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgage or incumbrances whatsoever, that might in any wise osbstruct or make void these presents. In Testimony whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year fist above written. Jh. Robidoux Angelique X Robidoux
F. Robidoux Theressa Robiodux
Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Boyed. J. V. Garnier
Stella Drum's brief biography describes the close lifelong association between Joseph and Francois:
"When Joseph was persuaded to remain in St. Louis and paid to cease his trade with the Indians, the two brothers opened up a confectionary shop in St. Louis. Their father had erected on of the first stone bake-ovens in St. Louis, in order to supply the Indian trade, as well as the residents, with bread. When they resumed their former occupation as Indian traders, Joseph remained in the Black Snake Hills (now St. Joseph, Missouri), while Francois went further up the Missouri River, or across the plains to the mountains, to hunt and trap. After taking up their residence at St. Joseph, Missouri, Francois seems to have become a lesser light, and his deeds are not recorded in the history of that community. This was probably due to the fact that Joseph was the leader and dictator, and Francois the follower, the hunter and trapper."
Hafen suggests that they were operating in a "co-ownership" basis with a theatre of operation being given during 1817-18 as the Missouri and the Platte. One reference gives a Robidoux post at the mouth of the Yellowstone in 1816, though the first recorded expedition to this region was not until 1819. It may well of been Francis who visited this remote area at such an early date. The copartnership arrangement appears to have dissolved by 1820 with Francois remaining the "field lieutenant of Joseph III on Upper Missouri Expeditions."
The editor of the Kennerly journal for the Robidoux post at Council bluffs claims that Francois was the one who appeared with goods from St. Louis on the 15th of February, 1820: "Received from St. Louis by young Robidou a small assortmt of goods which were very much wanted, and several letters from friends &c." In a footnote the editor states that "Joseph and Francois Robidou conducted a store in Papin's brick house in 1820. The reference is probably to Francois Robidou who pursued the trade up the Missouri and across the plains."(Kennerly, 54)
A deed was recorded for July 7th, 1819, dealing with a transaction of land between Francois and Therese, and one Joseph Menard:
This deed made the Seventh day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and ninetee by and between Francois Robidoux of the Town and County of St. Louis in the Territory of Missouri and Therese his wife of the one part and Joseph Menard of the the County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the Said parties of the said first part for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars lawful money of the United States to them in hand well and truly paid is hereby acknowledged have this day granted bargained aliened and sold as by these presents they do grant bargain alien and sellunto the said Joseph Menard his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land Situated, lying and being in the County and Territory aforesaid in the common fields of the Village of Carondelet bieng and arpen and a half in front by twenty two in depth french Measure and adjoining a tract formerly granted to and owned by (Lestor de Joget?) being the same which the said Joseph Menard purchased of Lewis Menard by deed bearing date the twenty first day of April 1814 and Recorded in the office of the Recorder of the Said County of St. Louis Book D pages 423 following and which was afterwards on the twenty Seventh day of April in the year eighteeen hundred and seventeen sold by the said party of the said second part & wife to the said Francois Robidoux as by the deed for the same of that date referennce being thereto had will more fully and at lare appear which said deed is Recorded in the office of the Recorder of the said County Book E page 44 & 49. To have and to hodl the said granted barained aliened and sold premises with the appurtenances unto the said Joseph Menard his heirs and assigns forever and the Said parties of the said first part for themselves, their heirs executors and administrators do hereby (coverrant) and agree to and with the said Joseph Menard his heirs and assigns that they the said parties of the said first part the premises aforesaid against the dlaim or claims of all and every person claiming the same by this (?) and under them will forever warrant and defend by these presetns. In Testimony whereof the said parties of the said first part have hereunto set their hands and Seals at St. Louis the day and year first before written.
Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of J. V. Garnier F. Robioux
County of St. Louis, M. Theresses Robidoux
Be it remembered that on the seventh day of July in the year eighteen hundred and nineteen before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the County aforesaid personally appeared Francois Robidoux and Thereze his wife and acknowledged the avoe and aforegoing to be their act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned and the said Therez Robidoux being by me examined separately and apart from her said husband and made acquainted with the contents of the said deed doth makeher free and voluntary acknwoledgement that she executed the same without the compulsion or undue influence of her said husband Given under my hand and seal the day and the year first avoe written. J. V. Garnier J. P.
Recorded this 29th Octr. 1814 Archibald Gamble, Clerk.
According to the biographer of Louis Robidoux, Francis spent most of his lifetime in St. Louis, and opened a new store there in 1820. This is understandable, because, as far as the geneaological records indicate, he had been having children continuously through the 1810-1830, almost all of whom were born in St. Louis.
A document dated June 27th, 1820, concerns a legal acknowledgement of a debt owed by the company of the brothers Joseph and Francois Robidoux, who are given as "of the town of St. Louis merchants trading under the style and firm of Joseph and Francis Robidoux":
To all who shall see these presents be it known that we Joseph Robidoux and Francis Robidoux of the town of St. Louis merchants trading under the style and firm of Joseph and Francis Robidoux having settled and adjusted allour accounts with Marc Anthony Frenays and Peter F. Frontages, merchants of Philadelphia trading under the style and firm of Frenays and Frontages, and being in arrear to the said Frenays and Frontages in the sum of Three thousand seven hundred and two dollars and Eighty six cents do acknowledge to owe and stand indebted to the said Frenays and Frontages the said sum of three thousand seven hundred and two dollars and Eighty six cents to the payment of which will and truly to be made to the said Frenays and Frontages, their Executors administrators or assigns, we bind ourselves and our heirs jointly and severally firmly by these presents. (How?) the better to secure the payment of the sum of money above mentioned and in consideration that the said Frenays and Frontages by Bernard Pratte, their authorized agent, have agreed to forbear the demand and collection of the said sum of money untill the first day of June which will be in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty-one, and in the further consideration of one dollar to the said Joseph and Francis in hand paid. The said Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife and Francis Robidoux and Thereze hs wife have granted bargained sold and mortgaged and do by these presents grant, bargain, sell and mortgage unto the said Marc Anthony Frenays and Peter F. Frontages and to their heirs and assigns forever a certain lot of ground situated in the town of St. Louis, fronting on main Street, Eighty feet and extending one hundred feet in the rear to land lately belonging to Jacques Clamorgan, bounded North by the [378] ground of Jacques Lajeunesse and south by land of the late Jacques Clamorgan, on which lot there is a stone house thirty by twenty feet with a gallery from end to end planked above and below, also a barn in the rear together with all other the houses buildings and dependencies upon or in any wise belonging to t he said lot of ground. To have and to hold the same with all and singular the rights, profits and dependencies unto them the said Frenays and Frontages and to their heirs and assigns forever. The said lot of ground being the same which the said Francis Robidoux purchased from Josephte Payant, widow of Ignace Rigauche by deed dated the twentieth day of June Eighteen hundred and Eight recorded in the recorder's office of St. Louis County book B page 82 and following, one half of which said lot the said Francis sold and conveyed to the said Joseph by deed dated the sixth day of September Eighteen hundred and nine recorded in the recorders office of St. Louis County book E page 41 . Nevertheless this deed is made on this Express condition that if the said Joseph and Francis Robidoux do and shall well and truly pay the said Farneys and Frontages their Executors, administrators or assigns the said sum of three thousand seven hundred and two dollars and eighty-six cents on or before the first day of June that will be in the year Eighteen and twenty one thus this deed shall be null and void otherwise it shall remain in full force and virtue. In witness whereof the said Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife and francis Robidoux and Therese his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals this twenty seventh day of June, in the year One thousaand Eight hundred and twenty. The word condition underlined before signing.
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Jh. Robiodux
Twelve word obliterated before signing, Angelique Robidoux
J. V. Garnier F. Robidoux
County of St. Louis (F?) Be it known that on the day Therese Delisle
of the date hereof before Joseph P. Garnier, a Justice of the peace of the County aforesaid personally appeared the within named named Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife, Francis Robidoux & Thereze his wife, and acknowledged the within instrument of writing to be their act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned, and the said Angelique and Thereze being by me examined separately and apart from their said husbands do make their free and voluntarily
acknowledgment, that tthey are well acquainted with the contents of said deed and have executed the same free from the compulsion or undue influence of their said husbands. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of June, AD. 1820. J. V. Garnier, J. P.
Recorded this 7th day of September, 1820 Archibald Gamble, Clerk.
It is apparent that the Robidoux brothers had maintained a post below Council Bluffs on the Missouri at the north edge of present Omaha. Joseph was the chief factor, or head trader of this post, which was known at the time as Fort Robidoux. Another deed in St. Louis dates from July 22, 1822:
This Indenture made this Twenty-Second day of July one Thousand eight hundred and twenty-two between Joseph Wells of the one part and Paul M. Gebert of the other part, all of the County of St.Louis, Witnesseth that whereas Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife for the purpose of securing the payment of the sum of four hundred and twenty seven dollars and twenty six cents to Mark Sappington and James G. McCormick Guardians of John Joseph and Elizabeth Paogue on the first day of July in the year one Thousand eight hundred and twenty-two conveyed to the said Joseph Wells, by a deed legally executed bearing date the tenth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty one the following tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of St. Louis, adjoining a Creek called Martigny below the Village of Carondelet fronting on the Mississippi and containing four arpents in front and forty in depth upon condition that if the said Francois Robidoux did not pay and discharge the said sum of four hundred and twenty seven dollars and twenty six cents to the said Mark or James or Some persons representing the rights of the said John Joseph and Elizabeth on or before the first day of July one Thousand eight hundred and twenty two, then and in that case the said Joseph Wells as trustee was authorized to sell at public auctionin in the town of St. Louis for cash the aforesaid tract of land, ten Days notice of the time and place of sale first given in some newspapers published in the said town for the purpose of discharging the said debt. And whereas the said Francis Robidoux did not pay or caused to be paid unot the said Mark Sappington or Jams. G McCormick who now are the guardians of the said John Joseph and Elizabeth Poague the said sum of four hundred and twenty seven dollars and seventy six cents on the said first day of July one Thousand eight hundred and twenty two according to the tenor and effect of the aforesaid deed of conveyance (said?) whereas, in pursuance of the trust and forever in the said deed of Conveyeance afterwards, to with, on the 22 day of July one Thousand eight hundred and twenty two at the town of St. Louis the said Joseph Wells did exposte to sale at public auction at the auction Room of Patrick Walsh the said tract of land above described after duly advertising in the same tend days according tot he provisions of the said deed and then and there did sell the same to the said Paul M. Gebert for the Sum of six hundred and and twenty five dollars, he being the highest bidder and that being the highest and best price bidden for the same. Now this Indenture Witnesseth: that the said Joseph Wells for and in consideration of the said sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars to him in hand paid by the said Paul M. Gebert at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereoff he doth hereby acknowledge and thereof acquit and forever discharge Paul M. Gebert, his heirs, executors and administrators and by these presents hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell unto the said Paul M. Gebert all his right and title as aforesaid to that piece or parcel of land being in the country of St. Louis and lying beelow and adjoining a creek called River Martigny about four miles below the village Carondelet fronting on the Mississippi and containing four Arpents in front and forty in depth together with all and singular the buildings and appurtenances whatever thereunto belongng or in any wise appertaining. To have and to hold the said tract of land and hereditaments and premises hereby granted or mentined or inteneded so to be with the appurtenances unto the said Paul M. Gebert his heirs and assigns tot he profit use and behoof of the said Gebert his heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof, the said Joseph Wells has hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above mentioned. Joseph Wells Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of George F. Strother, John D. Daggett.
Countyof St. Louis, (Il) Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of St. Louis, Joseph Wells, peronally known to me as the person who executed the foregoing Instrument of writing to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty Second day of July, A. D. 1823.
J. V. Garnier. J. P.
Recorded this 25th day of July, 1822 Archibald Gamble, Clerk
Yet another indenture of indebtedness was executed on November 14th, of 1822, and again on December 10th. The second one reads:
This Indenture made this Tenth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty one and between Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife of the one part, and Joseph Wills of the other part all of the County of St. Louis in the State of Missouri. Whereas the said Robidoux is indebted unto Mark Sappinton and James G. McCormick guardians of John Joseph and Elizabeth Pague in the sum of four hundred and twenty-seven dollars and sixty-seven cents to be paid to the said Sappington and McCormick on the first day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty-two. Now This Indenture Witnesseth, that the Said Robidoux for and in consideration of the said sum of money and for the better securing the payment thereof, as also in consideration of the sum of five dollars to him in hand paid by the said Joseph Wills at or before the Sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath given, granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Joseph Wills the following tract of land lying and being in the said county, below and adjoining a Creek commonly called River Martigny, at least four miles below the village of Carondelet, fronting on the Mississippi and containing four arpetns in front and forty in depth. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract of land toether with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said Joseph Wills his heirs and assigns forever. In Trust nevertheless to and for the following uses, intents, and purposes, to wit, that if the said Robidoux shall not pay or cause to be paid the said debt to the Said Sappington and McCormick, or other person representing the rights of the said John Joseoph and Elizabeth on or before the day above limited for the payment thereof, then and in that case it shall be the duty of the said Trustee to sell at public auction in the town of St. Louis for cash, the aforesaid premises, ten days noticeof the time and place of such sale, being first given in some newspaper publsihed in the said town and the proceeds thereof the said Trustee after first paying all reasonable costs and charges attendig the said Sale, shall apply to the satistifaction and discharge of the said debt and the residue of any, Shall be paid over to the Said Robidoux his executors, administrators or assigns. In Testimony whereof the said Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife have here unto set their hands and seals the day and year first above mentioned. F. Robidoux Therese Robidoux.
This year must have been a bad one for Francois--he incurred many debts, and the reasons for these debts are not clear. It is evident that he must not have succeeded in his trapping ventures during this period. Another document of writs of execution by John Walker, the sheriff of St. Louis county, is dated the "October term" of 1822:
To all whome these presents shall come, I, John K. Walker, Sheriff of the County of Saint Louis in the State of Missouri, Send Greeting: whereas certain writs of execution issued from the Clerks office of the Circuit Court within and for the County of St. Louis returnable to the October term term of the Said Court in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and twenty-two, viz: one in favor of William Lowry and two in favor of james Mc Gunneyle against Fraoncios Robidoux, the said writ o fexectuion being direted to the Sheriff of the County of St. Louis and to me the Said Sheriff delivered a copy of which said writs of execution whereunto (annexes) and makes apart and parcel of this deed: by virtue of which said writs of Execution, I the said Sheriff on the twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty-two did levy and sieze all the right, title, claim, interest and property of the said Francois Robidoux in and--a lot of (206) ground situate in the town of St. Louis on Main Street & fronting on said street twenty feet, running back one hundred and fifty feet, bounded East by said Main Street, South by a lot of said Robidoux and North by a lot of ___Laguneess, being advertised agreeably to law as ill appear from a Copy of the advertisement hereunto annexed and whch also makes apart and parcel of this deed: by virtue of which said writs of exectuion and advertisement I did on the twelfth October in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and twenty two agreeably to the advertisement thereof at the Court houses did during the Sitting of the said court expose to public slae for ready cash, all the right, title, claim, interest and property of the said Francios Robidoux in and to the said described lots of ground and Thomas Newelll being the highest & last bidder for he Same at the sum of sxity five dollars. Nowtherefore, Know ye that I John Walker, Sheriff as aforesaid for and in consideration fo the Sum of sixty-five dollars to me in hand paid by the said Thomas Newell the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and by virtue of the authority in me vested by law, I do hereby transfer and assign to him the said Thomas Newelll all the right, title, claim, interest and property of him the Said Francois Robidoux in and to the aforesaid lot of ground that I might sell agreeably to law as Sheriff aforesaid by virtue of the aforesaid writs of execution and advertisement. To have and to hold the said lot of ground to him the said Thomas Newell heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof, I, John K. Walker, Sheriff of the County of St. Louis, have hereunto set my hand and seal on this day of 30th October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty two & of the Independence of the United States the forty seventh. John K. Walker, Shff. seal.
Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of.
County of St. Louis, (Set?) The State of Missouri. Tothe Sheriff of the County of St. Louis Greeting. Whereas William Lowry at our Circuit Coourt before our Judge thereof, recovred against Francois Robidoux the sum of one hudnred dollars fo rhis debt and also the sum of five dollars and thrity three cents for his damages by him sustained by reason of the detention of said debt and also his costs and charges by him about his Suit in that behalf expended which tot he said William Lowry were adjudged as appears to us of record: These are therefore to command you as we have heretofore commanded you that of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of the said Francois Robidoux in your bailwick you cause to mbe made the aforesaid debt, damages and costs and that you have the Same before the judge ofur said Court on the first monday of October next, to render to the said William Lowry the debt, damages and costs aforesaid. And for want of sufficient goods and chattels, lands and tenements whereon to levy and make the same, we command you to take the said Francois robidoux, if he be found in your Bailwick and him safely keep so that you may have his body before the same Judge on the said first Monday of October to satisfy the said William Lowry of the aforesaid debt, damages, and costs and that you certify to our said Judge how you execute this writ and have you then, there this write (seal) Witness Archibald Gable Clerk of our said Court of St. Louis, this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty two. Archibald Gamble Clerk.
Couty of St. Louis, (Jct.?) The State of Missouri. To the Sheriff of the County of St. Louis Greeting: Whereas James M. Ganneyle in our Circuit Court before our Judge thereof, recovered against Francois Robidoux & Francois Valois the sum of Eight four dollars and eighty-nine cents, for his debt and (who?) his costs and charges by him about his suit before this Justice expended, and also in this behalf expneded, which tot he said Jams M. Gunneyle were adjuged as appeers to us of record: These are therefore to command you that of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of the said Francois Robidoux & Francois Valois in your Bailwick you cause to be made the aforesaid dbet and costs and that you have the same before the Judge of our Said Court on the first Monday of October next, to render to the said James M. Gunneyle the debt and costs aforesaid, And for want of sufficient goods and chattles, land and tenements whereon to levy and make the same, we command you to take the said Francois Robidoux & Francois Valois if they be found in your Bailwick and them safely keep so that you may have their bodies before the same judge on the said first Monday of October to satisfy the said (207) Jams. M. Gunneyle of the aforesaid debt and costs and that you certify to our said Court at St. Louis this Ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty two. Archibald Gamble, Clerk
County of St. Louis (Sct?) The State of Missouri. To the Sheriff of the County of St. Louis Greeting: Whereas Jams M. Gunneyle at our Circuit Court before our Judge thereof recovered against Francois Robidoux and Francis Valois the Sum of Ninety two dollars and ninety seven Cents for his debt and also his costs and charges before the (Justice?) expended and also in this behalf expneded, which to the said James M. Gunneyle were adjudged as appears to us of record: These are therefore to command you that of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of the said Francois Robidoux & Francis Valois in your Bailwick you cause to b made the aforesaid debt and costs and that you have the same before the Judge of our Said Court on the first Monday of October next to render to the said James M. Gunneyle the debt and costs aforesaid. And for want of sufficient goods and chattels, lands and tenements whereon to levy and make the same we command you to take the said Francis robidoux & Francis Valois if they befound in your bailwick and them safely keep so that you may have their bodies before the same Judge on the said first monday of October to satisfy the said James M. Gunneyle of the aforesaid debt and costs and that you certify to our said Judge how you execute this writ and have you then there this writ. (Seal) Witness Archibald Gamble Clerk of our said Court of St. Louis this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and twenty two. Archibald Gamble Clerk
Sheriff's sale, By virtue of several writs of execution from the Circuit Court for the County of St. Louis against Francois Robidoux, viz: one in favor of William Lowry, two in favor of James M. Gunnneyle, and one in favor of Mathew Boujac, I have levied upon the following described property of the said Robidoux, viz: 1st. a lot of ground on Main Street, in the town of St. Louis containing 20 feet front by 150 feet deep, bounded East by said Strett, South by a lot of Said Robidoux and North by a lot of Laginess. 2nd. a lot on said street containing 100 feet front by 100 fet deep and bounded East by Main Street, North by the lot above described and south by a lot of the Estate of Clamorgan, including the dwelling house lately occuped by by said defendant; 3rd. a lot on a Cross Street on which it fronts 20 feet by 30 feet deep, bounded East by M. Laderout, & West by Madam Cartmille or Dunlary all the right, title, interest and claim of Said Robidoux in and to the above lots of gorund and improvements thereon. I will sell to the highest bidder for cash on Saturday the 12th day of october next at the Court House door in the town of St. Louis between the hours of (9?) o'clock A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M., of that day to satisfy said execution & costs. St. Louis 20th Sept. 1822.
State of Missouri John K. Walker, Shff.
County of St. Louis} Be it remembered that on the first day of November in the year 1822, John K. Walker, Sheriff of the County of St. Louis personally appeared in open Court and acknowledged the execution of the within deed from him as sheriff to Thomas Newell therein named, which said acknowledgement is entered on the records of the Court of that day. (seal) given under my hand and seal of office at St. Louis, this first day of November, A. D. 1822
Recorded Dec. 7th, 1822 Archibald Gamble, Clerk
Whether he drank away his money, or possibly gambled it away, is unknown, but a distinct possibility. What is evident is that Francois was casting away parcels of land he had previously acquired for relative sums of money less than the value of the land itself. This second indenture reads as follows:
This indenture made this fourteenth day of November in the year of Eighteen hundred and twenty two by and between Francois Robedoux and Therese, his wife of the one part and Nicholas Mansury of the other part, Whereas the said Robedoux is indebted with the said Mansury in the Sum of four hundred and fifty dollars and is desirous of securing the payment thereof, Now this Indenture witnesseth: that the said Francois & Therese for and in consideration of the said sum of money and for the better securing of the payment thereof and also in consideration of the sum of five dollars to them in hand paid by the said Mansury at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Mansury a certain tract of land containing Eight hundred arpens and situated to the south of the plantation whereon the said Robedoux now resides, which plantation was originally conceded to the said Robedoux from Joseph Menard, To have and tohold the said bargained and sold premises unto the said Mansury his heirs and assigns forever, on condition neverthelesss, that if the said Robedoux his heirs or assigns, shall well and truly pay to the said Mansury his executors, administrators or assigns, the said sum of four hundred and fifty dollars with legal interest thereupon on or before the fifteenth day of March next, then this obligation to be void, And the Robedoux, doth hereby consent and agree to and with the said Mansury to pay him the said sum last mentioned with legal interest thereon on or before the said last mentioned day. In Witness whereof, the said Francois and Therese have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered by Francois Robedoux, the word "North
being first ersed and "South" substituted therefore) In presence of H Cozens.
F. Robedoux
Theresses Robedoux
In presence of H. Cozens, State of Missouri, County of St. Louis, Horatio Cozens being duly sworn saith that upon the tenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and twenty two, the foregoing deed was executed in the presence of this affiant by the said Francois Robedoux with whom this affiant is personally acquainted. H. Cozens.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of April, 1843
Th. Douglas, J. P.
Recorded May 30th, 1823 Archibald Gamble, Clerk.
Besides again giving evidence of Francois's chronic indebtedness, this document also shows that Francois was living on a "plantation" which was adjacent to this land that was being indentured for his debts.
Francis appears in Taos in about 1823-5. He is mentioned in the Kennerly Jorunals on November 8th, 1823, and on the 15th of February, 1824. He makes a return trip from Ft. Atkinson to Santa Fe in 1824-5, one separate from his brothers in company with Manuel Alvarez. Francis and Isidore Rubidoux appear on offical permits authorizing travel to Mexico, dated September 3, 1824. He is noted in the Kennerly Journal as being the "Robidoux party" that departed for Taos on Sept. 30, 1824. He was probably also the leader of the party that returned a year and a month later, on Aug. 30, arriving from Santa Fe, and allowing Joseph to square up accounts. His name is mentioned in the letter of Joseph III to Pierre Chouteau in June of 1825--apparently he had written to Chouteau and Joseph informing them of the Beaver to be obtained in the Southwestern region of Santa Fe.
In June of 1824, the Circuit Court of St. Louis gave another writ of execution for the public sale of property belonging to Joseph,Francois and their wives:
To all to whom these presents shall come, I Hengry Dodge, Marshall of the United States within and for the District of Missouri send Greeting--whereas a certain order of sale issued from the Clerks office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Missouri returnable as the June term of Said Court in the year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty four in favour of Mssr. Anthony Frenays and Peter Fontague against Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife and Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife and the said orde rof the sale being directed to the Marshall of Missouir District and to me the said Marshall delivered a copyy whereof is hereunto annexed and makes a part and parcel of this deed by virtue of which said order of sale the mortgaged premises mentioned in the Petition by the Said Frenape and Fontague which are a certain lot or piece of ground Situate lying and being in the City of St. Louis and distrinct aforesaid together with all and singular the dwelling house out houses and improvments thereon which said lot or piece of ground contains Eighty feet front Eastwardly by one hundred feet deep(more or less) and bounded East by Main street in the Said City of St. Louis on the north by a lot heretofore and Perhaps now the property of Jacques Sanguinet on the West and south by a lot belonging to the heirs of Jacque Clamorgan and is the lot or piece of ground mortgaged by the Said Robedous to the said Frenage and Fontague on the 27th day of June 1820 as will appear by reference to said mortgage recorded in the recorders office of the St. Louis County in book II page 377 all the same having been advertised agreeably to law, as will appear from a copy of the advertisement hereunto annexed and which also makes a part and parcel of this deed. I the said Marchall did on the Eighth day of June one thousand and Eight hundred and twenty four, In obedience ot he said order of sale and agreeably tot he advertisement thereof expose to public sale for ready cash to the highest bidder at the Court house door in St. Louis during the sitting o fthe said Court of Saint Louis County the above discribed mortgaged premises toether witha ll and singular the buildings outhouses and improvements thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and Sylvester Pratte being highest bidder and last bidder for the same as the price and the sum of one thousand and five hundred dollars The service was stricken off and sold to him the said Sylvestre S. Pratt, Now Therefore Know Ye, that I Henry Dodge Marshall as aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars to me in hand paid by the said Sylvester S. Pratt the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledged and by virtue of the authority in me vested by law I do hereby sell, transfer and assign unto him the said Sylvester S. Pratt all the right, title, interest, Estate and property of them the said Joseph Robidoux and Angelique his wife and Francois robidoux & Therese his wife in and to the aboe discribed property that I might sell agreeably to law as Marshall aforesaid by virtue of the aforesaid order of Sale and advertisement, To have & to hold the same to hm the said Sylvester S. Pratt and to his heirs and assigns forever, In witness whereof I Henry Dodge, Marshall of the district of Missouri aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and seal at the City of St. Louis this first day of July one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four.
Henry Dodge, Marshall.
By John Simonds. Jr. Deputy Marshall.
Missouri District (Sct>) The President of the United States of America--To the Marshall of the Missouri District. Greeting whereas at our District, before the honorable James H. Peck Esquire Judge of the United Sttates for the Missouri District, as our February Term of Said court in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundered and twenty-four, Marc Anthony Frenage and Peter F. Fronague recovered against Joseph Robidoux & Angelique his wife and Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife the Sum of four thousand two hundred and ninety fove dolalrs and thirty one cents the Principle and interest together with their costs and charges by them about their petition in that behalf expended, and it was also ordered adjugedged & decreed that the mortgaged premises in the said petition mentioned should be sold at public sale by the Marshall of Said District to the highest & last bidder on the Eighth day of June next at some public place in the City of St. Louis in the District aforesaid twenty days previous notice having been given by him of such sale to the use of said Frenape & Fontenague to satisfy the debt and interests--aforesaid, and also the costs of suit unless before that time the same shall be satisfied and paid by the said defendants together with interest and costs of suit & these are therefore to command you that unless the said Joseph Robidoux & wife and Francois Robidoux & wife shall well and truly pay and satisfy to the said Frenays & Frontaque the said debt interests and cost aforesaid on or before the Eighth day of June next you cause to be sold the said Mortgaged premises to pay and satisfy the debt interest and cost aforesaid and that you have the same before the Judge of our said court at the next term thereof to be held at the City of St. Louis within & for the Missouri District on the first Monday of June next then & there to render to the said Frenape & Fongques how yu execut this will and have you then there this write (seal) witness the honorable James H. Peck, Esquire, Judge of the United States for he Missouri Distrinct the twenty eighth day of February Eighteen hundred and twenty four. Issued at office in St. Louis under the seal of said court the day and year (as?) aforesaid. (Stace?) Barton, Clerk
He returned to St. Louis, possibly with his brothers, in the summer of 1825. Review of the death records of the St. Louis church reveal that a married woman whose maiden name was Delisle had died in 1825, but it does not give the first name, age or any other particulars. In Clyde Rabideau's geneaological reconstruction, Francois is shown to have married a Clarissa Deslils in about 1825. If he had remarried, his first wife would have had to have perished by this year. There are two "Therese Deslisle's" in this record, but one had died at 9 years old in 1833, and the other at one or two years of age; this does not rule out the possibility of Francois having had a first wife. Though records may have been confused as to identity, it does suggest that Therese was not an uncommon name of the Deslisle family.
There is a major discrepancy in the records on this point. Drum lists the death of Therese Delisle in 1833. Geneaological records indicate a marriage of Francois somewhere around 1825 to a Clarisse Delisle. The heirs listed on his estate were Mary Poullin, Sellico Robidoux, Louis Robidous, Eugenia Angel and Celina Lapere. Records in St. Joseph indicate that "Therese Eugenia Robidoux married John Angle, and Englishman, in St. Joseph in 1846; that Cecile, widow of Mr. McDowell, married Peter Le Pere in 1850; and Marie, as the Widow Brown, married Isadore Poulin in 1854; in each entry Francois is given as the father of the bride."(Drum 148)
Francois was probably of the party reported by James Kennerly arriving "from Tous" on August 30, 1825, with a load of furs, allowing Joseph Robidoux to square accounts with Kennerly, Cabanne and others. He must have been married at this time. That he and his brother Michel may have had a joint wedding is unknown. Apparently, he then returned in the fall of 1825 with his brother Michel, after Michel receiving his second license from Clark in October. Louis had gone south with toward the states of Chihuahua and Sonora, getting as far as El Paso.
Francisco appears in a hearing of December, 1825 relating to the confiscation of his merchandise by Mexican Authorities. He apparently was associated, with Michel, in a trapping expedition with Sylvestre Pratte. The Mexican authorities confiscated six hundred and thirty pounds of beaver fur. He apparently lost these goods due to his lack of Mexican citizenship--a fact which later prompted his brothers to obtain citizenship. He pleaded to Governor Narbonna and their furs were returned and license's extended, to cover all trappers already in the region.
One "Francisco Rubidu" appears with Miguel and Antonio on a list of foreigners prepared by Governor Narbona in February 1826. All three appear listed as being "without passports" and as listed as "transients" who have taken up temporary residence, probably at Taos.
In January, 1827, Francisco and others were issued a permit to visit the Ute country "on a trapping and trading expedition" in Taos. He is reportedly leaving Taos with Jean-Baptiste Chalifoux for the Ute Country. His name appears on a "Report of Departures of Foreigner's" from Taos that was prepared by the Alcalde Martinez on April 7th, 1827.
In another party which left in the month of March of the present (1827), whose date I am unable to remember, and the said party is that of Francisco Roubidou, whose destination is to go to retrieve some caches in the direction of the land of the Utes, are the following:
Dionicio Julian Pablo Loise
Bautista Trudean Maricio Ledue
Jose Neuture Francisco Gervais
Man. Gervais Metote
Ant. Blanchare Charles Chonteau
Ant. Leroux Jules Declovette
Bautista Chailfon
Among this party was the famous Antoine Leroux, Bautista Trudeau and Luis Ambroisie. "License or no license, Robidoux and his men went off to trap, after assuring the local officials that they were going to look for buried treasure in the Ute Country." (Hafen 180) Like many trappers from Taos, it appears that Francis's name appears on Mexican records only when he was caught in violation, since trapping was prohibited by Mexican law. "They were still absent the following April (1828) when a list of foreigners living at Taos was compiled."(Parkhill, 57)
On February 11th, 1828, Francois and his wife Therese sold some property in St. Louis to one Michael Rourke:
Know all men by these Presents that I Francois Robidoux and Therese my wife of the City and County of St. Louis in the State of Missouri for and in Considration of the sum of Thirty five Dolars to us in hand paid by Michael Rourke of the City aforesaid the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge have granted bargained and sold and herby do grant bargain and sell unto the said Michale Rourke his heirs and assignses all that certain lot piece or parcel of Ground lying and being situated in the City of St. Louis aforesaid containing sixty feet french measure fronting Eastwardly and adjoining the lot of said Michale Rourke and running Westwardly in the said width thiry five feet like measure and in Block h (Parted) and bounded as follows. To wit Eastwardly by Lot of said Michael Rourke, northwardly by lot of Michael Laderoute, Westwardly by lot of Richard (Dunlevy?) and southwardly by lot of Louise. A Benoist. it being the Remainder of a larger quantity which the said Francois Robidoux and jointly with my Brother Joseph Robidoux purchased from Michale Laderoute and Marie Joseph his wife by deed bearing date the Eighth day of December the thousand Eight hundred and fifteen and to be found of Recordin the Recorders Office of the County aforesaid Book E, pages 319 & following. To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises, together with all and singular the privileges appurtenances to the same beloning or in any wise appertaining unto him the said Michal Rourke, his heirs and assigns and to his and (their?) proper and only on behalf and behoof forever, free and clear of all kind of encumbrance whatsoever. In witness whereoff we have hereunto set our hands and seals this Eleventh day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and twenty-eight. F. Robidoux (seal) Therese Robidoux (seal). (Just.?) Thomas Sappington, State of Missouri, County of St. Louis. Be it Remembered that upon this Eleventh day of February in the year Eighteen hndred and twenty Eight, before me the (Jafrener?) a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County Personally came Francois Robidoux and Therese his wife, "being personally known to me to be the persons whose names are in this deed" Who generally acknowledge the foregoing instrument of writing as and for their act and deed and the said Therese being by me first made acquainted with the Contents of the said deed and by me privately examined separate and apart from the said husband, acknowledged and declares that she Executed the same voluntarily and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband. Tanke and Certified the day and year aforesaid, Thomas Sappington. I dictate the wrods "Being personally known to me to be the same whose names are in this deed" 24 & 25 lines from the top underlined in the original.
Recorded 4 February 1829 Archibald Gable Recorder
The underlining of the words, especially "being personally known to me to be the same whose names are in this deed" and the words "separate" and "or undue" are strange and defy interpretation out of the context in which they were originally written. It is unusual in the documents, and may just be the idiosyncractic and legalistic style of the deed-writer. Furthermore, this deed bearing the witness of his apparent wife Therese, demonstrates unequivocally that this first wife was still alive by this time.
Manuel Alvarez's account books reveal that Francisco and Louis Robidoux were still buying supplies (for trading and trapping) from him in 1829, during the time that Antoine, alcalde of the ayuntamiento of Santa Fe, had launched his attack upon foreigners. According to Morgan, (306) Francois Robidoux was engaged in some "litigation in Santa Fe" in 1829. He was also engaged in litigation in this year in St. Louis. On Sept. 18th, 1829, his name appears as the affiant, et, al, in the ruling of Judge Thompson Douglas in case of Francois Robidoux versus John Gilham.
On March 3rd, 1830, a document bearing Francois Robidoux names is in the form of a latter from Levi Piggot to one Baral Surpie:
To Serpie Barille:
application being made by Alexander Dumont stating that he received of you a note made payable on the 12 inst. which was assigned by Dumont to
Francis Roubedu as the note was assigned by the said Dumont to the said
Roubidu to effect the payment of a judgment and a releas of property held by said judgment which will not be effect if they receive the money---
If therefore you will be so good as to not pay the note aboe aluded to untill
the object is effected you will much favour the cause of Justice.
Respectfully yours.
Levi Piggot
State of Illinois, March 3rd, 1830
It is evident that Francois Robidoux still had problems of debt under which he suffered the loss of his land. It is evident by this note too that Francois Robidoux was not the Robidoux who ventured beginning in February 1830 with Drips and Fontenelle to trap in the Snake River country. This conclusion is bolstered by the presence of Francois Robidoux in the deed by all the Robidoux brothers bearing the dated September 25th, 1830 at St. Louis, who witnessed the deed this date, while Michel was absent from this signing.
Hafen notes that "one of Antoine's brothers" was probably the factor with twenty or so traders at the Fort Uintah trading post in the years 1833-5. This may have been either Francis or Isadore. Orral Messmore locates Francis in Yellowstone and at Laramie up until 1833, and if there, possibly longer. This interpretation fist the evidence that on February 10th, 1832, Francois Louis Robidoux contracted with Pierre Chouteau Jr. as a voyageur on the Upper Missouri. The contract, published in printed form in French, the language of the fur trade, appears in standard form, and has survived today:
Before the notary Jimoni the undersigned was present Francois Robdioux Junior Whom has voluntarily engaged and engages himself for the present time to P. Chuteau Jur. agent of the American Fur Company, to be present and accept for his first requisition to part from this post in quality of voyageur, winter resident, trapper (hunter) for making the vaoyage, in such initiative that is pleasing, and for wintering spending the period of six-eight months within the high Missouri Mountains and dependencies (tributaries).
(He will be) free to return after his time has finished. Nourished at the (battle, rough) country of the Indians or other sickness obtained within the savage country--
And passing (obtaining, being) well, and regularly attending (the care of) depending the routes and (existence?) extent or of the places, of all the merchandise, peltries, rations, utensils, and of all other things necessary for the voyage, trade and wintering: to serve and execute (with) fidletlity all that the said P. Chouteau Jur. agent of the American Fur Compnay, or all persons that which the said Pierre Chouteau Jur. agent of the American Fur Company, has authorized for this present period to transport his engagment, his lawful and honoable directions; making their profit, avoiding its damaga, and in averting all things touch their intrests that are seen at his understanding, to travel within the posts, hamlets, villages and countries, no country will he consider as savage country, if required; and generally all that the good voyageur, winter resident and trapper, does, and is oliged to do; without attending to make no other trade for his particulars, nor with the withes nor with the savages; if to be absent or to quit the said service, he will punish carriers for the (loix?) and of losss of his engages.
His engagment in this manner is made, for the consideration of the sum of two hundred twenty piasters, (silver money) coin of the United States, that the said Pierre Choutea Junior agent of the American Fur Company, or the one by which this engagement is transported, promists and obligates himself to deliver and pay to the said Francois Robidous-- one month after his time is finished.
In this manner that an equipment consisting of one (convertible?) 3 pts. wool (blanket), one blue (legging?), one shirt, one (menchin) one knive and three tobacco (luiso)
Done and passed at Saint Louis the tenth of February the year one thousand one hundred thirty-two and his signature after making oath.
En presence of (signed) Fr. Louis Robidoux
J. Bt. Sarpy
Delivered his Equip. Agent American Fur Company
It was apparent that he was engaged for the winter by the American Fur Company for the High Missouri. Orral Messmore Robidoux claimed that he was at Fort Union, which evidence is supported by his presence onboard the Steamboat Yellow Stone. It was apparent that he was a sojourning engagee, but as a "troop" leader of a company or party of trappers for a season in the mountains of the high Missouri.
Francois name appears on the ship's manifest of the Steamboat Yellow Stone in the spring of 1832, the year that George Catlin made his journey up the Missouri. He is listed as an "engagee" boatman--it is explained as a tactic of the American fur company to get William Clark to sign licences for people who were not actually on the ship. It is doubtful that by the 1830's Francis would be considered merely a deckhand of the boat. On the other hand, he may have used the cover and security of "engage" to gain transportation up the Missouri, perhaps on reconnaissance. Perhaps this is the "Yellowstone" connection about which there are numerous indirect references but no direct sources of information. But probably it does situate him as an operative somewhere along the upper reaches of the Missouri river.
On July 31st, 1833, Lucien Fontenelle gaves an order to William Laidlaw, agent of the American Fur Company at Fort Pierre, to pay Francis Robidoux.
Wm. Laidlaw Esq.
Agt. Am. F. Co.
Fort Pierre
Sir
There is a balance on the Bal R. of A. M C. in favouur of Francois Robidoux, Sum of one hundred and twenty four Dollars and twenty-five cents for services rendered said outfit.
$124.25/100 (signed) L. Fontenelle
July 31, 1833 Wm. Laidlaw
Acting agent Amer. Fur Co.
Francis's first child by his second wife, Marie Elvira, was born in 1830 in Washington, Mo. So apparently he had traveled during that year back to Missouri. He had four other children by this marriage--presumably with an average birth-spacing of about 2.5-3 years, then he would have had these children over the next 10 to 15 years. He must have been periodically returning to Missouri throughout the 1830's and early 1840's. According to Orral Messmore Robidoux, both Francis and Isadore were trading principally "on the plains of northern Kansas, upon the Yellowstone River. When they arrived at St. Joseph they would transfer to a steamboat for transportation to St. Louis."87)
One time, Joseph Robidoux could not make suitable arrangements with the steamboat people and concluded to continue on down the river with the mackinaw boats. All being ready, the boats started.When they reached a point five miles below they ran into some snags and several boats sunk and nine men were drowned. The furs were mostly lost."(87)
On November 24th, 1835, an indenture for a public sale of a piece of land as an estate of one Rosalie Deslisle to her grandchildren, was made, which lists all of Francois offspring at the time:
This Indenture made this twenty fourth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five by and between Mary Philip Leduc, Edward Tracy and Lucien Dumaise commissioners appointed appointed by the Circuit Court of the County of Saint Louis in the state of Missouri to make partition of certain real estate between Joseph Charless, Therese, Francois, Antoine, Baptiste, Marie and Cecile Robidoux, children and heirs of Therese Delille, who intermarred with Francois Robidoux, Joseph Robidoux Junior, child and heir of Eugenie Delille who intermarried with Joseph Robdioux, Francois, Alexis, Henry, Baptiste, and Victoire Thibault Alias McCartie children and heirs of Victoire Delile who intermarried with one Francois Thibault, Jean Baptist, Louis, Cecile, Marie and Odille Lachance children and heirs of Cecile Delille who intermarried with Benjamin Lachance, rosine and Ophelia Guion children and heirs of Clarisse Delille who intermarried with Devins Guion; and Pharaon and Peter Barada, Junior, children and heirs of Rosalie Delille who intermarried with Peter S. Barada petitioners of (232) the first part and Joseph Charless of the second part, witnesseth that whereas the said Commissioners of the July term in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five of the Circuit Court of the County of Saint Louis aforesaid reported to the said Court that in their opinion the tract of land in the petition mentioned and prayed to be divided was so situated that a division thereof could not be made without great prejudice to the owners of the same and the Court being satisfied that the same was not susceptible of division as aforesaid did at said term order the said Commissioners or a majority of them to sell the same to the highest bidder at public auction at the Court house door in the city of Saint Louis on Tuesday the tenth day "of November" of the year aforesaid for cash in hand and that notice of the time place and terms of sale be given by publication in a Newspaper published in the city of Saint Louis for the period of three weeks, and whereas the said Commissioners did pursuant to said order of the Court ont he twenty ninth day of August last, cause a notice to be inserted in the Missouri Republican a Newspaper published in the city of Saint Louis, stating that on Tuesday the tenth day of the said month of November instant at twelve o'cock noon of that day they would sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Court house in the city of St. Louis for cash in hand the real estate in the petition of the petitioners mentioned a description whereof was given in said notice and did continue the publication of the same till the day after sale, weekly: And whereas the said Commissioners did at the place ont he day and at the hour in said notice mentioned, sell the said real estate and having reported their proceedings under said order of sale to said Circuit Court at the November Term thereof in this year, the said court at the same term did confirm the same as valid and effectual and did order and direct the said commissioners to execute good and sufficieeent conveyances in law to the purchaser for the said real estate so sold. Now therefore we the said Commissioners pursuant to said order of said court made at the November thereof in this present year and in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars have bargained, sold and conveyed and do by these presents bargain, sell, and convey to Joseph Charless the purchaser of said sale that certain track or piece of one and a half arpent by forty arpents, situated lying and being in the grand prairie and about four mileswest of the city of St. Louis, bounded on the one side by Became and on the other by Laclede, being the same tract of land originally granted to Francois Corneau; he the said Joseph Charless being the purchaser of the tract of land conveyed at said sale. To have and to hold the said tract of land hereby conveyed to him the said Joseph Charless his heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereoff we the commissioners aforesaid have hereunto set our hands and seals on the day month and year first above mentiond. M. P. Leduc
Edwd. Tracy
Ln, Dumaine
State of Missouri
County of Saint Louis} Be it remembered that on this fourteenth day of December of eighteen hundred and thirty five before me D. Hough a justice of the peace witness and for the County aforesaid, appeared Mary P. Leduce Edward Tracy and Lucien Dumain all personally known to me to be the identical persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing as having executed the same and acknowledged the said instrument to be their act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. Taken and certified the day and year aforesaid. Daniel Hough, Justice of the peace, County Saint Louis.
Recorded 15th December 1835 Archibald Gamble, Recorder.
Like the dates of birth of his children, or his exact whereabouts during the 1830-40's, not much as yet has been ascertained. Parkhill has identified Francis Robidoux on the 1840 census of St. Louis and Florrisant--this accords with conjecture that he spent a greater part of his later years at the "base of operations" in St. Louis.
On the other hand, it is probable that Francois was associated with at least two or more of his older sons in trade and blacksmithing operations at early Fort Laramie and then later at Scott's Bluff. This early period of association with Francois and his sons at Laramie would have been between 1835 and 1845, and later at Scott's Bluff between 1846 and 1856-7. It is apparent that Francois may have been leading caravans between these points and Missouri during this time, helping to equip and stock the posts that were run by his sons. A sale of estate property which was first legally recorded in 1837 between Francois, Isidore, Antoine and Louis, place the residence of all four brothers during this time in the Santa Fe/Southwestern Nexus. Though later documents after the 1820's do not indicate the presence of Francois in this region, it is not unlikely that after his wife died in 1833, that he may have left the St. Louis nexus and sojourned with his other brothers there--pursuing the trade in the region of Taos perhaps, where he may have had a Mexican family. The St. Louis archives of Francois ends in about the year 1833, after which there are no more records.
One brief biographical reference to Francois claims that he "pursued the trade up the Missouri and across the plains." (Kennerly, 54)
Francois name appears on some of the correspondence sent by Benjamin Harding in the later half of 1847, usually in association with his brother Michel. On one instance the correspondence appears to have been directly solely at Francois at St. Joseph:
June 12th. Mr. L. F. Robidoux, Messrs--Yours by the Indian was received last evening. The Sacs seem particulary anxious to start as soon as possible for the Buffalo country, and they want for their outfit some things which I have not got here and Maj. Rucker tells me that if I will furnish he will warrant payment--Therefore I wish you to forward the following articles with the flour Monday. 20 pieces good thick strong domestic for tents; 1 box tobacco or two if you have it of a cheap kind; 8 pounds vermillion; 1 sack salt; 1 pound ground pepper.
June 17th. Messrs. Yours of this date has been received together with the articles therein mentioned. I am anxius to know why it is that you sent me such a bill--Is it for fear that I will not add percentage enough that you thus attempt to keep me in the dark respecting the cost of goods. I think I have too corrct an idea of the value of goods to suppose that you paid 10 (cents) for domestic, or 20 (cents) for tobacco, etc.--I have bought equally as good tobacco in St. Joseph for 10 (cents)--I shall expect you to forward some groceries, etc., as soon as they are received from St. Louis when I shall want to know the original cost.
Yours with due respect,
B. Harding.
Like Michel, his name appears on the licenses that were issued between 1849-51 permitting trade with Indian tribes along the upper Missouri. It is likely that he was at Scott's Bluff during this time, along with his brothers, sons and nephews. The Benjamin Harding letters suggest that Francis and Michel may have journeyed together as a team. Francis record appears to overlap a great deal with that of his brothers, Joseph in the early phase, Antoine and then Michel. In April, 1849, Capt. Ruff at Fort Kearny reports Francois, "a brother of Old Man Robidoux," among a "party of mountain men en route Fort Laramie to St. Joe." At least four of the six brother were cited in emigrant Journals in the sphere of Scott's Bluffs during this time." (Mattes, 450)
On July 26, 1850, Francois children, namely Francois Robidoux, Mary Brown, Eugenie Angel and Cecilia Lapiere, along with the husbands of the last two, filed a quit claim deed to one James Harrison for the sale for three hundred and twenty dollars, of a "lot of land in the Old Town now City of Carondelet in the County of St. Louis and State of Missouri, being the southest quarter of Block number forty (40) fronting one hundred and fifty feet, french measure, on the west sid eof Main street, and running back westward of that width to the middle of the block, and bounded on the south by a street called F Street on the East by main Street and on the other two sides by the reaminder of the block."
Francois is alleged to have gone blind by 53-years-old, suffering apparently a similar malady of sight that Joseph II, Joseph III and his brother Antoine suffered. This would have been in about 1841. Reference to him after this date indicate that he was probably still active, it appears that his blindness may have only been partial and not completely debilitating. The reference to an old and stately Robidoux in a buggy coming from a winter at Scott's Bluffs suggest the possibility that Francois was there at that time, as does the later Paul Wilhelm reference to the "brothers Robidoux" at Scott's Bluff in 1851.
Drumm found no record of his death. Family tradition held that he died on the plains of Nebraska (Scott's Bluff) on May 30, 1857. "The Probate Court records of Buchanan County shows that letters of administration were taken out on the estate of one Francois Robidoux on April 11, 1856, and also that he died intestate..." Francis died in 1856, at the age of 68 years. It is possible that domestic affairs with raising his second family may have preoccupied the last decade of his life, and, trail-weary, he may have "retired" from his family concern.
It must be noted that though Francois biographical details are almost a footnote to the story of the Robidoux brothers, as the second eldest he was in charge of many expeditions when his younger brothers were just becoming "engage's". He was probably pivotal and apparently successful in many trading ventures and expeditions. It is unfortunate that less is known about his activities, especially during the 1830's when he is apparently in the Yellowstone region in affiliation with the American Fur Company.
Francis is interesting from the point of view of his relationship to a larger context. He occurs in the record at those junctures in which he appears to be in violation of trading licenses. This occured with Lewis and Clark, and later in relation to the Mexican Government. Later, we find him dubiously upon a ships manifest, signed on the back by the same William Clark. The nefarious activities of a somewhat eccentric Joseph Roubidoux, only two years senior, are a point of color and interest for the scholar. It is not unreasonable to assume that his younger brother shared a very similar character and relationship with a changing world. This is somewhat at odds with both Louis and Antoine Roubidoux, who really didn't get their start until the opening of Santa Fe/Taos in the early 1820's. We find Louis and Antoine playing somewhat gently into the hands of the Mexican government, declaring Mexican citizenship and marrying into the upper circles of Santa Fe society. Both apparently benefited from this new identity--Louis gained a Hacienda in California, Antoine became the "Kingpin of the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade". Whether or not this was purely out of expediency is a matter of question. Twenty years later, we find an altered relationship with Mexican authorities, and a new realignment with an American government that is intent upon Manifest Destiny. It is interesting that it is largely the three unknown brothers, Michel, Isadore and Francis, that we find applying to Clark in St. Louis for trading licenses, and for passports with Mexican authorities in Santa Fe.
It is evident that some of Francois's sons probably accompanied him out onto the plains in the late 1830's and early 1840's. The sons known to have followed him in the Indian trade are Francois, Joseph Sellico, and Antoine. Possibly Jean Baptiste also ventured to the plains, but the evidence yet is not clear. The patterns adopted by the son's on the plains reveals something of the bimodal character of Francois and his family--probably all these brothers married Indian wives or half-breed wives and fostered families.
Francois Robidoux, his oldest son, apparently married one Marie Ann Toupin, the natural child of Marie Dorion and Jean Baptiste Dorion.
Jerome Peltier's book Madame Dorion, lists one Francais Robideau who married in 1857 Marie Anne (Toupin) Gervais, who was born according to him in about 1826 and who married first one David Gervais, having four children, and who later died in 1853 leaving Marie Anne as a widow with four children. Marie Anne was a daughter of Marie Dorion, an Iowa Indian woman (listed as "Marie Iowa" or "Marie La Guivoisie" who helped to guide the Hunt expedition to Oregon, and Madame Dorion's third husband, a half-breed named Jean Baptiste Toupin who was an interpreter at Fort Walla Walla in 1824. Jean Toupin had been a member of John Work's trapping party. Marie Anne had an older brother, named Francois, who was born in about 1824. Marie Anne and Francais had one child. Marie Anne appears on Vancouver Washington parrish records on page 56 as having been baptized:
B. 177 M. Anne Tupain
This 24 September, 1839, we priest undersigned have baptized Marie Anne aged 18 years, natural daughter of Jean Baptiste Toupain and od Marie Ohiosie, Godfather Edouard Beauchemin who has not known how to sign. Mod. Demers, priest."
Though Peltier gives the age of Marie Anne at baptism as 13 years, and assumes she was born in about 1826-7, it is evident from the following document that the priest may actually have been correct in recording her as 18 years old and therefore she was probably born about 1821. Peltier also gives the date of death of Marie Anne's first husband, David Gervais, as 1853, after bearing him four children. It is likely that she had married about the time of her baptism, at about 19 years of age, and that her husband Gervais must have died about 1843, not 1853. It is likely also that she then met and married Francois Robidoux sometime before 1847. Peltier gives one child born of this union. It seems likely that Francois Robidoux met Marie Ann during a trading expedition, possibly as far as Washington, or possibly near the Ioway agency of which her mother was a descendant. It is evident from the following document that Francois and his wife had an interest in St. Louis, and were there in the year 1847:
This Deed, made and entered into this thirtieth day of June eighteen hundred and forty seven by and between Francis Robideaux and Mary Anne Robideaux of the first part and Samuel d. Walton of the second part, Witnesseth: That the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of twenty dollars, to them in hand paid, by the said party of the second part, receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, have granted, bargained and sold, and by their presents do bargain and sell, convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all that certain lot or parcel of land, situated in the City of St. Louis in Block number Eighty Eight of said City, containing thirty five feet more or less on Locust Street by Sixty-five feet in depth, bounded on the North by Locust Street, on the Eaast by by property belonging to estate of Burns and by property of James Boal, and on the south by property now or formerly belonging to Bertrand, and on the west by the East line of the St. Louis common Fields, and being the same property conveyed to said Walton and Elizabeth his wife by deed of Peter Piant, & wife, recorded in the proper office in St. Louis County in Book B 3 254 and from Lewis Graham Thomas Pratte & Julie DeSeissie? by deed recorded in Book C No. 3 page 145. To have and to hold the same with all the rights privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining unto him the said partiy of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first herein, writting Francis X Robideaux
Done in presence of John Black Mary Anne X Robideaux
State of Missouri
County of St. Louis} Be it remembered, that on this first day of July Eighteen hundred and forty seven, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid Came Francis Robideaux and Mary Anne Robideaux who are both by me personally known to be the same persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing, as parties thereto and they acknoweledged the same to be their act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned. She the said Mary Anne, wife of the said Francis Robideaux, being by me first made acquainted with the contents thereof, and acknowledged and ceclared on an examination apart from her husband that the executed the said deed and relinquishes her Dower in the real estate therein mentioned freely, voluntarily and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband. Taken and Certified by me on the day and year aforesaid.
John Black, Justice of the Peace, St. Louis
Filed and Recorded July 17, 1847 J. D. Barlow Recorder.
The child born to them is yet unknown, but it is likely that he did not remain in St. Louis, but probably traveled onto the plains or out west with his parents. It is interesting that this document records the same type of name change which occurs with the descendants of Francis on the plains, from Robidoux to Robideaux or Roubideaux.
Blanket Copyright, Hugh M. Lewis, © 2005. Use of this text governed by fair use policy--permission to make copies of this text is granted for purposes of research and non-profit instruction only.
Last Updated: 09/16/06