François Cazeau (abt. 1734 - 1815)

Born about 1734 in Angoulême, Charente, France

Husband of Marie Marguerite Vallée — married 14 May 1759 in Notre-Dame, Montreal, Canada, Nouvelle France

Died 11 May 1815 at about age 81 in France

Biography

François Cazeau served with French-Canadians Rendering Aid during the American Revolution.

François was born about 1734 in the parish of Saint-Cybard, diocese of Angoulême in Charente, France. He was the son of Leonard Cazeau and Anne AuPetit.

He served in the War in 1756 in Canada under Montcalm, DeLevi, and Delusignan.

He worked as a merchant in Montreal with considerable wealth.

In 1763 he returned to France and met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monsieur de Choiseul, who encouraged him to return to Canada to encourage the people to retain their affection for their former king. He was assured that France would seize the first opportunity to recover the province.

In 1774 following the events going on in Boston (Boston Tea Party for one) he received correspondence from M. de Vergennes, the current French Minister for Foreign Affairs, to solicit his aid on behalf of the American Revolutionaries; and assuring him that their goal was united with France. The following year he received a Mr. Walker from Philadelphia who was sent to him on the business of the Congress to deliver to him a letter to the people of Canada from the Congress. Mr. Walker requested that he give it a speedy and extensive circulation to promote the cause which Congress has taken.

In November of the same year Edward Antill (later a Colonel in the 2nd Canadian Regiment), delivered to him a letter from General Washington, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to the people of the Canadian Provinces and requested that he circulate this letter as well.

In November 1775 he also received a personal visit from Generals Montgomery and Wooster, only a few days after entering Montreal, imploring him to serve the cause and assuring him that he would receive adequate compensation from the American Congress for his efforts.

Following the taking of Montreal the American troops needed supplies which François gladly supplied to the Generals. He also wiped out the debts of those men who owed him money if they joined the American cause. To others he provided their necessary supplies. From these men and others the generals formed three troops under the command of Livingston, Duggan and Hazen.

After having received a third letter in February 1776 he distributed copies of this message from the U.S. Congress as well as the others.

By November 1778 he received Father Germain a representative for Count d’Estaing, Commander of the Naval Forces of France, who in turn gave him a proclamation from the King of France addressing his former subjects, again he was to proclaim it publicly and spread copies throughout Canada. He was also given the assurance he would be compensated for his losses.

In 1780 after obtaining valuable information he attempted to pass it on to the Americans. Unfortunately he was caught and imprisoned on the 15 Apr 1780 and on 23 Aug 1782 he, his son, and seven other prisoners escaped and made their way to the United States. After having put his resources toward the American cause he is now destitute.

Following the war we find François and his son went to France. He remained there until his death on 11 May 1815 in France. We don’t know if he had any contact with his family in Montreal. His son seems to have family in France as they are mentioned as destitute.

Congress authorized the payment of $42,737.97 far short of what was owed him. It must have been a welcome relief to his heirs. ^{[1] [2]}

Sources

1. ↑ American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of ..., Volume 1, page 515-520
2. ↑ Canadian participants in the American Revolution, an index, by Virginia Easley DeMarce, page 76 (Image 83)

• PRDH/ Repertoire des Actes de Bapteme, Mariage, et Sepulture, et des Recensements de Quebec Ancien XVIIe Siecle, Jacques Legare & Hubert Charbonneau, Les Presses de Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, (PRDH-IGD Family, Individual, and Marriage Records)

• PRDH-IGD PIONNEER PROFILE

• Index to French Canadian Revolutionary War Patriots

• Lanctot, Gustave. Canada and the American Revolution, 1774-1783. George G. Harappa & Co. LTD. Toronto, 1967:115, 119, 183, 190, 191, 209