Common menu bar links
Item Display
GODEFROY DE VIEUXPONT, JACQUES, fur-trader and interpreter, son of Jean Godefroy de Lintot; baptized on 6 March 1641 at Trois-Rivières; d. in 1661 to the north of that town.
In the spring of 1661, while “on a fur-trading expedition,” he left Trois-Rivères with one Frenchman and some 30 Attikamegue Indians. On the way the group was attacked by a band of 80 Iroquois. The fight was bitter and lasted 48 hours. According to the Relation, had it not been for an unfortunate dissension between two chiefs, the courage of the Indians and of the two Frenchmen would have assured them of victory. Jacques Godefroy displayed admirable coolness and boldness; but finally, with several bullets in his body, he died in the arms of his companions. One lone Attikamegue survived to bring the news to Trois-Rivières. Twenty-four Iroquois had perished in the skirmish.
JR (Thwaites), XLVI, 208–10. P.-G. Roy, La famille Godefroy de Tonnancour (Lévis, 1904).
