GRAVÉ DU PONT, ROBERT (also called Pont-Gravé and Du Pont-Gravé), naval captain, furtrader, founder of the first European settlement in what is now New Brunswick and possibly the first European to become familiar with the language and customs of the Etchemin (Malecite) people; b. c. 1585 at Saint-Malo, the son of François Gravé Du Pont and Christine Martin; d. 9 Nov. 1621.

In the spring of 1606 Robert Gravé Du Pont sailed for Acadia with Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt. That fall, accompanying Poutrincourt and Samuel de Champlain on a voyage of exploration along the coast to Cape Cod, he had part of his hand blown off when his musket exploded during a clash with some 400 Indigenous fighters. He returned with the party to Port Royal (Annapolis Royal, N.S.), and there became active in the fur trade.

By 1610 his trading activities were concentrated on the Saint John River, and that year he was arrested by the governor, Poutrincourt, following complaints lodged by the Etchemin that Gravé had abducted and sexually asaulted a woman from their community. It was also felt that his loose morals and defiance of the law were creating a bad impression of white people. Gravé escaped and went to live among the Etchemin, whom he endeavoured to turn against French authority and undermined efforts to convert them.

When Father Biard arrived in Acadia in the spring of 1611 he learned of this situation and, a few weeks later, he persuaded Poutrincourt to pardon Gravé. The governor agreed only after a heated discussion during which he voiced his strong objection to Biard’s interfering in civil matters. Gravé then gave himself up and swore to recognize Poutrincourt’s authority. Later that year, however, word reached Charles de Biencourt, who had been left in charge in Acadia, that Gravé was plotting to overthrow the Poutrincourts. Louis Hébert was sent with a force of men to capture him at Emenenic (Caton’s Island) on the Saint John River. This trading station, organized by young Gravé, was the first attempt at settlement made in New Brunswick. Hébert captured the post but both Gravé and his aide, a Capt. Merveille, were absent, although the man left in charge of the post confessed details of the plot. On 3 Oct. 1611 Biencourt dispatched a force of 16 men who, accompanied by Father Biard and two Indigenous guides, set out for Gravé’s post on the Saint John River. Again, both Gravé and Capt. Merveille were absent, but Merveille was captured that evening. Gravé remained at large. Father Biard admired Gravé’s “great physical and mental strength” and was relying on him to serve as his interpreter with the local Etchemin. He therefore went to find him after receiving Biencourt’s word that he would not be harmed. A few days later Biard returned with Gravé, who was pardoned after promising to reform.

Gravé continued to live at his post on the Saint John River until 1618, apparently making regular trips to France to trade furs. In 1619 he had command of the Espérance sent with a French expedition to the East Indies. His ship was burned there by the Dutch in 1621 and he died at sea soon afterwards.

George MacBeath