CANADA. - POTIER DE POMMEROY (René-Gédéon). Autograph manusc - Lot 74

CANADA. - POTIER DE POMMEROY (René-Gédéon). Autograph manuscript signed in several places, ILLUSTRATED WITH TWO MAPS. 18th century. Autobiographical, family and genealogical journal, partly concerning Canada. ca. 1761-ca. 1816. Approx. 130 pp. in-folio, in contemporary stiff vellum portfolio; a few printed ex-libris vignettes; several leaves detached and loose, some frayed. RENE-GEDEON DE POMMEROY, VETERAN OF THE COLONIAL WARS AGAINST THE ENGLISH IN NORTH AMERICA, AND ACADIAN SETTLER. Son and grandson of French soldiers who served in New France, born at Fort Frontenac in Canada, René-Gédéon Potier de Pommeroy (1730-1822) himself took part, as an officer in North America, in the operations of the War of the Austrian Succession ("King George's War" is the English name for the military actions carried out in North America in this context), then in those of the Seven Years' War. For example, Pommeroy took part in the attack on Fort Saratoga and Fort Lydius in what is now New York State (1747), and in the expedition to Lake Ontario against the Mohawks allied with the English who were threatening Montreal (1748). He then served in Acadia, first on Île-Royale and then on Île Saint-Jean (now Cape Breton Island and Prince Edward Island in Canadian New Brunswick), and was wounded in the French attempt to lift the siege of Fort Beauséjour (now Fort Cumberland) on the Chignectou Isthmus (1755). He was then among the men sent to storm Fort George on Lac du Saint-Sacrement, now Lake George in New York State (1757), and had to cross enemy lines alone to carry couriers back to Île Saint-Jean. Taken prisoner in England under the terms of that island's capitulation (1758), he was sent back to Canada with the relief force commanded by Captain d'Angeac (1760): the squadron carrying this troop scored a few successes against the English before Gaspé, in St. Lawrence Bay, before being defeated on the Restigouche River (1760). Refusing allegiance to the English, Pommeroy lost all his possessions on Île Saint-Jean and was forced to leave New France. He was then given command of a fort in French Guiana, and ended his career as a captain in 1768, receiving the Cross of Saint-Louis in 1771. Adventures in North America A PRECIOUS VESTIGE OF FRENCH HISTORY IN NEW FRANCE AND NEW ENGLAND. René-Gédéon Potier de Pommeroy recounts the main events of his military life in Canada and New England from 1742 to 1760, sometimes mentioning Iroquois auxiliaries, Mohawks on the English side or "domiciled" Iroquois on the French side; he also provides copies of military and civil documents, mainly relating to his career (including lists of soldiers and Acadians), but also to his possessions on Île Saint-Jean, and to his family. " ... June 2, 1747. Served in a detachment of 1,500 men commanded by Monsieur Rigauld de Vaudreuille, Governor of Trois-Rivières, in the capacity of aide-de-camp by orders of the Marquis de La Galissonnièr[e]; found myself in a party commanded by Mr de St-Luc La Corne, lieutenant, defeated a detachment of troops within cannon range of Sarastot Fort of 300 honmes, took 45 prisoners. The savages made several chevelures. April 16, 1748. Servie par ordres du marquis de La Galissonnièr[e] sous les ordres du sr Fontenelle de Langie , cadet à l'éguillet[te], avec un parties sauvages, avons fait un prisonnier à Quindrouk Nouvelle Engleterre, après 45 jours de marches. 17th July 1748. Served under the orders of Mr de Baubassin, sub-lieutenant by order of M, the Marquis de La Galissonnière, we were at Casquécouk after a month's march in the mountains, we made a blow without being able to take a prisoner despite the savages' relentlessness, being under the fort's cannon, we had five savages wounded, one killed, we put 15 honmes out of action. August 21, 1748. Served under the orders of the ch[evali]er de La Corne, by order of Mr de Beaucour, governor of Montreal, with a party of 200 men, going to meet the Anniés in Lake Ontarios who were coming to make a move on the isle of Montreal, we thwarted their ventures for the time being. March 1st 1749. Fait officiers, et passé à l'Isle-Royal[e] . April 5, 1750. Detached to the pursuit of 3 deserting soldiers. February 11, 1757. Served by order of the Marquis de Vaudreuille in a party of 1500 men commanded by Mr Rigaud de Vaudreuille , to burn all the stores and preparations being made at Fort George on Lac S[ain]t-Sacrement . May 2, 1757. Mr. Marquis de Vaudreuille sent me to Isle-Royal[e], where I was in charge of the Court's packages for Mr. de Dr. de Vaudreuille.