Martin Chartier

Martin Chartier
Historical marker, erected in 1925, in Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, commemorating the life of Martin Chartier
Born1655
St-Jean-de-Montierneuf, Poitiers, Vienne, Poitou-Charentes, France
Died1718(1718-00-00) (aged 62–63)
Washington Boro, Pennsylvania
NationalityFrench-Canadian
Occupation(s)Explorer, fur trader, glovemaker
Known forTravels with Louis Jolliet and René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
SpouseSewatha Straight Tail (1660-1759)
Parent(s)René Chartier (1621-1689);[1] Madeleine Ranger (1621?-1662)
RelativesChildren: Mary Seaworth (Sewatha) Chartier (1687–1732); Peter Chartier (1690–1759)

Martin Chartier (1655 – Apr 1718) was a French-Canadian explorer and trader, carpenter and glove maker. He lived much of his life amongst the Shawnee Native Americans in what is now the United States.

Chartier accompanied Louis Jolliet on two of his journeys to the Illinois Country of New France, and went with René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle on his 1679–80 journey to Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Chartier assisted in the construction of Fort Miami and Fort Crèvecoeur.[2] On April 16, 1680, Chartier, together with six other men, mutinied, looted, burned Fort Crèvecoeur, and fled.

In a letter dated 1682, La Salle stated that Martin Chartier "was one of these who incited the others to do as they did."[3]

Chartier sometimes was written as Chartiere, Chartiers, Shartee or Shortive.

  1. ^ Chartier Family Association: René Chartier
  2. ^ Zuber Family Tree: Martin Chartier
  3. ^ History of Fort Crevecoeur Archived 2009-01-02 at the Wayback Machine