Jolliet Louis 1645-1700 Born At Quebec Son Of A Wagon-maker In
the employ of the Company of New France. Educated by the Jesuits, and
took minor orders, but renounced his clerical vocation to engage in the
fur trade. Sent by Talon to discover copper-mines on Lake Superior, and
met La Salle on his return journey, 1669, near the site of the city of
Hamilton. In 1673 set out with Jacques Marquette (q.v.) to discover
the Mississippi. Leaving Michilimackinac on May 17, they coasted the
orth shore of Lake Michigan, to the foot of Green Bay, ascended Fox
River to Lake Winnebago, and descended the Wisconsin to the Mississippi,
which they reached a month after leaving Michilimackinac. Descended the
great river, passing the mouths of the Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and
Arkansas, and turned back from a village of the Arkansas Indians on July
17; returning to Lake Michigan by way of the Illinois. Jolliet was
unfortunate enough to lose the records of his journey at the foot of the
Lachine rapids, almost within sight of Montreal. Made a journey to
Hudson Bay in 1679; and the following year received a grant of the
Island of Anticosti, where he settled with his family. In 1694 explored
the coast of Labrador. On his return made royal pilot for the St.
Lawrence, and hydrographer of the colony. =Index=: (Count Frontenac era) Discoverer of
Mississippi, 155. (Wolfe / Montcalm era) Descends Mississippi, 19. (Bishop Laval era) Follows course of
Mississippi, 11; abandons priestly career and becomes explorer, 59; his
exploration of Mississippi, 146; his burial, 147. =Bib.=: Parkman, La
Salle; Faillon, Colonie Francaise en Canada; Margry, Decouvertes et
Etablissements des Francais; Gagnon, Louis Jolliet. See also
Marquette.