Tonti Chevalier Henri De 1650-1704 Born In Gaeta Italy Son Of A


well-known financier, and inventor of the Tontine form of life

insurance. Served in the Silician wars, where lost one of his hands.

Introduced to La Salle in Paris, and agreed to join him in his ambitious

schemes of western exploration. They crossed the Atlantic together in

1678, and the same year set forth for the west. At Cayuga Creek, above

Niagara Falls, Tonti built the Griffon, while La Salle went back to

Fort Frontenac for supplies. In the spring of 1679, they sailed together

to Michilimackinac; descended the Illinois, and built Fort Crevecoeur.

In 1682 accompanied La Salle down the Mississippi to the Gulf. Engaged

in the fur trade at Fort St. Louis, after the death of La Salle.



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