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Author: tipledan
Surnames: Laviolette, Tougard, Lovellette, Tourgas, Gravett, Boyer, Queret, Deslaurier,
Cardinal
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.cardinal/12.13.14.21.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Hi, during the 1780's, at Kaskaskia, IL, the Cardinal family were numbered among the
settler-farmers there.
Jean (Juan in Spanish..as that part of the land was controlled by French but did much
commerce with Spanish St. Louis, MO.) Jean (Juan)Cardinal came to St. Louis, MO as part
of George Rogers Clark's militia to assist in the coming May 26 Battle of Fort San
Carlos...this battle occurred about where the south leg of the Arch is now and involved
over 1200 troops. Prior to this date, the French brothers from Quebec were stationed at
Fort Vincennes and then took up residence after the British regained control and renamed
it Fort Sack, dismissing the Frech troops. They both swore a loyalty oath to GRC and the
colonies and traveled with Clark throughout Illinois. Both men participated in helping
Clark with the St. Francisville crossing providing aid and comfort to the enemies of the
British crown, the troops of GRC. San Carlos is the only Revolutionary War battle west of
the Mississippi River and its importance is unquestionalble, its impact immearsurable.
All three European !
powers were involved and the colonies. The fight at Arkansas Post was a small minor
skirmish involving a few woodsmen. The brothers are thought to have been tranlators for
Clark at Cahokia and in St. Louis immediately prior to that actual British attack. Jean
was taken POW by the Indians and British and was never seen again, although troops and
hunters were sent to look for him for almost two years. This battle, the dead and POWs
are listed in the Missouri Historical Society bulletin for spring, 1982, as I recall. The
Spanish commandant of St. Louis, Capt Deleyba, requested additional Spanish troops for the
impending battle but was denied by Galves; however Galves did allow reinforcements in the
form of settlers from Kaskaskia, IL and a handful of regulars from St. Genevieve, MO.
Among the settlers was Juan Cardinal. Cardinal's daughters married two French
soldiers, also with GRC (married by Fa. Gibault) and the soldiers, Jean-Baptiste and
Joseph Serephin Tougard (pro!
nunced Tougas)dit Laviolette continued to serve in the american army u
ntil the war ended and they took up residence in Vincennes, IN where they are buried with
their wives in St. Francis Xavier church cemetery on the GRC Memorial grounds at this
time. We are certain that Jean-Marie Cardinal married Joseph Serephin. Both men served
under Capt Joseph Bowman. From those two men, Jean and Joseph, and their wives (thought
to be the Cardinal sisters of Kaskaskia and Vincennes), the entire Lovellette and Tougas
families throughout IN and IL, as far as I can find, descend. I've been to the
memorial and viewed the records held by the NPS on the grounds. Most likely, you and I
are cousins. Hope this helps. I found it to be a wonderful discovery. Many thanks to all
my cousins that assisted in providing the help. God Bless them, one and all.
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