Virtual Museum of Art | Virtual Museum of History | Virtual Public Library | Virtual Science Center | Virtual Museum of Natural History | Virtual War Museum
   You are in: Museum of History >> Hall of North and South Americans >> Isaac Jogues





The Seven Flags of the New Orleans Tri-Centennial 1718-2018

For more information go to New Orleans 300th Birthday

 

Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889 and 1999. Virtualology.com warns that these 19th Century biographies contain errors and bias. We rely on volunteers to edit the historic biographies on a continual basis. If you would like to edit this biography please submit a rewritten biography in text form . If acceptable, the new biography will be published above the 19th Century Appleton's Cyclopedia Biography citing the volunteer editor




Virtual American Biographies

Over 30,000 personalities with thousands of 19th Century illustrations, signatures, and exceptional life stories. Virtualology.com welcomes editing and additions to the biographies. To become this site's editor or a contributor Click Here or e-mail Virtualology here.



A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 



Isaac Jogues

DE SMET, Peter John  - A Stan Klos Company

JOGUES, Isaac, French missionary, born in Orleans, France, 10 January, 1607; died in Ossernenon, near what is now Auriesville, Montgomery County, New York, 18 October, 1646. He became a member of the Jesuit order in October, 1624, was ordained priest in 1636, and went in the same year to Canada, where he was sent to labor among the Hurons at Ihonatiria.

In 1638 he wintered among the Petuns, and, although meeting with much opposition, converted many of the tribe. He was next stationed at the mission of St. Mary's on the Wye, visiting at the same time five Indian towns in the neighborhood. In the summer of 1642 he embarked on board a canoe, accompanied by several Hurons, and reached Quebec in search of supplies for the missions. He visited Sault Sainte Marie on the way, and was thus the first missionary to plant the cross on Michigan soil.

On his return from Quebec to the Huron country, the party with whom he was traveling fell into a Mohawk ambuscade. The Hurons, overconfident in their bravery, landed and were soon beaten. Father Jogues could have escaped, but when he saw his companions prisoners, he surrendered in order to be near the wounded and dying. For attempting to console those who were undergoing torture, he was beaten until he was senseless, and barbarously treated.

The Mohawks then embarked on Lake Champlain, and, meeting a party of their countrymen on an island, compelled the prisoners to run the gantlet for their amusement. The missionary sank under the blows that he received, and was then dragged to a scaffold, where he was cruelly tortured. This treatment was repeated in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon on 14 August, and in two other villages, in one of which he baptized two Huron catechumens, in the midst of his agony, with some drops of dew on a cornstalk that was thrown him by an Indian. Then the Mohawks decided to put all the prisoners to death; but on further consideration they contented themselves with burning three Hurons at the stake.

The Dutch of Fort Orange raised a large sum of money, and made every effort to ransom Father Jogues and his servant René Goupil, but their generous efforts were unavailing.

Soon afterward a war party arrived that had been defeated by the French, and the Mohawks resolved to kill all their French prisoners. Father Jogues was spared for the time, and in his captivity found his only consolation in instructing and confessing prisoners who were burned at the stake, sometimes when they were amid the flames.

He was forced by the Mohawks to follow them to their hunting-grounds, where he did the work of the squaws and slaves. After his labors, he wandered about the forest. chanting psalms or praying before the sign of the cross carved on some tree. The Indians took him several times to the Dutch settlement at Rennsselaerswyck, and he wrote from this station in August, 1643, a letter to his provincial, giving an account of his captivity.

Finally, by the aid of the Dutch settlers, several of whom imperilled their lives in his behalf, he succeeded in escaping just as his captors were about to kill him in revenge for a defeat they had suffered from the French. He was brought to New Amsterdam, where his misfortunes excited the deepest sympathy among all classes. Governor Kieft and the clergyman Dominic Megapolensis especially showed him the warmest affection.

In November, 1643, he sailed for Europe, but was driven on the English coast, and robbed of all that he possessed. He finally succeeded in reaching France, where he was received with great kindness. But he could not control his desire to return to Canada.

He first requested permission from Innocent XI. to say mass with mutilated hands. The reply of the pope was: "Indignum esse Christi martyrem Christi non bibere sanguinem." [“It would be a disgrace for a martyr of Christ not to drink the blood of Christ.”] He embarked at La Rochelle in the spring of 1644, was stationed for some time at Montreal, and was sent to take part in the negotiations between the French and Mohawks at Three Rivers. Peace was concluded, but its ratification was delayed, and, to bring matters to a final settlement, Father Jogues set out for the Mohawk country with Sieur Bourdon, 16 May, 1646.

He passed through Lake George, which he called Lac Sainte Sacrement, stopped on the way at Fort Orange to thank the Dutchmen who had succored him, and then proceeded to the Mohawk town of Onewyiure. The Mohawks received him kindly, and peace was concluded. He then went to Quebec, but only rested a few days.

Although there were rumors that the Mohawks were about to renew the war, he was determined on establishing a mission among them. Yet he had no doubt as to the end. The words in his last letter were prophetic: "Ibo et non redibo." [“I am going and I am not returning.”] He was accompanied by several Hurons and a young Frenchman named Lalande. The Hurons abandoned him one after another, but the Frenchman remained faithful to the end. They met a party of Mohawks in their war paint, and Father Jogues entered Ossernenon a second time as a captive, 17 October, 1646.

On his previous visit he had left a chest containing his vestments and chapel service. The Mohawks believed that the caterpillars that devoured their crops, and a fever that was decimating them, owed their origin to this chest. They therefore resolved that he should die as a sorcerer, and began the butchery by slicing off the flesh from his arms and back, crying, "Let us see if this white flesh is that of an otkon" (sorcerer).

His calm remonstrances in the midst of his torture seemed to produce some effect. A council of the clans assembled to decide his fate. While it was in session he was invited to a supper, and had scarcely entered the hut to which he was conducted when an Indian rushed from the darkness and struck him down lifeless with a single blow. His companion was also killed, and their heads were fixed on the north palisade, and their bodies flung into the Mohawk.

Miracles were attributed to Father Jogues after his death, and the third plenary council of Baltimore, held in November, 1884, took steps toward his canonization. He was proclaimed a saint, one of the North American Martyrs, by Pope Pius XI in 1930.

The site of Ossernenon has been identified. A chapel was erected on the spot in 1884 to commemorate his death and that of René Goupil, and Roman Catholics are making pilgrimages thither.

Father Jogues wrote a "Description of New Netherlands in 1642," a "Notice of René Goupil," and a "Journal" of his captivity, all of which have been published in a volume of the "Collections of the New York Historical Society," and reprinted, with notes and a memoir, by John G. Shea (1862). His journal was published by Alejambe in his "Mortes illustres" (Rome, 1667). His life has been written by Felix Martin (Paris, 1873; New York, 1885).

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM

 

JOGUES, Isaac, French missionary, born in Orleans, France, 10 January, 1607; died in Ossernenon, near what is now Auriesville, Montgomery County, New York, 1S October, 1646. He became a member of the Jesuit order in October, 1624, was ordained priest in 1636, and went in the same year to Canada, where he was sent to labor among the Hurons at Ihonatiria. In 1638 he wintered among the Petuns, and, although meeting with much opposition, converted many of the tribe. He was next stationed at the mission of St. Mary's on the Wye, visiting at the same time five Indian towns in the neighborhood. In the summer of 1642 he embarked on board a canoe, accompanied by several Hurons, and reached Quebec in search of supplies for the missions. He visited Sault Sainte Marie on the way, and was thus the first missionary to plant the cross on Michigan soil. On his return from Quebec to the Huron country, the party with whom he was travelling fell into a Mohawk ambuscade. The Hurons, overconfident in their bravery, landed and were soon beaten. Father Jogues could have escaped, but when he saw his companions prisoners, he surrendered in order to be near the wounded and dying. For attempting to console those who were undergoing torture, he was beaten until he was senseless, and barbarously treated. The Mohawks then embarked on Lake Champlain, and, meeting a party of their countrymen on an island, compelled the prisoners to run the gantlet for their amusement. The missionary sank under the blows that he received, and was then dragged to a scaffold, where he was cruelly tortured. This treatment was repeated in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon on 14 August, and in two other villages, in one of which he baptized two Huron catechumens, in the midst of his agony, with some drops of dew on a corn-stalk that was thrown him by an Indian. Then the Mohawks decided to put all the prisoners to death; but on further consideration they contented themselves with burning three Hurons at the stake. The Dutch of Fort Orange raised a large sum of money, and made every effort to ransom Father Jogues and his servant Rend Gonpil, but their generous efforts were unavailing. Soon afterward a war party arrived that had been defeated by the French, and the Mohawks resolved to kill all their French prisoners. Father Jogues was spared for the time, and in his captivity found his only consolation in instructing and confessing prisoners who were burned at the stake, sometimes when they were amid the flames. He was forced by the Mohawks to follow them to their hunting-grounds, where he did the work of the squaws and slaves. After his labors, he wandered about the forest. chanting psalms or praying before the sign of the cross carved on some tree. The Indians took him several times to the Dutch settlement at Renns-selaerswyck, and he wrote from this station in August, 1643, a letter to his provincial, giving an account of his captivity. Finally, by the aid of the Dutch settlers, several of whom imperilled their lives in his behalf, he succeeded in escaping just as his captors were about to kill hint in revenge for a defeat they had suffered from the French. He was brought to New Amsterdam, where his misfortunes excited the deepest sympathy among all classes. Governor Kieft and the clergyman Dominic Megapolensis especially showed him the warmest affection. In November, 1643, he sailed for Europe, but was driven on the English coast, and robbed of all that he possessed. He finally succeeded in reaching France, where he was received with great kindness. But he could not control his desire to return to Canada. He first requested permission from Innocent XI. to say mass with mutilated hands. The reply of the pope was: "Indignum esse Christi martyrem Christi non bibere sanguinem." He embarked at La Rochelle in the spring of 1644, was stationed for some time at Montreal, and was sent to take part in the negotiations between the French and Mohawks at Three Rivers. Peace was concluded, but its ratification was delayed, and, to bring matters to a final settlement, Father Jogues set out for the Mohawk country with Sieur Bourdon, 16 May, 1646. He passed through Lake George, which he called Lac Sainte Sacrement, stopped on the way at Fort Orange to thank the Dutchmen who had succored him, and then proceeded to the Mohawk town of One-wyiure. The Mohawks received him kindly, and peace was concluded. He then went to Quebec, but only rested a few days. Although there were rumors that the Mohawks were about to renew the war, he was determined on establishing a mission among them. Yet he had no doubt as to the end. The words in his last letter were prophetic: "Ibo et non redibo." He was accompanied by several Hurons and a young Frenchman named Lalande. The Hurons abandoned him one after another, but the Frenchman remained faithful to the end. They met a party of Mohawks in their war-paint, and Father Jogues entered Ossernenon a second time as a captive, 17 October, 1646. On his previous visit he had left a chest containing his vestments and chapel service. The Mohawks believed that the caterpillars that devoured their crops, and a fever that was decimating them, owed their origin to this chest. They therefore resolved that he should die as a sorcerer, and began the butchery by slicing off the flesh from his arms and back, crying, "Let us see if this white flesh is that of an otkon" (sorcerer). His calm remonstrances in the midst of his torture seemed to produce some effect. A council of the clans assembled to decide his fate. While it was in session he was invited to a supper, and had scarcely entered the hut to which he was conducted when an Indian rushed from the darkness and struck him down lifeless with a single blow. His companion was also killed, and their heads were fixed on the north palisade, and their bodies flung into the Mohawk. Miracles were attributed to Father Jogues after his death, and the third plenary council of Baltimore, held in November, 1884, took steps toward his canonization. The site of Ossernenon has been identified. A chapel was erected on the spot in 1884 to commemorate his death and that of Rend Goupil, and Roman Catholics are making pilgrimages thither. Father Jogues wrote a "Description of New Netherlands in 1642," a "Notice of Rend Goupil," and a "Journal" of his captivity, all of which have been published in a volume of the "Collections of the New York Historical Society," and reprinted, with notes and a memoir, by John G. Shea (1862). His journal was published by Alejambe in his "Mortes illustres" (Rome, 1667). His life has been written by Felix Martin (Paris, 1873; New York, 1885).

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM

Start your search on Isaac Jogues.


 

 


 


Unauthorized Site: This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected, associated with or authorized by the individual, family, friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated sites that are related to this subject will be hyper linked below upon submission and Evisum, Inc. review.

Copyright© 2000 by Evisum Inc.TM. All rights reserved.
Evisum Inc.TM Privacy Policy

Search:

About Us

 

 

Image Use

Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The People Click Here

 

Historic Documents

Articles of Association

Articles of Confederation 1775

Articles of Confederation

Article the First

Coin Act

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg Address

Monroe Doctrine

Northwest Ordinance

No Taxation Without Representation

Thanksgiving Proclamations

Mayflower Compact

Treaty of Paris 1763

Treaty of Paris 1783

Treaty of Versailles

United Nations Charter

United States In Congress Assembled

US Bill of Rights

United States Constitution

US Continental Congress

US Constitution of 1777

US Constitution of 1787

Virginia Declaration of Rights

 

Historic Events

Battle of New Orleans

Battle of Yorktown

Cabinet Room

Civil Rights Movement

Federalist Papers

Fort Duquesne

Fort Necessity

Fort Pitt

French and Indian War

Jumonville Glen

Manhattan Project

Stamp Act Congress

Underground Railroad

US Hospitality

US Presidency

Vietnam War

War of 1812

West Virginia Statehood

Woman Suffrage

World War I

World War II

 

Is it Real?



Declaration of
Independence

Digital Authentication
Click Here

 

America’s Four Republics
The More or Less United States

 
Continental Congress
U.C. Presidents

Peyton Randolph

Henry Middleton

Peyton Randolph

John Hancock

  

Continental Congress
U.S. Presidents

John Hancock

Henry Laurens

John Jay

Samuel Huntington

  

Constitution of 1777
U.S. Presidents

Samuel Huntington

Samuel Johnston
Elected but declined the office

Thomas McKean

John Hanson

Elias Boudinot

Thomas Mifflin

Richard Henry Lee

John Hancock
[
Chairman David Ramsay]

Nathaniel Gorham

Arthur St. Clair

Cyrus Griffin

  

Constitution of 1787
U.S. Presidents

George Washington 

John Adams
Federalist Party


Thomas Jefferson
Republican* Party

James Madison 
Republican* Party

James Monroe
Republican* Party

John Quincy Adams
Republican* Party
Whig Party

Andrew Jackson
Republican* Party
Democratic Party


Martin Van Buren
Democratic Party

William H. Harrison
Whig Party

John Tyler
Whig Party

James K. Polk
Democratic Party

David Atchison**
Democratic Party

Zachary Taylor
Whig Party

Millard Fillmore
Whig Party

Franklin Pierce
Democratic Party

James Buchanan
Democratic Party


Abraham Lincoln 
Republican Party

Jefferson Davis***
Democratic Party

Andrew Johnson
Republican Party

Ulysses S. Grant 
Republican Party

Rutherford B. Hayes
Republican Party

James A. Garfield
Republican Party

Chester Arthur 
Republican Party

Grover Cleveland
Democratic Party

Benjamin Harrison
Republican Party

Grover Cleveland 
Democratic Party

William McKinley
Republican Party

Theodore Roosevelt
Republican Party

William H. Taft 
Republican Party

Woodrow Wilson
Democratic Party

Warren G. Harding 
Republican Party

Calvin Coolidge
Republican Party

Herbert C. Hoover
Republican Party

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Democratic Party

Harry S. Truman
Democratic Party

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Republican Party

John F. Kennedy
Democratic Party

Lyndon B. Johnson 
Democratic Party 

Richard M. Nixon 
Republican Party

Gerald R. Ford 
Republican Party

James Earl Carter, Jr. 
Democratic Party

Ronald Wilson Reagan 
Republican Party

George H. W. Bush
Republican Party 

William Jefferson Clinton
Democratic Party

George W. Bush 
Republican Party

Barack H. Obama
Democratic Party

Please Visit

Forgotten Founders
Norwich, CT

Annapolis Continental
Congress Society


U.S. Presidency
& Hospitality

© Stan Klos

 

 

 

 


Virtual Museum of Art | Virtual Museum of History | Virtual Public Library | Virtual Science Center | Virtual Museum of Natural History | Virtual War Museum