Jacques Mete' Descendants

Detroit Library - Burton Collection MS 929.2 Mettez. The family was quite large and there are five representatives in the lists in 1820. Joseph Mettez had two sons, Theophilus and Rene living in Detroit in 1820. Theophilus was born in Sandwich district, 24 Nov. 1764, married Catherine Peliter. They had several children. Rene was born in Detroit 27 Feb. 1771, married Elizabeth Riopel. He was a tailor and had a shop in the city. He died 21 March 1845. There were some children of the next generation in Detroit in 1820. Marie Catherine, daughter of Theophilus, above, born 12 Nov. 1790 married (1) Francis Lepage dit St. Amant and (2) Joseph Maillet. She died in Detroit in 1849. Theophilus Jr. son of Theophilus, above, born 16 Sept. 1792 married Marie Gamelin. He died in Detroit 19 Sept. 1844. He was seventeen years old when the first printing press was brought to Detroit. The issue of the press, those in French, bore the name of Theophilus Mettez. Either this person or his partner set the t...

Joseph, son of Jacques Metay dit Ladouceur, was born on 20 May 1735 at Boucherville, province of Quebec. His mother was Marie Francoise Lalouette LeBeau. He was baptized there the same day. Since both his parents are buried at Boucherville, is seems reasonable to assume that this is where he spent his childhood. Sometime before 1757, Joseph made his way to the Detroit region. In 1749 the French Government was well aware of the strategic importance of Fort Ponachartrain and Detroit and also the agricultural value of the surrounding land. A public proclamation offered land and support for families willing to migrate west. One must wonder if this is what brought Joseph to the Detroit area, where he would marry and raise his family. The area where he chose to live was most probably the area where the Parish of Notre Dame de l'Assomption was later established. At the time of the conquest of New France by the British in 1760, the south shore along the Detroit river had a settlemen...

What is our family connection? The common ancestor of all of the Metty family of French descendent currently living in the United States and Canada is Felix. And a frequently asked question is just how many children did he and Catherine have? The best documented answer may be found in "French Familes of the Detroit River Region 1701-1936" Denissen Revision Vol. II. Herein we find listed the names of these children and an indication of their age. Anthony bp 5 Jun 1796 Leander b 14 Mar 1798 Detroit Richard b. 16 Apr 1799 Pelagia b. 28 Aug 1801 bp 1 Sep 1801 Detroit Albert b. 16 Jun bp. 20 Aug 1803 Detroit bur. there 23 Aug 1803 Charles b. 28 Oct 1804 Detroit Hubert b. 29 Nov 1806 Alexis b. 26 Apr 1809 Medard b. 18 Oct bp. 7 Nov 1811 Detroit bur there 18 Nov 1811 Francis Xavier b. 22 May 1813 Detroit Isabella b. 6 Aug 1815 Detroit bur. there 19 Aug 1815 Elisabeth b. 4 Jan 1817 Detroit Medard b. 9 Dec 1819 St Antoine bur the...