Peter J. Desnoyers
Encyclopedia
Peter John Desnoyers was a silversmith and businessman, and a leading citizen of early Detroit, Michigan
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for his father until he wsas 18 years old. At that time, his father purchased for him some land from the Sciota Land Company, an American firm who was advertising in Paris for artists and artisans to emigrate. The younger Desnoyers set sail to America with other French citizens, arriving in 1790 in Gallipolis, Ohio
, where their lands were supposed to be located. It turned out, however, that the land deal was a swindle, and their deeds were worthless.
's army to Detroit. There he worked as an armorer for the government under Jean François Hamtramck
.
On July 30, 1798, Desnoyers married Marie Louise Gobeille. The couple had eleven children: Peter
(born April 21, 1800; died 1880), Marie Louise Rose (born November 12, 1801), Charles Chrysologus (born 1803; died 1804), Emilie (born July 29, 1805; died 1838), Marie Madeleine (born 1807; died 1808), Victoire (born February 12, 1809; died 1863), Charles Robert (born July 7, 1811; died 1846), Francois Xavier (born 1813), Elizabeth (born August 1, 1815; died 1895), Ann Caroline (born 1818; died 1822), Josephine Sylvie (born May 28, 1821), and Marie Antoinette (born 1827; died 1834).
Desnoyers continued as an armorer until 1803, when he went into business as a silversmith. However, the great Detroit fire of 1805 destroyed his store and stock. After the fire, Desnoyers rebuilt, this time constructing a building that housed both a general store and silversmithing works. He ran both businesses until 1822, when he turned his attention wholly to the general mercantile business. Desnoyers retired from his business in 1835 and remained in Detroit.
. He served a number of terms as a city alderman, and was director and president of the Bank of Michigan.
He died on June 3, 1846 at his home in Detroit.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
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Early life
Peter J. Desnoyers was born in Paris, France on August 1, 1772, the son of Charles Roquiley Desnoyers and his wife Charlotte (Mallet) Desnoyers. He worked as a silversmithSilversmith
A silversmith is a craftsperson who makes objects from silver or gold. The terms 'silversmith' and 'goldsmith' are not synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product varies greatly as does the scale of objects created.Silversmithing is the...
for his father until he wsas 18 years old. At that time, his father purchased for him some land from the Sciota Land Company, an American firm who was advertising in Paris for artists and artisans to emigrate. The younger Desnoyers set sail to America with other French citizens, arriving in 1790 in Gallipolis, Ohio
Gallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
, where their lands were supposed to be located. It turned out, however, that the land deal was a swindle, and their deeds were worthless.
Life in Detroit
A few of the settlers remained, but Desnoyers moved on to Pittsburgh, and in 1796 accompanied General Anthony WayneAnthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
's army to Detroit. There he worked as an armorer for the government under Jean François Hamtramck
Jean François Hamtramck
Jean-François Hamtramck was a French-Canadian from Quebec who joined the Continental Army and became a decorated officer in the American Revolutionary War....
.
On July 30, 1798, Desnoyers married Marie Louise Gobeille. The couple had eleven children: Peter
Peter Desnoyers
Peter Desnoyers was a businessman and politician from Detroit, Michigan, and served as an early State Treasurer of Michigan.-Early life:...
(born April 21, 1800; died 1880), Marie Louise Rose (born November 12, 1801), Charles Chrysologus (born 1803; died 1804), Emilie (born July 29, 1805; died 1838), Marie Madeleine (born 1807; died 1808), Victoire (born February 12, 1809; died 1863), Charles Robert (born July 7, 1811; died 1846), Francois Xavier (born 1813), Elizabeth (born August 1, 1815; died 1895), Ann Caroline (born 1818; died 1822), Josephine Sylvie (born May 28, 1821), and Marie Antoinette (born 1827; died 1834).
Desnoyers continued as an armorer until 1803, when he went into business as a silversmith. However, the great Detroit fire of 1805 destroyed his store and stock. After the fire, Desnoyers rebuilt, this time constructing a building that housed both a general store and silversmithing works. He ran both businesses until 1822, when he turned his attention wholly to the general mercantile business. Desnoyers retired from his business in 1835 and remained in Detroit.
Public Service
Desnoyers served in a number of positions of public trust. He was one of the first Trustees on the Board of Regents of the University of MichiganBoard of Regents of the University of Michigan
The Board of Regents of the University of Michigan is the legal corporation that controls the University of Michigan, comprising the campuses at Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn. The Board of Regents was created by the Organic Act of March 18, 1837 that established the modern University of Michigan...
. He served a number of terms as a city alderman, and was director and president of the Bank of Michigan.
He died on June 3, 1846 at his home in Detroit.