Robidoux Family, Papers, 1858-1873 (C2627)
1 folder, photocopies
INTRODUCTION
The Robidoux Family Papers consist of a journal and notes of Julius C. Robidoux; biographical sketches of Joseph Robidoux, III, the founder of St. Joseph, Missouri; family letters; a translation of a French Creole song; and Buchanan County marriage records.
DONOR INFORMATION
The Robidoux Family Papers were loaned for copying to the State Historical Society of Missouri by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Pollock, Kansas City, Missouri, in March, 1967 (SHS Accession No. 393).
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
The Robidouxs were a family of fur traders and explorers. Joseph Robidoux, Jr., born in Montreal, Canada, in 1750, was a founder of the Missouri Trading Company.
One of eight children, Joseph Robidoux III was born in St. Louis on August 10, 1783. He married Angelique Vaudry, daughter of Antoine and Agnes Bourasa Vaudry, in 1813. There were seven Robidoux sons: Joseph E., J. C., Farrar A., Francis B., Edmond, Charles, and Felix, and one daughter, Sylvania A. (Mrs. F. A. Beauvais).
An Indian trader, Joseph Robidoux III also had the second bakery shop in St. Louis and was a banker before opening a trading post as one of the fur clerks and traders associated with the American Fur Company at the present site of St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1826. In 1843 he had the town of St. Joseph platted. He died there on May 27, 1868.
His son, Julius C. Robidoux, was Justice of the Peace for Washington Township, Buchanan County, 1858-1862; and notary public, 1858-1874. According to Mrs. Samuel Pollock who donated the Robidoux papers, Julius Robidoux was the first son of Joseph Robidoux by his second wife.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Robidoux Family papers consist of a journal and notes of Julius C. Robidoux; family letters; a French Creole song and translation; Buchanan County marriage records, 1858-1866; and biographical sketches of Joseph Robidoux III written by his son, Julius C. Robidoux, Jr.
The journal contains general descriptions of the early history of St. Louis and St. Joseph. Anecdotes of Buchanan County including pre-Civil War incidents of brutal treatment of slaves are vividly described. The journal also contains a sketch of the life of James H. Lucas, possibly transcribed from an article in the St. Louis Times, June 1, 1872, and an account of Father DeSmet's life with the Flatheads.
Of particular interest within the biographical sketches are descriptions of Indian trade, comments on the American Fur Company, anecdotes concerning Indians in northwest Missouri, and a list of marriages performed from 1858 through 1866 by Julius C. Robidoux as Justice of the Peace. Notes and letters contain descriptions of marriage ceremonies and chivarees.
The letters, typewritten copies, are primarily dated 1873 and consist of condolences offered the Robidouxs upon the death of their son, Charles Thomas.
INDEX TERMS
These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.
- American Fur Company
- Benton, Thomas Hart
- Black women
- Chouteau, René Auguste (1749-1829)
- Corby, John
- DeSmet, Pierre Jean
- French language
- Fur trade
- Gilmore family
- Indian trade
- Indians
- Laclede, Pierre Ligueste (1724-1778)
- Langstron family
- Lucas, James H. (1800-1875)
- Lynching
- Marriage customs & rites
- Marriage records--Missouri, Buchanan County
- Missouri, Andrew County
- Missouri, Buchanan County
- Missouri, Buchanan County. Justice of the Peace--Marriage Records, 1885-1886
- Missouri, St. Joseph
- Missouri, St. Joseph, History
- Missouri, St. Louis, History
- Mitchell family
- Railroads
- Ramey, Eliza
- Robidoux family
- Robidoux, Charles
- Robidoux, Joseph
- Robidoux, Julius C.
- Slavery
- Slavery, Missouri, Buchanan County
- Slaves
- Slaves, Missouri, Buchanan County
- Slaves, Treatment of