Philippe-Thomas Chabert de Joncaire (c. 1707 – c. 1766), also known as Nitachinon by the Iroquois,^[1] was a French army officer and interpreter in New France who established Fort Machault in the 18th century. During his career, he largely served as a diplomat with the indigenous nations rather than as a soldier.^[1]

Early life

Philippe-Thomas Chabert de Joncaire was the eldest son of Louis-Thomas Chabert de Joncaire (1670–1739) and Marie-Madeleine Le Gay.^[2] He was baptized in Montreal on January 9, 1707.^[1] He was the older brother of Daniel-Marie Chabert de Joncaire de Clausonne.^[2][1][3]

Joncaire was given by his father to the Seneca at the age of 10 and was raised by the Iroquois.^[1][2][4]

Career

Early career

Joncaire joined the colonial French army in 1726 and attained the rank of second ensign in 1727.^[1] On July 23, 1731, he married Madeleine Renaud Dubuisson.^[1]

In 1735, Joncaire succeeded his father as the principal interpreter and political agent from New France to the Iroquois.^[1] His responsibilities included easing tensions between the indigenous peoples and the French when either side acted aggressively.^[1] He also negotiated a deal for the Senecas to supply Fort Niagara with fresh meat.^[1] By 1744, his successes resulted in the offering of a dead-or-alive reward by the British.^[1]

Céloron expedition

Joncaire resigned his post on the frontier in 1748 with a claim of ill health, two years after the death of his wife.^[1] The following year, he was recalled to be the interpreter for Pierre-Joseph Céloron de Blainville's expedition along the Ohio River.^[1] He was captured in Sonioto by Shawnees while establishing first contact and was nearly killed before the intervention of an Iroquois chief.^[1][5]

Chiningué

In early July 1750, Joncaire was sent with 12 soldiers to Chiningué to establish a permanent French base.^[1] He found that the native population preferred the traders from Pennsylvania and Virginia over the French.^[1] By 1751, Joncaire held the rank of captain in the French colonial army.^[1] When larger French forces arrived with Paul Marin de la Malgue in 1753, he found support among the local Delaware and Shawnee who wanted to challenge the Iroquois.^[1]

Fort Machault

In 1753, Governor Jean de Lauson sought to build a fortified trading post at the confluence of the Allegheny River and French Creek at Venango.^[6] That year, the English traders were expelled from Venango and Joncaire established Fort d'Anjou with a permanent garrison at the location.^[6]

In December 1753, Major George Washington arrived at Fort d'Anjou on an expedition to deliver British demands and assess the French military situation.^[7] Joncaire directed Washington to his superior officer at Fort LeBoeuf but informed Washington during a dinner about French intentions to "take possession of the Ohio".^[7]

In 1754, Philippe-Thomas was replaced by Michel Maray de La Chauvignerie as the officer in charge of constructing the fort, which was eventually renamed Fort Machault.^[6]

Later life

After the fall of Montreal to the British in 1760, Joncaire went to France and was knighted in the Order of Saint Louis.^[1]

Joncaire had died by 9 November 1766, soon after the end of the Seven Years' War.^[1][2][a]