Here is Osborne's collection of narratives of the inhabitants of Drummonds Island, including Solomon and LaBatte:
www.bussineau.com/penetanguishene.htmThe highlight's of Michael Labatte's narrative are:
"[Michael Labatte, a typical French-Canadian voyageur, lives on an island in Victoria Harbor (Hogg Bay). His family history and
descent is an interesting one. He claims over one quarter Indian
blood, but the aboriginal element in his nature is most unmistakably marked. His father went up to the North-West in the closing years of the last century, and probably accompanied the British army in their first move to "Sault Ste. Marie" and St. Joseph Island, on the first transfer of Mackinaw to the Americans in 1796. He also formed one of the contingent of one hundred and sixty French-Canadian voyageurs accompanyiug Mr. Pothier, under Captain Roberts, at the capture of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, and three years later he moved to Drummond Island with the British forces on the second transfer of Mackinaw to the Americans, and finally to Penetanguishene. For a man of his years (over 85) Michael is vigorous and alert, and his memory is apparently intact.]"
His Narrative.
"I was born at Sault Ste. Marie (on the American side) in 1814,
the last year of the war, my mother being there on a visit to
friends at the time, though our home was on Drummond Island. My father was Louis George Labatte, a blacksmith by trade, who was born in Lower Canada. He was a soldier in the British Army, and was at the capture of Mackinaw in 1812. He went up from
Montreal with the North-West Company, and moved from Mackinaw with the British soldiers to Drummond Island. My mother's name was Louisa Cadotte, a Chippewa, from whom I learned the Indian language. I was the eldest of a family of three children, two brothers and one sister, the others being dead. Nothing but French and Indian was spoken at Drummond Island. I learned English at Penetanguishene, where I first heard it spoken. I was twelve years old when we left Drummond Island. I came in a bateau with my mother, brother, sister, and an Indian, named Gro-e-wis-Oge-nier, and his wife. .."
" I was married in Penetang. by Father Charest. My wife's maiden name was Archange Bergé, whose father came from Drummond Island. I was a volunteer in the enrolled militia of Simcoe. I have my discharge papers for 1839, signed by Colonel Gourlay and Horace Keating, certified by Wm Simpson. Also for 1843, signed by Col. W. A Thompson...."
"I came to Victoria Harbor (Hogg Bay) over thirty years
ago. My mother has been dead over fifty years. She is buried
at Lafontaine with my father. ..There was no house at Lafontaine when I first saw it. It was first called Ste. Croix. The nearest house was my father's, at Thunder Bay, about seven miles distant..."
Michael LaBatte had 15 children.
Antoine LaBatte said the following:
"My mother died in 1863, and both are buried
at Lafontaine. Her maiden name was Julia Frances Grouette, a half-breed. I am three-quarters French and one-quarter Indian blood.....Michael Labatte, of Victoria Harbor, is my half-brother. His mother's Indian name was Oh-ge-ke-qua."
Osborne lists the rest of the LaBattes as:
LABATTE, LOUISE (Michael's sister), married Pierre Blette dit Sorelle.
LABATTE, ANTOINE, of lot 16, con. 19, Tiny, at Thunder Bay. He
has numerous descendants. (See the Narrative of Antoine Labatte.)
LABATTE, AMBROSE, of lot 13; con. 17, Tiny, is still living.
LABATTE, DOMINIQUE, the third son of Louis George Labatte, was
killed at the raising of a building in Tiny. He was buried at Lafontaine.
LABATTE, KATRINE, of lot 16, con. 16, Tiny, the early home of
Louis Deschenaux. The original block-house is still standing.
She became the wife of M. Duquette, and has a vivid recollection
of the family trip in the bateau up the Nottawasaga River and
over the portage to Lake Simcoe; also of the subsequent landing
at their future home beside Thunder Bay, in Tiny, on a cold Christmas eve.
LABATTE, Louis GEORGE, blacksmith in the navy, lived on lot 16
con. 19, Tiny, at Thunder Bay, which thus became the early home
of the Labattes. (See Antoine's Narrative.) He was buried at
Lafontaine
