Early life[edit]

Birth and Immigration to New France[edit]

The location and date of Pierre-Esprit Radisson's birth are not specifically clear,
though the most widely accepted consensus seems to place his origin in the
lower Rhone region of France, likely near the town of Avignon, sometime in the
mid-seventeenth century. An affidavit from 1697 and a petition from 1698
contain statements from Radisson himself indicating that he was 61 and 62 years
old respectively, which would place his year of birth at 1636.[1] However, a 1681
census of New France indicated that he was, at the time, 41 years old, placing
his birth year instead at 1640.[2] In Radisson's own writings, he claims that his
family, the Hayet-Radissons, originally stemmed from the town of St. Malo.[3]
However, records seem to suggest that his family more likely came from either
Paris or Avignon.[4] Baptismal Records from Carpentras, a city near Avignon,
concerning Radisson's father ( Pierre-Esprit Radisson Sr.) provide evidence in
support of the latter option.[5] As Radisson himself describes in his writings, he
immigrated from France to Canada on the 24th of May, in 1651.[6] Information
regarding Radisson's arrival in New France is scarce, but it is theorized that he
arrived with, or as a result of, his half-sister (from his mother's side) Marguerite
Hayet.[7] It is also unknown whether or not he arrived alongside other members
of his family, namely his two sisters lisabeth and Franoise.[8] Regardless, by
1651, Marguerite, who would go on to marry Radisson's eventual fur-trading
partner Mdard Chouat Des Groseilliers, was living in Trois-Rivires at the same
time as her three half-siblings.

Capture and Life with the Iroquois[edit]

According to Radisson's account, in the same year (though perhaps a year later
in 1652) he had been hunting fowl with several other men near his home in TroisRivires when he was captured by the Iroquois.[9] Initially a petty squabble had
separated him from his friends and by the time he had found them, they had
been killed by a local group of aboriginals.[9] Citing his youth as the reason he
was left alive, Radisson claims that the Iroquois, after immediately capturing
him, treated him relatively kindly and that he, partially by showing an interest in
Mohawk/Iroquois language and culture, was assimilated into a local Mohawk
family who had supposedly settled near modern day Schenectady, N.Y.[9][10]
This assimilation was the custom for the Mohawk, who often replaced people lost
to disease and warfare and adopted young captives from other tribes and
European nations. After approximately six weeks of gradual integration,
Radisson's assimilation and partial adoption of Iroquois nationality was largely
solidified.[11][12] However, shortly thereafter, while out hunting with three
Iroquois, Radisson reluctantly agreed to attempt escape after meeting an
Algonquin man who offered to help him return to Trois-Rivires.[12] After
successfully killing Radisson's Iroquois companions, Radisson and the Algonquin
man travelled for 14 days until they were within sight of Trois-Rivires, but were
recaptured by patrolling Iroquois shortly before reaching the town.[12][13] The
Mohawk killed the Algonquin and subjected Radisson, along with approximately
20 other prisoners, to ritual torture, but much of his punishment was lessened as
a result of the advocacy of his adopted Native family. Eventually he was

released, and, overwhelmed with relief, described the experience as a moment in

which "all my paines and griefs ceased, not feeling the least paine. [My father]
bids me be merry, makes me sing, to wich I consented with all my heart."[14]
Afterwards, following the healing of his torture wounds and a subsequent 5
months war-party expedition, Radisson departed for a trading trip, alongside
other Mohawk warriors, at Fort Orange.[15][16]

Departure from the Iroquois and Missionary Work[edit]