Steve(Can)
Well-known member
(Repost from the Views Forum)
Here's a few pics of two French Trading axes: the first one I found several years ago along the Thames River near London, Ontario; the second one was found along the Ottawa River in the 1960's and was given to me a few days ago.
These type axes date back to the earliest French contact with the Indians, some have been traced as far back as 1580.
Top view:
Bottom view:
The top one is refered to as a French trading axe. It's identifying features are:
The bottom one is an earlier version, referred to as a Biscayan axe:
It is believed that these type axes were first traded to the Indians by visiting Basque fishermen. In the early years of the 1600's, French explorer Samuel Champlain brought a large supply of these axes for the purposes of trade, and in his notes details a number of accounts of the "joyous acceptance of the iron axe by the Indian." After stone hatchets, what a thing it must have been to see an iron axe in action for the first time!
In the English colony in 1608, Captain John Smith found that the axe of the French had already come overland from Canada to the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay. The Tockwoghes, the tribe in possession of the axes, testified that they had obtained the implements from the Isquesahanocks. Smith visited this tribe also and was informed ' them that their iron tools and weapons came from the quanahucke and the Massawomekes, of the Iroquois, who were direct touch with the French traders on "the river of Cannida." At the Battle of Lake Champlain in 1609, the local Mohawks were armed with iron axes, even though traders had not come into that area prior to that year. In this way they spread, from the French, from tribe to tribe, reaching as far as the Southern most states.
With the first French explorers and traders came also the Jesuit missionaries. One of the most famous of the early French Jesuit missions was at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, near the present day location of Midland, Ontario. Perhaps you have heard the Christmas carol, The "Huron Carol"
"... 'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria...."
This hymn was written in 1643 by Jean de Br
Here's a few pics of two French Trading axes: the first one I found several years ago along the Thames River near London, Ontario; the second one was found along the Ottawa River in the 1960's and was given to me a few days ago.
These type axes date back to the earliest French contact with the Indians, some have been traced as far back as 1580.
Top view:
Bottom view:
The top one is refered to as a French trading axe. It's identifying features are:
The bottom one is an earlier version, referred to as a Biscayan axe:
It is believed that these type axes were first traded to the Indians by visiting Basque fishermen. In the early years of the 1600's, French explorer Samuel Champlain brought a large supply of these axes for the purposes of trade, and in his notes details a number of accounts of the "joyous acceptance of the iron axe by the Indian." After stone hatchets, what a thing it must have been to see an iron axe in action for the first time!
In the English colony in 1608, Captain John Smith found that the axe of the French had already come overland from Canada to the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay. The Tockwoghes, the tribe in possession of the axes, testified that they had obtained the implements from the Isquesahanocks. Smith visited this tribe also and was informed ' them that their iron tools and weapons came from the quanahucke and the Massawomekes, of the Iroquois, who were direct touch with the French traders on "the river of Cannida." At the Battle of Lake Champlain in 1609, the local Mohawks were armed with iron axes, even though traders had not come into that area prior to that year. In this way they spread, from the French, from tribe to tribe, reaching as far as the Southern most states.
With the first French explorers and traders came also the Jesuit missionaries. One of the most famous of the early French Jesuit missions was at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons, near the present day location of Midland, Ontario. Perhaps you have heard the Christmas carol, The "Huron Carol"
"... 'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria...."
This hymn was written in 1643 by Jean de Br