25 December 1799 Noel LaVasseur born in Saint Michael de Yamasaka, Yamasaka County, Quebec, Canada
22 August 1802 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard born in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont.
Between 1810 and 1812 Watseka born in either Illinois or Indiana. Parents: Father, Shabonee, Mother, Monashki
7 November 1811 Shabonee fights in the Battle of Tippecanoe and escapes to some unknown place but returns later and has some involvement in Watseka's life.
About 1818 Noel LaVasseur arrives in Bunkum, IL (current Iroquois) to establish an American For Company trading post. The Trading Post was on the north side of The Iroquois River near the present town of Iroquois. The Pottawatomie encampment was directly opposite the trading post on the south side of the river. Less than a year later a second Pottawatomie encampment was established on the north side of the river about one mile upstream.
About 1819 Francis Xavier Bergeron born in Saint Antoine, Quebec, Canada
About 1820 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard arrives in today's Iroquois County to work for Noel LaVasseur.
About 1820 Watseka promised in marriage by her Uncle to Gurdon S. Hubbard.
Winter of 1821-1822 a second trading post was established about one mile upstream from the confluence of the Iroquois River and Sugar Creek on the north side of the river with yet another Pottawatomie encampment on the south side of the river.
About 1824-1826 Watseka married to Gurdon S. Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion, with no surviving children. Names and circumstances of the children's births are unknown.
About 1826 Watseka divorces Gurdon Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion which allowed a bride to divorce her husband after two years..
About 1827-1837 Watseka married to Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawattomie fashion with two children. Girl, named Olivie was born 4 July 1835 and baptized by Father De Smet in Council Bluffs, IA on 10 June 1838. Archange born 12 September 1837 and baptized by the same Father DeSmet at the same location and on the same date as her sister. They were with their Mother on 31 December 1838 in Council Bluffs, IA. LaVasseur simultaneously had a second Indian wife named Me-saw-ke-qua. The fate of these children is unknown.
About 1827 Watseka goes with Noel LaVasseur to the Kankakee area.
Winter 1830-1831 This was he worst winter ever experienced in Illinois with many people dying or starving. It is alleged that Watseka was helpful in some way to the sparse population of settlers. The 1830 census found 5,836 people in Vermilion County which included today's Vermilion, Iroquois, Kankakee and parts of Will and Champaign counties. Danville was the only community of sorts and it probably meant that the territory of today's Iroquois County held no more than 1,500 people.
20 October 1832 The USA made a treaty with The Pottawatomie whereby they give up land in return for money. Me-saw-ke-qua and her children are among a small group of Indians that received rights to land. She received two sections (1280 acres) at Wais-us-kuck's village. Today, this is upsteam on the Kankakee river from Aroma Park. Today this is known as the Mesawkequa neighborhood. Gurdon Hubbard received $5,573 ($154,806 in today's money) as interpreter and Noel Vasier (La Vasseur) received $1,800 ($50,000) in Today's money.
After 20 October 1832 Me-saw-ke-qua establishes with Noel LaVasseur a trading post at a place in Bourbonnais Grove called La Pointe. Watseka was with the Kickapoo in Ft. Leavenworth, KS when the treaty was signed. When Watseka arrived back in Illinois is unknown but would have been no later than October 1834.
About 1832 Gurdon S. Hubbard makes his permanent home in Chicago.
About 1837 Watseka, the Person is Divorced by Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawatomie fashion. This coincided with the U.S. government's removal of the Pottawatomie from the area. She was then pregnant with her second daughter and accompanied with her first daughter and was part of The Removal of 1837. Her second daughter was born 12 September 1837 while the Pottawatomie were camped at Princeton, IL
19 January 1840 Watseka was baptized into the Catholic Church at Council Bluffs, IA under the name Josette. She was assumed to be about 30 years of age. Shortly thereafter she left for Illinois.
4 April 1840 Jacob Haas petitions the first session of the 26th Congress to give him title to two-thirds of the land that had been gramted to Me-saw-ke-qua and Noel LaVasseur. His petition is denied.
Summer 0f 1840 Watseka arrives at the new home of LaVasseur in Bourbonnais. She entered and found his new wife and infant. After a brief argument, the new wife went upstairs and locked the door. Watseka waited downstairs and LaVasseur appeared in the evening. Realizing his predicament he finalized their separation with an unknown but sizable amount of money. They were never to meet again.
14 September 1840 Watseka Marries Francis Bergeron in Bourbonnais, in then Will County, IL. It is alleged that Bergeron gave Watseka's father two mules.
About 1840 Watseka forced to move with Francis Bergeron from Kankakee area to Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA
Before February 1841 Watseka moves to the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
1 June 1841 the first child of Watseka and Francis Bergeron, John Baptiste Bergeron, is born in the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
Before 4 July 1841 Watseka moves to then, Will County, IL to join her husband, Francis Bergeron
4 July 1841 John Baptiste Bergeron is baptized in then, Will County, IL.
19 January 1843 Jacob Haas petitions the 3rd session of the 27th Congress to again gain clear title to two-thirds of the land he petitioned Congress about in 1840. Again, he is denied.
Probably 1844 Watseka, her husand and son were forcibly moved from the Kankakee River area of Illinois to Council Bluffs, IA.
20 September 1845 Watseka and Francis' second child, Matilda Bergeron, was born in Council Bluffs, IA or NE.
1847 or 1848 Watseka and family moved to a reservation north and west of Topeka, KS known as Cross Creek near Rossville, KS.
23 January 1848 Matilda is baptized at Cross Creek.
26 May 1848 Ft. Leavenworth Agency identified six people in the household of Watseka and Francis. The two of them and Olivie and Archange the two daughters of Watseka and La Vasseur and the two children of Watseka and Francis, John Baptiste and Mildred. Francis Xavier Bergeron was now identified as a member of the Pottawatomie nation.
Children born to Francis and Watseka.
1. John Baptiste Bergeron
Born 1 June 1841 vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS
Died 1926 Oklahoma
2. Matilda Bergeron Lewis
Born 20 September 1845 Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA.
Died 7 March 1886
Buried Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
3. Catherine Bergeron Melot
Born 26 July 1849 Kansas
Died 1933 Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK
Buried Wanette Cemetery, Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK
4 Charles Franklin Bergeron
Born 1856 Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
Died 1940
1853 The family settled in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
Summer 1863 Watseka made her last visit to Bourbonnais, Middleport (Watseka) and Buncombe (Iroquois.) She was apparently accompanied by her husband and three of her children. They stayed at the house of Mr. Sid Vail of Momence, IL. "During her visit the Vail's noticed that Watseka was as comfortable in the white man's world as she was her own In essence walking in two cultures. Additionally, she appeared intelligent, was quick witted and was an engaging conversationalist, she had good tast in clothes." She posed with Sid Vail's daughter Phoebe Vail Johnson in a lovely picture.
She was the last Pottawatomie to set foot in Iroquois County.
1870 Watseka under the name Jozette Bergeron appears in the 1870 Census with her husband, Francis Bergeron amd her 14 year old son, Charles. They resided in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, OK.
About 1872 Watseka and Francis move to Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK after selling property in Louisville, KS.
About 1873 Watseka dies, presumably in OK. Place of burial is unknown but may have been in a cemetery that was destroyed in a flood.
12 December 1879 Noel LaVasseur dies in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and is buried in Maternity Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Bourbonnais, Kankakee County, Illinois.
1881 Francis Xavier Bergeron dies in an Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK and is buried in the Wanette Cemetery in Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK.
14 September 1886 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard dies in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
22 August 1802 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard born in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont.
Between 1810 and 1812 Watseka born in either Illinois or Indiana. Parents: Father, Shabonee, Mother, Monashki
7 November 1811 Shabonee fights in the Battle of Tippecanoe and escapes to some unknown place but returns later and has some involvement in Watseka's life.
About 1818 Noel LaVasseur arrives in Bunkum, IL (current Iroquois) to establish an American For Company trading post. The Trading Post was on the north side of The Iroquois River near the present town of Iroquois. The Pottawatomie encampment was directly opposite the trading post on the south side of the river. Less than a year later a second Pottawatomie encampment was established on the north side of the river about one mile upstream.
About 1819 Francis Xavier Bergeron born in Saint Antoine, Quebec, Canada
About 1820 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard arrives in today's Iroquois County to work for Noel LaVasseur.
About 1820 Watseka promised in marriage by her Uncle to Gurdon S. Hubbard.
Winter of 1821-1822 a second trading post was established about one mile upstream from the confluence of the Iroquois River and Sugar Creek on the north side of the river with yet another Pottawatomie encampment on the south side of the river.
About 1824-1826 Watseka married to Gurdon S. Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion, with no surviving children. Names and circumstances of the children's births are unknown.
About 1826 Watseka divorces Gurdon Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion which allowed a bride to divorce her husband after two years..
About 1827-1837 Watseka married to Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawattomie fashion with two children. Girl, named Olivie was born 4 July 1835 and baptized by Father De Smet in Council Bluffs, IA on 10 June 1838. Archange born 12 September 1837 and baptized by the same Father DeSmet at the same location and on the same date as her sister. They were with their Mother on 31 December 1838 in Council Bluffs, IA. LaVasseur simultaneously had a second Indian wife named Me-saw-ke-qua. The fate of these children is unknown.
About 1827 Watseka goes with Noel LaVasseur to the Kankakee area.
Winter 1830-1831 This was he worst winter ever experienced in Illinois with many people dying or starving. It is alleged that Watseka was helpful in some way to the sparse population of settlers. The 1830 census found 5,836 people in Vermilion County which included today's Vermilion, Iroquois, Kankakee and parts of Will and Champaign counties. Danville was the only community of sorts and it probably meant that the territory of today's Iroquois County held no more than 1,500 people.
20 October 1832 The USA made a treaty with The Pottawatomie whereby they give up land in return for money. Me-saw-ke-qua and her children are among a small group of Indians that received rights to land. She received two sections (1280 acres) at Wais-us-kuck's village. Today, this is upsteam on the Kankakee river from Aroma Park. Today this is known as the Mesawkequa neighborhood. Gurdon Hubbard received $5,573 ($154,806 in today's money) as interpreter and Noel Vasier (La Vasseur) received $1,800 ($50,000) in Today's money.
After 20 October 1832 Me-saw-ke-qua establishes with Noel LaVasseur a trading post at a place in Bourbonnais Grove called La Pointe. Watseka was with the Kickapoo in Ft. Leavenworth, KS when the treaty was signed. When Watseka arrived back in Illinois is unknown but would have been no later than October 1834.
About 1832 Gurdon S. Hubbard makes his permanent home in Chicago.
About 1837 Watseka, the Person is Divorced by Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawatomie fashion. This coincided with the U.S. government's removal of the Pottawatomie from the area. She was then pregnant with her second daughter and accompanied with her first daughter and was part of The Removal of 1837. Her second daughter was born 12 September 1837 while the Pottawatomie were camped at Princeton, IL
19 January 1840 Watseka was baptized into the Catholic Church at Council Bluffs, IA under the name Josette. She was assumed to be about 30 years of age. Shortly thereafter she left for Illinois.
4 April 1840 Jacob Haas petitions the first session of the 26th Congress to give him title to two-thirds of the land that had been gramted to Me-saw-ke-qua and Noel LaVasseur. His petition is denied.
Summer 0f 1840 Watseka arrives at the new home of LaVasseur in Bourbonnais. She entered and found his new wife and infant. After a brief argument, the new wife went upstairs and locked the door. Watseka waited downstairs and LaVasseur appeared in the evening. Realizing his predicament he finalized their separation with an unknown but sizable amount of money. They were never to meet again.
14 September 1840 Watseka Marries Francis Bergeron in Bourbonnais, in then Will County, IL. It is alleged that Bergeron gave Watseka's father two mules.
About 1840 Watseka forced to move with Francis Bergeron from Kankakee area to Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA
Before February 1841 Watseka moves to the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
1 June 1841 the first child of Watseka and Francis Bergeron, John Baptiste Bergeron, is born in the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
Before 4 July 1841 Watseka moves to then, Will County, IL to join her husband, Francis Bergeron
4 July 1841 John Baptiste Bergeron is baptized in then, Will County, IL.
19 January 1843 Jacob Haas petitions the 3rd session of the 27th Congress to again gain clear title to two-thirds of the land he petitioned Congress about in 1840. Again, he is denied.
Probably 1844 Watseka, her husand and son were forcibly moved from the Kankakee River area of Illinois to Council Bluffs, IA.
20 September 1845 Watseka and Francis' second child, Matilda Bergeron, was born in Council Bluffs, IA or NE.
1847 or 1848 Watseka and family moved to a reservation north and west of Topeka, KS known as Cross Creek near Rossville, KS.
23 January 1848 Matilda is baptized at Cross Creek.
26 May 1848 Ft. Leavenworth Agency identified six people in the household of Watseka and Francis. The two of them and Olivie and Archange the two daughters of Watseka and La Vasseur and the two children of Watseka and Francis, John Baptiste and Mildred. Francis Xavier Bergeron was now identified as a member of the Pottawatomie nation.
Children born to Francis and Watseka.
1. John Baptiste Bergeron
Born 1 June 1841 vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS
Died 1926 Oklahoma
2. Matilda Bergeron Lewis
Born 20 September 1845 Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA.
Died 7 March 1886
Buried Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
3. Catherine Bergeron Melot
Born 26 July 1849 Kansas
Died 1933 Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK
Buried Wanette Cemetery, Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK
4 Charles Franklin Bergeron
Born 1856 Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
Died 1940
1853 The family settled in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
Summer 1863 Watseka made her last visit to Bourbonnais, Middleport (Watseka) and Buncombe (Iroquois.) She was apparently accompanied by her husband and three of her children. They stayed at the house of Mr. Sid Vail of Momence, IL. "During her visit the Vail's noticed that Watseka was as comfortable in the white man's world as she was her own In essence walking in two cultures. Additionally, she appeared intelligent, was quick witted and was an engaging conversationalist, she had good tast in clothes." She posed with Sid Vail's daughter Phoebe Vail Johnson in a lovely picture.
She was the last Pottawatomie to set foot in Iroquois County.
1870 Watseka under the name Jozette Bergeron appears in the 1870 Census with her husband, Francis Bergeron amd her 14 year old son, Charles. They resided in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, OK.
About 1872 Watseka and Francis move to Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK after selling property in Louisville, KS.
About 1873 Watseka dies, presumably in OK. Place of burial is unknown but may have been in a cemetery that was destroyed in a flood.
12 December 1879 Noel LaVasseur dies in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and is buried in Maternity Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Bourbonnais, Kankakee County, Illinois.
1881 Francis Xavier Bergeron dies in an Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK and is buried in the Wanette Cemetery in Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK.
14 September 1886 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard dies in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
25 December 1799 Noel LaVasseur born in Saint Michael de Yamasaka, Yamasaka County, Quebec, Canada
22 August 1802 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard born in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont.
Between 1810 and 1812 Watseka born in either Illinois or Indiana. Parents: Father, Shabonee, Mother, Monashki
7 November 1811 Shabonee fights in the Battle of Tippecanoe and escapes to some unknown place but returns later and has some involvement in Watseka's life.
About 1818 Noel LaVasseur arrives in Bunkum, IL (current Iroquois) to establish an American For Company trading post. The Trading Post was on the north side of The Iroquois River near the present town of Iroquois. The Pottawatomie encampment was directly opposite the trading post on the south side of the river. Less than a year later a second Pottawatomie encampment was established on the north side of the river about one mile upstream.
About 1819 Francis Xavier Bergeron born in Saint Antoine, Quebec, Canada
About 1820 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard arrives in today's Iroquois County to work for Noel LaVasseur.
About 1820 Watseka promised in marriage by her Uncle to Gurdon S. Hubbard.
Winter of 1821-1822 a second trading post was established about one mile upstream from the confluence of the Iroquois River and Sugar Creek on the north side of the river with yet another Pottawatomie encampment on the south side of the river.
About 1824-1826 Watseka married to Gurdon S. Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion, with no surviving children. Names and circumstances of the children's births are unknown.
About 1826 Watseka divorces Gurdon Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion which allowed a bride to divorce her husband after two years..
About 1827-1837 Watseka married to Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawattomie fashion with two children. Girl, named Olivie was born 4 July 1835 and baptized by Father De Smet in Council Bluffs, IA on 10 June 1838. Archange born 12 September 1837 and baptized by the same Father DeSmet at the same location and on the same date as her sister. They were with their Mother on 31 December 1838 in Council Bluffs, IA. LaVasseur simultaneously had a second Indian wife named Me-saw-ke-qua. The fate of these children is unknown.
About 1827 Watseka goes with Noel LaVasseur to the Kankakee area.
Winter 1830-1831 This was he worst winter ever experienced in Illinois with many people dying or starving. It is alleged that Watseka was helpful in some way to the sparse population of settlers. The 1830 census found 5,836 people in Vermilion County which included today's Vermilion, Iroquois, Kankakee and parts of Will and Champaign counties. Danville was the only community of sorts and it probably meant that the territory of today's Iroquois County held no more than 1,500 people.
20 October 1832 The USA made a treaty with The Pottawatomie whereby they give up land in return for money. Me-saw-ke-qua and her children are among a small group of Indians that received rights to land. She received two sections (1280 acres) at Wais-us-kuck's village. Today, this is upsteam on the Kankakee river from Aroma Park. Today this is known as the Mesawkequa neighborhood. Gurdon Hubbard received $5,573 ($154,806 in today's money) as interpreter and Noel Vasier (La Vasseur) received $1,800 ($50,000) in Today's money.
After 20 October 1832 Me-saw-ke-qua establishes with Noel LaVasseur a trading post at a place in Bourbonnais Grove called La Pointe. Watseka was with the Kickapoo in Ft. Leavenworth, KS when the treaty was signed. When Watseka arrived back in Illinois is unknown but would have been no later than October 1834.
About 1832 Gurdon S. Hubbard makes his permanent home in Chicago.
About 1837 Watseka, the Person is Divorced by Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawatomie fashion. This coincided with the U.S. government's removal of the Pottawatomie from the area. She was then pregnant with her second daughter and accompanied with her first daughter and was part of The Removal of 1837. Her second daughter was born 12 September 1837 while the Pottawatomie were camped at Princeton, IL
19 January 1840 Watseka was baptized into the Catholic Church at Council Bluffs, IA under the name Josette. She was assumed to be about 30 years of age. Shortly thereafter she left for Illinois.
4 April 1840 Jacob Haas petitions the first session of the 26th Congress to give him title to two-thirds of the land that had been gramted to Me-saw-ke-qua and Noel LaVasseur. His petition is denied.
Summer 0f 1840 Watseka arrives at the new home of LaVasseur in Bourbonnais. She entered and found his new wife and infant. After a brief argument, the new wife went upstairs and locked the door. Watseka waited downstairs and LaVasseur appeared in the evening. Realizing his predicament he finalized their separation with an unknown but sizable amount of money. They were never to meet again.
14 September 1840 Watseka Marries Francis Bergeron in Bourbonnais, in then Will County, IL. It is alleged that Bergeron gave Watseka's father two mules.
About 1840 Watseka forced to move with Francis Bergeron from Kankakee area to Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA
Before February 1841 Watseka moves to the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
1 June 1841 the first child of Watseka and Francis Bergeron, John Baptiste Bergeron, is born in the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
Before 4 July 1841 Watseka moves to then, Will County, IL to join her husband, Francis Bergeron
4 July 1841 John Baptiste Bergeron is baptized in then, Will County, IL.
19 January 1843 Jacob Haas petitions the 3rd session of the 27th Congress to again gain clear title to two-thirds of the land he petitioned Congress about in 1840. Again, he is denied.
Probably 1844 Watseka, her husand and son were forcibly moved from the Kankakee River area of Illinois to Council Bluffs, IA.
20 September 1845 Watseka and Francis' second child, Matilda Bergeron, was born in Council Bluffs, IA or NE.
1847 or 1848 Watseka and family moved to a reservation north and west of Topeka, KS known as Cross Creek near Rossville, KS.
23 January 1848 Matilda is baptized at Cross Creek.
26 May 1848 Ft. Leavenworth Agency identified six people in the household of Watseka and Francis. The two of them and Olivie and Archange the two daughters of Watseka and La Vasseur and the two children of Watseka and Francis, John Baptiste and Mildred. Francis Xavier Bergeron was now identified as a member of the Pottawatomie nation.
Children born to Francis and Watseka.
1. John Baptiste Bergeron
Born 1 June 1841 vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS
Died 1926 Oklahoma
2. Matilda Bergeron Lewis
Born 20 September 1845 Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA.
Died 7 March 1886
Buried Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
3. Catherine Bergeron Melot
Born 26 July 1849 Kansas
Died 1933 Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK
Buried Wanette Cemetery, Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK
4 Charles Franklin Bergeron
Born 1856 Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
Died 1940
1853 The family settled in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
Summer 1863 Watseka made her last visit to Bourbonnais, Middleport (Watseka) and Buncombe (Iroquois.) She was apparently accompanied by her husband and three of her children. They stayed at the house of Mr. Sid Vail of Momence, IL. "During her visit the Vail's noticed that Watseka was as comfortable in the white man's world as she was her own In essence walking in two cultures. Additionally, she appeared intelligent, was quick witted and was an engaging conversationalist, she had good tast in clothes." She posed with Sid Vail's daughter Phoebe Vail Johnson in a lovely picture.
She was the last Pottawatomie to set foot in Iroquois County.
1870 Watseka under the name Jozette Bergeron appears in the 1870 Census with her husband, Francis Bergeron amd her 14 year old son, Charles. They resided in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, OK.
About 1872 Watseka and Francis move to Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK after selling property in Louisville, KS.
About 1873 Watseka dies, presumably in OK. Place of burial is unknown but may have been in a cemetery that was destroyed in a flood.
12 December 1879 Noel LaVasseur dies in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and is buried in Maternity Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Bourbonnais, Kankakee County, Illinois.
1881 Francis Xavier Bergeron dies in an Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK and is buried in the Wanette Cemetery in Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK.
14 September 1886 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard dies in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
22 August 1802 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard born in Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont.
Between 1810 and 1812 Watseka born in either Illinois or Indiana. Parents: Father, Shabonee, Mother, Monashki
7 November 1811 Shabonee fights in the Battle of Tippecanoe and escapes to some unknown place but returns later and has some involvement in Watseka's life.
About 1818 Noel LaVasseur arrives in Bunkum, IL (current Iroquois) to establish an American For Company trading post. The Trading Post was on the north side of The Iroquois River near the present town of Iroquois. The Pottawatomie encampment was directly opposite the trading post on the south side of the river. Less than a year later a second Pottawatomie encampment was established on the north side of the river about one mile upstream.
About 1819 Francis Xavier Bergeron born in Saint Antoine, Quebec, Canada
About 1820 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard arrives in today's Iroquois County to work for Noel LaVasseur.
About 1820 Watseka promised in marriage by her Uncle to Gurdon S. Hubbard.
Winter of 1821-1822 a second trading post was established about one mile upstream from the confluence of the Iroquois River and Sugar Creek on the north side of the river with yet another Pottawatomie encampment on the south side of the river.
About 1824-1826 Watseka married to Gurdon S. Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion, with no surviving children. Names and circumstances of the children's births are unknown.
About 1826 Watseka divorces Gurdon Hubbard in the Pottawatomie fashion which allowed a bride to divorce her husband after two years..
About 1827-1837 Watseka married to Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawattomie fashion with two children. Girl, named Olivie was born 4 July 1835 and baptized by Father De Smet in Council Bluffs, IA on 10 June 1838. Archange born 12 September 1837 and baptized by the same Father DeSmet at the same location and on the same date as her sister. They were with their Mother on 31 December 1838 in Council Bluffs, IA. LaVasseur simultaneously had a second Indian wife named Me-saw-ke-qua. The fate of these children is unknown.
About 1827 Watseka goes with Noel LaVasseur to the Kankakee area.
Winter 1830-1831 This was he worst winter ever experienced in Illinois with many people dying or starving. It is alleged that Watseka was helpful in some way to the sparse population of settlers. The 1830 census found 5,836 people in Vermilion County which included today's Vermilion, Iroquois, Kankakee and parts of Will and Champaign counties. Danville was the only community of sorts and it probably meant that the territory of today's Iroquois County held no more than 1,500 people.
20 October 1832 The USA made a treaty with The Pottawatomie whereby they give up land in return for money. Me-saw-ke-qua and her children are among a small group of Indians that received rights to land. She received two sections (1280 acres) at Wais-us-kuck's village. Today, this is upsteam on the Kankakee river from Aroma Park. Today this is known as the Mesawkequa neighborhood. Gurdon Hubbard received $5,573 ($154,806 in today's money) as interpreter and Noel Vasier (La Vasseur) received $1,800 ($50,000) in Today's money.
After 20 October 1832 Me-saw-ke-qua establishes with Noel LaVasseur a trading post at a place in Bourbonnais Grove called La Pointe. Watseka was with the Kickapoo in Ft. Leavenworth, KS when the treaty was signed. When Watseka arrived back in Illinois is unknown but would have been no later than October 1834.
About 1832 Gurdon S. Hubbard makes his permanent home in Chicago.
About 1837 Watseka, the Person is Divorced by Noel LaVasseur in the Pottawatomie fashion. This coincided with the U.S. government's removal of the Pottawatomie from the area. She was then pregnant with her second daughter and accompanied with her first daughter and was part of The Removal of 1837. Her second daughter was born 12 September 1837 while the Pottawatomie were camped at Princeton, IL
19 January 1840 Watseka was baptized into the Catholic Church at Council Bluffs, IA under the name Josette. She was assumed to be about 30 years of age. Shortly thereafter she left for Illinois.
4 April 1840 Jacob Haas petitions the first session of the 26th Congress to give him title to two-thirds of the land that had been gramted to Me-saw-ke-qua and Noel LaVasseur. His petition is denied.
Summer 0f 1840 Watseka arrives at the new home of LaVasseur in Bourbonnais. She entered and found his new wife and infant. After a brief argument, the new wife went upstairs and locked the door. Watseka waited downstairs and LaVasseur appeared in the evening. Realizing his predicament he finalized their separation with an unknown but sizable amount of money. They were never to meet again.
14 September 1840 Watseka Marries Francis Bergeron in Bourbonnais, in then Will County, IL. It is alleged that Bergeron gave Watseka's father two mules.
About 1840 Watseka forced to move with Francis Bergeron from Kankakee area to Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA
Before February 1841 Watseka moves to the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
1 June 1841 the first child of Watseka and Francis Bergeron, John Baptiste Bergeron, is born in the vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
Before 4 July 1841 Watseka moves to then, Will County, IL to join her husband, Francis Bergeron
4 July 1841 John Baptiste Bergeron is baptized in then, Will County, IL.
19 January 1843 Jacob Haas petitions the 3rd session of the 27th Congress to again gain clear title to two-thirds of the land he petitioned Congress about in 1840. Again, he is denied.
Probably 1844 Watseka, her husand and son were forcibly moved from the Kankakee River area of Illinois to Council Bluffs, IA.
20 September 1845 Watseka and Francis' second child, Matilda Bergeron, was born in Council Bluffs, IA or NE.
1847 or 1848 Watseka and family moved to a reservation north and west of Topeka, KS known as Cross Creek near Rossville, KS.
23 January 1848 Matilda is baptized at Cross Creek.
26 May 1848 Ft. Leavenworth Agency identified six people in the household of Watseka and Francis. The two of them and Olivie and Archange the two daughters of Watseka and La Vasseur and the two children of Watseka and Francis, John Baptiste and Mildred. Francis Xavier Bergeron was now identified as a member of the Pottawatomie nation.
Children born to Francis and Watseka.
1. John Baptiste Bergeron
Born 1 June 1841 vicinity of Ft. Leavenworth, KS
Died 1926 Oklahoma
2. Matilda Bergeron Lewis
Born 20 September 1845 Council Bluffs, Pottawatomie County, IA.
Died 7 March 1886
Buried Louisville Cemetery, Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
3. Catherine Bergeron Melot
Born 26 July 1849 Kansas
Died 1933 Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, OK
Buried Wanette Cemetery, Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK
4 Charles Franklin Bergeron
Born 1856 Louisville, Pottawatomie County, KS
Died 1940
1853 The family settled in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
Summer 1863 Watseka made her last visit to Bourbonnais, Middleport (Watseka) and Buncombe (Iroquois.) She was apparently accompanied by her husband and three of her children. They stayed at the house of Mr. Sid Vail of Momence, IL. "During her visit the Vail's noticed that Watseka was as comfortable in the white man's world as she was her own In essence walking in two cultures. Additionally, she appeared intelligent, was quick witted and was an engaging conversationalist, she had good tast in clothes." She posed with Sid Vail's daughter Phoebe Vail Johnson in a lovely picture.
She was the last Pottawatomie to set foot in Iroquois County.
1870 Watseka under the name Jozette Bergeron appears in the 1870 Census with her husband, Francis Bergeron amd her 14 year old son, Charles. They resided in Louisville, Pottawatomie County, OK.
About 1872 Watseka and Francis move to Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK after selling property in Louisville, KS.
About 1873 Watseka dies, presumably in OK. Place of burial is unknown but may have been in a cemetery that was destroyed in a flood.
12 December 1879 Noel LaVasseur dies in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and is buried in Maternity Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Bourbonnais, Kankakee County, Illinois.
1881 Francis Xavier Bergeron dies in an Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK and is buried in the Wanette Cemetery in Wanette, Pottawatomie County, OK.
14 September 1886 Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard dies in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
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