One of the founding settlers of St. Louis, Mo., Marie-Joseph (nee Michel dit Tayon) Kiercereau also was the daughter and wife of two of the most prominent men among founding settlers.

She was born in about 1749 in Fort de Chartres (future Randolph County, Illinois) to Joseph Michael Tayon aka Joseph Michel dit Tayon (his French dit/nickname) and his wife Marie-Louise Bosset.

French by birth, Joseph was known as the wealthiest man in St. Louis. He was builder and owner of the notable Taillon's Mill of the era. (Taillon was a lesser used spelling of Tayon. The surname primarily was referred to, rather equally, as Tayon or Michel dit Tayon.) Tayon also built the first dam in St. Louis in 1765 to power his grist (flour) mill.

Marie Josephe's mother, Marie-Louise Bosset, was Canadian by birth.

On May 10, 1766, Marie-Josephe married Paul G. Kiercereau (brother of Rene, both sons of Gregoire) in St. Louis. The Kiercereaus also were one of St. Louis' wealthiest families. St. Louis founder and friend of the family Pierre Laclede stood as a witness for Marie-Josephe at the marriage.

In 1783, Marie-Josephe and Paul's daughter Pelagie would marry Jean Pierre Chouteau, who was the son of St. Louis founder Pierre Laclede and Madame Chouteau.

Marie-Josephe reportedly died by 1772, in early adulthood. Although she appears in the 1776 (reconstructed) Census, daughter Pelagie was said to be orphaned by age 5. (The reconstructed census is known to erroneously list some deceased persons with their families.)

Along with other St. Louis founding families, Marie-Josephe probably originally was buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery (defunct / aka King of France Cemetery) and reinterred in Calvary Cemetery with her husband.

Bio by Leslie at www.FindFamilyTrees.com

One of the founding settlers of St. Louis, Mo., Marie-Joseph (nee Michel dit Tayon) Kiercereau also was the daughter and wife of two of the most prominent men among founding settlers.

She was born in about 1749 in Fort de Chartres (future Randolph County, Illinois) to Joseph Michael Tayon aka Joseph Michel dit Tayon (his French dit/nickname) and his wife Marie-Louise Bosset.

French by birth, Joseph was known as the wealthiest man in St. Louis. He was builder and owner of the notable Taillon's Mill of the era. (Taillon was a lesser used spelling of Tayon. The surname primarily was referred to, rather equally, as Tayon or Michel dit Tayon.) Tayon also built the first dam in St. Louis in 1765 to power his grist (flour) mill.

Marie Josephe's mother, Marie-Louise Bosset, was Canadian by birth.

On May 10, 1766, Marie-Josephe married Paul G. Kiercereau (brother of Rene, both sons of Gregoire) in St. Louis. The Kiercereaus also were one of St. Louis' wealthiest families. St. Louis founder and friend of the family Pierre Laclede stood as a witness for Marie-Josephe at the marriage.

In 1783, Marie-Josephe and Paul's daughter Pelagie would marry Jean Pierre Chouteau, who was the son of St. Louis founder Pierre Laclede and Madame Chouteau.

Marie-Josephe reportedly died by 1772, in early adulthood. Although she appears in the 1776 (reconstructed) Census, daughter Pelagie was said to be orphaned by age 5. (The reconstructed census is known to erroneously list some deceased persons with their families.)

Along with other St. Louis founding families, Marie-Josephe probably originally was buried in Old Cathedral Cemetery (defunct / aka King of France Cemetery) and reinterred in Calvary Cemetery with her husband.

Bio by Leslie at www.FindFamilyTrees.com