Taking advantage of a state of war between the two European powers; the opposing governors began campaigns to increase established boundaries and the residents of all communities were at risk. Though Denonville was to make peace with the Natives, especially the Iroqouis; he instead led his allies in unprovoked attacks against Seneca and Onondaga villages in the Iroquois homeland.
He followed up his cruel attacks by enslaving 41 members of the Five Nations, and sending them to Marsailles to act as galley slaves. He had once sought permission to establish a trade in African slaves, but was denied; so instead; supposedly acting on the advice of King Louis XIV; he decided to get his human bounty closer to home.
This treachery would put the small French Colony on the verge of ruin, since, reportedly, on the advice of Governor Dongan; more than 1,200 Iroquois warriors retaliated, crossing the Lake St. Louis under the cover a hailstorm; and launched a massive raid against Lachine. Of the 375 inhabitants; 24 were killed, 76 others taken prisoner, and fifty-six of the 77 buildings razed to the ground.
Though the Iroquois have been called cowardly for attacking innocent people without warning, the attacks were no more cowardly or cruel than those made on the Senaca and Onondaga villages that resulted in the deaths of many women and children; their fathers and sons chained to the oars of French ships, never to be heard from again. It was a dark time for all.
Denonville would be removed from his post and replaced by Governor Frontenac (for his second term). He would later be demoted and appointed assistant tutor to the children of the royal household.
Marie Delphin Perrin - Wife of Vincent Aly (Alix); daughter of Henry and Marie Merrin. She and her husband were burned in their cabin with their children, though seven of them managed to escape.
Madeleine Boursier - The eleven month old daughter of Jean Boursier and Mathe Thibodeau, was thrown into the river by the Iroquois.
Alberte Boutin - The daughter of Pierre Boutin and Marie Marchesseau.
Marie-Genevieve Cadieu - Wife of Andre Canaple De Valtagagne and daughter of Jean Cadieu and Marie Valade. Her body was found decapitated.
Marie Canaple - Infant daughter of Marie-Genevieve above and Andre Canaple. She was born on April 30, 1689.
Noel Charmois De Duplessis - Husband of Marguerite Delorme; was found burned in his house.
Andre Danis - His body was found with Noel Charmois, also burned.
Rene Chartier - The son of Rene Chartier Sr. and Marguerite Delorme.
Francois Chartier - The younger brother of Rene Chartier.
Rene Chartier Sr. - The husband of Marguerite Delorme and father of Rene II and Francois above. Marguerite was able to escape.
Andre Danis Arpentigny - The son of Elie Danis and Marguerite Brau; and hisband of Madeleine Barbary. Andre's remains were found several years after the massacre.
Andre Danny - Unknown
Jean Fagueret Petitbois - A soldier of the Carignan Regiment, his remains were found and buried 28 October 1694 on the property of Rene Chartier, there was evidence that the flesh had been eaten.
Perinne Filastreau - The daughter of Rene Filastreau and Jeanne Herault; she was found decapitated.
Therese Hunault - The daughter of Toussaint Hainault and Marie Lorgueil and wife of Guillaume Leclerc; she was found in a barn brutally killed.
Pierre Michel - The son of Jean Michel and Marie Marchesseau.
Jean Michel - The husband of Marie Marchesseau and father of Pierre above. Marie managed to escape with four of their children Marie-Renee, Francois and two others.
Panis - A female native slave to Rene Chartier and his wife, was found decapitated.
Marie Delphine Perrin, married to Vincent Alix dit LaRosse, she and her husband were
burned in their cabin with their children.
Andre Rapin - The son of Jean Rapin and Marie Boufandreau. Several bodies were found on his property along with his wife, Marie Cadieu, but he escaped unharmed.
