Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The King's Grant

Michigan Legal Milestone

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023

1. The King's Grant Marker

Inscription. To provide a refuge at Sault Ste. Marie for French traders and missionaries, King Louis XV in 1750 ordered Louis de Repentigny to build a fort near what later became Fort Brady. The king also granted 214,000 surrounding acres of land to de Repentigny and Captain Louis de Bonne—land which the Native Americans who lived here called Bowating. In so doing, the king created the largest private estate ever held in Michigan, and set the stage for a legal dispute that would not be settled until after the Civil War.

In 1825 the de Bonne descendents not living in Ireland began to press their claims to what had by then become very valuable land. They were joined within a few years by the de Repentigny heirs, living in poverty in the Caribbean. After many disappointments, they obtained passage of a special bill by the United States Senate in 1860 authorizing the federal district court in Michigan to decide their claim. That court ruled in their favor in 1861, but the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the decision in 1867, citing the lapse of time and the failure of the original grantees to improve land as primary reasons for its decision.

Thus ended the last claim to Michigan lands under French occupation.

Erected 1991 by State Bar of Michigan and the 50th Judicial Circuit Bar Association

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

. (Marker Number 14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Legal Milestones series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.

Location. 46° 29.991′ N, 84° 20.445′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in Chippewa County. It is at the intersection of East Water Street and Brady Street, on the right when traveling west on East Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 298 East Water Street, Sault Sainte Marie MI 49783, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Chevalier DeRepentigny (a few steps from this marker); Fort Brady (within shouting distance of this marker); A Sampler of Vessels That Have Passed This Spot (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brady 1850 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Statue of St. Mary (about 300 feet away); Ancient Anishinaabek Burial Ground (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Brady (about 400 feet away); St. Mary's Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023

2. The King's Grant Marker

The King's Grant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 3, 2023

3. The King's Grant

This is a view of part of the property that was under dispute. At one time Old Fort Brady was located here.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.