M. 23 May 1842 in Vincennes, Indiana2
Wife: Susanne Gaile
D. 26 Dec 1863 in Vincennes, Indiana3
Many of the descendants of the original French settlers of Vincennes became second-class citizens of the town their ancestors founded. This was true of François Louis Ravellette; he owned little and left no mark on the community. But perhaps his wealth was in the Creole heritage he passed on to his children.
François (also known as Francis or Frank) was born in Vincennes, Indiana on September 14, 1819 to François Ravellette and Elizabeth Turpin,1 one of seven children. Both of his parents traced back to the 18th century French fur traders who were the first European inhabitants of the middle of North America. His parents also each had Native American heritage, another characteristic of being Creole. There are no photos of François, but the indigenous ancestry can be seen in images of some of his descendants.
Details about François’ life are unfortunately sketchy. He grew up on a farm in the Vincennes area and he likely lived his entire life in the same area. On May 23, 1842, he married a 15-year-old girl, Susanne Gaile, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Vincennes.2 Their first child was born in 1844, and died young,4 but they went on to have ten more. Two of the children were twins, born in 1850.5,6
Details about François’ life are unfortunately sketchy. He grew up on a farm in the Vincennes area and he likely lived his entire life in the same area. On May 23, 1842, he married a 15-year-old girl, Susanne Gaile, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Vincennes.2 Their first child was born in 1844, and died young,4 but they went on to have ten more. Two of the children were twins, born in 1850.5,6
On an Indiana farm. (AI-generated image)
Most of what we know about François comes from the 1860 census.7 The value of his property in 1860 was $340, which was well below average for the people in the area. He and his wife were illiterate and none of his children ages 10 to 14 attended school. It’s also safe to say that French was spoken in the home, likely a Creole dialect spoken in that region of America; later generations passed down the story that one of his daughters could speak French.8
François didn’t live to a ripe old age — he was 44-years old when he died on December 26, 1863.3 His wife Susanne was pregnant with their final child, and she gave birth the following February.9 She remarried in 1866,10 but passed away in October 1869.11
Children:
1. Joseph Ravellette — B. 5 Mar 1844, Vincennes, Indiana;4 D. 7 Sep 1845, Vincennes, Indiana4
2. Elizabeth Ravellette — B. about 1845, Vincennes, Indiana;12 D. 1880, St. Francisville, Illinois;3 M. Jacob Charles Valle (1845-1899), 30 Dec 1872, St. Francisville, Illinois13
3. François Ravellette — B. 2 Apr 1848, Vincennes, Indiana;14 D. 20 May 1913, St. Francisville, Illinois;15 M. (1) Mary Channet (1848-1871);3 (2) Josephine Elizabeth Greemore (1853-1921), 15 Feb 1872, Knox County, Indiana16
4. Mary Louise Ravellette — B. 3 Oct 1850, Vincennes, Indiana;5 D. 2 May 1918, Vincennes, Indiana;17 M. (1) William L. Edeline (1848-1876), 24 Nov 1868, Knox County, Indiana;18 (2) Robert James Wilhite (1850-1938), 3 Sep 1880, Vincennes, Indiana19
5. William Ravellette — B. 3 Oct 1850, Vincennes, Indiana;6 D. 10 Dec 1929;20 M. Melissa Gharst (1870-1952)20
2. Elizabeth Ravellette — B. about 1845, Vincennes, Indiana;12 D. 1880, St. Francisville, Illinois;3 M. Jacob Charles Valle (1845-1899), 30 Dec 1872, St. Francisville, Illinois13
3. François Ravellette — B. 2 Apr 1848, Vincennes, Indiana;14 D. 20 May 1913, St. Francisville, Illinois;15 M. (1) Mary Channet (1848-1871);3 (2) Josephine Elizabeth Greemore (1853-1921), 15 Feb 1872, Knox County, Indiana16
4. Mary Louise Ravellette — B. 3 Oct 1850, Vincennes, Indiana;5 D. 2 May 1918, Vincennes, Indiana;17 M. (1) William L. Edeline (1848-1876), 24 Nov 1868, Knox County, Indiana;18 (2) Robert James Wilhite (1850-1938), 3 Sep 1880, Vincennes, Indiana19
5. William Ravellette — B. 3 Oct 1850, Vincennes, Indiana;6 D. 10 Dec 1929;20 M. Melissa Gharst (1870-1952)20
6. Angelique Ravellette — B. 1 Dec 1853, Vincennes, Indiana;21 D. 24 Apr 1860, Vincennes, Indiana21
7. Rosanna Ravellette — B. 11 Mar 1855, Vincennes, Indiana;22 D. 10 Apr 1855, Vincennes, Indiana22
8. Suzanne Archange Ravellette — B. 20 Oct 1856, Vincennes, Indiana;23 D. 17 Apr 1860, Vincennes, Indiana23
7. Rosanna Ravellette — B. 11 Mar 1855, Vincennes, Indiana;22 D. 10 Apr 1855, Vincennes, Indiana22
8. Suzanne Archange Ravellette — B. 20 Oct 1856, Vincennes, Indiana;23 D. 17 Apr 1860, Vincennes, Indiana23
9. Andrew Ravellette — B. 13 Oct 1858, Vincennes, Indiana;24 D. 28 Mar 193124
10. Eliza Ravellette — B. 26 Jun 1861, Vincennes, Indiana;25 D. 23 Feb 1941, Vincennes, Indiana;26 M. (1) Robert Baker (~1842-?), 15 Nov 1880, Vincennes, Indiana;27 (2) William H. Erton (1865-1940), 31 Aug 1919, Vincennes, Indiana28
Sources:
1 Birth record of François Louis Ravellette, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish Records, Baptisms, 1749-1838
2 Marriage record of François Louis Ravelette, Indiana, Marriages, 1780-1992, FamilySearch.org
3 “Ravellettes from Indiana Roys, Griffith, etc.,” Genealogy.com
4 Birth record of Joseph Ravellette, Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933, FamilySearch.org
5 Christening record of Mary Louise Ravellette, I., B. & C.
6 Christening record of William Ravellette, I., B. & C.
7 1860 U.S. Census, Knox County, Indiana
8 Family stories told by François’ great-granddaughter, Marjorie Bartholomai (1917-2016)
9 Birth record of Marguerite Helene Ravellette, I., B. & C.
10 Marriage record of Charles Moyse and Susanne Ravellette, Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records, 1729-1956, FamilySearch.org
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Susanne (Guielle) Moyes
12 Birth record of Elizabeth Ravellette, I., B. & C.
13 Marriage record of Jacob Charles Valle and Elizabeth Ravellette, I., D. of B. C. P. R.
14 Birth record of François Ravellette, I., B. & C.
15 Death record of Francis Ravellette, I., D. of B. C. P. R.
16 Marriage record of Frank Ravellete and Josephine Gremore, I. M.
17 Death record of Mary Wilhite, Indiana Death Index, 1882-1920
18 Marriage record of William Edeline and Mary Edeline, I. M.
19 Marriage record of Robert Wilhite and Mary Edeline, I. M.
20 Find-a-Grave listing of William Ravellette
21 Birth record of Angelique Ravellette, I., B. & C.
22 Birth record of Rosanna Ravellette, I., B. & C.
23 Birth record of Suzanne Archange Ravellette, I., B. & C.
24 Birth record of Andrew Ravellette, I., B. & C.
25 Birth record of Eliza Ravellette, I., B. & C.
26 Find-a-Grave listing of Eliza (Ravellette) Erton
27 Marriage record of Robert Baker and Elizabeth Ravellette, I. M.
28 Marriage record of William H. Erton and Eliza Baker, I. M.
29 Find-a-Grave listing of Marguerite Helen (Ravellette) Stangle
30 Marriage record of Oliver Stangle and Ellen Ravellette, I. M.
