Remember the name Jean Grou. This place Coulée Grou is named in his honor. Coulée Grou in Montreal marks a significant and tragic event in Canadian history. It is linked to the Beaver Wars also known as the Iroquois Wars.
Jean Grou was a pioneer. He sailed from Rouen in France to New France between 1650 and 1665. He established a land-holding near Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles east of Montreal.
The tragic battle at Coulée Grou occurred on July 2 1690. Jean Grou and three farm workers were captured. They were burned alive by the Iroquois.
In 1924 the site became a National Historic Site of Canada. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada erected a monument near Coulée Grou. It commemorates the battle between French soldiers and the Iroquois. The site is officially known as Battle of Rivière des Prairies or Battle of Coulée Grou National Historic Site. The monument is inscribed in both French and English.
The English inscription tells a grim story. On July 2 1690 Lieutenant de Colombet led twenty-five men. They attacked about one hundred Iroquois near this place. He and nine others died including the Sieur Montenon de Larue and the surgeon Jalot. Jean Grou the land owner and three companions were captured and burned alive by the Iroquois. Joseph Lajeunesse a Grou descendant donated the land and stone for this monument. The plaque itself has been missing in recent years, but the inscription remains a testament to the events that occurred here.
The register of Point-aux-Trembles of Montreal completed the battle’s history on November 2 1694. The Iroquois killed Sr Colombe former lieutenant and Joseph de Montenon Sr de la Rue. They burned them behind the fort of LaChenaye the same day. Guillaume Richard dit Lafleur militia lieutenant and Jean Jalot surgeon also died. Jean Delpue dit Parisot Joseph Carrier dit Larose and Jean Raynau dit Planchar were burned by the Oneidas an Iroquois nation. Jean Grou remained calm in the presence of father Millet Jean Baudoin son Pierre Masta and an employee of great Bauchant. Pierre Payet dit St-Amours was taken prisoner. The Oneidas spared him and requested father Millet to let him live. St-Amours returned to the fort in 1693. The bodies were quickly buried at the massacre site. On November 2 1694 their bones were moved to the cemetery and buried with all settlers present.
HMCS Grou a Canadian attack frigate was named in honor of Jean Grou. This frigate was named after the pioneer.
Many North American surnames like Groux Groulx and La Grou trace back to Jean Grou. This includes Lionel Groulx a noted Québécois historian and nationalist. Claude Ryan called Lionel Groulx the “spiritual father of modern Quebec.”
Standing here at Coulée Grou we remember the past. We acknowledge the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before us. The story of Jean Grou and the battle here is a vital part of Montreal’s and Canada’s heritage.