The Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (MISSAR) is proud to announce the upcoming dedication of a historical plaque in honor of American Revolutionary War Patriot Jean Baptiste Hamelin. The public is warmly invited to attend this significant event, which will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 4:30 PM at the American Legion Memorial Park and Scenic Viewing Area, located at 200 North State Street in Saint Ignace, Michigan.
A Hero of Two Worlds
Jean Baptiste Hamelin (b. August 9, 1733) was a French-Canadian and a member of the Ojibwa Tribe who courageously supported the American cause during the Revolutionary War. A descendant of fur traders, Hamelin served in Congress’s Own Regiment until 1779. He later joined Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark’s campaign in Cahokia, in what is now Indiana. His dedication to liberty led him to a final mission: the attack on British-held Fort St. Joseph in present-day Niles, Michigan. Tragically, he lost his life in battle against British forces near Le Petit Fort, now part of Indiana Dunes State Park, around December 5, 1780.
Hamelin’s contributions are a powerful reminder that the fight for independence included diverse voices and allies, including Indigenous and French-Canadian patriots who risked everything for the dream of a free America.
Event Details
This dedication is part of MISSAR’s ongoing 250th Anniversary Commemoration Program, which honors Revolutionary War patriots who served or are buried in Michigan. The event will feature:
- MISSAR Color Guard
- Representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
- The Michigan Society Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.)
- Participation from local, state, and federal dignitaries
- Veterans and descendants of American patriots
The ceremony will be filmed for the 2026 PBS documentary project:
Frontier to Freedom: Wilderness, Revolution, and Michigan Statehood!
This production is directed by Keith Patterson, who has extensively documented the role of the frontier in the American Revolution and early statehood movements.
Join Us
This public dedication invites residents, historians, families, and patriots of all backgrounds to gather in remembrance and celebration of a hero who stood for freedom against formidable odds.
📍 Location: American Legion Memorial Park and Scenic Viewing Area
📅 Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
🕓 Time: 4:30 PM
🎥 Event will be filmed for PBS
For More Information
Contact:
Jim Shelby
Straits Chapter, MISSAR
📧 [email protected]
📞 (906) 458-4527