Jean Peré

Jean Peré was a merchant and explorer of New France originally from La Rochelle, Franc.

It seems that he first came to New France on 17 June 1660. In 1669 he and Adrien Jolliet were sent on a mission of exploration north of Lake Ontario to investigate reports on some copper mine. However, he seems to have been more interested in the furs which he collected from among the Ottawa Indians and at Sault Ste. Marie. Nevertheless Peré had discovered mines in the region around Lake Superior.

From then on Peré continued his activities as a fur trader, and got into trouble because he was selling his furs to the English at Orange. He was arrested by the English authorities but was treated well, since the English wanted to make use of him with a view to establishing trade relations with the Ottawas. Peré was one again captured by the British in 1684 and was then dispatched to France by way of England.

Peré returned to Canada and served the French military until he returned to La Rochelle, in France, where he and his brother Arnaud were engaged in selling furs.