Tonti, Chevalier Henri de

(1650-1704). Born in Gaeta, Italy; son of a well-known financier, and inventor of the Tontine form of life insurance. Served in the Silician wars, where lost one of his hands. Introduced to La Salle in Paris, and agreed to join him in his ambitious schemes of western exploration. They cro ed the Atlantic together in 1678, and the same year set forth for the west. At Cayuga Creek, above Niagara Falls, Tonti built the Griffon , while La Salle went back to Fort Frontenac for supplies. In the spring of 1679, they sailed together to Michilimackinac; descended the Illinois, and built Fort Crèvecœur. In 1682 accompanied La Salle down the Mi i ippi to the Gulf. Engaged in the fur trade at Fort St. Louis, after the death of La Salle. Index : L Left in charge of Fort Crèvecœur, 149; driven out by Iroquois, 194; La Salle makes him his representative in Canada, 151. F La Salle's lieutenant at Fort Crèvecœur, 144, 160; joins expedition against Iroquois, 209; arrives from Illinois country with coureurs de bois , 325. Bib. : Parkman, La Salle ; Margry, Relations et Mémoires Inédits . See also La Salle.