The History 

of 

Chief Billy Caldwell

By Peter T Gayford

Introduction 


This website was created by Peter T. Gayford to promote his research efforts.  Mr Gayford is an author and professional researcher.  He has spent 2 decades investigating Billy Caldwell, Alexander Robinson, Claude La Framboise, Archange/ Antoine Ouilmette, Jane Mirandau, and Victoire Porthier.  All individuals were rewarded reserves out of the 1829 Prairie du Chien treaty.  These reserves once resided in Cook County, Illinois.  Mr Gayford has worked closely with North American research facilities, Native American Councils, current heirs, and law firms to bring transparency to these sensitive topics.  His findings are detailed at The Newberry Library.  

Historic Information Available At...


1. The Newberry Library, Chicago, Peter T. Gayford Collection.  UPDATED October 2023.

>The collection consists of historic NARA files, land patents, and all other information related to Billy Caldwell, Alexander Robinson, Claud LaFramboise, Victoire Pothier, Jane Mirandau, and Archange Ouilmette.  

 >Added in January 2023 are Peter T. Gayford's published works on Billy Caldwell (2022), Alexander Robinson (2023), and Archange Ouilmette (2023).  These works provide a comprehensive history of their federal reserves awarded through the 1829 Prairie du Chien Treaty.  A time lock has been added to these works.  They will be unlocked at a future date for public viewing.

>Added in January 2023 is Peter T. Gayford's revised research  project on the Cook County Forest Preserves.  This updated work consists of several hundred pages of maps and field notes on Native American and historic sites in the Cook County Forest Preserve System.  


2.  Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Cook County Forest Preserve Preservation Project (2013).

The collection contains information on historic and Native American sites in the Cook County  Forest Preserve System.  Over a period of approximately 13 years in-depth analysis of all preserves was  conducted by Peter T Gayford.  It is being used by  the ISAS for the development of the CCFD's preservation plan and other projects.  


3.    Several community collections have been made at other organizations.  

These organizations include the Old Edgebrook Historical Society (Billy Caldwell Collection), Schiller Park History Museum (Alexander Robinson file and land patent), Franklin Park Public Library (Laframboise Collection), Niles Historical Society  (Pothier Collection), Norwood Park Historical Society (Mirandau Collection), Wilmette and Evanston Historical Societies  (Ouilmette Collection), and Winnetka Historical Society (Albert Scharf Collection).  



Honors...


1. Expert Research Consultant, Thornton Law Firm. Land Claim Research for Billy Caldwell's

    Heirs,  2021-Present.  


2. Expert Research Consultant, Priz Law.  Genealogical research for Potential heir

      of Alexander Robinson.  Through this project all legal heirs (children - present day) of

      Alexander Robinson were identified.  2017- 2022.


3. Scott Priz, John Marshall Law School, John Marshall Law Review , Journal Article, Winter 2017.


4. Research Informant,  Cook County Forest Preserve and Illinois State Archaeology Survey,    

     Alexander Robinson Cemetery Gravestones Recovery Project, CCFPD Records, 2012-2013.  

     Research provided information on the family cemetery, marker stones, and legal heirs to 

     the marker stones.   


                                                                     Publications...



2022.  ISBN  9798985525731.  


ISBN  9798985525748.


     ISBN  9798985525755


4. Scott Priz, John Marshall Law School, John Marshall Law Review , Journal Article, Winter 2017.


5. The Chicago History Journal, July 2011  

www.chicagohistoryjournal.com/.../billy-caldwell-updated-history-part-1

www.chicagohistoryjournal.com/.../billy-caldwell-updated-history-part-2

www.chicagohistoryjournal.com/.../billy-caldwell-updated-history-part-3


5. Wikipedia

Chief Billy Caldwell

Chief Alexander Robinson

Archange Ouilmette




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Federal Copyright Notification


Nothing on or attached to this webpage may be used for personal or corporate gain without the expressed consent of Peter T. Gayford (author).  Information and images may only be used for educational purposes if cited back to the author correctly.