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Benito Vasquez
House

Block 9A
Block 9B
Block 9C
Block 9E

Home > Circa 1804 > St. Louis: City Along The River > Block 9D
 


St. Louis Scene, 1818. Ink and wash on paper by Anna Maria von Phil, 1818. Acc. #1953.158.42
Courtesy Missouri Historical Society

[Block 9D]

This poteaux en terre (posts in the earth) house was owned by Benito Vasquez. The house measured 30 x 25 feet, and was originally built by Rene Kiersereau in 1766. Vasquez was born in 1738 in Santiago de Compostela, northern Spain. He joined the Spanish army as a private in 1762, and was posted to St. Louis in 1770. Vasquez quickly learned the French language and was soon able to act as an interpreter for the Spanish authorities. In 1772 his enlistment ended and he stayed in St. Louis to enter the fur trade. On November 27, 1774 he married Julie Papin of St. Louis, and they eventually had 13 children. Vasquez bought the house in Block 9 in 1780 with 62 pounds of furs. He owned 15 slaves. Vasquez had trouble making money in the fur trade because he was a small trader trying to compete with the larger interests of the Chouteaus. After denouncing the Spanish governor at New Orleans for not granting him trading rights, Vasquez was jailed for 35 days. His fortunes declined and the advent of the Americans in 1804 did nothing to improve them. Vasquez and his wife had to sell their house and were supported by their children. His son Baronet Vasquez served as an interpreter and hunter on the Zebulon Pike Expedition of 1806-1807. His other son, Benito Vasquez, Jr., worked for Manuel Lisa. Benito Vasquez died on February 12, 1810.