Peter Chassanis

Peter Chassanis was brother in law to James D. Leray and was leader of the Castorland Company. The company bought large tracks of land from Macomb's Purchase with the idea of creating a "New France", a settlement for refugees of the French Revolution. From 1796 to 1800, around 20 French families of aristocratic origin settled in Castorland and other parts of Jefferson and Oneida counties.

Jefferson County Pioneers