Duquet’s Timber Empire

This flow follows Charles Duquet from an escaped servant to a timber magnate whose success depends on exploiting forests and building commercial networks.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Escape and Survival

Escape and Survival Flight into the Wilderness Charles Duquet escapes his indenture and crawls through hunger, infection, and exhaustion toward the fur-trading country. A New Strength Rescued and treated, he turns hardship into physical discipline, learning the river skills that will shape his rise.

The Fur Trade

The Fur Trade Learning the System Among traders and Indigenous intermediaries, Duquet discovers that dangerous labor enriches merchants with capital and access to markets. A Limited Fortune He profits from furs but sees that animal stocks and prices fluctuate, making the trade an unstable foundation for lasting wealth.

A Chinese Market

A Chinese Market The Far-Eastern Voyage Duquet secures passage aboard a Dutch ship and studies trade practices on the route to Guangzhou. Profitable Exchange He sells luxury furs for silver and learns that medicinal roots and unusual woods may command still greater value.

From Fur to Forest

From Fur to Forest A Durable Commodity Duquet decides timber offers more lasting wealth than fur, then builds connections linking New France, Europe, and English colonial markets. A Family Enterprise He secures capital and partnerships, preparing a business that can expand beyond his own life and into his descendants’ hands.

The Timberman’s End

The Timberman’s End Ownership Turns Violent When workers cut timber on his claimed land, Duquet punishes a wounded boy and later kills him rather than offer help. Revenge at the Mill Dud McBogle recognizes him years afterward and ends his life before his fortune is secure, exposing the violence under his commercial ambition.

1693–early 1690s, after leaving Trépagny

Late 1690s, after Duquet joins the voyageurs

Early 1700s, during Duquet’s first Asian voyage

After returning from China, before 1711

Early eighteenth century, during the Maine timber conflict