Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



John Suffrain

John Suffrain, deceased, was born in France, and at the age of eleven years enlisted in the French service and served on a war vessel two and a half years, when he returned home. He was, soon after his return, pressed into service and was at sea eleven years, and two and a half years during that time he was blockaded at the Island of Malta, being many times near starvation. He, in company with some others, attempted to escape by night, but was captured by General Nelson, but were soon after exchanged. He fought at the battle of the Nile, and was made prisoner by the English, but made his escape by swimming two and a half miles, with his bundle of clothing on his back, when he was picked up by a French vessel. In 1802 he was sick with yellow fever and was left at San Domingo. On recovering he came to Philadelphia, intending to return to France, but liking the place so well he remained till 1836. He then removed to Richmond, Ind., residing there till his death, which occurred Sept. 13, 1855, in his eightieth year.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2