MICHAEL ANTOINE GAROUTTE was born
April 12, 1750 in Marseilles, France, and died April 29, 1829 in New
Jersey. He married SOPHIA SMITH October 25, 1778 in Pleasant Mills,
New Jersey, daughter of JAMES SMITH. She was born September 23, 1759
in New Jersey, and died December 26, 1817 in Pleasant Mills, New
Jersey.

The story is, in 1775 Michael Garoutte outfitted one or two ships at
Marseilles at his own expense and brought a large number of men to
America to aid the Colonists in their fight for freedom. Michael was
riding with a party of American and French officers during the
fighting when they met a party of British officers. In the fight that
followed, Michael was wounded in the head and left for dead. An old
Quaker passing by with his wagon saw signs of life and carried Michael
home and nursed him back to life. Michael married his daughter,
Sophia Smith.

Michael never received a pension for fighting in the war or
payment for the money he had loaned the Continental Government. The
records of his loans burned. And Records of the Pension Bureau at
Washington D. C. show that the pension he asked for was refused
because his service was on private ships instead of ships of the
Continental Government.

*From "Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots"
Michael Garoute, buried at Methodist Episcopalian Cemetery,
Pleasant Mills, NJ

*From "Abstracts of Rev. War Pension Files"
Garroutte, Michael, R3931, Sea Srv on the Brig "Enterprise"
& the Sloop or War "Race Horse", vet's papers were returned
to him & none are on file according to Earl D. Church
Commisioner of Pensions.

Michael was the Cousin to Louis XVI of France and at one time was
pardoned from Dueling in court, which was punishable by death.

Michael went to visit his sister in Marseilles in 1787. When he
returned home he brought his wife a silver scissors clip inscribed HRH
for Her Royal Highness and some fine cloth from his cousin the Queen of
France Marie Antionette. Betty Youngman of Harvey Cedars, NJ., Now
has the scissors hook given to Michael by the Queen of France.

Michael received money from his estate in France up until 1820.
But died on the side of the road without a penny to his name. A sad
fate for one who gave so much of himself and his money to the US
government.
source: www.looktothepast.com

Michael Antoine Garoutte