Greetings: One of the items I researched while in Urbana, with a follow up in our local St. Louis County library, is a very interesting article in the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 31 #4 Winter 1999. It is written by Robert de Berardinis, OMPL, who lives in Houston. This pay book is very interesting because it lists two other Degruis in the service three years after Antoine's death. On page 236 of the Illinois journal article it lists: In the Company of de Noyon: Pierre degruis [Riflemen] who received 12.15 [livres] in July, August, September October and November for a total of 63.15 livres. Keep in mind that this is 1762. Then on page 240 of the article, it lists in the Company of Belnos: Jean Valentin degruis Cadet.... who received 4.10 livres in July.... but nothing in Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, for a total of 4.10 livres.... [We might ask... why just one month? Did he die? Was he sent elsewhere?] So...... we know that Antoine was not the only Degruis in the area. Keep in mind that Marie Therese Aufrere remarried Joseph Dussault De La Croix in 1760. How long did they remain in Illinois before returning to New Orleans???? Also: David Perrin insists that Antoine Valentine is buried between July and September of 1759 at Fort De Chartres [Not in New Orleans]. Some have him buried in St. Louis Cemetery #1, but as that cemetery didn't open until 1789, this cannot be correct. St. Louis Cemetery #2 opened in 1823. Note that Melanie Gaudin [JB's second wife] is buried in St. Louis Cemetery #1 in Jean Baptist's [son of Antoine Valentine] tomb. Thought you might find this all very interesting..... Renee