Francis Vigo

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Francis Vigo (1747-March 22, 1836) was a native of Mondovi, Italy.

Vigo served with the Spanish Army in New Orleans. In 1772 he established a fur trading business in St. Louis.

Vigo often aided American forces during the Revolutionary War, most famously informing George Rogers Clark of the British recapture of present day Vincennes, Indiana, which prompted Clark to retake the town in 1779.

In 1783 Vigo moved to Vincennes and operated a fur trading business. In the 1790s Vigo traded with American merchants on the East Coast.

In 1801, Vigo petitioned U.S. Congress for a donation of land to establish a "Jefferson Academy" in Vincennes. In 1806, Vigo was named one of the original trustees of Vincennes University.

In 1810, Vigo resigned his commission as a colonel in the Indiana militia, citing age and infirmity.

Vigo County, IN was named for him and, after he was royally feted during a visit to Terre Haute, Indiana, the Vigo County seat, on July 4, 1834, Vigo revised his will to provide money to purchase a large bell for the Vigo County Court House.