Michel Johannes Jacks was born in Germany in 1709 and died July 8, 1793 in Detroit Mi.  In Germany he met Catherine Herbinnes who was born in 1726 in Germany, and died January 1789 in Detroit Mi.  The story told is that Michel and Catherine's relationship was frowned upon by their families due to the fact that one was from a upper class family and the other was from a lower class family.  So they left Germany and sailed to the United States some where between 1740 and Setember 1741, on the ship Lydia where it docked in Philadelphia PA.  Michel changed his last name to Yax, upon entering the United States.  They were married about April 1745 in Philadelphia PA.  Michel attempted to walk from PA. to the Mississippi at the place called Pointe Coupee on the Louisiana coast to establish a small colony of Germans.  He lost his way and after many privations and trails he was captured by the Ottawa's who stole from him and sold his wife to Commandant de Longueuil.  In 1751 they received a French land grant which is now know as Private Claims #586 and #344 Grosse Pointe, and supplies. (The following is a list of the supplies that he received from the King's store).  1 plow, 1 axe, 1 hoe, 1 sickle, 1 scythe, 2 augers, 7 chickens, 1 sow, 8lbs of lead, 4lbs powder, 2lbs rice, 6lbs flour, 1 pot of wine, 80 nails.