Don Antonio Crisafi and his brother Thomas, who had a good military background, as he had become Knight of Malta in 1670, took part in a revolt against Spain in Sicily.
In 1675, Messina obtained the military support of France which was in war against Spain, and the Crisafi brothers continued fighting under the orders of the Duke of Vivonne, the commander of the French troops and a noble who was very close to King Louis XIV.
They were eventually accused of a complot against France and were imprisoned for a short time at La Bastille, in Paris, before being freed as they were found to be innocent.
Despite their difficulty to adapt to the Canadian cold climate, they were among the most brave and capable officers in Canada as confirmed in several letters sent by the Governors of New France to Versailles.
Very close to Governor de Calliere, Antoine Crisafy was named king's lieutenant at Montreal in 1697 and, the following year, appointed Knight of the Order of Saint-Louis.