Arichat Parish

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

On March 8, 1786, seventy Acadian heads of families, the founders of Arichat Parish, thanked the lieutenant governor of Cape Breton, J.F.W. DesBarres, "for the promise of land concessions, the permission to construct a church and school, and the request for tax exemptions".^[1]

The 70 Founders of Arichat Parish in 1786

Pierre Babin
Michel dit Lazare Benoit
Michel Boudreau dit Miquetau
Charles Boudrot dit Madouesse
Charles Boudrot dit Mississe
Joseph Boudrot
Prospere Boudrot
Joseph Bourg
Pierre Bourg
Michel Boutin
Simon Broussard
Georges Charpentier
Alexandre DesRoches
Joseph DesRoches
Charlemagne dit Charles Deveau
Josep Deveau
Joseph Bernard Dugas
Joseph Dugas
Firmin Forest
Jean Forest
Pierre Hilarion Forest
Simeon Forest
Maximien Forrest
Simon Forrest
Jean Fougère
Charles Fougère
Joseph Fougère (1720)
Joseph Fougère (1758)
Simon Fougère
Jean-Baptiste Girouard
Paul Girouard
Anselm Godin dit Bellefontaine
Paul Godin dit Bellefontaine dit Beausejour
Jean Hébert
Jean Henry
Alexandre Landry,
Alexis Landry
Jean Baptiste dit L’Abbé Landry (1712)
Jean Baptiste Landry dit L’Abbé (1739)
Jean Landry dit Alexis
Joseph Landry dit Alexis
Firmin-Gregoire LaVache
Abraham Lavandier
Alexandre LeBlanc
Charles LeBlanc
Francois LeBlanc
Hyacinthe dit Elias LeBlanc,
Mathurin LeBlanc
Rene LeBlanc
Eustache Marchand
Louis Marchand
Jean Baptiste Martel
Jean Charles Martel
Joseph Martel
Antoine Meunier
Charles Poirier (1721)
Charles Poirier (1750)
Michel Poirier
Pierre Poirier
Francois Prevost
Jean Richard
Jean Baptiste Samson
Michel Samson
Jean Sauvage dit Forgeron
Joseph Sauvage dit Forgeron
Paul Sauvage dit Forgeron
Joseph Theriot
René Thériot
Simon Theriot
Victor Theriot

Contents 1 Nova Scotia in the latter part of the Eighteenth Century 2 The Petition for Land Grants 3 Governor DesBarres acknowledges the Arichat Acadiens' Petition 4 His Majesty’s Council considers the Petition 5 Conditional approval of Land Grants 6 The Oath of Allegiance 7 Sources 8 Notes 9 Further reading

Nova Scotia in the latter part of the Eighteenth Century

In hindsight, the mass deportation of the Acadians was a strategic mistake. Britain had militarily succeeded in gaining possession of the territories of Acadia and New France^[2], but seriously lacked sufficient British manpower^[3]to build and sustain a thriving economy without the cooperation and skills of the defeated Frenchmen. They had reasonable expected their New England subjects to the south would migrate northward if offered land grants, but had not anticipated the Yankees' inability to manage marshland soils^[4]. As a consequence, it very soon became evident the New England Planters had been “so backward in repairing the banks, and so negligent of their tillage, that they [had] not grown wheat sufficient for themselves”.^[5]

James Murray, England's governor of Canada, desperate for an immediate infusion of willing and productive settlers, and having heard his citizens assert that...

...the [Acadians] “have been of great use as Labourers... particularly in their repairing and making dykes a work which they are accustomed to, and experienced in, and we find that with-out their further assistance many of us cannot continue our Improvements, nor plough nor sowe our lands, nor finish the Dykeing still required to secure our lands from Salt water, and [we are] convinced from experience that unless those Dyke Lands are inclosed we cannot with certainty raise Bread for our Subsistence”^[6] proclaimed “it would be for the good of the British Empire in General and that of this Province (Acadia) in particular, that these people were settled here upon the same footing with His Majesty's new Canadian subjects, and therefore I shall not hesitate to receive them”^[7].

Following the deportations, the experience of Acadiens remaining in the provinces varied considerably: some of necessity were land squatters, some were employed as tenant farmers, others rented from the British land owners.^[8]. Many were contemplating leaving, rather than further endure the hardships and uncertainty thrust upon them. Thus situated, seventy Acadien heads of families signed a petition requesting land grants, believing that they could adequately provide for their families if given the same opportunity as the New England Planters. That very summer, 1786, having received assurance from Lieutenant Governor DesBarres they would be allowed to live peaceably under British rule ---while retaining their language and religion---^[9], and receive title to land with inheritance rights (land ownership and inheritance under the French had been reserved to the Seigneurs); voluntarily pledged allegiance to Britain and become equal citizens under the jurisdiction and protection of the Crown of England.

The Petition for Land Grants

To His Excellency Joseph Frederic Wallet DesBarres, Esq. Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Island of Cape Breton and Territories thereon depending &c. &c. &c.

We His Majesty's Faithfull Acadian Subjects, Inhabiting the Isle of Madame, depending on the Government of Cape Breton humbly beg to address your Excellency, & in this public manner express the satisfaction we feel at your appointment to the Government of this Infant Colony. We view with pleasure this happy prospect we have of enjoying the invaluable privileges of British Subjects under your Excellency’s Administration.

We have chosen this spot to form a Settlement, and, we wish here to taste that Tranquility which a long series of miseries and misfortunes has taught us how to value.

We hope that from your Excellency’s representation of our sufferings & fidelity, the Mother Country will afford us such a share of protection and Encouragement to our Industry, as may Enable us to become Useful to the State, and a happy flourishing people, We trust our Conduct during tho late dissentions in America, will entitle us to some Attention on a future occasion: & sufficiently prove our Allegiance & Loyalty, to our Most Gracious Sovereign & our Attachment to the British Government.

Sensible of the numberless disadvantages your Excellency has to struggle with in your arduous endeavours to promote the prosperity and settlement of this promising Country; but by a full exertion of the abilities you so eminently possess, We hope every difficulty will be surmounted and the wise and beneficient views of the Parent state for the advancement of her Empire and Commerce in this Quarter carried into Execution with the fullest effect.

We beg leave to thank your Excellency for the Assurance contained in your public Letter to us, of the Lands we possess being granted, as soon as the proper arrangements can be made, and your intention of honouring this Settlement with a visit in the course of next Summer. We likewise beg leave to acknowledge your Excellency’s attention to our spiritual concerns in granting us permission to erect a House for the public exercise of our Holy Religion, and a School for the Instruction of our youth.

The Fishery being our sole occupation and having no other way of getting a subsistance We humbly request your Excellency will be pleased to direct that our Shallops and other craft employed carrying it on may be free from taxes and Imposts.

We have the honour to be &c.

Signed by Seventy heads of Families viz:

Endorsed 8th March l786^[10]

Governor DesBarres acknowledges the Arichat Acadiens' Petition

To His Majesty's faithfull Acadian Subjects on the Richmond Isles

Gentlemen, —I have received your affectionate Address. It is with Much satisfaction I can assure you that your Fidelity, Loyalty & attachment to our Most Gracious King and the British Government will in the fullest degree secure to you and your families all the Protection and Encouragement which shall be in my Power to afford to make you a happy flourishing People.

I have given the Directions you require respecting your Fishing Crafts.

I am with great Truth your very faithfull and most humble Servant,

J. F. W. DesBarres

Endorsed 12th March l786.^[11]

His Majesty’s Council considers the Petition

To the Honorable William Macarmick Lieut. Governor of His Majesty's Island of Cape Breton and America and Its Dependencies &c. &c.. &c.

The Memorial of Richard Gibbons Esq., Chief Justice and President of His Majesty’s Council for the said Island and Its Dependencies, Humbly Sheweth.

That there are residing on the said Island Considerable numbers of Families of the ancient French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia. who are employed in carrying on the Fishery and other Business for their support.

That the said Families are desirous of remaining usefull Inhabitants upon the said Island if they can obtain grants of Lands in like manner as Persons of the same description have obtained grants in Nova Scotia, which they have been hitherto prevented from obtaining on account of a part of His Majesty's Instructions which prescribe that all Persons previous to obtaining grants of Land shall besides taking the state oaths make and subscribe the Declaration against Transubstantiation which they cannot in concience do being by Profession Roman Catholics.

That unless they can obtain Grants of Land upon the Island, it is probable they will remove with their Families to some other Government where they may be able to acquire and hold Landed Estates upon taking the State Oaths without making and subscribing the Declaration against Transubstantiation, whereby your Government will lose a considerable number of industrious settlers.

Your Memorialist therefore thinks it his duty humbly to submit to your Honor’s consideration such an alteration in His Majesty’s Instructions as may enable you to make Grants of Lands in your Government to persons of the foregoing description & other loyal subjects of the same Profession who may be desirous of settling themselves in that part of His Majesty’s Dominions.

Humbly Submitted by R. GIBBONS

Sydney 23rd October 1787,^[12]

Conditional approval of Land Grants

MY LORD, — I hope your Lordship will excuse my communicating the anxious wish of His Majesty’s Council that some Regulation might take place in this government for dispensing with that part of the Oath to be taken by Persons receiving Grants which is so offensive to Roman Catholics. I mean the Oath relating to Transubstantiation, this circumstance stands in the way and prevents Grants of Lands being made to a numerous and industrious set of People at Conway Harbour and other places who are the only support of the Fishery on this Island. I have written to Governor Parr requesting to be informed of the mode adopted in his Government to be my guide until I am honored with His Majesty's directions because I am alarmed at a Resolution taken by these industrious Inhabitants to quit the Island should Grants be denied to them any longer on account of their religious Tenets.

As I conceive that no time should be lost in forwarding Grants to the Inhabitants, I have caused notice to be given that His Majesty's Council will take all claims to Land into consideration on every Monday until February l788, and I have requested the Surveyor General of the King's Woods to appoint a Deputy in the room of Mr. Rogers (who has left the Island without leave) in order that no Impediment may stand in the way of accommodating the Whole Body of Settlers.

I have the Honor to be My Lord,

Your Lordship’s Most obedient and most humble Servant.

W. McCarmick^[13]

The Oath of Allegiance

I — Do swear, that I will bear faithfull and true Allegiance to His Most Sacred Brittannick Majesty King George the Third^[14]and him will defend to the utmost of my power against all traiterous Conspiracies, and all Attempts whatsoever, against his person, Crown and Dignity. And I will do my utmost Endeavours to disclose or make known to His Majesty, and his Successors, all Treasons & Traiterous Conspiracies, or any attempts Whatever, which I shall know to be against him, or any of them. And these things I do plainly and sincerely promise and Swear, according to the express Words by me Spoken, and according to the plain and Common Sense and understanding of the same. Words, without any Equivocation, mental Evasion, or secret Reservation whatsoever. And I do make this Acknowledgement and promise heartily, Willingly, and truely, upon the true Faith of a Christian.

So Help me God.

A listing of the the founders of Arichat Parish can be referenced here.

Chapter 86 of the Acts of the Legislature of Nova Scotia for 1887 changed the name from Arichat to Antigonish.

• What Links Here

Sources

1. ↑ The 70 signers of the Founding of Arichat Parish at Cape Breton, published 2006 by Lena White, available for reference at Ancestory.com. Ms. White attributes the facts and data in her manuscript to: Stephen A. White, article “Les fondateurs de la paroisse d'Arichat, Cap-Breton”, from Cahiers de la société historique Acadienne - Volume 23, pp. 4-26, 1992
2. ↑ Commencing with the British conquest of New France in 1760.
3. ↑ At this time the French outnumbered the British 25:1 and [Murray] needed to be careful not to incite discontent or rebellion. Wikipedia referenced on 04/30/14
4. ↑ “By 1770 the New Englanders, [would loose] interest in working the tidal marshlands [and move] onto the upland soils around Digby and up the Annapolis River toward Wilmot”, to farm in the manner they were accustomed to, thereby forfeiting their land grants in the tidal marshlands. [citation needed]
5. ↑ John Robinson and Thomas Rispin: A Journey through Nova Scotia (York, I774), p. 13.
6. ↑ Request from inhabitants of Kings County for Acadian labor. MS., Canadian Archives, N.S. A. 76, pp. 56-57, quoted in H. A. Innis, edit.: Select Documents in Canadian Economic History, 1497-1783 (Toronto, 1929), pp. 194-195,
7. ↑ citation needed
8. ↑ Two Beginnings – A Brief Acadian History, by J Alphonse Deveau, Chapter 12 Acadian Resettlements after the Expulsion, pp. 64-74, 1980
9. ↑ citation needed
10. ↑ Les Acadien de l‘Ile Madame Petition to Governor DesBarres at Arichat - March 8, 1786 [citation needed]
11. ↑ citation needed
12. ↑ Memorial respecting Lands to Les Acadien &c at Sydney 23rd October 1787
13. ↑ W. McCarmick facilitates issuance of Land Grants following Meeting of Council on October 27, 1787 [citation needed]
14. ↑ Charles III, King of Great Britain from 1760 to 1820. In the wars in America he was victorious in the French Provinces, but suffered defeat battling the American Colonies in the War of Independence.

Notes

• Did any of these Acadiens return here after having been deported?

Further reading