In 1755, the British launched a campaign to deport the Acadian people from their ancestral homeland in Nova Scotia to various colonies in North America.
This event, known as the Great Upheaval, had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of Acadians. A people who were brutally forced to leave behind their homes, their livelihoods, and their communities.
The following touches on the experiences of Acadians exiled to Connecticut, one of the colonies where they endured their expulsion, and the eventual migration to Quebec.
The Deportation to Connecticut
On January 21, 1756, the Elizabeth, a ship carrying 277 Acadian deportees, made port in Connecticut. This was followed by an unnamed sloop on January 22, 1756, with 173 displaced Acadians and the Dove on January 30, 1756, with a further 114 Acadian exiles.
The Edward, carrying 180 Acadian deportees, arrived on May 22, 1756, after a difficult journey.
These ships brought hundreds of Acadians to Connecticut. These people were settled in various towns throughout the colony, including New London, Norwich, and Hartford.
The conditions they faced were harsh. Many families struggled to survive in the new and unfamiliar environment. Poverty, disease, and exploitation was rampant.
The Acadians were forced to exist in dirty conditions, with limited access to food, shelter, and other basic necessities. Many died in the first few years after their arrival.
Among the Acadian families forced to Connecticut was Anne Granger (50), widow of Charles Melanson, and three of their children: Pierre (16), Amable (11) and Claude (7).
Charles Melanson was a member of a prominent Acadian family, descended from the elder Charles Melanson, who founded the Melanson Settlement on the north bank of the Annapolis River, 6.5 kilometres downstream from Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia.
The settlement was a successful family community that engaged in agriculture, fishing, lumber and trade.
Charles’ father, also named Charles Melanson, was the son of the elder Charles, making the younger Charles the grandson of the settlement’s founder.
Anne Granger and her accompanying children were residents of the Melanson community when the British ruthlessly compelled them from their home.
Life in Connecticut
The Acadian exiles who were sent to Connecticut faced challenging conditions. Initially, they were treated like prisoners of war, with restrictions on their freedom of movement and the practice of their Catholic faith.
Still, despite these harsh conditions, some Acadians were welcomed and aided in their settlement by the local population. The colony of Connecticut made efforts to help them settle by providing subsidies for housing and food for a year.
This was a stark contrast to the experiences of those sent to other colonies. There they were often met with hostility and forced to wander until they could find a home.
Despite these efforts, daily life for the Acadians in Connecticut was still a struggle. Many families were forced to live in poverty, and the harsh winters took a toll on their health and well-being.
The Acadians also faced exploitation by English colonists, who took advantage of their vulnerability and lack of familiarity with the local customs and language.
Yet, the Acadians endured and did what needed to be done in order to bear their exile. Ultimately, the Acadians’ experiences in Connecticut were marked by hardship, and most would eventually seek a better life elsewhere.
The Decision to Leave Connecticut
After the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763, the Seven Years’ War between France and Great Britain over control of North America formally concluded. Britain gained much of France’s possessions in the New World, including Canada.
The British government’s policy towards the Acadians began to shift. The Acadians, who had been forcibly deported to Connecticut and other colonies, were no longer considered a threat to British interests.
Undoubtedly, this was seen as a hopeful sign for the Acadian diaspora scattered throughout the colonies.
In a 1763 Connecticut record, Anne Granger, Charles’ widow, is listed with three of her children. The document indicates that she had requested to leave the colony and return to France.
The following year, in 1764, the British government passed an order-in-council to permit Acadians to return to British territories. This included the French-speaking province of Quebec.
Acadians could come back in small isolated groups, provided that they take an unqualified oath of allegiance.
In 1765, James Murray, the Governor of Quebec, issued a proclamation inviting Acadians to settle in the province of Quebec.
The overture offered the Acadians an opportunity to leave Connecticut and establish a new life in a place where they could maintain their cultural identity, language, religion and traditions.
Many Acadians, including the Melanson family, took advantage of this opportunity.
Migration to Quebec
On 26 June 1767, a 62 year old Anne Granger, the widow of Charles Melanson, boarded the brigantine Pitt along with three of her children: Pierre (28), Amable (23), and Claude (18). Together, they sailed out of New London, Connecticut, and made for Quebec. They arrived on 31 July 1767.
The migration of Acadians from Connecticut to Quebec was a significant event in the history of the Acadian people. The journey was long but the Acadians were determined to establish a new life for themselves. Many settled in communities somewhat northwest of the St. Lawrence River in the region called Lanaudière.
The Melanson family did the same and settled in Saint-Jacques. The area would become known as Nouvelle Acadie (New Acadia). There they would begin to build a new life.
Establishing a New Life in Quebec
The Acadians who migrated to Quebec faced many challenges as they created a new life for themselves. They had to build new homes, clear land, and establish new communities.
They also had to navigate the complexities of the Quebec colonial system, which was dominated by the British authorities.
Despite these challenges, the Acadians were determined to succeed. They worked hard and were able to maintain their cultural heritage. They continued to speak French, practice their religion, raise families and maintain their traditions.
The Melanson family was no exception. For example, in January of 1778 a 39 year old Pierre Melanson married Marguerite Lord (19) and together worked hard to build a life for themselves.
They would go on to have numerous children, a successful farm, and became respected members of their community.
Pierre had been an Acadian exile in Connecticut while Marguerite was born in that colony to parents who had suffered fate as Pierre and his family.
Marguerite Lord passed away on May 19, 1818 at the age of 59. Pierre Melanson died on the 21st of May 1826. He was 87. Both were buried in the cemetery of Saint-Jacques.
Conclusion
The Great Upheaval was a traumatic event in the history of the Acadian people. It had a profound impact on the lives of the thousands who were forced to leave behind their homes, livelihoods, and communities. Families were torn apart, property was destroyed and freedom was taken.
However, the Expulsion also demonstrated the resilience and determination of the Acadian people. Those who were able to survive in these most trying times would rebuild.
The Melanson family is just one example of the many stories of Acadian families who were deported to Connecticut and eventually migrated to Quebec.
Their experiences reflect the broader themes of Acadian history, including the importance of resilience and determination.
