Introduction
In the summer of 1657, the ship Satisfaction sailed into Acadia from England. It carried a small group of colonists, including Colonel Thomas Temple, the newly appointed governor of Acadia.
Among the passengers was Pierre dit Laverdure Melanson, a Huguenot who had fled to England from France prior to 1632 to escape persecution for his Protestant faith.
Pierre was accompanied by his wife, Priscilla Melanson, and their children, 14-year-old Charles, Pierre junior and Jean. The family’s journey to Acadia marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. One that would be shaped by the realities of the New World.
Initially settling along the Saint John River, the Melanson family soon made their way to the shores of the Annapolis River, where they became an integral part of the community. Over time, the family’s history became intertwined with that of Annapolis Royal, a place that would prove to be a pivotal location in the history of Acadia.
Annapolis Royal, formerly known as Port Royal, was a hub of activity in the region. It witnessed the rise and fall of empires. It experienced the tides of colonial powers. The area was also home to settlers labouring to establish a new life in the Americas.
By following the fortunes and misfortunes of the Melanson family, we gain a glimpse into the complex history of the region. This history reveals the significant role that Annapolis Royal played in shaping the course of North American history.
Part 1: The Days as Port Royal (1657-1713)
Port Royal in the English colony
In 1664, 21-year-old Charles Melanson made a significant decision. He renounced Protestantism and married Marie Dugas. She was the daughter of Port Royal armourer Abraham Dugas and Marguerite Doucet.
By renouncing his faith, Charles was able to integrate more fully into the predominantly Catholic community of Port Royal. This move not only facilitated the marriage, it secured social and economic stability for the new couple.
After their wedding, Charles and Marie settled on the edge of the upland adjacent to the St. Charles marsh, about 6.5 kilometres downriver from Port Royal. They soon set to work with their neighbours, the Guilbeaux family, to build a dyke across the extensive marsh.
This collaborative effort was typical of the distinctive dykeland cultivation unique to colonial North America.
The early days of the Melanson Settlement were relatively peaceful. It was an agricultural community where family members and neighbours worked together for mutual benefits.
However, the political landscape was about to change.
In 1667, the British and French agreed to a territorial exchange as part of the Treaty of Breda. The treaty had significant implications for Acadia. The British would retain control of New Amsterdam (later New York City), while the French would regain control of Acadia.
This shift in power created an uncomfortable environment for some Protestants, including Pierre dit Laverdure Melanson. As a result, he decided to take Priscilla and their youngest son, Jean, and relocate to Boston, Massachusetts.
Charles and his older brother, Pierre junior, chose to remain in Acadia.
Port Royal in the French colony
Following the Treaty of Breda, life in Port Royal was calm. The population grew, and a 1671 census recorded 361 Acadians in the Port Royal area.
The Melanson family was a major landholder, with 20 arpents of workable land, 40 head of cattle, and 6 sheep.
Charles Melanson was 28 years old at the time, and his wife Marie was 23. They had four young children: Marie (7), Marguerite (5), Anne (3), and Cécile (6 months). The family was thriving, with a growing household and increasing prosperity.
Charles’ older brother, Pierre Melanson, lived upriver in Port Royal with his wife Marguerite Muis d’Entremont. She was the eldest daughter of Philippe Mius d’Entremont, 1st Baron of Pobomcoup and King’s Attorney.
In the early 1680s, Pierre and his family moved to the upper Bay of Fundy and founded Grand-Pré.
By 1686, the population of Port Royal had grown to 450. Charles Melanson, now 44, and his wife Marie, 38, had a large household. Their children included Isabelle (13), Charles junior (11), Magdeleine (9), Marie (7), Françoise (4), and twin boys Ambroise and Pierre (10 months).
The family farmed 6 arpents of land and owned 20 cows, 12 sheep, 6 hogs, and 1 firearm.
Their daughter Cécile, 16, had married Abraham Boudrot, 30, two years earlier. The new couple lived in the Settlement, where they owned 2 firearms, 5 cattle, and 15 sheep.
Meanwhile, in Port Royal, François-Marie Perrot, the new governor, was asserting his authority. He pursued his own interests, seeking to monopolize the fur trade and trading brandy. He shipped contraband to Boston, and allowed New England seamen to fish in Acadian waters – as long as they purchased a permit from him.
Perrot’s tenure was did not last long. On March 1, 1687, Louis-Alexandre des Friches de Menneval was appointed governor of Acadia. Menneval was tasked with encouraging settlement and agriculture, preventing English trade and fishing, and investigating the activities of the former governor.
The 1690 Battle of Port Royal and the Raid of 1693
On May 19, 1690, during King William’s War, a large hostile force of New England provincial militia, led by Sir William Phips, arrived at Port Royal.
Outmanned, outgunned, and with poor fortifications, Governor Louis-Alexandre des Friches de Menneval surrendered.
Despite the terms of surrender, which included protection of the Acadians’ persons and property, the English militia plundered the fort and town. They took private property, killed livestock, and desecrated the fort’s chapel.
The aftermath of the surrender was marked by violence and mistrust.
Many Acadians were alienated from the New Englanders, making future relations more difficult. Still, some Acadians, like Abraham Boudrot, were able to establish trade relationships with the English.
In the spring of 1691, he petitioned the Massachusetts governor and council for the right to trade, citing the needs and poverty of Acadia since the last war.
His request was granted, and on April 29, 1691, Abraham sailed from Boston to Port Royal with textiles and spices. He traded these goods for furs and poultry. This helped to establish a vital trade link between Acadia and New England.
Nonetheless, the peace was short-lived.
In 1693, Port Royal was attacked again. This time, by English privateers, who burned several buildings, including the parish church, and took prisoners. The raid was a response to Acadia’s support for the French during King William’s War.
Despite these challenges, the Melanson family persevered and prospered. Charles, the founder of the Settlement, was now 51, and his wife Marie was 45. Their household included their children Charles junior (18), Magdeleine (16), Marie (12), Françoise (10), Pierre and Ambroise (8), Claude (5), and Jean (3).
The family’s livestock and possessions had also grown, with 20 cows, 25 sheep, 12 hogs, and 4 firearms.
By the 1698 census, Charles Melanson, now 57, had one of the largest orchards in the Port Royal area, with 76 trees, and the second-largest amount of arable land, with 35 arpents. He and his wife Marie, 52, lived with their children Charles junior (23), Marie (18), Ambroise and Pierre (13), Claude (11), Jean (8), and Marguerite (5).
The Melanson Settlement had grown to include four households: the founders, Charles and Marie; Cécile Melanson and her husband, Abraham Boudrot; Anne Melanson and her children; and Jean Roy dit La Liberte and his wife, Marie Aubois. The families owned a total of 39 head of cattle, 23 sheep, and 19 pigs.
Charles Melanson died circa 1700, leaving his wife Marie to run the household. She lived with their children Pierre and Ambroise (15), Claude (12), and Jean (10).
The 1704 Blockade of Port Royal and the Sieges of 1707
In 1704, Major Benjamin Church blockaded Port Royal. He was seeking retaliation for a raid on Deerfield, Massachusetts. Although he had been instructed not to attack the capital without authorization from London, Church’s forces still made a show of force.
On July 2, two English warships and seven smaller vessels entered the Port Royal basin.
The British captured the guard station and four Acadians. They took a family prisoner and sent a woman to the fort to demand its surrender. Yet, the blockade lasted only 17 days because Church moved on to conduct raids on Grand Pré, Pisiguit, and Chignecto.
After completing these raids, Church returned to Port Royal, exchanged gunfire with the fort, then withdrew to Boston.
Three years later, the British launched two separate sieges against Port Royal. The first siege, led by Colonel John March, began on June 6, 1707, and lasted 11 days.
The British established positions near the fort but were unable to land the necessary cannons. They withdrew amid disagreements in their war council.
The second siege, led by Colonel Francis Wainwright, began on August 21. Wainwright landed his troops about 3.2 km below the fort and marched them to a position about 1.6 km north of the fort.
They were unable to establish secure camps due to spirited defensive sorties organized by Governor Daniel d’Auger de Subercase.
Despite their efforts, the British were ultimately unable to capture the fort at Port Royal. The sieges were considered a failure. Although, the threat of future attacks remained.
The Melanson family suffered a personal loss during the second siege. Jean Belliveau, the husband of Magdeleine Melanson, died from injuries sustained while fighting the English.
Jean Belliveau, Magdeleine and their children lived in the Melanson Settlement at the time.
Charles junior, his wife, and their young boy also lived in the Melanson Settlement. They owned 4 arpents of land, 12 cattle, 14 sheep, 6 hogs, and 2 firearms.
Ambroise Melanson, his wife, and their young son lived in the family compound as well, owning 1 arpent of land, 5 cattle, 8 sheep, 4 hogs, and 1 firearm.
In those days, the Melanson Settlement consisted of 5 separate households, with 17 arpents under cultivation, 75 cattle, 48 pigs, and 106 sheep. The family continued to practice dykeland agriculture, and a second dyke had been constructed.
The Final Siege of Port Royal
In 1710, the British returned to Port Royal with a larger and better-organized force. They were determined to capture the fort and end French rule in Acadia.
The siege, led by General Francis Nicholson and Colonel Samuel Vetch, began on October 5, 1710.
Despite a strong defence by Governor Daniel d’Auger de Subercase and the French garrison, the odds were heavily against them. The British forces had a significant advantage in terms of numbers and firepower, making it impossible for the French to hold out for long.
The garrison, consisting of about 300 troops, many of whom were poorly trained recruits from France, held out for a week. They surrendered on October 13, 1710.
The terms of the surrender allowed the garrison to leave the fort with honours. The men were allowed to take their arms, baggage, and colours with them.
The British also agreed to transport the soldiers to France and provided protections for the local residents. This included the right to remain on their properties for up to two years – if they took an oath to the British Crown.
The capture of Port Royal was a crucial victory for the British. The town was the capital of the French colony and until that point had been a focal point for conflict between English and French colonists.
The British formally took possession of Port Royal on October 16, renaming it Annapolis Royal in honour of Queen Anne.
Part 2: The Golden Age of Annapolis Royal (1713-1748)
The first years of Annapolis Royal
The capture of Port Royal by the British marked the beginning of a new era for the town and its inhabitants. The town was renamed Annapolis Royal and became the capital of British-controlled Acadia.
Yet, the British faced significant challenges in the aftermath of their victory.
One of the main challenges was the reluctance of the Acadians to swear allegiance to the British Crown. By mid-January 1711, only 57 of the 481 eligible Acadians had taken the oath. This was despite a provision in the terms of capitulation that protected Acadians within 4.8 km of the fort.
The British garrison also struggled to adapt to the harsh winter conditions. Their numbers soon dwindled to around 240 “effective men, Officers included” due to death, disease, and desertion.
The situation was further complicated by the Acadians’ refusal to assist with logging and other essential tasks. They claimed it was due to the risk of Mi’kmaq and Abenaki attacks.
The British control over the area was tenuous at best.
In June 1711, a force of 50-150 warriors ambushed 70 provincial troops at Bloody Creek. The attackers killed or captured the entire New England force. They then attempted to blockade Annapolis Royal but were unsuccessful due to a lack of heavy artillery.
The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 brought an end to Queen Anne’s War. France ceded Acadia to Britain, and the colonial boundaries in North America were redefined. Acadia was officially renamed Nova Scotia.
As a result, the region experienced a period of relative tranquillity.
By 1714, the Melanson Settlement had expanded to include nine households, with 16 adults and 25 children. The Melanson sons headed five households, while Magdeleine Melanson, the widow of Jean Belliveau, headed another.
Alexandre Robichaud, Anne Melanson’s husband, Marie Dugas, the widow of Charles Melanson senior, and Jean Roy headed the remaining three households.
Unlike many other Acadian families, the Melanson family, and the others in the Settlement, chose to adapt to the new situation and live under British rule rather than relocate to French-controlled lands.
In fact, Alexandre Robichaud was elected as a deputy to represent the local Acadians in their dealings with the new government at Annapolis Royal in 1720. This marked the beginning of a new age of cooperation between the Acadians and the British.
The Blockade and the Raid of Annapolis Royal
In July 1722, the Abenaki and Mi’kmaq attempted to blockade Annapolis Royal, aiming to starve the capital. Still, the presence of 22 Mi’kmaq hostages, taken earlier at Annapolis Royal, likely deterred a full-scale offensive.
Despite this, the blockade created a tense and uncertain atmosphere for the residents of Annapolis Royal. The British government and military leaders were aware of the threat and took precautions to prepare for a potential attack.
Two years later, in early July 1724, a group of 60 Mi’kmaq and Maliseets launched a surprise raid on Annapolis Royal. They killed and scalped a sergeant and a private, wounded four more soldiers, and terrorized the town. The raid was a shocking and violent incursion that left the residents feeling vulnerable and frightened.
The incident highlighted the ongoing tensions between the British and the Indigenous peoples of the region. In spite of the relative peace of the Golden Age, deep-seated grievances and resentments continued to simmer beneath the surface.
Regardless, the small English presence and the long period of peace allowed the Acadian population to grow rapidly. Although life was not without its challenges, the years were marked by expansion and growth.
The 1724 raid served as a stark reminder that the region was not immune to the conflicts and violence that plagued other parts of North America during this time.
Meanwhile, life on the Melanson lands continued to thrive. The residents worked hard and prospered, and by 1725, the reclaimed marshland extended all the way to the river on both sides of the Settlement.
In 1737, Marie Dugas, the co-founder of the Melanson Settlement, passed away at the age of around 91.
The Sieges of Annapolis Royal and the End
On July 12, 1744, the militant French priest Jean-Louis Le Loutre gathered 300 Mi’kmaq warriors and launched an assault on Annapolis Royal. The Mi’kmaq outnumbered the New England regulars by three to one. Two New Englanders were captured and scalped. Yet, the assault ended after four days with the arrival of British ships carrying 70 soldiers from Boston.
In September 1744, François Dupont Duvivier led a second siege attempt against Fort Anne with 200 troops. Duvivier arrived at the fort on September 6 and began preparing for an attack, but Governor Paul Mascarene responded by firing a cannon, prompting Duvivier to withdraw.
Duvivier sent messages to Mascarene demanding surrender, be that as it may Mascarene refused, citing the imminent arrival of naval reinforcements. Duvivier began the siege on September 9, with French troops and Mi’kmaq attacking the fort walls at night and conducting daily raids.
The siege continued for several weeks, with both sides suffering casualties.
In May 1745, Paul Marin de la Malgue led a siege against Annapolis Royal with 200 troops and hundreds of Mi’kmaq. However, the siege was short-lived, as Marin was recalled to defend Louisbourg. The fort ultimately fell to an English expeditionary force led by New England colonists.
The following year, the French launched the Duc d’Anville expedition, the largest French military force ever sent to the Americas. The expedition was tasked with regaining control of Acadia, but it was plagued by bad weather, disease, and poor leadership.
It spent five weeks in Chebucto (present-day Halifax) trying to recover, but was unable to capture Annapolis Royal. As a result, the expedition failed to achieve its goals.
The expedition’s failure marked a turning point in the war, and the French would never again attempt to regain control of Acadia.
Meanwhile, the Melanson Settlement had grown to include 10 to 12 households, with Melanson grandchildren taking up residence in the community. The settlement was now a thriving village with houses, barns, windmills, dovecotes, outbuildings, pigsties, outdoor ovens, and wells.
Jean Melanson, the youngest son of Charles Melanson senior and Marie Dugas, had become a deputy, representing the local Acadians in dealings with the British governor and council at Annapolis Royal
Although tensions between the authorities and the Acadians were increasing, the Melanson family continued to farm, fish, trade, and prosper for several more years.
In 1748 the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned the Louisbourg fortress to France, however, it did mark a turning point. Britain decided to make the Nova Scotia territory “truly” British.
By December 1755, life as the Melanson family and the Acadians of Annapolis Royal knew it, would come to an end.
Epilogue
The story of Annapolis Royal and the Acadian people is a testament to the often tumultuous history of North America. From the early days of European settlement to the Expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, this region has been shaped by the interactions of various cultures and empires.
Today, the legacy of the Acadian people can be seen in the many communities and cultures that have been influenced by their history and traditions. The preservation of their language, customs, and way of life confirms the enduring spirit of a people who endured in the face of adversity.
As we look back on the history of Annapolis Royal, we are reminded of the importance of understanding the complicated relationships between different societies. We are also reminded of the need to preserve our shared history, in all its complexity and nuance.
The story of Annapolis Royal is not just a series of events. It’s a living and breathing part of our collective identity. It is an indication that our actions and decisions have consequences that can be felt for generations to come.
As we move forward, we must continue to learn from the past in order to not repeat the mistakes that were made. We must recognize historical injustices.
