Acadian Resources
Acadian Merchandise

Acadian settlement in the Chignecto region began with Jacques Bourgeois, a wealthy surgeon and lieutenant from Port Royal. Under the administration of Governor Grandfontaine, Bourgeois arrived in Chignecto in 1672 with four closely related families to start French habitation in the area. Four years later Michel LeNeuf de La Valliere received a large grant of land which he named “Beaubassin.” Having to respect the lands of Bourgeois, LaValliere established his home on “Tonge’s Island” (marsh highlands located between today’s Fort Lawrence and Fort Beausejour) and inhabited his region with settlers and hired hands from Quebec.

Exhibit and model of fishing weir used by Acadians.

The region known as Beaubassin was large and varied during the early 1700’s and included areas from Maccan, Nappan, Hebert and Minudie to Cumberland Basin, Sackville, Memramcook, Petitcoudiac and Shepody Bay. Each household in the area supported an estimated 12 and 20 cattle, 12 pigs and up to that many in sheep. The females made linens and woolens for clothing and Indian moccasins to be worn as shoes. By 1680 gristmills and a sawmill had been established in Beaubassin and the settlement would eventually see the product of all field crops, animals, and some fruit trees known to Port Royal. Farming was the main occupation of the Acadians, partly as a result of the numerous dykes built by themselves and the rich marshland soils exposed by that process.

Framed print of the expulsion of the Acadians #2002-74-2

Other aspects to the economy included fishing, hunting, lumbering, building boats, blacksmithing, and trading furs and excess livestock with the Indians, New Englanders and ships from Louisbourg. In 1755, after numerous years of living peacefully under British rule, these Acadian families were expelled to various parts of the British Empire, perhaps as an attempt to break any power, which they may hold in the future as a unified group.

Following the deportation, Acadian families were eventually allowed to immigrate back to the area. On November 13th, 1764 J.F. Wallet-Desbarres received land grants for land in Minudie, Nappan, Maccan, Tatamagouche and Memramcook. Acadian families became tenants of these lands. These families however did not legally own their lands and paid half of their crops and livestock produce in rent. In 1800 Desbarres expelled those prosperous Acadian families from his lands and in doing so sunk himself into ruin. During the same 1760’s land grab, Michael Francklin obtained "the huge 20 000-acre grant both sides of River Hebert." This area was known as Francklin Manor. Having both Native and French acquaintances, he welcomed both to live on his land. Amos Seaman would acquire Desbarres lands. Born on January 14, 1788 in Sackville N.B. he would build and create prosperity in Minudie for its entire people, including the Acadians. The Catholic Church with which Seaman donated four acres of land, lumber and bell for still stands today.

Certificate 2002-74-1	Acadian Chair 81-37-1	Dyke spade
"Items in our collection"

Sources:
F.J. Melanson, Lecture Given Before the Amherst Township Historical Society, Feb. 23, 1982.
The Story of Minoudie, Nappan & Maccan, date and author unknown.
Pearl Atkins, Francklin, Pearl Atkins Fonds manuscripts.
Roland H. Sherwood, “Amos Seaman: The man who became king of all Minudie,” paper and date unknown.