The Beaubassin Village - Our Living History Website 

Dear Constituents,

     Information regarding the history of Beaubassin Village, our Acadian ancestors, 

and the enormous local contribution towards protecting and preserving this important site 

will be highlighted in this section of billcasey.ca.   

     Special links will also be added regularly so that the community, and visitors to our area will 

know of our our rich local history. Please contact me at caseyb@parl.gc.ca if you have information 

that should be added to this page. 

      Thank you for visiting the Beaubassin Village - Our Living History Webpage. 

Sincerely,

ENTRY 4 - August 15, 2007 - The following picture comes to me courtesy of Darrell Cole, Senior Editor of the Amherst Daily News.

His story, "Hidden History - Aboiteau unearthed on LaPlanche River" can also be read via the following web link: http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=54158&sc=58. This is a great story and describes how workers excavating the marsh for

a new sluicegate on the LaPlanche River uncovered an Acadian aboiteau, believed to be more than 250 years old. 

Local Farmer Doug Bacon and I look over the Acadian aboiteau

(Photo credit to Darrell Cole, Amherst Daily News)

ENTRY 3 - July 25, 2007 -- Below are some photos taken at the recent opening of the Beaubassin dig.

I would like to acknowledge that M.P. Rob Moore (Fundy Royal) came and spoke of behalf of the

Government of Canada, and say how pleased the community is that

the government is continuing to support the dig and the Beaubassin project.

Picture left: M.P. Rob Moore and I lend a hand to the dig team.

Picture Right: Community Volunteers

and Parks Canada archeologists hard at work on the Beaubassin dig.

Picture left: The team carefully scrutinizes a specific section of the dig site.

Picture right: M.P. Rob Moore and I with one of the community volunteers.

ENTRY 2 - July 19, 2007 -- I was thinking you might like to know where we got the Beaubassin project started. When I met with then Prime Minister Chretien in October of 2002, it was fortunate that he was already familiar with the area because he was once the Member of Parliament for Beausejour, and Fort Beausejour is adjacent to Beaubassin. (Both sites are also directly connected historically, and in the coming weeks I'll let you in on more details on this important connection).

At the time of our meeting, Mr. Chretien took an interest in the project and realized the significance of Beaubassin immediately.

(Note on the photo - this image also appeared in the Amherst Daily News on Friday, October 18, 2002)

It should also be noted, that the preliminary digs accomplished by Senior Parks Canada archeologist Charles Burke

(pictured above) played a key role in convincing the authorities that Beaubassin is a very important site, worthy

of the Government of Canada's attention. 

ENTRY 1 -- July 18, 2007 - Yesterday I went to visit the Parks Canada team of archeologists to see how they were progressing with the excavations at the historic site of the Acadian Village of Beaubassin. As you can see below, some interesting artifacts are being found,

and I suspect that more will be uncovered in the coming days.

I would like all constituents to know that Parks Canada is encouraging visitors to the dig site, and are happy to accept volunteers.

Anyone interested in getting their hands dirty should contact the Parks Canada office at Fort Beausejour to apply.

This, as you can imagine, is an exciting project and I will be keeping all constituents updated every few days

through this new feature on the website called "The Beaubassin Blog". - Bill.

NOTE: The "Team" includes Senior Parks Canada Archeologist Charles Burke, Archeologists Natalie Oulette and Virginia Sheehan,

and the local volunteers.

Pictures from the ongoing Parks Canada excavation of the Acadian Village of Beaubassin, taken on July 18, 2007

Picture left: Possible foundations of Acadian buildings being uncovered.

Picture right: Natalie Oulette (Parks Canada), shows us that there is much hard work involved in uncovering Beaubassin.

Picture left: Volunteer exposing possible foundation walls. Picture right: more excavations underway;    

Picture left: Parks Canada archeologist Natalie Oulette and her indispensable wheel barrow.

Picture right: Senior Parks Canada Archeologist Charles Burke outlines Beaubassin project to

Halifax Chronicle Herald writer Tom McCoag.

Picture left: Senior Parks Canada Archeologist Charles Burke points out the sites of the British Fort

(Fort Lawrence), and the Acadian Village (Beaubassin).

Picture right: The Parks Canada Team uncovers a large spike from the 1700s.  

Picture left: Senior Parks Canada Archeologist Charles Burke examines a large, hand-forged spike.

Picture Right: A number of items in the shovel could be slag from an Acadian forge,

or material from one of the fires that destroyed Beaubassin.  

Picture Left: The team uncovers a piece of ceramic, which originated in Germany, circa late 1600s.

Picture Right: Another view of a perfect piece of ceramic from the late 1600s time period.    

Picture left: An expert in examining and determining the age of ceramics looks over other pieces of

porcelain and ceramics.

Picture right: Pinpointing the date of a piece of ceramic which originated in Germany in the late 1600s.

Beaubassin Photo Gallery: Click on an image to enlarge

A map showing the locations of both Fort Beausejour and Beaubassin

An infrared image of the Beaubassin area, which includes graphical representations of where buildings once stood.

An aerial photograph of the Beaubassin Area. (Courtesy of the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. The photograph has been altered to reference certain locations.)

Bill Casey meets with Premier Lord

September 13, 2005

Amherst - MP Bill Casey met with Premier Bernard Lord yesterday to provide him with the status of the Acadian Village of Beaubassin. 

Although the site of the Village is located in Nova Scotia, it is a very important part of Acadian history and is tied directly to nearby

Fort Beausejour National Park. 

Casey provided some historical documents to Premier Lord and confirmed that the site was designated a National Historic Site in June. 

Also, Casey confirmed that the Government of Canada had purchased the land and is now preparing to plan for the

future of this critical part of Canadian history. 

Although this is a Government of Canada project, Mr. Lord will pass on the documents to the Ministers that could be involved in

such an undertaking, and agreed that this is an important Acadian site, which should receive more attention.  

Casey and Premier Lord discussed the possibility of bringing together Fort Beausejour and Beaubassin as one project,

which represents the history of Canada all in one location.  

Casey says " this site was shared by the French, the Acadians, the English and our Aboriginals. 

No site in Canada involves an Acadian Village, a French Fort and an English Fort, all together. 

It is an opportunity to showcase our history in one location."  

All parties should have a role in the planning for this exciting project”.

The photograph shows Mr. Lord and Mr. Casey examining the infrared photograph of the

42 foundations of Acadian buildings burned down in 1750.

July 27, 2005 - The historic Acadian village of Beaubassin was today designated a national historic site by the Government of Canada. This is a significant achievement by the community, and for all who gave their time and effort on the Beaubassin and Fort Lawrence projects. 

In the near future, a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque will also be placed at the Beaubassin village site to commemorate this important place of local history.

For more information about the announcement, here is a link to my Press Release, and a link to the announcement from Parks Canada:

July 28, 2005

Government Declares Beaubassin a National Historic Site

Here is the link to Parks Canada official press release.

Original Beaubassin Villager Remembered—Fort Lawrence (June 16, 2005)  

84-year-old Paul S. Martin of Lafayette, Louisiana, accompanied by his wife, daughter and son in law, unveiled

a plaque at the Nova Scotia Information Centre. The unveiling commemorates Sieur Jean-Jacques Mouton

and members of his family who were ancestors of Mr. Martin. Both the Mouton and

Martin families were residents of Beaubassin village at the time of the 1755 Deportation of the Chignecto Acadians.

Mr. Martin’s well attended address and acknowledgements were conducted at the information centre,

with presentations made to him by local officials.

Mr. Martin also received the first printed copy of Paul Surrette’s Atlas of the Acadian Settlement of Beaubassin,

by a representative of the Tantramar Heritage Trust, and a copy of John G. McKay’s

“Beaubassin, And The Beginning of The Acadian Tragedy, by the author.

The bilingual plaque, is 30 by 36 inches and is situated behind the information centre adjacent the Beaubassin monument.

It is Mr. Martin’s expressed hope that it will eventually be allotted a permanent place somewhere in the actual village,

following development of the site by Parks Canada. 

(Thanks to local historian John McKay for his contribution to the website and for all of the pictures from this event below

Top Left - Mr. Martin addressing the audience, Top Right - Martin Speaking with a visitor,

Bottom Left - Event audience while Mr. Martin is at the lectern

Bottom Right - Plaque honouring Sieur Jean-Jacques Mouton, Resident of Beaubassin 

• "Jacques Bourgeois died at Port Royale in 1701. He had lived to see the Beaubassin settlements well established if not altogether secure over the past 30 years. He saw his sons prospering on the virgin land they had wrested together from the wilderness, and had watched his cattle grazing in the marshes safe from tidal incursion by virtue of his labour. he had eaten the bread that Jeanne made using flour milled from his grain in his own gristmill. In the fiercely devout Roman Catholic faith that the Acadians adhered to, Sieur Jacques Bourgeois probably died content with his lot. While there had been labour and hardship, periods of apprehension  and the terror of the New England raiders during his nearly 60 years in Acadia, both at Port Royale and Beaubassin, his legacy would endure for another half century along the slopes of the ridge, sunlit in the warmth of summer and chilled in the wind blasted depths of winter, embodied in the lives of kith and kin, until the fatal clouds gathered and the once and final storm was unleashed upon the fair Beaubassin and all of its unique, God fearing populace".  

Excerpts from "Devoe-deVaux Family History 1691-1991

The Story of An Acadian Family From Beaubassin to Bras D'Or ", by Colonel John Brooks Devoe, M.A. 

Colonel John B. Devoe hails from the state of New Hampshire, U.S.A. His book is the product of over 40 years of seeking out the story of his Acadian ancestors, a family whose beginnings can be found at Beaubassin. Colonel Devoe is also a direct descendent of Beaubassin's founder, Jacques Bourgeois. 

Colonel Devoe has also granted his permission for excerpts of his work to be placed on this site. A link to Colonel Devoe's website can also be found to the upper left.    

• "At the time of this first phase of the Deportation, which lasted through December of that year, the total population of Acadia, including the Chignecto area, Isle Royal and Isle St-Jean has been estimated to be as high as 18,000 by some sources. The number deported from September to December in British Acadia (Nova Scotia), was close to 7,500 in two dozen or so vessels. Some of the ships never reached their destination and of those sent to Virginia some 360 Acadians died aboard, a fate likely shared as well by others who found themselves destined for other ports." 

• "By 1686, the population of Beaubassin was 127, and about the time we estimate that Michel deVaux arrived in 1693 it was but 119. Beaubassin grew at a rate somewhat less than the Minas Basin settlements, but by the late 1680s a grist mill and a sawmill had been built, grain was being produced and the settlement had adopted all the field crops and animals known at Port Royal. Fruit trees were well established by the turn of the century (pears, plums, and apples) and some scholars have attributed their introduction to our Roger Cassie while others say it was Pierre Martin." 

Chronology of Beaubassin Village and Preservation Efforts

1650s – Bourgeoisville village is established (and is later to be named Beaubassin)  

1701 - Jacque Bourgeois dies at Port Royale, following years of hard physical work making Beaubassin a prosperous agricultural

community. 

1713 - The Treaty of Utrecht sees France cede Hudson Bay, Newfoundland, and most of Acadia to England, while they retain 

Isle Royale (Cape Breton), and Isle Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island). The boundaries of Acadia are unclear, 

and in the years to come this will lead to dark consequences for the Acadian population.  

1715 – Beaubassin grows and contains 50 families.

There are 32 acres of apple orchards and the residents count 1000 head of cattle and 800 hogs as their property.

A trading post is also located in Beaubassin.  

1737 - Abbe LeLoutre arrives at the fortress of Louisbourg. Following a lengthy stay, the Abbe is posted to 

Shubenacadie. In the years that follow, the Abbe becomes an important spiritual leader to the Acadians and missionary to the 

Mi'kmaq people.  During later hostilities between the French and English, Abbe LeLoutre will direct Indian raids and ambushes, 

and will serve to relay French messages. Eventually, the Abbe will have a price placed on his head by the English. 

1747 – Beaubassin is where the notorious deRamezay’s Raiders headquarter.

The Raiders use Beaubassin as a base of operations during their winter campaign against Colonel Noble in Grand Pre. 

1749 - A year of British military build-up in Nova Scotia. A garrison at Chebucto is established (to be renamed Halifax), 

Fort Sackville is constructed, and a picketed fort and blockade is erected in Minas. In the next year, British Major Charles 

Lawrence will be given orders to establish a Fort in the area of Beaubassin to counter French forces in the area. 

Before Major Lawrence arrives in Beaubassin, the "Black Priest" Abbe LeLoutre has already been

warning the villagers of serious consequences should they decide to trade with the British. The Abbe even goes so far as to 

threaten the withholding of sacraments. The Abbe further warns that Beaubassin may have to be abandoned for nearby 

Beausejour.   

1750 --With the assistance of local natives, the Village of Beaubassin is burned,

just as a British force under Major Lawrence sails up the Bay of Fundy.

The French priest, Abbe LeLoutre leads the villagers across the water to Fort Beausejour.

The English establish Fort Lawrence, near the burned village.

1755 --  Deportations of Acadians from Nova Scotia.

The "Black Priest" returns to the Old World 1755-1772

Abbe LeLoutre sailed for France in 1755, and at the end of the summer his ship is captured in the English Channel. LeLoutre,

undoubtedly recognized for his deeds in Acadia, is incarcerated on the Island of Jersey for the next 8 years. He is released 

following the end of the Seven Years War (1763). At 54 years of age, Abbe LeLoutre then returned to France and 

discovering that 3,000 Acadian refugees are now living in the country, spends the remainder of his life working for the 

Acadians, including finding them homes. Abbe LeLoutre died in Nantes, France in 1772 at the age of 63.   

October 1934 – Nova Scotia Minister of Highwways, Hon. A.S. MacMillan sends a letter to the

Chairman of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board in Ottawa asking that

Beaubassin be restored as a local historic site.

Spring 2000 – Various Federal Government Ministers are sent letters

requesting financial assistance on behalf of the Fort Lawrence Heritage Society.

The funding request is aimed at this group buying the current Beaubassin Village lands.

Fall 2000 -- The Government advises that the Hon. Sheila Copps,

Minister of Canadian Heritage will be lead Minister on this file. Parks Canada

also advises the County of Cumberland officials that Parks Canada staff

have had preliminary discussions with the Beaubassin – Fort Lawrence Task Force.  

February 2001 – Bill Casey, MP discusses the issue of protecting Beaubassin Village

with Minister Robert Thibault, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency.

Official thanks are also sent by Casey to Minister Sheila Copps for her attention and cooperation on this issue.

A meeting is held with Finance Minister Paul Martin to provide information

and to seek his assistance with Federal Funds.

Summer 2001 – Grand Pre receives $5 million dollars in Federal funding to upgrade the Acadian site

in anticipation of the 2004 Acadian Congress, to be held in Nova Scotia.

The Government is pressed to not forget Beaubassin.

September 2001 – The Council of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland passes a motion

requesting the Government of Canada purchase the lands located in Fort Lawrence, NS

(the lands formerly known as Beaubassin). 

October 2001 -- A presentation is delivered on Beaubassin Village to officials

from Minister Sheila Copps office. The officials are pressed to protect this heritage site.

Heritage Officials agreed to arrange a meeting between Parks Canada, ACOA,

and the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association to determine possible funding options for the lands.

Hon. Robert Thibault (ACOA Minister) is invited to unveil Beaubassin plaque later in the fall.

December 2001 - An official reminder is sent to Hon. Robert Thibault

about his unveiling the Beaubassin Memorial plaque.

February 2002 -- Parks Canada officials advise the County of Cumberland that Historic sites officials

have met with a representative of the Fort Lawrence-Beaubassin Task Force. 

The representative of the Task Force was expected to prepare for a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada

meeting. 

Specific contact information for the local Parks Canada official was given at this time.

May 2002 – The Government is again requested to move ahead with protecting the Beaubassin Village site.

The Co-ordinator for the 2004 Congrés Mondial Acadian believes public pressure,

the MP Bill Casey's pressure, and community involvement are all steps in the right direction.

June 2002 - Bill Casey MP raises the question of federal support

for acquiring and preserving Beaubassin in the House of Commons.

The Hon. Sheila Copps advised the House that she supported the case in principle

and appreciated Casey work on the issue.

The MP has also has a discussion with Parks Canada officials

and receives status update on the issue.  The official explains the process followed by

the Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

August 2002 - The Government of Canada announces the Atlantic Canada Cultural and Economic Partnership.

The three-year, $10 million Atlantic Canada plan is designed to help financially support

the upcoming 400^th anniversary of the founding of Acadia. 

August 2002 – The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Hon. Sheila Copps announces funding of $165,000 for

the Societé Nationale de l`Acadie (SNA) to help finance the

"coordination and promotion of the 400^th anniversary of the founding of Acadia". 

October 2002 – MP Bill Casey meets with Prime Minister Jean Chretien

to seek his support in securing and protecting the Beaubassin Village site. Mr. Casey explained

the historical significance of Beaubassin, especially as it relates to Canada’s English, French and Native peoples.

Prime Minister Chretien made recommendations to move forward on the file

and asked Parks Canada officials to investigate.

December 2002 – A meeting is held with Alain Latourelle (Director General, Parks Canada).

The history of Beaubassin Village was discussed in detail. Mr. Latourelle outlined the steps in designating the

Village a National Historic Site. It was explained that first, this site had to be so designated by the

Historic Sites and Monuments Board. Following that, a funding arrangement would be needed through a partnership.

The owner of the present day Beaubassin Village site would also need to provide authorization.

February 2003 – The Beaubassin Village site receives recognition

in the Province of Nova Scotia’s Doers and Dreamers Guide.

March 2003 – The current owners of the Beaubassin Village site grant permission

to proceed with the historic designation process.

June 2003 – Park Canada officials are advised that protection of this site

is timely because of the upcoming, 400^th year Anniversary of the Acadians in Canada.

January 2004 – Government officials advise that an official paper will be before 

the Historic Sites and Monuments Board in November 2004.

Mr. Casey is also advised that only under very special circumstances will the Government buy private lands.

The officials also relay that once the Historic Sites and Monuments Boards of Canada meets,

the Board will then make a recommendation to the Minister.

An internal memo confirms that Beaubassin Village will be discussed by the Board

in November of 2004.  

February 2004 – A meeting is held with the Honourable Denis Coderre,

Minister Responsible for La Francophonie and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada

to seek his support for a local effort to preserve and protect the Beaubassin site.

July 23, 2004 - Minister of the Environment, the Hon. Stephane Dion announces that Parks Canada will protect approx. 137

of land which were formerly part of the Village of Beaubassin. The protected areas will include the ruins of the Acadian cemetery,

a large portion of the ancient Acadian village, and Fort Lawrence.

August 6, 2004 - Dawn Smith, coordinator of CMA 2004 in Cumberland County announces that the original bell from the old
Beaubassin Notre-Dame L'Assomption church, which was burned down in 1750, will be used in the mass on August 14. After
much work by reunion and mass organizers, Parks Canada agreed to loan the historic bell for use during the mass. Preparations
are underway to transport the bell the short distance from Fort Beausejour to the Beaubassin site using a special cradle.

For all who attend the mass on August 14, this artifact will certainly symbolize yet another piece of their shared ancestry.

August 12, 2004 -- The historic church bell which once hung in the Church of Notre-Dame l'Assomption,

is prepared by Parks Canada staff in Beausejour for a journey back to the former village area.

The bell will be rung to call the Acadians, friends, and neighbours to mass on Saturday, August 14.  

Late Fall 2004  - The latest word from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is that between December 2nd-5th,

the Board will meet in a closed session to review a research paper detailing the 18th Century conflict between

the French and English forces in the Chignecto Isthmus.

The Board will also consider the importance to which Beaubassin Village, Fort Lawrence, Beausejour,

and other major regional sites played in this conflict.Parks Canada has already protected much of Beaubassin Village

by acquiring the lands earlier this summer,and next spring the final word on Beaubassin Village being

declared a national historic site will be made.