Hilarion Thériault, at 71 years old, made an unusual decision for an Acadian in the 19th century by crafting a will before his passing. This departure from the norm was primarily due to the limited property ownership among Acadians post the Acadian deportation, where many lost their land and homes. The Roman Catholic population in the province faced property ownership restrictions until the 1780s, leading to struggles in obtaining land titles despite residing and cultivating the land for years.
Colby Gaudet, a post-doctoral fellow at Dalhousie University, delved into Thériault’s will and 23 others from the Clare, N.S. Acadian community to explore how families navigated legal and religious customs during times of grief and death. Gaudet highlighted the dual nature of resistance and conformity in Acadians utilizing the existing Anglophone property framework while asserting their Roman Catholic identity.
Thériault’s will prioritized settling debts, seeking reparations for any injustices in his name, and ensuring peace for his family. Maurice Basque, a historian at l’Institut d’études acadiennes at the Université de Moncton, contextualized these wills within the backdrop of significant social marginalization of Acadians following the traumatic events of the 1755 deportation.
The Acadian land confiscation by the Crown and subsequent distribution to settlers from New England aimed at replacing the Acadian population over decades, as noted by Basque. Despite some Acadians returning later, discriminatory practices, like oath tests preventing them from holding influential roles, persisted. Gaudet highlighted the language barrier faced by Acadians as all county judges overseeing wills were Anglo-Protestant, necessitating wills to be written in a language unfamiliar to many.
The wills, mostly left by community leaders like Thériault, reflected the deep intertwining of Catholicism in their lives, despite societal disapproval. The distinct Catholic details within these wills, invoking the Virgin Mary and saints, contrasted with Protestant wills merely invoking God’s name.
Exploring racial dynamics, Gaudet’s research revealed insights into the relationships between Black individuals and Acadians. Notably, Amable Doucet’s will passing a Black slave named Jerome to his wife shed light on the complexities of these interactions. Another interesting find was Étienne Thibodeau selecting his Black neighbor, Anselm Hatfield, as a witness, highlighting the diverse community fabric in Clare.
Through the lens of wills, this research sheds light on the intricate interplay of legal, religious, and social dynamics among Acadians in Clare, offering a unique glimpse into their lives and values during a challenging historical period.
