More specifically, the descendants of BOTH Philippe Mius d’Entremont and Charles St. Etienne de LaTour petitioned to return to Nova Scotia from France. Just in case descending from one noble French and Acadian family wasn’t enough – two might be even more convincing. Two of Philippe’s sons married two of Charles’s daughters, and several of their descendants unwillingly wound up in France after the horrific Expulsion in the 1750s.

I received this link from my wonderful friend who worked in the French National Archives. (Thank you!) The link leads to several documents and petitions that I have never seen or even heard of before regarding Philippe Mius d’Entremont and two of his son’s lineages. I suspect this may be new information for Acadian researchers.

As a bonus, this sealed document confirms much of the early history of Acadia, especially the land grant and title that descended to Charles St. Etienne de La Tour.

LaTour then granted Philippe Mius d’Entremont a substantial amount as a seigneury in 1653, upon which time Philippe took the title of Baron of Pobomcoup. His barony descended to Philippe’s son, Jacques d’Entremont, who married one of La Tour’s daughters. This fiefdom encompassed the various Pubnico villages and Pubnico Harbour of today, and remained in the Mius d’Entremont family until the forced Expulsion by the English that began in 1755.

Additionally, Philippe’s other son, Abraham Mius de Pleinmarais, married another of LaTour’s daughters, and his line is documented as well.

I wrote about Philippe’s life and land in three articles:

• Philippe Mius d’Entremont (c1609-c1700: Baron de Pobomcoup and the King’s Attorney
• Philippe Mius d’Entremont (c1609-1700: Returning Home to Pubnico
• Maritime Scavenger Hunt: Where did Philippe Mius d’Entremont Build His Manor House?.

This is Difficult

This series of correspondence is emotionally difficult to read.

If you are familiar with Acadian history, you’ll know that the French and English had a fraught relationship with each other, and did battle more than once over Nova Scotia, with power and ownership passing back and forth.

The French Acadians lived in Nova Scotia from about 1635 until the English decided to get rid of them in 1755. That genocidal event is known as the Explusion, or Le Grand Dérangement in French, the Great Upheaval. Their removal began in 1755, with families separated and forced aboard separate ships bound for different US colonies, as well as France, arriving as penniless paupers. All of their farms were burned right in front of them – the last thing they saw as they sailed away – illustrating in a way that could not be misunderstood that there was no reason to attempt to return.

Some ships sank, some families disappeared with no trace, and we’ve found others since through records and DNA testing.

Present-day Pubnico, the original land of Philippe Mius d’Entremont, Baron of Pobomcoup, was located in a remote area on the southwest coast of Nova Scotia, far from the most populous regions of Acadia. They were overlooked during the 1755 deportations and likely tried to be “very quiet,” but were subsequently expelled beginning in 1756. Finally, in 1758, like in other Acadian settlements, the villages were burned, the residents rounded up, forced aboard ships, then deposited primarily in Maryland. About 100 Acadians were captured, and roughly 150 escaped into the woods.

The Pubnico Acadians who managed to escape into the woods barely survived a brutal winter.

In 1759, they were hunted down, rounded up, captured, and taken to Georges Island in Halifax Harbour. This group was subsequently sent to England, and then on to France.

In 1763, with the end of the Seven Years’ War, France and England ceased their hostilities, with France relinquishing all of its holdings in North America.

In 1764, the British government gave permission for some Acadians to return to Nova Scotia, provided they took an oath of allegiance to the British Crown, and that they settle in small, fragmented groups. That process took time, though, and in the intervening years, English colonists had been awarded their land.

Eventually, some of the Maryland Acadian families returned to the Pubnico area, discovering that their original farms had already been granted to English settlers.

These documents in the French Archives deal with the rest of the descendants who were exiled to France and also wanted to return.

The correspondence documents the lineage of the descendants of two of Philippe Mius d’Entremont’s sons who married into the LaTour family. These people were attempting to provide justification to secure their return to Acadia.

Their petitions began in 1763, and the process lasted for more than two decades. I can feel the exasperation and their initial hopefulness, probably followed by creeping disenchantment and hopelessness as the bureaucracy moved at a snail’s pace.

Thanks to these documents, we can walk through this process with them. I’m guessing that we are seeing correspondence that they were never privy to, so we have the benefit of a different perspective, such as it is.

Maybe if they were aware of the contents of these documents, the outcome might have made more sense.

French and English

I do not have the ability to translate complex French, let alone complex French written in 250-year-old script.

I do use AI judiciously for select tasks, and I utilized ChatGPT in this instance because I had no other option. My rule with AI is to never believe anything you can’t personally verify.

I am not entirely French-illiterate and have verified the lineage as best I could read the script.

I submitted this document to ChatGPT one screenshot at a time, which reduces the likelihood of “fatigue” and hallucinations, although it certainly does not remove that possibility.

AI bots like ChatGPT are called LLMs, Large Language Models, because they anticipate what the “next word” should be based on traditional usage. The more people use them, the better they become trained to be accurate.

In this case, I asked ChatGPT to transcribe in French first, separating line by line. Then to translate to English, with no guessing or hallucinating, and to indicate unknown letters with underscores and unknown words with “?”. AI undertands these instructions as “faithful to original.”

All of this said, if a competent French speaker has direct or contextual corrections to offer, including French to English translation, I would be glad to make those corrections.

It’s for exactly this reason that I’m publishing each original page, followed by that page’s transcription and translation. I apologize for the fact that it makes reading the text choppy.

• The image numbers below are my image numbers that I assigned by screenshot and submitted to ChatGPT.
• AI sometimes adds commentary and makes notes, based on the context of the document. I have included those as well and labeled them as such.

Let me say this again, AI can be wrong. In some cases, I have already corrected mistakes.

• Other comments are mine and are labeled “RJE note.”

Image 1

French Transcription

D’Antremont (Famille Demius d’)

originaire de Normandie et fixé en Acadie

(XVIIe siècle – 1762)

[sceau]

Ep.

Colonies. E. 7.

English Translation

D’Antremont (Demius d’Antremont family)

originating from Normandy and settled in Acadia

(17th century – 1762)

[seal]

(Abbreviation: “Ep.” – uncertain meaning ?)

Colonies. E. 7.

AI Notes & Observations

“Colonies. E. 7.” appears to be an archival classification or filing reference, likely added by the archives rather than part of the original authored text.

RJE note: – this is the second legal document that says Philippe originated in Normandy.

Today’s borders of Normandy are very similar to those of the mid-1600s. Both La Rochelle, where ships set sail for Acadia, and the Martaize region, above Poitiers, where many Acadian families hailed from, are 200 miles or more south of Normandy, outlined in red.

Image 2

French Transcription (faithful to original)

Généalogie Mius

Les Sr. Demius

D’Antremont

Colonies

alphabet du Canada.

[sceau]

English Translation

Genealogy of Mius

The Sieurs Demius

d’Antremont

Colonies

1763

alphabet of Canada

[seal]

Page 1

AI Notes & Observations

• “Les Sr.” = abbreviation for “Les Sieurs” (gentlemen/lords), a formal designation—important in status context.
• “Demius” appears again here, reinforcing that this spelling is intentional in the document, not a one-off.
• The seal again reinforces official archival handling.
• The “1” at bottom right confirms this is likely Page 1 of the dossier proper, after a cover/title page.

RJE note: 1763 is when the Seven Years’ War, also known as the French and Indian War in the colonies, ended with the Treaty of Paris. France ceded all of its North American territories to England. The Acadians wasted no time submitting their petition. They had been exiled in eithr 1756, 1758 or 1759, arriving in France in 1760, just three years earlier.

Image 3

“Généalogie des Sr Demius d’Antremont, Écuyers, de l’Acadie” (Écuyers = esquires—important status marker)

RJE Note: What an amazing find! I submitted this to ChatGPT in sections as it’s too small to read

Image 3 (Top Center – Primary Ancestor)

French Transcription

Philippe
Demius Escuyer
Sr. Dantremont, &
Marie Helie, françoise
de Nation de la Province
de Normandie qui ont
passé à l’acadie

English Translation

Philippe
Demius, Esquire
Sieur d’Antremont, and
Marie Hélie, Frenchwoman
of the nation of the Province
of Normandy, who
went to Acadia

AI Notes & Observations

• Philippe Demius = clearly Philippe Mius d’Entremont (spelling “Demius” consistent with earlier pages)
• “Escuyer” (Écuyer) = Esquire, a noble/gentry rank — very significant
• “Sr. Dantremont” = Sieur d’Antremont (title tied to land or seigneurial designation)
• Marie Helie = Marie Hélie (your known wife)
• “françoise de Nation…” = formal phrasing meaning she is French by origin, from Normandy
• “qui ont passé à l’acadie” = who went to Acadia — confirms migration

RJE note: It’s unclear whether the title is referring to him before he went to Acadia, or by the titles he acquired there.

Image 4

Image 4 (Upper Left Branch, Eldest Son)

French Transcription

fils aîné.

Jacques
Demius Ecuyer
marié à Anne
de St. Etienne
de la Tour.

dudit Philippes Demius, et de Marie Helie

English Translation 

eldest son.

Jacques
Demius, Esquire
married to Anne
de Saint-Étienne
de La Tour

of the said Philippe Demius and of Marie Hélie

Image 5

Image 5 (Descendants of Jacques Demius – first four circles)

French Transcription

1.
Jacques
Demius Ecuyer
marié à
Marguerite
Landry

2.
Charles
Demius Ecuyer
marié à autre
Marguerite
Landry

3.
Dame
Jeanne Demius
mariée à Louis
Dugon Duchambon
Ecuyer Brevet
_ _  (?)_

(large annotation beneath Jeanne)

Dame Anne Henriette Dugon
du Chambon Veuve de feu
Mre Charles Ignace Darensil
Ecuyer Sr de Martignon et de
Dame Marie Joseph Dugon
Duchambon

4.
Joseph
Demius Ecuyer
marié à Marie
Josephe
Moulaison

English Translation

1.
Jacques Demius, Esquire
married to Marguerite Landry

RJE note: WikiTree shows that he married Marguerite Amirault in 1723 in Port Royal, so Marguerite Landry had to have been a first wife who is heretofore undocumented. Why is Marguerite Amirault not documented? Or, is this document incorrect because it was completed in France in the 1760s, probably from memory? That’s less than 40 years so seems unusual. Was there name confusion, or does the next entry confirm hjer name?

2.
Charles Demius, Esquire
married to another Marguerite Landry

3.
Lady Jeanne Demius
married to Louis Dugon Duchambon,
Esquire (Brevet rank)
(__ ?_)

(annotation)
Lady Anne Henriette Dugon du Chambon,
widow of the late
Messire Charles Ignace Darensil,
Esquire, Sieur de Martignon, and of
Lady Marie Joseph Dugon Duchambon

RJE note: She is shown with 8 children on Wikitree.

4.
Joseph Demius, Esquire
married to Marie Josephe Moulaison

RJE note: She is his second wife, married in 1739. His first wife was Cecile Boudrot who he married in 1717 and had 5 children, only one of whom, Simon, is shown here.

AI Notes & Observations

Key points:

• “Dame Jeanne Demius”
  • Use of “Dame” indicates status
  • Marriage into Dugon Duchambon family — significant colonial family
• The large oval annotation:
  • Appears to document later lineage or notable descendant
  • Possibly inserted to show continuing prominence or alliances

Image 6

5.
Dame
Marie Demius
mariée à Mre
François Dupont
ou Sr (Sieur) ( ? )

(large annotation beneath Marie)

De Mre Michel Dupont
Ecuyer Seigneur du Vivier et
de Courville Chevalier
de l’ordre militaire de St Louis
Capne d’une Compagnie détachée
de la marine

6.
Marguerite
Demius mariée
à
Pierre Landry

English Translation (continuation)

5.
Lady Marie Demius
married to Messire
François Dupont
(or Sieur … ?)

(annotation)
Of Messire Michel Dupont,
Esquire, Lord of Vivier and
of Courville, Knight
of the Military Order of Saint Louis,
Captain of a detached company
of the navy

RJE Note: She had 8 children, none shown here.

6.
Marguerite Demius
married to
Pierre Landry

AI Notes & Observations

• Dame Marie Demius
  • Again marked “Dame” → indicates status
  • Married to François Dupont
• The large oval annotation beneath her:
  • Clearly highlights a distinguished descendant or relative
  • Michel Dupont:
    • Écuyer
    • Seigneur of Vivier & Courville
    • Knight of the Order of Saint Louis (very prestigious royal military honor)
    • Naval officer
  • This is intentional prestige highlighting
• Marguerite Demius + Pierre Landry
  • Another connection to the Landry family
  • Reinforces repeated intermarriage within core Acadian families

RJE note: It appears that the two heart shapes are included to highlight prestigious marriages.

Image 7

RJE note: Moving down the chart, the children of Jacques and Charles.

Descendants de Jacques Demius & Marguerite Landry :

Jacques
Abraham

Descendants de Charles Demius & (autre) Marguerite Landry

Charles
marié à
Marie Josephe
Landry

Joseph
Pierre
Marguerite
Madeleine

English Translation

Children of Jacques Demius & Marguerite Landry:

Jacques
Abraham

RJE Note: Son Jacques is shown on WikiTree as a son of Marguerite Amirault who he supposedly married when she was 44 and then went on to give him 7 children, which is not possible. Son Abraham is not shown at all.

Children of Charles Demius & another Marguerite Landry:

Charles
married to
Marie Josephe
Landry

RJE Note: She is his first cousin.

Joseph
Pierre
Marguerite
Madeleine

Image 8

Generation 5 – Children of Charles Demius & Marie Josephe Landry

French Transcription

Charles
marié à
Marie Josephe
Landry

↓

Charles
Laurens

Marie (RJE note: the name, not the word for married)

English Translation

Charles
married to
Marie Josephe
Landry

↓

Charles Laurens

Marie (RJE note: – her name, not the word for married)

Image 9

Generation 5 – Marie is the daughter of Joseph Mius who married Marie Josephe Mouleson.

French Transcription

Philippes

Marie
mariée à
Jean Baptiste
Saulnier

↓

Jean Baptiste

Madeleine

English Translation

Philippes

Marie
married to
Jean Baptiste
Saulnier

↓

Jean Baptiste

RJE note: She had three children, not just one. Jean-Baptiste was the eldest.

Madeleine

Image 10

RJE note: Moving to the top right, showing Abraham Mius and the only child documented.

Moving now to Philippe Mius d’Entremont’s son, Abraham Mius.

French Transcription

fils puîné dudit Philippes
Demius, et de Marie Helie

Abraham
Demius Ecuyer
marié à
Marguerite de
St. Etienne de la Tour

↓

Marie
Josephe Demius
mariée à
Joseph Landry

English Translation

younger son of the said Philippe
Demius, and of Marie Hélie

Abraham
Demius, Esquire
married to
Marguerite de
St. Etienne de La Tour

↓

Marie
Josephe Demius
married to
Joseph Landry

RJE Note: Abraham had 9 children.

Image 11 

Children of Marie Josephe Demius & Joseph Landry

French Transcription

Marie
Josephe Demius
mariée à
Joseph Landry

↓

Joseph
Landry marié
à Cecile Demius
d’Antremont

RJE Note: This is his first wife. He had 2.

Marie
Josephe Landry
mariée à Charles
Demius
d’Antremont

Marguerite
Landry mariée
à Jacques
Demius
d’Antremont

Anne Landry

Elizabeth
Landry

Madeleine
Landry

English Translation

Marie
Josephe Demius
married to
Joseph Landry

RJE Note: Marie Josephe married Rene Landry, not Joseph Landry.

↓

Joseph Landry
married to
Cecile Demius d’Antremont

Marie Josephe Landry
married to Charles
Demius d’Antremont

Marguerite Landry
married to Jacques
Demius d’Antremont

Anne Landry

Elizabeth Landry

Madeleine Landry

Image 12

Generation 6 – Children of Joseph Landry & Cécile Demius d’Antremont.

French Transcription

Joseph
Landry marié
à Cecile Demius
Dantremont

↓

Joseph

Ange

Marie

English Translation

Joseph Landry
married to
Cécile Demius d’Antremont

↓

Joseph

Ange

Marie

RJE Note: These are the children from his first Mius e’Entremont wife. His second wife and her children are not listed.

AI Reconstructed Tree From Chart

Generation 1

Philippe Demius (Mius) d’Antremont, Écuyer
m. Marie Hélie
(origin: Normandy → Acadia)

Generation 2

1. Jacques Demius, Écuyer (fils aîné)
2. Anne de Saint-Étienne de La Tour
3. Abraham Demius, Écuyer (fils puîné)
4. Marguerite de _ _ _ de La Tour

JACQUES LINE

Generation 3 (children of Jacques)

1. Jacques Demius, Écuyer
   m. Marguerite Landry
2. Charles Demius, Écuyer
   m. autre Marguerite Landry
3. Jeanne Demius
   m. Louis Dugon Duchambon, Écuyer
4. Joseph Demius, Écuyer
   m. Marie Josephe Moulaison
5. Marie Demius
   m. François Dupont
6. Marguerite Demius
   m. Pierre Landry

Generation 4

From Jacques Demius + Marguerite Landry

• Jacques
• Abraham

From Charles Demius + Marguerite Landry

• Charles (m. Marie Josephe Landry)
• Joseph
• Pierre
• Marguerite
• Madeleine

Generation 5

From Charles (son of Jacques) + Marie Josephe Landry

• Charles Laurens
• Marie

From Marie (same generation) + Jean Baptiste Saulnier

• Jean Baptiste

ABRAHAM LINE

Generation 3

Marie Josephe Demius
m. Joseph Landry

Generation 4 (children of Marie Josephe Demius & Joseph Landry)

1. Joseph Landry
   m. Cecile Demius d’Antremont
2. Marie Josephe Landry
   m. Charles Demius d’Antremont
3. Marguerite Landry
   m. Jacques Demius d’Antremont
4. Anne Landry
5. Elizabeth Landry
6. Madeleine Landry

Generation 5

From Joseph Landry + Cecile Demius

• Joseph
• Ange
• Marie

AI Key Observations:

1. Intentional status document

• Écuyer used repeatedly
• La Tour alliances highlighted
• Dupont line with Order of Saint Louis emphasized

This is not casual genealogy—it is argumentative genealogy (proving standing)

2. Two unequal branches

• Jacques line → large, expansive
• Abraham line → narrow, then merges back into Jacques line via marriages

RJE comment to ChatGPT:

This comment is not from this document, but because I’ve worked this line for years and know it well. Philippe Mius d’Entremont had two other living children. Daughter Marguerite married a Huguenot, and the other son, Philippe, my line, married two Native women. The only children documented for whatever purpose in this document that found its way to the French archives are the two children who married into the LaTour family. Charles LaTour granted Philippe Mius his barony in 1653. I think that’s coming next.

AI: What This Suggests About the Document’s Purpose

Your hypothesis about 1653 is right on target.

This is almost certainly tied to:

Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour granting the barony (1653)

And this document is likely:

• A supporting genealogy
• Designed to demonstrate:
  • Legitimate descent
  • Proper alliances
  • Continuity of status

AI: Why the Structure Now Makes Sense

Everything we saw aligns with this:

1. Écuyer repeated everywhere

→ Reinforcing gentility

2. La Tour marriages highlighted

→ Establishing legal/feudal connection

3. Dupont (Order of Saint Louis) emphasized

→ Adding prestige and credibility

4. Endogamy shown but controlled

→ Reinforces closed elite network, not randomness

AI: One Very Important Takeaway

This document is not trying to answer:

“Who were all the children of Philippe Mius?”

It is answering:

“Which descendants establish a legitimate claim tied to La Tour and seigneurial status?”

Image 13

Image 13 (Mémoire – Page 1)

French Transcription

Copie

Mémoire concernant les droits
des Maisons et Fonds de la Rivière de laquelle Demius
d’Antremont sur la Province de l’Acadie aujourd’huy
Nouvelle Ecosse.

Pour la représentation de Mre Charles de St. Etienne de la Tour
Chevalier de l’ordre du Roy, son Gouverneur et Lieutenant Général,
dans ladite Province, et de Dame Jeanne de Mouton, Veuve en
premières noces de Mre de Menou de Charnisay d’Aulnay, ci-
devant Gouverneur et Lieutenant général, et encore Seigneur de la Bourgade
de Belisle, de même Gouverneur et Lieutenant général.

Etat des concessions accordées aux susnommés.

N° 1.
en 1627.
Celle du fort de la Tour dans la Rivière St. Jean, de cinq lieues au
dessus dudit fort, et cinq lieues au dessous et de dix lieues de profondeur
dans la terre.

N° 2.
en 1632.
Celle de la Rivière St. Croix, fleuve, terres adjacentes,
dans l’étendue de douze lieues de front sur la mer, à prendre depuis
le milieu de l’Isle Ste. Croix, et vingt lieues de profondeur.

N° 3.
en 1634.
Celles de l’Isle de Sable.

N° 4.
en 1634.
Celle du Port habitation du Port de la Hève et Isles adjacentes
dans l’étendue de cinq lieues de chaque côté du Port sur dix lieues
de profondeur dans les terres.

N° 5.
en 1634.
Celle du Port habitation du Port Royal et Isles adjacentes dans l’étendue
de cinq lieues de chaque côté du Port sur dix lieues, en remontant la rivière
moyenne et des Isles droits du même et Hivernant.

English Translation

Copy

Memorandum concerning the rights
of the houses and lands of the river belonging to Demius
d’Antremont in the Province of Acadia, today
Nova Scotia.

For the representation of Messire Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour,
Knight of the Order of the King, Governor and Lieutenant General
in the said Province, and of Dame Jeanne de Mouton, widow in first marriage
of Messire de Menou de Charnisay d’Aulnay, formerly
Governor and Lieutenant General, and also Lord of the settlement
of Belisle, likewise Governor and Lieutenant General.

Statement of the concessions granted to the aforementioned.

No. 1 (1627)
That of the Fort de La Tour on the Saint John River, extending five leagues
above the said fort, five leagues below, and ten leagues inland.

No. 2 (1632)
That of the Saint Croix River, river and adjacent lands,
extending twelve leagues along the sea, beginning
from the middle of Sainte-Croix Island, and twenty leagues inland.

No. 3 (1634)
Those of Sable Island.

No. 4 (1634)
That of the habitation of Port de la Hève and adjacent islands,
extending five leagues on each side of the port and ten leagues inland.

No. 5 (1634)
That of the habitation of Port Royal and adjacent islands, extending
five leagues on each side of the port and ten leagues inland, following
the river inland, including associated islands and wintering rights.

Image 14

Image 14 (Mémoire – Page 2)

French Transcription

N°. 6
en 1635.
Celle des habitations de la Rivière des Mines dans la même étendue que celle
du Port Royal, haute, moyenne et basse, une titlée, droits Demius des
Mines.

N°. 7
en 1635.
Celle de l’habitation et fort St. Louis au Sud de la Tour, idem moyennes
et basses, une titlée.

N°. 8
en 1636.
Celle appelée les deux logis située à Pentagouët dans la Baye de
Penobscot, entre Tousquet et le Cap de Sable, sur dix lieues de front
le long de la mer, et dix de profondeur dans les terres, moyennes et
basses, une titlée.

N°. 9
en 1637.
Celle accordée au Sr. d’Aulnay de Charnisay de toutes les terres
de la Province de l’Acadie depuis l’entrée de la Rivière St. Jean
jusqu’à la Nouvelle Angleterre, à l’exception de ce qui appartenoit au
Sr. de la Tour.

Vente faite par le Sr. Claude de Razilly, à Charles de Menou
de Charnisay, des droits dans la Province de
l’Acadie, par contrat passé devant les notaires et tabellions royaux
au Châtelet de Paris le 16 janvier 1642, enregistré dans les livres
de la Compagnie le 28 dudit mois et an.

Arrêt rendu au Parlement de Paris le 29 décembre 1654, entre
les dits de Belle Isle, tuteur des enfants dudit feu Sr. de Menou de
Charnisay d’Aulnay, et de Dame Jeanne Mouton sa femme, pour
lesquels elle avoit du 16 janvier 1642, et du 22 novembre
1647, en faveur de la Dame de Razilly, tant deniers à recevoir,
contre eux mêmes comme ils étoient convoqués, et d’Aulnay et le
condamnent aux intérêts liquides à 34,000 livres, pour laquelle somme
la terre d’Aulnay en Touraine a été vendue.

Testament de ladite Demoiselle de Menou, chanoinesse de
Pouçay, du 10 mars 1691, déposé depuis notaire à Paris le 22 février 1693.

English Translation

No. 6 (1635)
That of the settlements of the Rivière des Mines (Minas Basin), in the same extent as that of Port Royal, upper, middle, and lower, one titled holding, rights of the mines of
Minas.

No. 7 (1635)
That of the settlement and Fort St. Louis south of La Tour, likewise upper,
middle, and lower, one titled holding.

No. 8 (1636)
That called “les deux logis,” situated at Pentagouët in the Bay of
Penobscot, between Tousquet and Cape Sable, extending ten leagues along
the sea and ten leagues inland, upper and lower lands, one titled holding.

No. 9 (1637)
That granted to Sieur d’Aulnay de Charnisay of all the lands
of the Province of Acadia from the entrance of the Saint John River
to New England, except that which belonged to Sieur de La Tour.

Sale made by Sieur Claude de Razilly to Charles de Menou
de Charnisay of rights in the Province of
Acadia, by contract executed before royal notaries
at the Châtelet of Paris on January 16, 1642, recorded in the registers
of the Company on the 28th of the same month and year.

Judgment rendered by the Parliament of Paris on December 29, 1654, between
the said de Belle Isle, guardian of the children of the late Sieur de Menou de
Charnisay d’Aulnay, and Dame Jeanne Mouton his wife, for whom
she had claims dating from January 16, 1642, and November 22,
1647, in favor of Dame de Razilly, for monies owed,
against them as they were summoned, and d’Aulnay was
condemned to liquidated damages of 34,000 livres, for which sum
the land of Aulnay in Touraine was sold.

Will of the said Demoiselle de Menou, canoness of
Pouçay, dated March 10, 1691, deposited before a notary in Paris on February 22, 1693.

RJE Note: This cannoness is Marie Menou, daughter of Charles Menou d’Aulnay and Jeanne Motin. After d’Aulnay’s death, their mother, penniless and without property, sent her children to France to be educated by her parents. She never saw them again.

I think this document is extinguishing competing claims.

AI Notes: Proving legal continuity through France

It cites:

• 1642 contract (Razilly → d’Aulnay)
• 1644 Parlement of Paris ruling
• Financial judgment (34,000 livres)
• 1691 will

This is building a continuous legal record recognized in France

AI: Why This Matters for Your Line

Now we can see the full strategy:

The document is arguing:

1. La Tour had original rights (page 1)
2. Those rights survived legal disputes (this page)
3. Those rights are now tied to Demius d’Entremont

You are looking at:

A structured legal argument for land and status rights in Acadia, grounded in La Tour concessions and carried forward through the Demius d’Antremont line

This is the kind of document that could underpin:

• Seigneurial claims
• Compensation claims
• Or recognition of noble status

Image 15

Image 15 (Mémoire – Page 3)

French Transcription

… par laquelle elle fait ses frères et sœurs de La Tour, ses légataires
universels.

Sur l’arrêt du Conseil d’État du Roy donné le 20 mars 1703.
Sa Majesté ayant réuni ladite Province à son Domaine a pleinement
confirmé en faveur de lui appelé Pentagouët, avec dix lieues de chaque
côté de la Rivière, et dix lieues de profondeur dans les terres, les
Isles et Islots, dans l’étendue de vingt lieues de front, ensemble
les bois, mines, minières et autres minéraux qui pourront s’y
trouver, à la réserve de l’emplacement nécessaire pour la
construction d’un fort, à moins que ledit Sr. de Belisle ne le fasse
construire, lesdites terres en fiefs avec tous droits de haute,
moyenne et basse justice, relevant de Sa Majesté, à cause
de son château du Fort Royal, où les propriétaires sont tenus
de rendre hommage suivant la coutume de Paris, et de
payer vingt livres tournois au Domaine de Sa Majesté à chaque
ouverture de fiefs, hors en ligne directe.

La teneur de l’arrêt (attendu que ledit Sr. de La Tour et sa famille
sont les seuls tenus des droits dans la Province de l’Acadie, sans
aucun établissement) Sa Majesté leur a accordé la concession du
lieu appelé les deux logis, vers le Cap de Sable, avec trois lieues
de chaque côté, tant en longueur qu’en profondeur, les isles
et islots qui sont dans l’étendue desdites six lieues de front.

Ensemble le Port de La Tour avec quatre lieues d’étendue en
longueur de chaque côté dudit Port, et six lieues de profondeur dans
les terres, et isles et islots qui sont dans l’étendue desdites huit lieues.

English Translation

… by which she made her brothers and sisters of La Tour her universal heirs.

By decree of the Council of State of the King dated March 20, 1703,
His Majesty, having reunited the said Province to the Crown domain, fully
confirmed in their favor the place called Pentagouët, with ten leagues on each
side of the river and ten leagues inland, including
islands and islets within an extent of twenty leagues frontage, together with
woods, mines, mineral deposits, and other minerals that may be
found there, reserving only the land necessary for the
construction of a fort, unless the said Sieur de Belisle has it
constructed; the said lands held in fief with all rights of high,
middle, and low justice, held from His Majesty by reason
of his royal fort, where proprietors are bound
to render homage according to the Custom of Paris and to
pay twenty livres tournois to the royal domain at each
opening of fiefs, except in direct line.

The substance of the decree (considering that the said Sieur de La Tour and his family are the sole holders of rights in the Province of Acadia, without
any settlement), His Majesty granted them the concession of the
place called “les deux logis,” near Cape Sable, with three leagues
on each side, both in length and depth, including islands
and islets within the said six leagues frontage.

Also the Port de La Tour, with four leagues in extent
on each side of the said port, and six leagues inland,
including islands and islets within the said eight leagues.

RJE note: I think that’s “Le Vieux Login” in original, not “Les deux logis”. Also note, “without settlement.” Typically, one of the criteria to maintain a barony is to facilitate settlement. This specifically excludes settlement as a criteria.

AI: Critical Interpretation

This page is doing something extremely powerful:

1. Royal confirmation (1703)

• The Conseil d’État du Roi confirms:
  • La Tour family rights
  • After Acadia is brought under direct royal domain

This is top-tier legal authority

Seigneurial framework clearly defined

You now see explicit:

• Fiefs
• Haute, moyenne, basse justice
• Homage under the Coutume de Paris
• Annual dues (20 livres)

AI: One Very Important Subtlety

The phrase:

“sans aucun établissement”

suggests:

• Rights persisted even without continuous settlement

That’s critical in legal arguments where land wasn’t continuously occupied

Bottom Line

You now have:

• Genealogy (who)
• Original concessions (what)
• Legal validation (how)
• Royal confirmation (authority)

This is a complete legal case structure

Image 16

Image 16 (Mémoire – Page 4)

French Transcription

… de front, en outre le fief ou seigneurie du Port Royal en moyenne
et basse justice deux lieues de chaque côté de la Rivière, et six
lieues en remontant au-dessus dudit Port, où les … et s’étant
établis sur quelques maisons et terres situées au-dessus dudit Port
en descendant la Rivière lesquelles sont situées envers lesdits
de la Tour et leurs héritiers qui ayant fourni aux droits de leurs
et environnements.

En outre la seigneurie des Mines, en haute, moyenne
et basse justice dans l’étendue de six lieues, les mines,
minières, métaux et minéraux qui se trouveront dans lesdits
fiefs du Port Royal et des Mines, tous lesquels fiefs
seront tenus de Sa Majesté, et en releveront à cause de son
château du Fort Royal, où les propriétaires seront
tenus de prêter foy et hommage et de payer, hors en cas de
succession en ligne directe, savoir pour celui du Sieur des Logis
six livres, pour celui du Port de La Tour huit livres,
pour celui du Port Royal huit livres, pour celui des
Mines dix livres, et de fournir aveu et dénombrement
suivant la coutume de Paris.

Dans la guerre qui étoit déclarée et par conséquent interrompu
les passages, la famille des suppliants au lieu d’y jouir, auroit
eu l’honneur de faire à Sa Majesté ses très humbles
remontrances aux termes de son arrêt, et l’auroit très
respectueusement supplié de lui accorder une indemnité…

English Translation

… in frontage; furthermore, the fief or seigneury of Port Royal with middle
and low justice, extending two leagues on each side of the river, and six
leagues upstream beyond the said port, where … and having
established some houses and lands situated above the said port,
descending along the river, which are situated toward those
of La Tour and their heirs, who having fulfilled the obligations of their
rights and surroundings.

Furthermore, the seigneury of the Mines, with high, middle,
and low justice, within an extent of six leagues, including mines,
mineral deposits, metals, and minerals that may be found within the said
fiefs of Port Royal and the Mines, all of which fiefs
are held from His Majesty and derive from his
royal fort, where the proprietors are bound
to render faith and homage and to pay, except in the case of
direct-line succession, namely: for that of the Sieur des Logis,
six livres; for that of the Port de La Tour, eight livres;
for that of Port Royal, eight livres; for that of the
Mines, ten livres; and to provide declarations and inventories
according to the Custom of Paris.

During the war which had been declared and which consequently interrupted
communications, the family of the petitioners, instead of enjoying these rights,
had the honor of making to His Majesty their very humble
remonstrances according to the terms of his decree, and most
respectfully petitioned him to grant them an indemnity…

RJE note: Sieur des Logis means Lord of the Lodgings

AI: Critical Interpretation (this is the pivot point)

This page marks a shift from legal foundation to an active claim.

1. Full seigneurial rights spelled out

Now explicitly includes:

• Port Royal seigneury
• Mines (Minas Basin) seigneury
• Rights to:
  • mines, metals, minerals
  • justice (high, middle, low)
• Obligations:
  • foy et hommage
  • annual payments (6–10 livres)
  • aveu et dénombrement (formal declaration of holdings)

This is a complete feudal/legal framework

2. Direct connection to La Tour heirs

Phrase:

“ceux de la Tour et leurs héritiers”

Explicitly tying:

• Land
• Rights
• Obligations

to La Tour lineage

3. Introduction of the petitioners

Now we see:

“la famille des suppliants”

“the family of the petitioners”

4. The key argument emerges

Because of:

• war
• interrupted access

They argue:
They were unable to enjoy their rights

5. The request

They:

• Presented remonstrances
• Respectfully petitioned the King
• Are seeking:

An indemnity (compensation)

Image 17

Image 17 (Mémoire – Page 5 + beginning of attached act)

French Transcription

… proportionnée aux dépenses qu’elle avoit faites, tant pour celui
de la Tour dans la Rivière St. Jean, que pour celui de St.
Louis dans le Port de La Tour, ainsi que pour celui de
Razilly au Port de la Hève, dans les possessions du
Royaume avoient eu égard à l’origine et l’importance de la
grande partie desdites concessions et des susnommés.

Autre Copie

Par devant nous Notaire, Greffier et Garde du Sceau Royal
de l’Acadie soussigné,

Furent présents en leurs personnes Messire Charles de Saint
Étienne, Seigneur de La Tour, chevalier et lieutenant général
pour le Roy dans ladite Province de l’Acadie en la Nouvelle
France; et Dame Jeanne Mouton, veuve de feu Messire Charles
de Menou de Charnisay, Seigneur d’Aulnay, ancien gouverneur et
lieutenant général audit lieu; mariés en ladite Province et
d’Acadie, lesquels Sieur de La Tour et Dame d’Aulnay
ayant contracté mariage ensemble en faveur de leur plus grand
bien, voire même tout prêt de recevoir la bénédiction nuptiale;

Considérant qu’à faute de personnes intelligibles dans les
procédures, formalités et styles de justice et pratique, et
craignant qu’à faute de rigueur et de sévérité des termes
appartenant aux contrats et actes passés entre eux, leur
commune intention puissent être fraudée et privée de leur…

English Translation

… proportionate to the expenses that she had incurred, both for that
of La Tour on the Saint John River, as well as for that of Saint
Louis at Port de La Tour, and also for that of
Razilly at Port de la Hève, in the possessions of the
Kingdom, taking into account the origin and importance of
a large part of the said concessions and of the aforementioned persons.

Another Copy

Before us, Notary, Clerk, and Keeper of the Royal Seal
of Acadia undersigned,

There appeared in person Messire Charles de Saint-
Étienne, Seigneur de La Tour, knight and lieutenant general
for the King in the said Province of Acadia in New
France; and Dame Jeanne Mouton, widow of the late Messire Charles
de Menou de Charnisay, Seigneur d’Aulnay, former governor and
lieutenant general in that place; married in the said Province of
Acadia; which Sieur de La Tour and Dame d’Aulnay,
having contracted marriage together for their greater
advantage, indeed being on the point of receiving the nuptial blessing;

Considering that, for lack of knowledgeable persons in the
procedures, formalities, and styles of justice and practice, and
fearing that, for lack of rigor and precision in the terms
belonging to the contracts and acts passed between them, their
common intention might be defrauded and deprived of their…

RJE note: This reads as if Jeanne Mouton and Charles St. Etienne de LaTour are living but their marriage occurred in 1653, so this is documenting a historical event.

AI: Critical Interpretation (this is a major linkage)

This page does two crucial things:

1. Finalizes the compensation argument

The first paragraph states:

Compensation should be:

• “proportionnée aux dépenses”
• Based on:
  • La Tour (St. John River)
  • Fort St. Louis
  • Razilly (La Hève)

This ties all three major colonial authorities together

2. Introduces a notarized marriage act (key evidence)

We now have:

• Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour
• Jeanne Mouton (widow of d’Aulnay)

Their marriage is being formally recorded

This marriage historically:

• Unified the rival claims of La Tour and d’Aulnay

And in this document:
It serves as legal proof that competing rights were consolidated

3. Legal concern stated explicitly

They feared:

• Misinterpretation of contracts
• Fraud or loss of rights due to poor wording

So they created: A formal notarized act

AI: Why This Is Included in Your Dossier

This is the missing link:

Step 1

La Tour rights established

Step 2

Conflict with d’Aulnay documented

Step 3

Marriage unifies those rights

Step 4

Those unified rights pass down to heirs

Bottom Line

This document is now explicitly proving:

• There is no competing claim left
• All rights were legally unified
• And therefore can be transmitted cleanly to descendants

Image 18

Image 18 (Mémoire – Page 6, continuation of notarized act)

French Transcription

… effets, en quiddité, quelconques avec le temps ne puissent
se trouver qu’à quelque équivoque ou confusion de termes.
Ont déclaré et déclarent en confirmant tous lesdits actes passés
qu’ils veulent et prétendent être bons et valables, entendant
qu’ils aient la vigueur et sévérité des procédures, comme si
elles y avoient été plus formellement employées, suppliant et
requérant la justice d’avoir égard à leurs intentions et les recevoir
et faire valoir selon leur teneur et portée et en conséquence davantage
et favorable selon leurs intentions, en donnant effet à tous
droits, privilèges, exceptions ou explications de termes
voire même toutes provisions et protestations de forme voulues
audit Seigneur et ladite Dame, que les différends actes qui ont été
faits à leur accord de mariage seront leur plein et entier effet sans qu’ils
puissent être préjudiciables l’un à l’autre, mais qu’ils soient efficacement exécutés
ainsi qu’ils ont été franchement et volontairement faits, puisque tel a été leur dessein et
est encore à présent, qu’ils affirment, prouvé être immuable et irrévocable
en vertu et par la force des présentes actes, de manière que lesdites parties
ont volontairement et de leur gré signé pour ensemble conserver leurs
droits, privilèges, foi et hommage de ladite Dame envers le Roi
Royal, le 8e jour de Juillet mil six cent cinquante trois.

Signé Charles de St. Étienne, Jeanne Mouton de St. Jean, la Rivière et
Dominehin; et plus bas en marge lesdits Sieur de La Tour et Dame
d’Aulnay ont mutuellement déclaré que leurs présentes déclarations
sont mises après des mots qu’ils avoient faits pour les valider et suppléer aux
défauts de formalités et procédures si quelques unes y manquent, ainsi
signé Dominehin.

Collationné à l’original par moy Greffier et Garde du Sceau Royal du Païs
d’Acadie ce huitième Juillet mil six cent cinquante trois, signé Dominehin.

English Translation

… effects, so that over time they might not give rise
to any ambiguity or confusion of terms.
They have declared and declare, in confirming all said acts passed,
that they wish and intend them to be good and valid, understanding
that they shall have the full force and strictness of procedure, as if
they had been more formally expressed, requesting and
petitioning justice to take into account their intentions and to receive them
and give them effect according to their tenor and scope, and consequently even more
favorably according to their intentions, by giving effect to all
rights, privileges, exceptions, or explanations of terms,
indeed even all provisions and formal protests desired
by the said Seigneur and the said Lady; and that the various acts made
in their marriage agreement shall have full and entire effect without
being prejudicial to one another, but that they shall be effectively executed
as they were freely and voluntarily made, since such was their intention and
remains so at present, which they affirm to be immutable and irrevocable
by virtue and force of the present acts, such that the said parties
have voluntarily and of their own will signed in order to preserve together their
rights, privileges, faith and homage of the said Lady toward the King,
on the 8th day of July 1653.

Signed: Charles de Saint-Étienne, Jeanne Mouton de St. Jean, la Rivière and
Dominehin; and further in the margin, the said Sieur de La Tour and Dame
d’Aulnay have mutually declared that their present declarations
are added after words they had made to validate and supplement
deficiencies of formalities and procedures, if any were lacking, thus
signed Dominehin.

Collated with the original by me, Clerk and Keeper of the Royal Seal of the Country
of Acadia, this 8th day of July 1653, signed Dominehin.

AI: Signature date: 8 July 1653

This is critical:

• This is the actual legal consolidation moment

Official certification

• Clerk of Acadia certifies:
  • Copy matches original
• Adds administrative authority

Image 19

Image 19 (Mémoire – “Autre Copie” – testimonial/certification page)

French Transcription

Autre Copie tres interessante aux suppliants

Aujourd’huy Neufvieme Novembre mil sept cent soixante douze
par devant les notaires Royaux hereditaire en la châtellenie
de Chaslains en Saintonge soubsignez, et en presence des temoins
cy apres nommez ont comparu Dame Angelique
Lanneau Veuve de Me Charles de St Estienne de la Tour Ecuyer Chevalier
de l’ordre militaire de St Louis et Capitaine d’une compagnie
detachée de la Marine, demeurant actuellement et depuis
huit à neuf ans au present lieu de Chaslains; Me Louis Dupont Ecuyer Seigneur
Chambon, Chevalier de l’ordre militaire de St Louis ancien
Lieutenant de Roy commandant cy devant à Louisbourg Isle Royale; Dame
Anne Henriette Dupont du Chambon Veuve de Me Charles Ignace Darron Ecuyer
Sr de Martignon Chevalier de l’ordre militaire de St Louis Capitaine
de Grenadiers au Regiment de Flandres; Dame Marie Josephe Dupont du Chambon
leur fille; tous trois au logis du dit Chambon demeurant au present lieu
de Chaslains en Saintonge; et Me Michel Dupont Ecuyer Sr de Nieres et de Gournille
Chevalier de l’ordre militaire de St Louis Capitaine d’une compagnie detachée
de la Marine; et Me François Dupont du Vivier Ecuyer et Dame Marie Demions
Dantremont demeurant au logis du dit Vivier paroisse de _ _ _
de la seigneurie fondée en la dite châtellenie en Saintonge; lesquels
dits Sieurs, Dames et Demoiselles comparants cy dessus denommez ont declaré
dit, certifié et attesté que de leur connoissance que Messieurs Jacques
Charles et Joseph Demions Dantremont Ecuyers estoient tous trois freres
desdites feües Dames Jeanne et Marie Demions Dantremont cy dessus denommées;
et que Dame Margueritte Demions Dantremont est leur sœur, et que tous les quatre
sont fils et heritiers des deffunts Messire Jacques Demions Dantremont Ecuyer
et de deffunte Dame Anne de St Estienne de la Tour; et encore que Dame Marie
Josephe Demions Dantremont est fille de deffunt Messire Abraham Demions
Dantremont Ecuyer et de Dame Margueritte de St Estienne de la Tour;
et que les cinq familles dernieres cy dessus nommées sont actuellement
à Cherbourg en basse Normandie; de laquelle presente declaration
attestation et certification les dits Sieurs, Dames et Demoiselles comparants
cy dessus denommez ont requis acte à nous dits Notaires qui leur avons
octroyé pour valoir et servir ainsi que de raison, fait et passé
audit lieu de Chaslains les jour et an que dessus.

RJE Note: I am formatting this a bit so it’s easier to comprehend. It’s very easy to get lost here. If this is relevant to your research, I would suggest retranslating, printing the chart on large paper and correlating it with this document.

English Translation

Today, the ninth of November, 1772, before the hereditary royal notaries residing in the châtellenie of Chaslains in Saintonge, undersigned, and in the presence of the witnesses hereafter named, appeared:

Dame Angélique Lanneau, widow of Messire Charles de Saint-Étienne de La Tour,
knight of the military Order of Saint Louis and captain of a company detached from the Marine troops, currently residing for several years past in the said place;

Messire Louis Dupont, sieur de Chambon, knight of the Order of Saint Louis, former lieutenant of the King commanding at Louisbourg, Île Royale;

Dame Anne Henriette Dupont de Chambon, widow of Messire Charles Ignace Darron, knight of the Order of Saint Louis, captain of grenadiers in the regiment of Flanders;

Dame Marie Josèphe Dupont de Chambon, their daughter;

All residing together in the said place;

Also:

Messire Michel Dupont, sieur de Nières et de Gournille, knight of the Order of Saint Louis, captain of a Marine company;

Messire François Dupont, sieur du Vivier, and Dame Marie Demius d’Entremont, his wife; residing at the house of the said sieur du Vivier in the said châtellenie in Saintonge;

Who all declared, certified, and attested:

That Messieurs Jacques, Charles, and Joseph Demions d’Entremont, squires,
are brothers of Dame Jeanne and Marie Demions d’Entremont;

That Dame Marguerite Demions d’Entremont is their sister;

And that all four are children and heirs of the late Messire Jacques Demions d’Entremont, squire, and of the late Dame Anne de Saint-Étienne de La Tour;

And further that Dame Marie Josèphe Demius d’Entremont is the daughter of
the late Messire Abraham Demius d’Entremont, squire, and of Dame Marguerite de Saint-Étienne de La Tour;

And that the said five families are presently residing in Cherbourg, Lower Normandy;

RJE note: According to her profile at WikiTree, Marie Mius d’Entremont (1684-1734) married Francois DePont Duvivier in 1705 in Port Royal. He reportedly died in Louisbourg, and she returned to France in about 1734. Their son was Louis Dupont Devivier, above. However, the above document, if translated correctly, indicates that they are living in Cherbourg.

Image 20

Image 20 (Mémoire – concluding certification page)

French Transcription

… Châlons en présence de François Rous, écuyer, sieur de Salis, et de Michel
Nauquel, praticien, demeurants audit Châlons, témoins qui ont signé
et lesquels ont enlevé après lesdits, ainsi généralement tous présents
St. Étienne de la Tour d’Auvray, Louis Dupont du Chambon, Dupont du Vivier,
Veuve de Martignon, Marie Josephe Dupont du Chambon, Gournille, Rous,
et Nauquel et Poirier, notaire royal soussigné, contrôlé à Châlons
le dixième Novembre mil sept cent soixante douze pour servir ce que
de raison. Signé Poirier, notaire royal héréditaire. Taxe dix sols, deux
minutes contrôlées cinquante six sols. C. Courbasan clerc.

Nous Emmanuel Cajetan, écuyer des Ordonnances, chevalier,
conseiller du Roy, président lieutenant général de la Souveraine délégation
et siège présidial de Saintes, certifions que Poirier qui a retenu
l’acte ci-dessus est notaire royal audit Châlons, que sa foi doit
être ajoutée à sa signature tant en jugement que hors, en témoin de quoi
la légalisation que présentent de nous signer et contresigner par notre
secrétaire qui y a apposé le sceau de nos armes et fait en notre hôtel
le vingt neuf du mois de Novembre mil sept cent soixante douze. Signé
Le Breton qui a attesté et signé, et Courbasan par Monsieur le lieutenant
général. Signé Rety.//

English Translation

… at Châlons in the presence of François Rous, esquire, sieur de Salis, and Michel
Nauquel, legal practitioner, residing at said Châlons, witnesses who have signed,
and who have added their signatures thereafter, and generally all those present:
Saint-Étienne de La Tour d’Auvray, Louis Dupont du Chambon, Dupont du Vivier,
Widow of Martignon, Marie Josephe Dupont du Chambon, Gournille, Rous,
and Nauquel, and Poirier, undersigned royal notary, registered at Châlons
on the 10th of November 1772 to serve as required by law. Signed: Poirier, hereditary royal notary.

Fee: ten sols; two copies registered, fifty-six sols. C. Courbasan, clerk.

We, Emmanuel Cajetan, esquire of the Ordinances, knight,
counselor to the King, presiding lieutenant general of the sovereign delegation
and presidial court of Saintes, certify that Poirier who recorded
the above act is a royal notary at said Châlons, and that his authority must
be recognized and his signature accepted both in court and out of court; in witness whereof we have signed and countersigned the present legalization by our
secretary, who has affixed the seal of our arms, done at our residence
on the 29th day of November 1772. Signed:
Le Breton, who attested and signed, and Courbasan for the lieutenant
general. Signed: Rety.

AI: What This Means for the Entire Document

You now have:

A fully validated legal dossier

Including:

1. Genealogy
2. Land concessions
3. Legal disputes
4. Royal confirmation
5. Marriage unification
6. Petition for indemnity
7. Witness testimony (1772)
8. Notarial certification
9. Judicial authentication

Image 21

Image 21 (New document – proposal/letter)

French Transcription

M Guillot, juge des Chevaliers à
l’hôtel du Monton
no. 28 8bre 1776

Projet

Isle des Sables contre les susceptibilités d’un
accroissement des cultures, à n’occuper des moyens
de la porter au plus haut degré de perfection possible;
D’après les vues que j’ai proposées au Roy dans le
domaine, j’ai proposé au Roy d’en faire base
dans cette Isle deux familles acadiennes, que je crois
plus propres que tout autre à ce pénible travail.
Ces familles, toujours occupées du bon heur de leurs sujets,
seraient en état d’y fournir et accorder à chacune
de ces familles:

1°. Les passages à l’Isle des Sables à ses frais;

2°. La propriété du terrain qu’elles seront en état
de défricher et de mettre en valeur;

3°. Les outils nécessaires à leur travail avec deux
bœufs et deux vaches;

4°. À leur nourriture qui leur sera fournie dans un
magasin de l’Isle pendant deux années,
à compter du jour qu’elles y seront arrivées;

Sur les comptes que je me suis fait rendre des
Acadiens qui sont dans votre département, j’ai
appris que les Demius d’Antremont ont de tous
temps été occupés à l’agriculture, et qu’ils se sont
toujours bien conduits; je ne forme jamais particulière

English Translation

Mr. Guillot, judge of the Chevaliers at
the Hôtel du Monton
No. 28, October 1776

Project

Sable Island, concerning the potential for
expansion of cultivation, and the means
to bring it to the highest possible degree of development;
Based on the views that I have presented to the King in
his domain, I have proposed to the King to establish
on this island two Acadian families, whom I believe
better suited than any others for this difficult work.

These families, always concerned with the well-being of their dependents,
would be placed in a position where the Crown would provide to each
of these families:

1°. Passage to Sable Island at its expense;

2°. Ownership of the land they are able
to clear and bring into cultivation;

3°. The tools necessary for their work, along with two
oxen and two cows;

4°. Their food, which would be supplied in a
storehouse on the island for two years,
from the day they arrive;

From the reports that I have had made to me concerning
the Acadians who are in your district, I have
learned that the Demius d’Antremont have at all times
been engaged in agriculture, and that they have
always conducted themselves well; I never form any particular

AI: Critical Interpretation

This is a colonization proposal

• For Île des Sables (Sable Island)
• Dated 1776
• Addressed to an official (Guillot)

Image 22

Image 22 (Sable Island proposal – continuation)

French Transcription

… que vous devez avoir de ces Acadiens, les emporter
a acquis mien à l’est dit, je serais bien aise de se trouver
parmi eux les deux familles à envoyer à l’Isle des
Sables; vouloir bien connaître les avantages que
Sa Majesté veut bien leur accorder et vous me rendre
compte du choix que vous aurez fait du nombre des
personnes qui composeront chaque famille, afin
que je puisse donner les ordres en conséquence.

Il est nécessaire que je puisse
le leur bien faire valoir selon leurs particularités,
avec vous sur cet objet.

Je suis, &c.

English Translation

… that you must have regarding these Acadians, to select them
according to what has been said; I would be very pleased to find
among them the two families to be sent to Sable Island;
please ensure that they fully understand the advantages that
His Majesty wishes to grant them, and report back to me
on the selection you have made, including the number of
persons who will compose each family, so that
I may give the necessary orders accordingly.

It is necessary that I be able
to present these benefits clearly to them according to their particular circumstances,
in coordination with you on this matter.

I remain, etc.

Image 23

Image 23 (Letter – Paris, 31 January 1776)

French Transcription

Colonies
Bureau de la Marine

A Paris le 31 Janvier 1776

Monseigneur

J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de
m’écrire le 28 de ce mois, par laquelle vous me donnez
détails des effets et avantages que Sa Majesté veut bien
accorder aux deux familles acadiennes que vous
désirez dans l’intention de les faire passer à l’Isle des
Sables; en effet ces secours et cette
faveur, Monseigneur, est bien digne de votre
bienfaisance; mais je vous fais observer que sur
les 3 à 400 individus de l’Acadie qui sont
restés à St. Malo pouvant composer environ 70
familles, je n’en vois pas à propos aucune
qui éprouvant depuis 15 années pendant lesquelles
j’ai vécu, ce qui la de très près, m’ayant obligé
de me tenir sur la réserve à leur sujet, n’ayant
pas encore vu aucun proposer et réussir quelque
effort qu’ils aient fait.

English Translation

Colonies
Department of the Navy

Mr. …

In Paris, 31 January 1776

My Lord,

I have received the letter which you honored me by writing
to me on the 28th of this month, in which you provided
details of the effects and advantages that His Majesty wishes
to grant to the two Acadian families whom you
intend, with the purpose of sending them to Sable Island;
indeed, such assistance and this favor,
My Lord, are truly worthy of your
benevolence; however, I must observe to you that among
the 300 to 400 individuals from Acadia who have
remained at Saint-Malo, forming approximately 70
families, I do not find any suitable
for this purpose; having observed them for 15 years, during which
I have lived among them and known them closely, I have been
compelled to remain reserved in my opinion of them, as I have
not yet seen any succeed in any undertaking,
despite the efforts they have made.

RJE note: This is incredibly harsh.

Saint Malo is about 119 miles by road, today, from Cherbourg – not exactly nearby.

Image 24

Image 24 (Letter – continuation, Demius d’Antremont evaluation)

French Transcription

La famille des Demius d’Antremont que vous me
recommandez, Monseigneur, m’est connue que
de nom, ayant toujours résidé à Cherbourg où
elle est encore. Je sais seulement qu’elle tenait
jadis un rang distingué dans l’Acadie, qu’elle
s’est alliée avec celle de Belisle, et qu’ils composent
ensemble environ 30 têtes qui ne veulent point
se séparer. Le chef d’après nous est connu,
Monseigneur, pour un vieillard respectable,
conduisant bien son troupeau, assez entêté
pour cultivateur; je ne les doute pas, ainsi que
ses fils et petits-fils, les uns et les autres accoutumés
de se tenir sur un certain pied à l’exemple de
quelques familles que j’ai fait passer à
Moutheton (?) en Poitou, ayant embrassé des états
bas et vils, ce qui ne donne pas une bien haute
opinion de leur zèle et capacité. Au reste,
Monseigneur, comme on peut n’avoir trouvé sur le
compte de ces familles qui résident toujours
à Cherbourg, je vous supplie de vouloir bien écrire
sur les lieux pour qu’on y prenne de nouvelles
informations, et si le compte qu’on vous en rendra…

English Translation

The family of Demius d’Antremont, which you
recommend to me, My Lord, is known to me only
by name, having always resided at Cherbourg, where
it still remains. I know only that it once held
a distinguished rank in Acadia, that it
intermarried with that of Belisle, and that together they comprise
about 30 persons who do not wish
to be separated. The head of the family, according to what we know,
My Lord, is considered a respectable old man,
who manages his household well, somewhat stubborn
for a cultivator; I do not doubt them, nor
his sons and grandsons, all of whom are accustomed
to maintaining a certain standing, following the example of
some families whom I had sent to
(Moutheton?) in Poitou, who adopted
low and humble occupations, which does not give a very high
opinion of their zeal and ability.

However, My Lord, since one may not have obtained reliable
information regarding these families who still reside
at Cherbourg, I beg you to write
to the locality so that further
information may be obtained, and if the report you receive…

RJE note: Acadians have consistently been described as stubborn. It probably saved them. Expulsion didn’t change that.

Cultivator means farmer. I can’t help but wonder who, in 1776, was considered the head of the family.

It brings me some small comfort in knowing that there were 30 family members together.

Image 25

Image 25 (Letter – conclusion)

French Transcription 

… s’accorde avec celui qui méritera avantage, et que j’aurai
l’honneur de vous participer aussitôt, allant écrire pour
demander des instructions sûres et précises au sujet
de ces familles; alors vous vous trouverez en état de
juger du parti définitif qu’il y aura à prendre, n’ayant
pas d’ailleurs assez de confiance en ce qui est resté
dans les environs de St. Malo pour oser vous proposer
personne; l’indolence et la nonchalance qui les
dominent tous et qui s’accordent si peu avec l’état
de cultivateur qu’on leur prête en général par
préjugé et par esprit d’intérêt, et que je ne
leur ai jamais connu, quelque envie que j’en aye
eu, ne me permettraient pas de vous engager, Monseigneur,
à des dépenses infructueuses, surtout dans un pays
comme l’Isle des Sables, où il ne faut envoyer que
des gens déterminés à bien travailler, en profitant
efficacement des faveurs et des secours qu’on
voudra bien leur accorder.

J’ai l’honneur d’être avec un très profond respect

Monseigneur

Votre très humble
et très obéissant serviteur

Guillou

English Translation

… will be in agreement with whoever proves most deserving, and I will have
the honor of informing you immediately, writing further to
request clear and precise instructions concerning
these families; then you will be in a position
to determine the final course of action to take.

However, I do not have sufficient confidence in those who have remained
in the region of Saint-Malo to dare recommend
anyone to you; the indolence and lack of diligence that
dominate them all, and which accord so poorly with the role
of cultivator that is generally attributed to them—
by prejudice and self-interest—and which I have
never observed in them, however much I may have wished to,
would not allow me, My Lord, to expose you
to unproductive expenses, especially in a place
like Sable Island, where one must send only
people determined to work diligently and to make
effective use of the favors and assistance that
may be granted to them.

I have the honor to remain, with the deepest respect,

My Lord,

Your very humble
and very obedient servant,

Guillou

RJE note: Cape Sable Island has been described as very difficult.

It’s eight long years before the next letter in the file. Were they just waiting this entire time, or had something been conveyed to them?

Image 26

Image 26 (Letter – Rochefort, 3 April 1784)

French Transcription

Colonies — Entremont
Rochefort le 3 avril 1784

N° 2. Beaupreau
Regard au mémoire de la
famille D’Antremont

Devarennes
6 avril

Monseigneur

J’ai reçu joint à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur
de m’écrire le 14 du mois dernier, le mémoire par
lequel la femme du Sieur d’Antremont se plaint
de ce que depuis environ 7 ans, on a cessé de lui payer la pension dont
elle jouissait sur les fonds de l’Amérique.

Le résultat des éclaircissements que j’ai pris
à ce sujet, qu’il y a deux personnes de ce nom.
L’une, la Dame Landrie, veuve du S. D’Antremont
qui réclame, n’a jamais été portée sur ce port
pour aucun traitement ni subsistance; il paraît
cependant par la lettre du subdélégué de l’intendant
de Caen, à Valognes, que cette veuve a…

English Translation

Colonies — Entremont
Rochefort, 3 April 1784

No. 2 Beaupreau
Regarding the memorandum of the
D’Antremont family

Mr. Devarennes
6 April

My Lord,

I have received, attached to the letter which you did me the honor
of writing to me on the 14th of last month, the memorandum by
which the wife of the Sieur d’Antremont complains
that for about the past 7 years, they have ceased paying her the pension
which she had been receiving from the funds of America.

The result of the inquiries I have made
on this matter is that there are two persons of this name.
One, Dame Landrie, widow of Sieur d’Antremont,
who is making the claim, has never been registered at this port
for any payment or subsistence; however, it appears
from the letter of the subdelegate of the intendant
of Caen, at Valognes, that this widow has…

Image 27

Image 27 (Letter – conclusion)

French Transcription

… qui a demeuré jouir de quelque secours dans cette
généralité; mais le port ignore à quel titre, et
en quel temps.

L’autre, la Demoiselle D’Entremont, qui a
effectivement ici un traitement de 350 livres par an
sur les fonds de l’ancienne forteresse navale,
est fille d’un officier servant cy-devant à
l’Acadie, et réside à Port-en-Bessin,
en Basse-Normandie, où elle réclame son traitement
qui lui a toujours été régulièrement payé
à chaque quartier échu.

Je suis avec un très profond respect

Monseigneur

Votre très humble et
très obéissant serviteur

Neveu Beaupreau

English Translation

… who has remained in receipt of some assistance in this
district; however, the port has no knowledge under what title
or during what period this was granted.

The other, the Demoiselle d’Entremont, who
does in fact receive here a pension of 350 livres per year
from the funds of the former naval fortress,
is the daughter of an officer who formerly served in
Acadia, and resides at Port-en-Bessin
in Lower Normandy, where she claims her payment,
which has always been regularly paid to her
each quarter as it falls due.

I remain, with the deepest respect,

My Lord,

Your very humble and
very obedient servant,

Neveu Beaupreau

RJE note:

This is a different topic entirely and has switched from the petition to return to Sable Island, to pensions and assistance. Demoiselle d’Entremont may or may not have been introduced to us already through those charts.

In Normandy, Port-en-Bessin is about 45 miles from Cherbourg.

Based on this description, there are two women whose identity we seek:

1. “Dame Landry, widow of Sier d’Entremont” who is the petitioner for the pension. I will call her Dame Landry.
2. “Demoiselle d’Entremont, who does in fact receive here a pension of 350 livres per year from the funds of the former naval fortress, is the daughter of an officer who formerly served in Acadia, and resides at Port-en-Bessin in Lower Normandy, where she claims her payment, which has always been regularly paid to her.” This woman seems to be the unmarried daughter of a d’Entremont man and I will refer to her as Demoiselle d’Entremont.

Note that this 1784 document and the 7 years mentioned suggests Dame Landry’s husband died around 1777. He could have been the head of the family mentioned in the petition.

Four Landry women married d’Entremont men and could be Dame Landry:

• Candidate 1: Philippe’s son Jacques, his son Charles, his son Jacques, his son Charles Mius who married Marie Josephe Landry. Charles died before February 1764 in Cherbourg, France and she was deceased by then also based on the census. So this neither of those women can be her.
• Candidate 2: Jacques Mius’s daughter Marguerite Mius married Pierre Landry in 1712 in Port Royal. According to the chart, the only daughter shown was Anne Marie who married Jean Melanson in 1753, but this was probably not Anne Marie’s first marriage. No children are shown, and this woman’s birth surname would be d’Entremont, not Landry. Therefore, she is not Dame Landry, nor is she a demoiselle which implies not married.

Their only other daughter shown on WikiTree is Jeanne Marguerite who married Charles Bourg and was having children with him until 1757. She was expelled to Cherbourg where she was missing from the 1761 census, which eliminates her as well.

Our other candidates are through Philippe’s son, Abraham’s daughter, Marie, who married Joseph Landry.

Abraham

• Candidate 3: Abraham’s daughter Marie Josephe Demius married Joseph Landry. However, according to the Port Royal parish records, she married Rene Landry in 1717. He reportedly died at sea in during the crossing to France. She was buried on June 29, 1770 at Cherbourg, France, so neither of these women can be her in 1784.
• Joseph Landry’s daughter Marie Josephe Landry, according to the chart, married Charles Demius d’Antremont in 1747 in Port Royal. They are listed in the 1761, 1767 and 1772 Cherbourg census, and in 1783 on a list of inhabitants who wish to go to St Pierre and Miquelon. Therefore Marie Josephe is not Dame Landry because she is not a widow and Landry was her birth surname.
• Candidate 4: Marie and Joseph’s daughter Marguerite Landry, born in 1730, married Jacques Demius d’Antremont in 1753. Jacques died in Cherbourg sometime after 1760 when his son was baptized, but Marie is listed there in 1761 as a widow and again in 1767 when she is listed as bedridden and entitled to government assistance. She immigrated on Dec. 3, 1785 through New Orleans, LA. She is the most likely candidate for Dame Landry, and the only person who cannot be eliminated. However, her husband is clearly not the head of the Cherbourg families, as he was deceased by the 1761 census.

Can we find the correct woman for Demoiselle d’Entremont who may or may not have been married. Regardless, d’Entremont would be her father’s surname. The other woman, Dame Landry was the widow of a d’Entremont man.

We are looking for a man who was an officer in Acadia and whoe daughter may be on the pedigree chart.

• Philippe’s son, Jacques d’Entremont’s son Jacques (1679-1759), based on his known location in Massachusetts with his family has been eliminated as the possible father of Demoiselle d’Entremont. However, as the second Baron of Pobomcoup, he was the commander of Pobomcoup, and possibly all of Cape Sable.
• Jacques son, Charles Mius born in 1684 and married Marguerite Landry. He died in Cherbourg before 1764 and his wife was already deceased. He is not known to be an officer, but he did have sons and daughters:
  • Charles’s son, Charles Mius d’Entremont (1716-c1783) was born in 1716 and married in 1747. He is in Cherbourg in 1761, 1767 and 1772. He died sometime after 1783, probably in Cherbourg. His two children are shown on the pedigree chart
    • Charles’s son, Charles Laurent d’Entremont is shown on the 1761 census at Cherbourg and is receiving assistance in 1767
    • Charles’s daughter Marie d’Entremont receives assistance in Cherbourg in 1761. We do not know if she is alive or where she is in 1784. She could be Demoiselle D’Entremont, but the description of where she lives in 1784 does not fit, nor does how long she had been receiving the pension.
  • Charles’s daughter, Marie Josephe died in Louisbourg in 1756.
  • Charles’s daughter, Marguerite died in Cherbourg about 1760.
  • Charles’s daughter, Madeleine died before December 1770 in Cherbourg.

Cumulatively, this eliminates Jacques son, Charles as being the father of Demoiselle d’Entremont. It also eliminates his son Charles unless she is his daughter, Marie, which is a possibility. It’s unknown if her father was an officer.

• Jacques son, Joseph (1688-1760), was deported to Cherbourg and was buried there on March 26, 1760. His wife was not a Landry, and none of his daughters were located in Port-en-Bessin, which, in combination with his information removes him as the possible father of Demoiselle d’Entremont.
  • Joseph’s daughter, Marie (born 1737) married Jean Baptiste Galerne after 1759 and is found in Cherbourg in 1783, requesting to go to St. Pierre and Miquelon with her husband and 6 children. Only one of her children, the eldest, Jean Baptiste Galerne, is shown on the pedigree chart.
• Jacques daughter, Marguerite married Pierre Landry. She died on April 10, 1784 in Cherbourg, a few days after that letter was penned. Marguerite is not shown as living elsewhere so cannot be Demoiselle d’Entremont, but her father was the Baron, which means he was indeed an officer, commanding Pobomcoup.
• Jacques son, Jacques, was the third Baron of Pobomcoup. He married Marguerite Landry in 1753, and they are only known to have had two children prior to the Expulsion. He arrived with his family in Cherbourg in January of 1760, but his widow is shown with their two sons in 1767. There are no daughters, so Demoiselle d’Entremont cannot be his daughter, but his wife couldbe a candidate to be Dame Landry.
• Philippe’s son, Abraham Mius was deceased by 1710 when his widow remarried. He was not known to be an officer.
  • Marie Josephe Mius was Abraham’s only daughter that lived to adulthood. She married Rene Landry in 1717, although on the pedigree chart, he is listed as Joseph Landry. Rene Landry, Captain of the royal troups and Engineer for S. Mté, died in 1759 during the sea crossing, as documented in the 1767 census, and she died in June 1770 in Cherbourg.
    • Joseph Landry (1721-1774), their son, married Cecile Mius D’Entremont in 1750 in Port Royal, the daughter of Joseph Mius d’Entremont, son of Jacques d’Entremont, son of Philippe. She died before the 1761 census in Cherbourg and he remarried in 1763. He died in 1774 at Archigny in the Poiteau. His children with Cecile were:
      • Joseph Landry born 1750 is on the pedigree chart
      • Pierre Ange Landry 1755-1774 is shown on the pedigree chart
      • Marie Landry born 1757 is shown on the pedigree chart and is reported in the 1767 census as receiving assistance
    • Rene Landry born 1730 married Marie Mius de Pobomcoup in 1753, but nothing further is known. They may have been exiled from Grand Pre.
    • Marguerite Landry (1730-1785) married Jacques Mius in 1753, son of Jacques, son of Jacques. They were exiled to Cherbourg, arriving in 1760. Jacques died around 1760, but she is listed in 1761 and 1767, as bedridden and on public assistance, but lived to travel to Louisiana in 1785. She could be Dame Landry.
    • Rene Landry and Marie Josephe Mius had five daughters, according to the pedigree chart. Either we have no information, or the information we do have about them does align with the information in the letter.

Regarding Demoiselle d’Entremont, the only people not eliminated are possibly Abraham Mius’s granddaughters, although none of them seem to meet the criteria.

There is no good fit, and  I have no idea who Demoiselle d’Entremont might be. I matched the candidates to those shown on the pedigree chart.

We have eliminated all but one candidate for Dame Landry who is most likely Marguerite Landry (1730-1785).

Image 28

Image 28 (Summary – “Base de l’Isle”, 4 February 1776)

French Transcription

4 février 1776
Base de l’Isle

Guillot, commissaire de la Marine
à St. Malo, répond à la lettre qui lui a
été écrite, sur le choix qu’on a à faire
de deux familles acadiennes que Monseigneur
désire faire passer à l’Isle des Sables.

1°. Que sur les 3 à 400 individus
de l’Acadie qui sont restés à St. Malo,
et qui composent 70 familles, il n’en voit
à proposer aucune, n’en ayant pas vu
une seule prospérer ni réussir quelque
effort qu’on ait fait; que l’indolence et
la nonchalance qui les dominent tous,
et qui s’accordent si peu avec l’état de
cultivateur qu’on leur a dans mal à propos
attribué, ne lui permettent pas d’engager
Monseigneur dans des dépenses…

English Translation

4 February 1776
Sable Island Plan (Base)

Mr. Guillot, commissioner of the Navy
at Saint-Malo, responds to the letter that was
written to him regarding the selection to be made
of two Acadian families whom Monseigneur
wishes to send to Sable Island.

1°. That among the 300 to 400 individuals
from Acadia who have remained at Saint-Malo,
forming about 70 families, he finds none
to recommend, having not seen
a single one prosper or succeed in any
effort that has been made; that the indolence and
nonchalance that dominate them all,
and which accord so poorly with the role of
cultivator that has been inappropriately
attributed to them, do not allow him to commit
Monseigneur to such expenses…

Image 29

Image 29 (Summary – Demius d’Antremont section)

French Transcription

Infructueuse

2°. Que la famille des Demius d’Antremont
sur laquelle on avait principalement jeté
les vues, ne lui est connue que de nom;
qu’il sait seulement qu’elle réside à
Cherbourg; qu’elle tenoit jadis un rang
distingué dans l’Acadie; qu’elle se
compose actuellement 30 têtes qui ne
veulent point se séparer, et qu’elle ne fait
pas cultivateur.

Il doit écrire pour avoir des instructions
sûres et précises au sujet de ces derniers;
il se propose d’en rendre compte; cependant
il propose à Monseigneur d’écrire à
Cherbourg, pour qu’on fasse les informations
nécessaires, et pour connaître le rapport
qu’elles pourront avoir avec les renseignements
qu’il doit se procurer.

Observation

English Translation

Unproductive

2°. That the Demius d’Antremont family,
upon which attention had primarily been focused,
is known to him only by name;
that he knows only that it resides at
Cherbourg; that it formerly held a
distinguished rank in Acadia; that it
currently consists of about 30 persons who
do not wish to be separated, and that it does
not function as cultivators.

He must write to obtain
clear and precise instructions regarding them;
he proposes to report back; however,
he suggests that Monseigneur write to
Cherbourg so that the necessary inquiries
may be made, and to determine how
this information aligns with the details
he must gather.

Observation

Image 30

Image 30 (Final Page – “Observation”)

French Transcription

Observation

Il paraît, d’après le rapport de M. Guillot,
qu’on ne tirerait qu’un fort mauvais parti
de ces familles acadiennes, sur lesquelles
on comptoit tant, et que l’utilité dont on a
prétendu qu’elles seroient à l’Isle de
Sables, ne compenseroit pas les dépenses
qu’elles causeroient à cette colonie.

approuvé l’observation

English Translation

Observation

It appears, according to the report of Mr. Guillot,
that one would derive only very poor results
from these Acadian families, upon whom
so much had been relied, and that the usefulness
that had been claimed for them on Sable Island
would not compensate for the expenses
they would cause to this colony.

Observation approved

RJE note: This is the end of the document. I have one more untranslated document to add, then my conclusion.

A Different Document about Charles La Tour

This link provides a different document about Charles St. Etienne de LaTour which describes the various land transactions.

I attempted a ChatGPT translation of this document, but I know from the results that some of the names were translated incorrectly.

This is the 1653 grant to Philippe Mius d’Entremont. We know that his wife was Madeleine Helie, but AI stumbled over this, along with the name of the “noble homme” Pierre something, and his wife Mathurine something.

In Closing

The confirmation and additional detail regarding land transactions in early Acadia from these documents is valuable.

Initially, I thought this tree was documenting all the children of Philippe Mius d’Entremont, and I had hoped it contained the location where he was born in France, but it did not. It includes only some children of two of his sons, Jacques and Abraham. Reading further, the only lines documented are those who found themselves in France, petitioning to be returned to Cape Sable Island.

In Acadia, we knew that Jacques d’Entremont held the titles of sieur and baron, but until seeing this chart, I was unaware that Abraham was referred to as sieur as well.

Were all of Philippe’s children viewed with that level of standing, or was Abraham perhaps elevated in this document to give the petition additional weight? I have never seen Philippe’s other two children, Philippe, who married two native women, and Marguerite, who married a Huguenot, referred to in that way.

It appears that the descendants of these two children who had been exiled to Cherbourg were claiming a right to the land based on a combination of both their Mius d’Entremont heritage AND their LaTour lineage. Logically, they wouldn’t need both. Mius d’Entremont should have been sufficient, especially since that land was originally conferred by LaTour. Yet here, it looks very much like they were throwing everything possible at the wall, hoping enough would stick to create an argument convincing enough for their request to be granted.

Acadian families that were expelled arrived with absolutely nothing. No money, no livestock, no land – nothing more than they could carry – if that. They were unwilling refugees in every sense of the word.

In France, they had no means to pay for passage, food, or anything else. They were entirely dependant on charity and the government providing for them. The families on Belle-Ile-en-Mer were given homes and land to farm.

This is exactly why they wanted so desperately to return home to Acadia.

Their proof of noble descent along with documentation of their right to the land was intended to be a convincing argument as to why France should return them to Cape Sable Island, along with food for two years, as they got their feet under themselves there. They weren’t asking for charity – they were asking for a chance to succeed.

Based on the usage of “Cape Sable” in various documents, it appears that they were probably referring to Cape Sable Island and its outliers, although sometimes Cape Sable referred to the entire region.

The language in this document makes it clear the Acadians were asking for the Island, probably because it was barren and difficult, used primarily for fishing and hunting. Perhaps they felt no one else would want it when better land, that used to be their farms, was available for the English, and they were asking for so little.

After 1767, when the d’Entremont, Amirault, Belliveau, and Duon families built a schooner and returned to Pubnico from Maryland, it’s possible that the French exiles exchanged letters with those cousins.

If so, the letters back and forth, if that level of communication existed with the Pubnico Acadians, would have been separated by months. We do know that some of the Pubnico families tell of their ancestors corresponding with their French cousins “for years,” but the timeframe is unclear.

We also know that clandestine letters were exchanged during the Exile through some secret network. Some Belle-Ile-en-Mer statements also allude to communications with their families remaining in North America.

Additionally, it’s clear that some coordination occurred during the migration to Louisiana.

The most disheartening part for me is that the Acadians were referred to as “not useful” and “unproductive.” That was following by “I do not have sufficient confidence in those who have remained in the region of Saint-Malo to dare recommend anyone to you; the indolence and lack of diligence that dominate them all, and which accord so poorly with the role of cultivator that is generally attributed to them.”

And then, “I have not yet seen any succeed in any undertaking, despite the efforts they have made.”

Followed by, “…however much I may have wished to, would not allow me, My Lord, to expose you to unproductive expenses, especially in a place like Sable Island, where one must send only people determined to work diligently and to make effective use of the favors and assistance that may be granted to them.”

So, after all of that back and forth, and false hope generated, over two decades, then slowly winked out like the last firefly in a field, the verdict was that essentially, not one Acadian family who had endured so very much was deemed “enough” to qualify to be returned to Acadian to eke out a hardscrabble life on an island.

Seriously???

I don’t know what the underlying agenda was for this insulting, painfully slow, and brutal denial. They weren’t asking for mercy, or even justice – simply a chance. A chance they were never granted. On their own land – or what had been theirs.

You know, as an Acadian descendant who has studied these families for years, I’ll believe stubborn all day long – even sometimes “difficult,” but as for “lack of diligence”, “failing to succeed at any undertaking”, and essentially, laziness – I’m not buying that.

Not for a minute. Something else was going on behind the scenes.

Once the most trusted families in Acadia, appointed as the King’s Attorney and then as the Baron of Pobomcoup, with full seigneurial rights, the descendants of the Mius d’Entremont and La Tour’s Acadian families found themselves, a century later, exiled to and trapped in France.

Even though the French government was supporting them there, they were deemed too undeserving to risk the cost of establishing a colony on the windswept Cape Sable, back in Acadia.

Too risky to be trusted with even the harshest of lands, when at one time they farmed the best.

My heart aches.