Hilarion Thériault, at the age of 71, made a significant decision to create a will, a practice not common among Acadians in the 19th century due to their limited property ownership post-deportation and restrictions on property ownership by Roman Catholics until the 1780s. Despite these challenges, Thériault was determined to ensure his affairs were in order before his passing.
Colby Gaudet, a post-doctoral researcher at Dalhousie University, delved into Thériault’s will and 23 others from the tight-knit Acadian community in Clare, N.S., to explore how these families managed legal and religious customs during times of loss. Gaudet highlighted the dual nature of resistance and conformity in the wills, where Acadians adhered to existing Anglophone property norms while asserting their Roman Catholic identity.
Thériault’s will emphasized settling his debts, seeking reparations for any injustices, and promoting peace within his family. Maurice Basque, a historian at l’Institut d’études acadiennes at the Université de Moncton, noted that these wills were crafted amidst a backdrop of social marginalization faced by Acadians, stemming from the mass deportation ordered by Lt.-Gov. Charles Lawrence in 1755.
Basque explained how Acadian lands were seized by the Crown and redistributed to settlers from New England as part of a broader plan to replace the Acadian population. Despite some Acadians eventually returning, they encountered ongoing challenges, including discriminatory oath tests that hindered their access to positions of authority.
Gaudet highlighted the linguistic barriers faced by Acadians when engaging with the predominantly Anglo-Protestant judiciary system, with wills drafted in English by a French priest named Jean-Mandé Sigogne. These wills, left behind by community leaders like Thériault, reflected a strong Catholic influence in their daily lives, showcasing unique Catholic elements not commonly found in Protestant wills.
Furthermore, the study of these wills shed light on the interactions between Acadians and Black individuals in Clare. Gaudet’s research uncovered instances where Black individuals, like Jerome, were mentioned in wills, providing insights into the complex social dynamics of the time. The wills not only served as legal documents but also as reflections of the cultural and religious identities of the Acadian community in Clare.
In conclusion, the analysis of these historical wills offers a glimpse into the resilience and identity preservation efforts of the Acadian community amidst challenging social and political circumstances.