On October 1, 1790, the British Government in New Brunswick granted to 49 persons 51 lots of land, containing 16,709 acres in two tracts or divisions, "within the District of Madawaska, County of York." The grant was officially registered on October 15.
Below is the list of grantees, the lot and division numbers, and the number of acres granted each person. These grantees were for the most part descendants of Acadians who had been expelled by the British in 1755, and who had gone to Canada (Québec). Many of these Acadians were living in Kamouraska at the time of the grant. Others were people whose families were originally from Kamouraska.
In exchange for these grants, the grantees promised to "yield and pay" unto King George III, his heirs, successors, or to his Receiver-General, 2 shillings for every 100 acres, starting ten years from the date of the grant. The grant was also made conditional upon the grantees improving the land, clearing it and either planting on it or grazing cattle upon it, or building a home on it. (For the text of the conditions of the grant see here.)
The first division was on the South Bank of the St.John, beginning across from the mouth of the Green River (in today's Grand Isle) and continuing northwestward. The second division was on the North Bank of the St.John, starting just upstream from the mouth of the Green River and continuing northwestwards. Following the list of grantees is a detailed description of the two divisions.
| |Lot|Div|No.of| Other First Name | Last Name |No.|No.|Acres| Information ======================|===========|===|===|=====|============= Joseph Muzeroll 1 1 200 John Baptist, senior Tibidea 2 1 223 Fereman, junior Cere 3 1 217 John Baptiste, senior Cere 4 1 269 Louison Sanfason 5 1 227 Maturin Boulle 6 1 253 Joseph Aiellicot 7 1 252 Joseph Saussiers 8 1 237 Accarie Aiellicot 9 1 227 John Marie Saussiers 12 1 166 Joseph, junior Cere 13 1 202 John Martin 15 1 184 Anthony Cere 16 1 234 Alexander Aiellicot 17 1 213 Michael Cere 22 1 212 John Baptist, junior Cere 23 1 346 Fereman, senior Cere 24 1 254 Francis Cere 25 1 288 James Cere 26 1 227 Joseph, junior Daigle 27 1 246 John Baptist Fournier 28 1 231 Joseph, senior Daigle 29 1 223 Francis, junior Cere 30 1 194 Joseph aux Clair 31 1 194 John Baptist, senior Muzeroll 32 1 220 Francis Alberre 33 1 189 Paul Petiers 34 1 207 Simon Aubert 35 1 252 Pierre Lisot 36 1 182 Augustin Dubé 37 1 188 Etienne Tibideau 1 2 227 Joseph Tibideau 2 2 220 John Baptist, junior Tibideau 3 2 270 Antoine Gagnie A 2 207 Joseph Temong 4 2 211 Alexander Cere 5 2 174 John Vassour 6 2 209 Peter Cere 7 2 195 Paul Cere 8 2 192 Joseph, junior Daigle 25 2 91 with the island in front John Baptist Daigle }26 2 155 with the island in front }27 2 164 Maria Margaret Daigle 28 2 180 Oliver Cere }29 2 210 }30 2 213 Thomas Costin 31 2 220 Alexis Cere 32 2 234 Joseph Mercure 33 2 174 Michael Mercure 35 2 224 Jean Tardiff 36 2 257 Louis Mercure 37 2 234
The Grants can be found in the Provincial Grantbook, Volume III, Grant number 226. Much of this information is also available in the on-line searchable database of land grants maintained by the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick at http://archives.gnb.ca/Search/RS686/Default.aspx?culture=en-CA.
The description of the two divisions or tracts of land from which lots were granted:
The first tract or division beginning at a marked birch-tree, standing on or near the south-westerly bank or shore of the River St.John, nearly opposite to the mouth or discharge of the River Verte [Green River]; thence or from the said tree, running by the magnetic needle south forty-five degrees west, one hundred and forty-five chains [one chain = 66 feet], of four poles each [1 pole = 16½feet] ; thence north forty-five degrees west, forty-six chains and twenty-five links [100 links = 1 chain], or until it meets the upper or north-westernly line of lot number three, in this division; thence along the said line of the said lot, north forty-five degrees east, sixty-one chains; thence north forty-five degrees west, four hundred and twelve chains and twenty-five links or until it meets the lower or south-easterly line of the lot number twenty-seven in this division; thence along the said line of lot number twenty-seven, south forty-five degrees west, forty-six chains; thence north forty-five degrees west, one hundred and sixty-one chains and fifty links, or until it meets the lower or south-easterly line of the lot number thirty-seven in this division; thence along the said line of lot number thirty-seven, south forty-five degrees west, fifty-nine chains, or until it meets the prolongation of the rear of south-westerly line of the lot number thirty-eight, granted to Pierre Dupéré; thence along the said prolongation, north forty-five degrees west, eleven chains and seventy-five links, or until it meets the lower or south-easterly lin of the said lot number thirty-eight; thence along the said south-easterly line of the said lot, north forty-five degrees east, one hundred and sixty-nine chains, or until it meets the south-easterly bank or shore of the River St.John aforesaid; thence along the said bank or shore, following its several courses down stream to the bounds first mentioned, or until it meets a line running north, forty-five degrees east by the magnet therefrom, containing in the whole of this first tract or division eight thousand three hundred and seventy-one acres, more or less, with the usual allowance of ten per cent. for roads and waste; the above described first tract or division being divided into thirty-seven lots or plantations, numbered from one to number thirty-seven; both inclusive together with five spaces reserved for roads to communicate with the back lands, each of the said spaces measuring four poles [1 pole = 16½ feet] in breadth, and running parallel to the side lines of the adjacent lots, the respective numbers, marks, or fronts, or breadths in poles, division lines, and contents of each of the said lots, together with the respective situations of each of the said reserved spaces or roads, as expressed and described on the plan hereunto annexed.
The second tract or division beginning at a marked white maple tree, standing on or near the northeasterly bank or shore of the River St.John, about four chains above the mouth or discharge of the River Verte [Green River] aforesaid; thence or from the said maple tree, running by the magnetic needle north forty-five degrees east, one hundred and sixty-nine chains, of four poles each; thence north forty-five degrees west, seventy-four chains, or until it meets the lower or south easterly line of the lot number four in this second division; thence along the said line of lot number four, north forty-five degrees east, forty-six chains; thence north forty-five degrees west, four hundred and three chains or until it meets the upper or north-easterly line of lot number twenty-seven in this second division: thence along the said line of lot number twenty-seven, south forty-five degrees west, forty-four chains; thence north forrty-five degrees west, one hundred and sixty-four chains and fifty links or until it meets the upper or northwesterly line of the lot number thirty-seven in this second division; thence along the said line of lot number thirty-seven, south forty-five degrees west, one hundred and eighty-one chains, or until it meets the north-easterly bank or shore of the River St. John aforesaid, about six chains above a marked birch tree; thence along the said north-easterly bank or shore, following its several courses down stream to the first mentioned bounds of this second division, or until it meets a line running south forty-five degrees west therefrom, containing in the whole eight thousand three hundred and thirty-eight acres, more or less, with the aforesaid usual allowance; the above described second tract or division being divided into thirty-seven lots or plantations, numbered form one to number thirty-seven both inclusive, with two lots desribed A and B, together with five spaces reserved for roads to communicate with the back lands, each of the said spaces measuring four poles in breadth, and running parallel to the side lines of the adjacent lots; the respective numbers, marks, fronts, or breadths in poles, division lines, and contents of each of the said lots comprehended within the said second trace or division, together with the respective situations of each of the said five reserved spaces or roads, are expressed and desribed on the annexed plan, being partly improved and partly wilderness land, and hath such shape, form, and marks as appear by the actual survey thereof, made under the directions of our Surveyor-General of our said Province, of which survey the said annexed plan is a representation, together with all woods, under-woods, timber and timber trees, lakes, ponds, fishings, waters, watercourses, profits, commodities, appurtenances, and hereditaments whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining together also with the privilege of hunting, hawking, and fowling in and upon the same, and mines and minerals, saving and reserving nevertheless to us our heirs nad successors, all white pine trees, if any such shall be found growing thereon; and also saving and reserving to us, our heirs and successors, all mines of gold, silver, copper, lead, and coals.
[...]
1st October 1790
(Signed) Jon'n. Odell, Reg'r.
No.226. Registered the 15th day of October, in the year 1790.
Return to Early Land Grants in Madawaska
Return to the Upper St.John River Valley
communities page
Last revised 24 Feb 2002
© 2002 C. Gagnon