When Hilarion Thériault, aged 71, sensed his end approaching, he prepared a will, a rare practice among Acadians in the 19th century. The Acadian community faced challenges in passing down property due to the aftermath of the Acadian deportation, which resulted in the loss of land and homes. Moreover, Roman Catholics in the region were not permitted to own property until the 1780s, leading to struggles in obtaining land titles.
Thériault, described in his will as “unwilling to die unprepared,” prioritized settling his debts, seeking reparations for any grievances, and ensuring peace for his family. Colby Gaudet, a post-doctoral fellow at Dalhousie University, delved into Thériault’s will and 23 others from Clare, N.S., to explore how families managed legal and religious customs related to death and mourning.
Gaudet highlighted the dual nature of Acadians’ actions, blending resistance with compliance by adhering to existing Anglophone property norms while asserting their Roman Catholic identity. Maurice Basque, a historian at l’Institut d’études acadiennes at the Université de Moncton, emphasized that these wills were crafted amid severe societal discrimination against Acadians.
The wills, predominantly left by community leaders like Thériault, reflected a strong Catholic influence given the significant role of the church and Catholicism in their lives. These details, such as invoking the Virgin Mary and saints, distinguished them from Protestant wills of the era.
Gaudet’s research uncovered insights into the relationships between Black individuals and Acadians. For instance, Amable Doucet’s will included a provision passing a Black slave named Jerome to his wife. Another will mentioned Étienne Thibodeau selecting Black man Anselm Hatfield as a witness, shedding light on the intertwined lives within the community.
Gaudet’s investigation into these historical wills provides valuable perspectives on how Acadians navigated legal, religious, and social challenges during a tumultuous period in their history.