“ CHAPTER IV
AUGUSTIN ESCAPES, SETTLES IN ST. MARY’S BAY

Augustin Gedree was born in 1740, in either Pisiquit or Île Royale. He married Marie Francoise Jeanson around 1767, the year his father died. Augustin was the son of Pierre Guedry dit LaBine and Marguerite Brasseau and the grandson of Claude Guedry dit Grivois and Marguerite Petitpas. He is the ancestor of all the Guedry, Geddry, Guidrey, Guiddry, Jeddry and Jedrey families in Clare, Nova Scotia and New England.

Augustin is my great, great, great, grandfather. Somehow that seems a very close relationship for two people born almost two full centuries apart. The reason can be found by reviewing the Genealogy. Augustin and I are so close because I am the result of a string of births that happened when the age of the male members of the family averaged thirty-nine years.

Augustin Escapes

Augustin was captured by the English but was never deported. He was not deported because he escaped. He never left Acadia. This is his story.

In 1754, Augustin’s father Pierre dit LaBine was in Merligueche, probably with his family. Pierre is recorded as having surrendered to the English “at the time of the exile”, probably in 1755, on Île St-Jean (Prince Edward Island). Perhaps Augustin, then 14 or 15 years old was “taken” while Pierre was in Merligueche. Perhaps he was captured or detained at the time of his father’s surrender on Île St-Jean. In any case he was put on board a ship ready to sail for the English colonies. Somehow Augustin escaped from the ship before it sailed. Legend has it that he swam ashore and made a run for it, eventually making his way to La Heve in the region of Cape Sable, near his Grandfather’s old stomping grounds.

It is quite possible, but not verified, that the name of the ship he escaped from was the Pembroke. The Pembroke is recorded as the only ship that had experienced a mass escape of Acadian prisoners in 1755. It was docked at Goat Island off the shore of Port Royal when the escape took place.

Why Augustin would have been transported to Port Royal from Merligueche or Ile St Jean is unknown. A possible reason is “lack of transport”, not enough ships, to do the deed. English records are replete with complaints about “lack of transport”. If Augustin had been captured while Pierre was in Merligueche, and then was brought to Port Royal because transport was available there, that would explain why, when he escaped, he made his way back to Le Heve in the Merligueche area. He would have thought his father was still there.

We know that Augustin lived among the Micmac Indians for at least eight years. He remained a free man, one of the few Acadians who managed to do so. Of course he lived in constant fear of capture, but being the product of at least two generations of Coureurs de Bois, would have been quite comfortable living that way.

Augustin Settles in St. Mary’s Bay

In 1763, when the Acadians were again free to come back to their homeland (many did not), Augustin emerged from the woods and settled quietly on the west coast of Nova Scotia on land at Gilbert’s Cove near Hobb’s Hill and west of St. Croix Chapel. We believe it was there that he met and married Marie Jeanson and where at least three of their children, Hermat-Pierre, Joseph Felix and Augustin Jr. were born. In 1900, that land was owned by M. Charles Mande Melancon.

The couple initially entered into a civil marriage before witnesses in 1767. Their marriage was “rehabilitated” in a Church ceremony by a missionary from Windsor (now Truro) on May 8, 1769. One source reports that when English Colonists moved in beside him in 1787, he moved down the coast of St. Mary’s Bay, obtained a Grant of Land and became the pioneer settler of Cheticamp. This was certainly understandable given what he and his family had experienced under the English.

Bona Arsenault believed and had written in his books that Augustin settled in Cheticamp, Cape Breton. I wrote him and explained that there were two Cheticamps, the second in the St. Mary’s Bay area of Nova Scotia. At first he rejected the idea. Then one morning at seven A. M., while I was still asleep, the phone rang. The operator said, “Please hold for a call from the Office of the Vice-Premier of Canada”. That woke me up. Bona Arsenault, who was then a Member of Parliament, and for some reason was calling from that office, came on the line and apologized for not taking my Cheticamp, St. Mary’s Bay claim seriously at first, but, being the good Genealogist he was, he had looked into it and had now concluded I was correct. He told me I “would get full credit” in his future writings on the subject. I never checked. Bona and I had several other conversations over the next few months. I believe it was he who directed me to Father Partrice Gallant at the University of Moncton, New Brunswick.

The remainder of Augustine’s children were born in Cheticamp, St. Mary’s Bay, now known as St. Alphonse. During my visit to Meteghan in 1965, I was brought to a house, in St. Alphonse, that, I was told had been built by Augustin’s son Philippe. The story was that old Augustin might have lived out his final days there and this his son Evariste, my great grandfather was born there. In 1965, the house was owned by the Deveau family. There is a photograph of the house, substantially modified since the original of course, in the Picture Gallery.

A list of Augustin’s children is shown in Table 4. There is a gap of 10 years between Anne and Philippe. It is possible there were other children, but if there were, I have found no record of them.

Table 4
Children of Augustin Gedree and Marie Jeanson

Name Year of Birth

Hermat-Pierre 1767
Joseph Felix 1770
Augustin 1771
Anne 1773
Philippe 1783
Romain 1784
Frederic 1790
Jean 1790

Augustin, his son Augustin, Hermat-Pierre and Philippe appear on the Annapolis County Poll Tax record of 1792. At that time their name was spelled Gedree. The Pierre listed in the record is Hermat-Pierre.

The next we hear of Augustin’s children is in a census taken over the years 1818 to 1822 by Father Ligogne. In that census and subsequent censuses taken by the same Priest, we find the Gedrees, Philippe, some of his brothers, some of his children and Philippe’s mother, Marie Jeanson, still living in the St. Mary’s Bay area. Some lived in Meteghan, another in Plympton.

The 1818-1822 census indicates that Augustin was “deceased”. We interpret this confusing statement to mean Augustin died sometime between 1818 and 1822 while married to Marie-Jeanson.

Other entries indicate that Marie was living with her son Jean and his wife Rosalie Clothilde Robichau from 1822 to 1827 at least. Marie Jeanson was no longer living with her son according to the Ligogne census of 1840-1843, meaning she had probably passed away by then.

At least one Genealogist has suggested that Augustin had a second wife. I have found no evidence of it and there appears to be no knowledge of it within the family. The census of Father Ligogne seems to contradict it as well.

Four of Augustin’s Children Establish Families

Records indicate that two of Augustin’s children established families that remain today in the St. Mary’s Bay area and parts of New England, primarily Massachusetts. They are Hermat-Pierre and Philippe. I was told that Frederic and Jean also established families in the Nova Scotia/Cape Breton area but their trails has been harder to follow. I have included as much information as I was able to find about them in the narrative.

Of these four, the most extensive families, or at least the ones we know the most about, are those begun by Philippe and Hermat-Pierre. Hermat-Pierre’s name has been carried down through family records simply as Pierre. “5412

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“ Frederic and Jean

I have developed only limited information about Frederic and Jean. The information I have on both of them ends at the fifth generation. Perhaps some of the Guedrys, Geddrys, Guidreys, Jedreys and Jeddrys that I am aware are out there, but cannot find where they fit, belong to their families.

Frederic was born around 1790 and married Marguerite Devault about 1810. They had only one child I have been able to discover, Marie Genevieve, born December 18, 1811. Frederic was living in the “22nd House in Plympton”, not far from Gilbert’s Cove, in 1843. No additional children beyond Marie Genevieve were listed in the census of 1840-1843.

Jean was also born about 1790. There is a possibility, based on the approximate dates of birth that Frederic and Jean might have been twins, but, as uncertain as these dates are, it is only a possibility. Jean married Rosalie Clothilde Robicheau around 1824. Together they had four children shown in Table 7.

Table 7
The Children of Jean Guedry And Rosalie Clothilde Robicheau

Name Year of Birth
Valentin 1825
Augustin Hilaire 1827
Marguerite Charlotte 1829
Jean Mande 1835 “13789

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“ The twenty-fifth of August 1799 I the undersigned priest have administered the ceremonies of baptism to Jean age about seven years, born of the legitimate marriage between Augustin GIDDERY and Marie JANSON (JOHNSON) of this parish, he having been previously baptised by a lay person for lack of a priest. The godfather was Pierre GIDDERY, brother of the child and the godmother was Anne BELLIVEAU, wife of the said Pierre GIDDERY also of this parish, who have declared they do not know how to sign. /s/ Sigogne, priest. “7152,5429

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“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of St. Mary’s Bay and St. Mandé etc. 1818-1823

. . . .

. 211
Augustin Guiddery ) c obiit
Marie Janson ) c (745)
Jean 28 ans ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c “5383,5384

Note: Augustin Guiddery, Marie Janson, Jean Guiddery and Rosalie Clotilde Robichau were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’). Also, Augustin Guiddery is deceased at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘obiit’ indicates ‘deceased’).

    ___________________

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of St. Mary’s Bay and St. Mandé etc. 1823-1829

. . . .

. 233
Jean Guiddery ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c
Ve Aug. Guiddery +{Marie Janson} c obiit 1561
Valentin 13 Février 1825
Augustin Hilaire 8 Avril 1827 “5390,5391

Note: Jean Guiddery, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau and Ve Augustin Guiddery (Marie Janson) were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’). Also, Ve Augustin Guiddery (Marie Janson) was deceased at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘obiit’ indicates ‘deceased’).

    ___________________

“ 1827 Clare Township

. . . .

JEDERIE, Jean - 3 Males in household, 1 Females in household, 0 Male servants, 0 Female servants, 4 Total people in household, Occupation Agriculture, Religion Roman Catholic, 0 Births in the family in year ending 1 October 1827, 0 Female marriages in the family in year ending 1 October 1827, 0 Deaths in the family in the year ending 1 October 1827, County Digby, Location Clare Township “7155

    ___________________

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of Baie Ste. Marie and St. Mandé etc. par order alphabétique 1840-1844

. . . .

. 268
Guiddery (Jean ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c
Valentin 13 Févr. 1825 c
Aug. Hilaire 8 Avril 1827 c
Marg. Charlotte 5 Août 1829
Jean Mandé 15 9bre 1835 1639 “13787,13797

Note: Jean Guiddery, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau, Valentin Guiddery and Augustin Hilaire Guiddery were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’).

None

Jean Gedree
Jean Giddery
Jean Guédry
Jean Guedry
Jean Guiddery
Jean Jederie

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of St. Mary’s Bay and St. Mandé etc. 1818-1823

. . . .

. 176
Charles J. B. Robichau ) c
Marguer. Saulnier ) c obiit
Jean Celestin 15 Xbre 1794 c (610)
Marie Jos. 16 Mars 1796 c mariée
Rosalie Clotilde 14 Mai 1798 c mariée
Angelique 22 Août 1799 c
Etienne 5 Mars 1803 c marié
Marie 9 Février 1805 c
Anne 3 7bre 1806 c “13794,13795

Note: Charles J. B. Robichau, Marugerite Saulnier, Jean Celestin Robichau, Marie Josephe Robichau, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau, Angelique Robichau, Etienne Robichau, Marie Robichau and Anne Robichau were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’). Also, Marguerite Saulnier is deceased at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘obiit’ indicates ‘deceased’). Finally, Marie Joseph Robichau, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau and Etienne Robichau are married at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘marié’ or ‘mariée’ indicates ‘married’.)

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“ The eighth of June 1800 I the undersigned priest have supplied the ceremonies of baptism to Rosalie Clotilde, born the 14th of March 1798 of the legitimate marriage between Jean Baptiste ROBICHEAU and Marguerite SAULNIER of this parish, she having been previously baptised by Louis MAILLET, for lack of a priest; thus has it been assured to me by the father and the mother of the child, present at the ceremony. The godfather was jean Baptiste SAULNIER, son of Jean SAULNIER, and the godmother Marie PRITCHARD, also of this parish, they having declared they do not know how to sign. /s/ Sigogne, priest. “13798,13793

    ___________________

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of St. Mary’s Bay and St. Mandé etc. 1818-1823

. . . .

. 211
Augustin Guiddery ) c obiit
Marie Janson ) c (745)
Jean 28 ans ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c “5383,5384

Note: Augustin Guiddery, Marie Janson, Jean Guiddery and Rosalie Clotilde Robichau were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’). Also, Augustin Guiddery is deceased at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘obiit’ indicates ‘deceased’).

    ___________________

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of St. Mary’s Bay and St. Mandé etc. 1823-1829

. . . .

. 233
Jean Guiddery ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c
Ve Aug. Guiddery +{Marie Janson} c obiit 1561
Valentin 13 Février 1825
Augustin Hilaire 8 Avril 1827 “5390,5391

Note: Jean Guiddery, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau and Ve Augustin Guiddery (Marie Janson) were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’). Also, Ve Augustin Guiddery (Marie Janson) was deceased at the time that this catalogue was compiled (the ‘obiit’ indicates ‘deceased’).

    ___________________

“ 1827 Clare Township

. . . .

JEDERIE, Jean - 3 Males in household, 1 Females in household, 0 Male servants, 0 Female servants, 4 Total people in household, Occupation Agriculture, Religion Roman Catholic, 0 Births in the family in year ending 1 October 1827, 0 Female marriages in the family in year ending 1 October 1827, 0 Deaths in the family in the year ending 1 October 1827, County Digby, Location Clare Township “7155

    ___________________

“ Catalogue of the Families of the Parishes of Baie Ste. Marie and St. Mandé etc. par order alphabétique 1840-1844

. . . .

. 268
Guiddery (Jean ) c
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau ) c
Valentin 13 Févr. 1825 c
Aug. Hilaire 8 Avril 1827 c
Marg. Charlotte 5 Août 1829
Jean Mandé 15 9bre 1835 1639 “13787,13797

Note: Jean Guiddery, Rosalie Clotilde Robichau, Valentin Guiddery and Augustin Hilaire Guiddery were confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church (the ‘c’ beside their names indicates ‘confirmed’).

None

Rosalie Clothilde Robicheau
Rosalie Clotilde Robicheau
Rosalie Clothilde Robichau
Rosalie Clotilde Robichau