Chapter
2
Sun Rises In Our Parish
(1783 - Arrival of the Loyalists)
(Turn back the pages of history)
| At the time of the Revolution in the United States, a certain number of Loyalist families, wanting to remain English rather U.S.A. and subject to Republican Government, preferred to remain true British subjects. They, along with their families of sons and daughters, immigrated to Canada. Many of them had small means owing to the effects of the American and English. Their money was practically all gone and homes and lands confiscated. So as refugees and immigrants, the Imperial Government granted them settlements free. 300 acres of land, 3 years of provisions and ammunition to protect themselves against any attacks by Indians of which the country was every where occupied at that time, and also to protect her loyal subjects against any invasion from Americans. |  |
Many of those immigrants came to New Carlisle, New Richmond and Gaspé Basin, also to our village of Douglastown, which is largely inhabited by direct descendants of that hardy pioneer William Kennedy, who was the only Loyalist to remain in Douglastown, which until his arrival was inhabited by the Red Man.
In 1783, there were only 8 families. William Kennedy, who on a voyage to Québec, induced other families to come to Douglastown. Very soon, he was rewarded for his effort by the arrival of the good old family of Morris's. Capt. Thomas Morris, a man of sterling quality - a worthy sea man, an Irish man by birth, thrifty, honest, ambitious and possessing many other good qualities - piety the most, characteristic all these having descended to his descendants. Also another family worthy of mention, the Thompsons, who after sometime took up their abode in Haldimand. His descendants are all settled there and remarkable for good citizenship. So in 1783, Kennedy and his family, Morris and his family and Thompson and his family made 8 total.
In 1790, the first missionary, Father Bourgi, residing in Bonaventure, came to our mission. Some children of two years old were baptised and given names.
Chapter
2
(1775 - 1800) (1800 - 1846)
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In the
year 1800, there were only eight families in Douglastown, namely: |
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| William Kennedy | Mary Butler | ||
| Thomas Briand | Cecilia Guon | ||
| Nicholas Samson | Josephine Coda | ||
| James Le Rhea | Catherine Samson | ||
| Maurice Hurley | Elizabeth Element | ||
| Thomas Walsh | Mary Kennedy | ||
| Isaac Kennedy | Margaret Kennedy | ||
| Thomas Kennedy | Margaret O'Connor | ||
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As there was no road in those pioneer days, the journey had to be made from Percé to Douglastown in the summer months. The Blessed Sacrament and good Priest conveyed in a sailboat or small flat. Motive power propelled by sail or oars, sail operated by wind, oars operated by main power (rowed). No engines or steam in those days. Many time the journey from Percé to Douglastown could only be made to and return in a week owing to weather conditions. |
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On one of the priest's missions, he consulted with the people a very small number and it was decided to build a chapel. Site selected on the bar (as it was the only land or spot not taken). The people furnished all building materials and laboured with will in the happy thought of having a chapel. The building was of course made, 20 feet long by 16 feet wide and was proportioned in height. It was large enough to accommodate the small number of inhabitants at that time. It was dedicated to the 12 apostles. The people rejoiced that a small chapel was built for the Glory of God and to know that the Blessed Sacrament would have hence-forth remain in their midst.
In 1811, Bishop Plessis came on his first pastoral visit. He was the first bishop that ever walked on Douglastown soil. There were fifteen houses at the time, spread over a large space of land separated one from the other by fields and fences. The inhabitants assembled with great pleasure to welcome the bishop in the small settlement. They went to church, or rather to the small chapel to receive blessing at his first mass in their midst. Towards evening they all returned to hear his sermon. Preaching was made in both languages. They went to confession receiving Holy Communion next morning and eight children and eleven adults were confirmed. Then of them received Holy Communion; the following August 9th, 1811, when the bishop was about to take leave of the parish, the Catholic Irishmen (the most remarkable among them were Thomas and Isaac Kennedy) expressed to the bishop their thankfulness and their great desire to see him come back again. The Bishop was accompanined by Father Painchaud, who in return expressed to the congregation how pleased he was to hear them happy having blessed them, their chapel and cemetery.
In 1815, Father Demers was the missionary priest here. That year, a large frigate, the Penelope, was wrecked somewhere on the Gaspé coast; the bell of the ship having been found on the shore at Petite Vallée (Little Valley) was sent to Father Demers for his Douglastown chapel.
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In 1819, the population was improved and had increased to 26 families. Bishop Plessis came on his second visit and received Abjuration of Daniel Scott, married in 1815 to Elizabeth Le Rhea, he blessed the union. His Lordship decided that the people should build a larger chapel. In 1822, Father Aubry, who was missionary in Percé for a ll along the Gaspé coast, wrote to the Douglastown people that it was time for them to follow the advice given by the bishop, in building a larger chapel. The good people with a courage and zeal that descended down to their children and grandchildren, to all generations, went to work immediately and in the early spring was started the second chapel - 40 feet by 30 feet on the spot where the church now stands. The chapel was finished complete outside and in 1823, the first pews were sold for life, realized a sum of $ 210.00. From 1800 to 1819, many other families had moved to and taken lands throughout different sections of the village. It would take too much space here to name all the good and law-abiding citizens who came to settle and improve the county. The descendants of these good people are still here and follow up the good examples of their forebears. |
Among the earliest settlements who joined the first pioneers to be particularily made mention of are the Gaul's and Rooney's. Andrew Rooney of whom I know little, only to say he came from Percé from the island of Bonaventure and I think I am safe in recording him also as a direct descendant of U.E.L., United Empire Loyalists. Came to Douglastown, courted and married Anastasia Kennedy, daughter of William Kennedy, hence the descendants of the Rooney's in Douglastown. Now I shall mention the forefather of the Gaul's, Luke Gaul, an able sea-worthy sailor and Steavedore, who came from the Ancient Colony, Newfoundland, an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At one trip to the City of Québec, Gaul and Kennedy met, because intimately acquainted. How the friendship started is as follows. William Kennedy was employed here as an agent and a manager for a whole sale firm in Québec. The firm of Davis and Stevens Ltd., who used to employ French and Jersey to come down to Gaspé coast as fishermen during the summer season. Many boats were fitted out and many men were employed. Following the fishing trade, cod, herring, lobsters, mackerel, etc. also salmon and trout, and after the fishing season, the men would return to their different homes. The Agents would usually sail in the same schooners or other sailing crafts to Québec and render all receipts* giving in returns and expenses of the season's catch of fish, paying and receiving money which was in them days all in coin, no paper money. |
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Well, to continue, Mr. Kennedy went as usual to order winter supplies for his household as they had to pat up a good stock to carry over a long season as navigation was very late in the spring and closed very early in autumn, and no rail roads or steamers in them days. Mr. Kennedy also ordered and kept supplies to furnish the needs of the small community in case of shortage but in most cases on his trips in spring and fall he was commissioned by each family to buy supplies for them. Mr. Kennedy's travelling expenses were paid by the company and a small percentage was charged on shipment of freight. So on one of his voyages to Québec, he met and became friends with Mr. Gaul, who was a steavador on a schooner (Mary Ann) coming to Douglastown with a cargo of supplies. Of course, Mr. Gaul became the guest of Mr. Kennedy and neither of the worthy gentlemen believed in "A Long Time Between Drinks". "White Eye" then had made its debut. Brandies, whiskies, gins, wines and good liquors of every description was free and easy and certainly freely used; 25¢ per gt., $ 1.00 per gallon, all kinds, oh! For the good old days.
Well Gaul and Kennedy became very dear friends. Mr. Kennedy had adopted a niece, a very handsome young girl, daughter of John Kennedy who remained in Seven Islands in Labrador, but never came to live in Douglastown, bringing his daughter Mary who he left in charge of her uncle and who grew to be a very charming young damsel. At the age of 14 years, she was married to Luke Gaul who was 17 years her senior. And as a marriage portion, her uncle settled so many acres of land which became and is today in possession of the descendants of the Gaul's, Luke and Mary; the marriage also united the two families (Kennedy's and Gaul's) in a marriage relationship.
In 1836, Bishop Turgeon visits Douglastown after passing Mont Louis, Fox River, Cap DeRosier, leaving Québec on the 15th of June in a schooner. "The Star" wrote, "There are about 50 families in Douglastown. A moral parish of view. This mission is one of the best in the District of Gaspé. The population is polite, intelligent and pious."
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