In 1755, on the eve of the French and Indian War, French speaking settlers were forcibly removed from Nova Scotia and transported to Massachusetts and other British colonies.
“For disposition of such of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia as may be sent hither and that they may dispose of them in such as manner as may be least inconvenient to this government.”
- Charge to a legislative committee, 1755
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British ships arriving in Boston Harbor. - Boston Public Library
Boston Harbor, November 1755
The sudden appearance of transports in Boston Harbor was alarming. Unhealthy living conditions were obvious. A legislative committee report described passengers as “sickly occasioned by being too much exposed lying on deck” or “sickly and their water being very bad. They want an allowance of rum.” There was anger over the lack of reimbursement from the British government and concern about starvation that winter. A decision was made to distribute them among the towns.
French Neutrals
Since 1713 most of Nova Scotia had been under British control. Earlier, it had been French territory. “Acadians” in the area refused to take an oath of allegiance to the British crown. Labeled “French Neutrals” they were seen as a threat in the event of war. In 1755 Massachusetts General John Winslow led an expedition to forcibly seize their property and deport residents to Britain’s American colonies. An estimated 6-7,000 were deported, over 1,000 settled in Massachusetts.
John Winslow reads the Acadian expulsion notice, 1755.
- Wikimedia Commons
General John Winslow.
- Joseph Blackburn
Petition to the King, 1751
The Massachusetts government requests the complete removal of Acadians from Nova Scotia, fearing that they might support France in a future war.
The Massachusetts government requests the complete removal of Acadians from Nova Scotia, fearing that they might support France in a future war.
- Massachusetts Archives
Summary of conditions on ships in Boston Harbor, 1755.
Some carry Acadians bound for southern ports. “The vessels in general are much too crowded… their Allowance of Provisions short…and too small a quantity… to carry them to the Ports they are bound to especially at this season of the year.”
Some carry Acadians bound for southern ports. “The vessels in general are much too crowded… their Allowance of Provisions short…and too small a quantity… to carry them to the Ports they are bound to especially at this season of the year.”
- Massachusetts Archives
Then and Now
The Acadian exiles were not “migrants” but their plight suggests parallels with twenty-first century migration issues. Some children were separated from parents. Housing was a challenge. Officials advocated putting them to work as a strategy to control costs. Colonists protested the excessive burden being placed on local governments