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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Le Grand Dérangement: Exiles in Massachusetts


In November 1755, the first ships packed with Acadians arrived in Boston Harbor.


Letter from Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia, August 11, 1755, to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, detailing the danger posed by the Acadians and the necessity of interning them in the receiving colony. Courtesy of the Massachusetts Archives.
Letter from Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia, August 11, 1755.
Addressed to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, it is similar to those sent to the governors of the American colonies to which the Acadians were deported, detailing the danger they posed to the security of Nova Scotia and the necessity of interning them in the receiving colony.  
Massachusetts Archives

Although the vessels were bound elsewhere, poor conditions on board prompted investigation by a joint committee of the Massachusetts General Court. A number of passengers were allowed to disembark. They were soon followed by nearly 2000 others for whom Massachusetts would be their final destination.

Having arrived destitute, the Acadians’ appearance prompted action by the provincial legislature to provide for their support. As they were dispersed among various towns, the overseers of the poor and select men were directed to provide for them at the province’s expense. Further legislation was passed when it became apparent that the Acadians’ stay would be extended. Legislators attempted to secure assurances of reimbursement from the government of Nova Scotia, but to little avail.

Being both French and Roman Catholic, the Acadians were not especially welcome in their new setting. Many townspeople feared they would escape or seek retribution under cover of darkness. Others simply balked at the expense of their support. There were some, though, who took pity on them and assisted them during their sojourn. 

Following the deportation order, Acadian men were confined to prevent their escape. This detailed list enumerates each man’s family size and livestock holdings as well as listing his home village. Courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
General Court Committee Report, 1755
The intent of this report was to reveal conditions on board the first series of transports laden with Acadians and bound for Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
- Massachusetts Archives
Bostonians were wary of their Acadian prisoners. The author of this letter feared their escape in stolen ships under cover of darkness or worse, their destruction of the town or powder house, “heated with Passion and Popish Zeal.” Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.
Boston Gazette, 1756
Bostonians were wary of their Acadian prisoners. The author of this letter feared their escape in stolen ships under cover of darkness or worse, their destruction of the town or powder house, “heated with Passion and Popish Zeal.”
- Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library
Bostonians were wary of their Acadian prisoners. The author of this letter feared their escape in stolen ships under cover of darkness or worse, their destruction of the town or powder house, “heated with Passion and Popish Zeal.” Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.
Boston Gazette, 1756
Bostonians were wary of their Acadian prisoners. The author of this letter feared their escape in stolen ships under cover of darkness or worse, their destruction of the town or powder house, “heated with Passion and Popish Zeal.”
- Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library
The law required towns to provide Acadian exiles with houses and working tools and with general care in cases of necessity, to be reimbursed by the province. It also instructed the towns to provide them employment and authorized their indenture. Massachusetts Archives.
Massachusetts General Court Acts 1755- 1756, Chapter 35 The law required towns to provide Acadian exiles with houses and working tools and with general care in cases of necessity, to be reimbursed by the province. It also instructed the towns to provide them employment and authorized their indenture.
- Massachusetts Archives
As a member of Council and later Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson acted as a friend to the exiled Acadians, making attempts to keep families together that were threatened with separation and writing petitions for several illiterate Acadians wishing to address the General Court. Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission
Thomas Hutchinson (1711-1780), portrait by Walter Gilman Page, 1900 As a member of Council and later Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson act ed as a friend to the exiled Acadians, making attempts to keep families together that were threatened with separation and writing petitions for several illiterate Acadians wishing to address the General Court.
- Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission
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