As was the case with many Massachusetts towns, Marshfi eld began to receive Acadians in the fall of 1755.
Unlike the Meuse family, which willingly entered into an indenture, Joseph Michel’s eldest sons were forcibly indentured by two of the select men of Marshfield. Unhappy with this turn of events, Michel sought intervention from the General Court, arguing that since the boys had found their own employment the contract should be considered null and void.
Massachusetts Archives
As the influx of Acadians into the province grew, the legislature was forced to find places to accommodate the new visitors. Among those arriving in Marshfield was the Michel family, consisting of seven members. A later arrival, the Meuse family, although unassigned to the town by the legislature, was permitted to reside in the town in order to provide for its own support.
The Michel Family
Originally farmers from the area of Annapolis Royal, the Michels claimed to have been friends of the English in Nova Scotia, having provided wood and provisions to the nearby garrison. They arrived in Marshfi eld in the fall of 1755. Placed in a local schoolhouse, likely because of a lack of available housing, they were provided for by the select men of the town.
Only several months after their arrival in the town, the Michels received a visit from the select men, advising them that their two eldest sons had been indentured-- Francis, 23, to local farmer Anthony Winslow and Paul, 15, to mariner Nathaniel Clift. Both the family and neighbor Caleb Tilden voiced their disapproval of the indenture, but to no avail. In response, the boys’ father, Joseph Michel, petitioned the General Court.
With the exception of the two eldest sons, who were relocated to Plymouth in 1760, the majority of the family remained in Marshfi eld, Joseph Michel dying there in 1763. Th e rest of the family continued on and it is likely that they integrated themselves into town life.
In response to the petition of Joseph Michel, a joint committee was appointed to invest igate. Its advice, approved by the legislature, declared that forced indenture was contrary to legislative intent in cases where Acadians were willing to work and were not agreeable to indenture.
Massachusetts Archives
The Meuse Family
Hailing from Cape Sable, the Meuse family arrived in Massachusetts sometime between the summer and fall of 1756. Residing in Plymouth, the Meuses provided for their own support, yet when this became diffi cult they petitioned the General Court, complaining that they were not being provided for by the town as were other Acadians.
The response of the General Court was to assign them to the town of Wareham, but while waiting for its answer the Meuses contract ed with Nathaniel Ray Th omas of Marshfield in order to provide for their support. Permission was given for them to remain in Marshfi eld.
A wealthy inhabitant of Marshfield, Thomas entered into a contract with Acadians Charles Meuse, his son-in-law Paul Clement, and their families.
- Courtesy of the Marshfield Historical Commission
The Meuse Family
Hailing from Cape Sable, the Meuse family arrived in Massachusetts sometime between the summer and fall of 1756. Residing in Plymouth, the Meuses provided for their own support, yet when this became difficult they petitioned the General Court, complaining that they were not being provided for by the town as were other Acadians.
The response of the General Court was to assign them to the town of Wareham, but while waiting for its answer the Meuses contract ed with Nathaniel Ray Thomas of Marshfield in order to provide for their support. Permission was given for them to remain in Marshfield.
Complaining of mist reatment by Th omas, the family’s indenture was cancelled and the entire family was moved to Easton. Unable to support themselves, several of the sons left the town to seek employment while Charles Meuse, father of the family, complained again of a lack of support by town offi cials. Unhappy with Massachusetts life, the Meuses request ed permission to go to France and, later, Quebec. It is assumed that they eventually left the province.
Written in French, this document served as the Meuse family’s contract with Nathaniel Ray Thomas. In exchange for laboring on his farm, Thomas agreed to provide them with housing, food, and clothing.
Massachusetts Archives
![Claiming that Nathaniel Ray Thomas had not fulfilled his end of the contract and complaining that “the women [of the family] are almost naked as also some of the men,” Charles Meuse and Paul Clement petitioned the General Court seeking their assistance in the matter. Massachusetts Archive.](img/26.jpg "Petition of Charles Meuse and Paul Clement, January 12, 1758")
Claiming that Nathaniel Ray Th omas had not fulfi lled his end of the contract and complaining that “the women [of the family] are almost naked as also some of the men,” Charles Meuse and Paul Clement petitioned the General Court seeking their assist ance in the matter.
- Massachusetts Archives
This early nineteenth-century lithograph of the farm of Nathaniel Ray Th omas depicts how the farm may have appeared when Charles Meuse and family performed their indenture. The family of Joseph Michel was also cared for by Thomas for a brief time, although not under such terms.
- Courtesy of the Marshfield Historical Commission
- Courtesy of the Marshfield Town Clerk’s Office
- Courtesy of the Marshfield Town Clerk’s Office
- Courtesy of the Marshfield Town Clerk’s Office