It was bad timing for them. The American War of Independence was in full swing. The waters were filled with American ships who saw everything that was English as the enemy. That included the Jersey-owned fishing boats. The Acadian fishermen had to keep moving to find safety. They went from Richmond County to Prince Edward Island. Then, they went to Tracadie in New Brunswick and then to Restigouche on the Gaspé Peninsula. At each place they went, they met other Acadians. Many of these were families who had escaped to the forests when the expulsion started.

Finally, in 1785, a number of families moved from these places to Chéticamp, where they had been selling their fish to Charles Robin’s company. Five years later, 14 families received a grant of land from the governor to build their community. At last, they had received some fairness. At last, they could feel they were at home. What an experience it had been.

MAP OF ACADIA, 1744 Source: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/arch/