Isidore Petitpas (abt. 1703 - aft. 1730)

Born about 1703 in Passamaquody, Port Royal, Acadie, Nouvelle-France

Ancestors

Died after 1730 after about age 27 in France [uncertain]

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Biography

Isidore Petitpas was a Canadian First Peoples and member of the Mi'kmaq Nation.

Isidore was born about 1703. ^[1][2]

1720-1728: From Acadia to Massachusetts-New France-France-Martinique

"The youngest son [of Claude Petitpas], Isidore, had been born in 1703. At 17 years old, he got an unexpected offer [...]. The Massachusetts House of Representatives proposed to bring Isidore to Boston where he would be housed, fed and trained as a minister at Harvard.The New Englanders hope that a converted, educated Isidore, who already "spoke Mi'kmaq better than any interpreter might win over the Mi'kmaq nation and make them change religion". But after almost 3 years in Massachusetts, Isidore vanished ^[3] ...He landed in Quebec [New France] and in the fall of 1722, was shipped to Rochefort, France. In 1723 François de Beauharnois said about Isidore: "He is so enraged when drunk as to be capable of some dirty trick". Exasperated, Beauharnois sent Isidore to Martinique as a soldier..." ^[4]

Library and Archives Canada has a digitized 4-page document titled PETITPAS. Fils d'un habitant de l'Acadie. 1727, son transfert de Boston à Québec, puis à la Martinique.^[5]. This record is in French, and roughly translates as follows (please feel free to correct my translation!):

Mr. Vandraul a Begon, gave notice in 1722 that the named Petu pait, son of a Frenchman living in Acadia, who was attached to the English anon, was sent by his father during the last war to Boston, where the English were supporting him with the goal of seeing him become a minister to the Micmakil Nation, in order to get them to change their Religion.

Mr. Dos Ovide, Governor of Isle Royalle, found the means of withdrawing the young man from the English, and sent him to Quebec, to go to the Seminary there, but upon his arrival in Quebec, he said that he did not want to enter the Ecclesiastical life. Mr. Vandraul a Begon had prevented his return to Boston, so it was decided to send him to France by the "Flutte le Chameau" (quotations mine, not sure if this is a ship name?) in 1722. He was sent to S. Beauharnois, who was to take care of him under the order of the Marine Council.

M. de Beauharnois agreed with the Marine Council, in his despatch of January 5, 1723, that he would teach him (Isidore) Piletage, and that he (Isidore or M. de Beauharnois?) was to be paid 50 (presumably livres) per month for him, for his maintenance and food, plus any extraordinary expenses of his training.

F. on 26 August, 1723. It is noted that since 1723 until now he (M. de Beauharnois) has paid Petitpas 50" per month while he has been learning, following the order, but he is now 18 years old, but presently at sea where he is with (or one of) four pilots.

That since the last Campaign that he did (M. de Beauharnois or Isidore, not sure), . . .he has almost always been ill, and has only begun to feel better in the last two months.

It has been observed that (Isidore) attaches himself to nothing, (either "not even women" or "he can get lost in women and wine"), but when he is drunk, can become so furious that he is capable of doing a bad move.

He (either Isidore or M. de Beauharnois, not clear) suggests he be sent to Martinique, where four new Levee soldiers are needed, as he can survive in St. Domingo as one of them. If that is approved, he (again not sure of who "he" refers to), will take him to (or embark from) Portefaix.

A margin note on the second page of the document (following the Title page) notes that M. de Beauharnois's suggestion was approved (presumably in 1727, although we don't have dates attached to the last 3 entries).

1728, Isidore wants to return to Acadia:

"...Isidore, fils d'un habitant de l'Acadie qui demande à être renvoyé dans son pays plutôt que d'aller servir dans les Isles en qualité de soldat..." ^[6]

1730: In Rochefort, France:

"In a letter dated July 14, 1730 ^[7] it said that Isidore Petitpas just arrived at Rochefort. He was asking that work be found for him. Again, he requested to be allowed to return to his country. He worked as a pilote in France from 1723 to 1728 until he was sent to Martinique. While in Martinique Isidore was put in prison and ordered that he be released by Monseigneur (Maurepas). However, at Rochefort they were scared that he would do something bad and he was put back in prison awaiting a decision from Monseigneur in what to do with him. As mentioned in letter dated August 3, 1730 ^[8] it was decide by the Minister to allow him next year in 1731 to board the ships of the King or the commercial ships destined to Québec and Île Royale. It appear Maurepas may have had some regret or a change of heart about Isidore Petitpas. Maurepas was the person that ordered Isidore sent to the Islands to serve as a simple soldier on Beauharnois' recommendation. The letter (142-143) stated that Beauharnois wasn't happy with Isidore as a pilote (surnumerary pilote). It is not known if Isidore knew about his two brothers dying in the Rochefort Royal Hospital. Also, unknown is if he ever made it out of the prison in Rochefort alive. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ werelate Isidore Petitpas
2. ↑ collectionscanada/...Interprètes en Nouvelle Écosse et à l'Ile Royale... par Isabelle Ringuet Généalogie Famille Petitpas, page 143
3. ↑ Musée de l'Amérique Française Letter 17 Oct 1722, p. 136
4. ↑ books.google/The Acadian Diaspora: An Eighteen-Century History by Christopher Hodson pages 31-32
5. ↑ Library and Archives Canada; Hierarchical level: File; Date: n.d.; Reference: MG1-E, Microfilm reel number: F-802, F-802; Type of material: Textual material; Found in: Archives / Collections and Fonds; Item ID number: 3054390. Detail: Date(s): n.d.; Extent: 4 pages sur microfilm; Language of material: French; Scope and content: PETITPAS. Fils d'un habitant de l'Acadie. 1727, son transfert de Boston à Québec, puis à la Martinique.; Finding aid no.: MSS0162; Additional information: General Note: Ce dossier était auparavant classé dans la série C7 du Fonds de la Marine. (This file was previously filed in the C7 series of the Navy Fund.); Location of originals note: Centre des archives d'outre-mer (Overseas Archives Center) (France) vol. 335; Source: Private; Former archival reference no.: MG1-E. Image @ [1].
6. ↑ Bilbiothèque et Archives Canada/France Archives Maritimes, Port de Larochelle Request to return in Acadia 1728
7. ↑ France Archives Maritimes, Port de Rochefort Letter 14 July 1730, p. 142-143
8. ↑ France Archives Maritimes, Port de Rochefort Letter 3 Aug 1730, p. 145
9. ↑ Les Nommés Petitpas

See also:

• Généalogie des Landry à travers le monde Isidore Petitpas

• Author: Jody M. Larousse

Title: Larousse Web Site

Text: MyHeritage.com family tree

Family site: Larousse Web Site

Family tree: Larousse-Bonvillian