Acadian Historical Sites: Connecticut
Often Acadians planning a trip ask us what historical sites of Acadian significance are in various U. S. states and Canadian provinces. Previously, we have highlighted some of these when discussing plans for our Guédry et Petitpas Reunions. Over the next few issues we will select a U. S. state or Canadian province and identify sites of Acadian historical interest of which we are aware. We will also mention sites with a Guédry or Petitpas connection.
Houses and buildings present in an area during the period that the Acadians were in the area (generally 1755- 1770), but not connected directly to the Acadians will not be mentioned.
Before visiting an area, learn more about these Acadian historical sites from the internet, books and journals. This will enhance significantly your visit to the sites.
Although small in size, Connecticut received a significant number of deported Acadians. The three surviving historical sites of Acadian interest are unique in their outstanding preservation and their strong Acadian connection.
Acadian Historical Sites - Connecticut
Guilford, CT (New Haven County)
Acadian House (36 Union Street)
- Built in 1690
- Hébert family sheltered by town here after they were disembarked in late 1755
- Privately owned; Can be viewed from sidewalk
New London, CT (New London County)
Nathaniel Hempsted House (Also called Old Huguenot House)
- Jay Street at Hempstead Street (11 Hempstead Street)
- Built in 1759 by Acadians
- Museum owned by Connecticut Landmarks
- Open for tours by reservation for moderate fee
Shaw House
- 11 Blinman Street; Intersection of Bank and Tilley Streets
- Built 1756-1758 by 35 Acadians
- Headquarters of New London County Historical Society
- Open for tours Thursday afternoons or by appointment
Deportation of Acadians to Connecticut
Acadians Arrived in New London, Connecticut on:
Ship "Two Sisters" (140-ton)
Supposed to take Acadians to Connecticut, but it seems to have been replaced
- Arrived New London, CT
- May have gone to Rhode Island or sunk
- May have left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 8 Dec 1755
Acadians: Departed with 280, Arrived with 0
Unnamed sloop (Capt. Worster)
- Left Grand-Pré (Pointe des Boudro) - 30 Nov 1755
- Arrived New London, CT - 22 Jan 1756
- May have picked up stragglers from various areas of Acadia (Cape Sable, Beaubassin, Piziquid, Grand-Pré)
Acadians: Departed with 173, Arrived with 173 max*
Ship "Elizabeth" (166-ton; Capt. Ebenezer Rockwell)
- Replaced "Two Sisters"
- Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 8 Dec 1755 (280 Acadians)
- Arrived New London, CT - 21 Jan 1756
- 3 Acadians died during voyage
Acadians: Departed with 280, Arrived with 277
Sloop "Dove" (87-ton; Capt. Samuel Forbes)
- Left Grand-Pré (Pointe des Boudro) - 8 Dec 1755 (114 Acadians)
- Arrived New London, CT - 30 Jan 1756
Acadians: Departed with 114, Arrived with 114 max*
Snow "Edward" (139-ton; Capt. Ephram Cooke)
- Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 8 Dec 1755
- Blown off-course to Antiqua
- Arrived New London, CT - 22 May 1756
- Almost 100 Acadians died of malaria & on arriving in CT all Acadian personal items burned
Acadians: Departed with 278, Arrived with 180 max*
Total Acadians Departing Nova Scotia: 845
Total Acadians Arriving in Connecticut: 744
Planned Distribution of Acadians in Connecticut
* New London, CT - Point of disembarkation in CT from the deportation ships (1756)
Distribution of Acadians to Connecticut Towns
| County | Town | Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield County | Danbury | 6 |
| Fairfield | 17 | |
| Greenwich | 6 | |
| Newton | 4 | |
| Norwalk | 12 | |
| Stanford | 9 | |
| Stratford | 14 | |
| Hartford County | Enfield | 3 |
| Farmington | 14 | |
| Glassenbury | 4 | |
| Hartford | 13 | |
| Suffield | 5 | |
| Symsbury | 6 | |
| Weathersfield | 9 | |
| Windsor | 13 | |
| Litchfield County | Woodbury | 9 |
| Middlesex County | Durham | 4 |
| East Haddam | 6 | |
| Haddam | 3 | |
| Killingsworth | 8 | |
| Middleton | 16 | |
| Saybrook | 7 | |
| New Haven County | Branford | 8 |
| Derby | 4 | |
| Guilford | 11 | |
| Milford | 9 | |
| New Haven | 19 | |
| Wallingford | 12 | |
| Waterbury | 6 | |
| New London County | Colchester | 7 |
| Groton | 8 | |
| Lebanon | 12 | |
| Lyme | 8 | |
| New London | 12 | |
| Norwich | 19 | |
| Preston | 6 | |
| Stonington | 11 | |
| Volunton | 3 | |
| Tolland County | Bolton | 3 |
| Coventry | 5 | |
| Hebron | 5 | |
| Mansfield | 5 | |
| Tolland | 3 | |
| Windham County | Ashford | 3 |
| Canterbury | 5 | |
| Killingly | 8 | |
| Plainfield | 4 | |
| Pomfret | 6 | |
| Windham | 8 | |
| Woodstock | 6 |