Acadian Historical Sites: Massachusetts

Boston Commons

Charter Street at Beacon Street

• Acadians housed here temporarily when they first disembarked at Boston in late 1755

Old State House

Corner of State Street and Washington Street

• Built in 1713
• West end of 2nd floor was home to the Courts of Suffolk County and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• This is where Jean-Baptiste Guédry and his son Jean-Baptiste Guédry fils were tried for piracy on 4 October 1726 and condemned to death by hanging

Old Prison Site

Court Street at Court Square; on site of granite Courthouse

• Site of the Old Prison of Suffolk County from late 1600's until 1767
• This is where Jean-Baptiste Guédry and his son Jean-Baptiste Guédry fils were held in September, October and November 1726 while awaiting trial for piracy and awaiting hanging on 13 November 1726

Old Charleston Bridge near North End Park

Site of many hangings of pirates during 1600's and early 1700's

• Pirates hung near old Charleston Bridge (across Charles River as an extension of Prince Street and just downstream of current bridge) on bank of river near present-day North End Park (extends on river edge to Commercial Street from about 53 Commercial Street to just before Prince Street extension). The gallows were placed on the shore near the ebb and flow of the tides
• This is where Jean-Baptiste Guédry and his son Jean-Baptiste Guédry fils were hung on 13 November 1726

Bird Island

edge of Logan International Airport

• Burial location of many pirates in 1600's and 1700's
• Today it has been incorporated into the southern edge of Logan International Airport between Harborside Drive and the bay just after the end of Runway 14
• This is where Jean-Baptiste Guédry and his son Jean-Baptiste Guédry fils were buried on 13 November 1726. Their remains are now under property of Logan International Airport

Fort Hill

where prolongations of Pearl and Batterymarch might intersect (located at today's intersection of Oliver Street & High Street)

• Sheltered Acadians in Boston at times
• Fort now leveled and Financial District covers it

Old Almshouse / Boston Poor House

Beacon Street at Park Street

• Built in 1686. Used until 1801
• Sickly Acadians in 1756-1766 taken to the almshouse. Some of Acadians that disembarked in November1755 were housed here. It was home for poor, aged or infirmed
• Jean Baptiste Guédry dit Labine and family placed here in 1750s
• M. W. Lablong, a French Neutral, admitted on 15 Feb 17

Province Hospital

near West Boston Bridge on today's Grove Street, called "Pest House Point"

• Acadians housed in Province Hospital until December 1760

Windmill Point

Main Street past Helen Street on Pemberton Point of Nantasket Peninsula at Hull, MA

• In 1765 Acadians housed in Sugar House at Windmill Point
• Sugarhouse was built 1733 by J. Watson & Samuel Watson of Thornton, Watson & Co. (On Lime Street)

Castle William

today called Fort Independence (2010 William J. Day Blvd in Boston, MA)

• Acadians housed in barracks at Castle William in 1764 to avoid getting smallpox
• Located on Castle Island. Existing fort built between 1833-1851

• 1764 - Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine (John Labardor) family (11 of them) living in Boston

Old House in Walpole

site of Jeremiah Dexter home where Jacques d'Entremont & family lived at least from 1 March 1758 to 22 August 1760

• Near old cemetery at corner of Main Street and Kendall Street and located west of Cemetery on Main Street. Neponset River about 100 feet north of dam.
• Cellar remains - about 150 yards behind the home at this location (16 Pemberton Street - K. W. Arthur home). This was cellar of the original house where Jacques d'Entremont lived
• d'Entremont house demolished about 1882. It was about 24 feet by 18 feet; built on edge of a hill, a bank served as northwest wall of the cellar which was about 8 feet high, 23 feet long and 19 feet wide. Foundation about 2.5 feet thick.
• Neponset River about 100 feet from cellar of d'Entremont house. About 75 feet south of cellar is an apple tree (Rhode Island Greening). In 1754 there was a sawmill at the dam.
• Path from Pemberton Street, north of the premises starting about halfway up hill passes northwest and west of the cellar and leads to the dam. This path is roughly the dividing line between land owned by Union Oil Co. and land of Herbert Davis, who is proprietor of the hill northwest of "Stetson Pond".
• Land currently owned by Phillip's 66 (Union Oil Company)

Eliot Cemetery

at Andrew Coyle Square - corner of Eustis St. and Washington St.

• Established 1630
• Burial location of Jacques d'Entremont (died 28 July 1759)
• Tombstone no longer readable and thus cannot be located. It was readable in 1859

Homes on Jonathan Abbott farm in Andover, MA

• 1685 house - In 1685 Benjamin Abbott built a home at Argilla Street and Andover Road. Still being lived in
• ca. 1710 - Log cabin built by Jonathan Abbott
• ca. 1730 - Jonathan Abbott built a frame Cape Cod Cottage style home (This is home used by Acadians). It originally was located near present 11 Ballardvale Road. It was moved to 354 South Main Street and eventually razed in 1967
• ca. 1750 - Jonathan Abbott built a frame house across the road (Sunset Rock Road) from the ca.1730 house. The ca. 1750 house was taken down about 1825 to make room for the Captain Stephen Abbott House. It would have been on land at northwest corner of Sunset Rock Road and Ballardvale Road - today 45 Ballardvale Road
• 1825 - Two-story house built by Stephen Abbott at northwest corner of Sunset Rock Road and Ballardvale Road (45 Ballardvale Road). In 1940s owned and occupied by Jenkins family. On 24 February 2002 the house was moved to 375 South Meeting Street by Michael Ristuccia to save it from demolition. (Article in Lawrence Tribune newspaper on 23 Feb 2002)

Jonathan Abbott homesite used by Acadians

Built ca. 1730

• The Jonathan Abbott house was about 100 yards north of Ballardvale Road and approximately 1/8 mile west of Highway 28 (South Main Street) near present 11 Ballardvale Road. This is east of the corner of Ballardvale Road and Sunset Rock Road. [Located on south slope of Scotland Hill up around South meeting house; south on old Boston Road from Porter Street]
• Jacques Hebert, Charles Hebert & their families lived in Jonathon Abbot home from 1755 until 1760. Jacques Hebert family moved to Springfield, MA in 1760 while Charles Hebert family continued to live in Abbott home until about 1763
• Home moved from original location to 354 South Main Street and then razed in 1967 to make room for parking lot of Faith Lutheran Church. Site of Jonathan Abbott House was at northwest corner of Faith Lutheran Church parking lot

Captain Stephen Abbott House

1825 (375 South Main Street; North Andover, MA)

• Two-story house originally built at the northwest corner of Sunset Rock Road and Ballardvale Road - today 45 Ballardvale Road
• On 24 February 2002 moved to 375 South Main Street in North Andover by Michael Ristuccia to save it from demolition. (Article in Lawrence Tribune newspaper on 23 February 2002)

Jonathan Abbott Farm

• The historic Jonathan Abbott farm occupied land from Woburn Street east to South Main Street (Highway 28) and from Ballardvale Road north for a distance. Flax was the primary crop grown
• At the northwest corner of Sunset Rock Road and Ballardvale Road (today 45 Ballardvale Road) were located the ca. 1750 home of Jonathan Abbott that was taken down to build the 1825 home of Captain Stephen Abbott that was moved in February 2002 to 375 South Main Street
• From 1756-1763 the Acadians (Jacques Hébert, Charles Hébert and their families) lived in a ca. 1730 Cape Cod Cottage house east of Sunset Rock Road and north of Ballardvale Road near where 11 Ballardvale Road is today. Jacques Hébert and his family moved to Springfield, MA in 1760

Captain Job Abbott House

Built 1766

• Located at 57 Ballardvale Road
• Called the "Old Red House"

Arcadia Street

near intersection of Ballardvale Road and Sunset Rock Road and across Ballardvale Road from this intersection

• May be a historic memory of the Acadians that lived in this area in the 1750s & 1760s

Jean Hebert

• Jean Hebert, a rag picker, and family lived in Andover, MA in 1750s

North Andover Historical Society

153 Academy Road; North Andover, MA

• Acadian souvenir given to Jonathan Abbott by Jacques Hébert and Charles Hébert. Currently in possession of North Andover Historical Society
• It is a powder-horn embellished with animal figures & soldiers and inscribed:
  JONATHAN ABBOT
  His Horn Made in Alens Town
  April ye 5 ^e , 1770
  I powder With My Brother Ball Most
  Hero Like Doth Conquer ALL
  
• Historical society has a small Acadian collection of literature

• Marron Leberdore was delivered here in 1760

• Acadians in 1756 housed in three houses at a place called the ferry near Salem Harbor about one mile from the town

Site of William Towne Home

Stood beside South Main Street near the lone apple tree by the bars in the field of William H. Walsh at northeast corner of South Main Street at Salem Street

• Used as home for an Acadian family - Dugoy family

• In 1761 Simon Landry and family housed near Barrett's Mill
• In 1761 Trahan family housed in Jonas Bateman's vacant farm on Punkatasset Hill
• Louis A. Surrette (born 29 Dec 1818 in Yarmouth, NS); arrived in Boston, MA in 1841 and settled in Concord, MA ca. 1849; became wealthy in shipping; died at Concord, MA in 1897; buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA. Surrette was an Acadian

Colonial Inn

East House, late 1600s; Central Building, 1770-1775; West End - ca. 1820 (48 Monument Square)

• House present at time Acadians lived in Concord, MA
• In 1861 Louis A. Surette Jr. and wife Frances Shattuck were deeded West House and East House by her father Daniel Shattuck. They lived in West House

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

34 Bedford Street about one block east of Monument Square

• Graves of Louis A. Surette, wife and family. He was an Acadian who came to Concord in 1844
• Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa Mae Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne buried here

Old Hill Burying Ground

Earliest Grave - 1677 (2-12 Monument Square)

• Burying Ground present at time Acadians lived in Concord, MA

• 28 May 1756 - Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine (John Labrador), wife, sister and 4 children sent here
• 26 December 1757 - Jean-Baptiste Guedry dit Labine (John Labrador) and 6 family members here
• 1764- Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine (John Labrador) family living in Boston, but belonged here (9 of family here)

John Harnden House / Massacre House - Destroyed

Overlooks Andover Road; 15-20 feet east of northeast corner of Stone Wall that is northerly boundary of Woburn Street School on Woburn Street & High Street in North Wilmington

• Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine and family lived here in 1756
• Either Dorothy Ruggles, wife of Rev. Isaac Morrill, or Rev. Isaac Morrill wrote the letters for JeanBaptiste Guédry dit Labine that he sent to Massachusetts government
• Tennis court at Woburn Street School is in immediate vicinity of the cellar hole for the John Harnden House; Old Harnden Well was 60-70 feet distant
• Map of Woburn Street School Site in 21 Mar 1963 "Town Crier".

Richard Harnden House

in 1665; destroyed ca. 1880 (ca. 150 yards from John Harnden House; at 67 High Street - today also called Boston-Andover Road)

• Brother of John Harnden
• Augustus Norton built Federal style house in 1929 on site of Richard Harnden House; Today called Norton-Neilson House as Stuart Neilson family lives there.

Herman House / Rev. Isaac Morrill House

ca, 1705 (Middlesex Avenue)

• Dorothy Ruggles, wife of Rev. Isaac Morrill, is believed to have written letters sent by Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine to the Council & House of Representatives in General Court in Boston
• Photo of house in 9 Jan 1980 "Town Crier".

Marion Murphy Real Estate Office

943 Main Street; South Wilmington & Near Wilmington / Woburn Town Line (on Main Street)

• Benjamin Harnden accidentally killed an Indian near this site in 1704.
• The Indians retaliated in 1706 by attacking the John Harnden House, ripping hole in roof and killing Mrs. Harnden and several children.
• The young girl Abigail took several smaller children to hide at Indian Rock (south side of Marcia Road and north of stone wall) where they were found by Indians.
• Abigail was thrown into Morris Pond (at east end of Marcia Road). She and the children survived.

Daniel Eames House

Red farm house on Woburn Street opposite Wildwood Street

• Home where Abigail Harnden and husband Daniel Eames lived after Abigail grew up.
• Her son was John Harnden, who let Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine live in the John Harnden House in 1750s.

Paul Surrette House

Middlesex Avenue near Clark Street

• Paul Surrette and his brother Pierre were from Eel Brook, Nova Scotia and came in 1880s or 1890s to Wilmington.
• Photo of house in 27 Oct 1982 "Town Crier"

Indian Rock

Across from 39 Marcia Road; In front yard just before High Street & Morris Pond (north end of Marcia Road near High Street; mostly filled in)

• This is all that remains of the Harnden Massacre of 1706
• Abigail Harnden took her younger siblings here to hide during the Indian attack.
• Discussed in 20 Mar 2002 "Town Crier" & 13 Aug 2007 "Lowell Sun"

• 6 June 1760 - Jean-Baptistie Guédry dit Labine (John Labrador), Margaret (wife), and children Hannah, Maturin, Izabell. Charles lived here
• 1764 - Jean-Baptistie Guédry dit Labine (John Labrador) family living in Boston, but belonged here (2 children here)
• There are records of Jean-Baptiste Guédry dit Labine in Woburn town records

Wrentham Center Cemetery

Dedham Street [South St., Route 1A] at Beach Street

• Graves of Joseph Robichaud and wife Mary Ware
• Joseph fought in American Revolution and may be an original Acadian deportee

• Home once owned by Colonel John Winslow - Acadians lived in home after being deported to Massachusetts

• John White (LeBlanc) housed at home at 351 High Street in French & Indian War Period (1755-1763)
• Built by David Porter about 1730

Peter's Well

• In 1756 Pierre Pellerin family lived in small hut owned by Isaac Keene.
• This was part of the then Wallis Orchard and today is part of the Fairwood Drive neighborhood.
• Peter's Well is in this neighborhood and has a plaque commemorating the Acadians.
• Well is 18 inches in diameter, 10-12 feet deep and of fine cut stones that rise a few inches above the ground. [Off Fairwood Drive just after northern curve of circle]
• There may be two giant outcroppings near well that could be foundation of house Pellerin's stayed in.

Sloop "Seaflower" (81 tons; Capt. Samuel Harris)

• Left Pisiquid (Avon River at St. Croix River) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 15 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 206

Ship "Helena" (166 tons; Capt. Samuel Livingston)

• Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 19 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 323

Schooner "Racehorse" (? tons; Capt. Joseph Banks)

• Left Grand-Pré (Pointe des Boudro) - 20 Dec 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 26 Dec 1755

Acadians: Departed with 120

Brigatine "Swallow" (102 tons; Capt. William Hayes)

• Left Grand-Pré (Pointe des Boudro) - 13 Dec 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 30 Jan 1756

Acadians: Departed with 236

Sloop "Vulture" (? tons; Capt. Johnston Scaife)

(Also called the "Mary")

• Left Port La Tour (Cape Sable area) - Unknown date
• Arrived Boston, MA - 10 May 1756

Acadians: Departed with 72

Sloop "Eagle" (? tons; Capt. McKown)

• Left Halifax - 1 Apr 1756
• Arrived Boston, MA - 29 May 1756

Acadians: At least 4 [LeBlanc family]

Ship "HMS Hornet" (? tons; Capt. Salt) - Escort Vessel

• Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 28 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 17 Nov 1755

Acadians: 0

Ship "HMS Mermaid" (? tons; Capt. Wash. Shirley) - Escort Vessel

• Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 13 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 17 Nov 1755

Acadians: 0

Ship "HMS York" (? tons; Capt. Silvanu Cobb) - Escort Vessel

• Left Annapolis Royal (Goat Island) - 13 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 17 Nov 1755

Acadians: 0

Sloop "Dolphin" (87 tons; Capt. Zebad Forman)

• Left Pisiquid (Avon River at St. Croix River) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Annapolis, MD - 30 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 230. 47 removed in Boston.

Sloop "Endeavor" (83 tons; Capt. John Stone)

(Also called Sloop "Encherée")

• Left Grand-Pré (Pointe des Boudro) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Hampton Roads, VA - 30 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 166. 0 removed in Boston.

Schooner "Neptune" (90 tons; Master William Ford)

• Left Pisiquid (Avon River at St. Croix River) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Hampton Roads, VA - 30 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 206. 29 removed in Boston.

Sloop "Ranger" (90 tons; Capt. Frances Piercy)

• Left Pisiquid (Avon River at St. Croix River) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Annapolis, MD - 30 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 263. 25 removed in Boston.

Sloop "Sally and Molly" (70 tons; Capt. James Purrington)

(Also called Sloop "Sarah and Molly")

• Left Grand-Pré (Horton's Landing) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Hampton Roads, VA - 13 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 154. 11 removed in Boston.

Sloop "Three Friends" (69 tons; Capt. Thomas Curtis)

(Also called Sloop "Sarah and Molly")

• Left Pisiquid (Avon River at St. Croix River) - 27 Oct 1755
• Arrived Boston, MA - 5 Nov 1755
• Arrived Philadelphia, PA - 21 Nov 1755

Acadians: Departed with 156. 22 removed in Boston.