Survival of a Family: The Family of Francoise Guedry & Jean LeJeune

A Continuing Series of Articles on the Children of Claude Guedry and Marguerite Petitpas

by Marty Guidry

Of the eleven children born to Claude Guedry and Marguerite Petitpas only two were daughters. Marie-Josephe Guedry was born about 1692 and Francoise Guedry was born on 14 January 1703 at Merligueche (today’s Lunenburg), Acadia. ¹

About 1725 Francoise Guedry married Jean LeJeune, son of Pierre LeJeune and Marie Thibodeau. The young couple settled in the Pisiguit area and began raising their family. The constant pressure and harsh treatment imposed on the Acadians in the 1740’s by the British to force them to take the oath of allegiance caused many Acadians to abandon their lush farms and move to French territory on Ile Royale, Ile St-Jean or today’s New Brunswick. It proved to be a short-lived respite from the British tyranny.

In early April 1752 Francoise Guedry (age 48) and her husband Jean LeJeune (age 52) were living at Baie des Espagnols on Ile Royale (today North Sydney, Cape Breton Island). ^{5 , 6}

Living with them were their five sons, four daughters and a son-in-law: Eustache LeJeune (age 20), Jerome LeJeune (age 17), Gregoire LeJeune (age 15), Barnabe LeJeune (age 11), Jean Charles LeJeune (age 3), Felicite LeJeune (age 13), Eleine LeJeune (age 9), Anne LeJeune (age 7) and the married couple Olivier Trahan (age 35) and Isabelle LeJeune (age 26). They had been on Ile Royale since October 1750 and were granted provisions for two years. Jean and Francoise had two oxen, one sow and two sheep and had cleared two arpents of land. Living nearby were numerous relatives including their son Jean-Baptiste LeJeune (age 26), his wife Judith Vigne and two children, their daughter Marguerite LeJeune (age 22), her husband Augustin Benoit (age 24) and a daughter, Francoise’s brother Paul Guedry with his wife Anne Mius and their family as well as many nieces and nephews with their families.

In the summer of 1753 Jean LeJeune and his family were at Bras de Sud, Ile Royale on Baie des Espagnols. ⁷ Eustache LeJeune had left the family home at this time, married and built his own home next to his parents, but the younger children of Jean and Francoise still remained at home with them. The family had two oxen, five pigs and two sows and no cleared land.

With the second fall of Fortress Louisbourg on 26 July 1758 the English began systematically capturing and deporting the Acadians on Ile Royale and Ile St-Jean. In early 1759 Jean LeJeune and his family boarded the ship “du Supply” and began their difficult journey to France. Disembarking from the “du Supply” on 9 March 1759 at St. Malo, Ille-et-Vilaine, France were Jean LeJeune, Francoise Guedry and their children Gregoire, Barnabe, Jean, Helene and Anne. Jean LeJeune quickly settled his family a short distance away at Chateauneuf, Ille-et-Vilaine, France. Shortly after resettling at Chateauneuf their son Barnabe LeJeune , born about 1742, died on 14 May 1759 at the age of seventeen. On the 27th of May 1759 Jean LeJeune died at Chateauneuf and was buried there the same day. The next day on 28 May 1759 Francoise’s daughter Helene LeJeune , only sixteen years of age, died. Distraught and widowed, Francoise Guedry continued to live with her remaining children at Chateauneuf until 1762 when she moved to St. Servan, Ille-et-Vilaine, France where she remained until 1772. From 26 September until 26 October 1761, 21 April to 8 May 1762, 12 August to 26 August 1762 and 16 September until 21 September 1762, Francoise was ill and confined to the hospital. In 1772 Francoise Guedry went with her children Chatellerault, Vienne, France as they attempted the agricultural experiment of the Marquis de Perusse. With the failure of that experiment in the mid-1770’s, she left Chatellerault with her family for Nantes in the Third Convoy on 7 December 1775. She remained at Nantes until her death in March 1780 - an elderly lady who had experienced so much heartbreak during her life. Francoise Guedry was buried on 10 March 1780 at St. Martin of Chantenay in Nantes. ^{8 , 9 , 10 , 11}

Several of the older children of Jean LeJeune and Francoise Guedry also arrived in France in 1759. Marguerite LeJeune , born 27 September 1730 at Grand-Pre, Acadia and her husband Augustin Benoit, born about 1728 and the son of Pierre Benoit and Elizabeth LeJuge, disembarked from the “du Supply” on 9 March 1759 with her parents. Unfortunately all three of their children, Marguerite, Simon and Elizabeth, died at sea during the crossing. Marguerite and Augustin went with her parents to Chateauneuf and began life anew. Amid almost certain excitement on 15 May 1759 she gave birth to a new daughter Perrinne-Jeanne Benoit.

And then tragedy struck a second time for the young family. Two days after giving birth, Marguerite LeJeune died and four days later young Perrinne died. Married to Marguerite on 9 February 1750 at St. Pierre-du-Nord, Ile St-Jean, in just nine years Augustin Benoit had not only lost all of his children, but also his wife. He continued to live at Chateauneuf until 20 April 1760 when he embarked on the corsair “L’Hercules” and was taken prisoner by the English a second time. Brought to England, he remained in confinement until the Treaty of Paris when on 25 May 1763 he was released and retuned to St. Malo, France. Settling at St. Servan, Ille-et-Vilaine, France, he met Marie-Madeleine Gautrot, whom he married 19 July 1763. Between 1765 and 1772 the couple had five children: Francois-Jean-Baptiste, Jean-Marie-Augustin, Marie-Jeanne, Francoise-Apollonie and Victoire-Marie. During his stay in France Augustin Benoit was a farmhand and seaman. Augustin Benoit died in September 1783 and was buried in St.-Similien of Nantes, Loire- Atlantique, France on 8 September 1783. ^{12 , 13 , 14 , 15}

Also arriving at St. Malo the 9th of March 1759 on the “du Supply” were Isabelle LeJeune , born about 1733, and her husband Olivier Trahan, born about 1731 and the son of Jean Trahan and Marie Giroire. As with her sister Marguerite’s family, all of the children of Isabelle and Olivier died during the crossing from Ile Royale to St. Malo: Jerome, Cecile and Therese. Restarting their shattered lives, Olivier and Isabelle moved with her parents to Chateauneuf where they remained until 1762. They then resettled in St. Servan until 1772. A daughter Marie-Madeleine Trahan was born at Chateauneuf on 21 October 1760; however, a short eight years later she died on 22 March 1768 at St. Servan. Isabelle and Olivier had two additional children at St. Servan: Anne-Marie, born 21 February 1763, and Gregoire-Olivier, born 28 March 1766. In 1772 Olivier Trahan and his small family moved to Chatellerault, Vienne, France to engage in the agricultural experiment of the Marquis de Perusse. Olivier Trahan, his wife and two children left Chatellerault for Nantes in the Third Convoy on 7 December 1775. In early September 1783 Isabelle LeJeune died at age 50 and was buried at Saint-Jacques of Nantes, France on 7 September 1783. While in France Olivier Trahan earned a meager living as a farmhand, laborer, carpenter and sailor while his wife Isabelle sewed and knitted. Two years later on 14 May 1785 Olivier Trahan and his two children Gregoire and Anne boarded the “La Bergere” for their new home in Louisiana. They stepped ashore in New Orleans, LA after a three month sail on 15 August 1785. There the Spanish government provided Olivier with a shovel, meat cleaver, two axes, two hatchets and three hoes to begin his new life. ^{16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21}

On 7 May 1753 Eustache LeJeune married Marie Carret, daughter of Igance Carret and Cecile Henry, at Louisbourg, Ile Royale. In late 1758 they were herded aboard one of the “Five Ships” and set sail for France - arriving at St. Malo, France on 23 January 1759 - about six weeks before the rest of Eustache’s family. Traveling with Eustache and Marie were their two daughters Marie-Madeleine and Marguerite. Tragedy struck the young family as both girls died during the voyage to France. Settling first at St. Suliac, Ille-et-Vilaine, France from 1759 until 1764 and then at St. Servan from 1764 until 1772, Eustache and Marie began a new family. Jean-Baptiste was born to the couple on 11 April 1760, followed by Marie-Jeanne-Perinne-Madeleine on 28 January 1762, Francois-Zenon on 29 January 1764, Genevieve-Charlotte on 3 December 1765, Francoise-Eugenie on 5 November 1767, Servan-Mathurin on 1 July 1769 and Francois-Marie on 20 May 1771. Young Francois-Zenon LeJeune died at four years of age on 18 February 1768 and Francoise-Eugenie Le-Jeune was only three months old when she died on 7 February 1768. After having four of his young children die within a decade, Eustache lost his wife when Marie Carret passed away on 16 November 1772 at St. Servan, France. With a family of five children to raise, Eustache LeJeune married Jeanne-Perinne Gicquel, daughter of Jean Gicquel and Perinne Le Couet, at St. Servan on 22 June 1773. Eustache LeJeune and his family resettled at Chatellerault to work on the agricultural experiment of Marquis de Perusse. After the failure of Perusse’s experiment Eustache, Jeanne-Perinne and their five children left Chatellerault for Nantes in the Third Convoy on 7 December 1775. While at Nantes, Eustache and Jeanne-Perinne had three children of their own: Jeanne-Marie, born in late July 1781 and died 21 August 1781, Pierre-Alexis, born late April 1783 and died a year later and Rosalie, born in late April 1784. While in France, Eustache earned a living as a farmhand, laborer, carpenter and sawer while his first wife Marie Carret spun cotton. Shortly after the birth of their last child, Eustache LeJeune, Jeanne-Perinne Gicquel and four of their children Servant, Francois, Marie Magdelaine and Marie Rose departed 10 May 1785 from Nantes on the ship “Le Bon Papa” for their new home in Louisiana. They disembarked in New Orleans on 29 July 1785. ^{22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27}

In 1758 not realizing how little time they would have together, Jerome LeJeune , born about 1735, and Elizabeth Dugast, born about 1735, wed at Ile Royale. The young couple left Ile Royale with Jerome’s family on the “du Supply” - a fateful journey it was to be. Before reaching France, Jerome died at sea leaving his young bride all alone. His widow Elizabeth Dugast disembarked with her in-laws at St. Malo, France on 9 March 1759. Her stay in France, however, was short-lived as she died at St. Malo on 6 April 1759 - less than a month after arriving. Jerome and Elizabeth had no children. ^{9 , 28}

Born about 1737, Gregoire LeJeune was deported from Ile Royale on the ship “du Supply” with his parents and siblings and arrived at St. Malo, France on 9 March 1759. Originally settling with his family in Chateauneuf, Gregoire embarked with his brother-in-law Augustin Benoit on the corsair “L’Hercules” on 20 April 1760 and was taken prisoner by the English. After spending three years in an English prison, he was released on 17 June 1763 after the Treaty of Paris and returned to St. Malo. Arriving at St. Malo, Gregoire immediately resettled at St. Servan to be with his family. There he met a local French girl Charlotte Descroutes, daughter of Pierre Descroutes and Elizabeth Galisson, whom he married on 21 February 1764. At only 20 years of age, Elizabeth died childless at St. Servan on 4 January 1767 leaving Gregoire a young widower. Later that year on 30 June 1767 Gregoire LeJeune married Helene Dumont at St. Servan. Helene was the daughter of Joseph Dumont and Madeleine Veco. Gregoire and Helene had a son Gregoire-Eustache at St. Servan on 31 December 1768; however, he died within three months on 30 March 1769. The young couple moved in 1770 to Pleurtuit, Ille-et-Vilaine, France where they lived until 1772. At Pleurtuit they had Marie-Josephe on 14 May 1770 and Jeanne-Olive-Elizabeth on 18 July 1772. Shortly after the birth of his second daughter, Gregoire followed his siblings and moved to Chatellerault to work on Marquis de Perusse’s agricultural experiment. While at Chatellerault, Helene and Gregoire added young Genevieve to their family on 27 May 1774; however, as tragedy seemed to follow Gregoire, Genevieve died just two months later on 5 August 1774 and then Jeanne-Olive-Elizabeth passed away on 19 August 1774. The loss of two young children in two weeks must have devastated Helene and Gregoire. Gregoire, Helene and their daughter Marie-Josephe left Chatellerault for Nantes on the Third Convoy departing 7 December 1775. While at Nantes, Gregoire and Helene had five additional children: Marie, born in mid-February 1776 and died in mid-April 1781, Jean-Marie, born in 1778 and died at the age of six in late March 1784, Gregoire-Alexis, born in mid-February 1781, Julie, born in early February 1783 and Helene-Sophie, born at the end of September 1784 and died a month later on 4 November 1784. To support his family while in France, Gregoire was a ploughman, laborer, carpenter and sailor. Joining the family of his brother Eustache, Gregoire LeJeune, Helene Dumont, their two sons Gregoire and Julien and their daughter Marie boarded the “Le Bon Papa” on 10 May 1785 to sail to Louisiana and their new home. On 29 July 1785 they reached New Orleans and disembarked to begin life anew. ^{9 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32}

Jean-Charles LeJeune , born about 1749, arrived from Ile Royale at St. Malo on 9 March 1759 with his parents. Shortly after arriving in France, the family moved to Chateauneuf until 1762 and then relocated at St. Servan until 1772. From 15 September until 31 October 1762 young Jean-Charles LeJeune was at the hospital. About 1772 Jean-Charles went with his family to Chatellerault in hopes of beginning a new life farming. Here he met Marguerite Trahan, daughter of Joseph Trahan and Anne Terriot. They married at Chatellerault on 9 August 1774. On 5 August 1775 they had a son Jean-Charles-Joseph LeJeune at Chatellerault. Unfortunately the land near Chatellerault was rocky and unsuitable for agriculture; therefore, Jean-Charles, Marguerite and their son left Chatellerault for Nantes in the Third Convoy on 7 December 1775. Shortly after arriving at Nantes, Jean-Charles-Joseph LeJeune died at the age of six months in late February 1776. The next year in mid-March 1777 Jean-Charles and Marguerite had another son that they also named Jean-Charles, but he also died at the age of six months on 8 November 1777. A year later in early November 1778 Marguerite Trahan lost her husband Jean-Charles LeJeune when he died at Chantenay in Nantes. While in France, Jean-Charles LeJeune worked as farmer and seaman. Marguerite Trahan later remarried to Francois Chevalier, son of Jean Chevalier and Suzanne Yvon, on 16 December 1782 in Nantes. They had three children: Francois-Benjamin, born 14 December 1781, Marie, born in early April 1784, and Joseph, born in late April 1785. ^{8 , 9 , 10 , 33 , 34}

Felicite LeJeune , born about 1739, married Ambroise Hebert at Ile Royale about 1754. Before being exiled to France, the young couple had two children: Marie born about 1755 and Tarsile, born about 1757. Late in 1758 Ambroise, Felicite, Marie and Tarsile embarked on one of the “Five Ships” for St. Malo, France. Both of the children died on the voyage to the France. Ambroise Hebert and his wife Felicite LeJeune arrived at St. Malo on 23 January 1759. They initially settled at Ploubalay, Cotes-du-Nord, France until 1760 and then moved to Pleslin, Cotesdu-Nord, France where they remained until 1774. At Poubalay they had a son Isaac-Joseph born on 23 April 1760. After moving to Pleslin, they had nine additional children: Jean-Marguerite, born 24 November 1761, Alexis-Pierre, born 10 July 1763, Jean-Baptiste, born 30 November 1764 and died 9 July 1767, Marie-Jeanne, born 3 February 1766 and died within 18 months in late July 1767, Marie-Felicite, born 17 February 1768 and died on 1 March 1769, Gertrude-Anne, born 6 September 1769, Ambroise-Alexandre-Baptiste, born 21 February 1771 and died in late October 1777, Victor-Francois, born 25 September 1772 and died 20 April 1773, and Marie-Jeanne, born 10 February 1774. Ambroise and his family left Pleslin in 1774 for Chatellerault in hopes of making a success in farming. Unfortunately this venture was unsuccessful due to the poor soil in the Chatellerault area. While at Chatellerault, they had a new baby Heleine born 8 December 1775.The family left Chatellerault for Nantes on the Fourth Convoy in mid-March 1776. While at Nantes, Ambroise and Felicite had three new children; however, as was so common among the Acadians in France, all died as young children. They were: Sophie, born in mid-June 1777 and died at age 5 in early March 1782, Marie-Madeleine, born in early July 1779 and died in late November 1782, and Jean-Louis, born in mid-September 1781 and died fourteen months later in later in mid-December 1782.

Seeking a new and better life, Ambroise Hebert, Felicite LeJeune and their daughter Gertrude boarded the “L’Amitie” in Nantes harbor and set sail on 20 August 1785 for Louisiana. On 8 November 1785 they disembarked in New Orleans with great hopes. ^{35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40}

Anne LeJeune lived with her mother Francoise Guedry at Chateauneuf and St. Servan until 11 September 1764 when she married Jean-Baptiste Gautrot, son of Claude Gautrot and Genevieve Hebert. Jean-Baptiste Gautrot had been exiled to Virginia, rejected by the Virginian authorities and sent to prision in England where he remained until 22 May 1763. He arrived at St. Malo on that date on the “L’Ambition” and settled in St. Servan. Jean-Baptiste and Anne had five children: the twins Marie-Genevieve and Anne-Angelique, born 19 October 1765, Marie-Anne-Renee, born 29 January 1768 and died at age four on 27 August 1772, Pelagie-Marie, born 12 April 1770, and Helene, born 4 August 1773. Shortly after Helene’s birth, Jean-Baptiste Gautrot moved his family to Chatellerault to join his wife’s family in the new farming enterprise. After its failure, he and his family left Chatellerault in the Second Convoy on 15 November 1775 and resettled at Nantes. There in late November 1782 Anne LeJeune passed away at the age of forty. ^{9 , 41 , 42 , 43}

Jean-Baptiste LeJeune , born about 1726, married Judith Vigne of Cap du Sable about 1748. In April 1752 Jean-Baptiste and Judith were living near his parents Jean LeJeune and Francoise Guedry at Baie des Espagnols, Ile Royale with their son Claude, 3 years of age, and their 5-month old daughter Genevieve. Jean-Baptiste had two sheep, a pig and two fowl. He had cleared one arpent of land. The family had been at Ile Royale since April 1750. After April 1752 we can find no further record of Jean-Baptiste LeJeune and his family. Did they all perish at sea after being exiled from Ile Royale, did they remain at Ile Royale hidden from the English authorities or did they escape perhaps to another land? ^{5 , 6}