An exiled Acadian named Louis B. DeGrass, was the first to settle at
Richibucto properly, the only other time we find the name DeGrass is
during the late 1890's when the provincial papers carried many articles
on the DeGrass Treasure. It was generally believed at the time that
the DeGrass' fortune was still hidden somewhere in Spain. Although there
are those who were certain it was part of the 7 million buried at Gagetown.
In the aftermath of the expulsion, DeGrass
traveled Northward for many days, then fell in with a band of friendly
Indians who told him of a small French settlement near the Richibucto.
Two days later, traveling with the Indians, he reached the Aldouane
County. He spent two years there, eventually marrying a daughter of
one of the families. Finally, he moved to Richibucto where his Indian
rescuers resided. The Richibucto Indians were very disturbed about their
lost rights and the encroachment of the settlers.
On the 28th of June in 1788, Chief Michael
Morris Sachem wrote to Governor Thomas Carleton asking that no lands
be granted until their treaties are settled. The earliest treaty signed
by the Richibucto Micmac was 1752.
In the year of 1788, James Reynolds,
Solomon Powell, James Powell and Abraham Powell petitioned for a grant
of land four miles from the mouth of the Richibucto River. This was
denied by Governor Carleton. Acting on orders of the British Privy Council,
he froze all grants between the years 1791 and 1802. During those years,
when anyone petitioned for land, a notice of declaration was issued
with the understanding that if and when the freeze was lifted, they
would be given priority consideration. The next to petition for land
in this region was Patrick Mealy in 1793.
Joseph Gueguen of Cocagne acted as an
interpreter between the French and the Richibucto Indians. On the 2nd
of July 1800, J. Gueguen wrote to Governor Carleton asking that the
treaties be respected and that something be done to alleviate the poverty
and lack of industry. It was no doubt through the many pleas of Joseph
Gueguen that the freeze was issued.
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