The Acadians - French Cross - 1755

French Cross is a historical monument in a place now called Morden, Nova Scotia. This is a place where Acadians lived and died in that fateful year of 1755. The original old oak cross has now been replaced with this stone monument. For those unfamilar with the story, there are many books and historical documents that detail the events that lead up to the Explusion of the Acadians in 1755. The following in no way captures the significance of this event, or the tragic events that occurred.

The Acadians were French colonists who settled in what is now known as the maritme provinces. Acadia was their home, particulary Port Royal. History documents the event that occured in the early 1700s that lead up to 1755. From 1755 to 1763, what is know as the Great Explusion occured, where over 14,000 Acadians were deported from Acadia to Louisana, France and other areas. Many were separated from their families, loaded on ships, and sent to unknown lands. Over half of them perished, their lands and homes were destroyed.

It has been documented, that a group of 60 Acadians tried to avoid the coming deportation. They gathered their belongings and travelled up the Annapolis River. Many became sick, and died. The Mi'Kmaq assisted the Acadians and aided them in wintering on the shore of the Bay of Fundy and in heading to Quebec in the Spring. Many died during that winter, and when the spring arrived, the survivors paddled across to New Brunswick.

Before they left, a wooden cross was erected on the shore to remember their families and friends who did not survive. That cross was the "French Cross".

Pictured here is Alcide and Phyllis Comeau (my husband's parents). Phyllis grew up in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, which is close to Morden, and Alcide is an decendant of the Acadians.