Abbé Joseph William Bourg
Encyclopedia
Abbé Joseph-Mathurin Bourg (June 9, 1744 – August 20, 1797) was a Roman Catholic priest, a missionary and became a vicar general
.
Bourg is often mentioned as the first Acadian
priest. He was sent by his superiors to work in baie des Chaleurs in 1772. He learned the Mi'kmaq language
and was greatly appreciated for his mediation efforts between Mi'kmaqs and white settlers. He lived in what is now Carleton
and is responsible for the very first census of Carleton and Nouvelle
.
The abbé's mediation efforts were appreciated by Sir Richard Hughes who in recognition gave him the Heron Island
(located between Carleton and present day Charlo
. However he never took possession of these lands, being busy with the congregation in Carleton and the Island was eventually given up for Loyalist
settlers.
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
.
Bourg is often mentioned as the first Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
priest. He was sent by his superiors to work in baie des Chaleurs in 1772. He learned the Mi'kmaq language
Mi'kmaq language
The Mi'kmaq language is an Eastern Algonquian language spoken by nearly 9,100 Mi'kmaq in Canada and the United States out of a total ethnic Mi'kmaq population of roughly 20,000. The word Mi'kmaq is a plural word meaning 'my friends' ; the adjectival form is Míkmaw...
and was greatly appreciated for his mediation efforts between Mi'kmaqs and white settlers. He lived in what is now Carleton
Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec
Carleton-sur-Mer is the fifth largest town of the Gaspésie's south shore, in southeastern Quebec, located on route 132, along Baie des Chaleurs.- Culture :* attracts over 20,000 spectators to see local and international artists...
and is responsible for the very first census of Carleton and Nouvelle
Nouvelle, Quebec
Nouvelle is a municipality in eastern Quebec, Canada on the south shore of the Gaspésie at the confluence of the Nouvelle River and Baie des Chaleurs. It is the seat of the MRC d'Avignon....
.
The abbé's mediation efforts were appreciated by Sir Richard Hughes who in recognition gave him the Heron Island
Heron Island (New Brunswick)
Heron Island is a previously inhabited 3.5 km long island in the Baie des Chaleurs, located approximately 4 km from New Mills, New Brunswick and across from Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec. It is accessible only at high tide from a wharf on the south side of the island. Today the island has been...
(located between Carleton and present day Charlo
Charlo, New Brunswick
Charlo is a Canadian village in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.Situated on the south shore of Chaleur Bay, the community was first settled by Acadians in 1799 and incorporated in 1966....
. However he never took possession of these lands, being busy with the congregation in Carleton and the Island was eventually given up for Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
settlers.
See also
- Heron IslandHeron Island (New Brunswick)Heron Island is a previously inhabited 3.5 km long island in the Baie des Chaleurs, located approximately 4 km from New Mills, New Brunswick and across from Carleton-sur-Mer, Quebec. It is accessible only at high tide from a wharf on the south side of the island. Today the island has been...
- Carleton-sur-MerCarleton-sur-Mer, QuebecCarleton-sur-Mer is the fifth largest town of the Gaspésie's south shore, in southeastern Quebec, located on route 132, along Baie des Chaleurs.- Culture :* attracts over 20,000 spectators to see local and international artists...