More on the Webb Families of Bay St. George, NL.
For quite some time now, there have many questions asked about the family of Jean Webb (abt 1785 – bef 1836). Like…., who is he and where did he come from? The records suggest that Jean Webb (abt 1785 – bef 1836) and Marie LeJeune (abt 1785 – aft 1836), had 2 sons, Francois Webb (abt 1803-1892) and Jacques Webb (abt 1805-aft 1858).
As entered in the register of Father J. Cousteau, Missionary at Cheticamp, Cape Breton for the year 1834;
The record of the baptism of Susanne……, “The First of September, baptized, was Susanne, born two years ago, of the legitimate marriage of Jacque Webb and Mary Camut. Godmother Marie LeJeune, who could not sign.”
Signed: Cousteau, P’tre
“January twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and fifty one, after being granted the dispensation of consanguinity from the second to the third degree, and the power given to us by Monsignor John Mullock, bishop of Newfoundland, we the undersigned priests, missionaries of Bay St. George have received once again, the mutual consent of marriage, first given before lay witnesses, of George Young, son of John Young and of Catherine Bouthillier of this mission and by Suzanne Webb, daughter of Jacques Webb and Marie Camus of this mission. We have given them the sacrament of matrimony according to the rites of the apostolic catholic church in the presence of witnesses, George Lent and Damien Gaumond, who could not sign.”
Signed: Alex Belanger, VG
Source: – Immaculate Conception RC church records, Sandy Point, NL.
” On November 22, 1836, after the publication of two bands of marriage made at the parish mass and having granted dispensation of one band between Francois Webb, a major son of the late Jean Webb and of Marie LeJeune of this parish and Eloyse Doucet, a minor daughter of the late Louis Doucet and Magdeleine Aucoin also of this parish and not having found any reason to prevent this marriage, I, the undersigned priest, with the consent of the parents and having received their mutual consent of marriage, I have given them the nuptial blessing in the presence of Pierre Doucet, Pierre Aucoin, Jules Deveau and of many other parents and friends, who could not sign.”
Signed: Cousteau, P’tre
Note that Francois Webb is described as “a major son of the late Jean Webb and of Marie LeJeune”.
“On September 6, 1837, I, the undersigned priest, baptised Justine, born yesterday, of the legitimate marriage of Francois LeJeune and Eloyse Doucet, godfather Jules Deveau and godmother Justine Doucet, who could not sign.”
Signed Cousteau, P’tre
Note here is that the parents are referred to as “Francois LeJeune and Eloyse Doucet”, when one would have expected Francois Webb and Eloyse Doucet.
On April 3rd, 1885, Felix King, s/o Francois & Elouise Doucet married Cecile Blanchard, d/o Joseph & Veronique White.
Source: The Immaculate Conception Marriages for Sandy Point, Bat St. George, NL
Surname Given Name Relation Status Birth Yr Birth Mon Age Birthplace
King Ruben Head M 1841 Sep 70 Cape Breton *1845
King Adelaide Wife M 1848 Sep 63 Rattling Brook
King Louis M. Son S 1894 Apr 17 Bank Head
King James Son S 1897 Jul 14 Bank Head
*Immigration year.
Source: The 1911 Census for Bank Head, Bay St. George, NF, Canada.
The 1911 census suggests that Ruben King/Webb, son of Francis King/Webb and Eloyse Doucet is 70 years old and immigrated to Bay St. George in 1845.
Given Name Surname Sex Relation Status Birth Yr Birth Mon Age Birthplace
Felix King M Head M 1841 Aug 70 Margaree*1842
Cecilia King F Wife M 1863 Sep 58 Sandy Point
Jane King F Dau S 1898 Oct 22 Jorneau’s
Walter King M Son S 1902 Nov 18 Jorneau’s
*Immigrated Year
Source: The 1921 Census for Jorneau’s Brook, Bay St. George, NF, Canada.
The 1921 census suggests that Felix King/Webb is 70 years old and immigrated to Bay St. George in 1842. Although, it is not clear exactly when Francois Webb/King & Elouise Doucet immigrated to Bay St. George, NL, we can say with some certainty that it was sometime in the early 1840s.
The Immaculate Conception RC Records and the Bay St. George Census records suggest that Francois Webb/King and Eloyse Doucet had at least 9 children;
1. Justine (1837-1923) Born in Cape Breton
2. Paul Hiliare (1840-aft 1862)
3. Felix (1841-aft 1921)
4. Ruben (1841-aft 1911)
5. Patrick (1845-aft 1870)
6. James (1850-aft 1883)
7. Mary (??-1873)
8. Susanne (1856-??)
9. Genereux Nicet (sic) (1858-???)
Why did the family change their family name from Webb to King after immigrating to Bay St. George in the early 1840s? Afterall, changing your family name is not all that common. The LeJeune family name was changed to the english version Young to avoid discrimination and improve opportunity. I would suggest the same for the family name change from Le Roi to King. They are simpily the english version.
At this point, I do believe that we need to re-visit the history of this branch of the LeJeune/Young Family. We can start with Marie LeJeune (abt 1785-aft 1836) who was the mother of Francois Webb/Frank King (abt 1803-1892). Marie was the daughter of Charles Joseph LeJeune Jr. (1763-aft 1822) and Agathe LeJeune (unknown-aft 1810). Charles Joseph LeJeune Jr. (1763-aft 1822) was the son of Charles “Joseph” LeJeune Sr. (1729-aft 1811) and Martine Le Roy (1738-aft 1811).
The Marriage of Josephe Lejeune and Martine LeRoy
“This day the fifth of November one thousand seven hundred fifty-four, I the undersigned, after the publication of three banns made at the sermons of the high Masses on Sundays the twentieth day of October, the twenty-seventh, and the third of November for the future marriage between Joseph Lejeune, originally from Acadia in the diocese of Québec and presently residing at Espagnole, legitimate son of Germain and Marie Trahan, on the one side; and Martine LeRoy, also originally from Acadia, daughter of Charles LeRoy and Marie Chauvet, on the other side, and there not having been found any impediment, have personally witnessed their mutual verbal consent to marriage and have given them the nuptial blessing with the usual ceremonies of our mother the Holy Church, in the presence of the relatives and witnesses who have signed with us in the Royal Chapel of St. Louis serving as the parish church at Louisbourg, on the day and year as above.”
Source: The church records of the French Fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada
This marriage was the beginning of a long relationship between the LeJeune/Young family and the LeRoy/King family.
In 1745, the fortress of Louisbourg was attacked by the English, who were joined by forces from the American colonies. In the short term, the French retained control by negotiating a treaty in 1748. The English again attacked Louisbourg in 1758. This time, they not only defeated the French, but they completely destroyed the fortress. The English now have control of Isle Royale and Isle St. Jean.
Subsequently, Acadians living along the coast of Isle Royale were rounded up, placed on ships and deported. Their homes were burned. All French residents, including Joseph and Martine are deported to La Rochelle, France. Martine’s mother died shortly after arriving in France. One can only imagine the trauma and turmoil of such an upheaval. By this time, the LEJEUNE family had been living in Acadia for more than four generations. These Acadian families became refugees in their mother country, which in many respects was quite foreign. In 1761, while living in Rochefort, France, Joseph and Martine had their first child, Paul, who died shortly afterwards. The next year on August 13, 1762, a daughter, Marie-Henriette was born at La Rochelle.
In 1763, the Seven Years War ended with the Treaty of Paris. England takes over all French possessions in Acadia and France is left with the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon off the south coast of Newfoundland. Exiled Acadians, longing to return to Acadia, are attracted to St. Pierre and Miquelon. Joseph and Martine decide to return to the new world. This time, they arrive on the Island of Miquelon. In 1764, daughter Marthe is born and in 1766, a son, Charles “Joseph” is baptised on the Island of Miquelon.
By 1766, the French are becoming concerned about the numbers of French immigrants arriving on the islands. Apparently, it was a question of how many families these small islands could sustain. While many were sent back to France, permission was granted to a limited number of families to return to Acadia.
In the summer of 1767, three sailing vessels and five small open boats (chaloupes) departed St. Pierre for various destinations in Acadia. Some were destined for places like Cheezecook (near Halifax), Îles de la Madeleine, Bonaventure and Baie des Chaleurs in Gaspé and Prince Edward Island. Joseph, Martine and their three children returned to “the French Village” of Petit Bras d’Or near Sydney on Cape Breton Island. They are accompanied by Martine’s father, Charles LE ROY, her brother Alexis LE ROY and their niece Marianne FOURNIER.
This time, the family would live in Petit Bras d’Or for almost ten years. While there, a daughter, Radegonde (Barbara) was born in 1770. For some unknown reason, around 1777, the family decides to relocate to St. Pierre and Miquelon. The 1778 census for St. Pierre includes Joseph LEJEUNE, his wife and seven children. It is assumed that one of the children is Marianne FOURNIER. Unfortunately, the family had no idea what was about to happen. The English, led by the governor of Newfoundland, invaded the islands, burned the houses and expelled the population. Somehow, the English were again feeling threatened by the French. Joseph and Martine are once again crossing the ocean to La Rochelle, France, where they would spend the next five years. While living in France, a daughter Anne Marie is born and the oldest daughter Marie-Henrietta would marry Joseph COMEAU, a widower with six children.
The islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon are returned to France with the Treaty of Versailles in 1783, which ended the War of the American Revolution. Soon afterwards, Joseph and his family returned to the island of Miquelon off the south coast of Newfoundland. The family was accompanied by daughter Marie-Henriette with her husband Joseph COMEAU.
Shortly after their arrival in Miquelon, Henriette’s husband, Joseph COMEAU dies and the family again relocates to Petit Bras d’Or on Cape Breton Island. It had been more than 25 years since they were first deported from Cape Breton Island. The family had crossed the Atlantic 4 times. Back in Petit Bras d’Or, Joseph’s family is re-acquainted with the family of his half brother Christophe (Chrisostime) LEJEUNE who is also living in Petit Bras d’Or. It would appear that Christophe and his family had somehow missed the deportation. Within the next few years, four of the children of Joseph and Martine would marry four of Christophe’s children.
One of those marriages was between Henriette and Bernard LeJeune, the son of Christophe LeJeune, Joseph’s half brother. Shortly after this marriage, Bernard dies and Henriette later marries James Ross. Following this marriage, Henriette would become known locally as “Granny Ross”.
It is important to note here that Martine’s father, Charles LE ROY and her brother Alexis LE ROY accompanied the LeJeune family back to Petit Bras d’Or. Martine’s brother Charles LeRoy would marry Marie Canada and raise a family in Petit Bras d’Or.
The only King families living in Cape Breton at the time of the 1818 census were;
1. Charles King, Martine’ brother, age 76, widowed and living in Petit Bras d’Or (the French Village)
2. John King, son of Charles, age 33, single and living in Petit Bras d’Or (the French Village)
3. Willian King, son of Charles, age 24, single and living in Petit Bras d’Or (the French Village)
4. Alexis King, son of Charles, age 35, single and living in Petit Bras d’Or (the French Village)
Source: The 1818 census of Petit Bras d’Or, Cape Breton.
On the 11th of December, 1892, a Francis King died at Bank Head, NL. Francis is listed as 89 years old and his place of birth is listed as Chticamp(sic).