Johnson
The history of the Acadian Johnson’s is a unique story that varies from other Acadian in Les Mines and Pisiguit. William Johnson, the patriarch of the Johnson Acadians, was born not in France but rather near Aberdeen in Scotland. William was a member of the British military sent to Port Royal to help protect the fort against the French in 1710. While at Fort Royal, Johnson married a French woman named Elizabeth Corporan and together the pair had at least five children together. Although the English pronunciation is William Johnson, he has often been referred to as Guilliame Jeanson (perhaps changed in French translation). The Johnson’s/Jeanson’s predominantly lived on the Annapolis River at the time of the Acadian expulsion.
The descendants of William and his four sons would have faced the same tragic events as their neighboring Acadians. Many of William’s descendents are found today in Louisiana as they were some of the earliest Acadians relocated to the American South. However, sons Charles and Guillaume originally escaped British capture and aided in a rebellion on the Annapolis River. Despite their best efforts, Charles and Guillaume were both captured. Charles was recorded as a prisoner in Halifax in 1763 while Guillaume was recorded as a prisoner in Fort Edward in 1762.
Although many of the Jeanson’s relocated from British Nova Scotia to places such as Louisiana or French colonial claims in the Atlantic, Guillaume remained in greater Acadia despite British rule, eventually settling in Gaspesie.
The descendants of William and his four sons would have faced the same tragic events as their neighboring Acadians. Many of William’s descendents are found today in Louisiana as they were some of the earliest Acadians relocated to the American South. However, sons Charles and Guillaume originally escaped British capture and aided in a rebellion on the Annapolis River. Despite their best efforts, Charles and Guillaume were both captured. Charles was recorded as a prisoner in Halifax in 1763 while Guillaume was recorded as a prisoner in Fort Edward in 1762.
Although many of the Jeanson’s relocated from British Nova Scotia to places such as Louisiana or French colonial claims in the Atlantic, Guillaume remained in greater Acadia despite British rule, eventually settling in Gaspesie.