(1738-1810)
When peace was restored, they found that their former homes were given to American immigrants so lived as squatters in a small community of former neighbours; both Maliseet and Acadian; which was called Ecoupag, now part of King's County, New Brunswick. For more than a decade they worked the land and built sturdy homes and farm buildings, until in 1785, they were once again forced to leave to make way for the United Empire Loyalists. This time they petitoned for and were granted land at the undeveloped Madawaska.
They made their home on the south bank, at St. David, along with the families of Pierre Duperre, Paul Potier, Joseph Daigle, Baptiste Fournier, Joseph Daigle Jr., Jacques Cyr, Fermin Cyr, Alexandre Ayotte, Antoine Cyr, Baptiste Thibodeau, and Louis Sansfacon. The following summer they were joined by several others and by 1787, there were twenty families residing at St. David.
It was not easy clearing land and cultivating crops, in the rocky ground, but before long; homes and barns began to dot the landscape, as the inhabitants tried to recreate their former communities. Then between 1796 and 1797 the area was hit by famine. For two years, the crops had been damaged by spring floods and early frosts were followed by unusually harsh winters. Families had to depend on the hunt to obtain food, but once when a group of men were unable to return home with their kill, because of a severe snowstorm; the women and childen were forced to kill the last cow and eat the cattle grain.
As so often happens at times of great despair, heroes and heroines emerge, and during these famine years, Marguerite Blanche Thibodeau Cyr, who became effectionately known as "Aunt Blanche", would prove to be the ray of hope that the residents of St. David needed. It became her mission to ensure that no one went hungry, so she would go from door to door, to check on the status of those in the household. If they were doing fine, she would then see if they had extra to share, and would distribute that to those not so fortunate. She also took care of the sick, and often when she brought food to the hungry, she would stay to cook the meal and make sure that everyone was taken care of.
Her tireless deeds during this difficult time, earned her a reputation that would stay with her throughout her life. She would often be called upon to cure diseases, resolve family disputes, find lost articles, and bring enemies together. When she died on March 27, 1810; she was buried in the churchyard of St. Basile; an unprecedented honour for a lay person.
