This story begins in the late 17th century (about 1698) when Gabriel Godin and his wife, Andree-Angelique Jeannes settled/founded the village of Point Saint Anne. During the following years the village prospered and grew. Then in February 1759 a small force of British Troops (15 men) led by a Lt. Moses Hazen raided and destroyed the Acadian village of Pointe Sainte Anne. (The village was located where downtown Fredericton is now) As a consequence of this raid some innocent civilians were killed. These civilians were hastily buried in the village cemetery. This cemetery has since been mistakenly identified as an Indian Cemetery when in reality it is an Acadian Cemetery.

Now, we fast forward to 1933 when the cemetery was once again disturbed! This time by a Dr. Wintemberg who came to Point Saint Anne with the expectations of finding pre-historic (First Nation) remains and was surprised to find, buried closely together, and in one case two in one grave, not Indians, but Europeans.

In all, seven skeletons were examined. Two of these remains were those of Anastasie Godin and Madeleine Guilbaut. In no case was there any evidence of Indian (First Nation) at the site. The remains of the two women were then removed to Ottawa where they remain today. As an Acadian and a descendant of Anstasie's family my desire is to have her (their) remains returned to her (their) rightful resting place, Pointe Saint Anne. And the cemetery there properly identified and declared as a National Historical Site.

The Bergeron-Damboise families are planning, in conjunction with The Society of History of the River Saint Jean (SHRSJ) a commemoration of the 250th year anniversary of the destruction of the village. We are calling for all Acadians to rally with us in Fredericton on the weekend of Saturday July 18 and Sunday July 19, 2009. This calling includes all Acadians who are descended from the Godin, Saindon, Pare, Bergeron and St Aubin Families, as well as any other Acadian family group.

Please contact, for Canadian, Aline Cormier: email: alicor@nb.sympatico.ca; or, in the USA, Lawrence Bergeron: email: larrybergeron@earthlink.net for further details.