At the Home of Jean Nicholas in Meteghan

Early in the year 1864, those in charge of the poor in Digby Neck became convinced that the man found on the beach the previous fall was an Italian. It was therefore decided that he would be taken to Meteghan, on the other side of St. Mary’s Bay, on February 3. A certain Jean Nicolas, born in Ajaccio, Corsica, lived among the Acadians in the village. It was at the home of Jean Nicolas that the mystery man was given the name Jerome. He stayed there until Nicolas’ departure in 1870. What was Jerome’s life like at the home of the “Russian”?

Government Documents

• William McLeod, Extract of Marriage of John Nicholas and Juleta Comeau, January 23, 1857
• Bonaventure Robicheau, Deed of sale of Theophilus Colin to John Nicola, 1857, June 11, 1857
• Samuel Rush, Death Registration of Juliette Nicholas, January 20, 1865
• Ferdinand Blanchet, Burial certificate of Julitte Comeau, wife of Jean Nicolas, January 22, 1865
• Ferdinand Blanchet, Marriage certificate of John Nicholas and Victoire Comeau, 1865, April 5, 1865
• Ferdinand Blanchet and Stephen Jones, Marriage Registration of John Nicholas and Victoria Commo, 1865, April 18, 1865
• Samuel Rush, Death Registration of Mary Madeleine Nicolas, May 2, 1868
• Jean Nicholas, John Nicholas Receipt for Transient Poor, $104.00, January 26, 1869, January 26, 1869
• J. P. Thibodeau, Death Registration of Victoire Comeau, January 4, 1870

Maps

• H.F. Walling, Digby County Nova Scotia, From actual surveys drawn & engraved under the direction of H.F. Walling (detail, Meteghan), Halifax, 1864
• H.F. Walling, Digby County Nova Scotia, From actual surveys drawn & engraved under the direction of H.F. Walling (detail, Meteghan Business Directory), Halifax, 1864
• H.F. Walling, Digby County Nova Scotia, From actual surveys drawn & engraved under the direction of H.F. Walling (detail, Meteghan), Halifax, 1870

Newspaper or Magazine Articles

• Toronto Truth, "Jerome" of Nova Scotia., L'Évangéline, September 20, 1900

Oral History or Interview

• Homme de 84 ans, Rough Treatment, 1972