HISTORICAL FACTS

In an early history of Gaspe written in 1672 by Philippe Aubert de Gaspe, he tells of his friend, Pierre Denys, building an immense manor house, in the old french style as likewise, his annexing store houses and work picket fence and separating this modest cluster of buildings from the stables of cattle and cultivated land. The same authority also states that in 1676 the rev. Joseph Denys (son of Pierre) and Rev. Didace Pelletier, two Recollet Priests, spent that winter in Barachois, devising and arranging the Micmac alphabet, being that many of this tribe were then living along the Malbay River.

Abbe Ferlandwho has written extensively about the Gaspe Coast says the word Barachois should be "Carre~chesis" meaning that part of the waters inside the bar are protected from the violent tumble of the waves.

We quote from the Annals of 1904:"in 1828 the chapel was rebuilt at Malbay, a mile going westward. Thence the official name of the mission, become St. Peter's of Malbay."

This famous place is the important "Baie des moulues", (morues) which seems to have been named thus long before Cartier coming on the Gaspe Coast. History states that Basque French fishermen were on the coast long before the official discoveries.

The following fact is also mentioned:Bishop Laval, when he arrived in Canada, came to Perce where he confirmed French and Indians. From there he crossed to Malbay to perform the same rites.

In 1672 the French had a large fishing establishment at Barachois, but this seems to have been abandoned about 1780. We know little of what happened from then to about 1750. At this time a man, by the name of Chicoine, had settled here as a merchant. However, by Wolfe's orders his life possessions, home and store were burned to the ground; His son was taken captive to act as pilot for Wolfe's boat. Wolfe then continued to another section of the Barachois shore where he found to Rehel families, upon hearing of his arrival, fled into the woods, leaving all behind.

Nothing seemes to be known much about Barachois after that. No account of settlers is recorded before the year 1816 when a war veteran from Waterloo by the name of Buckley settled here. He was followed by John and James Girard, William Maloney and Louis Henley. John Girard's house was located in the exact spot where the presbytery now stands. He kept an inn and a tavern. He moved away from here in about 1853 and gave his property to the Fabric.

The parochial records of the year 1838 mention that there were 245 souls ditributed among its 38 families. In 1957, according to Father Fafard, missionary of Douglastown, the population had increased proportionately to its 60 families. Mention is made of the Chicoine, Thibeault, Rehel, Trudel and Francis families who resided in Rang St. Paul and Grand~Maure.

Being that the greater number of the fishing population resided at Malbay the site was chosen for the erection of the Catholic Church on land belonging to Mr. William Girard, reputed for his generosity to both Catholic and Protestant missionaries.

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