Page:Acadiensis Q2.djvu/133
In February, 1756, twenty-two of these Acadians were sent to Andover to live. The record of the selectmen (see Massachusetts Archives, Vol. XXIII, p. 44) reads: "Germain Laundry, his wife, seven sons and thirteen daughters, and one born since, making in all twenty-three who came to town."
Another record (see Massachusetts Archives, Vol. XXIV, p. 47), thus gives this account:
"There is twenty-six of the afores'd French which we keep in three Distinck places, that so they might be more constantly employed, the old man German Laundre is an Infirm man and not capable of any Labour, and in the winter time he was confined to his Bedd and needed a Great deal of Tendance more than his wife could perform, and his son Joseph is under such weekly Scorcomstances that we are obliged to support him altogether.
"There is three families that have eleven children, the oldest of them is not above eight years of age, which their Fathers are not Able to support: there is two young men and four young women that for the most part support themselves."
There are several accounts rendered by the selectmen of Andover of their expense in providing for the support of the French neutrals. Provisions, "pork, beef, Indian meal, pease, beans, sider, etc.," are among the things mentioned as furnished. Also, there is an account, October, 1757, for medicine and attendance by Dr. Abiel Abbot, and for sundries delivered to the French by Mr. Isaac Abbot, retailer, and sundries delivered by Mr. Samuel Phillips. To this account is annexed a memorandum: "Germain Laundry & Joseph his son, Jockey Bear (Jacques Esbert) and Charles Bear (Charles Esbert) have been sick, Indisposed ever since the date of the last account." The last account was dated June, 1757.
After a time houses were provided in Andover for the Acadian families there, and most of them became self-supporting. The family of Jacques Esbert and Charles Esbert were placed in a house on the estate of Mr. Jonathan Abbot. The house was at the time empty, Mr. Abbot