PA1-392 | Simon d'Entremont
Simon d'Entremont
1788-1886, 19th century
On paper
12.7 x 10.3 cm
PA1-392
This artefact belongs to: © Centre d'études acadiennes
Description
Keywords:
Keys to History
Nova Scotia was the first colony in the Maritimes to grant Roman Catholics the vote, in 1789. This allowed Simon d'Entremont (1788-1886) to become, in 1836, the first Acadian member of the provincial legislative assembly.
Elected in 1836 as MLA for Argyle, Simon d'Entremont made a big splash at the opening session the next year by refusing to take the Test Oath. Although the oath had been officially abolished in 1823, Catholic members were still urged to swear it, and thereby renounce certain articles of their faith, if they wanted to sit in the provincial assembly.
D'Entremont, active on the political scene for many years, was also a justice of the peace.
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What
This is a portrait of Simon d'Entremont. The product of a well-known family, he was nicknamed Squire. He was defeated in the elections of 1840.
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Where
Simon d'Entremont was born in West Pubnico, NS.
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When
In 1810 the colony of New Brunswick also granted the vote to its Roman Catholic citizens; Prince Edward Island followed suit in 1830.
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Who
Frédéric Robichaud of Clare, NS, was also elected in 1836, but illness prevented him from attending the swearing in at the legislature.
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