Jean Pettrequin
Jean Pettrequin (c. 1724-1764) was a carpenter[1] who immigrated to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He claimed to receive a letter that promised additional supplies to the town; this letter subsequently instigated an uprising in the town.
Biography[edit]
Pettrequin immigrated to Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, with German and Swiss Protestant settlers in 1752, after overcrowding in Halifax necessitated the migration of these immigrants to other parts of the colony. Each settler was given 50 acres of land in which they did not have to pay taxes on them for 10 years.[2]
In his first winter in the town, Pettrequin claimed to receive a letter from a cousin in England. This letter stated that the cousin procured supplies for the town, and asked Pettrequin if the supplies had arrived. A group of townsfolk, disenchanted with their living conditions, demanded to see the letter, which Pettrequin refused to do. Pettrequin was detained in a blockhouse; although he was rescued by Patrick Sutherland, he was subsequently recaptured and returned to the blockhouse. Under torture, Pettrequin claimed that he sold the letter to the town's magistrate Sebastian Zouberbuhler.[2]
At a subsequent hearing, Pettrequin claimed that another settler, John William Hoffman, told him that a letter was sent from a sailer in Halifax. Hoffman encouraged Pettrequin to respond to the letter and tell the town of its contents. Hoffman was subsequently convicted of false libel and inciting a riot; Pettrequin's testimony was used to obtain this verdict.[2]
Researchers do not have details of Pettrequin's life after 1754.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ Baillie, Laureen (2005). Canadian Biographical Index. K. G. Saur. doi:10.1515/9783110956894.681. ISBN 9783598347467.
- ^ a b c d Rompkey, Ronald (1974). "Pettrequin, Jean". biographi.ca. Retrieved 2024-04-30.