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The Rancon family in Cape Breton can
trace its roots to Charles Rancon and his wife Cecile Biret. Charles, was
born in France and arrived in Cape Breton about 1788-1879. His family was
enumerated in the 1811 census; District 5, D'Escousse, Grand Digue under the
name of Charles Ramson. In the house were 2 males between 14 and 60 years of
age; 3 females between 14 and 60 years of age; 8 males and females, unmarried; 1 male under
14 years of age; and 4 females under 14 years of age. They also possessed 4 cattle; 6 sheep; 1 horse.
In the 1813 Militia Roll of D'Escousse, Charles, age 54, appears again. He
was living on a crown lease of 80 acres of land with a total family of 11 (8 girls, 1 boy, wife & himself).
This record places his year of birth around 1759.
Charles petitioned the government for a lease of land located at Small
Nose Point, Lower Descousse, in 1818. In the petition that follows, it
states Charles, had a family of 11 children, of which I have 9 identified in
my file at this time.
RANÇON, CHARLES (SUG'R) Petition to Ainslie: Petitioner was born in France, has lived thirty years in Cape Breton, and has there brought up a family of eleven children. He has taken the oath of Allegiance three times, but has not before asked lands of the Crown. he asks a lease at Small Nose Point, Lower Descousse.
Note by the Petitioner: Your honour...a great number of the inhabitants of this Island are of French extraction, but that since the capture of Louisbourg, and Quebec all those who took the oath of Allegiance have been ever since considered British subjects, and favored with the same privileges. Therefore your humble petitioner expects your Excellency's goodness will grant him the same indulgence that has ever since granted to his countrymen. It would appear very singular if I should be deprived of the same privilege that all my countrymen obtain."
Note: recommended 1818 |
Enumerated in a separate entry under Charles
Rancon's name in the 1813 Militia Roll is his son, Francis Rancon, age 19,
born in D'Escousse. Francis is single (b.abt. 1794) with no spouse or
children in this Roll. Francois Rancon, married Rosalie Benoit, on Nov 15,
1819, at Tracadie, NS. He also petitioned the government for a lease of land
in 1819 at Lower D'Escousse, which was to be named Rockdale. Here are the
beginnings of the Rancons in the L'Ardoise area.
| RANCON, FRANCIS Petition
to Ainslie: Petitioner, age 25, single, a native of Cape Breton,
asks a lot at Lower Descousse. To be named, "Rockdale".
Report of Crawley to Ward: 87 acres at Lower Descousse. Plan. |
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