Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser, March 30, 1999

Beausoleil Broussard did more than just fight

by:  Jim Bradshaw

Joseph (Beausoleil) Broussard, the Commandant of the Acadians in the Attakapas region, came to Louisiana with a reputation as a guerilla fighter.  But there was more than that to his past.  He also fought a paternity suit in 1726, and lost.

The report is n the minutes of a meeting in May 1726 of His Majesty's Council of Nova Scotia.

(There) was a read a petition from Mary D'Aigre, wife of James Gonsile against Beausoleil (alias Joseph Brosard) (sic) for committing fornication with her daughter Mary who (had given birth to) a daughter (and) had laid (paternity) to the said Brosard, and he refusing the child maintenance and denying himself to be the father prayed relief.

The said Brosard being come to answer in his own defense, replied that he was very innocent and not the father having never had any carnal dealings with her.

The midwife being put to her oath declared that the said Mary daughter to the said Mar D'Aigre did declare when she was in her most violent pains that the said Joseph Brosard was the real father of her said child.

The Governor with the advice of the Board ordered that the said Brosard should pay to the mother of said child for its maintenance three shillings and ninepiece every week until ... the child arrives the age of eight years old, and the he shall immediately give good security for his performing the same, or go to prision until that he shall find such security.

Abram Bourg one to the deputees and William Bourgeway inhabitant engaged themselves each in an hundred pounds security for the said Joseph Borssards punctual compliance and due obervation (of) said orders to be by them punctually paid up one the first complaint of ... the said Joseph Brosards not obeying or his refusing to pay the above ordered weekly allowance of three shillings and ninepiece for the child's maintenance as aforesaid.

At a council held at the Honorable Lt. Governor John Doucett's house in His Majesty's Garrison of Annapolis Roval on Thursday, the 12th of May 1726.

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