The habitations, nearly all built of wood, were very commodious, and furnished with the neatness sometimes found amongst our European farmers in the easiest circumstances.

Their manners were extremely simple; the little differences which might from time to time arise between the colonists were always amicably settled by the elders.
It was a band of brothers, all equally ready to give or receive that which they considered common to all men." War and its horrors broke in upon this peaceful idyl.
The Acadians had constantly refused to take the oath to England; they were declared guilty of having violated neutrality.

For the most part the accusation was unjust; but all were involved in the same condemnation.
On the 5th of September, 1755, four hundred and eighteen heads of families were summoned to meet in the church of Grand Pre.

The same order had been given throughout all the towns of Acadia.

The anxious farmers had all obeyed.