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01/21/07 |
   
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Texte de Doris Long Traduction de Jeannine Couture
Legend, Controversy and False Hopes Alegend circulated among the descendants of Philip Long and a few of them firmly believed it to be true. One of them almost lost his shirt in order to prove that it was not a legend but the truth. His name was Romuald (Minal) Lang, one of Philip’s great-grandsons. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one to invest everything in this endeavour. There were many others like him. According to the legend, part or all of the Madawaska Seigneury would have belonged to Philip Long. It would have been conceded to him by the Crown for services rendered. Is it possible that this land was confused with the land he received in New Brunswick in 1787 and which he refused? Some claimed that a fortune lay dormant in an English bank. Some even went so far as to claim that a trunk full of money and secret documents had been buried in Clair, the village where Philip spent his last years. This legend surrounding the « Long Family’s Pay » was part of the oral traditions of the family. The elders must have told the story on cold winter nights with an audience fascinated by their grandfather or great-grandfather. In the early 30’s, a dam was built to raise the water level of Lake Témiscouata. It was used for its forestry development by the Fraser Company of Edmunston. Some claimed that the Company’s land around Lake Temiscouata had once belonged to Philip Long. This was based on the discovery of legal titles to the lots around the lake and was sufficient to revert to the belief that it was not a legend, but reality. Philip undoubtedly owned a small farm on the tip of Lake Témiscouata but, in those days, as official documents now prove, the Madawaska Seigneury* belonged to Alexander Fraser. Let’s instead go back to the years prior to World War II. This whole story filled with rebounds of all sorts occurred during the Great Depression of the 30’s and continued into the 40’s. Many of Philip’s descendants met to pursue the research based on these new facts. An official committee was set up and its members even named a secretary, Mrs. Phoebe Oakes, wife of Edgar Long. They all rejoiced in this heaven-sent fortune. Romuald, one of the most ardent promoters of this legend even mortgaged his belongings to cover the expensive research costs. Many of his sons also contributed; among them my father, a firm believer of this beautiful legend. Philip’s descendants received an Inheritance Certificate. Mgr. Ernest Lang, cousin of Romuald, suggested that a lawyer, Mr. Chamberland, be hired. Another lawyer, Mr. Rioux also participated. The name of Mr. Michaud, another lawyer, also came up in the research. The legend remained a legend since nothing to the contrary had been found. Romuald nonetheless swore until his death that he had seen a document in the hands of one of the lawyers when he was alone with him in the office. However, the lawyer firmly denied that he had ever been in possession of this document. Where lies the truth? Romuald Lang probably took his dreams for reality. Another version is that the lawyer’s dog ate the document. Romuald was so convinced of the Long family’s rights to the land that he committed at least one illegal act. He proceeded to cutting wood on the Rivière Verte declaring that the land belonged to the Longs. This river starts at the tip of Lake Témiscouata and flows into the St-Lawrence River at the head of L’Islet-du-Portage. He was, of course, arrested and jailed. His stay was however brief. Prison authorities obviously believed his story since, according to hearsay, he was set in a hotel for a whole week when he got out of jail and was treated like a king. Mrs. Oakes’ father, Willie Oakes, mentioned a long-term lease that Philip Long held pertaining to the land he exploited at Lake Témiscouata. What if this was the document Romuald had talked about? This type of lease is valid for 99 years and the tenant (in this case, Philip) holds all the rights to the land, including that of construction and development. He is even entitled to rental profits. This document, if ever it existed, is nowhere to be found. And even if it had been discovered in the 30’s, Philip’s descendants would not have inherited since the 99-year period had long expired. During this period, all sorts of comical facts turned up in regard to the buried chest. Here is one worth mentioning; it is based on Lucien Long’s recollection. The setting would have been in the 30’s. Many people participated in the search for the so-called fortune. A clairvoyant was even consulted and a rumour started to the effect that the search should begin on the farm of Liguori Long, Lucien Long’s father. This farm is in Clair. One fine morning, Liguori, to his surprise, found 18 holes dug up here and there on his land. During the night, partisans of this belief had decided to “clear up” the situation once and for all and had dug the holes on Liguori’s land. It was even said that a chest had been found but had disappeared. The reason was weird and worthy of Irish tales. Should the chest be found, no one was to speak about it at the moment or else the chest would disappear. And…that’s how the chest was lost in the mists of time! H
ere is another anecdote, this time concerning the
property titles at Lake Témiscouata. Around 1949, my mother, who then
lived in Clair, saw two men approaching the house. They knocked on the
door. Arriving from Cabano, elegant and polite,
they sought authorization to Research of the documents proving this legend has nevertheless allowed his descendants to get acquainted with their ancestor Philip Long. This research, headed by Romuald and his cousin Ernest, brought them to Rivière-du-Loup then, through the Quebec Archives, they accessed the National Archives in Ottawa. They found numerous documents, letters and notarized acts concerning Philip. As we know, no document confirming the legend was found. However, Mgr. Lang was increasingly curious regarding this ancestor. He continued his research in order to write the story. In 1974, he found a document signed by Philip. This document put a stop to another controversy in the family history. Some claimed that the patronymic was Lang and others declared it was Long. Mgr. Lang, believing it was the former, was forced to admit his errors; Philip had signed “Long”. He also admitted that Philip’s name was not John Philippe as he had always believed. The positive side of this legend and of the research which followed is that it interested more than one of Philip’s descendants in the history of their ancestor. For some, it even became a passion. The many hours spent searching archives led to the discovery of more and more documents. One of these documents, discovered recently by Benoît Long, is important in order to understand why Philip never obtained the titles to his property at Lake Témiscouata. This document** refers to the granting of a piece of land at the tip of Lake Témiscouata to David Higginbotham by Governor Haldimand. Found at the University of Fredericton, this document proves that neither the government in place at the time nor Alexander Fraser could officially grant Philip the land he occupied. At least this is what we can affirm unless further documents turn up clarifying what Higgenbotham did with the many pieces of land he owed. Did he sell them or leave them to someone? Did he die without an heir? Were the pieces of land turned over to the Crown? There are no answers for the moment. * See
the Madawaska Seigneury in «Sur les traces de Philip et de Julie». Text : Doris Long (2004-02-07) Translation: Jeannine Couture Sources: Benoît Long
Copy of the original certificate entitled "Certificat d'Héritier non Associé - succession de John Phillippe Lang ou Long Seigneurie de Témiscouata, P.Q. et de Fief de Madawaska, N.-B. (examplaire)"
Certificat d’héritier
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