The Spanish Flu’s Impact on Petit de Grat, Nova Scotia

Written by Dr. Steven DeRoche

During this pandemic, I thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone why we choose to stay home and practice social distancing. The last major pandemic to strike Petit de Grat was in the fall of 1918, known as the Spanish Influenza. Like many families, ours was also impacted by the deadly virus. I‘ve decided to honour the memory of my ancestors and cousins with this post. Below, I’ve compiled a list of all the residents of the Petit de Grat area who succumbed to the disease. The first line of every paragraph is from the record entry into the NS Vital Statistics. The added ( ) is information from the parish records. If I’ve missed anything or made errors, let me know.

Victims of the Spanish Influenza from Petit de Grat, Oct-Dec 1918

1. Frank Poole (index case), fisherman of Gloucester, Massachusetts, aged 21 or 22 years, who became ill at sea and died on September 28 or 29, 1918 after an 8 day illness with Spanish Influenza. He was brought to shore at Petit de Grat, as it was the nearest port, and he was buried the same day at St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery at Petit de Grat.

2. James Benoit, fisherman of Petit de Grat, married, aged 37 years, died October 17, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This is Thomas Jacques “James” Benoit, born May 25, 1880 at Petit de Grat, son of Joseph Benoit and Henriette Forest. He married Marie Eva Marchand on September 18, 1916. His wife was pregnant when he passed; his son, also named Thomas Jacques “James” Benoit, was born 5 months later, on March 22, 1919. Also of note, James’ mother, Henriette Forest Benoit, died two days before him, on October 15, 1918. Her cause of death however was listed as “old age” and not Spanish Influenza, but this could be questionable).

3. James Bouchie, son of Edward Bouchie of Petit de Grat, aged 15 months, died October 17, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Gervais Boucher, born September 2, 1917 at Petit de Grat, son of Jean Edouard Boucher and Marthe Jeanne Samson. He was buried with his mother and 3 siblings, who also died of Spanish Influenza).

4. Joseph Boudreau, fisherman of Petit de Grat, son of Zephir Boudreau, aged 25 years, died October 19, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Joseph Henri Boudreau, born April 15, 1890 at Petit de Grat, son of Zéphirin Boudreau and Louise “Ludivine” Rançon. He was unmarried when he died).

5. Jeantie Bouchie, son of Edward Bouchie of Petit de Grat, aged 3 weeks, died October 21, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Gentil Boucher, born September 24, 1918 at Petit de Grat, son of Jean Edouard Boucher and Marthe Jeanne Samson. He was buried with his mother and 3 siblings, who also died of Spanish Influenza).

6. Marah Bouchie, son of Edward Bouchie of Petit de Grat, aged 2 years, died October 21, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This is Marin Boucher, born October 16, 1915 at Petit de Grat, son of Jean Edouard Boucher and Marthe Jeanne Samson. He was buried with his mother and 3 siblings, who also died of the Spanish Influenza).

7. Martha Samson, wife of Edward Bouchie of Petit de Grat, aged 24 years, died October 21, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Marthe Jeanne Samson, born March 30, 1889 at Petit de Grat, daughter of Léandre Samson and Jeanne Boudreau. She married Jean Edouard Boucher on August 28, 1905. According to parish records, she was buried with 4 of her children who also died of Spanish Influenza. Her brother Albany also died the same day).

8. Leandre Boucher, aged 15 years (While there is no Vital Statistic record for Léandre, his death was recorded in the parish records. No date was entered, but his entry follows his mother and 3 brothers. This was Léandre Boucher, born June 25, 1907 at Petit de Grat, son of Jean Edouard Boucher and Marthe Jeanne Samson).

9. Albany Samson, fisherman of Petit de Grat, son of Leander Samson, aged 23 years, died October 21, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Albany Samson, born March 27, 1896 at Petit de Grat, son of Léandre Samson and Jeanne Boudreau. He was unmarried when he died. His sister and 4 nephews also died).

10. Godfrey Boudreau, fisherman, son of Dominic Boudreau of Boudreauville, aged 21 years, died October 21, 1918 at Boudreauville of Spanish Influenza (This was most likely Joseph René “Godfrey” Boudreau, born September 29, 1897 at Boudreauville, son of Dominique Boudreau and Archange Boudreau. He was unmarried when he died).

11. Lucy Samson, wife of Felix Samson of Cabbage Cove, aged 53 years, died October 21, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This was Lucie Madeleine Boudreau, born April 26, 1867 at Cape Auguet, daughter of Lamand Boudreau and Judith Goyetche. She married Félix Samson on July 4, 1887, widower of Marie Basile Landry. They lived in Samson’s Cove. Lucie also lost two children and a grandson to Spanish Influenza).

12. Georgie Samson, son of Willie Samson of Cabbage Cove, aged 1 year and 4 months, died October 21, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This is a tough one. It is believed that this record is in error and, in fact, Georgie’s brother, aged 3 months, was actually the deceased child. This entry should be for Joseph Wilfred Samson, born July 14, 1918 at Samson’s Cove, son of William Alfred Samson and Evangéline Samson. Georgie William Samson, born June 5-8, 1917, survived the pandemic and went on the marry Gladys Jeanette Provost from Poulamon. His father, aunt and grandmother also died of Spanish Influenza).

13. Willie Martell, son of Willie Martell of Cabbage Cove, aged ?, died October 21, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This was most likely a child, as the parish records state that “5 little children” were buried on October 21. I believe this may have been Joseph Laurent Martell, born June 26, 1918 at Samson’s Cove, son of William Edouard Martell and Alvina “Minnie” Samson).

14. Wilfred Felix Samson, fisherman of Cabbage Cove, married, aged 25 years, died October 23, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This was William Alfred “Willie à Félix” Samson, born May 26, 1893 at Samson’s Cove, son of Félix Samson and Lucie Madeleine Boudreau. He married Evangéline Samson on July 24, 1916. His mother, sister and son also died of Spanish Influenza).

15. Albert Martell, fisherman of Cabbage Cove, married, died October 24, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This is Ernest Albert Martell, born March 30, 1895 at Samson’s Cove, son of Léandre Martell and Marie Barbe Landry. According to the parish records, he was buried on October 12, but vital statistics have his death on October 24. He married Sabine Rose Martell on August 13, 1917. The couple had no children. Sabine Rose later remarried to Wilfred William Boudreau on January 29, 1923).

16. Lena Samson, wife of Andrew Samson of Petit de Grat, aged 24 years, died October 25, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza. (This is Helena Marie “Lena” Samson, born October 17, 1894 at Petit de Grat, daughter of Hilaire Samson and Marie Elizabeth ”Mariah” Boudreau. She married André Arsène “Andrew” Samson on September 28, 1916. According to St. Joseph Parish records, Lena was buried on October 16 with one of her children; no death date is listed. Her death record with Vital Statistics states she actually died October 25. Andrew later married Marie Cécile Irène Boudreau on January 10, 1922. Lena also lost two siblings to Spanish Influenza).

17. Unnamed unborn child of Andrew and Lena Samson of Petit de Grat, died October 16, 1918 (This is according to the parish records, there is no record of this child in vital statistics; he/she may have been unborn when Lena died. This has been confirmed by Lena’s granddaughter, Odille, that this child was never born).

18. Minnie Landry, wife of Albert Landry of Petit de Grat, aged 30 years, died October 25, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This is Marie Agnès “Minnie” Samson, born March 20, 1890 at Samson’s Cove, daughter of Félix Samson and Lucie Madeleine Boudreau. She married Albert Landry on January 25, 1909. Her mother, brother and nephew also died to Spanish Influenza).

19. Sabine Rose Boudreau, wife of Henry David of Petit de Grat, aged 26 years, died October 26, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Sabine Rose Boudreau, born January 7, 1892 at Petit de Grat, daughter of Hilaire Boudreau and Séraphine Landry. She married Henri David on October 5, 1914. Henri later remarried to Marie Alma Samson on February 16, 1925).

20. Catherine Boudreau, servant, daughter of Willie Boudreau of Little Anse, aged 15 years, died October 26, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (I believe this to be Sophie “Catherine” Boudreau, born November 13, 1902 at Little Anse, daughter of William Docité Boudreau and Eliza Jeanne Boudreau. On the 1911 census, William and Jeanne have a daughter named Catherine who is 7 years old. I can find no birth record for a Catherine to this couple, but she may have been baptized as “Sophie” in 1902).

21. Francis Boudreau, son of John Boudreau of Boudreauville, aged 22 years, died October 27, 1918 at Boudreauville of Spanish Influenza (This was François Xavier ”Francis” Boudreau, born July 10, 1896 at Boudreauville, son of Jean Isaie Boudreau and Virginie Eugénie Hébert. He did not marry. A large portrait of Francis could always be found at the family home in Boudreauville in remembrance).

22. Mary Alice Martell, daughter of Thomas Martell of Cabbage Cove, aged 7 years, 5 months and 20 days, died October 27, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (This was Marie Alice Martell, born April 30, 1911 at Samson’s Cove, daughter of Thomas Joseph Martell and Elizabeth Jeanne Boudreau).

23. Mary Louise Samson, wife of William Joshua of Petit de Grat, aged 33 years, died October 31, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Marie Louise “Minnie” Samson, born December 15, 1885 at Petit de Grat, daughter of Isaie Samson and Émilie Jeanne Boudreau. She married William Joshua on January 10, 1905. When Marie Louise died, she left her husband and 9 young children behind, including twin girls who were less than 2 years old. The children were raised by their father William and his sister, Jane Joshua. William did not remarry).

24. Leon Bertie Samson, fisherman, son of Hilaire Samson of Petit de Grat, aged 18 years, died November 1, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Albert Léon Samson, born September 23, 1900 at Petit de Grat, son of Hilaire Samson and Marie Élizabeth ”Mariah” Boudreau. Two of his sisters also died to Spanish Influenza).

25. Clarence Boudreau, labourer, son of Jeffrey Boudreau of Petit de Grat, aged 17 years, died November 3, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Joseph Clarence Boudreau, born July 1, 1901 at Petit de Grat, son of Jeffrey Boudreau and Anne Boucher).

26. Sabeth Martell, scholar, daughter of Leander Martell of Cabbage Cove, age ?, died November 3, 1918 at Cabbage Cove of Spanish Influenza (The parish records include a Marie Martell aged 18 years, but no Zabeth/Élizabeth. If Sabeth was truly around 18 years old, the only daughter of Léandre Martell and Marie Barbe Landry that would come close would be Sophie Jeanne “Jane” Martell, born February 5, 1903 at Samson’s Cove. Léandre did have a daughter named Marie Élizabeth, but she survived to marry Joseph Edgar Samson in 1931).

27. Cecilia Samson, daughter of Hilaire Samson of Petit de Grat, aged 23 years, died November 5, 1918 at Petit de Grat of Spanish Influenza (This was Marie Cécile Élizabeth Samson, born September 17, 1896 at Petit de Grat, daughter of Hilaire Samson and Marie Élizabeth ”Mariah” Boudreau. Her sister and brother also died to Spanish Influenza).

28. James Boudreau, soldier, son of Willie Boudreau of Little Anse, aged 21 years and 5 months, died November 5, 1918 at a Halifax Military Camp of Spanish Influenza (This was Private James Boudreau, son of William Docité Boudreau and Eliza Jeanne Boudreau of Little Anse. On his Military Enlistment Record, it states he was born June 20, 1898 at St. Anne’s, Victoria County, Cape Breton. However, he was most likely born November 17, 1898 at Little Anse and baptized as “Albert”. He died on November 5, 1918 at the Cogswell St. Hospital, Halifax of Spanish Influenza).

29. Mary Jane Boudreau, daughter of Willie Boudreau of Little Anse, aged 17 years, died November 6, 1918 at Little Anse of Spanish Influenza (I believe this is Eva “Mary Jane” Boudreau, born September 23, 1901 at Little Anse, daughter of William Docité Boudreau and Eliza Jeanne Boudreau. Her sister and brother also died of Spanish Influenza).

30. Unnamed male David, son of Henry David of Petit de Grat, aged 20 days, died November 13, 1918 at Petit de Grat (While vital statistics listed the cause of death as “birth”, this child was born 3 days before his mother died of Spanish Influenza. He was the son of Henri David and Sabine Rose Boudreau, and was likely born on October 23, 1918, likely premature, as only 10 months separated him and his older sister).

31. Charles J. Boudreau, son of James Boudreau of Cape Auguet, aged 10 months, died November 14, 1918 at Cape Auguet of Spanish Influenza (This was Charles Jacques Boudreau, born January 3, 1918 at Cape Auguet / Anse des Maqueraux, son of Jacques “James” Boudreau and Clara Boudreau. His sister died as well).

32. Anita Boudreau, daughter of James Boudreau of Cape Auguet, aged 2 years, died December 7, 1918 at Cape Auguet of Spanish Influenza (This was Marie Anita Boudreau, born August 3, 1916 at Cape Auguet / Anse des Maqueraux, daughter of Jacques “James” Boudreau and Clara Boudreau. Her brother died as well).

33. John Hureau, son of Thomas Hureau of Cape Auguet, aged 19 years, died December 25/26, 1918 at Arichat of Influenza and Pneumonia (There are actually 2 entries for John Hureau in the NS Vital Statistics, one from Arichat and one from Sydney.. The Arichat death record doesn’t state Spanish Influenza, however oral history in his family is such that he did in fact die of Spanish flu. The Sydney entry confirms this, stating he died of influenza and pneumonia. The Sydney entry also states he died ”on board ?” Unfortunately, the record is difficult to read. He may have been travelling at the time of his death. This was Jean Thomas Hureau, born October 7, 1899 at Cape Auguet, son of Thomas Hureau and Marthe Jeanne Goyetche. He did not marry).