In the early days of European settlement in remote places in Newfoundland like Bay D’Espoir, there wasn’t much in way of law enforcement to protect the livyers, including the Mi’kmaq people. Despite being a peaceful race, the influx of European influence upon the people often lead to skirmishes. It is not without saying, there was without a doubt those whom who were mentally disturbed and not effectively treated. In the centuries prior to European occupation, those whom were not following the peaceful ways of the community were dealt with by the Chief of their people who made a determination of what to do with them and try to give them guidance to put them on the right path. From this horrific story from rural Newfoundland in 1843, Chief John Michael goes to the Harbour Breton courthouse to report a possible double murder and an additional attempted murder.

Captain Jock Mitchell, Chief of Newfoundland Mi’kmaq

To provide context, it is believed John Michael may have been Captain Jock Mitchell, the grandfather of Newfoundland’s most famous Mi’kmaq man Mattie Mitchell and father of Bay of Islands ancestor Mary (Mitchell) Brake. Methodist Missionary Noall in 1827 at Gaultois, Bay D’Espoir reported meeting Captain Mitchell:

“The Chief of the gang of [Micmac] Indians from White-Bear-Bay….He was a tall man and looked very savage if provoked. He addressed me in the most vociferating language and gave me to understand that he considered himself a Catholic. Would open up a religious intercourse between much greater numbers at White-Bear..” Noall explained he had been to London England, St. John’s and Halifax.

In 1835, Rev. Edward Wix met him in Conne River; “Jean Michael, the ascetic Indian mentioned above, this day assembled the Indians for their worship, of which singing formed a very considerable part. He and the rest were collecting wild geese for an Indian feast on Easter Sunday, to which they congregate from all parts, and it was with difficulty that I could purchase one, on the morning of Monday, 13th To take on with me to my hospitable friend, Mr. Gallop, of Gaultois.” 

Further, in an 1845 letter from J. Pott to Sir John Harvey, Pott stated “to call in at Bay St. George where 60 [Micmacs] reside… I found two old men pretending to considerable influence over all the Indians in Newfoundland. One calling himself King Mitchell the other Noel Gougond.”

The Family of Sulliann and Frances Borno 

The other individuals included in this document include the Borno’s. From comments made under the posting of the court record on ‘Newfoundlanders and Genealogy’, researchers believe the Borno family to actually be the Mi’kmaw Bernard family and that Sulliann is a Mi’kmaq version of William and Bellancy that of the female name Frances. Therefore, making the couple as noted as William & Frances Bernard.

2 Murders and an Attempt – Unrest Among the Mi’kmaq Community

Captain Jock Mitchell was alerted one night of Bellancy Borno [Frances Bernard] who was trying to effectively murder her own child. Thankfully, he was able to save the child but learned from Bellancy that she had also committed a heinous act against her husband and older son. As Chief and protector of all Mi’kmaw in his band, he went straight to the Courthouse in nearby Harbour Breton to seek help in dealing with Bellancy who was presenting a severe danger to his people. The Court Record is as follows:

“Southern District, Harbour Breton Circuit: August 6, 1843
John Michael did this day personally appear before Thomas R. Gaudin one of her majesty’s justices of the peace and market oath and said that on Monday last the Thirty First Day of July that he detected Bellancy Borno in attempting to destroy her child by twisting a piece of twine around its neck and that when he took the child from the mother it was nearly strangled and was quite black in the face and that during the time the child was in this state she the mother was ?? to ?? it by putting it unto a wall and would have succeeded in the attempt had not witness prevented her.
Witness also states that Bellancy Borno acknowledged to him on the night of the thirty first day of July last that she had murdered her son a young man about twenty six years of age, it appears from what witness states that about two years ago Bellancy Borno with her husband and son were in Bonavista Bay at a place called Open Hole [Open Hall] they proceed from therein in a punt to Long Island and on their way to which place she Bellancy Borno cut her son down with a hatchet when her husband Suliann Borno saw what had taken place he jumped into the water and after struggling some time went down and seen no more.

Sworn before me at Harbour Breton,
This 6th Day of August 1843
Thomas R. Gaudin. J.P.
John Michael [His Mark]”

What Happened to Bellancy?

There aren’t any indications from the historical record, whether Bellancy was caught and reprimanded by the European court. In addition, there isn’t any known record of Bellancy [Or Frances] showing up in any following parish records. It may be safe to assume that Chief Captain Jock Mitchell made the right call with law enforcement taking care of the situation leaving his people protected once again. This court record also reflects the changing ways of the Mi’kmaq people toward assimilation as European influence began to take hold. While the Chief still took care of pressing matters and skirmishes, he ultimately sought out the Europeans to get punishment for a violent perpetrator. If anyone has any additional details of what happened to Bellancy, sound off below.