Marie-Josèphe Angélique: Montreal on Fire | Strong and Free

Summary

The story of Marie Joseph Angelique, an enslaved Black woman in 18th-century Quebec, is marked by tragedy and mystery. After attempting to escape with her lover, a white man named Claude Thibault, Angelique was caught and returned to her owner. Shortly after, a devastating fire broke out in Montreal, and rumors spread that she and Thibault had set it. Despite limited evidence, Angelique was convicted of arson, tortured, and executed in front of a crowd. Her fate remains uncertain, but her life highlights the brutality of slavery and the racial tensions of the time.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marie Joseph Angélique was a Black enslaved woman in New France (now Quebec) accused of setting a major fire in Montreal in 1734.
• 🔥 The fire destroyed significant parts of the city, including the merchant's quarter and the hospital.
• 💔 Angélique was allegedly trying to escape with her lover, a white man named Claude Thibault, but they were caught and returned to Montreal.
• ⚖️ Despite little evidence, Marie Joseph Angélique was charged with arson and found guilty in a court trial.
• ⛓️ Angélique was enslaved by Madame de Francia and had no real legal rights or protections.
• 👀 Rumors spread quickly that Angélique and Thibault were responsible for setting the fire.
• 📅 The fire broke out on April 10th, 1734, and caused severe damage in just a few hours, destroying 46 houses by the end of the night.
• 🩸 Angélique was tortured to extract a confession and was publicly humiliated in front of a large crowd.
• 🔗 Angélique was paraded through the streets wearing a white chemise with the word 'arsonist' embroidered on it before being hanged.
• 🔥 After her execution, her body was taken down and burned, an act that further symbolized her dehumanization as an enslaved person.
• 📜 The case remains controversial, as there is no concrete proof that Angélique set the fire, and her legacy continues to reflect the brutal realities of slavery in Canada.

Q & A

Who was Marie Joseph Angélique and what is she infamous for?

Marie Joseph Angélique was an enslaved Black woman in Quebec who was charged with setting a fire that destroyed parts of Montreal in 1734. Despite limited evidence, she was convicted and executed for arson.

What event led to Marie Joseph Angélique's arrest and subsequent trial?

Marie Joseph Angélique was arrested after a fire broke out in Montreal on April 10, 1734, and rumors spread that she and her lover, Claude Thibault, were responsible for setting the fire.

Who was Claude Thibault and what role did he play in the incident?

Claude Thibault was a white man and Marie Joseph Angélique's lover. He was involved in a failed attempt to escape with her before the fire broke out, and after their capture, he was imprisoned, but Angélique was returned to her owner.

How did the fire that destroyed Montreal spread and what areas were affected?

The fire spread quickly after it started on April 10, 1734, burning down the merchant’s water, the hospital, and many other buildings, with 46 houses destroyed within a few hours.

What was the reaction of the public to the fire and to Marie Joseph Angélique's arrest?

Public rumors immediately blamed Angélique and Thibault for setting the fire, leading to her arrest. The public spectacle of her trial and execution became a form of entertainment in New France.

How was Marie Joseph Angélique treated during her trial and execution?

Marie Joseph Angélique was publicly humiliated, paraded through the streets wearing a white chemise with 'arsonist' written on it. She was then sentenced to death by hanging, and her body was burned after her execution.

Was there solid evidence linking Marie Joseph Angélique to the fire?

No, there was little evidence to prove that Marie Joseph Angélique set the fire. Despite this, she was found guilty and executed.

What role did the enslaved African and Indigenous populations play in the context of this story?

Marie Joseph Angélique was one of over 4,000 enslaved African and Indigenous people in Canada at the time, who were bought and sold as property under the colonial system.

What impact did the public spectacle of Marie Joseph Angélique's trial and execution have on the community?

The trial and execution of Marie Joseph Angélique, especially her public humiliation and death, became a form of cruel entertainment for the people of New France, highlighting the harshness of colonial justice and social attitudes toward enslaved people.

What do we know for sure about the death of Marie Joseph Angélique?

While the exact circumstances of the fire remain unclear, we do know that Marie Joseph Angélique was executed by hanging, and her body was later burned.