JULIAN, BARNABY (1???-1854)

JULIAN, BARNABY, Micmac Indian chief; s/o Francis Julian; m. Marie Elizabeth Etienne; d. Miramichi, 1854.

For many years before he himself became a chief, Barnaby Julian, in collaboration with his brother Mitchell, conducted the business of the Red Bank Indians on behalf of his aged father, Chief Francis Julian. When Francis died in 1830, Barnaby fell heir to the chiefship at Red Bank, and when Andrew Julian resigned as head chief or 'king' in 1836, it was with the understanding that Barnaby would be his successor. His appointment was confirmed by Lieut. Gov. Sir Archibald Campbell, who issued a commission on 20 September 1836 to Barnaby Julian, as "Chief of the Micmac Indians of Miramichi and its Dependencies."

At the outset of his term Julian complained to government about the "incapability and intemperance" of his predecessor having led to encroachments on Indian land by white settlers. Yet he and his brother Mitchell, with or without the connivance of their father, had already subdivided and leased large portions of the Little Southwest tract for personal profit, and he did not hesitate to accelerate this activity in his capacity as 'king'. Within three months of being elected he put more than 1,000 additional acres of land under lease. This included the best wild meadow on the river and the most favorable millsite, which was leased to the lumberman Jared Tozer for that purpose.

Moses Perley, who investigated the condition of Indian lands in the province in 1841, had harsh words for Barnaby Julian. During his five years as 'king' Julian had assumed the right to sell or lease the greater part of the Little Southwest reserve of 10,000 acres. He had collected nearly £2,000 in money and goods from deeds, leases, and rents, and yet he was "so embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs" that he dared not go to Newcastle for fear of being arrested by the sheriff. Worst of all, in Perley's view, was that Julian's family alone had benefited from the money which had come into his hands, "none of the other Indians receiving the smallest portion."

At the councils which he attended at Burnt Church in 1841 Perley acted to have Barnaby Julian deposed as head chief and replaced by Nicholas Julian of Eel Ground. He stated that a majority of the Indians were supportive of this, but the moves made at the councils did not have the desired effect. Barnaby continued as chief at Red Bank and 'king' of the tribe, in name at least, until his death from a fever which swept through the reserve in 1854. By losing Perley's confidence, however, and the favor of the provincial government, he was crippled politically, and the Red Bank band became isolated and neglected.

In spite of his serious failings, Barnaby Julian was one of the most forceful and colorful of the Julian chiefs. Even Moses Perley did not attempt to deny his "great shrewdness and intelligence." He and his wife, Marie Elizabeth Etienne, had at least nine children.