The portrait of Constance Couronne appeared in the life of Mauritian Nicolas Couronne in 2018, and completely upset his first years of retirement. The long, tenacious and powerful gaze of this frail little lady dressed in black and with a Victorian austerity transcends time to touch us today, through the book Constance Couronne. Le Regard de l’Ancêtre Esclavelaunched on February 2 at the Musée intercontinental de l’esclavage. Dominique Bellier
The Intercontinental Museum of Slavery celebrated the Abolition of Slavery by presenting two flamboyant examples of former slaves who succeeded in freeing themselves from their condition : that of Furcy Madeleine, who fought in the French courts for 26 years to obtain recognition of his status as a free man, and that of Constance Couronne. Probably the victim of manipulation and sentencedto life exile for attempted poisoning at the age of 9, the latter succeeded, despite everything, in establishing herself in the Australian bush as a highly respected pioneer.
It took more than 150 years for Mauritians to discover her story through a book, a round table and an exhibition… Constance arrived in Sydney in July 1834, making her the youngest convict in the history of Australian colonization. She was incarcerated in a women’s prison, then placed in September as a servant in the service of the children of the 1er city’s police magistrate.
Constance’s life takes a new turn thanks to her friendship with her young mistress, Marcia. When Marcia married, she took her with her into the bush. Constance married Robert Trudgett in 1841, with whom she farmed. She had eleven children, of whom Nicolas met several descendants. After obtaining parole and a pardon, Constance became a well-known midwife in the Wellington area.