DCHP-1 Online
Neutral Hist. 
n. a French-speaking settler of eighteenth-century Acadia, so-called because of his disinterest in the wars between the English and French.
- 1755 (1895) Some reflections on the situation of the inhabitants, commonly called Neutrals, and some methods proposed to prevent their escape out of the colony, in case, upon their being acquainted with the design of removing them, they should attempt to desert over to the French.
- 1786 (1787) . . . most of the lands around the head of the Bay are very good, having been formerly possessed and cultivated by the ancient French colonists, distinguished by the name of Neutrals. . . .
- 1895 A petition from one town on the coast asks to have the Neutrals removed to the interior, as they have a powder-house there, and were afraid they would blow them up.
- 1963 Then [1755] . . . the rulers of Nova Scotia turned to deal firmly with the long evasive, long neutral Acadians.
- 1755 (1895) Some reflections on the situation of the inhabitants, commonly called Neutrals, and some methods proposed to prevent their escape out of the colony, in case, upon their being acquainted with the design of removing them, they should attempt to desert over to the French.