The first school in the Nelson Parish was situated in the village of Nelson Miramichi on the property now owned and occupied by William Russell. It was likely built about 1820. It was listed as the Nelson Parish School No. 1 by the Province of New Brunswick. Here is the school register for the year 1842.

Pupil: Age:
Patrick Foley 15
James Foley 10
William Flett 12
Patrick Wallace 11
John Leary 14
James Leary 10
James Kane 13
Michael Kane 11
John Woods 13
John Clark 14
Helen Ahern 9
John Sutton 8
Wm. Sutton 6
John Donovan 12
William Donovan 6
John Carroll 10
Richard Aberm 12
Peter Dolan 6
James Driscoll 6
Hannah Foley 13
Margaret Malcolm 9
Mary Malcolm 7
Catherine Ahern 7
Nelson Carroll 10
Mary Woods 10
Mary Dolam 11
Mary Ann Ahern 11
Mary Donovan 6
Johanna Donovan 6
Mary Ann Leary 10
Margaret Duyer 8
Helen Wallace 8
Charles Clark 10
The teacher was John Jamieson.  It was known locally as the Monahan School.  A photo taken of the school (taken before 1900)  and pupils, hangs in the corridor of the Nelson Rural School.  It was closed in 1902.