Editor's note-November 14, 1974 Issue-(Rev. Charles M. Smith, Lt.-Col. U.S. Army, Ret.,spends six months of each year on the Smith family farm on Whittier Ridge near Rolling Dam. He is an avid historian and has produced several noteworthy series for publication in the Saint Croix Courier. The Courier last week finished the four-part series entitled Piskahegan and Its Road and this week begins a two-part series which outlines the original land grants.)
The story of the settlement of the Piskahegan area is not an easy one to write about with a dependable sense of accuracy as it seems to involve two distinct periods of time: a brief pre-war (War of 1812) settlement; and a post-war settlement,--or at least the issuance of so-called, "Military Settlers' grants", about 1817-1818.
At the outset we must recognize that Piskahegan, like most every other interior rural community had no exact "pin-point" in time as to its origin, as perhaps St. Andrews, St. Stephen, or St. George had. Even Pleasant Ridge, Piskahegan's neighbor on the old Fredericton-St. Andrews Road, has been given a "firm date of 1808", by Dr. Ganong. But Piskahegan grew quite gradually as pioneer settlers began moving over the "Great Road" or up the Magauadavic River. Plots of land were requested and issues granted, then the head of a family (for example) would precede his wife and children, wend his way there to erect a log-house, then return for his family and possibly some meagre household items. These treks over treacherous forest trails were always cumbersome and often risky. If the principal settler were a veteran, generally he received "100 acres of land, provisions for the first year, a musket, and a supply of ammunition,--all as a reward for his military services". Such was the case of some members of the "74th Highland Regiment", settling along the Digdeguash River. (From records of the 74th. Association).
It must be remembered that the old "Fredericton-St.Andrews Road" bore considerable pioneer traffic prior to the opening of the military grants at Piskahegan itself. Back as early as 1790 Rev.Samuel Andrews "tentered a petition for a license for a tract of 1,000 acres on the Road to Fredericton,"--back when the Road was more of a prospect than a reality. (He later acquired a 500 acre block on Pleasant Ridge.) A year later Capt. Christopher Hatch appealed and obtained land along the Magaguadavic River. (Hatch was a former member of the H.M. Loyal American Regiment.) He was very prominent in early Charlotte County history. Nathan Niblock of St. Andrews and Moses Estey, in 1809, appealed for 300 acres each and afterward were issued blocks west of the Magaguadavic River along the Old Fredericton Road. Also in 1809, Valentine Warwick, Stephen Dotten, John Atkinson, John Turner,and John Turner, Jr. entered pleas for lands "on the east side of the Magaguadavic River" where they desired to "erect a grist mill". In 1810 Daniel Lee petitioned for 700 acres east of the same river. (It is believed that Lee was a Revolutionary War veteran). About this time William Stewart and Thomas Myer Jr. obtained 300 acre blocks in the Pleasant Ridge area; and in the same year, 1810, Asa Bonney, William Bonney and John Oliver were issued 500-acre blocks on the Magaguadavic River. Josiah True, of whom we shall learn more later on, moved to the Piskahegan area (from the United States) in 1810 and by the time of the (so called) military settlement had already cleared considerable acreage, had built his home and was operating a large and productive farm. Alexander F. Milne [Mylne] (also believed to have been a Revolutionary War Veteran) acquired 310 acres on the east bank of the river and a little to the south of the Great Road.
These notes are shared to show that although interior settlements developed slowly for the first three decades, or so, yet there was a gradual movement inland along or near the "Great Road", or along the larger rivers. And all the while lesser tributary-roads were opening up from the "Great Roads", far and wide,--a development that was to continue for half a century or so.
Now for a word on governmental effort in effecting settlements. From the "Journals of the House of Assembly", dated March 11, 1817, (page 51), one can gather some enlightenment upon the urgency with which the Government sought to promote settlements in this area at this time. The following samples may illustrate techniques and experiences of a few settlements;
(1) It was recommended that "three" settlers be established on the wilderness part of this road at the expense of the Province and that the Supervisors obtain allotments and grants of land for them free of expense". (However, this was not always the case).
(2) That the "sum of 90 pounds per annum for three years (be allotted) for the purpose of establishing three settlers at the rate of 30 pounds each year for that purpose on that part of the Great Road of Communication from Fredericton to St. Andrews which lies between the Block House at Oromocto and the Block House at the Magaguadavic River; where one settler (Jn. McDougal?) is now placed at "Shin Creek" ; one at the half-way House lately built; and a third at such a place between that and the Magaguadavic River as the Supervisors of that Road may point out;--the sum for the first year to be paid to the said settlers on their becoming bound to His Majesty with sureties to be approved by the Justices of the Peace for the County of Sunbury or Charlotte...(and) that each of them will clear five acres of the land appropriated for them and will also reside thereon for a term of five years".
(3) To John McDougal, the settler of Shin Creek, 20 pounds to cover for his loss of provisions in his movement to Shin Creek.
(4) Then, a reference to a couple of settlers along the "Great Road from St. John to St. Andrews,"--"To John Dustin Woodberry,the sum of 50 pounds to assist him in making establishment (on this road) near Pocologan River and the further sum of 30 pounds per annum for three years for his further encouragement".
(5)"To James Hewson 50 pounds to assist him in making in making establishment on the same road as above (about six miles from Musquash)."
We can see from the above that pioneer settlers were not entirely upon their own,--that their Government was, to a limited extent, interested in their well-being, at least in their establishment in their new world.
Piskahegan has been popularized by its initial so-called "soldier-grant" settlements. Perhaps I should insert at this point that this community was not thus named at this time; the name developed soon after these grants were taken up. At one time it was known as"Little Magaguadavic"--as also its river, the Piskahegan, was called. Further,--these were not "soldier" grants but "grants issued to former soldiers."
As we know, about five years after the building of the Block House, plans were formulated for the issuance of some 60 blocks of land in this region along the old "Fredericton-St. Andrews Road" to members of Regiments disbanded following the War of 1812 (as we refer to it). This conflict was terminated in 1815 but some militay units remained in service considerably beyond this date.
Written by permission of the Saint Croix Courier.
Transcribed by Charlene Beney.
Information contained in [] based on research by transcriber.
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