Found in edition December 12, 1974 of Saint Croix Courier
'No history of the Piskahegan area would be complete--without some mention of the infamous Josiah True who, as we find out through Rev. Charles M. Smith's research, appears to have been a model citizen. Possibly it was Mr. True's waning mental facilities in later life which was responsible for the stories of buried treasure in the soil of Piskahegan. At any rate it makes fascinating reading in Chapter Four of our history.' [editor of Saint Croix Courier]
Part 1
Perhaps the most colorful of Piskahegan's original settlers was Josiah True, a pioneer and businessman of considerable worth. Many stories have come down the years as to his character and his presumed wealth, -- both of which have fed some doubtful minds and stirred some intriguing conversation around friendly fires as old-timers would share their crude but imaginative versions of 'True's Gold'. Much of this smacked of tales of 'pirate gold' stashed beneath the sands of some South Sea fronded isle of long ago; and even to this day it is believed that Piskahegan's original settler had acquired an enviable fortune the residue of which, --before leaving his home -- he had concealed on his farm but in his final days had forgotten its hiding place. We will return to this enchanting aspect of his life and reputation later on.
Josiah True, not a veteran of the British military services, as some have supposed, came to New Brunswick from the United States some time prior to 1810 and, in due time, became a citizen of Canada. The earliest official mention of his name came on May 25, 1810 when, as an aspiring immigrant, True made (what must have been) his first appeal to governmental authority for a lot of land in New Brunswick. His petition apparently came before the Provincial Assembly and was met with approval , as the following judicial instructions show: "Josiah True , at the last April General Sessions of the Peace, in open court, became bound to our Sovereign Lord the King in (the amount of) 100 pounds. And Christopher Hatch and John Campbell, each (for) 25 pounds. (That he must) reside upon the land for five years from the time of entry, --to be allotted him upon the Fredericton Road, to clear five thereon.
Signed, Hatch, Clerk".
We note with pleasure and some amazement the confidence invested in this "Memorialist" by these two notable gentlemen who so generously acted as surety for him. This, in itself, seems to imply a much earlier entry into New Brunswick than 1810.
Soon after the issuance of a grant of some 200 acres, True found his wearisome way to his forest acreage in the Piskahegan area and forthwith set out to clear his land and build his house. Whether or not he had a family at this time is not certain, in any event, with courage and energy he battled forest and elements until, -- by 1818-- he had opened up some 35 acres of virgin forest, had erected a comfortable home, and was enjoying a prosperous life as farmer and lumber man; Inn keeper and Postman. So significant a citizen had this settler become in this area that the community became known as "True's Post Station",--and this identification persisted on some old maps throughout the 19th century.
During these years True's lonely retreat had grown into quite an active community with the building of the Block-House in 1813 and the gradual settlements along this old Road. Travel over it was by now at its height; with immigrants pushing ever northward; military and other governmental personnel in busy transit from one duty station to another; cumbersome, pine-laden, ox-drawn vehicles, tumbling over their cruel forest trails bearing unfinished masts for his Majesty's Navy, ---and then the periodic arrival of the tottering 'Stagecoach' before the door of "True's Tavern": all of which must have provided diversion and discussion for those brave but lonely pioneers on the old "Fredericton-St. Andrews Road'.
Some nine years after his arrival, Josiah True with Charles Riley, under date of Feb. 4, 1819 made a joint petition "to his Excellency Maj. General George Smyth, Lt. Governor of New Brunswick" for additional acres. (I might insert,--at this time both True and Riley are reported as married and having their families with them). Their request continued, -- "that finding the new Settlement lately formed by order of the Government on the road from St. Andrews (your memorialists) would be greatly accommodated by the building of a grist mill and a sawmill near the bridge on the Piskahegan, or Little Magaguadavic River, (and we) propose to erect one provided your Excellency in his wisdom should (see) fit to grant to your Petitioners 600 acres of land as tenants in common in the above situation".
The two petitioners informed the Governor that the land requested was 'altogether unfit for cultivation' and only of value for its 'timber to supply the mill'.
To further strengthen this request True went to Fredericton several days afterward and on February 22, 1819, as the official 'memorialist' in this case, informed his Excellency ( in writing) that he and Riley had applied 'for a Mill-privilege on the Piskahegan near which he resides...and has built a house for the accommodation of Travellors' (and that) 'he is now building another house on a much larger scale'; and that he had cleared 35 acres 'which will be in grain and grass next spring'. In the same appeal he mentions the fact that although he has resided 'the last nine years in this Province', he has not as yet been able to obtain Naturalization. He concludes with added force--'as it is in the utmost importance to the interest not only of your Memorialist but, of all the military and other settlers on that much frequented Road that the frames for a Saw-Mill and Grist-Mill be prepared and brought to the spot during the present Winter and Spring'. "Signed; Josiah True".
Deputy Surveyor, Colin Campbell attested to these facts as stated adding "that Josiah True is a most valuable and useful settler"; and that such a development if authorized 'will for some years prove...serviceable to the Military and other settlers on that route". Further as though this was not enough to move both heart and hand of his Excellency, the above action was followed up by a brief but effective commendation of Mr. True, signed by three significant local gentlemen.--Messeurs Robert Pagan, Hugh Mackay and Joseph Porter, who attested to the 'important public benefit' such an industry would provide that community, 'and greatly promote the Settlement of that neighborhood'. The following year (1820) John Campbell and Gabriel Deverber, Supervisors of this Great Road, on behalf of Josiah True, approved a grant of 300 acres, --thus concluding this action and further enlarging Josiah True's property holdings and influence.
Written by permission of the Saint Croix Courier. Transcribed by Charlene Beney.