The History of Queens County, Nova Scotia, Canada

It being the wish of my friends that I should republish the "Annals of Queens County" in book form, I have consented, and now present to the public the history of my native county, begging the indulgence of my readers. This volume is submitted to the public without claiming for it that it is entirely free from mistakes; such total exemption can hardly be expected of a work of this kind. But that the present work is as free from any such of date or fact as the utmost care could effect is confidently believed. It might, indeed, in its details, have been more particular; but the aim of the writer has been to avoid prolixity and offense to persons or families so far as obligation to truth would permit. The constant detriment, and sometimes destruction of public and family records, in the form of letters, and other manuscripts and private papers urges the importance of preserving, in a more durable form, what may be proper for the public eye, and of most interest. It has been well remarked that, in treasuring up the memorials of the past we best manifest our regard for futurity. It is not to be expected that the affairs of a single county will be greatly interesting to the public generally, but to such, at least, as are connected with Queens County this volume will, we trust, be of some interest. They surely will not regret that a portion of its history is rescued from oblivion. Even in regard to those portions of the history of more recent date, such as shall be on the stage fifty or one hundred years from now, will have feelings similar to our own as regards the long past. The writer would have been much gratified could he have given a fuller view of men of distinguished reputation who acted their several parts well. If omissions occur in delineating the characters of the departed, the unavoidable absence of the requisite information must be the apology. Some of the most meritorious may have Wen passed by, whilst others less conspicuous or useful in their day have been noticed. It is much easier to regret necessity than to supply the remedy. If some landmarks have been set up to encourage and aid future research, then this attempt will not have been in vain. The writer has endeavored honestly, unbiased by prejudice, to pursue the one object he had originally in view, with a determined inquiry for the truth in narration of events and the relation of facts. It cannot be regarded as otherwise than fortunate that the earlier settlers of this county were emigrants from a country advanced in civilization, and that they were generally distinguished for intelligence and enterprise. For any defects that may exist in the present work the author begs indulgence; of its errors, if such there be, he can only say they were undesigned. If there should appear a paucity of material for so full a history of some periods of our progress as might be desired, or of incidents to give zest to the recital, it must be remembered that it is no part of our present duty to create; the records, scanty as they may be, we are necessitated to take as we find them. The inhabitants of this county are of New England origin which is sufficient to give them a character for ability and enterprise.

 

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On the 7th day of April, A. D. 1604, De Monts whose name is so well known in connection .with the history of Acadia, sailed from Havre de Grace in France on board a vessel commanded by Captain Timothy, her consort commanded by Captain Morill, of Honfleur, sailed three days after. Champlain says that they first met in the harbour which they first entered on this side of the ocean. This harbour was first known as "Port Rossignol," subsequently under French occupation "Port Senior," and now Liverpool. In this Port De Monts found a vessel engaged in the fur trade with the Indians, commanded by a Capt. Rossignol, which he, by virtue of the power and authority conferred upon him by his monarch confiscated, and gave to the port the name of the Captain. Lagt, (a French historian) says they first Janded at Port Mouton where they remained a month. This port was also named by De Monts, from the circumstance of a sheep jumping overboard, and being nearly drowned before it was rescued. They probably landed at S. W. Port Mouton, as the remains of a settlement at some early date are yet to be seen.