Having in the preceding sections briefly described the five Counties
lying along the river St. John; I shall now proceed with the three
remaining, commencing with
CHARLOTTE.
This County is bounded by the Bay of Fundy on the south, by the St.
Croix river, and the Bay of Passamaquoddy on the west and south west,
on the east by a north line from Point Lepreau, and on the north by a
west line commencing in the said north line thirty-three miles from
Point Lepreau, and contains nine thousand two hundred and sixty-seven
inhabitants.
It is divided from the United States by the river St. Croix, commonly
called the Schoodick, which is the line in this quarter that divides
the territories of His Britannic Majesty from the District (State) of
Maine. It comprehends several large Islands in the Bay of
Passamaquoddy, and is divided into the following Parishes:--St.
Andrews, St. Stephens, St. Davids, St. Patricks, St. Georges,
Pennfield, Campobello, West Isles, and Grand Manan.
The Parish of St. Andrews, besides the town of that name already
described, possesses many advantages for trade, being situated very
conveniently for navigation. It has several Saw-Mills, and a great
quantity of boards, planks, &c. are shipped from that port.
St. Stephens likewise furnishes vast quantities of sawed lumber. The
mills in this parish on the river Schoodick are very numerous. More
than four million feet of boards and planks are cut in this Parish
annually. Ship-building is likewise carried on to considerable extent.
Large quantities of shingles and small lumber of different descriptions
are also furnished here for exportation. There is a Methodist Chapel
with a stated Minister in this parish. The country is considerably
improved, having several good farms. It has likewise a good herring
fishery at the falls of the Schoodick.
St. Davids has likewise some good saw-mills. It also furnishes masts,
and squared timber for shipping. The land in this Parish is of an
excellent quality, and produces wheat, oats, Indian corn, potatoes, &c.
in great abundance.
The Parishes of St. Patricks, St. George, and Pennfield, have each a
number of saw-mills, and furnish large quantities of sawed lumber of
the best quality--the country being well stocked with excellent pine.
Considerable quantities of scale fish are also caught and cured here.
Great improvements are likewise making in Agriculture in these
Parishes, particularly in Pennfield, which produces wheat in great
perfection. The settlers in this Parish are good farmers, and are
making great improvements.
The Parishes of Campobello and Deer Island comprehend the Islands so
called. Campobello includes the Islands on the south east side of
Passamaquoddy river. It contains several thousand acres of land fit for
cultivation. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the fishery along
the shores. Great quantities of cod and other fish are taken about the
Island, and sold uncured to the Americans. Formerly most of the gypsum
exported from this Province was landed on this Island where it was
shipped on board American vessels for Philadelphia and New-York.
Grand-Manan is likewise a considerable place for fishing,
Ship-building, &c. and is of considerable importance in a nautical
point of view, as it lies near the entrance of the Bay of Fundy. It is
fourteen miles long and seven miles broad. The Northernmost point is in
latitude 44 deg. 54' longitude 66 deg. 45' west.
The rivers Maggagaudavick and Digdaguash, lie in this county, and are
of the utmost advantage in transporting the lumber from the interior.
On each of these streams mills are erected. The Maggagaudavick runs a
great distance into the country, and communicates with a chain of
lakes, down which lumber is floated from a great distance. There are
several falls in the Maggagaudavick--those near the mouth are nearly
forty feet.
Several Islands lying in Passamaquoddy Bay are within the limits of
this county. Some of them are of considerable importance, on account of
the fishery, and as affording harbors for shipping.