WESTMORLAND.
Is bounded eastwardly by the line of Nova-Scotia, and the Gulph of St.
Lawrence; northerly, by a west line running into the country from the
northernmost point of Shediac Island; westwardly, by a line beginning
at a point in the north boundary of St. John County; north, from Quaco
head, and running north till it meets said west line; southerly, by St.
John County and Chignecto. It contains nine thousand three hundred and
three inhabitants.
This County is situated at the head of the Bay of Fundy, and joins
Nova-Scotia. The line between the Provinces is the narrowest part of
the isthmus between the Bay of Fundy and Bay Verte. A small stream over
which there is a bridge--forming the separating line. It contains the
following Parishes:--Westmorland, Sackville, Hillsborough, Hopewell,
Moncton, Dorchester, Salisbury, and Botsford.
A considerable part of this county was formerly settled by the Acadians
or French neutrals, whose descendants are still numerous in this and
the adjoining County of Northumberland, being spread along the
seaboard, to the Bay of Chaleur. They have settlements at Memramcook,
Peticodiac, Bay Verte, Cocagne, Bucktouche, Richibucto, &c.--where
there are several large Chapels, which are usually supplied with Romish
Missionaries, who are supported by tythes from the French Catholics.
But the most thriving class of settlers are the English, chiefly from
Yorkshire, or their descendants. They are in general good farmers and
attend chiefly to husbandry. Indian corn is but little cultivated in
this county, the climate being too cool and temperate for that plant to
thrive well; but wheat, oats, potatoes, &c. flourish here in great
perfection. This is the finest part of the Province for stock; from the
extensive tracts of salt marsh which lie in this county, many thousand
acres of which are dyked and produce abundant crops. Butter and cheese
are made and exported from this county in large quantities. The cattle
are superior to any in the country from the great attention that has
been paid by the inhabitants to crossing and improving the breed.
During the American war nine hundred head of cattle, and eight hundred
firkins of butter, were sent from this county to Halifax, and other
places in one year, and although the demand has fallen off since the
peace, there are still large droves taken from Cumberland to Halifax,
and St. John--and likewise large quantities of butter and cheese.
The tides at the head of the Bay rise to a great height. They come in
with successive swells of the water called the Boar, which at spring
tides roll in with amazing velocity in waves about three feet
perpendicular. The noise of the Boar is heard a great distance, and
animals immediately take to the highland, and manifest visible signs of
terror if near it. The spring tides at Cape Chignecto, Cape Enrage, and
Cumberland bason, are from forty-five to fifty-five feet. Common tides
at Cape Chignecto, thirty-six feet; at Cape Enrage, forty feet; at Fort
Cumberland, forty-five; and at Bay Verte, from eight to ten feet
perpendicular.
The shores from Cape Chignecto and Martin's Head to the Joggins, or
land of Grindstones, are high, bold and rocky. On other parts of the
coast they are not so elevated, but abound in most places with valuable
stones of different kinds, fit for building and other purposes. Great
quantities of Grindstones are made in this county, and furnish a
valuable article for exportation. Nearly twenty thousand were formerly
exported from this place annually, to the United States, and other
places, but this branch of trade has fallen off considerably of late
years.
Fort Cumberland formerly called Beausejour, is situated on the
Missaguash river in this county. It was the first post fortified by the
French in this Province, and was for a long while a great annoyance to
the English settlers, till it was taken by Colonel MONCKTON, in 1755,
who placed a British Garrison in it. The works are at present much
decayed, a few soldiers are however still stationed in it.
The several parishes in this county are in a flourishing state. Some of
them have neat places of worship with stated Ministers, and others are
visited occasionally. Westmorland in general, is well settled, with a
substantial yeomanry, and although it does not make such a figure in a
bustling trade as some of the other counties, it is silently enriching
itself with the slow but sure returns of Agriculture, and fast rising
into importance.
The rivers in this county are the Peticodiac, Memramcook, and
Missaguash with several other streams which run a considerable distance
into the country. Some of them are well settled along their banks. The
main road from Saint John to Cumberland follows the Peticodiac nearly
throughout its whole course.
There are no sea-ports in this county of consequence. Dorchester has
but little trade, and Chediac, is near the lines in Northumberland,
although the river runs into this county and facilitates the export of
its produce.