COUNTY OF LUNENBURG.

The County of Lunenburg was formed on the 17th of August, 1754, and is bounded as follows:-On the east by the Counties of Hants and Halifax, on the north by the Counties of King's and Annapolis, on the west by Queen's County, and on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. It extends from east to west forty miles, and its extreme width is thirty-five miles, exclusive of the space occupied by nearly three hundred islands, which lie scattered in groups along its shores and harbors. It contains three TownshipsChester, Lunenburg and New Dublin. After passing the boundary of Halifax County, the first Bay west of St. Margaret's is Mahone, which, though differently formed, is equally extensive. It is separated from the former by the high lands of Haspatagoen, which may be discerned at a distance of seven or eight leagues. There are a great number of small Islands within the Bay, which afford good anchorage and assist in forming the snug and commodious harbour of Chester. Most of these Islands are in a state of nature, but the great Tancook is settled, and contains thirty families, who derive their subsistence wholly from tilling the land. From these Islands to the head of Mahone Bay, along the western shore, are several places affording perfect security for ships of the line. On the north side of the Bay and nine miles from its mouth is situated the town of

Chester. It was erected into a township in the year 1760, and settled by thirty families, amounting to 148 persons of both sexes, who emigrated from New-England, and brought with them their stock of cattle. Twenty-four years after the arrival of

129

LIBRAR

UNIVERSITY (

number ORNIA.

these people, (1784) they were joined by a number of Loyalists, who being unacquainted with agriculture, expended their property in unprofitable pursuits, and becoming disappointed and discouraged, returned to the United States. They were succeeded by several German families from the neighbourhood of Lunenburg, who being a laborious and industrious people, laid the foundation of a permanent and thriving settlement, the population of which is now upwards of 2000 souls. The township extends twelve miles on the road to Windsor, seventeen towards Halifax, twelve and a half towards Lunenburg, and twenty in the direction of Sherbrooke. The land is in general covered with spruce and fir timber, capable of cultivation, and well irrigated.The town, which is distant from Windsor thirty-five, and from Halifax forty-five miles, is conveniently situated, as respects its internal communication, foreign and coasting trade, and the fisheries. There is a reservation in a central situation of three town lots for a Court House, Jail, and School House; but not being a Shire town, these buildings have not yet been erected. The only public edifices are a church and Baptist meeting-house, the former of which, a neat and well finished building, is situated on an eminence in the centre of the town, commanding an extensive view of the harbour, and its numerous and "beautiful Islands. There are fourteen schooners and sloops owned at Chester, which are engaged during the greater part of the year in the coasting trade, affording easy and frequent communication with Ha!ifax, Lunenburg, and Liverpool. A great portion of the exports consist of lumber of various kinds, for

the manufacturing of which there are seven sawmills. There are also in the township two grist mills and one hulling mill. The principal rivers are Middle river and Gold river. The latter takes it rise in the heights that divide the waters that fall into the Bay of Fundy, from those which run towards the Atlantic; and after passing through the settlement of Sherbrooke, and spreading occasionally into lakes of various sizes, empties itself into the bay, about six miles from the town. Indications of coal have been discovered about a mile from Chester,and lime, yellow-ochre, and pipe-clay, are found in several places. On the west it is bounded by

Lunenburg. This township, next to Halifax, is the oldest settlement formed by the English Government in Nova-Scotia. As soon as the emigrants at the capital were in a situation to accommodate others with shelter and assistance, the necessary steps were immediately taken by His Majesty's Government, for the conveyance of foreigners from Europe, to form a new township on some of the adjacent harbours. A proclamation was sent over to Germany, inviting people to remove to Nova-Scotia, agents appointed to receive applications, and public notices set up in several populous towns, explaining the

The following is a translation of that published at Rotterdam, in 1750:

Whereas, His Britannic Majesty's Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, have, during the last year, transported a great number of persons to Nova-Scotia, in North America, they have appointed Mr. John Dick, merchant and trader in Rotterdam, to agree with all those German Protestants and other Foreigners, who shall desire to settle in said Province, and are willing to become British subjects, respecting the payment of their passage from Rotterdam to the said Province, on reasonable terms, and to grant them, in consideration thereof, the following advantages.

1st.

There shall be assigned and distributed to each foreigner, fifty acres of land, free from all rent and taxes for ten years; after

nature of the encouragement that would be given to emigrants. In consequence of these advertisements, many persons were induced to dispose of their effects, and enter their names at the office of the agent at Rotterdam, from whence 130 Germans and Swiss

that no one shall pay more than one shilling yearly for said fifty acres, so given him.

2d. Besides the fifty acres, there shall be assigned to every foreigner who has a family, and to every member of the same, wife and children included, ten additional acres on the same terms, and still further privileges shall be granted to each one, according to his skill in cultivation of land, and in proportion to the increase of his family.

3d. All who are willing to accept the aforesaid proposals, shall be maintained with their families, full twelve months after their arrival in the said Province.

4th. They shall be provided with as many arms and as much ammunition as shall be considered necessary, together with a sufficient quantity of materials and implements for house-keeping, clearing and cultivating their lands, erecting habitations, promoting the fisheries, and with other articles necessary for their subsistance.-That such Foreigners as shall desire to settle in the aforesaid Province, may have sufficient information respecting the same, it may be mentioned that the said Province of Nova-Scotia is under the dominion of the Crown of Great Britain in North America, and situated between the 45th and 51st degrees of North Latitude. The air or climate is very healthy, and the soil as productive and fertile as that of any other British colony whatever, since, by good cultivation, it yields an abundance of every thing necessary for the support of life-grain, hemp, flax, &c. The sea coast abounds with as great a variety of fish as any part of the American coast, and is particularly well situated for shipping and trade, being furnished with numerous secure and convenient harbours. For these reasons during the last year, a great number of British subjects and Foreigners went thither and settled, under the regulation of a careful and prudent person, commissioned for that purpose by His Majesty, and through their diligence and exertions, have already made such uncommon progress, that they have built a town of between three and four hundred houses. These colonists already enjoy all these advantages in a high degree. The plan of a civil government is the same as is usual in the British Colonies in America, and in accordance with the laws and privileges already established there by his Majesty's authority: It has been put in force as far as the number and present circumstances of the inhabitants will admit, and will be carefully and zealously proceeded in, according to the increase of the colony, which, under divine blessing and assistance, may be expected; every volunteer, therefore, who has come to the resolution of complying with the above pro posal, will please to obtain a license from his Government, and therewith apply either directly to Mr. John Dick, or to his Agent in Franckfort, on the Mayne, who may be found by enquiring of John Adam Ohenslagen, ship master, who resides at the Saxenhausen Bridge.