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John Copp - Miramichi History Moment

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The last articles I wrote reflected on two individuals who have in my opinion accomplished many things that in a lot of instances made life better for citizens of the river. The tragedy is that we tend to remember some glitzy national event, but don't look at ourselves for greatness and accomplishment. I thought for this article I would review a historical article that Dr. Lousie Manny wrote for the Miramichi Historical Society, called "The French Fort Cove," which recorded much history of that area which may have been forgotten forever if not for her efforts.

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To explain the content of that paper I will make reference to historical facts which she has recorded.

Firstly, the brook which flows into the cove, which as long as I can ever remember never really had a name, is, in actual fact "Ruisseaus a Corneills" (Crow Brook). This name was recorded on the very early French maps of the area. And crows, then as now, like to congregate there.

The second point she makes, which I think without a doubt is a major historical point, is that Kethro Point was a defensive position established by the Acadian refugees seeking to defend themselves against the British in 1756. Described in the historical articles as being a stone bluff which commands a sweeping view of the Miramichi River both east and west, it was ideal for the construction of a gunnery battery to defend the settlement at Boishebert Island and up to 1900 that site had the local name of "Battery Hill."

The defensive position stood at Battery Hill, with its counterpart directly across the river at Canada Point. In between, the French commander, Boishebert moored two frigates broadside across the river and four hundred men set out in battle array faced the British commander at this site. This all occurred in 1758, but when Quebec fell in 1759 the whole defence of the refugee encampment at Boishebert Island collapsed and Canada entered a whole new era of history.

The beginning of the British arrival on the river was led by two adventurous Scots named William Davidson and John Court, who settled up beyond Boishebert Island. With this a whole new group of immigrants showed up on the shores of the Miramichi, seeking to create a new life for themselves. In 1774, Benjamin Martson, Northumberland County's first sheriff, and John Mark Crank Delesderernier purchased the Cove with the purpose of building a sawmill. But a new industry was sweeping the river and the east side of the Cove was sold to a shipbuilder by the name of John Henderson. The area was ideal for construction, with a deep channel right up to the shore.

Already in the area, William Abrams had a ship yard, and master builder John Harley in the 1820s era constructed many fine ships, most noteworthy being The Phoenix built in 1826, right after the Miramichi Fire.

The area in the vicinity of the Cove certainly reflected the early history of the river, but an area with so much history also created much legend and folklore for the area. Stories of ghosts and buried treasure added to the mystique of the area. Manny captured the stories of Paddy Perry and his treasure hunt being ended by the ghost chasing him from the woods, the presentation of the headless nun and her encounters requesting that people assist in returning her headless body to her native France. All these stories would probably be gone from our history if not recorded by this local historian, who made a determined effort to make sure our folklore was recorded.

Again I could go along for many pages, but I hope I have created an understanding what this lady has done not only the Folk Festival but the very simple effort of recording our history so we could understand where we have come from and use that knowledge today to attempt to build a future articulating our history in tourism. Perhaps our generation may reflect in the future that the Eco Centre was our Phoenix rising from the ashes to revitalize our community.

I also read the article on one of Curtis Corner's (Bridgetown's) great citizens, Mickey Allison. I remember him playing the piano at my grandfather Russell's house, a self-made musician and a true individual. I do hope that somebody has written down the many stories Mickey put to song about the lives of the Bridgetown families — the Hoveys, Hendersons, Russells and Macleans. Congratulations, Mick — you deserve it. You reflect a lot what the Miramichi is about.