Port-LaJoye

Coordinates: 46°11′42″N 63°08′24″W / 46.195°N 63.140°W / 46.195; -63.140
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Port-LaJoye was founded in 1720 on

Île Saint-Jean, now Prince Edward Island. Settlement in the area began with the arrival of an expedition sent by the Comte de Saint-Pierre, who settled West of the Harbour entrance to the site named Port-LaJoye. Port-LaJoye became the administrative centre, although other sites had greater commercial potential. The British confirm this decision when they became masters of the region after the capitulation of Louisbourg
in 1758.

History

Port-LaJoye in 1750

The first European settlers in the area were

Île Royal
.

Families who came to Port-LaJoye in 1720, were the family of Michel Haché-Gallant of Beaubassin, and the family Pierre and Joseph Martine from Pisiguit. In 1721, Charles Haché-Gallant and his brother Pierre, settled also in Port-LaJoye. In 1722, Jean-Baptiste Haché-Gallant, settled in the Port. In 1724, Joseph Haché-Gallant and Joseph Précieux established themselves. In 1726, Pierre Martin and his son settled on the River to the Northeast. In 1728, Michel Hébert and Pierre Buot moved in turn to the Port. The reason for Acadian emigration to Isle Saint-Jean at that time, was caused by the difficulty that Acadians faced to get new land in Nova Scotia, while their families increased in size.[1]

Acadian settlers established farms in the surrounding area while under French control from 1720–1745 and 1746–1758 and the French military established a small military force at the outpost, garrisoned with troops from Louisbourg. Morale was low and troops were infrequently relieved due to its unpopularity. The wood barracks were poor protection from harsh winters when wind, rain and snow swirled between picket walls and rotten planked roofs.[2]

After 1758, Port-LaJoye was renamed Fort Amherst by the English, and its defences were strengthened. In 1768, the surveyor Charles Morris, designed a new urban site across the harbour. This village is named

King George III
. After this, Port-LaJoye fell into oblivion because the inhabitants had been deported.

References

  1. ^ ARSENAULT, Bona, "history of the Acadians, Leméac, Ottawa, 1978, p.130 - 131
  2. ^ Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations

See also

46°11′42″N 63°08′24″W / 46.195°N 63.140°W / 46.195; -63.140