Cork Settlement
(Extraction from the Royal Gazette, August 26, 1847 p. 3453)
"Copy of a Despatch from Sir W. M. G. Colebrooke to Earl Grey. {no. 75} Fredericton, N. B., 13th. August, 1847
My Lord, -- In reference to my Despatch, No. 33, of the 27th. of April, I have the honor to forward a Report form the Surveyor General, with a series of Returns containing the result of the inquires which he had made as to the progress of the new settlements....
The 'Cork' Settlement was formed in 1842, in the vicinity of the former [referring to Harvey Settlement which had been formed in 1838], by a party of Irish settlers, who with their families were thrown out of employment in Fredericton; and the "Mechanics" Settlement by a party of Mechanics and Labourers, thrown out of work in Saint John, and who were located on lands situated near the Bay of Fundy, about 60 miles to the eastward of that city....
The Cork settlers, consisting of 179 persons, occupying 57 homesteads, have cleared in five years 519 acres, valued at 1868 pounds sterling. The amount originally charged on their lands was 225 pounds, of which 176 pounds is unredeemed, or less than 10 percent, of the value of their cleared lands, building and stock, --excluding from the estimate their uncleared lands, --or 8 per cent of the value of their last years crops....
In examining the details it will be seen that from different causes the resources of the settlers have varied in almost every instance, according to their relative strength and ability, the number of effective members in their families, and other advantages they have possessed. In some cases transfers have been made to others who have indemnified the parties for their improvements, and, while adequate security has existed for the public claims, any interference with these arrangements would have been unjust to the settlers, and have retarded the progress of the settlements.
From these Returns it will further be seen how essential to the settlements has been the grant to them of assistance in opening roads, and how important the laying out of these lands in 'villages' where they have been enabled to assist each other, and to secure to themselves advantages, of which they would otherwise have been destitute; and as a principal object in occupying a greater extent of wild lands than they have been able to reclaim, or profitable to occupy, has been to acquire the means of settling their families, growing up around them, and to obtain a present supply of fuel with the privilege of wild pasturage, all these advantages would equally be secured to a new settlement, were the property to be acquired by the community, and each settler, possessing the right of commonage, to purchase from time to time such portions only as his industry and resources might enable him profitable to occupy and reclaim. in this manner also the necessary reserves for churches, schools, and for other public purposes, would be at once provided for, --the settlements would be more compact, -- and their progress would not be checked by the encroachment on lands adjacent to the locations of persons who speculate on their improving value....
I cannot but concur in the opinion expressed by Your Lordship, that with the co-operation of the Provincial Legislature, it would be practicable to establish some system by which colonization might be carried forward upon a more regular plan, and upon a larger scale than has of late years been attempted, and I can readily assure Your Lordship of the disposition of the Local Government to facilitate an undertaking of such importance to the welfare and prosperity of the Province, as a British possession.... signed, W. M. G. Colebrooke.
Enclosure from Thos. Baillie to Sir W. M. G. Colebrooke:
"Sir, Herewith I have the honor to transmit to Your Excellency the Returns which have been prepared for the 'Harvey,' 'Cork,' and 'Mechanics' Settlements, also two Plans shewing their position, and the extent of Crown Land adjoining which is still unoccupied.
NOTE.-- In the latter part of the year 1841 and beginning of 1842, the commercial affairs of the Province were in such a state of embarrassment, that great numbers of Mechanics and Labourers found it necessary to remove to the United States, in quest of that employment which they could no longer find in the Province, and several of them having been induced to form themselves into associations for the purpose of settling on Crown Lands, encouragement was given them, by the survey at the public expense of suitable tracts of Land for their occupation, credit being given them for the amount of the purchase money.
The measure being found to be successful, the Regulations of 2nd December, 1842, were framed for general application of the principle, and various applications from associated parties for Land to be sold on these terms were received, (vide Gazette, 17th. Dec., same year,) on which surveys were made.
In the spring of 1842, trade having partially revived and shipbuilding been renewed, many of the people who had proposed to associate to form settlements in the wilderness rather than leave the Province, having again found employment in their respective callings, were unwilling, when the emergency had passed, to take possession and go on the lands prepared for them.
The consequence was, that the 'Mechanics' and 'Cork' Settlements only, were permanently located to any extent, the 'Harvey' Settlement having been commenced in 1838.
The survey of other tracts, nevertheless, was of great advantage, as many of them have since been partially settled by individuals who have purchased allotments in them under the subsequent Regulations of the 14th. May, 1843...."
