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Part One - Louisbourg - The Land and its Utilization

Louisbourg - Crops and Livestock

 Crops and Livestock

Fortress Site and Environs 

Louis Chancels de Lagrange visited the port of Louisbourg in 1716. Though he noted that no farming was carried on in the colony, he claimed that the land around the harbour was capable of producing a wide variety of grains and vegetables. [1] It was a unique assessment of Louisbourg's agricultural capabilities which, to just about everyone else, were nil. Louisbourg is repeatedly described as an unfertile, unproductive place. [2] No hay, oats or grain was attempted in the Rochefort Point and fauxbourg areas, and there is no known reference to any of the garden produce.

One plant presumed to have been cultivated at Louisbourg is angelica, which continues to thrive today. According to a study done in 1978 by the research branch of Agriculture Canada, the type of angelica found at Lousibourg, Angelica sylvestris L, is indigenous to Europe and found nowhere else in North America. There are no historical references to the cultivation or use of angelica from the French period, but it would appear that they did bring the plant with them from France. Angelica was highly regarded in the 18th century for its medicinal value and was also used in food preparation.[3]

Livestock and poultry were kept by most Louisbourg residents. However, for the Rochefort Point and fauxbourg areas the only references which have come to light are:

• a) The purchase by Veuve Perré in 17 35 of a goat and three kids. At the time Veuve Perré was residing on a property just outside the Dauphin Gate. The animals were from the habitation of Judith Le Bretonraire on the north shore of Louisbourg harbour. Her assets were sold at an auction following her banishment from the colony. [4]
• b) An inventory of the effects of Julien Fizel in 1757, which included three cows and a heifer on his fauxbourg property [5]

Harbour Area 

At a trial in 1742 soldier's accused of trying to steal one of Fizel's sheep testified that they had cut hay at the Vielle Intendance, as De Mezy's property was known. At the time of the crime they were on their way to spend the night on the land Muiron had leased from St. Ovide where they would cut hay the next day. [6] There are no other specific references to crops grown in the harbour area.

• 1) Judith Le Bretonnaire was tried and found guilty of theft in 1735. She was ordered to leave the colony with all her real and moveable property being sold to the profit of the king. Among the items sold were 7 mature goats, 7 kids, a dozen hens, a rooster, a male and a female duck and 5 turkeys. Sold at an auction, these animals brought a total of 235 livres to the treasury. None were purchased by residents of the north shore with the possible exception of a goat and kid, which were bought by Sergeant DuBois who may be the same one who had property near the stream which flowed under the Pont de St. Esprit in the 1750s.[7]
• 2) The inventory made at the death of Renée Herpin Minerol dit La Ramée in 1739 included 15 hens, a rooster and 2 brown goats with white spots. [8]
• 3) In 1741 the estate of Elie Thesson dit La Fleurie was said to include 2 horses, 3 cows and a calf [9]
• 4) Francois Michel Le Breton, who owned land near the careening wharf, had a horse, as well as some sheep and goats at the time of his death in 1743. [10]
• 5) The lighthouse keeper, Jean Grenard dit Belair, who died on 27 December 1744, owned one male and 4 female goats [11]

A dispute between Petitpas and Detcheverry over a heifer indicates that she was one of several animals kept by Petitpas, but nothing specific is mentioned. The animal in question had a long red coat with a black snout. She was easily recognizable since she had only five udders - four large and one small. [12]

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