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Info-Research Solutions
Researching the
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF 18TH CENTURY LOUISBOURG
Microfiche Report Series 83
By
Margaret Fortier
1983
Fortress of Louisbourg
Part Two- The Outports
Petit
Laurembec
Petit Laurembec had become, according to the 1753
census, the best
established and most populous community in the colony after Louisbourg. At
that time there were 25 habitations on the shore around the barachois which
cut into the land about four miles east of Grand Laurembec. [1] This fishing
community had grown steadily throughout the years prior to 1745, and it
continued to attract fishermen when the French returned in 1749. However, the
fortunes of Petit Laurembec changed dramatically after 1758. Holland reported
in 1767 that Gordon Harbor, as he renamed it, was occupied by only one family.
[2] By 1805, according to Judge Dodd, there were ten families at Laurembec who
farmed and fished. [3] The only references to
the terrain around Petit Laurembec were included in
the 1753 census and in a report made three years later by Pontleroy, a French
engineer. In 1753 the census taken stated that the habitants established along
this harbour were "dans une aisance mediocre". They subsisted on
their fishing and the cod they sold. The land around the harbour was good only
for gardens and would not support any other cultivation. Moreover, the climate
was "peu tempere and les Brumes tres frequentes". Slender wood
covered the raised lands of the north and northwest coasts. Some prairie and
pasturage was found near the harbour. [4] Plans show a "pleine du Petit Laurembec" west of the harbour
which seems to have been virtually treeless, while the areas to the north and
east were tree covered. The most significant natural feature in the vicinity
is the small mountain in the plain area which was indicated on most plans of
the coast. With the plain before it devoid of trees, this hill was a most visible landmark for passing ships.
[5] The plain itself was very wet and very difficult to cross. [6] The largest concession granted on
Petit Laurembec harbour was to Pierre
Boucher, sub-engineer at Louisbourg. Though,he was granted the land in 1726
by the governor and commissaire-ordonnateur, it was several years before he
received confirmation of the concession from France. The land, which, measured
1,275 toises by 1,280 toises, was located at the "fond" of the
barachois at Petit Laurembec. While awaiting confirmation of the grant,
Boucher went ahead and had the land cleared for prairie. In 1753, by which
time the land belonged to Jacques Perrain, there were 15 arpents of prairie
land and a very large garden. Bouchrs does not seem to have employed any
fishermen on his land. However, in 1731 he reported that he had set five men
to work clearing paths so that the fishermen of Petit Laurembec could go to
gather wood for drying their catch. He had also built a barn and a small
lodging for his workers. There is no indication of what Boucher grew on the
land or what kind of animals he raised. When Boucher sold the land to Perrain
in 1751, 80 pieds square was reserved for construction of a church, presbytery
and cemetery. [7] Pontleroy noted in 1756,that there were 22 families living at Petit
Laurembec, all of whom earned their living in the fishery. He was told by the
inhabitants of the community that each year about 200 men came to help with
the fishery. [8] The table following lists all the known concessions and sales at Petit
Lorembec from 1717 to 1758. [9]