COLONIAL

Return of Men and Resources in Island of Cape Breton, 26th July 1793

Transcribed by Janice Fralic-Brown

 

Return of Men able to bear Arms, Male children, cattle & shallops, in the Government of Cape Breton

 

Places or Settlements	Men Male children Male Servants from 14 to 60 years old	Male children under 14 years of age	Black cattle	Sheep	Horses	Shallops
Town of Sydney	38	29	55	65	6	6
South West Branch of Sydney River	28	12	56	67
North West Branch of Sydney River	36	16	67	30	1	2
Coal Mines	43	9	75	62	11	1
French Village	21	13	23	33		2
Eastern shore of Sydney River, Lingan & Mire	31	29	112	2	6	1
Saint Anns and River Baddeck	28	11	94	40	4	5
Main a Dieu	28	14	69	61	20;	12
Louisbourg and Gabarous	30	14	100	38	24	7
Chilican, Margaree and Port Hood	85	62	363	167	23	20
Mount Grenville District	223	188	752			110
Totals	611	397	1766	565	95	167

Sydney Cape Breton							Wm Macarmick

26th July 1793								Lt. Gov. of Cape Breton



       

Transcriber's Note: This return was drawn up to indicate the number of bodies able to defend the Island in the case of a French attack. France had declared war on England the 1st of February, 1793. French ships had attacked Newfoundland harbours and appeared to be moving southward along the coast. There was no garrison stationed on the Island at this time and the Lieutenant Governor was acutely aware of the meagerness of defensive capabilities and the reluctance of many settlers, especially those who had not had their grants confirmed or considered, to fight. Armaments were few and hard to come by at this time. I'd say the accuracy of this list is difficult, if not impossible, to verify.

Source: Colonial Correspondence, Cape Breton; CO 217, V.109, p.130

Contributed by Janice Fralic-Brown
Page written January 18, 2001