Belfast, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Acadian Settlement
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Établissement acadien
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
1. Acadian Settlement Marker
Prince Edward Island was known as Île-St-Jean when it was a colony of France in the early 1700s. It was first settled by three hundred people brought from Havre de Rochefort in France in 1720 They spread up the Hillsborough River and to St Peters on the north shore. Population in the Belfast District arrived almost thee decades later as a result of hostilities between France and England.
War between the colonial powers was declared in 1744 and a year later the fortress of Louisbourg was taken for the first time. English privateers destroyed Port Lajoie (at Rocky Point) and Jean Pierre Roma's settlement at Brudenell Point. The treaty signed after that war in 1748 returned Île St-Jean and Île Royale (Cape Breton) to France in exchange for the state of Madras in India. Nova Scotia became an English colony. The next year after Halifax was established as a military base, the policies of Governor Cornwallis dramatically affected Î'le St.-Jean and the Belfast area.
A requirement for unconditional oath of allegiance from Acadians, who lived mostly along the Bay of Fundy produced a migration of
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Au début des années 1700, alors qu'elle était une colonie de la France, l'île du Prince-Édouard était appelée Île Saint-Jean. Les premiers colons, au nombre de trois cents, sont arrivés du Havre de Rochefort, en France en 1720. Ils se sont installés çà et là le long de la rivière Hillsborough et à St. Peters, sur la rive nord. Dans la région de Belfast, la population n'est arrivée que trois décennies plus tard, à cause des hostilités entre la France et l'Angleterre.
La guerre entre les puissances coloniales fut déclarée en 1744 et un an plus tard la forteresse de Louisbourg fut prise pour la première fois. Des corsaires anglais détruisirent Port LaJoie (à Rocky Point) ainsi que l'établissement de Jean-Pierre Roma à la pointe Brudenell. Le traité de paix signé en 1748 a permis à la France de reprendre l'Île Saint-Jean et l'Île Royale (Cap-Breton)
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
2. Acadian Settlement Marker
Ainsi, on exigea des Acadiens, vivant pour la plupart le long de la baie de Fundy, qu'ils prêtent un serment d'allégeance inconditionnel à la couronne d'Angleterre, ce qui provoqua une migration de la population par-delà le détroit de Northumberland. Entre 1749 et 1752, les Acadiens de la région de la baie Cobequid (Truro) en Nouvelle-Écosse vinrent s'établir dans les estuaires entre Pinette et Vernon River. Le cœur de ce nouvel élan de colonisation était le village de la Pointe Prime.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1720.
Location. 46° 5.632′ N, 62° 54.759′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Prince Edward Island. It is on Selkirk Park Road, on the left when traveling north. Located near the entrance of the campground. Open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belfast PE C0A 1A0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Selkirk Settlement / L’Établissement de Selkirk (a few steps from this marker); Acadian Departure / Départ des Acadiens (a few steps from this marker); Ross (a few steps from this marker); Saint-Paul a la Pointe-Prim 1752-1758 (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of Thomas Douglas Selkirk (within shouting distance of this marker); To Commemorate the Honourable J. Angus MacLean P.C, O.C., D.F.C. 1914-2000 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Croft House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Clan Macnícol (Nicholson) (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
