Belfast, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Acadian Departure
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Départ des Acadiens
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
1. Acadian Departure Marker
When Ile St-Jean was again under French authority in 1749, increased attention was given to developing the colony. Colonel Louis Franquet, an engineer, toured the Island in 1751. He made many recommendations for development including establishment of four new parishes. One of them, St-Paul de la Pointe Prime, served settlers from Vernon River to Wood Islands. A chapel with a bell was built here beside this cemetery. In 1752, L'Abbe Girard left Cobequid in Nova Scotia to rejoin his parishioners.
A census, conducted in 1752 by Le Sieur de la Roque, indicated 362 people in St-Paul's Parish including 13 families (72 people) at Pointe Prime. Eleven of them came from Cobequid and two from Pisiquid (near Mt. Stewart). Family names included Arcement, Doiron, Guillot, Henry, Leprince and Pitre. Nearby, in the parish, were 95 people at Orwell Bay, 59 at Vernon River, 11 at Newtown River, 110 at Pinette Bay and 14 at Pointe Boileau. The Population of Ile St Jean rose to over 4000 people after Acadian expulsions from Nova Scotia in 1755. New hostilities between the colonial powers resulted in the loss
this page online
L'île fut de nouveau remise aux mains des autoritésfrançaises en 1749. On se concentra de nouveau ày développer la colonie. Le colonel Louis Franquet,un ingénieur, vint visiter l'île en 1751. Il émit denombreuses recommandations afin d'inciter ledéveloppement, dont l'établissement de quatrenouvelles paroisses. L'une d'entre elles, Saint-Paul dela Pointe Prime, servit les colons de Vernon Riverjusqu'à Wood Islands. On construisit à cet endroit,juste à côté de ce cimetière, une chapelle munied'une cloche. En 1752, l'abbé Girard quitta Cobequiden Nouvelle-Écosse afin de rejoindre ses paroissiens.
Un recensement effectué en 1752 par le sieur de la Roque, dénombrait la présence de 362 personnes dans la paroisse de Saint-Paul, dont 13 familles (72personnes)
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
2. Acadian Departure Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.
Location. 46° 5.626′ N, 62° 54.755′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Prince Edward Island. It is on Selkirk Park Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 136 Selkirk Park Road, 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: Acadian Settlement / Établissement acadien (a few steps from this marker); Saint-Paul a la Pointe-Prim 1752-1758 (a few steps from this marker); The Selkirk Settlement / L’Établissement de Selkirk (a few steps from this marker); Ross (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); In Memory of Thomas Douglas Selkirk (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 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
