Saint John in Saint John County, New Brunswick — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Rebels Attack
Les attaques des rebelles
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2019
1. Rebels Attack Marker
Partnership at Portland Point
In August 1775 the 140 residents of Portland Point were attacked. A Machias war sloop burnt Fort Frederick, carried off its four soldiers and a ship full of supplies from the upriver farms. The 3000 people living between the Bay and a settlement just above Maugerville had no protection.
By May 1776 more privateers invaded the harbour and sent a party upriver to Maugerville. They threatened residents with more attacks if they refused to join the revolution. General George Washington sent messengers with presents to stir the Maliseet and Mi’kmaq, former French allies, to attack Tory sympathizers. Maugerville community leaders signed an Oath of Allegiance with the rebels in May 1776.
At Portland Point, Simonds, Hazen and White refused to sign. Their goods and buildings were vulnerable to any rebel privateers. Halifax sent a detachment but it left in June, once the Maugerville settlers withdrew their allegiance to the rebels.
In spring 1777 the three partners were taken prisoner by a rebel party and held for a month upriver in Maugerville. By
this page online
The mental and physical strain Simonds, Hazen and White suffered from their ordeal continued. The detachment returned to Halifax leaving Portland Point families defenseless against attacks. One privateer ship from Machias robbed and abused the people while it carried away 21 boatloads of goods from the trading post.
At last the Halifax government sent a permanent force to the area. Major Studholme arrived with a precut blockhouse, four cannon, and 50 handpicked men. The traders offered him land on the cliff overlooking their stores and homes. By midwinter of 1777-1778 the blockhouse was up and occupied. No privateers tried the harbour again.
But James Simonds who chose the Portland Point location had had enough terror. In the spring of 1778 he left the company he had founded and moved with his young family upriver to become a farmer.
L'entreprise de Portland Point
En août 1775, les 140 résidents de Portland Point sont attaqués. Un sloop de guerre de Machias brûle le fort Frederick et emmène les quatre soldats du fort et un navire plein de provisions venant des fermes en amont. Les 3000 personnes habitant entre la baie et une colonie juste en amont de Maugerville
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2019
2. Rebels Attack Marker • wide view
(William Hazen statue in background)
(William Hazen statue in background)
Dés mai 1776, d'autres navires corsaires envahissent le port et envoient un groupe en amont jusqu'à Maugerville. Ils menacent les résidents d'attaques plus nombreuses s'ils refusent de se joindre à la révolution. Le général George Washington envoit des messagers porteurs de présents afin de convaincre les Malécites et les Mi'kmaq, anciens alliés des Français, d'attaquer les sympathisants loyalistes. En mai 1776, les dirigeants de la collectivité de Maugerville signent un serment d'allégeance avec les rebelles.
À Portland Point, Simonds, Hazen et White refusent de signer. Leurs marchandises et leurs bâtiments sont vulnérables aux corsaires rebelles. Halifax envoie un détachement, mais il quitte en juin, une fois que les colons de Maugerville retirent leur allégeance aux rebelles.
Au printemps 1777, les trois partenaires sont faits prisonniers par un groupe de rebelles et sont gardés en captivité pendant un mois, en amont, à Maugerville. À la fin de juin, des soldats britanniques d'Halifax libèrent Sin-tonds, Hazen et White. Les rebelles et leurs partisans Malécites se retirent au Maine.
Les épreuves mentales et physiques vécues par Simonds, Hazen et White continuent. Le détachement retourne à Halifax, laissant ainsi les familles de Portland Point sans défense contre les attaques. Un navire corsaire de Machias vole et maltraite les habitants et s'empare d'assez de marchandises du poste de traite pour remplir 21 navires.
Finalement, le gouvernement d'Halifax envoie des forces permanentes dans la région. Le commandant Studholme arrive équipé d'un blockhaus précoupé, de quatre canons et de 50 hommes triés sur le volet. Les commerçants lui offrent un terrain sur la falaise surplombant leurs magasins et leurs demeures. Dès le milieu de l'hiver 1777-1778, le blockhaus est bâti et habité. Ensuite, aucun autre navire de corsaires n'essaiera d'envahir le port.
Cependant, James Simonds, qui avait choisi l'emplacement de Portland Point, a vécu assez d'heures terrifiantes. Au printemps 1778, il quitte l'entreprise dont il était le fondateur et remonte la rivière pour s'établir avec sa jeune famille et devenir fermier.
Erected by J.D. Irving, Limited.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1775.
Location. 45° 15.417′ N, 66° 5.382′ W. Marker is in Saint John, New Brunswick, in Saint John County. Marker can be reached from Lancaster Avenue, 0.2 kilometers east of Bridge Road (New Brunswick Route 100), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along the walking path in Wolastoq Park, near the center of the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Lancaster Avenue, Saint John NB E2M 2K8, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The New Community of Saint John (a few steps from this marker); Simonds, Hazen and White (a few steps from this marker); Françoise Marie Jacquelin (within shouting distance of this marker); K.C. Irving (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Gorman (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel de Champlain (within shouting distance of this marker); William Kilby Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills at Union Point (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint John.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Wolastoq Park
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
