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150 St. George Street |
New Brunswick Tourism Region : Acadian Coast
Description From Owner:
- Bathurst was first known as Nepisiguit and was the site of a post established in 1652 by Nicolas Denys (1598-1688), author of Description géographique et historique des costes de I 'Amérique septentrionale.
- The Dictionary of Canadian Biography describes Denys as: 'His is the distinction of being the first Acadian author and lumberman, an arresting figure whose remarkable ability and force made him one of the principals in this new land during its infancy.'
- Denys moved here after the Fort of St. Pierre he commanded on Cape Breton Island was burned in the winter of 1668-69. He is buried near his house, now part of the Gowan Brae golf course.
- Nepisiguit was later named St. Peters but in 1826 was renamed Bath by Lt.-Gov. Howard Douglas (1776-1861) for the colonial secretary, Henry, third Earl of Bathurst (1762-1834).
- Denys wrote of Nepisiguit that although 'the lands are not of the best,' he had a large garden 'in which the land is good for vegetables which come on in a marvellous way.'
- He also observed: 'This is the coldest place that I have ever lived, and the one where there is the most snow.'
- Bathurst native Samuel Napier gave rise to the expression sometimes still heard: 'Rich like Sam Napier.' In 1857 Napier discovered a 145-pound gold nugget in Australia and took it to England for display at the London Crystal Palace exhibition.
- He returned to Bathurst as a wealthy man, but died in poverty in 1902. Birthplace of Sir James Dunn. Also birthplace of Sam de Grasse.
- The Royal Canadian Legion War Museum at 575 St. Peter Ave. displays war artifacts. Photos and genealogical documents are at The Bathurst Heritage Museum at 360 Douglas Ave.
- With permission from 'New Brunswick Place Names' David E. Scott 2009
Address of this page: http://nb.ruralroutes.com/Bathurst
