New Brunswick Historical Tidbits

The French-British Conflict

By Mitch Biggar

In 1794 with France and Britain at war it was decided that New Brunswick should strengthen their defenses. Saint John was without much defense as Fort Howe was in the rear of town and could not prevent enemy ships from entering the harbor. It was decided by the people of Saint John to erect new batteries at the southern end of the city. These batteries were armed with powerful 18 pounders. This work was done by the citizens of Saint John and at no cost to the government.

There were small detachments of the King's New Brunswick Regiment stationed all along the St. John River Valley. There were outposts at Fredericton, Saint John, Presque Isle, Passamaquoddy, and Grand Falls. It was also in 1794 that a militia bill passed in New Brunswick. The bill provided that every male in the province between 16 and 60 should be enrolled in some independent company or regiment of foot. Each regiment was to be called out four times a year for training. Every militia man called out was required to appear with a good musket, bayonet, belt, cartridges and flint. The only persons exempted from the militia bill were Council members and any persons who have held any civil or military commission under the King. It was also expected that clergymen and physicians were to be part of the militia but were not required to appear with weapons.

The militia act allows the government to call out the militia for service in case of invasion or threatened attack on the province.

This page was designed by Irene Doyle September 1999