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- 1873-Report of the Indian Branch of the Department of the Minister of the Interior, For the Year Ended 30th June 1873.
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) maintains the published annual reports from various Indian agencies in Canada from 1864 to 1990. Each report collected information from Department employees, such as Indian Agents, and compiled them into a comprehensive bound book. The reports contain census data, health and 'morality' reports, discussion of events and happenings in specific communities and districts, and financial information about the Department. Many of the letters printed in the reports may also appear in the correspondence files, which might result in duplication in this database., "Province of Nova Scotia...Indians of Pictou" listed as having a populatio of 192 in 1872, and a population of 174 "when last heard from" (31). The was represented as a decrease in population by 18 persons., Census takers in these years complained that the same people were not always present when they arrived to conduct their census work, thus resulting in different calculations. Therefore, it is likely that this decrease in population does not represent a decrease in population due to death. It is likely more indicative of seasonal travel.
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- 1874 Census Returns of the different Indian Tribes in the Dominion of Canada, by Provinces.
- Census data provided for the Annual Report for the Department of the Interior, 1874., "Indians of Pictou: Population in 1873: 174. Population when last heard from: 196. Increase: 22."
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- 1874 Financial Return for Province of Nova Scotia
- Financial Accounts for various districts in Nova Scotia, for the year of 1874., Financial Records stated that Reverend R. MacDonald (Indian Agent for Pictou District) was paid $125.00 for duties between April 1st 1873-30th June 1874. District 4 (Pictou) was also alloted $357.12 in payments distributed "for relief and for purchase of seed grain...".
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- 1874-07-27
- General census of the Pictou Landing Indian Reserve., "Census Return of the Micmac Indians of the County of Pictou N.S. made on the 27th Day of July 1874. Adults: Men 40, women 50; Youths: Males 33, Females 27; Children: Males 22, females 24. Total 196. Increase from last census 4."
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- 1874-Report from Indian Agent R. MacDonald on Indians in Pictou District
- Superintendent General of Indian Affairs sent a circular to all Indian Agents asking them to report on various things in their district. This is the Indian Agent for Pictou County's response. It highlighted various buildings, implements, and equipment owned by the band, and also commented on education and morality., No. 19. DISTRICT NO. 4, N.S., Pictou, 30th June, 1874. SIR, - In answer to a circular* from the Indian Office, dated August 28th, 1874, I beg leave to submit to you the following report on the condition of the Indians of my district. 1. The number of Indians settled in District No. 4, which includes the whole of the County of Pictou, may be put down at about 200. I find an actual increase of four since I took the census last year. It is, however, difficult to ascertain, owing to their migrating dispositions, their precise number. 2. The Indians of this district own but little personal property. Five small boats, one net, a small quantity of other fishing gear, 30 guns, as many dogs, some coopering tools, and a few rude house utensils, would be a full inventory of their effects 3. Twelve small houses, one large barn, one church, comprise all the buildings belonging to the tribe. they have some wigwams which vary in number and quality, according to the time and circumstances. 4. The area of the reserve is about 90 acres. The Indians of Merigonish had this year about 10 acres under cultivation. There are 60 acres of the reserve under wood. 5. I have no sub-agent. 6. The produce raised by the Indians of this district is confined to wheat and potatoes. Of the former, they raise perhaps about 120 bushels. It would indeed be difficult to tell the number of potatoes they grow, as they use them early in the season, the quantity not being sufficient to supply them for two months. 7. Their farming implements consist of a few hoes and spades. 8. They own no live stock. 9. There is no timber or wood sold under license by the Indians of my district. 10. The quantity of fish taken by the Indians is considerable, but as they invariably sell their fish fresh, every morning as it is taken, I have no means of arriving at a correct estimate of the quantity caught, or of the amount realized. 11. There are no fur-bearing animals now killed by the Indians, with the exception of a few muskrats. 12. The amount of money sent for distribution by the Department varies each year. During the year included in this report I received and distributed $371. 13. There was no seed received for distribution. The money allotted for farming purposes was given to the chief and his captains, and they made the appropriation under my supervision. All monies designed for provisions or blankets I applied myself. 14, 15. I do not perceive any notable progress in civilization among the tribe, if I except a very perceptible improvement in sobriety, and a slight improvement in industry. 16. We have no schools, for the good reason that we have no school-houses. I would on this point humbly suggest to the Department that, if we cannot hope to receive a special Government grant to aid us in the erection of at least two school-houses, we be authorized to appropriate a part of the money allotted for farming for school purposes. All of which I most respectfully submit. R. MACDONALD, P.P., Indian Agent., Rev. R. MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Lawrence Vankoughnet, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, 30th June 1874, in Annual Report of the Department of the Interior for the Year Ended 30th June 1874 (Ottawa: Maclean, Roger & Co., 1875), 45.
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- 1874-Report of the Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) maintains the published annual reports from various Indian agencies in Canada from 1864 to 1990. Each report collected information from Department employees, such as Indian Agents, and compiled them into a comprehensive bound book. The reports contain census data, health and 'morality' reports, discussion of events and happenings in specific communities and districts, and financial information about the Department. Many of the letters printed in the reports may also appear in the correspondence files, which might result in duplication in this database., NOVA SCOTIA Another Indian District has been added to the seven into which this Province had previously been divided. District No. 6 which formerly embraced the Counties of Richmond and Cape Breton, being found too extensive to be supervised by one agent, was divided; and the Rev. Mr. McIsaac appointed to the new district thus created. This district comprises the County of Cape Breton, but Mr. McIsaac having shortly after his appointment left that county, the Rev. Mr. McGillivray has been appointed to succeed him. Considerable trouble had been caused by the intrusion of squatters upon the reserves at Whycocomah, Middle River and Malagawatch, and so determined were they to hold on to the lands occupied by them that the Department was obliged to adopt the most stringent legal measures to effect their removal. Mr. J.B. Macdonald, the Indian agent for the locality, has displayed commendable zeal and energy in the successful performance of this unpleasant and somewhat dangerous duty. A school for the Indians has been established at Whycocomah, in a tenement vacated by one of the intruders. This is the only school for the benefit of the Indian youth in the Province of Nova Scotia. The importance of education has been frequently pressed by the Department upon the notice of the local agents, and it is hoped that they will be able at an early day to induce the Indians to take an interest in this important matter. As the land reserved for the Indians near the harbor of Pictou is devoid of timber, and the Indians were suffering from the want of fuel, measures were initiated for the purchase of a lot containing 89 acres of wood land at Fisher's Grant, in the county of Pictou. This purchase has recently been fully effected. The duties of the Indian agents of this Province consists, in distributing among the Indians the aid sent them every spring and autumn, in protecting their reserves from trespass and the timber from spoliation, in seeing that the sick receive proper medical attendance, and in looking generally after the affairs and wants of the Indians. A statement of the amounts sent to each agent for distribution will be found in tabular form attached to this report, as well as details of expenses paid on account of medical services & c., to Indians within the Province" (7)., This is an excerpt from a longer letter discussing other parts of Canada.
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- 1875- Census for Indian Population in Nova Scotia
- Census for Nova Scotia Mik'maw, 1875., Indians of Pictou County, population in 1874: 106. Population "when last heard from": 206. Increase of 10.
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- 1875- Report on Indians of Nova Scotia
- Annual Financial Report from Robert Sinclair, the Department of Indian Affairs Accountant., Document reported that Rev. R. MacDonald was paid $100.00 for his services as Indian Agent for Pictou County. Pictou County (District 4) also received $150.00 for relief and $150.00 for seed grain. Sixty-five Mi'kmaq from Pictou where vaccinated by a Dr. Fraser for $30.00. Document also noted that "The Indian Office pays one-half of the cost of medical attendance on the Indians; the remaining half being paid by the Overseers for the Poor for the counties in which medical services are rendered. This rule does not, however, apply to the cost of vaccinating the Indians; the whole charge for this service being borne by the Indian Office, from the Legislative Grant."
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- 1875- Report on Pictou County Indians
- At the request of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Indian Affairs, Rev. R. Macdonald (Indian Agent for Pictou County) forwarded a report on the Indigenous inhabitants of Pictou County., No. 19. INDIAN DISTRICT No. 4, N.S., PICTOU, 23rd Nov., 1875. The Honorable The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have the honor to submit for the information of the Indian Office the following report of the Indians and the Indian Reserves within my District. The total number of Indians in the County of Pictou, which comprises District No. 4, is about 210. Within the last few years I perceive a very appreciable improvement in their industrial habits. Several of the able-bodied young men of the tribe are employed in the Public Works at remunerative wages. Others engage in fishing at the proper season, and sometimes with good results. Once a year, a month before St. Anns, all men and women simultaneously betake themselves to coopering - making butter firkins; this they regard as the most legitimate, as well as the most lucrative, branch of the Indian profession. The women are most industrious. The Micmac woman is indeed seldom idle: she is either discharging the duties of housekeeping, or making baskets; and if she has nothing else to do she goes a-begging. Farming, of all other employments, is the one to which Indians seem most averse. Nothing can induce them to take the requisite interest in the cultivation of their Reserves. When there is anything to be done on their farms they almost invariably hire. The consequence is there is no system in their farming, and no marked improvement. The area of Indian Reserve in this County is now considerable; if properly cultivated it should be sufficient to support all the Indians of the District. We have a farm of fifty acres at Indian Cove; a farm of ninety odd at Indian Harbour, lately purchased by the Dominion Government; and the two fertile islands in Merigomish Harbour, Chapel and Moley Islands. All the Indians of my District are Roman Catholics. All of which I most respectfully submit. R. MACDONALD, P.P., Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of the Interior for the Year Ended 30th June, 1875 (Ottawa: Maclean, Roger & Co., 1876), 21.
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- 1875-03-20
- The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected., "Sir, Re the purchase of lands lately [] in the country of Pictou for the benefit of the Indians, it has occurred owing to the position of said lot, that the interests of the adjoining holder of lands has been seriously comprimised. The positon of the lands is this, the Indians held a lot of land for many years past coneyed to them by the Provincial Govt the lot lately purchased by your department is separate from their former lot by a lot owned by James Sproull and the effect of this last purchase is that [] the Indians have the most convenient access to their old land and the public highway through the property of the said James Sproull. Thereby doing his property great injury and virtually making it valueless. You will readily understand the difficulty that exists in enforcing the law against trespass against Indians. It is therefore proposed by Sproull that an arrangement be made by which he will transfer to the Indian Commission a portion of his land in exchange for a like portion or a [] value of lands held for the Indians and thus connect their two lands, mark the land really well servicable and available to the Indians and obviate the necessity of them trespassing his lands and by doing so [] [] [] as [] we would propose that you would be pleased to [] hat reason such arrangement is proposed be made and that you can asked Rev. Macdonald the Indian Superintendent for his support on the subject. We are confident Mr. Mcdonald will give particular heed, that an arrangement made with the authority of the department, the interests of the Indians will be given every consideration, and that no injustice will be done to them. "
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- 1875-04-16
- The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected. This letter forwarded Sproull's request to Indian Agent Macdonald, and states that Sproull wants to trade an "equally valuable" piece of land for part of the lands reserved for the indians.
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- 1875-09-09
- The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected. Indian Agent MacDonald reported, upon inspection of the land, that it would be equally beneficial to both Sproull and Pictou Landing to exchange these tracts of land., "Sir, I have until now delayed to answer yours of the 16th April (no 4671) with the view of being able to reflect as accurately as possible. I have gone over with much care the portion of the Indian Reserve which Mr. Sproull desires to get in exchange for a portion of his own farm. I have also examined the [] of the lot which Mr. Sproull offers to the Indian Department. I have come to the conclusion that the proposed exchange cannot compromise the interest of the Indians of my district. In fact I am of opinion it would benefit the Indians quite as much as it would Mr. Sproull. If however your department should decide on making the exchange I would beg to suggest that care should be taken that Mr. Sproull's title is indisposable and also that no more of the Indian Reserve should be deeded to Mr. Sproull then would be an equivelant for the quantity in exchange. Very especially yours, R Macdonald JP"