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- 1876-11-28
- 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. MacDonald reported that the proposal for the land exchange understood the differences in the size of lands to be traded, and that if Sproull was asked to pay for the extra acres he would likely not accept the deal., Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 28th []. I herewith return the documents connected with the transfer signed as directed. I beg to inform you that your letter is written under a misapprehension of the precise nature of the negotiations which [] this matter have been initiated between Mr. Sproull and myself. The proposal was was this. Mr. Spence offered ten acres of good land for a quantity which was then supposed to consist of fifteen acres of very inferior quality. On the parcel being measured a discrepancy was found in the supposed [] [] giving Mr. Sproull two acres more than originally bargained for. The exchange was given much inquiry by the Indians, and Mr. Sproull, there are [] continual expenses [] and the making of the [] and plan. Now that the conditions of the agreement are considerably changed, I am not sure I can enduce Mr. Sproull to accept them."
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- 1876-11-29
- 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. Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs Vankoughnet requested that EA Meredith (secretary) read the report by James Dawson and advise him on the subject., "Will Mr. Meredith please read the letter of Mr. Dawson, of Pictou, dated 21st inst. In reference to the transfer of a piece of Indian land by the Rev. R. Macdonald, Indian Agent at Pictou, and advise me on the subject."
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- 1876-11-30
- 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. Unclear author, poorly copied file. Appears to say that neither Sproull and the Pictou Landing Indians will equally benefit from the exchange of land.
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- 1876-11-30
- 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 is Vankoughnet's memo on the subject as proposed by Sproull and Macdonald.
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- 1876-Census Returns on Resident and Nomadic Indians in the Dominion of Canada by Province
- Report on Indian population for District 4, Pictou County, 1876., "Province of Nova Scotia; District No. 4, Micmacs of Pictou; 209."
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- 1877- Census Return for Indians of Nova Scotia
- Census return including information on Pictou Indians., "Province of Nova Scotia, District No. 4 -Pictou - 206" (170).
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- 1877- Financial Return for Indians of Nova Scotia
- Financial Return outlining purchases and expenditures for Indian Department in Nova Scotia., "Rev. R. MacDonald, Agent, District No. 4, paid $100.00" for services as Indian Agent. "Expended by Agents in the purchase of supplies for destitute Indians, and for the purchase of seed grain in the following proportions: District No. 4, $150 in relief, $150 for seed grain." "Medical attention and medicines: In District No. 4, J.D.B. Fraser, M.D., $2.50" (133-135)., The medical expenses for District No. 4 are considerably less than those of other districts.
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- 1877- Report No. 19- Indian District No. 4
- Annual report on happenings in Pictou County Indian District No. 4., No. 19. NOVA SCOTIA, INDIAN DISTRICT No. 4, PICTOU, 5th October, 1877 The Honorable The Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - My Report this year must be necessarily meagre. Apart from the information conveyed in the accompanying Tabular Statement, there is nothing of special interest to which to call the attention of your Department. In industrial habits I flatter myself that I discern a very marked and gratifying improvement, and in their comforts a corresponding one, among the Indians of my district. Farming to which of all other pursuits they heretofore showed the strongest aversion - they seem of late years to take to somewhat more kindly. They also give more attention than formerly to fishing and are rewarded with more encouraging results, the value of fish taken as set down in the Tabular Statement is merely approximate; the exact value, owing to the manner in which sales are effected, it would be difficult to ascertain. The moral status of my Indians - occasional cases of intemperance excepted - is decidedly good. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, R. MACDONALD. Indian Agent.
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- 1877- Report on Indian Affairs
- A report summarizing the state of affairs for the Department of Indian Affairs in the Dominion of Canada for the year 1877. Vankoughnet makes several references to Pictou Landing, and to the Mi'kmaq more generally in Nova Scotia., "From Nova Scotia the Revds. Messrs. Macdonald and McGillivray, Indian Agents for the respective Counties of Pictou and Cape Breton, report a very gratifying and marked improvement in the industrial habits of the Indians of those localities; and the Rev. Mr. Chisholm, Indian Agent for Antigonish, reports that several additional houses have been built within the year by the Indians of his district, and that a growing desire is evinces by them to substitute houses for wigwams" (6). The school at Eskasoni Reserve, in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, is reported by the Agent to be in a flourishing condition, and the children to be attending punctually. The only other school in Nova Scotia at present, is on the Reserve at Whycocomah. It is proposed to establish schools during the ensuing year for the benefit of the Indians of Nova Scotia on the Reserve at Fisher's Grant, in the County of Pictou; on that of Middle River in the County of Victoria, and on the Bear River Reserve, in the County of Annapolis. On the last named Reserve a good school-house has been built, and a school was for some time in operation, but it was discontinued for some reasons unknown to the Department, and there has been no school kept there for several years, although the number of children of school age is quite large" (8).
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- 1878- Census for Indians of Nova Scotia
- General census of Indian Population of Nova Scotia for 1878., "Micmacs of PIctou- 206.", Report of the Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, 1878 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1879), 228.
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- 1878- Financial Report for Indians of Nova Scotia
- Financial report containing expenditures and purchases by Indian Department in Province of Nova Scotia., Payment for Rev. R. MacDonald for services as Indian Agent to Districts 4 and 9: 75.00. 117.50 forwarded for relief and 91.50 for seed grain for Indians in District 4 (Pictou). 29.00 In aid was forwarded for "aid to build schoolhouse" in Boat Harbour., No funds spent for medical purposes for Pictou Indians reported in 1878., Report of the Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs, 1878 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1878), 165-167.
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- 1879- Return G- Population of Indians in Nova Scotia
- General population census for the Indians of Nova Scotia., "Province of Nova Scotia- 206 Micmacs of Pictou.", Indian Agent Rev. R. McDonald did not send in a report for this year, so this is likely the same population number from the previous report (1878)., Report of the Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, 1879 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1880), 306.