Nicolas Denys
 Return
to the Historical Societies Page
The purpose of the museum is to honor Nicolas Denys, our first
permanent settler, and preserve and present our historical
heritage to our community and the community at large.
The Nicolas Denys Museum is administered by the
St. Peter's Community Club, and is open
from June to September, seven days a week, 9:00 to 5:00.
Nicolas Denys was born in Tours, France, in 1598. Little is
known of the man or his early life but volumes could be written
of his life and business dealings in New France...and more
particularly San Pedro, Saint Pierre, Port Toulouse, and Saint
Peter's - all former names of the historical village which was
the center of Cape Breton Island ( Isle Royal ) since all traffic
in those days was by water.
At St.Peter's, in 1650, on the eastern side of the Portage
"Canal" Denys built his town. Here the Micmacs came to
trade here at the seawaters of Labrador ( Bras d'Or Lakes ) the
grain and foodstuffs of the lakes came to be traded.
He constructed a road across the Isthmus or Portage an with
the aid of oxen hauled his ships, on skids, across. Far on the
Atlantic side was another French fort, Arichat, with a barren,
rocky coastline and poor farming country. These people had to be
fe d and how better than from the Labrador grainary?
One time, Denys left for a trading trip, leaving Sieur
D'Aulnay in charge. In a short time, D'Aulnay died. Madame
D'Aulnay, much more ambitious than her husband, took over the
fort and the business. When Denys returned, he was set upon by a
band of his own French employees led by Mme. D'Aulnay. He was
robbed of his vessel, merchandise and he said: "It is not
over yet." Later, he was released and returned to France;
then Le Borgne placed a new commander in charge of Denys' fort at
St. Pierre.
In 1654, at the age of 56, Nicolas Denys arrived back in St.
Pierre. This time he was armed with a commission from " The
Company of New France." This commission gave him the Coast
and Islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence from Canso to Gaspe'.
Governor, and Liertenant Governor, Nicolas Denys carried
letters patent form the King of France. So that none might
pretend ignorance thereof the letter was ordered posted in ports,
harbours, and other places of the Kingdom countries and lands
under Fren ch Dominion.
Needless to say, the commander surrendered and Nicolas Denys
was home again. it was here, in the centre of his principality
that his beloved son Richard was born. He now traded and reigned
supreme at St. Peter's, the centre of his island trading activities.
For eighteen years Denys engaged in fisheries here,
manufactured lumber, and cultivated the land. During the winter
of 1669, Denys' home and business were completely destroyed by
fire. This fire brought him to financial ruin. Now a man of 70,
he was forced to move his family to the post he had built at
Nipisiguit (now Bathurst, NB).
Here Denys turned to a new career - that of author. Actually,
his most lasting contribution was neigher as a
fisherman-lumberman-trader, nor as a promoter of settlements, but
as the author of Description geogrphique et historique des
costes du l'Ameri que septentrionale: avec l'histoire du pais.
Another volume followed the publishing of this book in France in
1672.
Nicolas Denys was a maker of history in Acadia for over a
half a century; his remarkable ability and force made him one of
the principals in this new land during its beginnings.
Return
to the Historical Societies Page
| 