Nova Scotia Archives

Footprints in the Sand

Pre‐1867 Government Records for Sable Island

Letter from James Morris, Superintendent of the Island to Honorable Charles Morris

1802. — 4 pages : 30 x 50 cm.

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Isle Sable March 29th 1802

Sir Please make known to the gentlemen Commissioners for the Information of His Excellency Sir John Wentworth Bar'd that all the people that was landed on this Island the 13th October last are at present in good health & all the stock of cattle are alive that was landed & in excellent order the sheep has wintered independ't of us keeping a distance from us in general towards the N W Barr in the Valley
I often brought them to the stack of hay, which was very good but seldom eat any - they have lost three lambs & their is four living, three more yet to lamb - the goat has lost her kids - the cows are in high order gave milk through the winter - the bull we broke & he draws well - the Horse has been of infinite service to us - the hogs has no hair from the gristle of the nose to their eyes in front by rooting through the sand - I expect they will be a damage in the end - the sows had thirteen pigs but having expended all the corn in Feb'y and the sows going very thin took off six & left seven & now all in good order

I have been a long time anxious for an opportunity to acquaint you of our situation but none has afforded since the twentieth of October as from that time there has been continual gales of wind alternately except a few days and I am confident not five calm days in four months consequently was not able to fish or take the [illegible] round the Island. I never saw wild fowl so scarce in any part of America near the Ocean as at this Island - we have killed only about 40 tho often seek after them - Consequently our provisions is far expended


Announcing to the Comm. The arrival of the people and stock sent by them to the Island, and other matters connected with the affairs of the Island of Sable. Dated Isle Sable.

4 pages 30 x 50 cm

Date: 1802

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives RG 1 volume 424 number 10

Nova Scotia Archives — https://archives.novascotia.ca/sable/archives/

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