A Boston military officer and later Nova Scotia surveyor and judge, Charles Morris spent the winter of 1746-47 at Grand-Pré, where his New England soldiers were attacked by French and Aboriginal forces. He later wrote the following description of Grand-Pré:  

The village consists of about 150 houses scatter'd on several small Hills, about two Miles and a Half [4km] in Length, extending by the side of the marsh Calld Grand Pre … this marsh Lay's between the town and the [Minas] Bason it is near two Miles [3.2km] in Width …

On the East part of the Village is the River Gaspero a small River arising not far in the Country but by reason of the Tides which Commonly flow more than thirty feet [10m] is navigable to the Village for Ships of the greatest burthen but they must ground at low water… Their Church is seated about the midst of the Town…

National Archives of Canada MG 18, F 10, p. 86

Back to Previous Page