MAY 13, 1751

DARTMOUTH MASSACRE—FRENCH, ACADIANS & MI’KMAQ RAID

The Mi’kmaq War (part of Father Le Loutre’s War) began in August 1749 over the founding of Halifax, Nova Scotia (NS) which the Mi’kmaq saw as violating land rights granted under treaty with the British. A September 1749 raid on Dartmouth (then being established near Halifax) led Governor Cornwallis to offer bounties on the scalps of Mi’kmaq men and order the capture of women & children. Small attacks increased as settlers began arriving at Dartmouth in the fall of 1750. On May 13, 1751, a French-led force of 60 Mi’kmaq & Acadians attacked killing 20 settlers and taking several prisoners. While Citadel Hill–a wooden palisade—was erected around the town following the attack, no new settlers came there for the next 30 years. Despite sapping its treasury and manpower, by mid-1755, Britain controlled much of NS. The French retreated & Acadians were deported. The Halifax Treaties, signed between 1760 and 1761 effectively ended hostilities, though Britain failed to live up to the terms as more settlers arrived.

Source: “The Mi’kmaq War,” Canadian History Ehx.  Retrieved 1/22/2023, The Mi’kmaq War – Canadian History Ehx (canadaehx.com)

Photo:  Moneywagon, 10/27/2011.  Citadel Hill.  Permissive Use.