Road to Avonlea is rich in historical detail about the lives of the settlers of Prince Edward Island just after the turn of the 20th century.  But, much like the rest of Canada and the United States, the residents of Avonlea were not the initial founders of the land.  Here is a short summary of the history of one of the most culturally and physically beautiful islands in the world.

–    For thousands of years, it was the Micmac (or Mi’kmaq)  people who lived on Prince Edward Island.  They originally called it Epekwit (pronounced Abegweit), which means “land cradled on the waves”.   Their legend says that the Great Spirit first created the universe, then the Micmac people, and then saw that there was extra clay left over.  So he molded the clay into a crescent form, which became the island – “the most beautiful jewel in the universe”.  Today, the Micmacs represent a very tiny percentage of the main population.

–    The first explorer to find the island was Jacques Cartier in 1534.  When he first saw the land, he was overcome with its beauty and, standing on his ship, described it as “…the fairest land ‘tis possible to see!”.

–    The first white settlers – who were Acadian, of French origin – settled themselves at Port La Joye in 1720.  This was right across the harbour from Charlottown.  They named the island Île Saint-Jean, but due to the ensuing war between the French and English, the island’s name and occupiers changed many times.

–    In 1758, when Britain was occupying the island, they deported many of the Acadian people back to Europe.  Some of these people were then sent from France to settle Louisiana, which makes them the “Cajuns”.  Those who stayed on the island had to find a safe place to live.

–    Captain Samuel Holland was sent in 1764 to survey the land.  He then divided it into 67 different townships, and land grants were bid on by rich British subjects back in London.  For about a century after, the settlers and farmers of these townships had to deal with landlords that were not present and unwavering rent collectors.  It wasn’t until 1853 that the Land Purchase Act was passed, which allowed the Island government to buy back these lots and sell them to the tenants.

–    In 1873, Prince Edward Island officially joined the confederation of Canada.

–    PEI became very prosperous and experienced a “golden age” in the mid-nineteenth century due to its ship-building industry.  Within 50 years, 3,100 vessels were built there.

–    Throughout the 18th and 19th century, the island accepted Scottish settlers fleeing from hardships in their own land, as well as thousands of Irishmen hoping to find a better life there.  It also saw many Americans – the United Empire Loyalists – move up north to the island during the American War of Independence.

Source: Prince Edward Island Visitor’s Guide

Photo: The Micmac tribe of PEI.