|
Near these thorn trees and briers can yet be seen a large field stone or boulder, on which have been scratched the markings of a cross. If not a modern hoax the markings are, it is obvious, of an age subsequent to the Christianization of the Indians. Then, too, there were the usual traditions of the finding of Indian arrowheads, pottery, flints, beads, and implements near the spot. On an early plan of the DesBarres* Estate, and Indian burying-ground is marked near the Northwest end of the island. Evidence of their encampments along the shores was found in the upturning of quantities of rotted oyster and clam shells by early cultivations at Ross’s Point, the Blockhouse Point, Gouzar and on the Malagash Shore. Crude implements of war, such as arrows and flints, have also been found in nearby fields. Perhaps, here and elsewhere the Indians had small gardens of peas and corn. Neither do we know who were the first whites
to come to Tatamagouche . But following the voyage of Cartier, and even
before, the shores and coast waters of Newfoundland and Acadia were
annually visited by fishermen from Normandy, Brest and Basque, and other
parts of France. It is probable that some of these , if not of their own
will, at least by storm or in ignorance of their position or by the errors
or mischances of navigation had entered through the Gut of Canso into the
Northumberland Strait and had visited its Harbours. These, if they came,
would be the first Europeans to come to Tatamagouche . Back |
