On a river in southwest Nova Scotia, a historical detective is on a quest to reveal long-forgotten remnants of North America’s history.
Allains River, previously known as Lequille River, meanders as a tributary of the Annapolis River, streaming from the heart of the province to what is now Annapolis Royal.
Four centuries back, the river hosted one of the earliest industrial ventures established post-colonization: a flour mill erected in 1607 and later destroyed by fire in 1643.
For ages, the precise whereabouts of this mill remained a puzzle. Yet, today, an amateur historian from the U.S., alongside a group of researchers and archaeologists, is making headway in locating this significant site. This endeavor not only unveils the history of colonization but also sheds light on the interactions and centuries of Mi’kmaw presence in Nova Scotia.
Mark Borton, a writer from Connecticut spearheading the search for the Poutrincourt gristmill, remarked, “It’s a captivating mystery to unravel, and it holds tremendous historical significance.”
In 1605, a fortified fur-trading post was constructed at Port Royal by Samuel de Champlain, situated on the Annapolis Basin. The settlers required a mill for flour production as bread accounted for a quarter of the French diet during that era.
The Poutrincourt gristmill, a water-driven facility for grinding grains, is depicted on maps from that time, including Champlain’s cartography.
Captivated by Champlain’s map, which he stumbled upon during his visit to the Maritimes in 2018, Borton delved into researching tidal power and the Bay of Fundy. Recognizing the mill’s significance, he intimated, “We’re seeking the oldest mill in North America, marking the inception of industrial power in the continent—a pivotal moment.”
The challenge lay in the inaccurate representations of the landscape on contemporary maps, confounding Borton and previous historians in pinpointing the mill’s location. Contrary to prevailing theories, Borton posits that the mill might be situated “considerably beyond” traditional assumptions.
Leveraging Champlain’s map details and correlating them with present-day geographical features, Borton narrowed down a potential site. Through remote analysis from his home in Connecticut using Google Maps, he discerned a faint square at the marsh’s edge, possibly a foundational remnant.
He proceeded to secure a permit from the Nova Scotia Museum and continued his investigative pursuits.
Champlain’s map indicates a Mi’kmaw fishing weir opposite the mill. Examining Google Maps closely, Borton identified a rock formation at that spot, indicating human intervention rather than natural processes.
Today, the erstwhile island between the weir and the presumed mill site has transformed into a marsh. Borton speculates that the French may have constructed dikes in that region, a notion supported by lidar mapping conducted by the Nova Scotia Community College, which revealed diking traces dating back to the early 17th century.
This summer, Borton collaborated with the Nova Scotia Museum to extract samples from the dike interiors for radiocarbon dating, enhancing the credibility of his theories.
In collaboration with archeologists from Kwilmu’kw Maw‑klusuaqn and Saint Mary’s University, Borton’s project aligns with ongoing research on the era, crucial for understanding the interactions between the French and the Mi’kmaq during that period of contact and exchange.
Fowler, a professor of anthropology at Saint Mary’s, emphasized the historical significance of Allains River as a convergence point for European and indigenous narratives, underscoring the shared landscape existing in that era.
Fowler’s team plans to employ ground-penetrating radar to delve deeper into the mill site, anticipating further revelations that could provide valuable insights for the present and future.
The initiative to uncover historical sites along Allains River has not only united various stakeholders but also holds promise for preserving the multicultural heritage that embodies Mi’kmaq, French-Acadian, and British influences in the region.
Borton’s investigations have uncovered several other mill sites in the vicinity, hinting at the rich historical tapestry waiting to be explored and preserved for posterity.