Fort Boishebert facts for kids
Fort Boishébert was an important historical site in what is now New Brunswick, Canada. It was first known as Fort Nerepis. Today, you can find its location at Woodmans Point, within the town of Grand Bay–Westfield. This fort was built where two rivers meet: the Saint John River and the Nerepis River. This spot was very important because it was easy to defend and control river travel.
Some historians believe that this area might have been a fortified village for Indigenous people even before the Europeans arrived. A French official named Joseph Robineau de Villebon wrote about it in a letter in 1696. He mentioned "the fort of the Nerepis Indians," which suggests it was already a known and used defensive spot. Later that same year, French soldiers found safety at Fort Nerepis after being attacked by an English fleet near Saint John Harbour. The Nerepis people helped rescue them.
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Rebuilding the Fort
In 1749, during a time known as Father Le Loutre's War, a French officer named Charles Deschamps de Boishébert et de Raffetot took charge. He rebuilt the fort after French forces had to leave the mouth of the Saint John River. This move was part of an agreement made with British officers, Captain John Rous and Edward How.
However, Fort Boishébert was not used for very long. In 1751, it was abandoned by a French officer named Sr. de Gaspe. This happened because the French decided to build a stronger fort, Fort Menagoueche, closer to the mouth of the Saint John River. This new fort helped them control the area better.
A National Historic Site
Even though Fort Boishébert was used for only a short time, its history is very important. Because of its role in the conflicts between the French and British, and its connection to Indigenous history, the site was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1930. This means it's a special place protected for its historical value.
