made land, built homes, and established a living for their families. For thirty-eight years the French lived peacefully on Ile St. Jean, with Havre St. Pierre as one of the most important communities.

The main concentration of families living at St. Pierre was at what is referred to today as St. Peters Harbor. French settlers also lived in Greenwich which they called “Dunes a l’est du dit Havre,” meaning the "Dunes to the East of the Harbour.” Although the community of St. Pierre during the French Regime is different from the geographical placement of St. Peters today. the St. Peters Area was one of the most important settlements on the Island during the French occupation.

FROM COAST TO COAST

In 1719, Ile St. Jean was granted to Comte de St. Pierre, from whom St. Peters was to obtain its name. When his enterprise arrived, there were only three families living on the Island: one at East Point, one at St. Pierre, and one at Port La Joye (Charlottetown) (20). Comte de St. Pierre was granted the Island on the condition that he respect the Governor at Louisbourg, that one—hundred settlers be brought in the first year, and at least fifty settlers every year following that until the Island was populated. He got off to a good start but for many years after, struggled in attracting settlers to his Island.

In 1719, four ships full of provisions for erecting a fort on Ile St. Jean sailed from France. This was followed shortly in 1720 by 250 settlers who left France in the month of April accompanied by livestock and other supplies. After a four— month journey they arrived in Port La Joye. Within the next few years these settlers established communities throughout the Island, one of these early settlements being St. Pierre. (21) By 1721, ten families had settled in St. Pierre, all of whom were engaged in the fishery. (22)

In 1728, the first official census was taken of Ile St. Jean. Done by Governor M. de Penses, this census recorded that 18 families and one solitary farmer were living in St. Pierre:

THE FIRST CENSUS OF ST. PIERRE (23)

m: Occupation: # In Family: Origin:

Douville Francois (1719) Fisherman l9 Normandy Charles Le Carpentier (1720) Fisherman l6 Normandy DUbOIS (17)" (1720) Fisherman 8 Normandy Carrica Pierre (1720) Fisherman 8 Gascogne Renaud (7) (1720) Fisherman l9 Aunis COSSSH?) (1720) Cooper 4 Aunis Durocher Francois (I720) Fisherman 3 Bretagne

(7) Indicates that the fist name is not known.