FRANCIS PEABODY, 

 THE FOUNDER OF CHATHAM. 



By Dr. J. McG. Baxter. 



It is the imperative duty of every one, of whatever station in 

 life, and whatever may be his mental qualifications, when he be- 

 comes acqiaainted with any facts in reference to the past history 

 of his country, to verify them, arrange them to the best of his 

 ability, and put them in black and white in some permanent 

 form, so that when the veritable historian comes along he may be 

 able to possess himself of all interesting and instructive data, re- 

 liable and ready to hand. 



It is for this reason only, and with tliis object in view, that the 

 present writer is endeavoring to fulfil what he considers a duty 

 owing to future generations. If these notes are crudely set down, 

 defective, lacking in clearness or even afterwards may be proved 

 untrue, it is to be hoped that future writers and readers will ex- 

 cuse imperfections, always bearing in mind that the writer strove 

 to do what Jie considered a duty, and overlook the manner in con- 

 sideration of the matter. 



There is also this to be saitl, that information may be gleaned 

 now and j)roved which later may become imi)ossible. There are 

 now a very few persons living that are in a position to confirm or 

 deny circumstances from their own personal experience which in 

 a very few^ years will have passed on to the majority and be un- 

 available. 



The first thing to be done is to describe as nearly as we can the 

 appearance and state of the country, the number and condition of 

 its inhabitants, the progress made since the first settlement, the 

 difficulties that had to be contended with, the principal products, 

 &c., &c. 



The Miramichi is a large and beatitiiul river, navigable for 

 about 40 miles from its mouth, running at this part of its course 

 from South West to North East, and varying in depth from 22 ft. 

 at the bar to 60 ft. in some i)laces, and say 17 at the head of navi- 

 gation. The South bank rises from tlie water level to about 80 

 feet half a mile back, and from that is fairly level for miles. The 



