On the banks of a river in southwest Nova Scotia, a historical investigator is delving into the remnants of North America’s past that have long been forgotten. Allains River, previously known as Lequille River, winds its way as a tributary of the Annapolis River, stretching from the heart of the province to what is now Annapolis Royal.
Around four centuries ago, this river housed one of the earliest industrial establishments post-colonization: a flour mill constructed in 1607 and later destroyed by fire in 1643. The precise whereabouts of this mill remained a mystery for generations until now, as an amateur historian from the U.S. and a team of experts are aiming to unveil its exact location. This endeavor not only sheds light on the history of colonization but also illuminates the interactions and centuries of Mi’kmaw presence in Nova Scotia.
Mark Borton, a writer from Connecticut leading the investigation, describes the quest to find the Poutrincourt gristmill as both intriguing and of significant historical importance. The necessity for a mill arose in 1605 when a fur-trade post was established at Port Royal by Samuel de Champlain, requiring a mill to produce flour, which was a substantial portion of the French diet at the time.
The search for the mill site was sparked by Champlain’s map from 1607, which caught Borton’s attention during his visit to the Maritimes in 2018. By aligning elements from the historic map with present-day geographical features, Borton narrowed down a potential site, noting a faint square at the marsh’s edge that could signify a foundation.
Further investigations involved identifying a Mi’kmaw fishing weir opposite the mill site on Champlain’s map. By employing lidar mapping technology, traces of early 17th-century dikes were discovered, providing additional clues to the past. Samples collected from these dikes were subjected to radiocarbon dating to validate the findings.
Collaborating with archaeologists at Kwilmu’kw Maw‑klusuaqn and Saint Mary’s University, Borton’s project aligns with ongoing research on the French-Mi’kmaq interactions during this era. The Allains River holds a significant historical narrative, combining European and Mi’kmaw land uses, highlighting a shared landscape that invokes a sense of cooperation and coexistence.
Looking ahead, the team plans to utilize ground-penetrating radar to delve deeper into the mill site, aiming to uncover more historical treasures along the Allains River. Borton’s efforts have not only unearthed the potential mill site but have also brought attention to multiple other historic locations within the vicinity, emphasizing the importance of preserving this multicultural heritage.
