When I first learned of the Great Fire of Miramichi and determined to write this story, I believed it would chiefly be a tale of tragedy and devastation. Very early into my research, I realized how wrong that assumption had been.
The Miramichi Fire took lives. (Among them, a number of my ancestors.) By the time it had run its deadly course, it had burned one fifth of the province — more than three million acres of land. It destroyed buildings, possessions, livestock, and provisions. It left many facing the winter ahead both homeless and impoverished.
Despite that, this story is ultimately one of triumph. For as word of the tragedy spread, the response, both from the public and from various governments, was overwhelming.
Below is a summary of a few of the events, driven by the kindness and generosity of strangers, that enabled the survival of entire communities.
On the 15th day of October, the messengers who had been dispatched to Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia reached their destinations.
It would have touched the hearts of those left destitute if they had seen firsthand the compassion with which news of their plight was received, or if they had known what actions and efforts would be made to assist and support them in their time of need.
When news of the calamity reached His Excellency, Sir Howard Douglas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick in Fredericton, he lost no time in responding to the tale of tragedy and hardship. Douglas called for a council that very day, and the council swiftly passed a resolution to send a messenger on to Quebec, where he was to purchase 1,000 barrels of flour, 500 barrels of pork, and an assortment of clothing, up to a value of £6,000.
When the council had completed its work and done all that was within its power, Sir Douglas called for a public meeting, where he addressed the people.
Although Fredericton itself had also known devastation from the fire, its losses did not compare to those of the towns along the Miramichi River and other smaller settlements in the province. Still, Sir Douglas gave full consideration to the difficulties being faced locally before outlining what had been done for the immediate relief and assistance of the people of Miramichi. He then appealed to those in attendance to start a general fund that could be applied not only for the urgent needs, but also toward the enormous job of rebuilding the destroyed towns.
In spite of their own losses, the people of Fredericton responded with great generosity. A committee that was already in place to raise funds for the damages at Fredericton swiftly concluded that the need at Miramichi surpassed that of their own townsmen, and £250 of the money they had raised was remitted to that end.
Sir Douglas had already made a significant contribution from his own funds at the council meeting, but he pledged a further donation to the public fund. He then closed his address to the people and set out for the Miramichi.
Douglas felt it was his duty to go to the scene of devastation in order to provide what support he was able to offer. As well, he was determined to see for himself that enough had been done to ensure the immediate survival of the sufferers before winter arrived and added to the devastation that had already occurred.
The city of Saint John had been spared from the fire. Its inhabitants also responded swiftly and in very short order had sent off two vessels loaded with provisions and clothing of all kinds.
Countless smaller New Brunswick communities also sent aid.
When news of the fire arrived in Halifax, those who heard it were greatly moved by the suffering of their neighbouring colony.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, and the need for immediate action, they arranged to have handbills printed and circulated throughout the town. A meeting was scheduled at the County Court House for 9:00 the very next morning.
The meeting began with donations in the amount of £1,200 pouring in from those in attendance. Committees were sent out to collect further subscriptions throughout the town and peninsula.
Discussions followed as to what further measures were within their power to carry out for the aid of those who had been left destitute.
A plan of action was quickly put in place and a rider was sent overland to the people of Miramichi that very day. His responsibility was to take word of what was being done so that the victims of the fire might be encouraged by news that help would soon be on the way.
On Monday, October 17, His Excellency, Sir James Kempt, the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, convened the Legislative and Executive Council to determine what could be done on that level.
Sir Kempt was pleased to advise the council that Rear Admiral Lake, the Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s ships on that station, had kindly offered to send HMS Orestes to Miramichi to carry provisions to that unhappy location. The Nova Scotian council agreed that the circumstances called for every possible effort to provide help and relief to their sister colony. A second committee was formed, with instructions to work together with the committee formed the day before at the public meeting.
The two groups worked together securing food, clothing, bedding, and medicines as well as medical attendance for the wounded. Volunteers worked diligently at the task of gathering provisions and getting them onto the vessels that would carry them to the Miramichi. So extraordinary were their efforts that the following Tuesday HMS Orestes, along with the schooners Active, Albion, and Elizabet sailed for Miramichi loaded with food, clothing, and other provisions.
The Orestes was captained by Commander Henry Litchfield, who took himself from a sickbed in order to help his fellow man.
Although Halifax itself was just recovering from a long depression, its good people had done all that they could possibly do to help their fellow man. In examples of generosity, the garrison and the navy in harbour gave a day’s pay, church collections were sent in, and it was reported that servants requested that their employers settle their wages so that they could add their modest contributions to the cause. Before long, the subscriptions from that city alone reached £2,000.
All through Nova Scotia, Halifax’s example was followed. Cash and provisions were gathered in many communities and over the next few weeks a number of additional vessels loaded with emergency supplies set sail for New Brunswick.
Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec responded in like manner, collecting subscriptions, obtaining provisions, and sending them as immediately as possible to the scene of devastation and misery.
South of the border, Americans added their efforts in those places where news of the tragedy made its way. New York, Boston, and Eastport were among those who gathered thousands of dollars in donations for their northern neighbours.
Distribution of Goods:
Every man, woman, and child was given one warm suit of clothes and a pair of shoes. Other items were given out on the basis of family size. For example, a family of six would receive, in addition to the shoes and clothing, twenty-four yards of osnaburgh,* four blankets, a barrel of flour, one barrel of meal and one of pork (or two barrels of fish), six barrels of potatoes, and a quantity of tea and sugar.
The total losses of property, possessions, and livestock of the Great Miramichi Fire were estimated at just over £200,000, of which very little was insured.
The loss of life, with more than 160 dead, was immeasurable.