Settlements

The Harvey Area comprises of the village proper and a surrounding area which started as many different settlements. Each settlement was started when a family or a group of families would move into the area. In the early days of the Harvey area, during the nineteenth century, the roads were rough and the use of horses for transportation would mean that a trip to another settlement, even one only a few kilometres away, was an ordeal. The settlers would work their new land and the settlement would take on an identity of its own. Many of the settlement names are still used today for the areas which they were originally located.

Cork Settlement- Cork Settlement, also formally known as Teatottle Settlement, was founded in 1842 by 179 Irish settlers. The settlers had resided in Fredericton until this time but due to a lack of employment a move was necessary. The area that would eventually consist of about 1000 acres was made up of 57 homesteads. The rich soil was cultivated and log homes were built. Though farming was predominant in their minds, their religion was still top priority. The Irish Catholics were desperate for a church. The first one was not built until 1861. Until then a mission from Fredericton delivered sermons. Finally John Russell donated two acres of land, and Father McDevitt bought two more for the church to be built upon. The church would be destroyed three times until the fourth church would endure until the present day. There are many descendants who still reside in Cork, such as Daleys, Russells, and Connors.

Little Settlement- Little Settlement was formed in the early 1840's. Four brothers (James, William, David, and Matthew Little) petitioned the Crown for land near the property granted to the first settlers of Harvey in the area known as Coburn but more commonly called "Little Settlement". After the four bothers settled, another brother John Jr., and their parents John Little and Janet Heughan moved from New Maryland to the new settlement. A cairn commemorating one hundred years of the Little's settling was unveiled in 1942 on the spot where the first house was built.

Upper Mills- This area was settled when the Little brothers decided to build a grist mill in 1842. Later, James Little received more land, moved his family from Little Settlement, continuing on to build a saw mill and a dam.

Prince William- The first major settlement in Prince William was established by a group of Loyalists from the "King's American Dragoons" in 1786. They applied to the government for tracts of land in Prince William Pariah. One of the first settlers was John Courser, an escaped prisoner of war. In 1783, he gathered his family and left the United States, heading for loyal British soil. They landed in Saint John and settled in Prince William. He is assumed to be the first settler.

The area was named after Prince William, patron saint of the Dragoons, and the son of King George III. The parish originally stretched from Kingsclear to Pokiok, and the area was self-sufficient from the beginning. Industry consisted of a saw mill (still found at King's Landing), a grist mill, and a carding mill for wool. Prince William is now the home to King's Landing, one of the major historical sites in the province.

Tweedside- Tweedside, located on Oromocto Lake, was named by its Scottish settlers for their beloved land on the River Tweed in Scotland. A number of families settled in 1850 on the land comprised of 1000 acres. Some of the family names that settled there still reside in the area, such as Cleghorn, Swan, Rutherfords, and Wood. There is prime farming land located in Tweedside, and the scenery is breathtaking. Many homes and cottages line the lake. Tweedside is also the home of Don Messer.

York Mills- York Mills saw its beginnings when George Lister decided to build a woolen mill and a saw mill in the 1850'8. As the mills grew and prospered, more people came to settle in the area. There is still a woollen mill there today.

Lake George- This scenic lake was settled by John McGeorge and his companion, Mr. Lawson. McGeorge, born in 1782, heralded from near Gallowshire, Scotland.