Founding of New Brunswick Monument (Loyalist Cross) - St. John, NB, Canada - Christian Crosses on Waymarking.com

The Canadian province of New Brunswick owes it's formation to the migration of Loyalist from America to Canada following the American War for Independence. Loyalist, fearing persecution of simply being loyal to the British King, migrated to areas controlled by the British crown.

More than 35,000 people moved to the Maritime Provinces from 1783 to 1784. So many Loyalists emigrated to Nova Scotia that the British Government of decided to creating the Province of New Brunswick from several western counties of Nova Scotia. Brigadier General Thomas Carleton, who was instrumental in implementing the immigration of the United Empire Loyalists, was chosen as the province's first Governor.

A monument, called the Loyalist's Cross, commemorating the founding of New Brunswick was erected in in King's Square in 1934, the 150th anniversary of the founding of New Brunswick. A 7' high granite cross rises above a stepped granite base. On the front of the base is a red with gold lettering placed by the Government of Canada. It is inscribed both in English and in French.

FOUNDING OF NEW BRUNSWICK
LA FONDATION DU
NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK

The increase of population consequent upon the large influx of Loyalists in 1783 and 1784 convinced the British Government of the desirability of creating the Province of New Brunswick. This was done on 16 August 1784. Brigadier General Thomas Carleton, who had provided invaluable service in transplanting the United Empire Loyalists, was chosen as the province's first Governor. He arrived at Saint John on 21 November 1784, and on the following day held his first council and proclaimed Civil Government.

L'accroissement de la population, à la suite de l'arrivée en masse des Loyalistes en 1783 et 1784, convainquit le gouvernement britannique de l'opportunité de constituer la province du Nouveau-Brunswick, ce qui fut fait le 16 août 1784. Le général Thomas Carleton, qui rendit d'inestimables services lors de l'établissement des Loyalistes, devint le premier gouverneur de la province. Il arriva à Saint-Jean le 21 novembre 1784, convoqua son premier conseil le lendemain et proclama le gouvernement civil.