Fort Jemseg
Gagetown Ferry at Lower Jemseg
Sir Thomas Temple established a trading post on the Saint John River at the mouth of the Jemseg River in 1659. He had hoped that this location would be less exposed to marauders. His fort is described as a rectangular palisaded enclosure with walls 18 feet in height and armed with five iron guns mounted on a wooden platform. Unfortunately for him, the Treaty of Breda in 1667 restored Acadia to the French, and in 1670, he was compelled to surrender Fort Jemseg to Sieur de Soulanges. In 1674, Jurriaen Aernouts, a Dutch buccaneer, with a force of 110 captured Fort Jemseg. Aernouts pillaged and dismantled the fort, and carried off Soulanges for ransom. Soulanges eventually returned and rebuilt Fort Jemseg. It was Governor Villebon, who moved the seat of the Acadian government from Port Royal, first to Fort Jemseg in 1690, and then Fort Nashwaak in 1692. After that, Fort Jemseg fell into disuse. Although there is a Historic Sites and Monument Board plaque located in Lower Jemseg, the exact location of the fort is unknown, but is believed to be near the Gagetown Ferry. Excerpt from the New Brunswick Military Heritage Project.
UPDATE: 19 June 2023. New lock n lock in place. in the area now known as Arcadia. The wheel has gone full circle!!
Congratulations to Hampdenboy for FTF