High Cross in honour of the early settlers from England, Scotland and especially Ireland
in the townships of Jersey, Linière and Marlow
Cross inaugurated August 11 2007
This Celtic Cross inaugurated in August 2007 is an initiative of the Société historique de Saint-Côme de Kennebec et de Linière. Its realisation was possible with the financial help and support of its loyal partners and private donators as listed here. This Cross commemorates the presence of the first inhabitants of the Townships of Jersey, Linière and Marlow whom came from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Around 1825, the British authorities of Lower Canada gave them lots along the Kennebec Road between Jersey Mills in St. Georges and the American Border. The Kennebec Road, which stretched along the Du Loup River was an important commercial and military link to the new American Colonies. In return of these lots the settlers committed to maintaining the road while occupying and developing this territory. It also allowed a vast immigration from Great Britain, especially from Ireland, following the famine.
Although, it was easy to obtain a lot, it took a long time before many settlers established. Life was difficult and high speculation existed. A few settlers lived on the lots granted in 1824 in the Township of Jersey and in 1831, eleven English speaking persons lived there, mainly along the Chaudière River.
According to the 1851 Census, 68% of the two hundred and ninety four residents in the Township of Linière were English speaking. They were Irish, Scottish or English, Catholic, Presbyterian and Protestant. They had to work hard. They had to cut trees and clear the land before cultivating it. No services were available or close by. They also had to struggle for Anglican and Presbyterian schools and religious services. After a while, they abandoned and went to other English speaking communities. Only a few catholic Irish families stayed, many of their children married into French Canadian families and therefore today many men and women living in the Townships of Jersey, Linière and Marlow can claim Irish, Scottish or English ancestors.
We remember all these proud hard working men and women, Protestants and Catholics alike, and this Cross is theirs. On it are engraved a rose for the English, a thistle flower for the Scottish, a shamrock for the Irish and a harp for the Celtic culture in general.
