The Town Office invited our Town Historian, Lewis Jackson to discuss a concern that was raised by a fellow Nova-Scotian, asking us to consider taking down the street name Cornwallis, as is occurring across the province, including the Coast Guard vessel.
Mr. Jackson reminded us that Cornwallis Street in Shelburne is named after Charles Cornwallis, born 31 December 1738, NOT his brutal uncle, Edward Cornwallis born 5 March 1713
General Charles Cornwallis fought in the first battle against the Americans in NY, securing it as a peaceful place for Loyalists to live. Charles was also instrumental in the peaceful and diplomatic exodus of British Loyalists from NY at the end of the American Revolution.
The Town of Shelburne was earmarked to be the capitol of Nova Scotia and, at that time, included what is now New Brunswick and PEI.The Town of Shelburne named streets after those aligned to the loyalist cause and Charles Cornwallis was one of them. Others included Parr, Carleton, Morris, Ham(m)ond, Mowatt, Digby, Rodney, Elliot and Fanning.
In fact, all our street names trace their origins from royalty, politicians, religious or military leaders – commemorating individuals prominent in the Roseway (now Shelburne) settlement and the revolution.
In the 1978 book ‘King’s Bounty’ written by Marion Robertson, Charles Cornwallis is described positively in his role during the war.
We have been previously asked about our street named Cornwallis (even the CBC asked earlier in 2022) and once they were made aware of the actual Cornwallis that was commemorated in the street naming, they respected the decision to have it remain.
This was discussed in Council on January 26th, 2023.