Kamouraska, Québec, Canada (Saint-Louis) (Saint-Alexandre)
1832 - KAMOURASKA,

a seigniory, in the co. of Kamouraska, is bounded by the St. Lawrence; N.E. by Granville; S.W. by St. Denis; in the rear by Woodbridge and part of Bugay. - 3 leagues in depth by 2 in breadth. Granted, July 15, 1674, to Sieur de la Durantaie; now the property of Pascal Tache, Esq. - This very valuable and productive seigniory is remarkable for its salubrious climate, its population, the fertility of its soil and its delightful scenery. In the vicinity of the river the land is rather low, forming an extensive plain broken here and there by a few singular hillocks or rather rocks, crowned with a few dwarf pines and low underwood: it abounds with rich natural meadows and excellent pasturage the sufficiently account for the quantity and quality of the Kamouraska butter, so much esteemed in the Quebec market. The soil, in the front part generally, is excellent, being either a rich black mould, a yellow laom, or a mixture of clay and sand: towards the rear it gradually becomes less fertile and one fourth of the S. is occupied by ridges of rocks unfit for cultivation. - Four concessions and part of the 5th are settled, and some of the redundant population occupy a portion of the waste lands towards the read. The number of farms is 495. - There is not much timber except in the mountainous parts, which produce fine beech, birch, maple, basswood and pine. _ this S. is watered by the R. Kamouraska, which runs from the rear through the centre to the St. Lawrence, and also by some small streams. - Several roads lead into the adjoining grants and many others open a communication with the different concessions, on which are numerous farm-houses in the midst of fields of the most luxuriant fertility: the road leading from the church in the 3rd concession is particularly fine and beautiful, skirted by houses and agricultural buildings kept in the best order. - About one half of the S. is under cultivation and agriculture has made great progress: wheat and all kinds of grain seldom fail of abundant harvest; but these are not the only dependence of the farmer, for here are some of the best dairies in the province. - 19,00 bushels of wheat are sold out of the S. in grain and flour. Poultry is scarce. There is one corn-mill the drives 4 sets of stones; it is built of stone, 2 stories high, and stands on the R. Kamouraska, in the 3rd range. The rent in ranges 1,2 and 3 is 1s. 8d. per front arpent, and 2s. 6d. in the 4th range. - The parish of Kamouraka includes the whole of this S. and half of the S. of Granville. There is no place in the country where flax is more cultivated than in this and the adjacent parish - so much so that the inhabitants, above 20,000, make sufficient linen cloth for their use...

The village of Kamouraska is in a pleasant situation on the main road near the St. Lawrence. It consists of a church, a presbytery and about 60 houses, mostly of wood, but a few are built with stone in a style much superior to the others. Some families of great respectability have fixed their residence here, also some very reputable shopkeepers and artisans; it can likewise boast of one or two inns, where travellers may be well entertained. During the summer this village is enlivened by numerous visitors, who come hither to recruit their health, as it has the reputation of being one of the healthiest spots in the province; it is also the watering-place, where many people resort for the benefit of sea-bathing. The manor house, which is the residence of Mr. Tache, is eligibly situated near the river, at a short distance from the village. - There are only 2 schools at present in this rich and populous S.; one, supported by the Fabrique, is attended by about 30 scholars, including 10 girls; the other, under the auspices of the Royal Institution, has about 40 scholars, including 10 girls: in the latter the English language is taught. A petition for the erection of a college in this parish was recommended to the House of Assembly by one of its committees, but without success. Mr. Tache, with his usual liberality, offered to give a piece of land on which it might have been erected. - This seigniory is not without commercial advantages, besides its productive fisheries; and the Kamouraska schooners are well known at Quebec for the large quantities of provisions they are laden with, such as grain, live stock, poultry, butter, maple sugar, &c., besides considerable freights of deal planks and other timber. - The Kamouraska Islands, in front of the seigniory, not only embellish the landscape but are highly useful as the sties of the fisheries, which are here carried on to a considerable extent, particularly the herring fishery...

Population 5,495
Churches, R.C. 1
Cures 1
Presbyteries 1
Schools 2
Villages 1
Corn-mills 1
Carding-mills 1
Fulling-mills 1
Saw-mills 12
Hat-manufact. 1
Medical men 1
Notaries 1
Shopkeepers 6
Taverns 4
Artisans 39
River-craft 8
Tonnage 347
Keel-boats 10

A Topographical Dictionary of The Province of Lower Canada by Joseph Bouchette, Esq., London, 1832

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