Footprints in the Sand

Pre‐1867 Government Records for Sable Island

A report sent back to Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Wentworth from Seth Coleman which details his discoveries when sent to investigate the possibility of establishing a human presence on the Island. Coleman documents the American shipwreck he encounters upon arrival, some details of the Island’s flora (pea grass) and fauna (horses), its current residents (shipwreck survivors), makes a case for the potential and necessity of a lighthouse, and then continues to speculate on the success of a settlement on the island, believing it could support “several families”.

4 pages 30 x 50 cm

Date: 1801

Reference: Nova Scotia Archives RG 31 series 120 volume 2 number 2