Woodstock Parish, New Brunswick

This article is about the geographic parish, former local service district, and rural census subdivision. For the town, see Woodstock, New Brunswick.

Woodstock
Parish
Location within Carleton County, New Brunswick
Coordinates: 46°04′N67°36′W / 46.06°N 67.6°W / 46.06; -67.6
Country	Canada
Province	New Brunswick
County	Carleton
Erected	1786
Area [1]
• Land	194.83 km2 (75.22 sq mi)
Population  (2021) [1]
• Total	2,219
• Density	11.4/km2 (30/sq mi)
• Change 2016-2021	1.9%
• Dwellings	936
Time zone	UTC-4 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-3 (ADT)
Figures do not include portions within the town of Woodstock, the Woodstock 23 Indian reserve, and the village of Meductic Population change reflects revised 2016 figure

Woodstock is a geographic parish in Carleton County, New Brunswick, Canada, ^[2] surrounding the town of the same name on its landward side.

Prior to the 2023 governance reform, for governance purposes it was comprised one town, one Indian reserve, part of one village, and parts of three local service districts, all of which except the Indian reserve were members of the Western Valley Regional Service Commission (WVRSC). ^[3]

The Census subdivision of the same name includes all of the parish except the municipalities and Indian reserve. ^[1]

Origin of name

The parish was named in honour of Viscount Woodstock, a junior title of the Duke of Portland, Prime Minister of Great Britain when the Loyalists arrived in New Brunswick. ^[4]

History

Woodstock was erected in 1786 as one York County's original parishes. ^[5] The parish included most of Richmond Parish and parts of Canterbury, Dumfries, McAdam, and North Lake Parishes.

Boundaries

Woodstock Parish is bounded: ^{[2] [6] [7]}

• on the east by the Saint John River;
• on the north by the northern line of a grant nearly opposite the mouth of Shaws Creek and its prolongation westerly;
• on the west by the rear or western line of the second tier of lots west of the Saint John River, prolonged to the Eel River;
• and on the south and southeast by the Eel River.
• The parish also includes any islands in front of it in the Saint John River. The Territorial Division Act and cadastral map of the area ^[8] are both moot on whether the northern boundary runs around or through Pine Island.

Evolution of boundaries

Woodstock's original boundaries extended along the southern bank of the Saint John River from just west of Pokiok to its modern northern line, which extended inland through what's now Richmond Parish. The parish extended inland 12 miles (19 km) from the river along its length, crossing into what's now Maine. ^[5]

In 1798 an international commission settled the boundary with the United States as far north as the boundary monument that marks the start of the southern boundary of Carleton County.

In 1832 Carleton County was separated from York, ^[9] with the county line running through Woodstock Parish.

In 1833 the York County portion of Woodstock was included in the newly erected Dumfries Parish. ^[10]

In 1834 the boundary with York County was altered to run along grant lines as it neared the Saint John River. ^[11] This exchanged several small pieces of territory along the Eel River with Dumfries Parish in York County.

In 1838 all of Wakefield Parish south of the Meduxnekeag River along with any territory between Woodstock's western border and the boundary with the United States was annexed to Woodstock, putting part of Maine claimed by New Brunswick in the parish. ^[12]

In 1842 the boundary with the United States was settled by the Webster–Ashburton Treaty.

In 1850 the original county line was restored, ^[13] reversing the 1834 territorial exchange with Dumfries.

In 1853 all of Woodstock west of the first two tiers of grants was erected as Richmond Parish. ^[14]

In 1854 the northern boundary was extended through the Meduxnekeag, transferring parts of two grants straddling the river to Wakefield Parish. ^[15]

Municipalities

The town of Woodstock sits at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River, near the northeastern corner of the parish. ^[16]

The village of Meductic sits at the mouth of the Eel River, straddling the York County line. ^[16]

Indian reserve

The Woodstock 23 Indian reserve stretches inland from the Saint John River, starting along Hodgdon Road and extending inland to King Road. The reserve belongs to the Woodstock First Nation, a Wəlastəkwewiyik band.

Local service districts

All LSDs assessed for the basic LSD services of fire protection, police services, land use planning, emergency measures, and dog control. ^[17]

Woodstock Parish

The local service district of the parish of Woodstock originally contained all of the parish except Woodstock, Meductic, and Debec. The Indian reserve is under federal administration but not explicitly excluded from the LSD. ^[18] A small wetland area west of the mouth of Fish Creek in Richmond Parish was added to this LSD in 2014. ^[19]

The LSD was established in 1966 to assess for fire protection following the elimination of county government under the new Municipalities Act. ^[20] Community services were added in 1967 ^[21] and recreational facilities in 1995. ^[22]

In 2020, Woodstock Parish assesses for the additional service of community & recreational services. ^[17] The taxing authority was 218.00 Woodstock.

LSD advisory committee? Yes. Chair Brian Hayden sat on the WVRSC board of directors from at least 2015. ^{[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]}

Debec

Debec occupied an irregular area along the western side of the parish.

Benton

Benton straddled the county line at the bend of the Eel River, extending along the Benton, Lewin, and Caldwell Roads.

The LSD was established in 1967 to add community planning and street lights. ^[29] Community services were added in 1968. ^[30]

In 2020, Benton additionally assesses for street lighting and community & recreation services. ^[17] The taxing authority was 219.00 Benton.

LSDAC? Unknown.

Communities

Communities at least partly within the parish; ^{[6] [7] [31]} bold indicates an incorporated municipality or Indian reserve

• Bedell Settlement
• Benton
• Bulls Creek
• Dibblee
• Hillman
• Mapledale
• Meductic
• Porten Settlement
• Riceville
• Speerville
• Springfield
• Teeds Mills
• Upper Woodstock
• Valley
• Woodstock
• Woodstock 23
  • Indian Village

Bodies of water

Bodies of water ^[a] at least partly in the parish: ^{[6] [7] [31]}

• Eel River
• Meduxnekeag River
• Saint John River
• Bulls Creek
• Fish Creek
• Lanes Creek
• Hays Lake

Islands

Islands at least partly in the parish: ^{[6] [7] [31]}

• Woodstock Island

Other notable places

Parks, historic sites, and other noteworthy places at least partly in the parish. ^{[6] [7] [31]}

• Kindness Club Wildlife Refuge ^[32]
• Meduxnekeag Valley Protected Natural Area ^[33]

Demographics

Parish population total does not include town of Woodstock, Woodstock 23 Indian reserve, and portion within Meductic

Population Population trend [34] [35] [36] Census Population Change (%) 2016 2,220 2.5% 2011 2,165 0.8% 2006 2,148 10.5% 2001Adj 1,944 1.7% 2001 1,977 2.5% 1996 1,929 10.4% 1991 1,748 N/A 1951 1,564 N/A

Language Mother tongue (2016) [36] Language Population Pct (%) English only 2,080 93.7% French only 45 2.0% Other languages 85 3.8% Both English and French 10 0.5%

See also

• List of parishes in New Brunswick

Notes

1. Not including brooks, ponds or coves.

References

1. "Census Profile". Statistics Canada. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
2. "Chapter T-3 Territorial Division Act". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
3. "Communities in each of the 12 Regional Service Commissions (RSC) / Les communautés dans chacune des 12 Commissions de services régionaux (CSR)" (PDF), Government of New Brunswick, July 2017, retrieved 1 February 2021
4. Ganong, William F. (1906). Additions and Corrections to Monographs on the Place-Nomenclature, Cartography, Historic Sites, Boundaries and Settlement-origins of the Province of New Brunswick. Royal Society of Canada. p. 54. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
5. "26 Geo. III Chapter I. An Act for the better ascertaining and confirming the Boundaries of the several Counties within this Province, and for subdividing them into Towns or Parishes.". Acts of the General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New-Brunswick, passed in the year 1786. Saint John, New Brunswick: Government of New Brunswick. 1786. pp. 3–12. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
6. "No. 101". Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development. Retrieved 27 June 2021. Remainder of parish on maps 111, 123, and 124 at same site.
7. "323" (PDF). Transportation and Infrastructure. Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 27 June 2021. Remainder of parish on mapbooks 324, 344, 345, 365, and 366 at same site.
8. "No. 101". Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
9. "1 Wm. IV c. 50 An Act for the Division of the County of York into Two Counties, and to provide for the Government and Representation of the new County.". Acts of the General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Year 1833. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1833. pp. 183–187. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
10. "3 Wm. IV c. 38 An Act to alter the Names of certain Parts of Three Parishes in the County of York, and to erect Two separate Parishes therein.". Acts of the General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Year 1833. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1833. pp. 181–182. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
11. "4 Wm. IV c. 28 An Act to alter the Division Line between the Counties of York and Carleton.". Acts of the General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Year 1834. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1834. pp. 71–72. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
12. "1 Vic. c. 31 An Act to enlarge and define the Boundaries of the Parish of Woodstock.". Acts of the General Assembly of Her Majesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Year 1838. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1838. p. 76. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
13. "13 Vic. c. 51 An Act to consolidate all the Laws now in force for the division of the Province into Counties, Towns and Parishes.". Acts of the General Assembly of Her Mjaesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Year 1850. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1850. pp. 142–152, 145–149. Retrieved 27 March 2021. Book was poorly proofread, resulting in title typo and reuse of page numbers 145–152.
14. "16 Vic. c. 42 An Act to erect a part of the Parish of Woodstock, in the County of Carleton, into a separate and distinct Town or Parish.". Acts of the General Assembly of Her Majesty's Province of New Brunswick, Passed in the Month of October, 1852, and in the Months of April and May, 1853. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1853. pp. 75–76. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
15. "Chapter 1.". The Revised Statutes of New Brunswick Volume 1. Fredericton: Government of New Brunswick. 1854. pp. 2–19. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
16. "New Brunswick Regulation 85-6 under the Municipalities Act (O.C. 85-45)". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
17. "2020 Local Government Statistics for New Brunswick" (PDF). Department of Environment and Local Government. p. 55. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
18. "New Brunswick Regulation 84-168 under the Municipalities Act (O.C. 84-582)". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
19. "Regulation 2014-22 under the Municipalities Act (O. C. 2014-41)" (PDF). The Royal Gazette. 172. Fredericton: 361–362. 12 March 2014. ISSN   1714-9428.
20. "Regulation 66–41 under the Municipalities Act (O. C. 66–968)". The Royal Gazette. 124. Fredericton: 604–605. 21 December 1966.
21. "Regulation 67–130 under the Municipalities Act (O. C. 67–1196)". The Royal Gazette. 126. Fredericton: 10–11. 3 January 1968.
22. New Brunswick Regulation 95-151.
23. "2015 Annual Report" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 2016. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
24. "2016 Annual Report" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 2017. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
25. "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 2018. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
26. "2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 2019. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
27. "2019 Annual Report" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 2020. p. 2. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
28. "Board of Directors Meeting: Minutes of Meeting" (PDF). Western Valley Regional Service Commission. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
29. "Regulation 67–112 under the Municipalities Act (O. C. 67–1058)". The Royal Gazette. 125. Fredericton: 597. 22 November 1967.
30. "Regulation 68–44 under the Municipalities Act (O. C. 68–376)". The Royal Gazette. 126. Fredericton: 267–269. 15 May 1968.
31. "Search the Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB)". Government of Canada. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
32. "New Brunswick Regulation 94-43 under the Fish and Wildlife Act (O.C. 94-231)". Government of New Brunswick. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
33. "Explore New Brunswick's Protected Natural Areas". GeoNB. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
34. Statistics Canada: 1951, 1996, 2001, 2006 census
35. 2011 Statistics Canada Census Profile: Woodstock Parish, New Brunswick
36. "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Woodstock, Parish [Census subdivision], New Brunswick". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 7 September 2019.

46°03′36″N67°36′00″W / 46.06000°N 67.60000°W / 46.06000; -67.60000 (Woodstock Parish, New Brunswick)