On August 8, 2026 a day of presentations and events was held at Fort Beausèjour National Historic Site near Amherst, Nova Scotia. The activities were organized to mark the 250th anniversary of the Eddy Rebellion and Siege of the Fort in November 1776 when it was called Fort Cumberland. Jonathan Eddy led a rebel force in an unsuccessful siege of the Fort that was garrisoned by Lieut. - Col. Joseph Goreham and members of the Royal Fencible American Regiment. As an historian interested in the American Revolution I attended.
During the day there were historical re - enactors in civilian clothing present and members of the DeLancey's Brigade and 84th Regiment of Foot, two re - enactment groups who portray Loyalist units from during the American Revolution, who put on musketry and drill demonstrations. Presentations were also made by historians. As well the Festival by the Marsh presented The Complete History of the Eddy Rebellion / Battle of Fort Cumberland in 10 Minutes Or Less.
Historical re - enactors at Fort
The present - day name of the site was selected by the Government of Canada to recognize that Fort Beausèjour was the name the French, who were the first Europeans to settle in the area, called it when constructed in 1751. British and American colonial forces captured the Fort on June 16, 1755 and renamed it Fort Cumberland. In 1920 the National Historic Site was designated there and it was renamed Fort Beausèjour.
With historian and author Ernest Clarke
In the morning I watched an excellent presentation by historian and author Ernest Clarke. He described the period history and referred to his book The Siege of Fort Cumberland. For several years he worked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and in 1979 was the first Vice - President of the Halifax - Dartmouth Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada. After leaving that work he moved back to his native New Brunswick and pursues projects as an architect, designer, and artist.
I was very pleased to have my copy of his book, which I had brought with me, autographed by Ernest Clarke. In the preface to his book he acknowledged a debt to George Rawlyk, my History professor when I was a student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Rawlyk authored the book Nova Scotia's Massachusetts, A Study of Massachusetts - Nova Scotia Relations 1630 to 1784. He encouraged Clarke to complete his book and, along with David Bell, gave professional advice and criticism.
Book signing by Ernest Clarke
He also gave out a calendar he had prepared, detailing the daily events of the Siege. The first date with an event shown is October 29th, when Jonathan Eddy arrived in Cumberland County with troops. A final event is November 30th, and the Siege ends. Eddy retreated to the St. John River and Machias, Maine.
Siege Events Calendar
Later in the morning, I filmed the entrance of five historical re- enactors, four members of the Delancey's Brigade, who were Colin Moore. Tony Matthews, Alex Steele, and Sergeant Steve Fowler, with one member of the 84th Regiment of Foot, Sergeant Alistair James Hamilton. They marched into the Fort to the beat of the drum. I prepared a video and uploaded it to YouTube. It can be watched using a link below. As well, I did one with Sergeant Steve Fowler, speaking in the Fort about the anniversary.
With Peter Gillies, Chaplain of Delancey's Brigade, and Sergeant Steve Fowler
(Photo credit to Henriette van de Weijer)
With Tony Matthews of Delancey's Brigade and Sergeant Alistair James Hamilton of 84th Regiment
(Photo credit to Henriette van de Weijer)
Military historian and author Dr. Gary Campbell made an informative and interesting presentation on New Brunswick history during the time of the American Revolution. It was particularly focused on connections to Fort Cumberland. He mentioned further reading publications, including his book The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec.
Gary Campbell during his presentation
In the evening, local descendants of participants in the events of the Eddy Rebellion and Siege of Fort Cumberland made presentations at nearby
St. Mark's Church Hall on Camphill in Mount Whatley. This was also the site where the re-enactors camped overnight and held a church service the next day.
Further Reference:
Campbell, Gary, The Road to Canada: The Grand Communications Route from Saint John to Quebec, published by Goose Lane Publicatons & NBMHP, 2005
Clarke, Ernest, The Siege of Fort Cumberland, 1776 - An Episode in the American Revolution, published by McGill - Queen's University Press, 1995
Historian Ernest Clarke speaking at Fort Beausèjour - Fort Cumberland on August 8, 2026, video by Brian McConnell, U.E.
Rawlyk, George A., Nova Scotia's Massachusetts, published by McGill - Queen's University Press, 1973
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