Merigomish, Nova Scotia
- Official Name: Merigomish
- Geographic Feature Type Category: Populated Place
- Geographic Feature Type: Community
- Latitude / Longitude: 45.630201, -62.431822
- NTS Map Number: 011E09
- 1879 Pictou County Atlas: Section 21
- Nova Scotia Land Grant Map Number: NS Land Grant map 093
- Nova Scotia 1:10k Topographic Map Number: 1045600062400 (Merigomish)
Merigomish is a rural community located on the south side of Merigomish Harbour between Egerton and Lower Barneys River along the Sunrise Trail. Early one it was known as Malegonish, originating from the Mi’kmaq word “Mallegomichk” (meaning the merrymaking place). This was one of the popular Mi’kmaq gathering areas.
Merigomish was first settled by Barnabas McGee in 1776. McGee was originally from Northern Ireland, and then emigrated to Pennsylvania or Maryland and before ending up in Nova Scotia.
In 1784 Loyalist refugees from the American Revolutionary war came to the area.
In August, 1830, it was described as a settlement extending several miles scarcely dence enough to be a community. In 1838 an Act was passed by the Provincial Legislature allowing the Merigomish Presbyterians to dismantle the old meeting
house, sell it, and use the money to build a new Church.
Daniel Anderson was schoolmaster here in 1809. A school was built by 1812. A school was built at west end of Merigomish in 1822. New school-houses were opened in 1874 at Merigomish East and Merigomish West.
A postal way office was established at Merigomish in 1838. This became a post office in 1843, but again became a way office in 1850. A way office was established at West Merigomish in 1873.
Population of Merigomish in 1956 was 228.
[Source: Nova Scotia Place Names – T. Brown / Places of Nova Scotia – C. Bruce Fergusson ]
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