1876-11-21

The Pictou Landing First Nation sought more land for their reserve in 1875, and the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia purchased a separate lot that was near, but not connected to the reserve, from James Sproull. As few roads existed in the area at the time, it was easier for residents of the reserve to cut across the property separating the two plots of land, which was also owned by Sproull. Sproull, in an effort to reduce 'trespassing,' proposed that an exchange of land be arranged between himself and Pictou Landing so that the two reserves would be connected. Dawson reported that the difference in land sizes (five more acres being alloted by Sproull) was made up for by the fact that the land given up by Sproull was of better quality. Dawson also stated that the Pictou Landing Indians had already built houses on the exchanged land and had occupied it for some time.