Sign in with Facebook"Saint John - Born of the American Revolution" Top 5 Page for this destination Saint John by 850prc
Saint John Travel Guide: 146 reviews and 260 photos
As we Americans all learned in our school history classes, we had a revolutionary war with Great Britain. At first, things were going really badly and it looked as if we were doomed. But then Washington crossed the Delaware and mopped up the Hessians on Christmas Eve. The fighting continued on for several more years until Benjamin Franklin convinced the French to help our cause. Fast forward to 1781 and Virginia's Yorktown peninsula. Washington's army cornered Lord Cornwallis and the British forces and, with the undeniable assistance of the French fleet and Admiral deGrasse, the British "saw the light", and chose to end their hold on colonial America.
There was much celebration and the new nation was born. But - there were people who were on the other side, people who were NOT happy with the way things worked out. These folks were the loyalist, loyal to the crown, loyal subjects of King George III. And, revolution or not, they wanted to STAY loyal subjects of the British crown. So when things didn't go their way in America, they looked north to Canada. THAT is the genesis of the town of St. John, it was essentially founded by loyalists fleeing the new United States of America.
There were other waves of people fleeing issues that continued to expand the St John population. In the early 1800s, thousands fled the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, finding their way to both Canada and St John. And when the potato famine decimated Ireland in the 1840s, St John grew along with the American cities to the south.
Yes, St John is a proud loyalist town, and they owe their birth to these American ex-patriots' move northward after the 1783 Paris Peace Treaty.
The photo above shows the final resting place of a member of the Royal Artillery. He's buried, along with several dozen other contemporaries, in the downtown loyalist cemetary. Perhaps he was a redcoat who chose to stay on this side of the Atlantic - albeit a bit north of the new United States - after the British went home.
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Incorporated in 1785 (two years after the Paris Peace Treaty ended the American revolution hostilities), St. John was the first city to be incorporated in Canada.
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Saint John is a terrific place to enjoy a huge slice of Maritimes life and culture.
And, it's not a bad place to enjoy a big slice of Sicilian pie, too. :)
- Pros:As welcoming a citizenry as I've ever encountered.... literally a town full of volunteer tourist guides.
- Cons:Most visitors really would like a little more time in this friendly town.
- In a nutshell:Enjoyable and hospitable to the "nth" degree - A great place to visit.
Reviews (15)
A town full of friendly and willing...
Things to Do
(10)
One thing that we noticed throughout our visit to Saint John was the pride with which locals view their city. All you... more travel advice
A Prime Cruise Destination in Atlantic...
Transportation
(1)
I will openly confess that we are NOT cruise people. Truth be known, we used to pretty much poke fun AT cruise people. I... more travel advice
Don't Miss the Fresh Seafood
Restaurants
(4)
Did all of you VirtualTourist members get the little inside joke? "Don't Miss the Fresh Seafood" is the "example" that... more travel advice
Shopping Galore in the historic district
Things to Do
(10)
The Brunswick Square Shopping Center, located just to the west of the Saint John City Market, has it all. From the New... more travel advice
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Saint John Travel Guide
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- 46 Photos
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- 11 Comments
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Romantic Travel and HoneymoonsLatest Saint John hotel reviews
- Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Saint John
- 27 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 1, 2012 - Holiday Inn Express Saint John
- 59 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 25, 2012 - Homeport Historic Bed and Breakfast/Inn
- 75 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2012 - Colonial Inn
- 45 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 16, 2012 - Best Western Saint John Hotel & Suites
- 47 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 25, 2012 - Hampton Inn & Suites Saint John
- 84 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2012 - Hillside Motel
- 46 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2012 - Delta Brunswick
- 92 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2012 - Earle of Leinster "Inn Style" Bed & Breakfast
- 18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2012 - Mahogany Manor Bed and Breakfast
- 17 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 29, 2011 - Inn on the Cove & Spa
- 29 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 23, 2012 - Chateau Saint John
- 77 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2012 - Fort Howe Hotel
- 44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2012 - Hilton Saint John
- 96 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2012 - Comfort Inn Saint John
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 31, 2012
Comments (11)
Yes, DOES sound like a lovely area! but a bit too far north for us (for living), but would be a great holiday area without the long flights! Trinity Ch looks vry interesting, and now yv made me hungry--got to fix lunch!
You make SJ sound a really great place for a visit. Next time I'm in Canada .....
i am still on your NB pages. nice tips. took many into my travel guide :-) and some nice pictures. i liked the one on staircase the best.
Long way to haul those rocks...hahahha St John sure seems like a place that is worthy of a visit. Fantastic write-up Pete!
Cornwallis came to India as Governor General of East India Company.He started a news system of collecting tax from Indian peasantry that ultimately brought huge fortunes from British but doom for Indian farmers.
Very good useful tips with a bit of substance. Marg
Was is the water bottles and backpacks that gave you away as visitors?
great new thinks to do! great job also!
Nice page, and great story...
You met some really nice people at St John - that man was so nice to give that little lighthouse ornament - truly a terrific place and I also want some of that pizza that Sara/Bonnie are having, hehehe...Norman :)
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