Getting around New Brunswick in the winter is rarely easy. Snow, ice, sleet and wind often make travelling the province’s roads treacherous during the colder months. But conditions were far more challenging for people living in 19th-century New Brunswick, who relied on travel via sleigh over long distances, often on frozen rivers.
Long, Cold Journeys
While sleigh rides are often seen today as peaceful and recreational, in the 1800s they were primarily utilitarian. Rivers served as the highways of the region. “The waterways of New Brunswick were, for most of the history of this region, they were the way that people got around,” said historian James Upham. In the summer, canoes were used, and in the winter, sleighs drawn by horses traversed the frozen waterways.
Journeys that take hours today would have taken days in the 1800s, limited by the speed of horses. Travelers also lacked modern comforts. “We just do not have anything at the moment that compares with that unless you’re actually on a polar expedition,” Upham said, noting that travelers might have relied on hot coals to stay warm.
On Tragedy Trail
Travel on ice was not without risk. In 1803, newly elected MLA Hugh McMonagle died when his sleigh crashed through the ice of the Kennebecasis River while traveling from Mount Whatley to Fredericton. Several of his colleagues were also traveling with him.
Newspapers at the time described the event as a “Melancholy Accident” and noted that the sleigh, horses, and baggage were lost. While some survived, Upham emphasized the lack of modern emergency services. “There’s there is no horse drawn ambulance … you can’t just pull out your cell phone and call for help,” he said.
Though less common today, traveling on the frozen Kennebecasis River still occurs, with an ice road providing a shortcut for some residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was travel like in 19th-century New Brunswick?
Travel in 19th-century New Brunswick often involved sleighs on frozen rivers, a method that, while quicker than walking, was still slow and arduous compared to modern transportation.
What happened to Hugh McMonagle?
Hugh McMonagle, a newly elected MLA, died in 1803 when his sleigh crashed through the ice of the Kennebecasis River while traveling to Fredericton.
Are rivers still used for travel in New Brunswick?
While not as common, an ice road on the Kennebecasis River is sometimes open as a shortcut for local residents.
Considering the challenges faced by travelers in 19th-century New Brunswick, how do you think the experience of travel shaped the lives and communities of the region?
