Page:New Brunswick Magazine Issue 1.djvu/112

Those who have been accustomed to look upon "Old Fort" at Carleton, as a hallowed spot, and as the original Fort LaTour, the scene of Lady LaTour's heroism and death, may therefore be reassured, for they have not been worshipping at a false shrine.

Among the many actors in the struggle for independence, which terminated successfully for the American colonists in 1783, was Brook Watson, commissary general to the British forces under Sir Guy Carleton. Considering the prominent part taken by him in the war of the American Revolution, and the very successful and honorable position afterwards attained by him in England, together with the romantic episodes of his boyhood and youth, it is extraordinary how little is generally known of him, and how seldom he is referred to in historical writings, when the events of that stirring time are recalled. The citizens of St. John, are especially interested in his memory, for his counsel and assistance were of great value to the unfortunate exiles who sought these shores on the termination of the contest which deprived them of home and patrimony. As an evidence of their appreciation of the services rendered, and of the respect they had for him, they named one of the streets in the city which they were building "Watson" street, and one of the wards "Brooks" ward, so that the name of Brook Watson is perpetuated among us to the present day.

From his earliest years his life was one of adventure and vicissitude, and nothing in fiction is stranger