 During these days of winter, I am researching and writing my next book about the stories, legends and folklore of the Gaspe Coast.
The history of the Coast has been shaped by its seafaring origins and is filled with many fascinating stories. These are not merely tales of the imagination, but echoes of those who once lived on this peninsula. Many of these legends have been forgotten, but some continue to be told and handed down through the generations around kitchen tables and beachfront bonfires. My work to bring these stories to life is another adventure into telling the stories of the Gaspe Coast. Our Gaspesian stories have to be told because if we don’t tell them, they will be forgotten. And if they are forgotten, we will not remember who we are and from where we came. ~ Mary
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 One of the most famous pirates to sail into the Gulf of St Lawrence was Bartholomew Bart Roberts, also known as Black Bart. He was considered to be the most ruthless and successful pirate of the Golden Age.
He first sailed into Canadian waters in 1720, where he set about robbing some of the New England fishing fleets that were in Newfoundland waters. Next, he crossed the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and captured an English merchant ship and three French fishing vessels. It was said that he would arrive with drums beating, trumpets blaring, black flags flying and cannons firing. His arrival was often met with little resistance, for he claimed that causing fear was his greatest weapon. His reputation as a pirate who showed no mercy was often enough to cause those in his way to retreat. He was blamed for destroying wharves, burning warehouses after robbing them and sinking the ships that he had looted. He raided many of the small coastal fishing villages in the Gulf of St Lawrence including the Bay of Gaspe. He destroyed fisheries, and tortured captives. He stole ships and in a cash-starved economy, he was able to convince or force some of the local fishermen to join his crew. He considered attacking the Fortress of Louisbourg but quickly recognized the vulnerability of such a move. Instead, he sailed into their waters, aware that targeting the bustling and profitable shipping lanes in Atlantic Canada would yield greater rewards. These shipping lanes were teeming with ships carrying valuable supplies from the Gaspe Coast. To read more about him and other pirates who sailed through Gaspesian waters, follow this link... Pirates of the Gaspe Coast  Well it was a nice little surprise to see that my book had become a bestseller on Amazon!
It is also good to know that there are so many people who have an interest in stories from the Coast or have a connections to the Gaspe, whether through family or because they had visited it. The Gaspe Coast is a place of stories, legends and folklore and my research to find these stories has become a writing adventure, which I hope to continue. So thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen because a storyteller needs others to make the story a good one!  It is done… another book published!
After several months of research, writing, editing, and re-editing, book formatting, cover design, and re-editing it all over again, it’s finished! It is a treasure trove collection of stories, about the master shipbuilder James Day, the famous pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, from Gaspe who survived the Titanic. It includes the story of Prudent Landry, the strong man from St. Omer who travelled all over the world and was in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show and the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In this collection of stories, we meet the amazing local people like Aunt Bessie from Grand Cascapedia and the artist Tennyson Johnson from Gaspe. There’s the story a young woman from Nouvelle who became a nun, a teacher and a fascinating storyteller. And of course, there are others. These are stories about courage, creativity, and resilience, and as I wrote about them, they reminded me of the enduring spirit of what it is to be a Gaspesian. And in writing it, I learned so much more about what life was for those who came before us here on the Gaspe Coast. It also made me realize that knowing more about this place that I still call home is, for sure, a very good thing. The paperback book is now on sale on Amazon and they have chosen to give it a discount because it is a new book. I will also have copies for locals and I will be putting some at the Boutique Shop in New Richmond this summer. Here is the link for book on Amazon... https://www.amazon.ca/Whisper.../dp/B0F8BDWKX3/ref=sr_1_5....  The Gaspe Coast is more than just a place to live or visit. It is a living memory shaped by the wind, sea and time.
Nestled between rugged shores and forested Shick Shock Mountains lies a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. From the master shipbuilder James Day to the pilot Jacques de Lesseps’ fatal plane crash on the Coast, and Mary Pickett, a Titanic survivor, their legacies are woven into the fabric of this region’s proud history. In this collection of stories, meet the extraordinary individuals who once lived on the Coast, including artists, writers, adventurers, settlers, musicians, builders and storytellers. Each of them made a unique and enduring contribution to the Gaspe. Their stories, rich with courage, creativity and resilience, remind us of the enduring spirit of Gaspesians. This book is a tribute to some of the fascinating history of the Coast and to the people who helped to make it unforgettable.  On May 23, 1701, in London, England, Captain Kidd was convicted and taken to the gallows to be hung for his thievery on the high seas.
The noose was placed around his neck, and it put an end to the brief career of one of the most famous pirates in history. But the end of Kidd’s life was only the beginning of his legend, for what people remember most about him are not his adventures, but his fabled buried treasure, which many believe has never been found. According to some treasure hunters, he buried his loot on Gardiner’s Island, just off the eastern tip of Long Island, N.Y. But Nova Scotians claim that he buried his treasure on Oak Island. Another old story says that Kidd sailed up from Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey, near Toms River, and buried his stolen riches on Money Island around 1699. But Captain Kidd was also known to have terrorized ships in the Gulf of St Lawrence, so it has been said that he may have buried some of his treasure on Bonaventure Island. #gaspecoaststories #gaspesie #bonaventureisland #piratesofthe gaspecoast  This is an old and fabled Gaspesian story about a fisherman who took a salmon from the river and promised to love her forever.
"He knew that if he could catch this beautiful creature, he would not be able to release her back into the water. In his desire to capture her, he willingly chose to forget the reality of the situation and the unforeseen circumstances that it would bring into his life." #gaspecoaststories  The Gaspe Coast is a place of fabled stories, legends, and folklore, and the pages of its past are filled with intrigue, adventure, and secrets. Some of its most fascinating stories are the ones about the treasures that were hidden long ago in the secluded inlets and coves of the peninsula. Throughout history, people have risked their lives and fortunes to go in search of hidden treasure. Captivating stories have been told about lost riches and the pirates and criminals who hid their stolen goods in remote places so that they could later return to retrieve them with the help of clues in old letters and treasure maps.
But there were also those who hid their stash of cash, coins, and valuables in old floorboards, cupboards, and attics. This practice of hiding valuables was a way for people to protect their possessions long before there were banks. And even after banks were built, many did not trust them with their money. Often, the safest place to hide their belongings was in and around their homes. Others buried their treasures in old barns, under rocks or near special landmarks. However, all too often the person who hid the money never told anyone, and after they died, the cache remained hidden. This means there may be people living on property or in old houses where there’s a stash of cash hidden. I have collected many stories about the Gaspe Coast, but this collection of treasure stories has been some of the most interesting Find out more about the Lost and Buried Treasure of the Gaspe Coast, in the BOOK ROOM on Gaspe Coast Stories. #gaspe #gaspecoast #gaspesie #treasure #gaspecoaststories #gasperoadtrip #gaspecoaststories #atrgaspesie #percerock #bonaventureisland  A new fishing lodge opened on the Grand Cascapedia River last week.
Sarah and Andrew own Gaspe Coastal, a fly fishing service that offers anglers varied opportunities to use different fly-fishing techniques to catch Atlantic salmon, striped bass and sea-run brook trout. When the opportunity came up to buy the old Nadeau House on the Grand Cascapedia River in town, they knew it was a chance to fulfill the dream of having their own fishing lodge. Sarah grew up here and took up fly-fishing after working at the Cascapedia Society as a summer student. She met Andrew, a fishing guide and the rest is history, as they say. They completely renovated the old house, which was in need of much repair. They also added on an extension of 8 private bedrooms that are in close proximity to the river, and they will be offering home-cooked meals for their guests in the dining room of the main house. The local community were welcomed to the opening of the Nadeau House and given a presentation of the history of the house and the family of Peter Nadeau, who had built it. Wishing them much success as they start their first season... tight lines Sarah and Andrew! #grandcascapedia #gaspecoastal #gasperoadtrip #gaspesie #flyfishing #salmonfishing #cascapediastjules #gaspecoaststories #tourismegaspesie #tourismequebec #quebecmaritime  Why the Gaspe Coast is One of Canada's Best-Kept Secrets
The Gaspe Coast isn’t just a scenic destination...it’s a living storybook carved by wind, water, and time. One of the most intriguing things about the region is how it blends breathtaking natural wonders with centuries of layered history. Where else can you stand on ancient sea cliffs and spot whales breaching in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and then travel a short distance and find out about the legends of hidden treasure? What really makes the Gaspe special is the way that its communities have preserved their deep-rooted cultural traditions. It’s not just about seeing beautiful places ... it’s about meeting people whose lives are deeply connected to the land and sea. Come home to the Gaspe... |
StorytellerCollector of the stories, legends and folklore of the Gaspe Coast. Archives
June 2025
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