Creation of the Colony of New Brunswick

Background. The American Revolutionary War ended with the 1783 Treaty of Paris, in which Britain recognised the independence of the Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States. The remaining British colonial territories in North America were thereafter administered by the Home Office, formed in 1782, and the term British North America came into use following that treaty.

Loyalist Influx and the Split from Nova Scotia. Following the arrival of many loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, Britain created a new province for them in 1784, separating New Brunswick from what is now Nova Scotia. One account dates the British government's creation of the new province to 18 June 1784, while the Order in Council that brought it into existence is dated only to June 1784.

Naming of the Colony. Upon its split from Nova Scotia, the new province was initially named New Ireland in April 1784. The name was changed to New Brunswick when the colony was officially created, honouring George III, who was King of Great Britain and Ireland and prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire.