Rexton, a former village in Kent County, New Brunswick, Canada, is a place rich in history and culture. Until the end of 2022, Rexton was a village in its own right, but it has since become part of the village of Five Rivers.
Rexton is situated on the Richibucto River and was originally inhabited by the Mi'kmaq First Nations. Many of their descendants still reside in the nearby Elsipogtog First Nation, formerly known as the Big Cove Band. The area was colonized by Acadian settlers in the 18th century, who established communities in places such as Bouctouche, Miramichi, and Richibucto Village.
The first English-speaking settler, Thomas Powel, arrived in 1790. This was followed by considerable colonization by English shipbuilders, Scottish merchants, and Irish immigrants, including many Irish Protestants who came to work in the Jardine Shipbuilding Yards around 1819. They cleared enough land to receive land grants following the 1820s survey by Mr. Layton in the Molus River area of nearby Weldford Parish, New Brunswick. This led to a reduction in the size of the Elsipogtog First Nation to its current boundaries.
The majority of the settlers arrived from Scotland on two ships, the Dickies, captained by Simon Graham, and the Isabella, sailed by Captain Thomas Carruthers. The 19th century saw the flourishing of fishing, lumbering, and shipbuilding industries. The first bridge over the Richibucto River was completed in 1850, significantly improving commerce and communications in the region.
The settlement was known as Kingston from about 1825, but the name was changed to Rexton in 1901, likely to avoid confusion with other Kingstons, particularly Kingston, Kings County, New Brunswick. On 1 January 2023, Rexton annexed parts of five local service districts to form the new village of Five Rivers, although the community's name remains in official use.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Rexton had a population of 874 living in 396 of its 446 total private dwellings. This represented a change of 5.3% from its 2016 population of 830. With a land area of 6.29 km2 (2.43 sq mi), Rexton had a population density of 139.0/km2 (359.9/sq mi) in 2021.
Rexton, New Brunswick, is a community that has evolved over centuries, shaped by its diverse settlers and rich history. It continues to be a vibrant part of the larger village of Five Rivers, offering a unique blend of history and culture for residents and visitors alike.
