Blackville is a geographic parish in Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada. For governance purposes it is divided between the incorporated rural community of Miramichi River Valley and the Greater Miramichi rural district, both of which are members of the Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission. Prior to the 2023 governance reform, the parish was divided between the village of Blackville and the local service districts of Renous-Quarryville and the parish of Blackville.

Origin of name

The parish was named in honour of William Black, Administrator of the province at the time of its erection due to the absence of Lieutenant-Governor Howard Douglas. Neighbouring Blissfield Parish was named in honour of John Murray Bliss, who was Administrator of the province prior to Douglas's arrival.

History

Blackville was erected in 1830 by the three-way split of Ludlow Parish, Blackville being the easternmost and Blissfield in the middle.

Boundaries

Blackville Parish is bounded:

Evolution of boundaries

When Blackville was erected it extended to the Westmorland County line, including much of Harcourt and Huskisson Parishes. The original boundaries can be seen by prolonging the existing eastern and western boundaries of Blackville. In 1845 the Kent County line was changed to run southwesterly instead of southeasterly, now meeting the line between Queens and Sunbury Counties. Most of Blackville's territory was transferred to Harcourt and Huskisson Parishes. The parish's boundaries were essentially the same as they are today. Changes in the wording of the boundary with Northesk Parish and later Southesk Parish in 1850, 1877, and 1954 made little if any difference in the parish line.

Communities

Communities at least partly within the parish. bold indicates an incorporated municipality

Bodies of water

Bodies of water at least partly within the parish.

Islands

Islands at least partly within the parish.

Other notable places

Parks, historic sites, and other noteworthy places at least partly within the parish.

Demographics

Parish population total does not include former incorporated village of Blackville. Revised census figures based on the 2023 local governance reforms have not been released.

Population

Population trend

Language

Mother tongue (2016)