Blissfield is a geographic parish in Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada. For governance purposes it is divided mainly between the village of Doaktown and the Greater Miramichi rural district, with small areas along the eastern and western borders belonging to the incorporated rural communities of Miramichi River Valley and Upper Miramichi, respectively. All are members of the Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission. Prior to the 2023 governance reform, the parish was divided between a much smaller village of Doaktown and the local service district of the parish of Blissfield.

Origin of name

Blissfield was named in honour of John Murray Bliss, was Administrator of the province prior to Lieutenant-Governor Howard Douglas's arrival. Neighbouring Blackville Parish was named in honour of William Black, Administrator of the province due to Douglas's absence at the time both parishes were erected.

History

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

Boundaries

Blissfield Parish is bounded:

Evolution of boundaries

When Blissfield was erected the eastern line extended to the Westmorland County line, putting part of modern Harcourt Parish in Blissfield. In 1845 the Kent County line was changed to run southwesterly instead of southeasterly, now meeting the line between Queens and Sunbury Counties. A triangle of wilderness at the southeastern corner was transferred to Kent County.

Communities

Communities at least partly within the parish. bold indicates an incorporated municipality; italics indicate a name no longer in official use

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 Doaktown. Revised census figures based on the 2023 local governance reforms have not been released.

Population

Population trend

Language

Mother tongue (2016)