Hardwicke is a geographic parish in Northumberland County, New Brunswick, Canada. For governance purposes it is part of the Greater Miramichi and Kent rural districts, which are members of the Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission and Kent RSC respectively. Prior to the 2023 governance reform, the parish was divided between the local service districts of Baie Ste. Anne, Black River-Hardwicke, Escuminac, and the parish of Hardwicke. The reforms put Black River-Hardwicke and the Miramichi Bay islands of the parish LSD in the Greater Miramichi rural district, with the remainder going to Kent.

Origin of name

The parish may have been named in honour of the Earl of Hardwicke, a prominent commander in the Royal Navy at the time of its erection. More frequently cited as the honouree is Benjamin Hardwick, a contributor to Church of England missions in the area; the extra letter in the name would then be due to clerical error.

History

Hardwicke was erected in 1852 from the eastern part of Glenelg Parish.

Boundaries

Hardwicke Parish is bounded:

Evolution of boundaries

When Hardwicke was erected the Kent County line at its eastern end ran from Point Escuminac through land, then the waters of Northumberland Strait, then through land again, leaving a small piece of Kent County isolated from the rest. In 1888 this fragment of Kent County was transferred to Hardwicke.

Communities

Communities at least partly within the parish.

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

Population

Population trend

Language

Mother tongue (2016)