Kingsclear is a geographic parish in York County, New Brunswick, Canada. Prior to the 2023 governance reform, for governance purposes it was divided between the city of Fredericton, the Indian reserve of Kingsclear 6, the incorporated rural community of Hanwell, and the local service district of the parish of Kingsclear, all of which except the Indian reserve were members of Capital Region Service Commission (RSC11). The LSD includes the special service area of Oswald Gray.

Origin of name

The parish's name may be a shortening of King's Clearing, a reference to early clearing of forests in the area.

History

Kingsclear was erected in 1786 as one of the county's original parishes. The parish ran twelve miles back into the country and included the islands in front of it in the Saint John River. In 1845 Madam Keswick Island (Keswick Island and Mitchells Island) was transferred to Douglas Parish. In 1850 the area behind Fredericton was included in the newly erected New Maryland Parish; Merrithews Island (Upper and Lower Shores Islands) was transferred to Douglas; and Kingsclear was extended back to the Charlotte County line. In 1855 the rear of Kingsclear was included in the newly erected Manners Sutton Parish. In 1867 Nevers Island and part of Sugar Island were transferred to Douglas. In 1869 the 1867 changes were repealed. In 1903 the 1867 changes were reinstituted. In 1973 Nevers Island was returned to Kingsclear.

Boundaries

Kingsclear Parish is bounded:

Communities

Communities at least partly within the parish. bold indicates an incorporated municipality, incorporated rural community or Indian reserve

Bodies of water

Bodies of water at least partly within the parish.

Islands

Islands at least partly within the parish. italics indicate a name no longer in official use

Other notable places

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

Demographics

Parish population total does not include Hanwell, Kingsclear 6 Indian reserve, and portion within Fredericton

Population

Population trend

Language

Mother tongue language (2006)