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The Peoples of Louisbourg
The settlement in Louisbourg not only functioned as a military garrison but as the headquarters for the fishery and a primary trading center for New France. The founding settlement was relatively small; approximating 150 inhabitants in 1713 which gradually increased to a high of 4 500 people in 1758. By 1737, Louisbourg's population was near 1 500 people, one of the most populous towns in North America at that time.
This garrison town became a home for an array of fishermen, merchants, town officials, ecclesiastics, innkeepers, professionals, tradesmen, domestics and slaves. A large number of people migrated from Newfoundland, Canada, and Acadia. In 1752, 35-45% of the inhabitants of Isle Royale were born in France primarily originating from areas in Northwest and Southwest France such as Brittany, Normandy, Saintonge and Gascony. Additionally, 24-30% were of Acadian origin while approximately 20% of the occupants were native born.