[8] The Mi'kmaq, as the original inhabitants of the area, frequently travelled along the river using birch bark canoes and had several seasonal settlements along its banks.

[8] The Mi'kmaq continued to use the river as a waterway for several years after European settlement along its banks, although their historic ways of life were being made increasingly difficult to sustain.

[9] A month later, on 15 April 1780, the Lunenburg militia (35 men) and the British brigantine John and Rachael captured an American Privateer prize, also named Sally, off LaHave River, Nova Scotia.

[10] During the seizure, the privateers killed the head of the Militia (McDonald) and wounded two of the crew members of the John and Rachael.

[11][12] On 1 September 1780, The Brig Observer under the command of John Crymes ran two small American privateer schooners - Dolphin and Dispatch - into the shore at LaHave.