The name Cumberland was applied by Lieutenant-Colonel
Robert Monckton[?] to the captured Fort Beausejour on
June 18,
1755 in honour of the third son of King
George II,
William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, victor at
Culloden in 1746 and Commander in Chief of the British forces. The old Micmac name for the area was "Kwesomalegek" meaning "hardwood point".
Cumberland County was created on
August 17,
1759. When the Township of Parrsboro was divided in 1840, one part was annexed to Cumberland County and the other part annexed to Colchester.
The dividing line between Cumberland and Colchester was established in 1840. In 1897, a portion of the boundary line between the Counties of Colchester and Cumberland was fixed and defined.