<P> A 1762 settlement attempt by the British was unsuccessful due to the hostility of local Acadian and Aboriginal populations . These settlers eventually erected a community downriver at what is today the town of Maugerville (pronounced "majorville"). However, three fur traders settled permanently here in 1768 . </P> <P> In 1783, United Empire Loyalists were settled in Ste . Anne's Point after the American Revolution, having left their properties in the United States . They were granted land in compensation in British North America by the Crown . Many died during the harsh and long first winter in Fredericton . The dead were buried in what became the Loyalist cemetery, which is still found on the south bank of the Saint John River . When spring came, more Loyalists left the new settlement to take up land grants in other areas . </P> <P> When New Brunswick became a separate colony from Nova Scotia in 1784, Ste . Anne's Point became the provincial capital, winning out over Parrtown (present - day Saint John) due to its central inland location . This made it less prone to American attack from the sea . A street plan was laid out to the west of the original townsite, King's College (now the University of New Brunswick) was founded, and the locale was renamed "Frederick's Town", in honour of the second son of King George III of the United Kingdom, Prince Frederick Augustus, Duke of York . The name was shortened to Fredericton shortly after the city became the official provincial capital of New Brunswick on 25 April 1785 . Thus, in a period of less than three years, the area of Fredericton went from being a sparsely populated region to being the capital of the new colony of New Brunswick . </P> <P> The same attributes that made Fredericton the capital city also made it an ideal spot for a military installation . Many of the original military buildings downtown still stand, and are now tourist attractions . </P>

When did fredericton become the capital of new brunswick