In 1871, John Lovell published Lovell's Canadian Directory for 1871. It was a two volume work containing the names of professional and business men and other inhabitants in the cities, towns and villages of the Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and two potential provinces: Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Lovell estimated that the directory would cost $80,000 and was able to borrow the necessary money from private sources.

The directory for the Province of New Brunswick showed John Lovell residing temporarily in Woodstock, N.B. He was cited as the printer and publisher of the 1871 Canadian Dominion Directory, the 1871 Province of Ontario Directory etc., Montreal City Directory, general book and job printer and blank book manufacturer of 23 & 25 St. Nicholas Street, Montreal. The listing might have added that Lovell had published the Canada Directory of 1857 or that in 1842, Lovell, John Gibson and Robert MacKay started the Montreal Directory. Lovell also published the Canada Directory in 1851 and printed Hutchinson's New Brunswick Directory for 1865-1866 and for 1867-1868. In 1896-97, John Lovell & Son published Lovell's Business and Professional Directory of Cities and Towns (including Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton).

To examine a copy of the New Brunswick portion of the 1871 directory, refer to MC1887. The complete directory can be seen at the Legislative Library.