THE EARLY SETTLING OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Since the beginning of the sixteenth century, European fishermen have been lured to the waters of Newfoundland. Because fishing there was either seasonal or migratory, the presence of these men was only required for a few months each year. At the end of each season, the fishermen returned to their homelands.

Attempts to colonize the island failed until the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Historians have tried for decades to explain this slow rate of growth. The only answer they could come up with, was that there was a fundamental hostility between the needs of migratory fisherman who needed unlimited access to the shore and beaches and the settlers who wanted permanent ownership of property.

Recently, historians have changed their way of thinking. They have recognized that the growth of population in Newfoundland was successful only where traders and merchants were already established. I think that both of these factors played a part in the slow settlement of the picturesque island.

Early in the seventeenth century, the first attempts were made to colonize Newfoundland. Humphrey Gilbert’s voyage of 1583, as well as the first colonization attempt in 1610, led to Queen Elizabeth I laying claim to English sovereignty over Newfoundland.

In 1610, John Guy led settlers to Newfoundland on behalf of the London and Bristol Company, which is now referred to as the Newfoundland Company. Guy attempted to colonize Cupid’s Cove. Guy and his party explored the region and made contact with the Boethuck Indians in 1612. Historians are very interested in Guy’s contact with these Natives, as they are now extinct and not much is known of their traditions and culture. But that is another story, which I will cover at a later date.

The year before Guy and his party landed at Newfoundland harbor, private venturers established the first colony under royal chapter. Within twenty years, other settlements were founded between Trespassey and Bonavista. But the fishermen, the ship’s captains and merchants who sponsored the fishing expeditions wanted Newfoundland to remain a fish preserve. These groups banded together and convinced King Charles I, who had by now ascended the English throne, to give all legal authority to the Fishing Admirals. These were the first captains to land in Newfoundland harbor each spring. These were rough, tough men who were good fishermen and navigators but not the best to disperse the King’s justice. They harassed and bullied the settlers and burned the forests to increase hardships. In spite of this, resident populations increased.