Excerpts from "Soe Longe There Comes No Women"
by HANDCOCK
Thanks to the library in Holyrood, I was able to get a copy of this book from the library in Chamberlains. I read it in two nights in between visits to Chapel's Cove, Holyrood and Harbour Main as well as St. John's.
In 1730 in Placentia, there were masters and servants. Some of the common surnames were CONNORS, MAHONEY, HOGAN, MALLOWNEY, POWER AND SULLIVAN.
Until the American Revolution, the New England Colonies promoted emigration from England through the Newfoundland fishery. They did not want the men who worked in the fishery to become permanent residents of Newfoundland. They did not want women to join them because then they might take up residence. They only wanted them for the seasonal fishing which was plentiful with fish in NFLD.
In the 1600s the first known migration of women were with the Bristol Colonists. They were the "shore crew" and were the cooks and salters. There is some evidence that a small number of women did dwell in Newfoundland and this led to a self perpetuating capacity.
Some planters brought wives for a "temporary" basis. Others married daughters and widows of previous inhabitants. Sometimes women passengers married fisherman who lived with the planters.
The English boat owners found an additional way to make money and that was to take on paying passengers. This is another way that women came over.
The hardships were numerous. Some that were most notable were problems with the climate, scant soil for planting, lack of resources and this made quite a challenge for survival.
So, the Mercantile Policy discouraged inhabitants from staying. The political pressure of not allowing the seasonal residents to remain on the island is the main reason for the slow development of local government, schools etc.
Also, the Irish migration was 9 to 1 for every Englishman who arrived.
By 1720 Irish Catholics on ships from Bristol, Bideford and Barnstable were mainly from Waterford, Cork and Youghal (Tipperary). And they made up over 50% of the number on board.
By 1732, Irish servants were added to South Devon Contingents. From Dartmouth, Tinmouth, Topsham, Bristol etc, they would leave with a crew, stop in Ireland for soap, candles, linens and woolen goods and pick up Irish Catholic crewmen.
The earliest and most rapid settlement along the coast of Conception Bay was the 25mile stretch between Carbonear and Harbour Main.
In 1774, among 17 settled areas according to size were Harbour Main, Bay Bulls, Port De Grave and Carbonear.
Like Harbour Main, Placentia, Ferryland and Trespassy, Catholics now formed the majority of the inhabitants by the late 18th century.
Up to 1800 more Irish Catholics appeared in Conception Bay than in any other part of Newfoundland. There was intermarriage with the small English Protestant population and soon Roman Catholicism became the culturally dominant group.
In 1805 the Fishing Rooms in Conception Bay were owned by BUTLER, DAWE, CLARK, FRENCH, KENNEDY, KING, MARCH, MOORE, PENNEY and more. There were 60 settled communities. Shortly after 1805, many others acquired land in these areas. Also the Channel Islanders came to Newfoundland. In Conception Bay these were mostly Jerseymen.
There were five ways to acquire land:
1. You could "cut and clear" vacant land. This was passed in 1699 by William III of England. A planter could build wharves, stages, flakes for the fishery.
2. You could receive land deeded by "gift" of inheritance. The largest settlements were inherited.
3. If the land was lying void for a period of time. This was the highest number of land acquired.
4. You could purchase it from an existing landowner.
5. You could rent land.
By the early 1800s many Conception Bay families went to the Northern Fishery and the coast of Labrador, so their land might be for sale. In 1804-1810 schooners from St John's and Conception Bay went to the ice for seals.
Note: These are interesting points that I found in this book regarding the settlement of land by the people from England and Ireland. It is worthwhile reading although out of print but available through some libraries.
In 1730 in Placentia, there were masters and servants. Some of the common surnames were CONNORS, MAHONEY, HOGAN, MALLOWNEY, POWER AND SULLIVAN.
Until the American Revolution, the New England Colonies promoted emigration from England through the Newfoundland fishery. They did not want the men who worked in the fishery to become permanent residents of Newfoundland. They did not want women to join them because then they might take up residence. They only wanted them for the seasonal fishing which was plentiful with fish in NFLD.
In the 1600s the first known migration of women were with the Bristol Colonists. They were the "shore crew" and were the cooks and salters. There is some evidence that a small number of women did dwell in Newfoundland and this led to a self perpetuating capacity.
Some planters brought wives for a "temporary" basis. Others married daughters and widows of previous inhabitants. Sometimes women passengers married fisherman who lived with the planters.
The English boat owners found an additional way to make money and that was to take on paying passengers. This is another way that women came over.
The hardships were numerous. Some that were most notable were problems with the climate, scant soil for planting, lack of resources and this made quite a challenge for survival.
So, the Mercantile Policy discouraged inhabitants from staying. The political pressure of not allowing the seasonal residents to remain on the island is the main reason for the slow development of local government, schools etc.
Also, the Irish migration was 9 to 1 for every Englishman who arrived.
By 1720 Irish Catholics on ships from Bristol, Bideford and Barnstable were mainly from Waterford, Cork and Youghal (Tipperary). And they made up over 50% of the number on board.
By 1732, Irish servants were added to South Devon Contingents. From Dartmouth, Tinmouth, Topsham, Bristol etc, they would leave with a crew, stop in Ireland for soap, candles, linens and woolen goods and pick up Irish Catholic crewmen.
The earliest and most rapid settlement along the coast of Conception Bay was the 25mile stretch between Carbonear and Harbour Main.
In 1774, among 17 settled areas according to size were Harbour Main, Bay Bulls, Port De Grave and Carbonear.
Like Harbour Main, Placentia, Ferryland and Trespassy, Catholics now formed the majority of the inhabitants by the late 18th century.
Up to 1800 more Irish Catholics appeared in Conception Bay than in any other part of Newfoundland. There was intermarriage with the small English Protestant population and soon Roman Catholicism became the culturally dominant group.
In 1805 the Fishing Rooms in Conception Bay were owned by BUTLER, DAWE, CLARK, FRENCH, KENNEDY, KING, MARCH, MOORE, PENNEY and more. There were 60 settled communities. Shortly after 1805, many others acquired land in these areas. Also the Channel Islanders came to Newfoundland. In Conception Bay these were mostly Jerseymen.
There were five ways to acquire land:
1. You could "cut and clear" vacant land. This was passed in 1699 by William III of England. A planter could build wharves, stages, flakes for the fishery.
2. You could receive land deeded by "gift" of inheritance. The largest settlements were inherited.
3. If the land was lying void for a period of time. This was the highest number of land acquired.
4. You could purchase it from an existing landowner.
5. You could rent land.
By the early 1800s many Conception Bay families went to the Northern Fishery and the coast of Labrador, so their land might be for sale. In 1804-1810 schooners from St John's and Conception Bay went to the ice for seals.
Note: These are interesting points that I found in this book regarding the settlement of land by the people from England and Ireland. It is worthwhile reading although out of print but available through some libraries.