TC Notes

Surprisingly, others were present in Bonavista but not listed here! Perhaps they no longer functioned as planters and, as servants, they were only mentioned nominally.

Thomas Crew later found in Lymington, Hants, where he is a gunsmith and still held his plantation in Bonavista in 1704.

Barnaby Gantlett was of Cockington, Christchurch, left a will in 1690.

The name Fiford in Poole Saint James (c1758 marriage William Fiford = Lucy Porter) is Pippard/ Phippard as in Bonavista c1677 and Febberd in 1675].

As to the name Very/Wiry as recorded by others, I read it as Urry, and likely Thomas Urry bn IOW 1652, made his will 1698.

Richard Wallis is undoubtedly a Poole name and a more junior mariner  Richard Wallis was charged with assaulting Giles Hosier there in 1751. He was also in trouble in 1764 with Joseph Linthorne in Poole.

Joseph Vickery shown in 1675 as a single man, Joseph Vicax? In 1681. Also had an establishment in Salvage Bonavista Bay. This name is Vicars and is noted in East Parley near Christchurch.

1678 George Brent not listed. Shown in 1677 with wife, 2 sons & 3 daughters.

1678 Jno Curtis, wife not mentioned, partnered with Richard Phippard (1675 Curtis was single, 1677 had a wife with him).

1678 Thomas Morris not listed. Shown in 1676. Could very well be the same who was a shipwright in Poole 1702.

1678 Thomas Newell not listed instead there appears a Thomas Newman, clearly written and without a family. Thomas Newell is listed in English Harbour with a wife, one son and one daughter.

1678 Robert Newman. Shown as a single man 1675 and 1677. Also without a wife and family here in 1678.

1678 William Newman, with a wife and one daughter, partnered with Thomas Urry, (in 1675 and 1677 William Newman also had wife and one daughter).

?1678 George Perriman not listed – shown 1675?? only.

1678 James Shambler here without a family in 1678, by far the largest planter with 28 servants.

1678 William Tilly, with a wife, 7 sons & 2 daughters, ditto for 1675, one son was missing in 1677 from Bonavista – likely William Jr was away in Harbour Main.

1678 Thomas Urry with a wife, partnered with William Newman. Shown in 1675 with a wife, 1677 with a wife (misinterpreted by many historians as Wiry or Very). Check PCC will 1698 – Isle of Wight).

1678 Joseph Vickery not listed, shown in 1675 as a single man, Joseph Vicax? In 1681. This name is Vicars and is noted in East Parley near Christchurch.

[TC NOTES]

A sack ship would visit Newfoundland in the hopes of obtaining a load of fish from the planters.

Streights is a reference to Strait of Gibraltar.

Grigg, John born Brixham whose father Richard was in the Nfld trade c1642.

Nowell, Nicholas bn Brixham s/o Philip/brother John Noll in Bonavista 1705.

Caswaye, John married 1659 in Cripplegate.

Beal, Sidrach of Poole whose daughter Mary claims a descent from

Nicholas Carey.

Sweet, John Jr of Dartmouth whose father was bn Brixham and also in the Nfld trade c1642.

Skerdon, Simon is likely a son of earlier participants in the Nfld trade c1642.

The mayor of Poole, Dorset reported for the year 1680 that the Indians at Bonavista were scavenging: “The Indians having beene so bold this last yeare, as to come into our harbor and doe mischiefe.”

[TC Note – very interesting that the mayor of Poole referred to Bonavisa as “our harbor”!]

From Beothucks or Red Indians by Howley

Formerly a very beneficial barter was carried on in the neighbourhood of Bonavista, by some of the inhabitants of that harbour. They used to lay a variety of goods at a certain place to which the Indians resorted, who took what they were in want of, and left furs in return. One day a villain hid himself near the deposit, and shot a woman dead, as she furnished herself with what pleased her best. Since that time they have been always hostile to Europeans.

[TC Note – just when this supposed event took place is not recorded. It was reported much earlier by Cartwright].

John Brent of Fair Islands, Bonavista Bay, 1681 (CO 1).

William Buckler of Bonavista, 1681 (CO 1).

William Down 1681, capt of the London ship, Friend’s Adventure (sure sounds like a Quaker ship!). William Down was in St. John’s 1675 and 1678.

Miles Juniper 1681

John Brent, Newfoundland planter left a will in Upper Kingston, Ringwood, Hants. 1738. He left a wife and unmarried daughter, both named Elizabeth. He was a mite too young to have been the John Brent of Fair Island but likely there is a connection.

William Buckler is likely from Woolcombe Matravers, Dorset, grandson of William Buckler and Mary Keats.

Capt. Francis Wheler, writing in 1684, said: “There is hardly a planter in the country but is a great deal worse then nothing and, although they are almost sure to loose, yet they must goe on.” Capt. George Larkin in 1701 said of the inhabitants: “poor, indigent, and withal a profuse sort of people.”

These learned gentlemen, whose job it was to deliver a true report of the Planters in Newfoundland, were obviously speaking of the Avalon area of Newfoundland and hadn’t ventured beyond it. Had they visited Bonavista they would have encountered fishermen planters of the caliber of Benjamin Hayward who in his will of 1693 left, besides properties in Blashford, Hants to his wife, ₤100 to each of his five daughters. To put this in perspective a male servant back in England at this time would earn about ₤3 annually; a female servant far less. Benjamin Hayward then was leaving to each of his daughters more than they could earn in thirty years.

I think it my duty to acquaint your Honour that to the north side of this bay are many extraordinary harbours and better fishing; one William Wyng has fished there some years (it being 14 leagues NWN from this place) who has still increased the inhabitants of this place very considerably, and this year one Nowill (Newell) has been that way who has more fish for his two boats than they have for shallops, so that next summer severall of the inhabitants of this harbour design to remove thither and their masters of ships that have fished there this year intend to be likewise, for it is certain the fewer boats are kept in a place the better the fishing.

I write this that those sent to settle affairs may have power as far as Cape Frills. I think a draught ought to be drawn of that place. There is room for five hundred sail.

William Coch is likely William Cock of Poole married to Joan Durell, daughter of Moses Durell and Joan Gigger. Both names Durell and Gigger were involved in the Newfoundland trade.

William Wing probably the same bn 1644 in Ringwood, son of Henry Wing and Eleanor Ayles.