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The THOMAS COLES COLLECTION
CUPERS COVE - 1610
A BRIEF HISTORY AND SETTLER LIST
Newfoundland’s First Colony In 1610 a London & Bristol Co. was chartered with the intent to colonize Newfoundland. A perusal of this company charter will reveal a gathering of courtiers, gentlemen and merchants of import. The 48 Patentees of 1610: Alder Robert Allen Edward Alport Thomas Aldworth Thomas Bacon Francis, Sir Solicitor General Bowdler Richard Browne John Constable John Cope Walter Crispe Ellis Duddridge John Doughtie John Dunn (Donne) Daniel, Sir (afterwards) Master of the Wards Fishburn Richard Freeman Ralph Freeman William Gifford Philip Guy John Guy Philip Haviland Anthony Hobby Richard Holsworthy Richard Hooke Humphrey Howard Henry, Sir Earl of Northampton Jennings Abram Jones Thomas Jones William Juxon John Juxon Thomas Kirkham Robert Langton John Langton Thomas Lewis William Meridith William Needham Francis Short John Spencer Humphrey Slany Humphrey Slany John Stockley John Stone Simon Tanfield Lawrence, Sir Chief Baron of the Exchequer Turner William Vigars John Weld (1) John Weld (2) John Whittingham John Willoughby Percival, Sir
These initial patentees numbered 48 of which 24 were merchants of London and 10 were merchants of Bristol. A few months after its inception, through share sells, the Bristol adventurers were ascending to the majority -...The Bristollians consideringe ther many voices might heare prevaile against the government of the buyness as it is nough established... Some historians have dismissed this attempt at colonization with a fleeting glance, however, the shares valued at 25 pounds in 1610 were selling for 40 pounds in 1612 - and this without advertising or promotional material. Although they dared not put it in writing this may have been a clandestine scheme to monopolize the entire Newfoundland fishery trade. Dorset, even at this early date, was already involved in the Newfoundland fishery. That first summer the settlers met with ...one Master Peter Coxe of Poole who hath been here coastinge this summer... In August, 1610, the first 39 settlers arrived at Cupers Cove (later Cupid). These were not however the first Englishmen settled in Newfoundland - Sir. Humphrey Gilbert, on his fatal voyage of 1583 met with ...the inhabitants of Newfoundland... This colony at Cupers Cove was however our first attempt at organized colonization. Some of the settlers names mentioned for that first year were: William Chatchmaid William Colston Later returned to Bristol. Bristol historians might recognize him as the gentleman who later entertained Charles 1st in his house on Small Street. Richard Fletcher Master Pilot and Director of Fishing. John Guy Governor (from Bristol). Philip Guy Brother of John. John Morris A Tiler, died accidentally Feb 1, 1611. Thomas Percy A Sawyer, died of remorse from a killing n Rochester. William Stone died April 13, 1611 of laziness according to Gov. Guy. Marmaduke Whittington died of the effects of smallpox contracted in Bristol. Thomas Rowley son of Roger (Shropshire). Also 3 other sawyers, 8 fishermen, 2 fish splitters, 1 surgeon and one sick fishermen left behind by Alexander Sanford of Lime
Additional names mentioned in 1612 when the settlers increased to 67: Babacucke (Babcock?) James Butler Samuel Carton (Garton?) Edward Willoughby apprentice died Feb 1, 1613. Cowper Thomas Willoughby apprentice. Crout Henry Willoughby agent. Crowder John Davis George a cooper, died Jan 27, 1613. Frewin George a cooper, died Jan 27, 1613. Griggs Matthew a Turner, died Mar 6, 1613. Guy Nicholas from Bristol. Harrington John Willoughby apprentice. Hartland Edward a tailor, died Feb 10, 1613. Hatton William Willoughby apprentice. Holworthy James. Lane George. Olney Oliver ? A Surveyor, Willoughby apprentice Pearson Bartholomew Agricultural expert of Wollaton, Nottingham - Willoughby agent. Perrie Edward Poulton Edward Willoughby apprentice. Russell (Rossell) Robert Willoughby apprentice. Spenser ?? Brother of patentee Humphrey Spencer, from London. Taylor Thomas Teage Master Tipton Fraunces. Toncks John A Mason, died Feb 29, 1613. Tottle Edward Willoughby apprentice - sent back home. ?? Tobias Irish apprentice. Vaughen George Wattes William Chief Carpenter, died Mar 11, 1613. Whittington George Wichalle (Michell) (Mitchell) George. Willes ? died 1613. Willoughby Thomas Black sheep son of Sir. Percival sent out to reform himself, age 19. And 16 Women.
About 1612 the merchant and writer Lewis Roberts visited this colony with his employer, merchant Thomas Harvey of London, albeit Roberts was only 16 at this time. Michael Crumb of Bristol is also mentioned in this colony (but the source is not reliable) which name today is corrupted or rather improved into Cumby. The Company issued instructions to keep a ...journall of accidentes and wyndes, etc., so that the memorie of accurantes perrishe not’... In the middle of the wether report we find this genealogical gem - Mar 27, 1613. ...In the afternoon the sun showed herself at times but something mild. This night was Guy’s wife brought abed with a young son, some half hour in travail. This night a little frost but to no purpose’... (The father was Nicholas Guy).
The colonist were under the able governorship of Capt. John Mason from 1616 to 1621. During 1620-24 England suffered a severe economic depression and in 1626 she plunged into a war with France without having ended the war with Spain and this, with good reason, drew our adventurers away from colonizing schemes. These colonists (some returned to England) continued on under the governorship of John Slany, London merchant, who died in 1632, and perhaps his factor in Newfoundland, Richard Newell. Sir. Percival was not now a young man. The colonists dispersed and survived from henceforth, undoubtedly by joining their next neighboring colony began as early as 1617 by Bristol merchants who had broken away from the parent company. When Capt. Mason later founded his New Hampshire he looked to Newfoundland for experienced colonists and our American researchers may do well to review this list. Some of the names mentioned in Mason’s New Hampshire are repeats of the Newfoundland names: Vaughan, Lane, Spence and Crowder (Crowther).
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