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Random's Early History, by Leslie Dean -
History of the Random Region of Trinity Bay.
Scholar John Tilley
Many of the earlier settlers in Random built tilts as their first home before
constructing more substantial houses. For example when the family of Scholar John
Tilley of Hant's Harbour settled at Shoal Harbour in 1848 they built a log cottage
prior to building a sawmill to construct a more standard residence.
In a report written by the Honorable Ambrose Shea to Governor Musgrave in 1866 he
included these observations on the success of Mr. John Tilley in the cultivation of
land at Shoal Harbour (near Clarenville). He noted that when Mr. Tilley settled there,
he was without means but a stout heart and determined purpose; and is now the owner of
a fine farm of 500 acres of which 100 is cleared. He advised that Mr. Tilley's farm
produces wheat which forms a portion of his crop and that Mr. Tilley's sons and their
families reside on the estate and also have a sawmill and devote part of their time to
the salmon fishery.
Mr. John Tilley, known as "Scholar" John because he taught himself to read at the
age of 36 years was indeed a most talented and industrious pioneer of Random. After
teaching himself to read, he subsequently learned to read Latin and in addition to
fishing and farming was a sawmill operator, a fox farmer, a cooper, blacksmith, Justice
of the Peace, poet and postal waymaster. He is believed to have experimented with brick
making and was the pioneer of salmon canning in Newfoundland. He operated a small
cannery at Tilley's Point in Deer Cove, on the south side of Random Island which was
originally called Salmon Cove.
"Scholar" John had his canned product displayed at the 1862 International Fisheries
Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark and won a bronze medal. The product inscription reads
as follows:
"Warranted to keep free from taint and to retain its purity and
nutritious quality, in any climate for many years."
NSC 1862 BONAVISTA
THOMAS TILLEY & SONS.
RICHARD TILLEY.
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