NEWFOUNDLAND HISTORY

A Little Trivia Too

     John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497 with sixteen Englishmen and one Burgundian, but the English made no effort to colonize. Portuguese established the first regular fishery in the early 1500s. In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert arrived in St. John’s with letters from Queen Elizabeth authorizing him to take possession of Newfoundland. However John Guy established the first English colony in 1610. In 1623 Sir George Calvert, later known as Lord Baltimore, arrived in Newfoundland from Yorkshire, England. A patent from King James conveyed the whole southern peninsula to him. He built a fine house and resided there with his family for many years. In his later years he left for Maryland and founded Baltimore.

     In 1713 British sovereignty over Newfoundland was recognized by the Peace of Utrecht. Labrador became a British possession in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris, but it was transferred to Quebec in 1774. It became part of Newfoundland in 1809, but the boundary with Quebec remained in dispute until 1927. Colonization of Labrador did not take place until the 19^th century. In 1832 Great Britain granted Newfoundland representative government and self-government in 1855. In 1948 Newfoundland united itself with Canada and in March 1949 became the tenth Canadian province.

     In 1650 the population from Cape Race to Cape Bonavista was 2000. In 1662 The French founded Placentia, known as ye ancient capital. Nearly thirty-five years later in 1696 The French captured St. John’s and all surrounding areas. In 1729 Captain Henry Osbourne, an Englishman, was appointed governor.

     Historical records mention the first seal fishery in 1763. The first lighthouse was built at the entrance to St. John’s harbor in 1811. Fires in 1816 and 1817 destroyed St. John’s. The railroad arrived in 1881 and electricity in 1886. In 1888 dollars and cents replaced the pound shilling and pence. In 1892 another fire in St. John’s destroyed the city leaving 11,000 people homeless. The Wabana iron ore mine opened in 1895 and shipments were made to Europe and America. Mail and the first passenger train arrive in 1898. A hydroelectric plant at Churchill Falls, Labrador began operating in 1971.

    Exploitation of the abundant mineral resources began in 1864. Disputes over fishing grounds have existed for years.

A little Trivia

    The trans-Canada highway starts in St John’s with marker zero and extends 4660 miles across the country to Victoria, British Columbia,

   The word fish refers to cod, if any other fish is talked about it is identified by name.

   Tickle refers to a small stream of water.

   Wedgies are fried potato chunks.

   Deck on a house is called a bridge.

   Shed is a store and a store is a shop.

   If you are not a Newfoundlander, you are from away.

  In rural areas front doors frequently do not have any steps because the house is      considered not finished and the taxes are lower. It is referred to as the mother-in-law door.

  Screech is rum.

  The pitcher plant eats bugs.

  The partridge berry tastes a lot like a cranberry.

  Scuff means to dance, scoff means to eat so one can partake of a scuff and dance.

  The Newfoundland pony was imported from Ireland and England. They weigh about 700     pounds and have strong forequarters.