Brownsdale, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
New Chelsea-New Melbourne-Brownsdale-Sibley's Cove-Lead Cove is a designated place
in the Canadian
province of Newfoundland and Labrador
, consisting of five unincorporated fishing villages on the Trinity Bay
side of the northern tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula
.
The area had a population of 541 in the Canada 2006 Census
.
around 1820, was the first settler in Brownsdale. He had established a sawmill
there and was Brownsdale's first merchant. The original name of Brownsdale, Trinity Bay was Lance Cove South; the name was changed around 1910 to provide distinction from the other two Lance Coves on the island.
Brownsdale's first school was built in 1856 to accommodate twenty pupils. The village's first church was Wesleyan
, constructed in 1870; the current church, the United Church
of Brownsdale, was built in 1892. In 1958 a new high school was built and named for Newfoundland poet E.J. Pratt.
Prior to 1871, the community had been renamed New Melbourne.
Designated place
A designated place or DPL is a type of community or populated area identified by Statistics Canada for statistical purposes. DPLs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages.DPLs are communities that lack...
in the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, consisting of five unincorporated fishing villages on the Trinity Bay
Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Trinity Bay is a large bay on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Major fishing communities include Trinity and Heart's Content.-Industry:...
side of the northern tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula
Bay de Verde Peninsula
The Bay de Verde Peninsula is the largest peninsula that makes up part of the Avalon Peninsula, of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
.
The area had a population of 541 in the Canada 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
.
Brownsdale
Tradition has it that John Brown, who had migrated from Old PerlicanOld Perlican, Newfoundland and Labrador
Old Perlican is a fishing village on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Incorporated in 1971, it is one of the oldest fishing communities in Newfoundland, serving as the major fishing station in Trinity Bay for migratory fisherman from England in the 17th...
around 1820, was the first settler in Brownsdale. He had established a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
there and was Brownsdale's first merchant. The original name of Brownsdale, Trinity Bay was Lance Cove South; the name was changed around 1910 to provide distinction from the other two Lance Coves on the island.
Brownsdale's first school was built in 1856 to accommodate twenty pupils. The village's first church was Wesleyan
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, constructed in 1870; the current church, the United Church
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
of Brownsdale, was built in 1892. In 1958 a new high school was built and named for Newfoundland poet E.J. Pratt.
Lead Cove
Lead Cove may take its name from the lead-grey rock that surrounds the shallow cove. Tradition also tells that Lead Cove may have received its name from one of its earliest settler, Abraham Button, who felt that he had been "led" to this site from Old Perlican in his search for a place to settle.- 1870 – First house is built by Abraham Button.
- 1874 – Census records eight families in Lead Cove and nearby Sibleys Cove.
- 1901 – The strong Methodist community of Lead Cove has 57 residents.
- 1916 – Cod liver oil factory, established by William Button, is the first commercial activity in Lead Cove.
Sibley's Cove
Sibley's Cove is usually considered to include Torquay , a cluster of houses on the East End of the cove. It is believed that the cove was probably named after a migrating fisherman.- 1874 – Sibley’s Cove (combined with Lead Cove) first appears on the Census with a population of 61.
- 1884 – The population is listed as 93.
- 1891 – One vessel leaves Sibley’s Cove for the Labrador Fishery.
- 1895 – The first school is built and kept by Isaac March of Brownsdale.
- 1899 – A Methodist Chapel is built.
- 1942 – An Orange Hall is constructed.
- 1957 – A government wharf is constructed for the inshore fishermen.
New Melbourne
This small village was originally called Russells Cove, and circa 1864 housed some 16 families.Prior to 1871, the community had been renamed New Melbourne.