Deadman's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Deadman's Bay, Newfoundland
is located on the "Straight Shore" of Bonavista Bay
near the community of Lumsden. The community is located near excellent fishing grounds, contributing to its diversified and successful fishery despite its exposed, sandy coastline and harsh fall storms.
, Cape Freels
, and Lumsden
moved to Deadman's Bay. In 1901, however, the community experienced a population decline which lasted for twenty years. In 1921 the population was growing again with nearly 100 people in 1945 and 180 by 1956. Electricity became available in Deadman's Bay in 1963, they also had their own elementary school, and by 1981 they were catching cod, flounder, catfish, herring, mackerel, salmon, squid, and lobster.
, a missionary in Greenspond, made his first visit to Deadman's Bay in August 1850 which he describes in his book, Life and Work in Newfoundland. By 1901 the people of Deadman's Bay had converted to Methodism
. In 1981 the population was primarily United Church and Salvation Army.
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...
is located on the "Straight Shore" of Bonavista Bay
Bonavista Bay
Bonavista Bay is a large bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It opens directly onto the Atlantic Ocean....
near the community of Lumsden. The community is located near excellent fishing grounds, contributing to its diversified and successful fishery despite its exposed, sandy coastline and harsh fall storms.
History
Deadman's Bay was first recorded in the 1845 Census of Newfoundland, at which time 24 people were living there. These inhabitants belonged to the Church of England and made their living as fishers. The primary reason for settling in Deadman's Bay was for the Labrador fishery; however, after 1869 the base of the economy became the inshore fishery. The population continued to increase as people from BonavistaBonavista
-Geography:*Cape Bonavista, a headland in Newfoundland, Canada*Bonavista Peninsula, a peninsula on the island of Newfoundland, Canada*Bonavista Bay, a bay of the island of Newfoundland, Canada-Places:...
, Cape Freels
Cape Freels, Newfoundland and Labrador
Cape Freels is one of the communities that comprise an area on the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, called Bonavista North. These communities have a shared history in that they were settled by people from England, predominantly from the West Country - Dorset, Devon, Somerset and...
, and Lumsden
Lumsden, Newfoundland and Labrador
The community of Lumsden, formerly known as Cat Harbour, is located on the Straight Shore of Newfoundland and Labrador near communities such as Musgrave Harbour and Newtown. Lumsden was formerly made up of two settlements, Lumsden North on the tip of a sandy peninsula and Lumsden South on the main...
moved to Deadman's Bay. In 1901, however, the community experienced a population decline which lasted for twenty years. In 1921 the population was growing again with nearly 100 people in 1945 and 180 by 1956. Electricity became available in Deadman's Bay in 1963, they also had their own elementary school, and by 1981 they were catching cod, flounder, catfish, herring, mackerel, salmon, squid, and lobster.
Church History
In the 1800s the people of Deadman's Bay were of the Church of England. They had no church or resident minister, however, ministers from nearby communities would visit there to perform services, baptisms, and burials. For example, the Rev. Julian MoretonJulian Moreton
The Reverend Julian Moreton was a Church of England clergyman and author who travelled from England to Newfoundland, Canada to be ordained as a missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts...
, a missionary in Greenspond, made his first visit to Deadman's Bay in August 1850 which he describes in his book, Life and Work in Newfoundland. By 1901 the people of Deadman's Bay had converted to Methodism
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...
. In 1981 the population was primarily United Church and Salvation Army.
Census Information
| 1845 | 1857 | 1869 | 1874 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| population | 24 | 48 | 36 | 23 |
| number of families | - | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| inhabited houses | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Church of England | 24 | 48 | 36 | 23 |
| people catching/curing fish | - | 17 | 10 | 7 |
| seamen/fishers | - | 10 | 10 | 4 |
| fishing rooms in use | - | 2 | 2 | - |
| total boats | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| nets and seines | 0 | 24 | 21 | 7 |
| cod fish cured (qtls) | - | 160 | - | 46 |
| salmon caught/cured (tres) | - | 9 | - | 17 |
| herring cured (Bls) | - | 3 | - | 2 |
| oil produced (Galls) | - | 140 | - | 45 |
| barrels of potatoes | - | 74 | 100 | 105 |
| barrels of turnip | - | 6 | 6 | - |
| cattle/cows | - | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| swine/goats | - | 1 | - | 3 |
| butter produced (lbs) | - | 30 | - | 37 |
| people who can read/write | - | - | - | 3 |
Directory
- Lovell's Newfoundland Directory describes Deadman's Bay as 'a small fishing settlement in Fogo and Twillingate district, 18 miles from Greenspond in boat, with a population of 30 in 1871'- Elias Chalk, Fisher
- Robert Chalk, Fisher
- William Evely, Fisher
- George Smith, Fisher
- Henry Strickland, Fisher
See also
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Moreton, Julian. Life and Work in Newfoundland: reminiscences of thirteen years spent there. London: Rivingtons, 1863
External links
- http://ngb.chebucto.org/
- http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~hrollman/index.html