Henry Crout
Encyclopedia
Henry Crout settler, explorer was most likely from Devon in the English West Country. He became an investor in the London and Bristol Company
and acted as Sir Percival Willoughby
agent and guardian to his son Thomas at the Cuper's Cove plantation in Newfoundland.
Crout was impressed with Newfoundland and in his letters to Sir Percival Willoughby noted the potential of exploiting its rich resources and the possibility of establishing a fur trade with the Beothuk
. He had noted in his correspondence the frequent raids of the pirate Peter Easton
on the fisherman. He was accused of being a sympathizer with the pirates but claimed that he only met with them in an attempt to right wrongs done to the colonists and migratory fishermen.
Crout's primary duty was to Willoughby who planned to establish a settlement on the peninsula
. He was to find a route from Conception Bay
to Trinity Bay
and make contact with the Beothuk. Early in September, 1612 he led a party to within a few miles of Trinity Bay cutting a trail (or "way") as he went. On September 9 a second crew was sent out to finish the way and widen it "for 2 men to passe together". The trail was extended for 18 miles from Cupers Cove to a place the colonists called "Mount Eagle Bay" but which today is called Hopeall
.
From September 1, 1612 to May 13, 1613 Crout kept the colony's weather journal. He accompanied John Guy on his voyage to contact the Beothuk in Trinity Bay in the autumn of 1612 and wrote two accounts of the voyage. In July 1613 Crout made a second voyage into Trinity Bay in an attempt to contact the Beothuk. He returned to England
in August 1613 to report to Willoughby in detail and in the spring of 1616 he and Thomas Willoughby returned Newfoundland with plans to build a house on Sir Percival's land in Carbonear
. His attempt to settle in Carbonear failed. He spent the winter of 1616-1617 in Cupers Cove and probably returned to England in 1617.
Henry Crout's weather journal and a number of his letters have survived and provide us with a great deal of valuable information on the early days of settlement in Newfoundland and contact between the early colonists and the Beothuk.
London and Bristol Company
The London and Bristol Company came about in the early 17th century when English merchants had begun to express an interest in the Newfoundland fishery. Financed by a syndicate of investors John Guy, himself a Bristol merchant, visited Newfoundland in 1608 to locate a favourable site for a colony...
and acted as Sir Percival Willoughby
Percival Willoughby
Sir Percival Willoughby was a prominent land owner, businessman involved during his lifetime variously in mining, iron smelting, glass making and as an investor in the Newfoundland Company. He married Bridget Willoughby, evidently his third cousin, the daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby builder...
agent and guardian to his son Thomas at the Cuper's Cove plantation in Newfoundland.
Crout was impressed with Newfoundland and in his letters to Sir Percival Willoughby noted the potential of exploiting its rich resources and the possibility of establishing a fur trade with the Beothuk
Beothuk
The Beothuk were one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada. They lived on the island of Newfoundland at the time of European contact in the 15th and 16th centuries...
. He had noted in his correspondence the frequent raids of the pirate Peter Easton
Peter Easton
Peter Easton was a pirate in the early 17th century who operated along the Newfoundland coastline between Harbour Grace and Ferryland from 1611 to 1614...
on the fisherman. He was accused of being a sympathizer with the pirates but claimed that he only met with them in an attempt to right wrongs done to the colonists and migratory fishermen.
Crout's primary duty was to Willoughby who planned to establish a settlement on the 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...
. He was to find a route from Conception Bay
Conception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
to 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:...
and make contact with the Beothuk. Early in September, 1612 he led a party to within a few miles of Trinity Bay cutting a trail (or "way") as he went. On September 9 a second crew was sent out to finish the way and widen it "for 2 men to passe together". The trail was extended for 18 miles from Cupers Cove to a place the colonists called "Mount Eagle Bay" but which today is called Hopeall
Hopeall, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hopeall is a village in the Trinity Bay area. The first Postmistress was Mona Gilbert in 1961. The population was 187 in 1956.-See also:* List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador...
.
From September 1, 1612 to May 13, 1613 Crout kept the colony's weather journal. He accompanied John Guy on his voyage to contact the Beothuk in Trinity Bay in the autumn of 1612 and wrote two accounts of the voyage. In July 1613 Crout made a second voyage into Trinity Bay in an attempt to contact the Beothuk. He returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in August 1613 to report to Willoughby in detail and in the spring of 1616 he and Thomas Willoughby returned Newfoundland with plans to build a house on Sir Percival's land in Carbonear
Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Carbonear is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2006, there are 4,723 people living in Carbonear, down from 4,759 in 2001.-History:...
. His attempt to settle in Carbonear failed. He spent the winter of 1616-1617 in Cupers Cove and probably returned to England in 1617.
Henry Crout's weather journal and a number of his letters have survived and provide us with a great deal of valuable information on the early days of settlement in Newfoundland and contact between the early colonists and the Beothuk.