1800 - 1849

1806:

Settlers move to Bird Island Cove and establish a continuous fishing settlement. Several of these settlers relocate from Bonavista. The original families are mainly Anglican.

Note: "An attempt was made by group of Irish Catholics to settle in the 1770's, however, they were driven out by order of the Governor of Newfoundland in 1774." (View 1774 Order)

1811:

First male born at the settlement is Robert Tucker.

1813:

Robert Slade and Company establish the first mercantile business at Bird Island Cove.

1814:

Rev. William Ellis holds Bird Island Cove’s first Methodist service at the home of George Crewe. At this time there are only three Methodist Ministers in Newfoundland.

1822:

There are three Methodist converts at Bird Island Cove. They are George Crew, Elizabeth Crewe, and George Brown.

1825:

Population: There are more than 200 residents at Bird Island Cove.

Conversion to Methodism begins under Rev. James Hickson and the Methodists share a small church with the Anglicans.

According to the Slade and Co. records for 1825 there were more than two hundred people living in Bird Island Cove. Listed as planters are: Chaulk and Barnes; John Chaulk (Sr.) and sons; Thomas Clouter; Thomas Cole; Richard Cole; George Crewe; Thomas Flinn and father and mother; James Hill; John, William and Robert Hobbs and father and mother; Menchener and Stead; John Miles; Nebuchardnezzar Tucker; and White and Coles. Listed as sharemen or servants are: William Baker Sr., Edward White, Charles Sanger, George Goldsworthy, John Keating, William Murphy, Joshua Tremblett, David Tremblett, Sarah Weeks, James Auglum, John Hollaghan, Cornelius Hayes, William Purcell, Richard Randell, William Gale, John Jones, Peter Brown, Thomas Pladwell, Philip Way, Elizabeth Cox, Edward Mackie, John Chant, Joseph Martin, Philip Dunphy, Patrick Shelley, Robert Brine, Robert Crewe (Jr.), Henry Rowe, John Goff, James Clark, Benjamin Hayward, Mark Chard, William Minty, Thomas Talbot, Jane Rowe, Edward Harly, John Elliott, John Fogner, William Wiltshire(Sr.), Stephen Abbott, Henry Lemon, John Abbott, Robert Crewe(Sr.), Jasper Fogner, Thomas Hobbs, Thomas Stead and George Linthorne (Jr.).

1825 - 1829:

The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts and the Methodist Missionary Society operate Sunday schools periodically at Bird Island Cove. (Click Here for more information on early education.)

1827 - 1829:

The construction of an Anglican Church is underway at Bird Island Cove.

1830:

The community’s first Methodist Church is complete and opens on January 1st.

A diphtheria epidemic occurs at Bird Island Cove, and a petition is made by residents seeking Government relief because they are destitute of food with the exception of potatoes produced in their own gardens.

1830 - 1831:

The community is gripped in terror for more than a day by the Thunder Growl of unknown origins. It is heard throughout both Bird Island Cove and Bonavista.
There is uncertainty about the date of this event and 1830/31 is simply a presumption that may or may not be correct.

1832:

The fishery is a failure at Bird Island Cove. (Additional Information on the 1832 failure.)

Newfoundland obtains Representative Government. Joey Smallwood wrote in his Hand Book Gazetteer and Almanac [for 1941] "There was an elective Lower House, with an Upper House consisting of members selected and appointed by the Governor. This is actually the old advisory council glorified somewhat, and the Government consisted mainly of the Governor and this Legislative Council, or Upper House. The Government was in no sense or degree responsible to the popular assembly."

1836:

Population: There are 338 residents at Bird Island Cove.

1837:

Rev. William Ellis, for whom Elliston is named, dies and is buried at Harbour Grace. His obituary appears in the Minutes of the 1838 Conference as printed for the Methodist Magazine for September 1838:

"WILLIAM ELLIS: who died in peace at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, September 21st, 1837, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and in the thirty-first of his itinerancy. He was born in the north of Ireland, and was converted to God when about sixteen years old. He was appointed to Newfoundland about the year 1808. He twice narrowly escaped being drowned while visiting the different parts of his extensive field of labour; and the injury which he sustained while in the water affected his head so much, that close application to study was ever afterwards exceedingly painful. But through much afflicted, he continued his ministerial labours till within a few months of his decease. His natural abilities were good; and had not affliction, and somewhat desultory habits, induced by a very extended itinerancy, prevented their full development, he might have attained to a considerable eminence as a Minister of the Gospel. He laboured with great zeal, tenderness, affection, and success, in the cause of his Lord and Master; particularly during the first years of his ministry."

1838:

Population: There are 329 residents at Bird Island Cove.

Residents petition the Government to fund a day school in the community.

1839:

The Newfoundland School Society establishes the first day school in the community as a branch school of the Bonavista District of the Society.

1842:

On September 26th heavy winds sweep away every fishing stage and wreck many boats. It was the worse in 20 years.

1843:

Bird Island Cove residents, led by Philip Tocque, petition the Government to establish a public school in the community. It is below as written in the Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland, p. 178, PANL, J 125 K3

A petition from Philip Tocque and others, inhabitants of Bird Island Cove was presented by Mr. Carter who stated in his place that he had obtained the consent of His Excellency the Governor for that purpose.....the same was received and read, praying for the establishment of a school at the said place. Ordered,- that the petition be referred to the Committee of Supply...

(Mr. Carter above is Robert Carter who was elected to the House of Assembly as a Conservative member for the district of Bonavista Bay in the 1842 election)

As a result a public school is established with fifty pupils that year and ninety-one in 1845. By 1845 the Newfoundland School Society discontinues support for its day school.

1843 - 1844:

Residents petition the Government to construct a road to Bonavista. A road to Catalina is recently opened.

1845:

Population: There are 336 residents at Bird Island Cove.

A petition from Bird Island Cove asks for a grant of 250 pounds for road construction.

1846:

Philip Tocque, a former resident of Bird Island Cove, publishes his book "Wandering Thoughts or Solitary Hours" that is written during his time in the community.

1847:

William Minty is the police constable at the settlement and retains this position until his death in 1876.

1849:

The Klondike road/trail to Spillars Cove/Bonavista is in general use.

(Click Here for a description by Philip Tocque- Clerk, Missionary, Naturalist, and Writer.)

(Click Here for information on road construction.)