The Flat Islands
Flat Islands is a collection of islands in western Placentia Bay around 1.6 kilometres east of Red Harbour, the nearest community on the Burin Peninsula. The Islands include Flat Island, Davis Island, Coachman Island, Collins Island, Copper Island, Yardie Island, Durdle Island, Glimshire Island, Woody Island, Bald Island, and other rocks, islets, and shoals.
Early settlers inhabited Flat Island, the largest of the islands, Davis Island, and to a lesser degree Coachman Island. Jude Island whose main community was Hay Cove, to the east of Yardie Island isn’t a part of the Flat Islands group, but is included in the census returns under the collective name of Flat Islands from 1836 to1884. Flat Island is 2.62 square kilometres and is located at latitude 47’16.4 N and longitude 55’55.9 W. Davis Island is 1.08 square kilometres at a latitude of 47’15.6 N and longitude of 54’56.4 W. Jude Island is 8.57 square kilometres at a latitude of 47’15.8 N and longitude 54’48.8 W. The two main communities on Flat Islands were initially known as Flat Island and Davis Island; taking their names from the islands which they inhabited.
Davis Island was renamed Port Elizabeth during the 1950’s in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. The majority of the people residing on Flat Islands lived at Port Elizabeth from an early date. Flat Island, the smaller of the two settlements never exceeded a population of 150 people. Flat Islands was resettled under Joey Smallwood’s Resettlement program from 1967-1971. Before this time however it had emerged as a major player in the pursuit of the cod fishery in Placentia Bay. In the early years of settlement as Newfoundland’s population grew communities sprang up as near to the fishing grounds as was humanly possible to save on the backs and time of the fishermen who had row to the grounds. Flat Islands was ideally situated for this purpose and in its heyday it boasted a population of around eight hundred people.
The first recorded protestant surnames of the Jean De Bay area were Jervis (Jarvis), Baker, Rupile or Rufsel (Russell), Bendle (note that the Bendle’s later moved to Haystack, Placentia Bay from Jean De Bay), Read, Collins, Butler, Crann, King, Dykes (possibly Dicks) and Kirby. Some of these families were actually the pioneers of Flat Islands. People of Flat Island origins would find many of these surnames in their ancestry. The first Methodist birth reference to Flat Islands was made in 1823 with the baptism of May or possibly Mary Collins in October 23, 1823. Most likely at this point there was enough emergence of a population base on Flat Islands to make reference to it as a community rather than lumping the settlers in with those of the near by community of Jean De Bay.
Connection With Oderin Island
Catholicism emerged as the predominant religion of Oderin Island (initially Oderin Island was mainly Protestant). The issue of religious difference isn’t a major issue in Newfoundland today, but during the early years of settlement Newfoundland was segregated by community based on the plague of religious intolerance which still affects a lot of the world today. This phenomenon was known as residential segregation. There was a fair amount of intermarriage between the men and women of Oderin and Flat Islands and some of the couples decided to settle on Flat Islands. The Baileys, and possibly Butlers (there were also Butlers in Burin), Clarks, Monks, Seniors and Smiths originally settled in Oderin before they themselves or their offspring moved to Flat Islands. Settlers may have come from Oderin to start their own fishing premises as well. Indentured servants were often brought to Oderin from Ireland and England to work for the merchants who ran the fishing business on the island.
Possibly the largest contributor to the settlement of Flat Islands initially was the emergence of Burin as a large player in the pursuit of the inshore fishery in Placentia Bay. In 1718 Christopher Spurrier, of Poole, Dorset, England, established a shipbuilding business in Ship Cove, Burin, which he later extended to Oderin and St. Lawrence. In a British parliamentary report of 1720 it was stated that by this date most of the Poole vessels prosecuting the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador were built in the colony. Spurriers would also go on to open fish merchant premises in these places and establish a branch at Isle Valen, and with its main Newfoundland operation in Burin seemed to have had the largest fish merchant business in Placentia Bay until its failure in 1830 due to the wasteful nature of its inheritants. Before its demise people would refer to a person of wealth as “as rich as Spurriers”. Spurriers along with other Poole merchants recruited many of the workers to prosecute the South Coast fishery from the Southwest of England: Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset Counties. Settlers were also recruited from Ireland and to a lesser degree the Channel Islands. Poole firms also operated at Placentia, Little Placentia (Argentia), and Mortier in Placentia Bay.
After the collapse of Spurriers in 1830 two brothers from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Richard and Eli Falle started the Falle firm in Burin. A man by the name of Captain DeCourcy commented in 1850 that “the best fishing grounds for cod in Placentia Bay is at St. Mary’s Bays Keys, and the Flat Islands. The Fish taken in the Flat Islands is sent to Mr. Falle at Burin, and included in the quantity exported by him” (JHA: 1851, app. Pp. 144-145) Assuming that immigrants to Flat Islands served as fishing servants and planters for the established merchant houses of Burin it is a possibility that the majority of the early Flat Islands population originated out of the Southwest of England and the Channel Islands. Unfortunately information to this effect isn’t documented.
Even though Spurriers established their business in 1718 there was no official report of anyone living on the Burin Peninsula until 1734. People would cross the Atlantic to fish during the summer and return to Europe in the fall as settlement wasn’t condoned because of European Merchants fearing direct competition with Merchants based in Newfoundland. Even with the obstacles before them, the people were determined to settle in Newfoundland, and Burin was to be one of these settlements. According to the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador “By 1736 English Fishermen were carrying on an extensive fishery in the area. There were also the beginnings of permanent settlement with twenty eight of thirty six masters and 130 of 160 men servants who prosecuted the summer fishery spending the winter along with thirty mistresses, six women servants and seventy two children. H. A. Innis (1940) reported that after 1765 there were many fishermen from Jersey in the Burin area. A census reportedly taken in 1813 stated the resident population of the Burin area as 1,092. Another census of Newfoundland taken in 1827-28 indicated the population of Burin as 928. Rev Lewis indicated a population of 910 souls in 1817. I am not sure how accurate the census returns were, but it indicated a rapidly growing town. As The Population of Burin grew it is likely that planters and servants moved to the surrounding Islands to prosecute the Cod fishery.
The area known as Flat Islands must have seemed like a fine collection of islands with the two main islands of Davis Island and Flat Island encircling to make Flat Island Harbour. The Harbour would lend safe haven from the winds of the bay and a place for people to settle and dry fish near the lucrative fishing grounds just off the islands themselves. There was fresh water and loam rich bog land to grow vegetable crops. The mainland of Newfoundland itself was a mere mile away with a rich supply of timber for building houses and boats, and as a source of fuel. With a distance of 15 miles by boat to Burin which was rapidly replacing Placentia as the “capital of Placentia Bay” people were well situated to pursue the inshore fishery. The dried salt fish could be sold at Burin and provisions secured for the next fishing season and of course necessities purchased to keep body and soul together during the winter as the settlers moved inland to live in the wooded areas of the Burin Peninsula.
There was a lot of intermingling between the people of Flat Islands and Burin as both areas prospered. A lot of marriages between the men and women of Burin and Flat Islands ultimately ensued with the result of migration of people between the places.
Census of 1874
In 1874 a census of Newfoundland and Labrador was completed. The number of inhabitants of Flat Islands was 418, up significantly from a population of 109 in 1836. Burin, the main service centre in the area had grown to a population of 2210. There were 70 married couples (8 married in the preceding year) on Flat Islands with 25 births and 7 deaths in the preceding year for a net gain of 18 people independent of migration. By this time 406 of the 418 people residing on Flat Islands were born in Newfoundland. The other 12 people had been born in England. Two hundred and forty one of the residents on Flat Islands were below the age of 20 in 1874. There were only 24 people between the ages of 50 to 70 indicating a demographically young community.
There was one church at Flat Islands with a Wesleyan congregation of 332 people. There were 48 Roman Catholics and 38 of the Church of England Denomination. I found very little information on the Roman Catholic population. There were 65 children attending school, and 117 people who could read and write. Stephen J. Hill indicated a lower attendance rate in his report to the House of Assembly in 1874. “Flat Islands, (Wesleyan.)—Has an attendance of 30 to 40, and is efficiently managed.
The Fishery was the mainstay of Flat Islands with 56 Fishing Rooms in actual use at this time. 5927 quintals of Codfish was cured during the 1874 fishing season. Assuming that a quintal is 112 pounds and the Cod was light salted and dry, the conversion to actual weight of round fish caught would have been approximately 3,238165 pounds or 1472 metric tonnes. To put this in perspective in 2003/04 the quota for all of 3Ps (a,b &c) including offshore was 20,000 metric tonnes. This fish is sold fresh, head on gutted with no additional work of splitting, or curing. In 1874 the Fishermen didn’t have the convenience of gillnets or engines, but relied on Cod Seines, Baited hook and line if bait could be found, and rowing or sail power depending on the winds. Flat Islands also produced 4945 gallons rendered of fish oil in 1874. The people also had to tend to 173 sheep, and 8 swine. Agriculture was also important to the livelihoods of the people. They grew 51 barrels of potatoes, and 46 barrels of turnips.
The following is from William Harding’s diary as he relates his interactions with the residents of Flat Islands, Placentia Bay. William Harding was born in Bideford, England in the county of Devon, November 5th 1793. He left for Newfoundland on April 22nd, 1818 under the employ of Samuel and William Cook who had an Establishment in Great Paradise, Placentia Bay. Harding married Mary Brushett, a servant girl working for the Cooks in Great Paradise at Great Paradise in 1820. They moved to Burin where Mary was from in October of that year. The Diary of William Harding was transcribed by his great-great granddaughter into three notebooks. An original ledger (microfilmed) contains parish records from 1820, given to Harding by Thomas Birkett in 1857 and thereafter used by him as a journal. The diary is held at the Archives, Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University. COLL-039 ARCH. The daily entries begin on January 5th 1861 at Flat Islands. (excerpts possibly related to family)
1861
Friday, March 1st: This day Mr. Smiths people carried up the Priest, I had a thought of going up myself but delayed so long, that I stayed too long until I let them go without me. Mr. Senior carried my letters to Oderin. Nothing particular occurred just received a letter from Oderin with some papers from Mr. Coady. Bless the Lord they are all well. A fine day. Wind N.
Thursday, Mar. 7: This is a fine day. Was over to Mr. Wm. Senior and bought half cord wood; we are getting very short. Nothing occurred Wind S.W.
Tuesday, Mar. 12: This a fine day. John Brushett, John Butler Wm. Senior & Wm. Clark went off for Burin. They went off in a punt. Mr. Smiths wife confined of a daughter last night. Oh Lord Bless us and give us a time to Burin soon to see our children and friends. Wind W.S.W.
June 6 — Thursday: This day in the garden saw Wm. Senior from Flat Islands. All the people are well. Not much fish coming in. 0 Lord I pray Thee to Bless us all and keep us Faithful.
Nov. 8 Friday: This morning very wet, rained hard all night. Saw Sally Senior, Ann Cran, and Eliz. Moulton at our house, they came up with Henry Moulton and Charles Senior, they were married by Rev. Phinney, and in the afternoon Thos. Reed son of Wm & Mary Ann Reed to Susannah Buffett by Mr. Rosier.
1871
Sunday Jan 13: This morning was aroused by a knock to the door and getting up to see what was the matter, saw a boat at John Butler’s stage. I dressed myself as quickly as possible and went down through the snow for it had snowed very much and was drifting very hard with a strong breeze of wind to the E. Found it was Ed Collins. John Butler and Robert Clark from Oderin, they went down and could not get home. Ed Collins breakfasted with us. About 10 o’clock it moderated and became fine. Ed Collins John Butler were with us to Dinner. Oh! what a lonesome Sabbath with no means of Grace.
Thursday, Jan 16: This a very wet morning it snowed very much all night found it a very indifferent walk to school. Attended school. After I came back saw at Mr. Phinneys Tom Monks, Henry Cran & Thos. Senior they are looking for support from Government.
Saturday, September 12: This morning arose at 6 oclock. Saw Isaac Collins, from Burin, no letters, Edward also came, he told me he saw no one belonging to me so I am still without any letters. Samuel’s son Isaac sailed with Wm Senior for St. John’s. May God Bless you all. Retired to rest nine oclock.
Nov. 7 Thursday: This day attended school. In the evening saw Ed. Hollett and Susan Jane Beck married.
Methodist Marriages, District of Burin (PANL Box 1 & 3, Marriages 1816-1972)
William Senior, Flat Is. & Ann Collins, Flat Islands: Oct 19, 183, at Flat Islands
Thomas Clarke and Lilly? (Ellen) Gaulton, both of Oderin: 1832
William Blake, planter, Hampsher in England & Mary Clark: Nov 17, 1835: Oderin; Witnesses - Daniel Mackay, John Slade
James Monk, Flat Island and Susan Clark, Oderin, Oct 31, 1837 witness: Henry Foot
Thomas Senior, Davies Island & Mary Andrews Collins, Davies Island Oct 30, 1839; witnesses: Wm Collins & Isaac Collins
Thomas Denty, Fisherman, Harbour Buffett & Sarah Clarke, Harbour Buffet: Oct 26, 1845
Rich Clarke, fisherman, Oderin & Mary Ann Denty, Isl Vallen: 2 Nov 1846
John Clarke, fisherman, Oderin & Charlotte Denty, Oderin; Oct 22, 1849; Witness: J. Brinston
James Clarke, fisherman, Red Harbour & Jane Laughlin, Red Hrbr, Dec 14, 1859
Henry Moutlon, fisherman, Flat Is & Mary Ann Senior, Flat Is., 8 Nov 1861; witness: John Moulton, Samuel Senior
Charles Senior, fisherman, Flat Is., & Mary Ann Butler, Flat Is., 8 Nov. 1861
James Bishop, fisherman, Flat Is., & Sarah Senior, Flat Is., 4 Nov 1864
Samuel Senior, fisherman, Flat Is., & Ann Crann, 24 Oct. 1865
William Senior, fisherman, Flat Is., Sarah Bayley Flat Is., 13 Oct 1869
Richard Moulton, fisherman & Susanna Seniour, both of Flat Is., 18 Oct 1870
Joseph Seniour & Susannah Butler, both of Flat Is., 29 Sep 1871
Thomas Seniour & Ann Bayley, Flat Islands, 29 Sept 1871
Samuel Senior & Lydia Murcks, Flat Islands, 26 Oct 1878
Eli Paddle & Ann Clark, Flat Islands, 2 Dec. 1879: witnessest: Samuel Paddle & Hannah Maria Seniour
Parish of Flat Islands in the District of Burin (PANL Vol. 105 Marriages 1873-)
Place: Flat Islands Benjamin Moulton 28 Bachelor Fisherman Flat Islands
Ann Senior, spinster, Flat Islands, Nov 4, 1873Flat Islands Isaac Senior 24 Bachelor Fisherman Flat Islands, Nov 3, 1875
Emilia Bailey 17 Spinster, Flat IslandsFlat Islands Samuel Senior 35 Widower Fisherman Davis Island July 11, 1877
Mary Ann Pike - Spinster Davis Island; witness: Thomas Senior, Jacob SeniorFlat Islands Thomas Senior 22 Bachelor Fisherman Davis Island Nov 2, 1877
Caroline Butler 18 Spinster Davis Island; witness: Jacob SeniorFlat Islands Eli Paddle 22 Bachelor Fisherman Davis Island Dec 2,1879
Ann Clark 20 Spinster Davis Island: witness: Hannah Maria Senior
Flat Islands John Clark 24 Bachelor Fisherman Baine Harbour Jan 14, 1884 Thomas Clark
Harriett Senior 23 Spinster Flat Islands; witness: Zacariah SmithFlat Islands Willaim Henry Senior 23 Bachelor Fisherman Western Creek Dec 8, 1886
Jane Joyce 17 Spinster Hay Cove; witness: John Henry Joyce, Richard SeniorFlat Islands Charles Clark 27 Bachelor Fisherman Flat Islands Nov 31, 1891
Mary Ann Collins 25 Spinster Flat Islands, witnesses: Flora P Collins, John Senior
(With thanks) . . .
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