Winterton (Scilly Cove)
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Until 1912, the town of Winterton was know as Scilly Cove (or Silly Cove). The name was changed in that year in honour of Newfoundland Prime Minister Sir James Winter.
Some people believe that the name Scilly Cove comes from the Scilly Islands located off the southwest coast of England. Others think that it might have been named after a person whose last name was Silly. No one knows for sure.
Sugar Loaf Cove
Winterton. (Image by Jimmy Harris, ©2004.)
An even earlier name for Winterton may have been Sugar Loaf Cove. Writing in 1619, Thomas Rowley talks about fishing off New Perlican and Sugar Loaf Cove which he says, is near to New Perlican. Winterton is located nine kilometers north of New Perlican and The Sugar Loaf is a hill on the south side of Winterton harbour.
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Early Settlers
Scilly Cove was settled by 1675. Census records for that year mention three planters living there. Their names were John Petton, James Wicksell and Richard Hopkins. John and James were both single but Richard was married and had one child. Richard had quite a big operation in Scilly Cove. He owned 12 boats and employed 60 servants.
French Raids
On February 8, 1697, a French force led by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville arrive in Scilly Cove. Abbé Baudoin called the settlement Celicove. He said there were 40 men, 4 planters, 7 boats, and 4300 codfish in the community. However, all of the settlers had escaped. He said that when the French arrived “There was nobody; only quantities of cod and cows” and that “there are in this harbour four good inhabitants [or planters].”
Masters Family
Winterton. (Photo by Jimmy Harris, ©2003)
In the 1690's, Scilly Cove was home to John Masters Sr.. In August 1702, John was captured during a French raid on Scilly Cove and carried off to Bonavista. His son, John Jr., was born at Scilly Cove sometime in the 1690's. He later moved to England and was twice elected mayor of Poole in Dorset.
Links
Cupers Cove ? Early English Settlement
The Building Blocks of a Colony
Cupers Cove's First Laws
A Year in the Life of a 17th Century Newfoundland Planter
Crout's Way
Journey of the Indeavour
John Mason in Cupers Cove
Squanto in Cupers Cove
John Berry's Census
Cupers Cove - Later Settlement
Using Archaeology to Understand the Life of a 17th Century Newfoundland Planter
Bay De Verde
Brigus
Bryant's Cove
Heart's Content
New Perlican
Old Perlican
Winterton (Scilly Cove)