John Mason in Cupers Cove
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In 1615, John Mason replaced John Guy as Governor at Cupers Cove. John and his wife Anne had moved to Newfoundland by 1616. They returned to England in the fall of 1619, but it seems likely that John returned to Newfoundland. The writing on his map of the island says that he spent seven years in Newfoundland and he was still governor in 1621.
Greyhound at No. 11 High Street, John Mason's Home in England. (Memorials & Monuments in Portsmouth. Used with permission.)
John made the most of his time in Newfoundland exploring the many harbours and bays of the island. He also became familiar with the plant and animal life of the island and experimented with growing different kinds of plants.
One of the reasons John was made governor was because he had experience fighting pirates. He also had to fight pirates in Newfoundland. Between 1618 and 1619, he rescued three Portuguese and two French ships from pirates. In May, 1620, he was given a commission and command of a 320 ton ship to put down the pirates in Newfoundland.
John put his knowledge of Newfoundland to good use. He drew and printed the first English map of Newfoundland. In 1620, he wrote a book about the island. He hoped that this book would attract more settlers. This book, called A Brief Discourse of the Newfoundland, provided information on the climate, plant life and the fishery on the island.
Plaque to John Mason. (Memorials & Monuments in Portsmouth. Used with permission.)
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)