Nicholas Guy was one of of the first settlers in Cupers Cove. He sailed with John Guy on his voyage into Trinity Bay in the fall of 1612. Nicholas is thought to have been related to John Guy and may have been his cousin.

A Child is Born

Nicholas' wife may have been one of the 16 women that John Guy brought to Cupids from England in the spring of 1612. Her name is unknown. She and Nicholas were the parents of the first English child whose birth was recorded in Newfoundland. Their son was born March 27, 1613.

Attempts at a New Settlement

Nicholas and his family had probably moved to Harbour Grace when the Bristol's Hope Plantation was established in about 1617.Â

In 1626, Nicholas gave advice to the Welshman, Sir Henry Salusbury, on the men and supplies he would needed to set up a colony between Placentia and Trinity Bays.

By 1631, Nicholas and his family were settled on Sir Percival Willoughby's land in Carbonear where they were busy fishing, farming and trapping furs. In a letter Nicholas wrote to Sir Percival on September 1, 1631, he asked to have more men sent over to help him with his work. He also asked that he be given a commission so that more people would come and settle on the land. In the same letter, Nicholas said that he was doing well in Carbonear and had made £100 that year. He talked about making butter and cheese: some he sold, and some he gave to his neighbours.

After Cupers Cove

Nicholas' family continued to live in Carbonear through the 17th century and became the most prominent planter family in that town. The 1675 census lists both Jonathon Guy Sr. (probably Nicholas' son) and Jonathon Guy Jr. living at Carbonear. The 1677 census records a Nicholas Guy living at Carbonear who was probably the grandson of the original Nicholas. When a list of planters was written up in 1708, the Guy family was still living in Carbonear.

Nicholas Guy's Letter to Sir Percival Willoughby, September, 1631