Illustration by Duleepa Wijayawardhana. Reproduced by permission of the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Website, ©1998.

The period between 1610 and 1660 was an era of English settlement in Newfoundland. In 1604, European conflict ended and many European countries focused on trade and colonization. The French and English fisheries grew and prospered. By 1620, a division of Newfoundland had taken place and England and France were keeping their fishing operations to separate parts of the coast. The English fished along what became known as the English Shore stretching from Trepassey to Bonavista, while the French used the south coast and the area north of Bonavista Bay. There was no formal treaty or agreement, but over time each country took charge of the area that it was able to control. England laid claim to most of Newfoundland, but France also claimed sovereignty. The English rooms on the Avalon Peninsula led to the establishment of colonies. The promoters of the colonies hoped they would  pay their way fishing, logging, agriculture, mining and even through manufacturing and that they would help to make the fishery secure.

From 1660 to 1713, there was period of rivalry between the English and the French.  Until 1659, France claimed sovereignty over parts of Newfoundland.  In 1662, France established a settlement in the main fishing area on the French Shore at Placentia. In 1689, King William's War broke out; and with a short break between 1697 and 1701, Queen Anne's War followed.  Overall, the conflict lasted until 1713. The fighting had drastic effects upon the English communities in Newfoundland, since many communities were burned and destroyed. However, the English won the war.   In 1713, by the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave up sovereignty over the entire Island. However, France maintained fishing rights along parts of the coast and the French Shore. 

Adapted by Tanya Saunders. Reproduced by permission of the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Website, ©2001.

Of the known English immigrants who settled in Newfoundland, 80-85% came from the English West Country. About half came from Wessex (with 30% from Dorset, 8% from Somerset and 9% from Hampshire). About 35% came from Devonshire.  Approximately 2-3% came from Bristol, London and Liverpool , and the remainder  came from other English origins.

One group of immigrants came from English ports such as Poole, Dartmouth, Teignmouth, Plymouth, Topsham, and Bristol. Another group came from market towns such as Newton Abbot, Ashburton, Totnes and Exeter in Devonshire, Wimborne Minster, Blandford Forum, Bridport, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury and Sherborne in Dorsetshire, Yeovil, Crewkerne and Wincanton in Somerset, and Ringwood and Christchurch in Hampshire. The third group were born in smaller rural farming settlements.