History of Burgeo, Newfoundland

History of Burgeo

A reference to the Virgio Islands on the South Coast of Newfoundland can be found on a Portuguese map dated 1628. This 250 year old document can be an appropriate place to start with a history of Burgeo. While it is not clear that there were any permanent settlements here at that time it is clear that the Portuguese had become accustomed to using the harbour frequently enough to have it named and printed on their maps. The name has subsequently been changed to Birgio and lately Burgeo.

Captain James Cook’s account of an eclipse of the sun, seen at Burgeo in 1767, was published in the " Philosophical Transactions," and added greatly to his reputation as a skilled scientist; at Burgeo Islands, and several other places on the Newfoundland coast, his survey marks are still pointed out.

W. E. Cormack visited Burgeo during December, 1822. Burgeo had five or six families.

Excerpt from "Excursions In And About Newfoundland During The Years 1839 and 1840" by Joseph Beete Jukes: "Mr. BAGG, in his schooner, led the way, and when off the Burgeo Is-lands he suddenly rounded-to, and proposed to run into harbour. The wind had veered to the south, and the sky began to look dirty. We followed him, therefore, through a narrow channel, among many small islands and low sunken rocks, and anchored in a small cove called Grandy's Cove. As we meant, if possible, to sail early the next morning, I landed just at sunset, to get some specimens of the rock, when a man came down, and, after looking at me with evident wonder for some time, at last asked me if wanted ballast.

October 3rd and 4th.-Detained by contrary winds blowing fresh from the south-east. Called on Mr. COX, who has a small "store" here, and had married Mr. BAGG's daughter. He gave us a good dinner of pork, and several kinds of vegetables, with milk and wine. A regular dinner was becoming rather an event in my existence, as I had now for some time lived on dry ham and rather musty biscuit, my potatoes being all gone, and no supplies to be got on this barren coast. Near Mr. COX's house was a schooner ashore, half buried in sand: she was laden with coal from Sydney to St. John's, and was driven on land in the first gale"

The first clergyman to be stationed in the Burgeo was Rev. Martin BLACKMORE. He came in 1842. During his six years stay he had the first Church as well as the first school erected here.

The church was built between the two present gates nearer to the main road. Re. BLACKMORE must have been a very busy man having all the coast from Cape La Hune to Channel, ninety miles to cover and care for. His first baptism was Matilda Ann, daughter of John and Francis ANDERSON of Upper Burgeo May 22, 1942. During Rev. BLACKMORE’s incumbency the first church was built at West Burgeo. It was on the west side of the island, a nice quiet spot. It seated 80 people.

Rev. Martin Blackmore's Diary

l845 - 1848 at Burgeo, NFLD

Property of A. J. Matthews

(copied Dec.1985)

Journal, 1845

Jan. 1^st Circumsion. Held services in the Church, commented on the Epistle and Gospel for the day. A large number present. Spent the evening with Mr. H. Dicks & family who had invited myself and Mrs. B. to tea mainly to improve the occasion by religious conversation & reading. Had prayers with the family and took leave.

Jan. 2^nd Met a large party at the house of John Jordan and spent 2 hours with them, instructing them in congregational singing. Closed as usual with a time of Scripture and prayer.

Jan. 5^th Sunday. Instructed the children in the school. Preached twice in the Church. In the afternoon congregation was unusually large. All present were very attentive.

Jan. 6^th Epiphany. Held service in the Church, all the inhabitants, with but a few exceptions, were commented on the Epistle and Gospel.

Jan. 8^th Held the usual Wed. afternoon service. Commented on history of Abraham.

Jan. 9^th Met the singers and spent the evening with them.

Jan. 10^th An opportunity offering to St. John's drew out two petitions praying the House of Assembly to grant us a sum of money for a school & for a road.

Jan. 12^th Sunday. Held service in the Church at Lower Burgeo in the morning. In the afternoon went up to the Sand Banks, held services there and buried two infants, twins.

Jan. 13^th Visited ---? and obtained from the merchants agent there two sticks with which I hope to lay the foundation for an additional piece to the Church.

Jan. 15^th Held the usual Wed. evening lecture in the Church congregation small the weather being very cold.

Jan. 16^th Devoted the evenings to the instruction of the singers.

Jan. 19^th Sunday. Preached twice and attended Sunday school. In the morning christened a little boy. This has been the coldest day we have yet experienced. The congregation was smaller this afternoon than it has ever been before. The cold is so intense that but a few women could attend.

Jan. 22^nd Held services in the Church. Commented on the history of Jacob.

Jan. 23^rd Met the singers & gave notice of my intention to spend the Thursday evenings for the future in catechizing on the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Jan. 26^th Sunday. Weather mild. Instructed the children in the Sunday school. Preached twice in the Church. Congregation larger than usual on both occasions, very attentive. In the afternoon christened an infant, received another in the Church and churched a woman.

Jan. 29^th Held service in the Church and addressed the communicants, many others present, listened with great attention.

Jan. 30^th Commenced my Thursday evening catechizing about twenty persons present who appeared to take great interest in the work of searching the Scriptures for passages explanatory or in confirmation of the Apostles arguments. At closing I promised if this exercise was considered useful to meet them again next Thursday. Several present declared themselves much gratified & told me they should be most happy to attend.

Feb. 2^nd Sunday. Instructed the Children in the Sunday School and held service twice in the Church. In the morning administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to nineteen communicants. The weather has been severely cold today. The sacramental bread, though kept in a cloth, were frozen have--gave notice of service on Wed.

Feb. 5^th Ash Wednesday. Held---service in the Church. Large congregation present. Observed several Romanist among the congregation.

Feb. 6^th Continued my weekly Bible Chapter at the house of Mr. J. Cox for the number present was very small owing to the dark time of the Evening of Cain.

Feb. 7^th Friday. Had morning service in the Church. About 50 persons present.

Feb. 9^th Sunday. Weather mild. Held two services in the Church and instructed the children in the school.

Feb. 11^th Visited the people living on the Sand Banks.

Feb. 12^th Held service in the Church. Commented on the history of Jacob.

Feb. 13^th This evening the weather being favourable, a larger number than usual attended the Bible Chapter meeting and a very interesting conversation ensued from some of the questions. I proposed to them from the Chapter meetings consideration, 3rd Chapter Epistle to the Hebrews. I cannot, but hope that good will result from this means of grace.

Feb. 14^th Morning service in the Church. Weather very cold.

Feb. 16^th Sunday. Two services in the Church & attended the Sunday School.

Feb.19^th Service in the Church and lecture.

Feb. 20^th Evening meeting at Mr. Vatchers. This was more numerously attended than any previous meeting.

Feb.21^st Morning prayers in the Church.

Feb. 23^rd Sunday. Instructed the children in the school. Preached twice in the Church. Churched a woman;

Feb. 26^th Afternoon service in the Church. Continued my lecture on the Old Testament history.

Feb. 27^th Met the Bible Chapter, the night being dark. Not as many as usual were present but the meeting still continued interesting and I trust profitable.

Feb. 28^th Morning service at the Church.

Mar. 2^nd Sunday. Attended Sunday School and held service in the Church here at Lower Burgeo. .In the afternoon walked over the ice to Upper Burgeo & held service.

Mar. 5^th Afternoon service in the Church and lecture.

Mar. 7^th Morning service in the Church; the weather being unusually rough, snow drifting only 4 persons present, was prevented by the roughness of the preceedings form meeting the Bible Chapter.

Mar. 9^th Sunday. Attended school and held service at Lower Burgeo and in the afternoon at Upper Burgeo.

Mar. 11^th Visited Mr. E. Anderson & family in their winter place at the Barrisway about 9 miles from Burgeo. The old man was much pleased to see me and at his request I held service. The day being fine the journey was very pleasant.

Mar. 12^th Afternoon service as usual.

Mar. 13^th I met the Bible Chapter.

Mar. 14^th Held service and buried the wife of a Planter about 12 miles from Burgeo. A number of strangers being present. Preached a funeral sermon.

Mar. 16^th Attended school and held service twice at Lower Burgeo.

Mar. 19^th Had an interview with the Sup. of Education and succeeded in obtaining a grant of money for the support of a teacher in Burgeo.

Mar. 20^th Visited Jersey Hr. about 2 miles from Harbour Breton and was entertained by Mr. Chapman the agent for Nicholl Co.

Mar. 21^st Good Friday. Harbour Breton. Preached twice at Church here, a real spacious building lately erected. Christened one infant in the morning an.. two in the afternoon. A congregation of about 70 persons present. .

Mar. 22^nd Visited Little Bay, 6 miles from Hr. Breton. A formerly occupied establishment, but relinquished for several years past to see if the Dwelling house could be made suitable for the temporary residence of a clergyman, but found it a ruin quite untenable.

Mar. 23^rd Easter Sunday. Reached here. Weather being very cold. My congregation was somewhat smaller.

Mar. 25^th Left Harbour Breton for Burgeo. Feel much indebted to Mr. Ellis the agent for Newman Co. for the kindness he has shown me during my stay.

Mar. 26^th Reached home at 8 o'clock this evening. Found it all has been well during my absence. Praised be the God of all goodness.

Mar. 30^th Sunday. In the afternoon service at Sand Banks.

Apr. 2^nd Held service this afternoon and addressed the communicants.

Apr. 5^th Called to Firby's Hr. to baptize a child who proved to be alarmingly i1l

Apr. 6^th Attended Sunday School and instructed the older children. Preached twice in the Church here. In the morning administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper o 21 persons. I have felt this was refreshing to many present.

Apr. 9^th I delivered a lecture on the Departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt was pleased to see a larger number than I had predicted. After service churched a woman.

Apr. 10^th Hearing that a young man from Ramea had met with an accident. and was not expected to live. I left home and proceeded the distance of 9 miles, upon my arrival I found the youth had died on the preceding evening. After a little while I propose to read to the people affected which was gladly acceded to. I read the 40th Psalm making some remarks applicable to the deceased and ended with Prayer. A solemn feeling appeared to prevail in the minds of all present.

Apr. 11^th I visited several of the families residing here and in the evening held service and christened six infants.

Apr. 12^th A change of wind having taken place. A large sailing boat was manned and this I reached home in safety. The... corpse had been brought up to be buried.

Apr: 13^th Sunday. Held service in the Church and christened two children & after service buried the corpse of the young man brought here from Ramea. This service was as is usual on such occasions, very largely attended. In the afternoon held service again and admitted an infant into the Church whom I had previously privately baptized.

Apr. 16^th Held service in the Church. The attendance at this service is gradually increasing.

Apr. 18^th Visited all the families residing in Firby's Hr.

Apr. 20^th Sunday. Went to the Upper Island of Burgeo. Held service in the Church there and married a couple in the afternoon & returned & held service in the Church at Lower Burgeo. Gave notice of the Bishop's intention to hold a confirmation here and appointed Tuesday next to the examination of candidates.

Apr. 22^nd Met the female candidates for confirmation 18 in number. Most of them married women & aged, a long and interesting conversation with them & was much pleased with their answers to the several questions I proposed. In the evening met thirteen members of the congregation & went through a similar course of instruction with them.

April 23 Wed. held the usual service, at WL a larger number was present than I have observed on any previous occasion.

April 27 Sunday. The weather being too blusterous let the Upper Island people come for me. I preached twice in the Church here and instructed the children in the Sunday

April 29 Addressed the female candidates for Confirmation and very much pleased with the answers they gave to several questions I proposed. In the Evening met the male candidates and went through a similar course of instruction. I was truly gratified in the understanding of several of the older persons. God grant that this may be a profitable season.

May 1^st Ascension Day. Held a full service in the church here which I am happy to say well attended.

May 4^th Sunday. Went to Upper Burgeo & held service there. Instructed the children & christened an infant.

May 6^th Met the candidates to be confirmed, the females in the church and the males at my house in the Evening.

May 7^th Got a crew of lads to put me up to the Sand Banks. Crossed from there to the Island & collected the people in the Church and addressed them on Confirmation.

May 8^th Have been twice every day for the last week to visit Mrs. C. Dicks, who has been taken dangerously ill with puerperal fever. There being no doctor in the place have administered medicine which has had the desired effect of

reducing fever but has left her very weak. Read & prayed with them.

May 9^th Sunday. Attended the Sunday School & held service twice at Lower Burgeo. In the Evening visited Mrs. Dicks who is still seriously ill. Read to her and prayed with her.

May 12^th Held a meeting in the Church and elected Church Warden.

May 13^th Again met the male and female candidates for Confirmation. Visited with Mrs. Dicks and find her better.

May 14^th Continued my weekly lecture on the Old Testament History. Was pleased to see a goodly number in attendance.

May 15^th Was called to baptize an infant supposed to be dying. Administered medicine to the mother. Visited another family and administered medicine to the sick infant.

May 18^th Sunday. Went to Upper Burgeo. Held service there & examined the Sunday School children.

May 20^th Examined the female candidates for Confirmation at the Church in the afternoon & in the evening met the male candidates at my house.

May 21^st Held service in the Church and held lecture on the Old Testament.

May 25^th Sunday. At Lower Burgeo held service twice in the Church. In the morning christened two children and in the afternoon buried an infant born dead. Attended the Sunday morning and afternoon.

May 27^th Examined some candidates for Confirmation.

May 28^th Went to the Island, Upper Burgeo. Held .service twice, June 1st. In the morn-Examined the candidates for Confirmation.

June 2^nd Called to the Island, Upper Burgeo, to baptise two infants (twins) just born very weak.

June 3^rd Examined candidates for Confirmation.

June 4^th Held service twice in the Church and lectured.

June 6^th Examined candidates for Confirmation.

June 8^th Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo, which was numerously attended. In the afternoon churched a woman. Attended Sunday School. At the morning service between 60 and 70 children present. Commenced during the last week to lengthen the Church which is now much too small for the congregation.

June 10^th Married a couple at the Church on Upper Burgeo.

June 11^th Held the usual service.

June 15 Unable to go to the Upper Island on account of the weather. Held service twice in the Church here and attended Sunday School.

June 18^th Held service in the Church. The attendance very good.

June 19 The "Spartan" frigate arrived here. Had a visit from the Captain, another from the Chaplain.

June 21 Dined on board the "Man of War".

June 22 Sunday went to Upper Burgeo Island held two full services and examined the young candidates for Confirmation.

June 24 Visited the families residing in Firby's Harbour.

June 25 Engaged in getting lumber for the completion of the additional piece now joined to the of the Church.

June 29 Sunday. Two full services. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to twenty-one individuals. In the afternoon christened five children and churched a woman. The congregation on this occasion was very large. Every seat fully occupied. It is very encouraging to see so many apparently anxious to hear the Word. Oh, that they may not hear in vain.

June 30 Met the people for the purpose of getting them to transfer the new school hours to the Board of Education.

July 2 As usual service in the church; attendance notwithstanding the engagements of the people as business very good.

July 4 Have been busily engaged superintending the workmen employed in lengthening the Church which is now I am thankful to say going on much to my satisfaction.

July 6 Held service twice in the Upper Island Church instructed the children between the services and churched a woman. The congregation in the church are very attentive and very regular in their attendance.

July 9 Service in the church. Lectured on the history of Balaam.

July 13 Sunday. Held service twice attendance large on both occasions, a goodly number occupying the vacant space in the unfinished part of the Church. Instructed the children in the Sunday School. 54 present.

July 16 Visited the people in Upper Burgeo. Covered the floor of the Communion with carpeting and altered the pulpit stairs.

July 20 Preached twice at Upper Burgeo. The church was so full in the afternoon that several persons were obliged to stand. Received two infants with the church and instructed the Sunday School children between the services.

July 23 Had this morning on rising the great pleasure of seeing the Bishop's yacht standing in for the harbour. Went out immediately and got a crew to put me on board to meet with his Lordship the Rev. T. F. H. Bridges--Welcome them to Burgeo and after piloted them to the Anchorage, took breakfast then brought them ashore. Then brought them to the Parsonage--accompanied his Lordship on board again & spent the Evening in making arrangements for future operations.

July 24 Went to visit the yacht and brought the Bishop Mr. B. on shore. After breakfast visited the settlement and into the school and church, but later caught in the rain which was falling and had been for a fortnight. Much of the pleasure we should have had was diminished.

July 25 Rain and fog and the Bishop intended to proceed to St. Georges Bay. He proposed to call here on his return, this appearing a favourable opportunity to visit the settlement to the Westward. I have taken a passage with him intending to land at Channel and to get home from there in time to receive his Lordship on his return. The accommodations on board the Bishop's yacht are excellent. There is a private cabin for his Lordship and a large cabin containing six sleeping berths which may be curtained--They also serve for comfortable seats. Cabin is very lofty, is well lighted, & is fitted with a general dining room and for a place to hold service. The wind increasing we were off LaPoile a mile the weather very thick.

July 26 Found on rising this morning that we were standing off but unable to approach the land owing to dense fog under which it is now enveloped. Oblige keep in my berth all day being very sick.

July 27 Sunday. Remain standing in & off so near that we can hear the breakers but unable to see it. The fog is so dense. About 11 o'clock the weather began to clear & we caught a glimpse of land. On approaching more closely we found ourselves Westward of Cape Ray. His Lordship upon learning this has determined to take me on to St. Georges Bay. The further we go now the clearer the weather becomes. Commenced preparations for service. The crew were assembled in the large cabin to read prayers. Mr. Bridges preached. We are now in fine weather & can see the fog rolling thickly on the land behind us but the wind is very light.

July 28 Had to encumber some heavy squalls of wind off the highlands of Cape Anguille but our beautiful yacht bore up manfully, towards evening the wind increased and we were obliged to reef the sails but still pushed on and just before sunset we rounded Sandy Point and dropped anchor having beat upwards of fifty miles during the day. Mr. Meek, the missionary here, shortly came off to the yacht and gave us a hearty welcome. Night drawing on and the wind still blowing strong we remained on board.

July 29 Went on shore in company with the Bishop and Mrs. Bridges & were most kindly received by Mr. Meek and family. Went to Morning Prayers in the Church. Mr. Meek:,- officiated. Visited the school which his Lordship examined at some length. Afterward walked round the Point. The land is very low, is composed of fine white sand and runs off shoal with the sea. It is particularly at the Back & Upper part of the Point very prettily studded with young spruce & fir trees. The Church is a nice building 47 ft. by 27 stands in the middle of trees within a short distance of the Parsonage & school room and is seen from the water with good effect. Along the shore there are between 30 or 40 houses and stores of various sizes and various directions. The people generally appeared in very comfortable circumstances and are evidently more attached to their minister.

July 30 We did Morning Prayers in the church and in the afternoon I helped in measuring the Burial ground around the church and Parsonage. The weather is unusually fine and we are told that there is scarcely any fog at any place in the Bay.

July 31 Read the Morning Service in the Church & was occupied the remainder of the day in measuring and marking the boundaries of a very extensive piece of land which the Bishop had authority from the Government to take as Church land.

Aug. 1 Minister did morning service and we completed the measuring of the land.

Aug. 2 Read the service in the Church and attended with the Bishop at a Public Meeting held in the School when his Lordship delivered an address to the Candidates for Confirmation.

Aug. 3 Sunday. Helped in the Morning at the Consecration of the Church, named St. Stephen the Martyr. Read the Gospel--his Lordship preached. In the afternoon read the Prayers. Mr. Bridges preached, afterwards started in the Consecration of the Burial ground.

Aug. 4 This day the service of Confirmation was administered by the Bishop with much solemnity to 63 individuals. I read the lessons-the Bishop preached the sermon. The wind blowing out the Bay. We took leave, not without mutual(?} of our "kind friends Mr.& Mrs. Meek and got underway to return.

Aug. 5 Winds very light.

Aug. 6 Went into Codroy Harbour, landed and welcomed by Mr. Pride. Visited all the families in the settlement. In the Evg. went ashore again when Mr. Bridges led the service and Christened five children. Then afterwards addressing the parents and sponsors.

Aug. 7 Left Codroy & rounded the Cape; but the wind fair. We were obliged to anchor off Channel for the night.

Aug. 8 Went into Port aux Basque & shortly afterwards the Bishop and Mrs. Bridges proceeded to the settlement of Channel. Here we went on shore and visited there announcing the Bishop's intention to hold service. In the interval I with Mr. Bridges visited all the families. Mr. B. commenced service and christened seven children. The Bishop afterwards addressing the congregation. Left this place in the Evening, but was becalmed off Rose Blanche Lay too for night.

Aug. 9 Anchored in Rose Blanche, went on shore. Visited every house in the settlement, conversed with the inhabitants and made arrangements for holding service in the Evening. Mr. B. held service and christened three children. The Bishop, as usual, addressed the congregation. After getting on board a family arrived from Burnt Islands bringing an infant with them which they were anxious to havebaptised. Promised we would go ashore tomorrow. I went on shore and christened the infant.

Aug. 10 Sunday. Got under weigh very early hoping to reach LaPoile in time for morning service, but wind failed. Held service on board the yacht. I, the prayers, Mr. B. preached. The wind springing up about 2 o'clock we reached LaPoile. Mr. Renouf came on board and arrangement was made for holding service. At 4 o'clock the bell belonging to the establishment was rung and the congregation assembled in Mr. Renouf's dining room. Mr. B. read prayers and christened two children, the Bishop preached. After service I met with several of the Western Point people who begged me to come and visit them as they had several children to be christened Arranged to meet them tomorrow morning at the head of the harbour.

Aug. 11 Got a crew from Mr. Renouf to row me to the head of the great harbour where I found two of the Western Point men. Walked with them through a tangled thicket of bushes, across neck and then got into their boat and was rowed to Western Point. Landed and christened - three children and addressed the little-congregation. Returned to LaPoile the same way.

Aug. 15 Have been detained by light winds and fog at Lapoile until today when the wind changing to the Westward we bade farewell to our LaPoile friends & started for Burgeo, which we had the great pleasure of reaching about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I found praised to God, all well.

Aug. 16 Went on board the yacht early this morning I took his Lordship and Mrs. Bridges to the Sand Banks and from there across to the Island; made arrangements for the consecration of the church here, took the names of the Candidates for Confirmation. After our return the Church flag was hoisted and at 6 o'clock we held service. I read the prayers & the Bishop addressed the people.

Aug. 17 Sunday, Morning Service at 10 o'clock. The people assembled outside the door and waited for the Bishop and I, at their head, delivered a petition for the Consecration of the Church, which his Lordship having received and read, commenced the Consecration Service and after entering the Communion rails directed Mr. B. to read the sentence of Consecration, by which the church at Lower Burgeo was set apart dedicated to Almighty God by the name of St. John the Evangelist. This service being ended, I commenced the usual service, the Bishop preached and afterwards administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 25 communicants. After the second lesson I baptised an infant. In the afternoon at Upper Burgeo the same service was read and the Church there consecrated and dedicated to Almighty God by the name of the Church of St. James the Apostle. I read prayers, the Bishop preached. This church was crowded. Gave notice of the Confirmation and Sacrament tomorrow. On my return found the candidates for confirmation assembled, according to appointment, in the schoolroom, took their names there and addressed them briefly on the Service & then returned home almost worn out.

Aug. 18 Went aboard the yacht Po-st 8 and proceeded with the Bishop, Mr. Bridges, to Upper Burgeo. We found the people assembled. I read the Morning service after Wh the Bishop commenced the Confirmation Service addressing and confirming the females first. I was in the body of the church arranging the candidates. All present appeared to engage in the service with becoming serious expressions and several were evidently much affected. The Bishop laid his hands and bestowed his blessing upon 43 people, 24 females, 19 males. After the communion service had been read, the Bishop preached & then administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and 14 communicants. Returned with as little delay as possible and at 4 o'clock commenced the service here. Mr. Bridges reading the prayers at the close of which the Bishop administered the rite of Confirmation to 59 persons--28 females, 31 males & afterwards preached a very impressive sermon from the words of Moses to the Children of Israel. Thou hath this day the Lord for thy God & after the congregation was dismissed we measured off a large plot of ground surrounding the Church & Parsonage as Church property.

Aug. 19 The wind being fair and the Bishop anxious to leave, I repaired to the yacht and accompanied him outside the Island and then bade farewell. Mr. Cox putting me back. These services in which I have engaged, though of necessity hurried will not I trust be unattended with the Divine' blessing. God grant than many souls may be quickened through them.

Aug. 24 Sunday, Held service in the morning at Upper Burgeo, returned and held service in the afternoon at Lower B. Christened an infant.

Copy of census taken for the District of Fortune Bay inclusive . 1845 extending from Bonne Bay to Cape Ray Total No. of families 1644

Total No. of Professionals 2

Total No. of Servants 505

Total No. of Traders 22

No. of Inhabitants 2173

Total Episcopalians 2089

Roman Catholics 28

Wesleyans 56

2173

Children under 14 yrs. of Age

Male Female

449 419

IN SCHOOL

51 48

Population from Cape Ray to Cape LaHune 1845

families Children under 14 Individuals

Cape Ray & Highlands 15 43 92

Channel & neighbours 29 72 162

Isle-aux-Morte 10 36 69

Burnt Islands & neighbours 16 28 83

Braziels & neighbours 8 17 47

Rose Blanche 13 35 82

Petites 10 30 61

Western Point & neighbours 9 31 48

Lapoile-Great Harbour 7 11 110

Eastern Point, Little Bay 20 58 133

to Otter’s Point

Upper Burgeo 23 44 136

Lower Burgeo 53 139 385

King’s Harbour & Bay d’Loup 6 6 29

Red Island 11 22 54

Deer Island 6 22 38

Fox Island 13 90 67

Cape LaHune 10 36 45

Ramea 15 28 56

Garia & neighbours 20 43 123

294 741 1828

1845 Copy of notice affixed to the Church.

This is to give notice that all that plot of ground round the church and Parsonage extending 440 ft North and South and 860 feet East & West bounded in front by the road and in the rear by a pond has been set apart as church property at Burgeo, Aug. 21, 1845 Signed

M. Blackmore-Missionary

(merchant) John B. Cox---Church

(teacher) John Jordan Wardens

Aug. 28 Visited the Upper Burgeo Island & distributed the books left by the Bishop.

Aug. 31 Sunday-Attended the Sunday School, instructed the children. Preached and held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon christened an infant. The Church was unusually full today, a number of strangers present.

Sept. 3 Married today a couple. The man in this case is a Roman Catholic, but very favourably disposed towards our religion

Sept. 5 Called out to visit a man taken suddenly ill & supposed to be dying. Hastened to the house of Mr. Cox and found his father in law stretched out on the floor insensible-breathing but very heavily the Doctor by his side, bleeding him but without the slightest effect. "--gtayed about half an hour during which time he continued to get worse breathing still more difficult and totally insensible finding I could be of no mor service. I left for a short time. On returning found the Dr. had ceased to make any farther efforts. The death rattle was now sounding in his throat & all hope was gone. After addressing a few solemn words of Exhortation to the friends and attendants in the house, I left again, in about 10 minutes after I had reached home I was informed he was dead-the deceased was an remarkably stout man and by no means temperate. He has never manifested any regard for religion and is now cut off without so much as time to cry for Mercy.

Sept. 6 Called to see the friends of the person so take off. Made some suitable observations which were well received. Find they wish to have him buried tomorrow.

Sept. 7 Sunday. In the Morning went to the Upper Island and held service, baptised an Infant, returned immediately and in the afternoon went to Mr. C. house & from there proceeded the corpse to the church, a very large number of friends and relatives, several from distant settlements following. Upon reaching the Church I commenced the service and afterwards preached to a very crowded audience. Many were unable to get in Church and stood outside to listen. I addressed the people from 103 Psalm, Verses 15-18. All persons were deeply attentive and several appeared much affected. After service I committed the body to the grave.

Sept. 10 This morning married a couple in the Church. In the afternoon christened an infant brought for that purpose 45 miles from the Westward.

Sept.11 Visited the people on the Sand Banks.

Sept. 14 Went to Upper Island, held service twice. Instructed the children in the school morning and afternoon.

Sept.17 Christened an infant brought from Fox Island.

Sept. 21 Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning, christened an infant & churched the mother. Instructed the children in the school morning and afternoon.

Sept. 23 Married a couple in the Church at Lower Burgeo.

Sept.24 Christened an infant brought from a neighbouring settlement and churched the mother.

Sept.28 Sunday at Upper Burgeo. Held service twice. Churched a woman and instructed-of the Sunday School.

Oct.5 Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning christened an infant. In the afternoon churched two women. Instructed the children.

Oct. 8 Christened an infant from Red Island. This is the fifth infant that has been brought within the last month from distant settlements to this place for the purpose of being christened Doubtly an increasing value is being placed upon the Ordinances.

Oct. 12 Held service twice at the Upper Burgeo. Administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 12 persons. Instructed the children in the school between services.

Oct. 14 Visited a sick woman on one of the neighbouring islands, directed the attention to the love of the Lord, Jesus. Visited two other families. The weather for the last three weeks has been unusually fine, like what is known in Nova Scotia, the Indian Summer.

Oct. 19 Sunday. Held service twice at Lower Burgeo. Administered the Lord's Supper to the Communicants. Instructed the children in the school.

Oct 21 All day yesterday & throughout the night I was most anxious for Mrs. Blackmore when expected hour of trial had come on. Today at after much suffering she was safely delivered of a daughter, a fine grown and stout looking child. I feel I cannot be sufficiently grateful, God help me to train up this little one for glory.

Oct. 22 Symptoms of the speedy approval of winter appeared today hills in the country were white with snow.

Oct. 25 Christened an infant from Red Island and married a couple belonging to the same place.

Oct. 26 Held service twice in Upper Burgeo and bade the people farewell. They are all in leading up to their winter quarters in LaPoile Bay.

Nov. 2 Sunday. Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. The weather very wet but attendance notwithstanding good.

Nov. 3 Called to go to Upper Burgeo to bury an infant. While there baptised an infant and churched the mother.

Nov. 5 Christened two infants in Lower Burgeo and married a couple.

Nov. 9 Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. Instructed the children in the Sunday School.

Nov. 1 4 Busy every day superintending the laying plank on the road in Burgeo & overlooking the men engaged in ceiling the Church-six of the Planters have been for some time past engaged in this work which is rapidly approaching completion.

Nov. 1 6 Sunday. Held service twice in the Church and attended the Sunday School. In the afternoon christening my own little infant. Oh, that she may give early evidence of spiritual regeneration

Nov. 23 Sunday service twice and attended Sunday School morning and evening. In the morning churched Mrs. B.

Nov. 26 Wednesday Evs met the members of my congregation at residence of Mr. J .Jordan and delivered lecture on the first part of The Pilgrims Progress. The room was crowded and all present were evidently much interested. Closed after commenced with singing 'and prayer. It is my intention to continue these exposition through the winter. God grant they may be productive of good.

Nov. 30 Held service twice in the Church and instructed the children in the school. Our church is now ceiled on the inside and looks very well.

Dec. 3 Continued my Wedy Evg lectures at Wh a much larger number of persons were present that on the previous Evg. Several were not able to get into the house.

Dec. 6 Married a couple.

Dec. 7 Held service twice and instructed the children in the school.

Dec. 1 0 Wedy Evs service continued my lecture that appeared to excite general interests. Was enabled to speak with much freedom. I pray that it might be without profit.

Dec. 12 The weather this week has been unusually rough. Gales of wind every day, together with the drifting snow has kept everybody indoors.

Dec. 14 Sunday. Attended the Sunday School and held service morning and evening in the church.

Dec. 17 Wedy Evs. lecture as usual. The house very full.

Dec. 21 Held service and instructed the children.

Dec. 22 Called out to one of the adjoining Islands baptise an infant. Visited a young girl long confined with a bad leg.

Dec. 25 Christmas Day. Held service in the Church, congregation unusually large. In the afternoon married a couple.

Dec. 26 Visited the greater number of my Parishioners conferred with them and left attract with each family. In the Evg called out to Firby I s Hr. to baptise an infant--apparently very sick.

Dec. 28 Sunday. Held two services in the Church. The congregation especially in the Afternoon was very large and attentive. At the close of this service and after all the rest of the congregation had left, one individual addressed me stating his wish to participate of the Sacrament by notice of which I had given in the morning. He related in his simple way his wish to forsake his old course of sin and forgetfulness of God and henceforth endeavor to live for Eternity. His wife also assented to use her own expression, was nearly captsized about. the same matter. I am led to remark this circumstance more particularly as in the Morning I was somewhat discouraged by the thought how little frail appeared my labour. Attended Sunday School and instructed the children of the fourth class who are very attentive; constant in attendance and I trust are improving.

Dec. 31 Wed. Eg. resumed my lecture on Pilgrims Progress in the house of H. Dicks, although large was crowded both in the kitchen where I sat and in a small interior room. All very attentive.

Jan. 1 Held service this morning in the church & commented on

(1846) the Epistle for the day. The congregation was nearly as large as on Sunday. In the evening I drank tea with the family of Mr. H. Dicks. I praise God afresh for having brought us to the Commencement of another year in place. I have much to be grateful for.

Jan. 4 Sunday. Instructed the children. in the school. Held service twice here in the Church. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to 24 persons--two new communicants. In the afternoon christened an infant.

Jan. 7 Held my Evg. service in the house of Mr. T. M. which was largely attended. Their large kitchen and Dining Room were both filled. Oh what a blessing many attend the instruction I was enabled to communicate.

Jan. 11 Sunday. Attended school and held service twice in the church. In the morning churched a woman.

Jan. 14 Christened an infant and churched the mother. Visited Firbys Hr. and a sick woman living there. In the Evg met a large assembly at the house of Mr. J. C. and continued my lecture on Pilgrams Progress.

Jan. 18 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. In the afternoon christened an infant and churched the mother.

Jan. 19 Today the weather has been unusually rough and severe. The thermometer has been down to 22 dgrs. below the freezing point. All the day indoors.

Jan. 21 Held my weekly lecture in the school room wh. was well filled & all present appeared very attentive.

Jan. 24 Called to baptise an infant of one my of parishioners supposed to be very ill.

Jan. 25 Sunday. Attended Sunday School & held service twice in the church. In the afternoon admitted an infant into the church and churched two women.

Jan. 28 Gave the concluding lecture on Pilgrims Progress this evening. The school room in who our meeting was held was nearly full.

Feb. 1 Sunday. The weather bitterly cold. Thermometer at 21 dgrs(F) below the freezing point. Held service in the church morning and afternoon both not withstanding the cold were well attended. In the afternoon received an infant into the church and churched the Mother. Instructed the children in the Sunday School.

Feb. 3 Walked over the ice to the Sand Banks. Visited all the families residing there. This is the first week the ice has been strong enough to bear walking on.

Feb. 6 Visited one of the adjoining Islands & conversed with the people living there; more particularly with a young woman confined to her room with a bad leg.

Feb. 8 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church. Snow storm in the evening.

Feb. 9 The weather unusually rough. The wind blowing strong from the N.W. and snow -drifting. The thermometer has been falling every hour and is now(Evg) 20 dgrs. below the freezing point within doors.

Feb. 10 Weather extremely cold. Thermometer down to 28 dgrs. below but rose 6 dgrs. during the day but is now falling again. Two of our fowls have died today through the severity of the frost a nd two others are injured.

Feb. 11 Last night fearfully cold--found the glass, this morning only 3 degrees above zero. The wind is blowing a gale from the N.N.W. & driving the snow in clouds. The harbours are frozen over and there is ice on the sea and as far as the eyes reach. Scarcely anyone ventures out. A man coming from the merchants into the harbour about a quarter of a mile has got his face frost burnt. Glass has risen only one degree all day & is now Evg.

Feb. 12 The sun is shining today and the glass has risen 6 dgrs.

Feb. 13 Weather still very cold. Wind N.N.W.

Feb. 15 Sunday. Glass at 10 all day. Held service twice in the Church and instructed the children in the school. Congregation much thinned out by the cold.

Feb. 16 Glass only 4 drs above here indoors.

Feb. 17 Weather warmer

Feb. 18 Day fine. Walked over the ice to the Sand Banks and visited the people residing there.

Feb. 19 Weather very rough, snow drifting all day. For the last month we have been obliged to drink melted snow water. Every Brook being frozen up.

Feb. 22 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school & held service in the morning at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon walked to the Sandbanks & held service there.

Feb. 25 Ash Wednesday. Held full service in the Church.

Feb. 27 Morning prayers in the church. About 30 present.

Mar. 1 Sunday. Weather very cold. Therm 22 dgs below the freezing point. Held service twice in the church and instructed the children in the school. In the evening delivered an address, in the house of Mr. J. Cox wh was crowded, to those young men who are going shortly to the ice.

Mar. 2 Thermometor 2 degrees lower than yesterday.

Mar: 3 Crossed the harbour on the ice & visited four families residing on an adjoining Island.

Mar. 4 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 6 Morning prayers in the Church. Attendance very encouraging.

Mar. 8 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service in the Church in the morning at Lower Burgeo, in the Afternoon walked to the Sandbanks and held service there.

Mar. ll Morning service in the Church at Lower Burgeo.

Mar. 13 Morning service in the church at Lower Burgeo.

Mar. 15 Sunday. Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo & instructed the children. Prevented going to Sandbanks by a storm of snow and rain.

Mar. 18 Morning service in the Church.

Mar. 20 Morning service in the Church.

Mar. 21 A large quantity of drift ice has come in from the sea & filled the harbours & extends out seaward several miles.

Mar. 22 Sunday. Instructed the Children in the school and held service twice in the Church. In the morning churched a woman. In the afternoon christened an infant. The congregation today has been unusually large owing to the finesse of the weather and the arrival of three boats from Fortune Bay.

Mar. 25 Morning service in the Church. Churched a woman.

Mar. 27 Morning service in the Church.

Mar. 29 Sunday. Instructed the Children in the school and held service twice in the Church. In the afternoon, christened an infant, gave notice of a meeting tomorrow for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary to the Church Society.

Mar. 30 Met some of my parishioners in the Church and laid the foundation of our Auxiliary Society. Found people very willing to contribute.

Apr. 3 Held service in the Church. Have had additional subscribers to our Ch society come forward both yesterday and today.

Apr. 1 Held service in the Church which was rather largely attended..

Apr. 5 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service in the morning at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon got a crew to row me up to the Sandbanks & held service in the Church at Upper Burgeo. The people of this place have just returned from their winter quarters & were very glad to see me. Gave notice of my intention to administer the Sacrament next Sunday.

Apr. 8 Morning service in the Church.

Apr. 10 Good Friday. Held service and preached in the Church at Lower Burgeo in the morning, and at Upper Burgeo in the afternoon. Congregation large at both settlements.

Apr. 11 Christened an infant and churched the mother.

Apr. 12 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school & held Morning Service in the Church at Lower Burgeo. Administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 11 persons.

Apr. 19 Sunday Evg. St. John's. Reached this town after a rough and in some respect dangerous passage of five days, rough in consequence of encountering a heavy sea and dangerous owing to the unusual quantity of ice now on the St. John's coast, but God has been gracious to all and self. Wife and little one are now safely anchored in our desired harbour. Never were there so many islands of ice seen together in this neighbourhood before we counted 70 in most remarkable forms, having the appearance of ruined castles. Some were of great size with very lofty pinnacles. Altogether they formed to me a novel and astonishing sight. Our has been somewhat longer than usual, we having been obliged to put into Renews and remain there one day in consequence of wind being foul. In this place we were most kindly treated by Mr. & Mrs. Goodridge and made to take up our abode on shore, wh proved a great refreshment after being so long confined in a smaller cabin.

Apr. 24 (Friday) preached the Evg Lecture in St. John's church, the congregation very small.

Apr. 26 Sunday. Mr. Bridge had left town for Petty Harbour and has commissioned me to do his duty here. Privately baptized an infant and conducted' the Morning Service. Assisted by Mr. Tuckwell. In the afternoon I read prayers.

May 1 Friday Evg. church. Preached the Evg lecture in St. John's

May 2 Left St. John's this afternoon for Petty Harbour. Visited several of my old acquaintance up my abode for the night at the school house.

May 3 Sunday. Attended the Sunday School and instructed a large class of boys and held service twice in the very pretty church lately erected here. The congregation good and very attentive. In the afternoon admitted an infant into the church and after service walked home to St. John's.

May 6 Our vessel returns to Burgeo and we must bid farewell to our kind friends in St. John's. We. take two little girls round with us to supply the place of a full grown servant wh we cannot get in St. John's.

May 12 Have again reached our home, endeared to us all the more by our short absence & by the difficulties we have experienced in reaching it. The weather has been very unfavourable and we have put into two harbours on our way home, Renews & Trepassey but praised by God we have been kept and everyone here seems glad to see us.

May 17 Sunday. Went to the Upper Island. Preached twice. Instructed the children, christened an infant and churched a woman.

May 19 Visited a poor little child, fearfully scalded, recommended some local remedies, but with small hope of recovery. In the evening called to baptize an infant dangerously ill. Accompanied the father to his residence about a mile from Burgeo.

May 21 Sunday. Preached twice at Lower Burgeo. In the

July 25 Started very early in a small boat for LaPoile. Was out all day, the wind being very light. Towards evening we were quite becalmed and as it grew dark I lay down on my carpet bag in the little cuddy, endeavored to go to sleep.

July 26 Sunday. By rowing our crew have succeeded in getting into LaPoile. Went on shore and was kindly received by Mr. Renouf --After taking some refreshment notice was given of my intention to hold service. When about 30 persons assembled & I proceeded with the morning service and preached in one of the sitting rooms in the dwelling house. In the afternoon held service again and christened two infants.

July 27 Finding that a boat was going on from hence to Sydney I found the master & he kindly consented to convey me up! Carrying him out of his course. Though light the wind continued favourable & I was landed at Burnt Islands about 17 miles. to the Westward of LaPoi1e. It being late .in the evening, I got some refreshments at the house of J. Hiscock and retired for the night.

July 28 Visited all the families. residing in Burnt Islands, nine in number and gave notice of my intention to hold service in the afternoon. About 4 0' clock crossed to the house of B. Kippin (Keeping) & a large congregation soon assembled. Christened 7 children and afterwards addressed the people-took tea with the godmothers and arranged for a crew to carry me on tomorrow to Isle aux Morte.

July 29 Started immediately after breakfast and in about an hour and a half reached the Eastern Isle aux Morte. Landed and found that only the women were at home-some of the men being out fishing and the rest having gone to the Northward. Waited until evening when the fishermen came in & then baptized three children and addressed those present. Finding it not convenient to stay here the night I got one of the men to row me onward to the Upper Isle aux Morte, where I stayed for the night at the house of P. Dykes(?).

July 30 There being but 2 families here & only one man at home. I engaged him and three little boys to' row me on to Margaree-but a heavy swell coming from the sea.We were forced to land and make our way across the country through bushes, bogs, & for 3 miles to Margaree where I found six families and after a little while got them together & held service & christened four children. It yet being early in the day & a crew going on to Channel I took passage with them in an open skiff but before we reached Channel. The rain came down in very heavy showers so that we were completely drenched landed as quickly as possible and went to the house of Mr. W. Bragg whose wife received me very kindly, dried my clothes by the fire & took some refreshments and then the weather clearing up I visited some of the families residing here and sent word around to all the rest that I would hold service. In about an hour the congregation were assembled in the school room wh was completely filled-commenced service and christened seven children & afterwards preached from 4 CI Epi John 7 '& 8 Verses. When all were gone, I discovered that there were two children, yet to be christened whose parents had not been able to get them ready-not knowing how short my stay might be as there were two boats going back the first chance of wind. I waited for them till they were ready then administered the Sacrament of Baptism to them--making nine infants-returned to the house of Mr. Wm Bagg and stayed for the night.

July 31 In the morning the wind being ahead and my stay thus prolonged. Three more children were brought to be christened. In the afternoon was occupied in wri ting to St. John’s, there being an opportunity shortly from this place. There is a Church in building here nearly covered, it is being put up by & at the expense of Mr. W. Bragg who proposes remunerating himself by selling the Pews but no one here knows his plans & he is away I could learn nothing upon wh I could depend. It is I am told to be open to all or any minister who may come along. A church is indeed much needed here as the population is rapidly increasing, but I fear this will not answer.

Aug. 1 Left Channel early this morning in a boat bound to Rose Blanche. The wind was fair at starting but died away, a heavy sea also came rolling in from the Southward wh made our situation very unpleasant. I was very sick just before dark. We had drifted down the shore and were off Rose Blanche & by putting out the oars & with the help of a little wind wh sprung up we continued to get in faint and weary. I was kindly welcomed here & provided with refreshments wh I thankfully accepted.

Aug. 2 Sunday Morning at Rose Blanche held service and christened four children. In the evening was put on to Petites distance 3 miles and as the people had just assembled, they being accustomed to have prayers among themselves, I held service. The room was crowded with attentive hearers.

Aug. 3 Got a crew consisting of one man and three little boys and was rowed on to Seal Islands between 2 or 3 miles landed & visited all the families residing here, four in number and in the afternoon held service and christened two children. After service accompanied a crew to the next settlement, Garia, and after landing engaged the services of a little boy to accompany me through the settlement wh is somewhat scattered & gave notice of a service as we passed along. Just before dark a congregation of about 40 persons assembled when I preached and christened three children.

Aug. 4 Engaged the services of a crew to put me on to Western Pt., LaPoile where I met some kind and I trust Christian people by whom my visits have always been welcomed. Assembled all that were in the place & held service. Christened three children after service. Had a long and interesting conversation with those present on the matter of the Sacrament of the Lord' s Supper and our obligation to partake of it. Was much pleased with the earnestness manifested by these people in religious matters.

Aug. 5 Was rowed by Mr. Strickland and his little boy up arm called LaPoile, at the head of wh we landed and walked across the hills and through the bushes to the south side of great Harbour where we got a boat and rowed to the opposite side and landed on the Room and Mr. R (Renouf ) kindly welcoming me home again

Aug. 6 There being an opportunity for Burgeo by the same little boat & with a fair wind set out for home, but when we were wi thin 9 miles the wind changed against us and after tacking several times and finding we made no progress I determined upon taking the little yawl & with the help of a boy to row home. We left just before sunset, but both wind and night being against us, we made but little progress. Soon, also we lost sight of the boat so that now we were obliged to give up all hope of return. The night was fine and about ½ Pt. 11 we were off Upper Burgeo. Here the wind sprang up again quite fresh and we scarcely moved. But providence favoured us and after two hours more rowing we got safely home. I went immediately to the house & found all well. The boat got in the next morning 9 o'clock.

Aug. 9 Sunday. Went to Upper Burgeo. Held service twice. In the morning christened an infant & churched the mother. After morning service instructed the children & in the afternoon christened an infant & churched another woman.

Aug 10 Visited a sick woman.

Aug. 12 Went to Upper Burgeo visited six families. Obtained a crew to remove & pile a quantity of lumber for ceiling the Church, collected several subscriptions for the Church Society & then crossed to the Sandbanks, visited a family there. Returned in the evening, but on getting out of the boat & to the railing of Mr. Matthews stage my feet slipped from under me and my right arm got twisted in one of the upper rails, I felt a wrench & on extracting it, it fell to my side quite useless. I immediately called for help concluding my arm was broken. Some neighbours ran to my assistance, while others started for the doctor. I walked up to the house and was helped by Mr. Picot who kindly led me home to undress, when we found that no bone had been broken, but that the elbow was dislocated, the doctor came shortly after & put it again in its place, but did not bandage it. I then went to bed, but not to sleep. The pain from my arm being too acute. This was a sudden stroke and seems most afflictive, but He who does all things has laid it upon me & most assuredly for my own good.

Aug. 13 Passed a very uneasy night, my arm very painful. The doctor came early this morning & found my elbow was again out of joint and much swollen he now had to use his knee to put it in its place. An operation wh gave me much pain. He now bandaged my arm and left some cold lotion with directions to keep the bandage constantly wet.

Aug. 14 Another painful night passed. swollen and very painful. My arm greatly swollen and very painful.

Aug. 16 Sunday. Unable to get to the house of God & to join with my people in public worship felt very sorrowful but was incited to gratitude by the thought that was the first Sunday for four years that I have been kept by sickness from performing my duties. My arm is much easier.

Aug. 22 I am thankful to be able to write that my arm is becoming more and more easy. The swelling is gradually going down, though I am yet unable to move it without help from the other hand. I have several times visited a sick person this week and have hand many kind visits from my parishioners.

Aug. 23 Sunday. Though myself well enough to go to Church and attempt some part of the duties. Engaged Mr. Jordan to read the morning service. I took the communion service and preached but found my arm so painful at the close that I was compelled to give up the thought of further duty for the day.

Aug. 26 My arm still mending though yet very weak. The day being moderate & a crew here going to Upper Burgeo I ventured to accompany them. To relieve my arm I got A. C. to lead the prayers & lesson. I reading the communion service. & preached the sermon. In the afternoon christened an infant though with considerable difficulty being unable to move my arm without assistance. Returned home in the evening a little fatigued but without hurting my arm.

Sept. 1 An opportunity being about to offer for sending to. St. John's, the last probably this year. I have been lately busy collecting for the Ch society in accordance to the Bishop’s circular letter and have succeeded better than I had expected.

Sept. 3 Closed my collections & wrote the Bishop forwarding a list of subscribers to the Church Society and an order for ££28-7 she the amount of subscribers received.

Sept. 4 Have recorded eight additional subscriptions to the Ch Society amounting to ££2-12 sh. and the vessel being still here wrote a note to the Bishop enclosing an order for that amount.

Sept. 6 Sunday. Held service twice in Lower Burgeo. In the morning churched a woman and in the afternoon christened an infant.

Sept. 10 Married a couple from Hunt's Is. in the church at Lower Burgeo in the morning, and in the afternoon went to Upper Burgeo and married a couple in the church there.

Sept. 12 Went to Upper Burgeo and married a couple in the church there.

Sept. 13 Sunday. Went to Upper Burgeo and held service twice. In the morning administered sacrament of the Lord's Supper to seven communicants--the rest being away from home. Between the services instructed the children in the school.

Sept. 14 Married a couple in the church at Lower Burgeo.

Sept. 15 Visited a sick child and endeavored to lead her mind to the Saviour.

Sept. 20 Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo and instructed the children in the school-gave notice of the Sacrament.

Sept. 24 Was visited by an aged couple from Hunt's Is. who wished to converse with me respecting the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper of which they are desirous to partake. Had an interesting conversation with them on the nature and obligations of that Sacrament & was pleased with their remarks. They were in the Ch. when the sact was last administered, but did not stay. On reaching home they both felt very sad & on the wife asking her husband the cause of his sadness he replied "We have committed a. very great sin today in not staying to the Sacrament". The wife immediately said, "well, I have been thinking so, too". and they both determined not to let another opp. pass by without speaking to me on the subject.

Sept. 25 Visited the sick child again & conversed with her but find her very full of apprehension.

Sept. 27 Went to Upper Burgeo & held service twice there. Instructed the children between the services.

Sept: 30 Held service in the Church at Lower Burgeo in this afternoon and addressed the communicants.

Oct. 1 Called to see the sick girl mentioned above and find her recovering.

Oct. 4 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and afterwards held service in the Church. Congregation large and very attentive. Administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 26 communicants. In the afternoon went to Upper Burgeo and held service there.

Oct. 7 Visited fifteen families residing on the Sandbanks and on the Island of Upper Burgeo.

Oct. 11 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school at Lower Burgeo. From there accompanied a crew to the Upper Island & held morning service there. Returned and again held school at Lower Burgeo and after service christened an infant and churched two women.

Oct. 14 Visited three families in Lower Burgeo, each having sick members.

Oct. 18 Sunday. Weather has been very stormy of late, the Upper Island people being prevented coming for me. Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning received an infant into the church. Instructed the children in the school before and after the service. Also read an extract from the Bishop's letter in the Church acknowledging the receipt of the contributions to the church society.

Oct. 20 Occupied in writing letters to St. John's and England.

Oct. 21 Visited two families.

Oct. 25 The Upper Island people have left for their winter quarters in LaPoile Bay. Held service twice

(Sunday) in church at Lower Burgeo in the morning. Churched a woman. Instructed the children in the school. In the evening visited a sick woman & read a sermon to her and some of her relations assembled in the house.

Oct. 31 We were visited by a most violent., storm of wind and rain. Our house which was rather;'elevated there and shook and cracked in a fearful manner. The church flag staff was blown down.

Nov. 1 Sunday. Called early to go across the harbour to baptise an infant very ill. Returned and instructed the children in the school & held service in the church. Christened an infant. Instructed the children again in the afternoon & held service. Congregation very large on both occasions.

Nov. 3 A crew came for me from the Sandbanks to visit a sick woman there, accompanied them and read to, conferred with the woman but I fear with little. effect as she was suffering very acutely from pain in her head. Returned and in the afternoon visited who is confined to his bed with fever, read & prayed with him. Visited four sick children. There has been a species of low Typhus Fever in the harbour now for two months past and not less than eight individuals are now suffering from it.

Nov. 5 Visited three families in each of w h there are sick persons. Read and conversed with S.N.

Nov. 8 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school in the morning and held service in the Church. Christened an infant & churched a woman. In the afternoon a crew came for me and carried me to Upper Burgeo. Held service in the Church there where nearly every member of the families left were present.

Nov. 10 Visited four families. The sickness alluded to above is increasing.

Nov. 12 Visited several sick persons, between thirty and forty have now suffered from this fever.

Nov. 15 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school. Held service in the morning in the church at Lower Burgeo. Christened an infant. In the afternoon went to Upper Burgeo & held service in the church there. Baptised the infant, churched the mother.

Nov. 17 Visited three sick families.

Nov. 22 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo.

Nov. 25 Held service in the church here more particularly for the communicants and prepatory to the administration next Sunday of the Holy Communion. All the comm1,lnicants with the exception of three now suffering from sickness were present.

Nov. 29 Sunday. The weather very stormy-during the whole of last week we have had heavy gales of wind with rain-prevented having school by the storm. The rain beating in through the window. Held service in the church notwithstanding the weather was well attended. In the morning administered the Sacrament to sixteen individuals';' the rest being either away from home or prevented by sickness. In the afternoon received an infant into the church and churched the mother.

Nov. 30 St. Andrews Day. Held service in the Church. The morning being very wet & stormy, I had anticipated but a small congregation but was surprised to number between 40 & 50 present.

Dec. 3 Visited several sick persons.

Dec. 6 Sunday. Instructed the children and held service twice in the Church.

Dec.13 Sunday weather very stormy. Instructed the children and held service in the church twice.

Dec. 15 Visited two sick families.

Dec. 19 The fever which has been so long in Burgeo is I grieve to think spreading. Four additional families have it now in their houses, three cases in one family. Though it has not proved fatal in any instances. Visited three families now suffering.

Dec. 20 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church. In the morning christened an infant and churched the mother.

Dec. 21 St. Thomas' Day. Held morning service in the church and delivered a short lecture on the Gospel for the day notwithstanding the weather was very stormy-the service was well attended.

Dec. 22 Visited three sick families.

Dec. 24 Married a couple in the church.

Dec. 25 Christmas Day. Held morning service in the church which was very largely attended. In the afternoon visited the sick. There are now six cases of fever in the community.

Dec. 27 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. The number of sick persons is thinning the congregation. This evening there were four pews entirely empty. A circumstance which has not occurred before during my ministry. After the second service visited three sick families and conversed with them who could bear it. The family mentioned above as having six of its members laid down with the fever have now two more taken with the same sickness only the mother and the daughter left to attend upon the others. There are at this time fourteen cases of fever.

Dec 28 The fever has at length made its appearance in my family. The eldest of our two little servant girls has taken the infection & is now confined to her bed with strong fever. Visited several persons this afternoon. The fever has now assumed the form Typhoid-18 are now sick.

Jan. 1 (1847) The Circumcision. Held service in the church which was well attended & lectured on the Gospel.

Jan. 2 Sent for early this morning to visit one of the sick persons H. Dicks. Was requested to read & pray with him; which I did making such remarks as I thought applicable in this case. Had a visit from one of the communicants who thought I alluded to him in some remarks w fell from me yesterday in Church. He called to assure me he had not countenanced in any way some riotous proceedings w had been carried in the houses adjoining.

Jan. 3 Sunday. No school today. The school master being one of the sick together with the greater number of the children who usually attend. Held service twice in the Church. In the afternoon churched a woman and after service visited four sick families.

Jan. 4 Called today by another sick person C. D. who is much troubled in mind as well as body. Conversed with him & prayed with him & left him somewhat comforted. Called upon another sick family.

Jan. 5 Visited a single man, a servant in the house of W. C. who was found lying in a very neglected condition found him in a wretched crib in a loft totally dark in a very filthy state. Until yesterday he had not been changed for three weeks. It is a miserable family he is living with. The doctor has given him up. He was unable to speak much or at all distinctly, but found he could understand what I said. Directed him to pray & told him of the love and pity of the Saviour. Could not stay long the stench was so great. On my way home called on C.D. found him still distressed in mind on account of the greatness of his sins. Set before him the power of the Saviour's blood & prayed with him.

Jan. 6 Epiphany. Held service in the church and lectured on the Gospel for the day.

Jan. 7 The single man mentioned on the 5th is dead. He died I am informed in great agony. Visited three sick families-read to and prayed to H. D.

Jan.8 Buried the poor creature who died yesterday.

Jan . 9 Sent for to visit C. D. conversed long with him to cast himself with simplicity on the Saviour.

Jan. 10 Sunday. Held service twice in the church. The congregation, on account of the prevailing sickness was smaller than any time before since I have been to Burgeo. After the close of the service visited four sick families. The fever in several cases has as seemed a very alarming appearance. Our girl is still confined to her bed with it.

Jan. 14 Sent for to visit another family in which the fever had made its appearance. Read to and conversed with them who appear anxious about his soul.

Jan. 16 The weather this week has been unusually rough and boisterous. The cold too is severe. Our glass indoors 18 °below freezing point.

Jan. 17 Sunday. The weather very severe, glass lower than yesterday 2 degrees. Held service twice in the church. The men were only able to attend. The weather and the number of the sick has sadly reduced the attendance.

Jan. 18 Visited W. C's family found all with the exception of Mrs. C. herself & the infant sick. W. C. very restless. Argued him to pray & directed him to the Saviour.

Jan 20 The climate of NFLD at this season of the year seems to be particularly variable. Yesterday it was mild and the glass at 36 °--Today it is bitterly cold and the glass down to 10 °-12 ° below the freezing point indoors. We have had three such sudden changes wi thin the last week. The wind chops round to the North and generally blows hard, freezing intensely all the while.

Jan. 21 Weather bitterly cold - 8 . In the afternoon somewhat milder-visited five sick families; several new cases.

Jan. 22 Have just heard of the death of W.C. He was the master of the man buried a fortnight since & attended at the funeral but felt unwell immediately after his sickness assumed the aspect of malignant typhus & has carried him off thus rapidly. He had left a widow and eight children, six of whom are sick with the fever and from the wretchedness of their habitation, I fear .it will go hard with them. God have mercy upon them.

Jan. 24 Sunday. Preached twice in the Church here. In the afternoon buried W. C. and addressed the congregation in the necessity of being prepared for death & Eternity.

Jan. 25 Weather again bitterly cold, glass this morning80. In the afternoon ran over the hills into the harbour to visit the house of S. Matthews-on entering was greatly shocked to find that about two minutes before she had departed this life; her eyes were shut closed & the flush of the fever upon her cheeks. This is an awfully sudden case. She had been sick for a few days before, but yesterday I was told by her husband she was better. She is the daughter of W.C. whom I buried yesterday & has left two infant children. She is only 22 years of age. Oh, for grace to live as on the border of the Eternal world. Mrs. B. (wife) has been sick all day with strong symptoms of fever.

Jan. 26 Buried the woman that died yesterday. Weather very cold, obliged to keep one hand to my ear all the while I was reading the service in the grave yard to keep it from being frost burnt Glass at 6 this morning. The vapour on the sea for the last week has covered the surface like a cloud of steam.

Jan. 30 The weather during the last week has been unusually rough. Snow drifts every day.

Jan. 31 Sunday-Held service twice in the church in the afternoon christened an infant. After service visited four sick families. The violence of the frost is abating. Nearly all that have been sick are recovering.

Feb. 2 Day very fine and mild--No wind & the sun shining quite warm.

Feb. 7 Sunday. Held service twice in the church wh was much better attended than for many previous Sundays. Several that have been sick were present.

Feb. 10 Visited two families.

Feb. 12 Visited one sick family.

Feb. 14 Sunday. Held service twice in the church. Congregation increasing.

Feb. 17 Ash Wednesday. During the last fortnight the weather has been very mild, but today the wind has changed & it has become very cold. This has had a very great effect in diminishing the numbers at Church today wh were very few compared with former occasions. Held service and preached.

Feb. 19 The wind North temp. zero got the colours hoisted & held prayers in the church, ten persons present. Met a man waiting for me outside who requested me to come in the course of the day to visit his wife. In the Evg went to Firby's Hr. and saw the woman, Mrs. K, who has recently been confined of a still born child & is now troubled in her mind concluding that she herself is to blame. Endeavored to set her mind on this point. Read to her a portion of the Bible & prayed with her. The sun has shone out brightly today and has caused the glass to rise 10 deg. but now towards evening it is falling again. The wind has been blowing strongly all day & the. sea has been completely covered with vapour. At breakfast, though siting close to the fire in a Franklin stove we found our cups frozen to the saucer, after having had hot coffee in them & during the short interval wh elapsed between the pouring of it out & our drinking it

Feb. 20 Last night dreadfully cold, could scarcely sleep. Therm again at zero. The harbour is frozen over wind blowing strong all day. Glass down 8 ° below and fell again at Evg.

Mar. 6 It has pleased the Almighty again to afflict me the day after my last entry, sunday Feb. 21, I had held service in the morning & was proceeding again to the church for afternoon service, when on going up to the church steps wh were covered with ice; my foot slipped and attempting to save myself from falling by laying hold of the rail I gave my arm a sudden twist and fractured the bone just above the elbow. Not certain of the fracture I went into the church & tried to put on my surplice but found myself unable. The Doctor was sent for and I returned home after some little delay my arm was set. No swelling took place and it continued easy. Wednesday Mar. 10 I ventured to go again to the church & had morning prayers & buried an infant & churched the mother on Friday, and Mar. 12 had morning prayers and on Sunday last Mar. 14 I was enabled to do the whole duty, both morning and afternoon. In the afternoon I christened an infant. Then though this is the arm that I injured, I have not been so long confined with it, never have I suffered an equal portion of pain & within another fortnight I hope if God's will to leave of the bandages-I pray that these trials may not their effect.

Mar. 17 Morning prayers in the church. Well attended.

Mar.. 19 Buried a young man, a servant at McNicolls Room about three weeks since he received an injury while launching a boat, inflamation ensued & carried him off. The day before yesterday he expressed a wish to see me but the message was not brought until the day following. I was then on my way to visit him when I was informed of his death.

Mar. 20 Morning prayers in the Church. In the afternoon was sent for to visit Mrs. K. found her in a very low & despondent state of mind induced in a great measure by weakness of body, conversed with her on the promise of God to the penitent, read a portion of Scripture & prayed with her.

Mar. 21 Sunday, attended the school and held service twice in the church. The weather being mild, the attendance was large.

Mar. 24 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 25 Visited Mrs. K. of Firby's Hr. She continued still in a desponding state of mind greatly caused by evil thoughts, read to & prayed with her, left her somewhat comforted.

Mar. 26 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 28 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. After evening service was called to visit a sick woman, conversed with her on the state of her soul & read some portions of Scripture. While there heard of a man on McNicholls Room being dangerously ill, went on immediately to see him--found him groaning very heavily and totally insensible. He had been seized with brain fever the day before that & had since been raving; tried to rouse him but could not succeed. Addressed a few words to the men around me & returned home very tired.

Mar. 29 Visited the sick woman mentioned above, found her better.

Mar. 31 Morning prayers in the church.

Apr. 2 Good Friday. Full service in the church which was very largely attended. In the afternoon was informed by the Doctor that the man I had seen on Sunday was dying, hastened over to the house to wh he had been removed, but on reaching it was met by the inmates who told he had just breathed his last. The fever had turned to Typhus and carried him off rather unexpectedly.

Apr. 3 Buried the man referred to above. .. The weather unusually rough, snowing and blowing as in the depths of winter. There is more snow on the ground now than there has been known for many years past.

Apr. 4 Easter Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church; congregation large on both occasions--in the morning administered the Sacrament to 25 communicants. Was much pleased to see three members of the cong come forward for first time to partake of the Sacred feast.

Apr. 5 Attended a meeting of the seat holders and elected two church Wardens for the year ensuing.

Apr. 11 Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church, both services very largely attended. In the morning churched a woman & christened an infant.

Apr. 13. Visited the sick woman. Called on two other families.

Apr. 17 Visited a sick woman. Read to her and prayed with her.

Apr. 18 Sunday. Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church.

Apr. 21 Visited a sick woman. Read to her and explained various passages of Scripture and engaged with them in prayer.

Apr. 24 Mrs. K. the sick person referred to above is getting low and the doctor thinks she can't recover. Visited her this afternoon & conversed with her on the state of her soul. She appears very anxious. Read to her and prayed with her.

Apr. 25 Sunday. The people of Upper Burgeo have returned from their winter quarters. A crew having come down for me I accompanied them and held service twice in the church. In the morning christened an infant & churched the mother and in the afternoon christened another infant & churched the mother.

Apr. 26 Visited Mrs. K. who is evidently growing worse, could not converse much with me owing to her difficulty of breathing-read to her & prayed to her. A heavy fall of snow today has again made the ground white. The weather is very cold & the spring will be very backward. The ground is frozen quite hard yet. For the last fortnight, the drift ice has been on & off every day covering the surface of the ocean. As far as the eye can reach our little harbour is full of very heavy masses of ice wh have come in from the sea.

Apr. 30 Visited Mrs. K. read & prayed with her. She is somewhat better, speaks of deriving comfort from what I read.

May 2 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school at Lower Burgeo and held service twice in the church. In the afternoon christened an infant & churched the mother. Used the new Stone Font on this occasion for the first time.

May 5 Visited three sick families.

May 9 Sunday. Held service in the Church at Upper Burgeo. In the afternoon christened an infant. The congregation here was very largely and unexpectedly increased. In the morning a small French schooner with 53 men on board, fishermen, has put in here being prevented going onward by the immense quantity of drift ice in the neighbourhood, finding that there was to be service between 30 or 40 of them, though all Catholics & but a few of them able to speak a word of English, came to church with the rest of the congregation & apparently very attentive. In the afternoon six were present.

May 11 Visited two sick persons.

May 13 Ascension Day. Held service in the church and churched a woman.

May 16 Sunday-Instructed the children morning & afternoon in the school at Lower Burgeo & held service twice in the Church wh was very largely attended on both occasions. In the morning christened an infant.

May 18 Visited both merchant establishments and adopted measures for raising a subscription for the purpose of erecting a gallery in the Church which owing to the number of men connected with the "Rooms" is again too small.

May 19 Visited Mrs. K. request read to with her. Conversed with her and at her request read to her from scriptures and prayed with her.

May 23 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo. Held service twice in the church there.

May 26 Called to visit a sick woman, a communicant at Hunts Island about mile from the large Island of Burgeo. Found her surrounded by her friends who were in expectation of the decease, conversed with her and heard her expressing her full hope of salvation through the merits of the Saviour. Read to her some portions of the word of God & prayed with her. Conversed with her children & visited three more families on the Island.

May 30 Sunday. Held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to twenty-six communicants, was pleased to see two who have refrained from joining now come forward & partake of the memorials of their Saviour's love. Instructed the children in the school both before and between the services.

June 1 Visited four sick persons-Conversed long and very seriously with an aged man who though sick & very feeble still clings to the hope of living many years.

June 6 Sunday. Went to the Upper Island and held service twice in the church. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to twelve communicants. In the afternoon christened an infant. Gave notice of the fast to be observed on Wednesday next on account of the calami ties by fire, tempest & scarcity of food with wh this island has been visited.

June 7 Visited an aged individual.

June 9 Wednesday-a day of fasting humiliation. Held service in the morning at 10 o'clock at Lower Burgeo. The church was crowded. All the men from both the "Rooms" were present-and all listened to the address I delivered with the greatest attention. In the afternoon went to Upper Burgeo and held service there. Scarcely an individual belonging to the place was absent-and in both settlements all business was laid aside and the day observed with becoming seriousness. God grant that it may have been an acceptable service.

June 10 Got a boat and with the assistance of M. Vatcher rowed out to Hunts Island and visited Mrs. P. who is still confined to her bed. Read to her and prayed with her. Buried a child brought from Red Island.

June 13 Sunday-Instructed the children in held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon churched a woman. "H.M.S. Vesuvius", war steamer, has put in here. Went on board & was shown over the vessel-began to write a letter to send by her to St. John's.

June 16 Buried an infant from Red Island. Afternoon visited a sick person.

Jun 20 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo. Held service in the Church then in the afternoon christened an infant & churched the mother.

June 25 Selected the material and commenced enlarging for the second time our Church for the second time.

June 27 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school, held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. Congregations very large on both occasions.

June 29 St. Peter's Day. Held service in the Church at Lower Burgeo about fifty persons present.

July 3 The work of enlarging the Church is proceeding satisfactorily. We have taken down the side and adding a length of 10 feet in width.

July 4 Sunday-A very stormy day. The people of the Upper Island unable to come for me. Instructed the children and held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo.

July 6 Visited the people living on the Sandbanks and at Upper Burgeo. A great many in all our settlements are becoming sick again.

July 9 I have again to record the goodness & loving kindness of the Lord. Today about pt. 12 o'clock my dear wife gave birth to a healthy little boy. God grant that he may be a child of the Lord-both are well.

July 11 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo and held service twice in the church there. After my return went across to an opposite Island to visit a young woman very ill of the typhus fever-found her insensible and dying-about an hour after reaching home was informed of her death.

July 12 Buried the young woman that died yesterday. She belonging to one of the oldest families in Burgeo, a large company assembled to follow her remains to the grave before leaving the Church I delivered a short address to the people present reminding them of the mercy they had experienced in being delay to devote themselves to the service of God. This young person. only 18, was when I first came to Burgeo a girl in the Sunday School-At 17 she was married, and is now removed almost suddenly, leaving a husband and little one to grieve for her. We were honored today by a visit from his Excellency, the governor and suite, who has been round the Island so far as St. Georges Bay and Bay of Islands & put in here on his way back to St. John I Is. His Excellency made many inquiries and after viewing the settlement went on board the steamer wh in the Evg proceeded on her way.

July 18 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning christened an Infant and churched the mother.

July 25 Sunday. Held service twice in the Church at Upper Burgeo. Arranged for the carrying on of the Sunday School.

Aug. 1 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning christened two infants and churched a woman, also administered the Sacrament of the Lord I s Supper to 29 communicants. Two persons came forward on this occasion for the first time. In the afternoon preached on behalf of the Church society. Visited the school and examined the children.

Aug. 8 Sunday. Held service twice in the church at Upper Burgeo. Administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 9 persons. Instructed the children between the services. On the way homeward visited two sick families.

Aug. 13 Visited the families on the Sandbanks in one of which are several persons sick of fever.

Aug. 15 Sunday-Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo and instructed the children in the school. In the morning churched Mrs. B. In the afternoon christened my own little boy and another little girl and churched the mother.

Aug. 16 Got a boat & a boy to assist me & rowed to Alderidge's Pond about mile distant and visited a family in great distress-husband sick-gave some temporal relief.

Aug. 22 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo. Held service twice in the church there and instructed the children in their collection for the church society. Visited two families on my way home.

Aug. 23 Commenced the collection for the Church society, Lower Burgeo. Visited all the inhabitants on two of the Islands.

Aug. 24 St. Bartholomew's Day-Held service in the church, forty persons present. In the afternoon visited one of the families in Firby's Harbour collecting subscriptions.

Aug. 25 Got a boy to assist me and rowed out to the Island opposite and visited the families there- and from thence to the other group called Hunts. Visited several families there.

Aug. 26 Assisted by a boy to the Sandbanks and then to the Island of Upper Burgeo for the purpose of closing my collection at this place, find the people quite willing to give, but much stricken in circumstances owing to the failure of the fishery and the very high price of provisions. Several families here I regret to find have the fever wh has been so long about Lower Burgeo in their homes but of a milder character.

Aug. 28 Closed my collection for the church society Amount ££25 14s. 6p. Prepared offering for St. John's and am enabled to send it on to the Bishop. I have had this last week three men constantly at work about the addition to the church wh is now making progress.

Aug. 29 Held service twice in the church and instructed the children in the school.

Sept. 3 Left Burgeo in a small dry fish boat for the purpose of visiting some of the settlements to the Eastward.

Sept. 4 Reached Fox Island 15 miles from Burgeo. Visited all the inhabitants 10 families. In the afternoon got a crew to row me to a little settlement called Mosquito Harbour about 2 miles further East. Found three families there with several children yet unbaptized. Pressed them to bring their children to Fox Island tomorrow which they engaged to do.

Sept.5 Sunday-Held service twice in one of the Planters Houses at Fox Island and christened nine children. In the evening assembled a little company and passed the time in singing and I made profitable conversation.

Sept.8 Left Fox Island this morning having been detained so long by bad weather and crossed to Ramea. Visited all the families there, and finding an opportunity for Burgeo embraced it and reached home in the Evg.

Sept. 9 Married a couple this morning in the church at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon christened an infant belonging to Deer Island and churched the mother.

Sept. 11 Christened an infant belonging to Cinq Cerf.

Sept. 12 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo and held service in the church there. In the morning churched a woman, examined the children between the services, and in the afternoon christened an infant. As Evening. drew on the weather became very - stormy with heavy rain. Was compelled owing to the great swell on the water to walk home by way of the Reach through the wet bushes and along by the land-wash until I got soaking wet. Did not reach home until near 7 o'clock & was obliged to change all my clothing.

Sept. 16 Married a couple in the Church at Lower Burgeo.

Sept. 18 Have been very busy this week superintending the workmen in the church, the addition to wh I am happy to write, drawing towards completion.

Sept. 19 Sunday-Married a couple in the church at Lower Burgeo before the morning service. Afterwards held service and christened an infant and churched the mother. Instructed the children in the school between the services. In the afternoon held service again and christened another infant.

Sept. 21 St. Matthew I s Day-Held service at the church at Lower Burgeo and gave a brief exhortation on the Apostles history.

Sept. 23 Married a couple in the church at Lower Burgeo.

Sept. 25 Christened two infants brought for that purpose from Red Island.

Sept. 26 Sunday-Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo and instructed the children in the school.

Sept. 29 St. Michael-Held service in the church at Lower Burgeo & gave a short lecture on the Nature and office of Angels.

Oct. 3 Sunday-At Upper Burgeo. Held service twice and instructed the children. Visited three sick families.

Oct. 7 Visited four families in Firby's Hr.

Oct. 10 Sunday-Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 22 communicants.

Oct. 12 Got a boy to assist me and rowed out to Aldridge's Pond to minister to the temporal wants of a poor family residing there. Visited another family in the same place and held a serious conversation with the father on his neglect of Eternal things, .various excuses pleaded not so much required of the poor, not so bad as others.

Oct. 13 Drew out a petition & obtained 45 shillings for the relief of the above family.

Oct. 17 Sunday-Held service twice in the Church at Upper Burgeo. This will be the last occasion on which I shall have service in the church, the people being now in readiness to go to their winter quarters.

Oct. 18 Visited three families.

Oct. 19 Received Mr. Appleby & family bound to LaPoile to take that portion of the mission.

Oct. 23 Got a crew and visited a sick man residing at Hunt's Island. Read to and prayed with him.

Oct. 24 Sunday-Read the prayers in the morning. Mr. A. preached-in the afternoon christened two infants. Mr. A. taking the rest of the service and churching a woman.

Oct. 26 Visited a sick man in the harbour.

Oct. 27 Paid another visit to the harbour.

Oct. 28 St. Simon & St. Jude's Day-held service in the church and lectured, in the afternoon visited Hunt's Is.

Oct. 31 Sunday-A crew coming for me from the Sandbanks. Went with them and held service twice in the uninhabited house there. Mr. Appleby, who is with us took the duties of the church at Lower Burgeo.

Nov. 1 All Saints Day-held service in the Church and lectured.

Nov. 3 Saw to the removing of eight bodies to the Church buried many years ago in various parts of the harbour.

Nov. 4 This day Mr. Appleby and family bade us farewell the wind being fair for LaPoile.

Nov. 5 Visited several families in the harbour.

Nov. 7 Sunday-Held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo. In the afternoon christened an infant & churched the mother. Instructed the children in the school.

Nov. 8 Visited a distressed family.

Nov. 11 Shipped packages and letters for St. John's

Nov. 14 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo.

Nov. 16 Our doctor has been absent in St. John's for two months past, the care of administering medicine now falls upon me, have lately had five cases of violent purging all of wh I have been enabled to relieve.

Nov. 17 Was informed last Evening of a body having been found on one of the outmost uninhabited Islands in a peculiar situation, accompanied two of the Hunts Island people this morning to view it & see if necessary to remove it-landed at Hunts Island and took in old Mr. Porter and then rowed out to the Island wh is called Rencountre a rather large island with very lofty land. Reached a little cove and walked across about 1/4 mile ascending all the time till we came again in sight of the sea. Here the spot was pointed out and clambering over the large masses of rock wh has fallen from the sides of the cliff. About halfway up the mountain, and in a hollow formed by a large piece of fallen rock with every opening once carefully closed by a small pieces of the broken rock with birch under. On removing these rinds, a quantity small gravel mixed with red ochre became visible, and on moving this over a number of small oblong pieces of ivory or polished bone, each about 3 inches in length, widely carved on both sides & pierced at one end, were found. Upon searching farther many flat circular stones pierced through the center, each about an inch in diameter & some very small were found. Then some glass beads, then two iron heads of hatchets very much decayed. Then a spear head made of bone, with several slight sticks of wood of about a foot in length-quite round-the handle made of bone & pierced, of a knife with a portion of a blade very rusty still in it. All these things were close together and mixed up with a quantity of ochre, and at the very mouth of the tomb and had been placed apparently under or just before the head of the individual buried, for on penetrating somewhat further into the cavity wh was very narrow so that the man that was with me was obliged to lay down & removing some more of the rinds we came to the skull wh was that of a man with a very flat crown & projected much behind. The teeth nearly all entire & very strong. Concluding on the various articles found & the manner of the internment that it was the remains of one of the Aborigines or Red Indians buried very long ago. I had the bones put in again & enclosed in the rinds & the opening closed up with the loose rocks, taking away with me some few of the pieces of ivory & the spear head to be preserved as relics of Indian manners. The place of this internment is singularly wild high up in a cliff, the sides of who is strewn with broken fragments of granite & overlooking a little cove facing the open sea and only accessible on this side in very smooth water. When or how these Indians came here, for there must have been several, will ever remain unknown. None were ever seen or heard of in the vicinity by the oldest inhabitants of Burgeo. They must have been intercourse with Europeans on account of the iron & beads in their possession, but this intercourse must have been very limited or else their spear heads would have been of iron. This metal must also been esteemed for we found portions of two larger nails among the remains. It could not have been the remains of any of that tribe of Indians now about here because they have long adopted the European mode of burying in coffins and do not, that I am aware bury either their implements or ornaments with the dead I forgot to notice that a number of sharp pieces of flint were mixed with the ornaments being I concluded arrow heads-Altogether I was much struck by the resemblance this natural tomb must have peered like those ancient sepulchres found in the East and of wh. scripture gives us some notice high up in the sides of a cliff not indeed hollowed by art but formed in a natural hollow made by the fallen rocks not covered with earth but reposing on the level surface of the stone. With all his ornaments & weapons of war buried with him and were not of earth but of rocks piled around-the resemblance in some respects is very striking. This has excited much curiousity in the neighbourhood. Perhaps if the search was prosecuted further more remains might be found. The masses of fallen rock are very numerous & cover a large space of ground.

Nov. 19 Heavy fall of snow-Visited a sick family. Administered to the relief of an Infant very ill.

Nov. 20 Heard of the death of the infant I buried yesterday. Went out to see and converse with the mother. Snowing and drifting all day. Called upon for medicine for another infant. Visited it and gave some powders.

Nov. 21 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church. In the afternoon buried the infant that died yesterday. Visited another sick child.

Nov. 27 Since Thursday last we have I had heavy rains with scarcely half an hour intermission.

Nov. 28 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church at Lower Burgeo. Congregation for the time of the year very encouraging.

Nov. 29 St. Andrews Day-Held service in the church and delivered a short lecture.

Dec. 1 Meeting an opportunity, visited the Sandbanks. Called on four families residing there & left them some tracts.

Dec. 5 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the Church at Lower Burgeo. In the morning administered the Sacrament to 21 communicants. In the afternoon churched a woman. Congregation on both occasions large.

Dec. 6 Received our new church windows from St. John’s. They are very pretty, being stained to imitate ground glass.

Dec. 8 Visited three families.

Dec. 12 Went to the Sandbanks to bury poor Stephen Cox. He has been slightly deranged from his infancy & latterly has been getting much worse. On Friday evening after dark he went out to go to his brothers & missed his way and walked into the sea. His body was found yesterday almost covered by the sand. The weather being stormy we had to go by way of the Reach. I held service and returned hoping to be in time for service in Lower Burgeo, but was too late.

Dec. 19 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. In the afternoon christened two infants and churched three women.

Dec. 21 St. Thomas Day. Held service in the church and delivered a short lecture.

Dec. 25 Christmas Day. Held service in the church & christened an infant. Congregation very large. Spent the evening with the family of one of my communicants & endeavored to improve it with suitable conversation.

Dec. 26 Sunday-Held service twice in the church. In the afternoon christened an infant. Weather very cold and stormy-during the last week the weather has been unusually rough, winds high and frequent snow storms.

Dec. 27 Married a couple from Hunts Island in the church. Very cold. Thermometer 12 below freezing point indoors.

Dec. 28 Had a little party of my parishioners to tea. Endeavored to make the occasion profitable.

Dec. 30 Visited the families residing on the Sandbanks. Walked on the ice over the ponds.

Jan. 1 (1848) New Year's Day. (the Circumcision). Held service in the church who was largely attended.

Jan. 2 Sunday--Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. The weather the last three days has been very mild again, glass nearly to temperate.

Jan. 4 Held another little party of my parishioners to tea.

Jan. 6 Epiphany-Held service in the church wh was well attended-delivered a lecture. Weather very rough; drifting snow.

Jan. 7 Visited five families in the harbour.

Jan. 9 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church. Weather cold in the morning with Easterly wind. In the afternoon snow and in the evening torrents of rain from S. W. The glass has been ranging from 20 40 the whole week. One day 20 degrees warmer than the previous one.

Jan. 11 Had two of my parishioners to tea.

Jan. 16 Sunday-Held service twice in the church and instructed the children in the school. Weather very stormy-heavy rains. Had a very severe cold. Congregation small.

Jan. 19 The weather for the last week has been unusually mild. Thermometer at 50 degrees but today a change has taken place, drifting snow & glass this evening down to 18 & promising a very cold night.

Jan. 20 Last night bitterly cold. Glass at 12 °F. Has been sadly tried with Rheumatic Pain in the head.

Jan. 23 Sunday-Held service twice in the church at L. B. and instructed the children in the school. Glass falling.

Jan. 24 On rising this morning after a very cold night, found the Ther. at 10- and still freezing very hard.

Jan. 25 Conversation of St. Paul-Held service in the church & delivered a short lecture-Christened an infant & churched the mother. Glass on rising at 10 but the wind changed and got around to S. W. and now evening the glass is at 26.

Jan. 30 Sunday-Held service twice in the church & instructed the children in the school.

Feb. 6 Sunday-Held service twice in the church. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord 1-5 Supper to 15 communicants. In the afternoon christened an infant & churched the mother. Instructed the children in the school.

Feb. 7 The weather for the last ten days has been unusually mild. Glass never below freezing, wind East. This is extraordinary as happening at the coldest part of winter.

Feb. 9 Visited three families.

Feb. 13 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church.

Feb. 17 Received letters from St. John's with intelligence of the destruction of Mr. Mudger' s premises by fire and the top of three packages clothes, books, etc. which I had sent round previous to our removal.

Feb. 20 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church.In the afternoon churched a woman. The weather with one or two days exception continued very mild. Little or no snow on the ground and the winter is fast passing away.

Feb. 27 ` Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church. In the christened an infant & churched the mother. A change in the weather took place yesterday and today has been very cold and rough. Glass falling all day-at 16 in the evening.

Feb. 29 A very cold night last night. On rising this morning found the Ther. 2 °above Zero in room. The sea was covered with steam resembling a boiling pot, but the sun is shining brightly and the middle of the day will be warmer.

Mar. 3 Visited a sick man-weather very boisterous with continual falls of snow.

Mar. 15 Held morning prayers in the church. The young man mentioned above is dead.

Mar. 17 Morning prayers in the church and buried the young man noticed above; a large congregation.

Mar. 19 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church. A number of strangers present belonging to boats that have put in here on their way to the Westward.

Mar. 22 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 24 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 26 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school & held service twice in the church. In the afternoon christened an infant.

Mar. 27 Christened an infant brought 15 miles from Little River for that purpose.

Mar. 29 Morning prayers in the church.

Mar. 31 Morning prayers in the church.

Apr. 2 Sunday-Instructed the children in the school and held service twice in the church. In the morning administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to 24 communicants-two new ones-one a young man. In the afternoon churched a woman.

Apr. 5 Morning prayers in the church.

Apr. 6 Visited all the families in Upper Burgeo and on the Sandbanks.

Apr. 7 Morning prayers in the church.

Apr. 8 Visited Hunt's Island- and christened an infant. Afterwards visited four families on another island.

Apr. 9 Sunday-Went to Upper Burgeo and held service twice in the church there. The people all have returned from their winter quarters at LaPoile. There was in consequence a large congregation on both occasions. Bade them farewell-being now on the point of quitting Burgeo-Many showed much affection.

Apr. 11 Tomorrow we are to leave Burgeo & sail for St. John's, and I must bid farewell to a people among whom I have laboured for six years. I think not without a blessing-God grant we may all meet before the judgment throne with joy.

Apr. 12 This Evg left Burgeo after parting with my parishioners, a crowd of whom accompanied in the boat and showed by their tears their affection and regret at our departure. As we were sailing out of the harbour the people gave us a further token of respect by firing off their guns & waving their hands. I remained on the deck of the boat, wh was fast carrying us away from a place where we have so long dwelt in peace, until it got quite dark and then went below to my berth.

(In May, 1848, Rev. Blackmore & family took up residence at Bay Roberts, C. Bay, his new mission.)

The original settlers built their homes near the shore. These settlers came to Burgeo to be near some good fishing grounds and it was convenient to live and work as near as possible to the sea. The fishermen built first on the three islands in Burgeo harbour and along the harbour shoreline. Some families from Hermitage Bay lived on Hunts and Our Harbour Islands. More lived on Upper Burgeo Islands and on the Western Sandbanks. The Harbour residents were living in what was called Lower Burgeo and the Upper Burgeo Islands and Western Sandbanks were known as Upper Burgeo. Several families were living at King’s Harbour and Bay de Loup, a short distance from Burgeo.

The Sandbanks was the attractive spot of the Burgeo Islands in the summertime. It was a two mile row from Burgeo to Potato Point, the landing spot on the Eastern Sandbanks. Then there was a walk across through the grass, wild strawberries and gooseberries. Continuing on after resting you came to Mr. FORD’s place for a glass of milk you came to Western Sandbanks and Fox Point, from whence flats would take you across to the island, where the church was, and where most of the people lived. When further rested, the big boys who had rowed you would climb the spruce trees which grew there, and discover material for a "chaw of frankum".

The first school was built on the site of the present parish hall. The school was sharp roofed and had small diamond shaped panes in the windows. The windows were similar to those removed from the church during the renovation in 1967. A picture of the first school was hung in the old school which became the Teacher’s residence for many years, but unfortunately no one can tell what happened to the picture. The first teacher was Mr. John JORDAN who came from England as a store keeper on the Old Room (CLEMENT’s property). He later became a schoolteacher and lay reader here. He became a Magistrate and was forced to give up his teaching career. He died in 1886, age 94 years. What a work of love this man performed for the Church and community holding services, baptising infants, burying the dead in absence of a minister, besides keeping school twice a day! Methods of instruction were simple and primitive, but he could teach reading, writing and plain arithmetic. He was the only teacher in the school at the time.

In the 1870's the second Church was built on Western Sandbanks to replace the first one and consecrated by Bishop JONES in 1878. The church was blown down in a gale December 1879. The third church was built up there, not on the island, but on the Western Sandbanks under the lee of a wooded hill. Later people of the area started to move away and the church was taken down. The furniture of this church was removed by ship to Ramea for their church that was being erected there.

In the spring of 1896 Captain COLLEY owner of the schooner "Annie" went to the ice as he had done before in other years. His crew comprised the following men: Robert Billard and son Lambert, Morgan BUFFETT quite an old man for this kind of sea faring, Robert FORWARD and John CARROLL (Michael). The vessel got in the ice and was driven out of the gulf by strong N. W. winds. The ice packed close to the land from Cape Anguille and the vessel was pushed close along the shore and stuck bottom at Codroy. There was a high wall of ice there. The vessel touched it for a mile or so and the crew could all have saved their lives by jumping on it which Robert BILLARD did with his son. Capt COLLEY called the men to stay by the vessel. BILLARD followed the vessel along as it was carried by the ice and told the Capt. and others to jump, never mind her, but they did not do it in time. Therefore the remainder were all drowned. Three of the men tried to jump but failed. Capt. COLLEY stayed to the last. His body and Robert FORWARD’s were picked up later. The others were not found. Robert FORWARD’s body was brought to Burgeo for burial and Capt Colley was buried at Codroy where his grave is marked with a stone erected by his widow who died only a few years later.

At the end of 1896 the third church was begun, and inside of two years finished and paid for. It was consecrated by Bishop JONES Aug. 28, 1898. The building was in charge of Amice PINEL and everyone gave free labour. In Dec. 1909 during a gale which lasted several days, the beautiful church fell. It was not insured for such a disaster.

Later telegraph lines were strung throughout Newfoundland, offices were built in the main areas and operators were appointed to operate the "key" which sent and received the messages on the land line. Mr. Edwin MERCER came to Burgeo, after serving in World War I, as an operator. The telegraph company was called ANGLO. George ANDERSON traveled miles of country as a line repairman. A bridge, built below the first causeway, served as a connection between Grandy’s Island and the mainland for the repairman and it was also used extensively by hunters and trappers.

Mail and parcels to small communities between Burgeo, Grey River were transported weekly by a small schooner often referred to as the "Mail Packet". This boat was manned by a skipper and engineer. The mail, etc. would be taken to a certain home in the community and distributed to the callers as each arrived to pick up his/her mail. The householder responsible for the mail was paid a small sum by the government for duties rendered.

Most houses then were two storey buildings. There were few basements and most were built close to the ground in order to cut down on draft. Since there were no furnaces, these homes were cold and drafty during the winter months. Fires of coal or wood were seldom kept burning at night. The houses usually had a porch, kitchen, pantry, parlour and some had a dining room downstairs. Upstairs there were usually three or four bedrooms. Families were larger than today, thus more rooms were needed. Nearly every house was the owners pride and joy. It was kept up to the best of his ability. A fence and vegetable garden surrounded most houses and they were farther apart than they are today because population was smaller. The homes were lighted with kerosene (coal oil) lamps which gave very little light and difficult to study by when compared to our lighting today. Every day the light would be prepared for the coming night. The soot which smudged the chimney was cleaned out of it. The wick had to be trimmed for the light to glow evenly and the lamp was refilled with oil.

The main foods eaten in those days were often the same as today, like bread, fruit, vegetables, eggs, cereal, etc. It was impossible to preserve food like meat or fish for the summer months due to the fact that there were no fridges in the homes. The meat and fish had to be salted or bottled. During the winter months vegetables grown during the summer were kept from freezing by storing them in cellars in outside areas built of logs and then well sodded. Every family grew their own vegetables. Chicken, mutton, veal, beef, and berry jam often helped to keep the family members well fed and happy. There always seemed to be some sort of fish available to anyone who needed it. Deer (caribou), partridges (ptarmigan), rabbits were always plentiful in the country and were hunted regularly and many types of sea birds such as turrs, and ducks, were also hunted freely. Any type of food needed but to be supplied by the family had to be purchased at the local store. The sailing boats and later coastal boats brought supplies to each community visited. The store owners would sell the goods to the consumers.

Warm clothing was very essential to the early settlers with sub-zero (F) weather for long periods during the winter and poorly heated homes, churches and schools. Men and boys usually wore thick knitted sweaters made form sheep’s wool. They wore warm underwear and heavy windbreaker. There were no parkas then. They often had to wear headdress with ear flaps to keep their ears from freezing. During the summer less heavy clothing was worn. The summers then were warmer then and light clothing was often worn. Women and girls wore long cloth coats, sometimes with fur collars during winters. Women wore long "button up" leather boots. Almost everyone had two sets of clothing. The best clothing was worn only on Sundays and on special occasions. The other, not so new, would be worn during the remaining six weekdays. Children from poor off families would often have to wear denim jeans because they were the least expensive to purchase.

Women’s head dress was quite elaborate. The hats were quite a spectacle with wide brims and decorated with plumage, bows or flowers. A lot of clothes was made in the home. Sweaters, underwear, stockings, mittens and head coverings were knit from wool obtained from local sheep. Some of the clothes would be made from those worn previously by older members of the family or donated by neighbours. People who could afford it would buy from St. John’s or Simpsons and Eatons. Anything purchased from Simpsons or Eatons previous to 1949 was claimed only after the purchaser had paid his duty tax to the customs official stationed here. Sometimes the excise duty was 40% and 50% of the cost. of the order.

The fourth Church, part of the present one, was commenced April 1911. It was finished 1912 free of debt and consecrated in August by Bishop JONES.

The three masted schooner, Duchess of Cornwall, was built in Burgeo in 1911 for the Burgeo and Lapoile Export Co. She netted 129 tons and measured 105 feet long. Early in her foreign going career while on a voyage to Brazil, Captain John COLLIER took sick and died on board. He was buried at sea bu his two sons. Mate Leonard HARE completed the trip. The Duchess of Cornwall’ was sent to the bottom by a German submarine on Dec. 8, 1916, several days after she left Burgeo for Oporto. Captain Tom GUNNERY, Arthur BARTER, Peter HOLLETT, George GRANT, Alfred Anderson and Isaac ANDERSON were taken on board the SS Yarrowdale. a British freighter, but she was captured and taken into a German port as a war prize. The crew of the Duchess of Cornwall were kept in a prisoner of war camp for two years before they were released when the war ended in 1918.

Another disappearance during the war was the schooner Elsie Burdette of Burgeo, skippered by Albert Hann and his crew of six. Owned by Burgeo and Lapoile Export Co., she was a sister ship of Gordon T. Moulton - both left Oporto on the same day for the journey across.

One dark night in April, 1918, the two vessels parted company in mid Atlantic. The Gordon T. Moulton arrived in due time at Burgeo after a speedy passage and full sails all the way. But where was the Elsie Burdette, her sister ship? Her crew’s next-of-kin had no answers and she became a missing schooner, her fate could only be speculated.

Captain Hann, although experienced in sailing overseas before the war, had no formal education and always carried a navigator; in this case a man by the name of Evans from St. Jacques. His crew, Henry Hicks of Burgeo, married with tho small children, Steven and Gordon, two Hatchers and a Strickland from Hunt’s Island, and a Collier from Upper Burgeo - all unmarried - were also experienced sailors. Captain Hann, married with three children, and Henry Dicks, also married with three children, hailed from Burgeo.

For the whole voyage, the weather, as reported by the Moulton’s crew, was fair over the same route. Finally and reluctantly, it was assumed that the Elsie Burdette was sent to the bottom by a U-boat. Sorrowful relatives remembered the Duchess of Cornwall, owned by the same fir, destroyed by the enemy in Dec. 1916. Nothing had been heard of the Duchess of Cornwall’s crew until six months later, when the Red Cross reported they were prisoners of war in Germany.

Family members hoped that the Burdette’s crew was also in the hands of the Germans. When WWI ended and no prisoners of war were released after Armistice Day relatives knew the sea had devoured both ship and crew from Burgeo.

During Commission of Government in Newfoundland it was decided to build cottage hospitals in several outport areas. Luckily Burgeo was one of the chosen ones and the Hospital was officially opened around 1936. For many years the hospital had one doctor to serve the coast from near Rencontre West to Lapoile. The hospital boat, "Lady Anderson" also visited Burgeo and other coastal communities on a regular basis. The boat carried a Doctor who held clinic to all in the community who needed it when she came into port. The boat was also called upon to do chest x-rays and emergency services when patients needed transportation to hospitals.

The Anglican Church was reduced in height and renovated inside and outside in 1967.

The coming of the road in 1979 did make a drastic change to Burgeo. It’s main change was to help alleviate the isolation of the town. Goods could now be transported to and from Burgeo. People needing medical help could obtain it much easier and sometimes more quickly. Paved roads meant the coming of more cars and trucks. The wheelbarrow, the mostly used means of transporting coal and other heavy commodities, rapidly disappeared..