History of Grand Bruit
Delve into the storied past of Grand Bruit, where the timeline of this secluded enclave comes to life.
From its early days as an intrepid fishing settlement, etched into the rugged Newfoundland coast, to its evolution as a seasonal sanctuary, each era is carefully chronicled.
Our history unfolds through tales of the sea, the steadfast resolve of our forebears, and the flow of community life that has adapted with the times.
Discover how Grand Bruit has gracefully transitioned from a whisper of the past to a contemporary haven, all while retaining the indelible charm and tight-knit community spirit that has always been its hallmark.
This journey through time not only honours our roots but also illuminates the path that has led to the Grand Bruit of today - a place of tranquility and enduring legacy.
This page is a work in progress. If you have any info, stories or images you would like to share please email GrandBruitCommunity@gmail.com
1602
1602
This is one of the first maps to show place names near Grand Bruit.
Barent Langenes Map.Maps showing Newfoundland as an island began appearing around the end of the 16th century. One of these is the "Terra Nova" map published around 1602 in a small atlas by Petrus Bertius. It is one of the earliest to show the Newfoundland area with some accuracy.
Reproduction courtesy of the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, QEII Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL. - Credit www.heritage.nf.ca
1775
1775
First Map to show Grand Bruit as a location.
James Cook Map. It was not until the start of the last quarter of the 18th century that maps based upon scientific surveys appeared. Among the best made of the island was the 1775 map of James Cook and Michael Lane. Much of the true shape of the island is illustrated by this map.
Reproduced by permission of Kurt Korneski. © 2017. - Credit www.heritage.nf.ca
1822
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1822 - William Cormack Describes Grand Bruit
“William Cormack qv passed Grand Bruit in 1822 on the homeward leg of his journey across Newfoundland and described it as "a good little harbour with two entrances, the west being the better where two families reside in summer, whose habitations are now locked up and deserted.”
Encouragement of Growth in Grand Bruit
"Grand Bruit was settled in the early 1800s. Its proximity to Burgeo, the location of a branch of Newman & Company and P. Nicholl of Jersey , and La Poile , another nearby base of the Jersey houses of P. Nicholl and Phillip Clements, and the close commercial ties it maintained with these merchants in the Nineteenth Century, suggest that Grand Bruit was settled by English and Jersey planters and fishermen encouraged to go to the south coast of the Island by these establishments."
What is Newman & Company?
The Newman family, a large mercantile family originating from Dartmouth, England, are well-known in Newfoundland for their historic involvement in the early trading of Newfoundland salt cod fish and port wines from Portugal. The Newman family’s presence on the island of Newfoundland lasted for several centuries and many
generations.
What are Jersey Houses?
A mercantile firm of the Channel Islands engaged in fishing operations in Newfoundland. “1832 McGregor: There are six or seven English houses, and four or five Jersey houses, established at Labrador.”
What does “Planters” mean?
The settlers, or planters as they were frequently known, were individuals who for one reason or another voluntarily chose to remain in Newfoundland, at least for a few years, rather than return to England.
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1836
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1836 - Grand Bruit reported in Census for the first time
“Abraham Childs was reported as a fisherman of Grand Bruit in 1834. In 1836 the settlement was reported in the Census for the first time, with a population of nine, including two male fishing servants. The settlement was composed of three families dwelling in three houses and using two small boats for the inshore cod fishery.”
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1839
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1839 – August 24th-25th Reverend William Marshall visits Grand Bruit
“Rev. William Marshall, who visited Grand Bruit on August 24-25, 1839 wrote, "this place is about 7 112 Leagues from Burgeo. There are three families residing here. There never was any minister here before, there are about 15 inhabitants . . . . [I] read Prayers, Preached and Baptized four children. During sermon I was obliged to stop and reprove two females from talking during that time -the people in this place are deeply sunk in ignorance and crime” ("The Journal of William Marshall" : n.d.)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1860
Writings from the Diary of Joseph Small
"In the sixties there were two large vessels in ballast lost at or near Grand Bruit. These vessels were bound for Canada. They became total wrecks and the sails, spars, anchors, and chains were saved by the fishermen there and the writer's father bought much of this material."
Contributor and Transcribed by Bill Crant
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Articles/smalls-diary.shtml
Source: Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site
1870
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1870 – First Schoolhouse was built
“Grand Bruit's first school was apparently built in the early 1870s although the operation of this school between 1870 and 1880 appears to have been intermittent. The Journal of the House of Assembly (1873, App. p. 616) reported that in 1872 the Grand Bruit school had been "Closed some months past." It is possible that the school was only operated during the late spring and early summer months when the community returned from the various winter locations. Grand Bruit's isolation remained a persistent and continuing problem in attracting qualified teachers. No schoolhouse was again reported in Grand Bruit in the 1870s although it was an early stopping point for missionaries on the Rose Blanche Society for the Propagation of the *Gospel (S.P.G.) Mission, founded in 1847.
The next schoolhouse was built by 1884. In post-Confederation times an all-grade United Church School serving both elementary and high school students was in operation until the late 1960s.
An Anglican school also operated at that time. After the teaching of highschool grades was suspended, some Grand Bruit students boarded in Ramea , Burgeo or Channel-Port aux Basques to obtain these grades.”
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1871
Lovell's 1871 Provincial Business Directory
This info was on page 2165 & 2166.
GRAND BRUIT A small fishing settlement on the south coast, district of Burgeo and LaPolie. Distance from Rose Blanche 15 miles by boat. Mail Fortnightly. Population 80.
Lovell's Canadian Dominion directory for 1871 : containing names of professional and business men, and other inhabitants, of the cities, towns and villages, throughout the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island
1876
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1876 – Mail Service establishes in Grand Bruit
"In 1876 Bowring Brothers, based in St. John's, contracted to operate a steamship coastal mail service. The Curlew, a Bowring boat, made its first stop in Grand Bruit in 1877 enabling the residents to send and receive mail, and to sell seal oil to Bowrings (M. Weatherburn: 1971, p. 104)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1890
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1890 – J. P. Chetwynd, a Merchant establishes in Grand Bruit
"Until 1890, when the first merchant, named Chetwynd, was reported to have premises in Grand Bruit, the settlement's catch (composed mainly of cod, salmon and herring) was sold to merchants in Burgeo and La Poile, or to coastal traders from Fortune Bay. According to Cormack's observations of activities on that part of the coast in the early 1800s "The chief pursuits of these people are the cod-fishery in the summer, and entrapping foxes and other wild animals for their skins in the fall . . . . The fishermen, or planters, as they are called, obtain their outfits . . . from the merchants at Fortune Bay" (Cormack, p. 109)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
Writings from the Diary of Joseph Small
"In or about the year 1890, Robert Moulton came to Burgeo to manufacture cod liver oil. He started a business at Philip Dicks' and was soon into the fish business. Then he began to build in Furby's Harbour and kept on and built up a fine business. He exported his fish and bought some large vessels. He then branched out up at Grand Bruit and Burnt Islands. Robert Moulton made considerable money, was very ambitious and hard working. Had he stuck to his business and left politics alone, he might have been here yet but he trusted others and got burned heavily with too much fish. His business was taken over by others and was run under the name and style of [Robert] R. Moulton Ltd. and lasted, say for ten years, then went into liquidation and paid nothing. Again it started up as Burgeo & LaPoile Export Company, principally owned at Oporto. J.T. Moulton was the agent from the time of Robert Moulton going out of the business."
Contributor and Transcribed by Bill Crant
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Articles/smalls-diary.shtml
Source: Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site
1891
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1891 – Lucrative fishing & stable employment allows residents to stay in Grand Bruit year round
“The salmon catch, though, was particularly large and lucrative: in 1874, for example, 107 tierces of salmon, by far the largest catch on the coast, was reported. In 1891 lobster factories valued at $10,000 and employing forty-five residents were reported in Grand Bruit.
After 1900 these sheltered bays and inlets were abandoned, and Grand Bruit residents remained year-round in the community where some could obtain employment with the merchant packing lobster, making tins, building boats and doing some carpentry work.
The arrival of the merchant (Chetwynd) (who continued to buy pickled and fresh salmon until c. 1920 and to operate a lobster factory in the settlement) changed the seasonal round of living in Grand Bruit. Formerly winters had been spent in "Indian style" winter houses located at Baie De Nord, Baie D'East, Cod's Head Cove, Cullottes, Otters Point, Roti Bay, Couteau, Big Roti and *Cinq Cerf qv in order to hunt (particularly caribou and hares) and to gather wood (Weatherburn, pp. 157-159)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1900
Writings from the Diary of Joseph Small
"In 1900, October, a gale of wind came up from the northeast at or about 11 A.M. The fishermen were all on the fishing grounds and very few boats reached the harbour that night. This was the result from Muddy Hole to Burgeo. All the boats east made for harbour. To the west, most of our boats reached the islands. One or two got in at Ramea and here. One boat containing two men, Joby Strickland, a cripple living with his mother, Jane Thomas, a widow; the other, James Hayward, married son-in-law to the above widow. They were swamped when trying to beat in just west of the islands. They had a very small, poor boat. One other boat, a large fishing punt, worked west holding on to the land and got inside the islands of Wreck Island, but there they came to grief. William Collier, Master and owner of the boat and his brother-in-law, John Anderson of West Point, met a watery grave. William had a large family of girls. Anderson was a single man. Another boat from Hunt's, my old friend, Benjamin Simms, and a small boy, kept at it with a piece of sail and got as far west as Grand Bruit late in the P.M. They were seen by the people and one of the best skiffs, well manned, put out, took the boat in tow, and got her in just before night. Had no person at Grand Bruit been on the lookout for such incidents, Grand Bruit Islands might have been reached and there these two would have perished, undoubtedly. The rescue was detailed to the writer by the well know, the late John P. Chetwynd."
Contributor and Transcribed by Bill Crant
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Articles/smalls-diary.shtml
Source: Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site
1902
Discovery of Gold
About 35 mines from Rose Blanche lies the village of Grand Bruit. While fishing for trout one day in the summer of 1902 two men from the community, John and Samuel Billiard, discovered gold in quartz veins along Cinq Cerf Brook. In their excitement they revealed their find to a village merchant, J.P. Chetwynd, who reportedly expressed polite enthusiasm at their story and then filed claims upon the gold deposit for himself. Chetwynd derived no profit from actually mining the claims, as the several tons of ore sent to New York were found to be of uneconomic grade. He did, however, sell shares in the claims in 1910 and 1912 for a total of $3000.
Reference: “Once Upon a Mine: Story of Pre-Confederation Mines on the Island of Newfoundland” by Wendy Martin.
Photo from the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland & Labrador. (Photo of miners in Newfoundland.)
Site: https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/environment/once-upon-a-mine.pdf
1909
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1909 - J. P. Chetwynd builds Factory for cod processing
“It was reported that in addition to the lobster factories and salmon business, Chetwynd built a factory for the handling and putting up of boneless cod in 1909 (William Soper, 1977).”
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1918
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1918 – J. P. Chetwynd’s Operation Ceases in Grand Bruit
"After 1918, when the Chetwynd operation ceased in Grand Bruit, salmon and cod were sold to merchants in Port aux Basques or later to local merchants in Grand Bruit, who operated on the credit system until 1955. In the 1920s and 1930s fish was made and sold to merchants such as James Miles and F. Parsons and Sons; later it was sold in salt bulk. Salmon was sold fresh, packed in ice obtained from Big Pond, and collected by coastal vessels. The rise in salmon and lobster prices in the 1960s and 1970s led to renewed interest in the fishing, which had been declining as younger members of the community found seasonal employment in mainland Canada, particularly on Great Lakes freighters. Until the late 1950s trapping had been a lucrative source of cash income with some of the pelts (mainly muskrat , otter and fox) being sent by mail to the *Hudson's Bay Company while others were sold in Burgeo. After the rise of commercial fur farming, particularly fox farming in Prince Edward Island , trapping declined although it was still reported in Grand Bruit in 1969 (Weatherburn, pp. 105-106)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
John P. Chetwynd would have been age 77 at this time. He passed away 5 years later at the age of 82 on February 5th, 1923.
Source: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Vstats/death-reg-bk-9-1923-1926-blp.shtml
1919
School Photo of 1919.
Teacher: Daisy Hyde.
Students: Angus Billard, Albert Munden, Cecil Billard, Blanche Miles, Lillian Neil, Pearl Neil, John M. MacDonald and Solomon Billard.
Photo courtesy of Fred Ingram.
1921
Newfoundland 1921 Census - Grand Bruit
Click to Enlarge
Newfoundland 1921 Census
Burgeo - La Poile District
{220 Persons in 50 Households}
Photo: Grand Bruit, ca. 1950 supplied by Fred Ingram
This file "Verified"* with the Original Pages (August 2003 by Don Tate)
NOTE: The information in highlighted lines was added by Bill Crant
Credit - http://ngb.chebucto.org/
1925
Joseph Small's Diary of Burgeo - Written in 1925
"Joseph H. Small (1847 - 1933)
Joseph Small was originally from Truro, Cape Cod, MA, USA. He came to Burgeo in the 1860's with his father, to run the business of Bowery and Small. In 1925 he took upon the task to write this his "Diary of Burgeo". Small was also the enumerator for the 1921 census of Burgeo and in 1921 an Insurance Salesman"
Contributor and Transcribed by Bill Crant
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Articles/smalls-diary.shtml
Source: Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site
1951
Grand Bruit Junior Class of 1951.
Teacher and Photographer: G. Fizzard
36 pupils in photo.
Photo courtesy of Fred Ingram.
1952
Grand Bruit Senior Class of 1952.
Teacher and Photographer: Garfield Fizzard.
In the photo is:
Jack Billard, Winston Billard, George Billard, Les Billard, Edna Billard, Marie Billard, Mary Billard, Shirley Billard, Evelyn Billard, Harold Melbourne, Mike Billard, Fred Ingram, Sid MacDonald.
Photo courtesy of Fred Ingram.
1963
Image of Grand Bruit form the the Port aux Basques Gulf News Paper
Caption Reads "The Photo was taken in Grand Bruit in September 1963. From left Ivy Melbourne, Emanual Melbourne and Galdys Nell."
1969
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1969-1970 – Government Assisted in Relocations for Residents
"Government assisted moves under the various resettlement programmes have accounted for the most recent drop in population when, from 1969 to 1970, three families (seventeen people) moved to Burgeo, Ramea and St. John's. In 1971 Grand Bruit numbered 108 residents."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1978
July 1978
Marine Runner docking at the Fisherman's Wharf.
Photo courtesy of Eric and Daphne Scott.
1982
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador
1982 – Resident Fishermen stay vigilant despite challenges
"In 1982 the Grand Bruit labour force was engaged mainly in the cod, salmon and lobster fisheries although the settlement's distance from markets and processing facilities continued to present difficulties for resident fishermen."
1982 – Students attend all grade school
"In 1982 Grand Bruit students attended Grades One to Ten in an integrated, all grade school in Grand Bruit. The community was once served by two churches (Methodist, later United Church, and Church of England, Anglican)."
Writings from the Encyclopedia of Newfound and Labrador, volume 2. Pages 685-686
The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, in five volumes, was completed between 1981-1994. It covers all aspects of the province's history and culture, with illustrations and maps.
Website Link: https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/650
1990
Grand Bruit Cemetery Record
Click to Enlarge
"These transcriptions may contain human errors.
As always, confirm these, as you would any other source material."
"The following is a listing of the Grand Bruit cemetery which I recorded In June 1990. No epitaphs have been included just names and relationships noted."
Credit - http://ngb.chebucto.org/
http://ngb.chebucto.org/Cemetery/cem-grnd-bruit-unk-blp.shtml
2009
CBC News - Article about the Resettlement
Grand Bruit residents to relocate
CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2009
This is expected to be the last winter people will live in the isolated community of Grand Bruit on Newfoundland's southwest coast.
The provincial government is backing a plan by the 31 residents who live in the community, which is only accessible by boat, to relocate.
The province is offering each household of at least two people $90,000 to leave the community and live somewhere else.
The chair of the local service district, Cindy Billard, said relocation talks have been going on for more than two years.
"We are relieved," she told CBC News, "we know that government is going to help us out, and now we can kind of make some plans."
Billard said the money will allow people from Grand Bruit to start anew in other larger south coast communities like Burgeo or Port aux Basques.
"I can get a fairly nice home for $90,000. If I pick out a home that's more, well, I'll have to do what everyone else does, and pay a mortgage."
Grand Bruit, which translated from French means "great noise," is believed to have gotten its name from the roaring waterfall that cuts a path right through the tiny community.
Families settled there in the 1800s, most likely because of the well-protected harbour and the nearby rich fishing grounds.