Endnote to Newfoundland Census of 1675, 1682, & 1708.

Transcribed and contributed by David Anstey, March, 2024. While I have endeavored to be as correct as humanly possible, there may be errors. One should always check and compare with original sources.

The Manuscripts of the House of Lords. Vol 4. (New Series) 1699-1702. London. 1965. Page 448/449.

*An extraction from the "State of the trade and Fishery at Newfoundland 1698".

# of ships, 252. # of inhabitants: Men 284; Women 176; Children 286; Servants 1,894.

*By-boats were not included in the 1698 stats provided to the Lords of trade. From 1699 forward, By-boats are included with Fishing ships' boats, & Inhabitants' boats.

*In 1699, there were 166 Fishing ships, & 68 Sack ships. 669 Fishing ships boats, 115 By-boats, & 457 Inhabitants boats.

*In 1700, there were 171 Fishing ships, & 49 Sack ships. 900 Fishing ships boats, 90 By-boats, & 674 Inhabitants boats.

*The # of By-boat men are not included in the stats for 1699 & 1700, per this information source.

*An extraction from the "State of the Newfoundland Fishery for 1701".

# of Fishing ships, 75.

# of Sack ships, 48.

338 Fishing ships boats, 97 By-boats, & 558 Inhabitants boats.

# of By-boat men, 407.

# of stages, 544.

# of inhabitants: Men 461; Women 166; Children 250; Servants 2,698.

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The Manuscripts of the House of Lords. Vol 5. (New Series) 1702-1704. London. 1965. Page 69.

*An extraction from the "State of the Newfoundland Fishery for 1702".

# of Fishing ships, 16.

# of Sack ships, 25.

35 Fishing ships boats, 9 By-boats, & 371 Inhabitants boats.

# of By-boat men, Masters 11; Servants 81.

# of stages, 266.

# of inhabitants: Men 259; Women 208; Children 441; Servants 1,494

Pages 332 & 333.

Report from the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations. Dated Dec 16, 1703.

"…upon the information we have taken from the merchant, the most perfect account which can be procured of this year's fishery is as follows:'

*An account of the fishery of Newfoundland for the year 1703.

(At Bonavista Bay: 1 fishing ship with 1 Boat, for the Bay. Associated with the following produce.)

Greenspond: 40 Men, 6 Boats, 1800 Quintals of fish, 6 Tons of train oil.

Salvage: 13 Men, 2 Boats, 300 Quintals, 1.5 Tons train oil.

Barrow Harbour: 11 Men, 2 Boats, 300 Quintals, 1.5 Tons train oil.

Keels: 11 Men, 5 Boats, 1,400 Quintals, 5 Tons train oil.

Bonavista: 200 Men, 30 Boats, 10,500 Quintals, 45 Tons train oil.

Bailey's Cove: 42 Men, 7 Boats, 2,400 Quintals, 10 Tons train oil.

Green Island: 24 Men, 4 Boats, 1,600 Quintals, 8 Tons train oil.

(At Trinity Bay: 1 fishing ship with 1 Boat, for the Bay. Associated with the following produce.)

Salmon Cove: 24 Men, 4 Boats, 2,400 Quintals, 10 Tons train oil.

Trinity Harbour, 18 Men, 3 Boats, 1,000 Quintals, 5 Tons train oil.

English Harbour, 24 Men, 4 Boats, 800 Quintals, 4 Tons train oil.

Silly Cove: 30 Men, 5 Boats, 1,500 Quintals, 7 Tons train oil.

New Perlican: 72 Men, 12 Boats, 3,600 Quintals, 15 Tons train oil.

Old Perlican: 108 Men, 18 Boats, 6,300 Quintals, 28 Tons train oil.

Bay de Verde: 42 Men, 7 Boats, 2,100 Quintals, 9 Tons train oil.

(At Conception Bay & Torbay: 1 fishing ship with 1 Boat. Associated with the following produce.)

Carbonear: 60 Men, 10 Boats, 2,500 Quintals, 9 Tons train oil.

Harbour Grace, Bay Roberts, Harbour Maine: 60 Men, 10 Boats, 2,500 Quintals, 8 Tons train oil.

Portugal Cove: 24 Men, 4 Boats, 1,600 Quintals, 8 Tons train oil.

Torbay: 12 Men, 2 Boats, 600 Quintals, 3 Tons train oil.

Quidi Vidi: 48 Men, 12 Boats, 3,600 Quintals, 15 Tons train oil.

St. John's: 300 Men, 47 Boats, 14,100 Quintals, 60 Tons train oil. (18 Ships with 37 Boats.)

Petty Harbour: 16 Men, 3 Boats, 900 Quintals, 4 Tons train oil. (1 Ship with 2 Boats.)

Bay Bulls: 12 Men, 2 Boats, 700 Quintals, 5 Tons train oil.

Witless Bay, 6 Men, 1 Boats, 300 Quintals, 1.5 Tons train oil.

Ferryland & several small harbours: 72 Men, 12 Boats, 3,600 Quintals, 14 Tons train oil. (1 Ship with 2 Boats.)

Renews & Fermouse: 12 Men, 2 Boats, 600 Quintals, 3 Tons train oil.

*(Total effort of 1,281 Men with 214 Boats; & 23 Ships with 44 Boats.)

"We take leave to add that by letters very lately received from Newfoundland, the lieutenant of the company there informs us that, by the report of two deserters, the French this winter have 1,500 men at Placentia and twelve months' provisions for that number; that there were 2 men-of-war, 50 guns each, in the harbour, and 4 more expected from France; that it was apprehended the French might have a design upon our settlements, for which no relief can be sent this winter season, and, although no great credit can be given to deserters, we have nevertheless represented the same, according to our duties."

*Sack ships appear not to be included in these 1703 Fishery stats above here, as provided by the merchants. Rather the stat details provided, picture the "produce of the fishing effort", at Newfoundland.

*Consider generally, 5 men to a fishing boat. 3 in the boat, and 2 ashore, curing the fish.

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CO 194/9 Extraction from "Answers to the Heads of Inquiry at Newfoundland by Lord Muskery, Sep 29, 1733".

Page 193a. Answer to question 27.

The Admirals being Generally trading men have little Regard to the like, excepting what Such with their Interest in any Ports, but where his Majesty's Ships Reside. Nor can I learn that any of the Admirals have ever kept such Journals and Accounts as the Act directs.

Page 194. Answer to question 38.

The Furring Trade is Carried on the Winter Season in Trinity Bay and to the Northward of Cape Bonavista. And taken last Winter to the Value of 170 Lbs Sterling. But I don't learn that they have any Traffic with the Indians.

Page 194a. Answer to question 40.

The Inhabitants claim a right to all their Improvements which have not been Possessed by the Fishing Ships since the Year 1685. And what they do not make use of themselves, they set to hire to the By Boat keepers and others.

Page 194a. Answer to question 42.

Upon the Strictest Enquiry I cannot find y^t any Account has been kept in any of the Harbours of Newfoundland, of the Room belonging to the Fishing Ships before or since the Year 1685.

Page 194a. Answer to question 44.

No Ships are admitted as Admirals, but such as bring with them a Certificate from England of their being duly qualified.

Page 194a. Answer to question 46.

The By Boat-keepers make use of Room hired from the Inhabitants, and not of Ship's Room.