Cupids Cove Chatter

First English Child Born in Canada – A Plaque

Originally uploaded by John Guy2010
Her Honour Jane Furneaux Crosbie, wife of the Honourable John Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Linda Kane, Curator, Cupids Museum unveil a plaque to the first English Child born in Canada on March 27th, 2010. The plaque was unveiled during a baby shower for Baby Guy who was born to Nicholas Guy and his wife on March 27th, 1612. The Nicholas Guy family later became the founders of the town of Carbonear.

Outside there was a late Sheila’s Brush (a winter storm that occurs in March around St. Patrick’s Day.) In spite of the weather, the event was very well attended, and everyone agreed that it should be an annual event.

Baby Guy with his family

For more photos from the evening, see John Guy’s Flickr > >

To celebrate the birth of the first English child in Canada Cupids 400 is hosting a traditional baby shower on March 27, 2010, 7:30pm at the Cupids Community Centre.

Join us for an evening of fun and prizes.

Her Honour Jane Furneaux Crosbie with Northern Avalon Tourism Ambassador at the Lieutenant Governor's Garden Party at Government House

With Honourary Guest: Her Honour Jane Furneaux Crosbie, wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, The Honourable John Crosbie.

All gift donated to the Healthy Baby Club, Trinity Conception Family Resource Centre, and other selected charities.

Baby items and monetary gifts appreciated.

Bring your own cards and baskets.  (At a traditional Newfoundland Baby Shower, in addition to bringing a card and gift, those attending bring a pack of playing cards – if they want to play cards – and “bring your own” food item, such as cake, cookies or sandwiches.)

For more information, please contact:

Kathi Stacey 528-1610 Email: kstacey@cpids400.com

Nicholas Guy and Family Went on to Found Carbonear

People in Carbonear may have special interest in Nicholas Guy and his family since they are recognized as the founders of the town of Carbonear.  Nicholas Guy’s wife’s name or the baby’s name were not recorded, but it is believed she was one of the 16 women settlers that John Guy brought to Cupids Cove in 1612.

Baby Crib from early 1600s

Nicholas Guy’s Letter from Carbonear

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

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

Nicholas Guy’s Family Most Prominent Planter Family in Carbonear

Nicholas’ family continued to live in Carbonear through the 17th century and became the most prominent planter family in that town. The 1675 census lists both Jonathon Guy Sr. (probably Nicholas’ son, but we do not know if it was the son born in 1613) and Jonathon Guy Jr. living at Carbonear. The 1677 census records a Nicholas Guy living at Carbonear who was probably the grandson of the original Nicholas. When a list of planters was written up in 1708, the Guy family was still living in Carbonear.

From Baccalieu: Crossroads for Cultures, Nicholas Guy’s Letter sent from Carbonear to Sir Percival Willoughby in 1631  > >