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- The Move
A video on the resettlement of the Rumboldt family
in 1968.
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Home  Virtual Exhibits Resettlement Flat Island
Flat Island
Flat Island is one of four rocky islands in central Bonavista Bay which together are called the Flat Islands. The islands, named Flat (Samson) Island, Berry Head, North Island and Coward Island, were among the earliest reported settled areas in Bonavista Bay with the first record of residence mentioned in the "Register of Fishing Rooms in Bonavista Bay," for 1806. Settlement on Flat Islands concentrated on Flat Island, with about one half of the population living there.
The Hallett, Dyer, Cheaten, Samson, Kelligrew, Ralph, Hiscock, Hicks, Rogers and Morgan families were permanent residents of Flat Islands by 1845. Names associated with the settlement after 1845 included Power, Crocker, Petten, Philpott, Butt, Pike and Honnibon.
Tremendous growth and development was reported at Flat Islands from 1836 to 1891 (Census). In 1844 it was reported that a schoolhouse was being built at Flat Island, and by 1846 this school was in operation. By 1869 Flat Islands had a population of 230. By 1891 the population reached 417.
The development of the islands rested on a shift from local fishing to the Labrador fishery in the 1850s. In the 19th century the area's production of Labrador cod averaged between 152,400 and 203,200 kg (3,000 and 4,000 quintals) per year using eight or nine vessels. By the 1950s, however, with the decline of the lucrative Labrador fishery, more than half the workforce were employed in carpentry, construction and woods work in shoreline communities of Bonavista Bay and in central Newfoundland.
In 1954 the first house from Flat Island was floated to Glovertown and in 1957 the majority of the population prepared to move. The last move out of Flat Islands, involving 119 families, was undertaken with government assistance. About twenty per cent (42) of this total moved to St. John's. The remainder scattered, to Glovertown (17), Eastport (12), St. Chad's (12), Burnside (23) and other settlements (including thirteen familes who settled in Dark Cove, Hare Bay, Dock Cove and St. Brendan's). Many houses were floated, or disassembled and rafted to their new locations, where Flat Islands houses with their older style have made significant contributions to local architecture.
From the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador
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