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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 Sops Island
Sops Island
Situated at the head of White Bay, just off shore from Sop's Arm, Sops Island is believed to have been one of the earliest
English settlements on the French Shore. John Slade and Company of Twillingate had established a branch of their mercantile
operation there by 1763 which was subsequently acquired by Richard and Neltham Tory of Poole. Although the Torys were removed
from Sops Island by the British Navy and the French in 1786 in an effort to end illegal English settlement of the French Shore,
an early settler, William Pittman, appears to have either remained or found his way back there. Pittman, who had been in White
Bay by 1810, was likely the antecedent of later Pittmans who resided on Sops Island until the time of resettlement. A fishing
community throughout its history, Sops Island experienced considerable growth in the early 20th century as a logging industry
developed in that part of White Bay. The population peaked at about 324 in 1951. However, people began to move to Sop's Arm in
the 1950s and at the end of the decade only the Pittmans were left. The Pittmans finally moved to Sop's Arm in 1967 but they,
like other former Sops Island residents, continued to fish the same waters. Only a few images are presented here - Sops Island
before resettlement and at Sop's Arm afterwards.
Abraham and Harriett Mary Pittman house abandoned at Sops Island
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Nelson Pittman house at Sop's Arm after move from Sops Island
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![Joseph Pittman's shed on Sops Island [Also used as a grocery store]](/mha/resettlement/images/small/sops_island/scan0009.jpg)
