My Grandfathers

The Year 1814. (That was the birth date of my great great grandfather Sheppard.) He resettled from Harbor Grace to Indian Islands while a newly married young man.

One summer about the year 2000 my two sons and myself went to Indian Islands to view the land from which my grandfathers came to make their home in norther Newfoundland. We found a fine man, Mr Cull, who took us aroun the islands in his motor boat. One of the gravestones he showed us was that of Absolam Sheppard. I copied some informin and remarked that I felt that man was my great great grandfather (through my grandmother, Rosanna). When we returned to Mr Cull's house at Stag Harbor his wife confirmed by their records that this was so.

My great-grandfather, Thomas Sheppard and my grandfather, Frederick Hoddinott, were involved in the settlement of the French Shore frontier. Thomas Henry Sheppard was born at Indian Islands, on Newfoundland's east coast, in 1846. He developed into a successful fisherman and also was a noted boat builder; he is said to have built two or more fishing schooners. The Sheppards settled on Eastern Island. My Grandfather, Frederick White Hoddinott, was born on Western Island in 1874.He married Thomas's daughter, Roseanna, who was born at Brig Bay, July, 1873. His Father, my great Grandfather, James Hoddinott, was born at Greenspond; he married Susanna Holmes of Seldom, and made their home in Indian Island. His father, Augustus Hoddinott my great, great grandfather, came from England and married Frances Hart; they settled in Greenspond.

It was probably in the month of June when they cast off the moorings and their schooner sailed from the wharf at Eastern Island. A schooner of this size usually carried two dories and four crew members plus a cook; they generally fished two men to a dory and brought their catch to the vessel, where it was dressed and put in salt below deck. They were probably heading toward Cape Bauld fishing ground area on the northern tip of Newfoundland.

This voyage was not a new venture for Thomas; he had been sailing to the French Shore since 1868, at least. His eldest daughter was born in the Cape Norman area in the summer of 1868. It appears he had also been a Planter, trading fishing supplies in return for fish or cash payment.

Now, with the schooner fully under way they adjusted the sails and set their course north ward; the westerly wind blew in their sails and she slippeed along smartly. The familiar land marks was sighted and passed by; soon they were sailing on the waters of White Bay and the Grey Islands hove into view. The White Hills loomed and the headlands of the St.Anthony area came in sight; they were nearing their distination.

Upon arriving at Griquet they found that the seasonal fish run had not yet begun, so they continued on to Quirpon, a few miles distant. (This stock of codfish was following and feeding on the annual caplin migration stocks, which came inshore to the beaches to spawn). At Quirpon they found that the fishing was poor in that area also. They decided to sail over to Cook's Harbor to check on the prospects there. But there they heard the same story; the fish run was late that year.

Early next morning Skipper Thomas got his charts out and began plotting a course into the western area of the Strait of Belle Isle. He told the crew that rather than sit and waste time waiting for the fish to show up, he meant to sail into the straits that lay between Newfoundland and Labrador, and hope they would find the fish there. The crew were well aware that their skipper detested the wasting of valuable time. When everything was in order they winched up the anchor, hoisted the sails and headed around Cape Norman, then west into the straits.

Thomas was probably taking advantage of this slack period in the fishery to go and check out what was happening at Brig Bay. There had been talk of a lobster canning factory being built there; lobsters were teeming in the area. It was well hnown that Brig Bay was a good harbor to anchor his schooner for the summer cod fishery. Sailors both home and abroad were well aware of the excellent harbors at Brig Bay and Old Ferolle, with rich fishing grounds, nearby. Brig Bay was used for generations as a staging port for the French fishing fleet as they gather in the fall for the voyage across the Atlantic with cargos of dried codfish. Captain's journals, referring to Brig Bay area, mentioned appreciating "the excellent beaches for drying codfish". During the fishing season the Brig Bay area was a beehive of activity, with perhaps hundreds of fishermen stationed there; mainly fishermen from France and the Basque country.

That afternoon as Louis Garreau glanced toward the harbor waters he saw a trim dark green schooner sailing slowly into the harbor. Louis was the keeper and maintenance man of the French company. He watched intently as the sails were lowered and her momentum carried her toward the the anchorage, then the anchor was let down and she came to a stop. The schooner looked familar to him. Louis got in his boat and rowed out to meet the sailors. Two men stood at the rail as he came alongside. One caught the line he tossed up and hitched it on to a stay. They took Louis's hand as he climbed on board. He knew a little English and learned that they were from the Newfoundland east coast, and that they were cod fishermen. Up close, he recognized Thomas, who introduced him to Frederick. He appreciated their company, they seemed to be fine fellows. He told them the codfish hadn't struck inshore yet, but any day now they might come; then there will be lots of fish to catch, he assured them. He showed them where to get fresh water, and supplied other information that would be useful to them. Later he rowed back contentedly to his own domain, and secured his boat at the wharf. It was a quiet evening.

Thomas lay in his bunk that night he pondered the information that Louis had shared with them, of the potential in the canning of lobster meat. Now fishermen could begin lobster fishing as soon as the ice had cleared away in the Spring, not having to wait for late June or July when codfish migrated into the area. Why, a man could double his summer earnings in a situation as it presently existed at Brig Bay and along this coast, he mused. He would certainly make contact with the Nova Scotian operator of the canning factory here, and also the French lobster canning company that was starting up. He could forsee a prosperous future for Frederick and himself in this snug harbour, and on this coast.

The codfish and capelin arrived together. It transformed the community; the waters were teeming with fish; dozens of boats and scores of men were persuing them. They harvested caplin, salted and later dried them in the sun; the spicy little fish provided the basis for many a nutritious and tasty meal throughout the fall and winter months. They loaded their boats with fine codfish caught on hooks that were baited with caplin. The crew of the Kitty Jane enjoyed it all immensely. By the time the "caplin school" had deposited their eggs in the beach sands and had moved on, it was evident to Thomas and Frederick that considering the amount of fish salted below decks in a few days, that they were assured of a prosperous summer fishery.

The following year Thomas returned to Brig Bay, bacame involved in the lobster canning business as well as the general codfishery, and apparently became a manager and caretaker with the Nova Scotian canning operation. It is evident that he became a relatively wealthy man, as well.

It appears that Thomas Henry Sheppard and Frederick Hoddinott came from Indian Islands to fish at Brig Bay during the last decade of the, 1890. I close this story with a respectful salute to my pioneer forebears, Thomas Sheppard and Frederick Hoddinott, with a quote from a document of that era: "In the final decade of the century, Thomas Henry Sheppard and Frederick Hoddinott travelled from Indian Islands, Fogo District, to (Brig Bay to) engage in the lobster and cod fishery (there)."

Link to Flying:click here.

Updated 1/20/2003.