PEOPLE OF BELL ISLAND
S
S
SQUIRES NAME ON BELL ISLAND
by Gail Hussey-Weir
August 2025
by Gail Hussey-Weir
August 2025
Information for the name Squires on Bell Island comes from several sources, including:
- Reverend John W. Hammond in his 1979 book, The Beautiful Isles: a history of Bell Island from 1611-1896. (You can read Rev. Hammond's biography on this website, by clicking on "H" in the dropdown menu under "People.");
- Susan Squires, a descendent of John (c.1760-1799) and Catherine (c.1760-18??) Squires of Bell Island.
- Reverend John W. Hammond in his 1979 book, The Beautiful Isles: a history of Bell Island from 1611-1896. (You can read Rev. Hammond's biography on this website, by clicking on "H" in the dropdown menu under "People.");
- Susan Squires, a descendent of John (c.1760-1799) and Catherine (c.1760-18??) Squires of Bell Island.
In the "Report of the State and Condition of Belleisle in Conception Bay; acres of land enclosed, occupied September 1814," Colonial Records, Vol. 25, 46 individuals are listed as having cultivated/enclosed land on Belle Isle. Most of these are named individually, but a few are listed as sharing a property. Thus, there are 39 listings for these 46 individuals. Listing #21 is for Benjamin Squire and Sylvester Tapp having 6 acres between them. The remarks state that, "These men are natives, with families and fishery." The word "native" as used in Newfoundland at that time did not refer to indigenous people, but rather to people of English and Irish descent who had been born in Newfoundland.
Listing #33 in the same document is for Richard Squire, who had 3 acres. The remarks for him state that, "This man lives in Quidi Vidi and has a fishery and family."
Listing #33 in the same document is for Richard Squire, who had 3 acres. The remarks for him state that, "This man lives in Quidi Vidi and has a fishery and family."
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