Brigus is located in the south east of the island of Newfoundland, onConception Bay, about 40Km west of St Johns.

ISLAND OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Extract from "Newfoundland, Island of," Microsoft Encarta 1999Encyclopedia.

Making up part of the province of Newfoundland, eastern Canada, lying inthe Gulf of St Lawrence in the Atlantic Ocean, and covering an area of93,830 sq km (36,900 sq mi). Physically the island is a continuation ofthe Appalachian range. Glacial action has left many lakes and streams inthe island's interior, and its coasts receive the cold winds of theLabrador Current flowing south. This climate accommodates game such ascaribou and moose, and seabirds like gulls, murres, puffins, andkittiwakes. The island's main industries are small-scale fish processingand-since the 1920s-pulp and paper manufacture, along with some miningof copper, iron, zinc, and flurospar. Declining fish stocks haverecently led to increasing speculation in offshore oil and gas. Theprovince's capital, St John's, is the main settlement on the island, andthe island's population (1991) is 538,099.

Inhabited by various indigenous groups since about 7000 BC, Newfoundlandwas briefly settled by Norse Greenlanders led by Leif Ericson in aboutAD 1000 and claimed by England-with some fishing rights reluctantlyceded to France-after the 1497 expedition of John Cabot. Englandprohibited settling until the 17th century, but immigration took offproperly only in the 19th. In 1934, economic depression forced GreatBritain to establish a commission government; in 1949, after areferendum and a plebiscite, Newfoundland became, with Labrador on themainland coast, a province of Canada.

HISTORY OF BRIGUS
Written by Rev. Roland Wells

The name "Brigus" is derived from "Brickhouse", an old town in England.As one of Newfoundland's great heritage of old historic settlements,Brigus stands out as one of those in the forefront. It counts among itssettlers, pioneers from England, Ireland and Wales. It was at one timeone of the major sealing ports. In 1947, Brigus sent sixty-six vesselsto the seal hunt and over half were captained by natives of Brigus.

Brigus can trace its history back to the year 1612, when the Spracklinfamily purchased half the harbour from John Guy. It was incorporated in1964 and today has its own Town Recreation Center and fully trained FireDepartment. It is the home of Newfoundland's first and only trueBlueberry Festival, held each year in August.

Nestled between hills overlooking the sea, its beauty has been capturedby artists and photographers the world over.

The birthplace of Captain Robert A. Bartlett, the master mariner ofarctic fame has immortalized the town in the annals of history. Themonument at Bishop's Beach is a major tourist attraction.

The town also boasts a reconstructed Stone Barn Museum, using all thestone from the original stonehouse. It stands as a tribute to the town'shistory. The Tunnel through solid rock on the waterfront, built in 1860under the supervision of John Hoskins, a Cornish miner, provided a deepwater berth for the Bartlett sailing ships.

Just when Brigus was settled is uncertain. That there were plantationsthere soon after John Guy settled in Cupids, there can be little doubt.In any event Brigus is a very old settlement. It has had a number ofspellings such as, Brigue, Breckhouse, Brighouse and Brigus.

When William III was on the Throne in 1695 a party under Boisbriand, oneof D'lberville's Lieutenants, was sent to burn Brigus. This wouldindicate that Brigus was a growing settlement at that time. The Brigusplanters (fishermen) were very shrewd and built their houses among thewoods, but it is given as tradition, that when the enemy on thisoccasion, were leaving the village of Brigus, the barking of a dogbrought them back to finish their work of burning seven houses erectedat Frog Marsh, the south side of Brigus.

By 1775 the population by an influx, particularly from England, Irelandand Wales progressed considerably. And Brigus became the mostprogressive and prosperous settlement in Conception Bay.

Brigus glided into the 19th Century with great ambitions for largerships, in 1819 Capt. William Munden built in Brigus the Four brothers, aship of 104 tons, the first one hundred ton schooner in Newfoundland toprosecute the sealfishery. In 1847, 66 sailing vessels left Brigus forthe sealfishery, and 33 of them were under the command of BrigusMasters.

Brigus was all alive in the early decades of the 19th Century, and herproperty was the envy of Conception Bay. But the introduction of steamgave Brigus a staggering blow, as it did to many fishing villages alongthe coast.

In political life Brigus played an important role. Her local menrepresented the people for quite some time. Men like Charles Cozens,Robert Brown, John Leamon, John Bartlett. Capt. Nathan Rabbits won theDistrict in 1874. He was followed by Capt. Nathan Norman. In 1832 JohnBartlett was again successful. The men of Brigus could manage a ship inthe angry sea, and keep the House of Assembly from running on the rockof political misadventure.

There were many Arctic Heroes that came from Brigus. Capt. John Bartlettwas an Arctic Hero with the American Explorer Hayes, and also withAdmiral Peary. Capt. Sam Bartlett (younger brother of John) also tookhis place with Peary. Capt. Robert Bartlett was in charge of the S.S.Roosevelt on the great occasion when Peary claimed the North Pole. Therewere other Arctic Heroes that left their mark upon the town, Capt.Arthur Bartlett, Capt. William Norman (of the Battery) Brigus, whorescued Admiral Greely when they were at death' s door from starvation.Capt. Isaac Bartlett another relative of the famous Bartlett familyrescued Capt. Tyson and crew after drifting on an iceberg for 1500miles. And we have with us today in Brigus Capt. William Bartlett, knownas the Commodore of the sealing fleet in Newfoundland.

Brigus had her days of adversity and days of prosperity. Perhaps hermost prosperous period was from 1830-1880. During those days Brigus wasregarded as one of the money centres of the island. Rev. Philip Tocquewrote of things as they were then, "The Mundens, Normans, Perceys,Whelans, Bartletts, Roberts and Wilcoxs reside here, who are some of therichest planters in Newfoundland." He further adds, "Brigus is wellcultivated and for the extent of population has a large number of goodresidences."

Brigus was a fishing community, and life was centered around the rocksand coves: Large fish stores and businesses were in evidence everywhereand sailing vessels and blacksmith shops were always a bee-hive ofactivity. Those who travel in the Town today can still see some of theold homes, rock walls and foundations, marking the place of yesterdays.But times have changed, and so has Brigus. Yet we can still boast ofbuildings over one hundred years old in use as institutions of learningand for worship.

St. George' s Anglican Church (which is still there) was consecrated in1845. The Brigus United Church was dedicated in 1875. The first R. C.Church was built in 1832, and the first Mercy Sisters arrived in Brigus,from Ireland, in 1861. Rev. John Percy (a local son) began preaching, inthe Methodist Church in 1804.

The Town of Brigus was incorporated in November 1964. It's first Mayorwas Fred Bartlett. The present Mayor is David G. Hiscock. Rev. R. Wellswas the first Clergy Mayor elected in the Province. Thus giving Brigusanother first.

Brigus has a Regional Library, a Fire Hall, a Volunteer Fire Brigade,Knights of Columbus, Royal Canadian Legion, Ambulance & FuneralServices, Post Office, LOL Lodge, and retired Judge Rupert Bartlett, anative son, and a nephew of Capt. Robert Bartlett, whose name rangaround the world in connection with his explorations.

The Town also has pave roads, water & sewer system, street lights, etc.and each summer many tourists visit the small park at Bishops Beach, toview the historic tunnel.

True, the fishery has declined over the years, but one would have to saythat a large number of people, directly or indirectly are connected withthe fishery (cod), and find employment at the fishplant operated by J.W.Hiscock sons limited.
^{3 4}

The inscription on her headstone reads;

Erected by George C Jerrett
in memory of his beloved wife

CHARLOTTE

who died Feb 20th, 1872,
age 37 years
a native of Stokeinteignhead
Devonshire England
also their two children
Francies & Jessie
who died in infancy.

• Married: 24 APR 1860 in St Andrew's Church, Stokeinteignhead, Devonshire, England
• Note: Witnesses were Richard Prowse and Emily Prowse ⁸

1. William Henry Prowse JERRETT b: JAN 1861 in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Canada
2. Emily Mary JERRETT b: 03 OCT 1862
3. Fredrick George JERRETT b: SEP 1864 in Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada
4. Charles Arthur JERRETT b: AUG 1866 in Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada
5. Frances Walter JERRETT b: 1868 in Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada
6. Jessie Cowell JERRETT b: 1871 in Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada

1. Title: GEDCOM file from Allan Jerrett via email of 8 November 2003, Location:Brigus, Url: No URL
   Abbrev: Jerrett GEDCOM
   Author: Allan Jerrett, Compiler: Legacy 4
   Publication: 8 November 2003
2. Title: 1851 British Census (30 March 1851), Census Type: Census, Place: Britain
   Abbrev: 1851 British Census
   Publication: 1851
   Page: PRO Reference: HO/107/1872 Folio: 6 Page: 6 FHL Film: 0221020
3. Title: Brigus Community Website www.brigus.net
   Abbrev: www.brigus.net
4. Title: Microsoft Encarta 99 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation.
   Abbrev: Microsoft Encarta
   Publication: Microsoft, 1998
5. Title: International Genealogical Index via www.familysearch.org
   Abbrev: Int. Genealogical Index
   Page: Batch No. C052461
6. Title: Allan Jerrett of Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada
   Abbrev: Allan Jerrett
   Page: Email of 5 June 2003
7. Title: Allan Jerrett of Brigus, Newfoundland, Canada
   Abbrev: Allan Jerrett
   Page: Email dated 12 June 2003
8. Title: Carolyn Gâobel
   Abbrev: Carolyn Gâobel
   Page: Carolyn has the marriage record. Reg No. 69