Princeton (Seal Cove) - Community History

During the 1850's the settlers were busy building a community. People obtained land for homes, stages, farms and gardens. Some were granted a licence of occupation which gave them the right to harvest certain stands of timber. People fished the long narrow inlet which was know at that time as Southward Bay, later called Southern Bay and they continued to do business with the local merchants of the Red Cliff and Tickle Cove area.

There was much economic growth during this period. Fishing activities included everything from small punts fishing in the cove to large schooners participating in the migratory fishery. The shoreline was dotted with stages and fish drying sheds. It wasn’t long before Seal Cove had it own fish merchants.

As a result of the vast timber stands a boat building operation started and there was a water powered sawmill operation by the river. The forest resources made it possible for the settlers to build and expand their community.

James Prince, the local blacksmith, operated a small forge in the community. This provided the residents easy access to things like horseshoes, sleigh runners, and tools needed for boat construction, forest harvesting, land cultivation, and fishing activities. This was a valuable asset to the early settlers and the forge was later passed on to James’s son who continued to serve the community well.

More and more fertile land was cleared for agricultural use and all the families grew enough crops and raised enough livestock to meet their own needs. Additional supplies like kerosene oil for the lamps, material for making clothes and dry goods were available from the local shop keeper. The only means of transportation at that time was by boat and there were a few small walking paths which let to the nearby communities. Boats arrived with mail and supplies and departed with loads of forest and fish products. A post office was established in the community and the family of John Prince ran the mail operation.

People were having large families and the population was increasing rapidly. The community needed a church and a school. The family of Samuel Prince, the first settler, donated the land to build a church and the community worked together donating labor and material and St. Peter’s Anglican Church and Cemetery was erected on the hill overlooking the community where it still stands today. Graves in the cemetery date back to the 1860's. The community obtained crown land and built a small one room Anglican schoolhouse which also served as a community hall for weddings, times and other community functions. Before the end of the century Seal Cove had a Methodist (United) Cemetery which was located in the lower portion of Seal Cove where the White families had settled. Some of the graves there date back to the 1880's.

In addition to working and raising families the Seal Cove residents found time to participate in other community activities. Around 1896 they formed their own chapter of the Loyal Orange Lodge which served the community of Southern Bay as well as Seal Cove. Shortly after its formation a new lodge building was constructed on the road leading to the point and Lodge # 31 named the "Conquest" played an important role in the community.

The community also faced its share of set backs during this period. There were about a dozen schooners owned by Seal Cove men taking part in the Labrador fishery during the 1880's. On June 13, 1885 a severe storm, referred to as the "June Gale" hit the northeast coast of Newfoundland and caused a vast amount of destruction. At that time about eight of the schooners were moored up in Seal Cove and they all broke free from their moorings and were blown ashore. Five of the schooners were total wrecks. Many of the wharves and stages were destroyed and amounts of salt fish was loss. This was quite a blow to the community but they did recover and many of the owners replaced their boats and properties but the rest of that fishing season was a total loss for some operators.

During a dry summer in the late 1800's when all the young able bodied men were away fishing on the Labrador the community was nearly destroyed by fire. The area known as the Point where Samuel Prince had first put down roots was wiped out. After the fire only one house remained standing, the home of James Prince, Samuel’s son. The fire also destroyed valuable timer resources but the community came together once more and homes were rebuilt and life returned to normal.

By the end of the century there was a downturn in the fishery and for the first time in a hundred years the community was faced with the problem of out migration as many of the young men and women left in search of work.