John Guy a pioneering merchant venturer
From far flung Bristol town in England
Founded the first English colony in Canada
At Cuppers Cove in Newfoundland

A member of Bristol’s Society of Merchant Venturers
He lobbied King James the first full spayed
To establish a colony there
To secure and make safe the fishing trade

A scouting expedition in 1608
Led to the selection of Cuppers Cove
Returning twice again in 1610 and 12 as governor
With 39 men, women, grain and a livestock treasure trove

Later attempted to establish
Another colony at Renews
Only to be thwarted in his efforts
By famous pirate Peter Easton and crews

Fortification of Cuppers Cove
Led finally only to extortions anew
Of livestock of other goods
By Easton and his cutthroat crew

In 1612 a further gain
A trade established with the native fray
Beothuks living in Bull Arm
Along the coast of Trinity Bay

And almost yearly he returned
To his native English glen
Eventually becoming Bristol’s mayor
In 1613 never to return again.

Thus the first attempt to colonize
Had limited success but eventually failed
Due to the harshness of the land
And a lack of dedication which prevailed

But here we are four centuries later
Celebrating that historic event
Who would have thought it would still linger
After all that’s gone and spent


Penned in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Cupper’s Cove, (now Cupids), NL by John Guy and his group of merchant venturers.   Submitted By: John Cornick