Ten Historic Towns Bristol's Hope Information
The picturesque fishing village of Bristol's Hope is located between Harbour Grace and Carbonear. Formerly named Mosquito, it was actually the birthplace of Harbour Grace; the site where Robert Tossey settled in 1583 and where later the legendary Irish Princess, Sheila Na Geira, landed in 1603. John Guy landed some settlers there in 1610.

In the earliest years of the colony the name Bristol's Hope referred to the colony of Capt. John Mason who succeeded John Guy as governor. It comprised the peninsula between the north side of Conception Bay and the southside of Trinity Bay. The largest settlement was Harbour Grace.

In 1910 during the celebrations of the John Guy Tercentenary the name "Bristol's Hope" was officially designated as the name for Mosquito.

CARBONEAR

Like neighboring communities on the north side of Conception Bay the early history of Carbonear indicates that it was already a center of the fishing trade in the 1500's.

The origin of the name Carbonear is generally considered to be French, originating from "charbonniere", French for charcoal pot. However, it also appears on very old maps as Cape Carveiro and it is possible the name is a corruption of this designation.

One of the earliest residents of the town was believed to be the legendary Irish princess, Sheila Na Geira. The princess was captured by Gilbert Pike, a pirate who had originally been under the command of Peter Easton. They fell in love and settled in Carbonear where they had a child which is believed to have been the first white child born in Newfoundland.

In 1696 Carbonear fell victim to the maurauding French who destroyed and looted the town. The 200 or so residents, however, escaped to Carbonear Island and so fiercely resisted the French that they were unable to take the island. In the 19th century Carbonear was a flourishing mercantile venter servicing a prosperous seal and cod fishery.


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