independent

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1969
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Bird Island; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/36630

independent Independent, in the term "an independent man - _means_ one who is not in debt, well-off - an indicator term in Nfld.'s social history, said of a fisherman who had been so lucky and frugal as to attain thereto. See Slade's List of Dealers at Catalina & vicinity, 1825, now held by Nfld. Archives in one of its shelf cartons (bought from me about 1958) wherein Thomas Cole (1768-1840), my great-great-grandfather, at Bird Island Cove, a planter-fisherman, is described as being "in independent circumstances." Cole left about �600 in consols, etc. in his 1835 will, on record in Supreme Court Registry. I have often heard the term "an independent man" used of fishermen of my father's day, down to say 1939 when inflation made it less in common necessity of usage. JH/1-12-69 Not used Not used Withdrawn Checked by Sarah Budgell on Tue 31 Mar 2015