Article

John Guy

Published Online January 2, 2008

Last Edited March 4, 2015

John Guy, merchant venturer, colonizer, governor of the first English colony in NEWFOUNDLAND (d Mar 1629, monument at Bristol, Eng). Guy, an early advocate of colonizing Newfoundland, was appointed governor of the colony created

Guy, John

 John Guy, merchant venturer, colonizer, governor of the first English colony in NEWFOUNDLAND (d Mar 1629, monument at Bristol, Eng). Guy, an early advocate of colonizing Newfoundland, was appointed governor of the colony created by the London and Bristol Co in 1610. He selected Cupers Cove (now CUPIDS) as the site of the settlement; from 39 members in its first year the colony increased to over 60 under his leadership. After 5 years he returned to England but remained a strong supporter of the Newfoundland plantation against English migratory-fishing interests, economic difficulties and war.