645 MAIN ST |
Newfoundland Tourism Region : Western
McKay's: Heading slightly inland is the community known as McKay's, and like most of the towns in the area it has had several names - Second Barachois River, Middle Brook and Middle Barachois.
Most people in the area believe the town was named after Archie McKay who, it is believed either sold land to the Newfoundland Railway, or some how convinced the Railway to make a stop at what was referred to as "McKay's Pit". Interestingly though, Archie was not believed to be the original settler.
A woman from the Channel Islands, by the name of "Nannie Hulan" (or Ann Hulan) is believed to have settled there in 1762. Her life was one of great challenges:
Hulan's husband is believed to have died around 1806, leaving her in charge of a small fish-exporting business. During the first summer of the War of 1812, Hulan was aboard her vessel the Industry near St. Mary's Bay with a shipment of fish and furs when it was seized by the American privateer the Benjamin Franklin and escorted to New York.
Following a court of enquiry, the American secretary of state released Hulan and her crew. She continued to develop her business enterprises and later established one of the first and largest farms on the west coast.
William E. Cormack reported on his stay at the Hulan home while on his trans- island trek in 1822: ... notice must be taken of the farm of my hostess, Mrs. Hulan at second Barachois River.
The stock on it consisted of six milch cows, besides other cattle: the dairy could not be surpassed for neatness and cleanliness, and the butter and cheese were excellent; the butter made, exclusive of what was kept for her comparatively numerous domestic establishment, was sold, part to the residents at other places in the bay, and part to trading vessels that come to the coast in summer.
The cellar was full of potatoes and other vegetables for winter use. She was also an experimental farmer, and exhibited eight different kinds of potatoes, all possessing different qualities to recommend them.
Of domestic poultry there was ample stock. Cormack also reported on Mrs. Hulan's reminiscing about James Cook's survey of St. George's Bay in 1767, and left a fitting tribute to her.
"She is indefatigably industrious and useful, and immediately or remotely related to, or connected with, the whole population of the bay, over whom she commands a remarkable degree of material influence and respect.
Used with permission from "Uncovering the Origin of 1001 Unique Place Names in Newfoundland and Labrador" 2021 Jennifer Leigh Hill
Address of this page: http://nl.ruralroutes.com/McKays