The Settlement of Bonney (Bonhay, Boney, Bonny, Boney Brook)

I've heard this place called a few different things over the years.  Usually "Bunny" or some variation of the word.  Some people hunt moose, small game or go berry picking in the area.  

I've always wondered where exactly the settlement was located.  It appears to be a bit of a mystery.

Looking towards Bonney from Low Point Road

This clipping from a Journal of the House of Assembly in 1839 describes resident William Tilly and others of Old Perlican petitioning the Government to build a road from Old Perlican to Bonney, which would join the road leading to Bay de Verds.

Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland 1839 4th Session

This excerpt is taken from "The Journal of Oliver Rouse Anglican Missionary in Newfoundland September 1846 - May 1850".  This entry dated December 27, 1847 describes Mr. Rouse arranging a order of Molasses for John White of Bonhay.  My Wife's Grandparents on her Mom's side of the family were Whites from Low Point.  A good chance they were related to Mr. John White.

The Journal of Oliver Rouse Anglican Missionary in Newfoundland September 1846 - May 1850

This clipping from the Journal of the House of Assembly in 1851 shows an estimate for roadwork "from Island Cove to Bay-de-Verds, passing by Low Point, Caplin Cove and Boney"

Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland 1851

The Census of 1869 shows Bonny with 8 Inhabitants.

Newfoundland Census 1869

A 1874 Census shows the Population of Boney Brook as 24 people.  This leads me to believe the settlement was close to the stream which runs down through the area.  The following page of the Census show that there were 3 inhabited houses in Boney Brook.  It's interesting that Caplin Cove and Kettle Cove are lumped into one heading - with 58 residents.

Newfoundland Census 1874

Common practice in the 1800s was to have a "List of Unclaimed Letters" in the newspaper.
Here's a clipping from The Morning Courier.  Mail for Thomas Whalan Bonny which was perhaps being delivered by Rev. Mr. Duffy.

From The Morning Courier

Where exactly was this settlement?  In talking to a few people, this appears to be a bit of a mystery.  Was it on the north or south side of the brook?  Was it closer to Caplin Cove or Monday Pond? Perhaps it was right on the coast.

Here's an aerial showing the general area that the settlement was located between Low Point and Bay de Verde.

A closer look at the area showing the brook (Boney Brook). Also a couple areas circled that could be possible locations of the homesteads or farmland.  However, the area towards Monday Pond was used as pasture land in recent years.  These worked areas could have been more recent gardens from the 1900s.

The yellow dashed line is the ATV trail that runs through the area, which would have been the road years ago connecting Bay de Verde with present Low Point Road.  The trail head is just behind the small fenced graveyard on Low Point Road.

This clipping from 1846 showing completed roadwork Bonny was 2.5 miles from Bay-de-Verds, and 2.5 miles from Low Point.  That's a clue to it's location.

The Star and Advocate November 19, 1846

Drawing a rough 2.5 mile long line from BDV and Low Point (using existing roads/trails), this aerial shows Bonny around the area of these four small gullies. This is nowhere near the main brook described above.

In the clipping below from 1838, James L. Prendergast describes the budget required to construct various bridges in the area - to improve the road from Bay de Verds to Carbonear.  Bonny had 50 pounds put aside for it's bridge.

Some of the names are familiar today such as Pinch Gut Brook, which is the bridge not far from what we call Pinch Gut Island (not really an island since it's connected to shore by a small isthmus).  The concrete foundation of this bridge still stands on the old road adjacent to the new highway between Flambro Head and what we call the Featherbeds.  Pissing Mares bridge is the bridge in Burnt Woods, LIC.  Anybody know where "Horrids" bridge is?  Sounds horrible!  How about Mobsley's Northern and Southern?

Journal of the House of Assembly 1838

This clipping talks about Bonny Brooks.  Two brooks 15 feet wide and very difficult to cross after heavy rains.  Maybe the brook that flows out of Monday Pond was referred to as one of the brooks? It's hard to say.

Journal of the House of Assembly 1845

Below from 1871 describes Boney Brook Bridge being in hard shape.  But it only mentions one bridge - not a pair.  It says that the bridge is about 4 miles to the Old Perlican Road.  In what direction would that be? Perhaps towards Bay de Verde which would make Monday Pond brook close to 4 miles to Bay de Verde and the road to Old Perlican.

Journal of the House of Assembly 1871

The census of 1884 do not have any residents listed for Boney.  Perhaps the settlers moved to larger villages.  However, it do list Broom Cove (another settlement - closer to Bay de Verde) having 11 residents.

I'm hoping to take a trip down there and see if I can find any evidence of the settlement at some point.

If you have any information about where Boney was located, please drop me a line or leave a comment.

Hope you enjoyed this little write up.
S.