“GRIN D’ESPAGNE”
Traditionally, the origins of the name Greenspond was thought to come from the two family names, Greens and Ponds, who lived on the island. However, Dr. Michael Wilkshire and Dr. Frances Wilkshire, professors in the Department of French at Memorial University of Newfoundland have found a document in the archives in France which suggests that the name, Greenspond, derives from the French words “Grin d’Espagne”. In an essay titled “Alliances and Conflicts on the French Shore: Captain Hamon’s Journal, Written in Greenspond in 1770”, Michael Wilkshire wrote that in 1770, Captain Jacques Hamon of Granville recorded an account of his experiences in Greenspond, Bonavista Bay or “Grin d’Espagne” as it is referred to in the document. The original document which is written in French is entitled: “Extrait des declarations des Capitaines de navires qui ont ete employes en 1768 a La pesche de La morue seche sur La cote de L’isle de Terreneuve contenant le detail de Laditte Cote et ce qui s’y est passe D’Dinteressant”. Colonies C11 F vol. 4, ff.36-43; f. 36.
- Account of the French Fishery in Newfoundland 1777
- Extraordinary Journal of J. Hamon, Captain of the ship, the Marie Anne from Granville, Messrs. Bretel Brothers, Shipowners, for the year 1770.
- Journal Extraordinaire de J. hamon Capne du Navire la Marie Anne de Granville Armateurs Messieurs Bretel frères pour l’année 1770
- Report of Captain Jacques Renaudau on his Return from the Newfoundland 1770
- 1772 French in Greenspond Description of Fishing Rooms
- Endorsed Petition of Complaint from Joseph Pinner of Greenspond, Bay of Bonavista, against the French 7th June, 1776