Early Brinstons on Sound Island, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland

William Brinston and his wife Elizabeth Beazley had 9 children on Sound Island between 1808 and 1831. Seven of their children being male created the potential for many descendants carrying the name Brinston in succeeding generations. 

Children of William Brinston and Elizabeth Beazley:

Sons

Henry 1808

Charles 1810

John 1814

William 1816

Thomas 1821

Robert 1823

James 1830

Daughters

Louise 1817

Jane 1831.

Other Brinston researchers have told me they believe William was the first Brinston on Sound Island, that he was likely born in Burin or Hants Harbour and that there were Brinstons in Burin in the 1760s.  

Lovell’s 1871 Directory which can be found on the Newfoundland’s Grand Banks Site http://ngb.chebucto.org/ described Sound Island: “An island at the head of Placentia Bay on west side, district of Placentia and St. Mary's. The population are engaged in both the cod and salmon fishery. Distant from Harbour Buffett 11 miles by boat, from Little Placentia by packet boat, fortnightly, 20 miles. Mail fortnightly. Population 227” 

Some Sound Island residents in 1871, all fisherman unless otherwise noted:

Brenston Robert, planter

Brenston, Thomas

Brinston Henry

Brinston James

Brinston  John

The above could be 5 of the 7 sons of William Brinston and Elizabeth Beazley; alternatively, some or all could be from succeeding generations.

Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland[1] cites Josiah Brinston, of Sound Island (Placentia B.), 1858 as an early example of the name and states that the name Brinston is found at Swift Current, Arnold's Cove and Garden Cove, all Placentia Bay communities.

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[1] Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary (Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1976). Corrected edition by William J. Kirwin. (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1998).