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The Robins in Cheticamp
The history of Cheticamp has been shaped by the Philip Robin Company (later "the Charles Robin Company"), a family
firm from Jersey (one of the Channel Islands). After 1765, many fishermen from Jersey came to the Cheticamp area, making it
a base for drying fish. The Robins arrived in the late 1760's to exploit the fisheries.
Channel Islands Connections
Cod fishing and the granting of concessions - "The Cod Rush - The European Fishermen, 1497-1763"
Charles and John Robin in the Arichat region
"The foundation of Arichat's early prosperity had been laid by a man who came out from the island of Jersey. In 1764,
after the fall of Louisbourg and the expulsion of the Acadians, Charles Robin arrived on Isle Madame and founded the first
fish plant at Arichat. He initially settled on Jerseyman's Island at the mouth of the harbour, and established his fishing
business there. The business prospered but there were also setbacks. During the Revolutionary War, John Robin's establishment
at Jerseyman's Island was sacked and burned by the notorious American privateer John Paul Jones. Undaunted, Robin rebuilt,
this time on the south side of the harbour at Cape Auget. More fishing families came out from Jersey, Guernsey and the Bristol
area of England. By 1776 the population of Arichat had climbed to over 250.
Charles and John Robin were very hard taskmasters, requiring their workers to serve for two years before they were allowed
to bring out their wives and families to Cape Breton. The Robin company ships were manned by Acadians and Channel Islanders,
and in time the fleet increased to thirty vessels. By 1839 Arichat was a bustling port with 200 ships based there. Cod, haddock
and swordfish were the principal catches. Eventually, lobster packing plants were established, and operated by such families
as the Loggies, Duffs and Nevilles. The Robin company is still in business in Cape Breton today, some 235 years after its
founding, operating in Cheticamp and Invemess under the name of Robin Jones and Whitman Inc."
(Text by Bob Latimer)
Genealogy - Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey)
and people of North America
Genealogy links for people with roots in Jersey
Gaspesian Channel Islands Society Online
Channel Islands genealogy (Rootsweb)
National Archives of Canada
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