Sylvester Joe facts for kids

Sylvester Joe was a skilled hunter and explorer. He was born in Baie d'Espoir, Newfoundland, and lived until 1839. Joe was a member of the Mi'kmaq people, who are Indigenous to Newfoundland. He was well-known for his hunting skills on the island's southwest coast. Joe became famous for guiding William Cormack on a very important journey. Cormack was the first European Canadian to travel all the way across Newfoundland.

Interestingly, William Cormack sometimes called him Joseph Sylvester in his writings. It seems Cormack accidentally swapped Joe's first and last names. "Joe" was a common first name in that part of Newfoundland. However, "Sylvester" was not a known family name among the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq.

Sylvester Joe: Explorer and Guide

Sylvester Joe played a huge part in the success of Cormack's trip. Their adventure began at Smith Sound in Trinity Bay. It ended at St. George's Bay on the west coast of the island. This journey across the island was done by just Joe and Cormack. They hoped to find the Beothuk people, whose population was getting smaller. They also wanted to explore the inside of the island.

A Special Guide

On September 10, 1822, five days into their journey, Cormack honored Joe. He named Mount Sylvester after him. This showed how important Joe was to the expedition.

A New Agreement

As the journey continued, Joe realized how difficult the task was. He suggested to Cormack that they should stop the trip. Joe wanted to head south to his home in Baie d'Espoir. Cormack convinced him to keep going. On September 14, they made a new agreement.

The agreement said that if Joe guided Cormack safely from St. John's to St. George's Bay, he would be rewarded. After they returned, Joe's mother would receive one barrel of flour and one barrel of pork. She would also get other suitable items. Joe was also invited to travel with Cormack to England or Scotland. He could stay there as long as Cormack did. If he preferred, he could return to St. John's the next year. Cormack also offered him passage to Portugal or Spain for his health. If Joe ever went to Prince Edward Island, Cormack would give him a letter. This letter would ask his friends there to help Joe.

The Journey Continues

The journey was very tough, and Joe and Cormack had some disagreements. But they kept going across the island. They finally reached their destination on November 4. Joe then spent the winter in St. George's.

What Happened Next?

After that winter, not much is known about Sylvester Joe's life. He remains an important figure in Newfoundland's history. He helped William Cormack achieve a major exploration.