Henry Crout

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Henry Crout (fl. 1612 — 1617) settler, explorer became an investor in the London and Bristol Company at the wishes of Sir Percival Willoughby to act as Willoughby's agent and guardian to his son Thomas at Sir John Guys plantation at Cuper's Cove.

Crout was impressed with Newfoundland and in his letters back to Sir Percival Willoughby had noted the potential of exploiting its rich resources and the possibility of establishing a fur trade with the Beothuk. He had noted in his correspondence the frequent raids of Peter Easton on the fisherman. He was accused by Sir Willoughby of been a sympathizer with the pirates because of his writings about Peter Easton and not the day-to-day activities of the colonists.

Crouts primary duty was to Willoughby and the exploitation of the peninsulas many riches. He was to find a route from Conception Bay to Trinity Bay and make contact with the Beothuk. On September 1, 1612 his crew had made it to within miles of the Trinity Bay and turned back. Then on September 9 a second crew was sent out to finish the trail and widen it for 2 men to passe together. Henry had called the trail Henry Crout's "Way," ^[1] which became one of the oldest European trails in North America. The trail had extended for 18 miles from Cupers Cove to Mount Eagle Bay or what is today called Hopeall. Mount Eagle Bay was soon set up as base colony for exploring the nearby harbours and bays for Beothuk indians. Sir Lee Gilbert was appointed as the first head of the new found colony of Mount Eagle Bay, and had a loyal following of roughly 40 - 50 residents for 15 years. This was until the great battle of George's cove where a travelling group of pirates lead by Captain Gregory Piercey over turned his power and claimed the entire colony for their own. Piercey's reign was short as he was soon drowned in the nearby river by the residents.

During the winter of 1612 – 1613 Crout was appointed to write the colony's official journal and by this time Willoughby was critical of Crouts rather short venture. Crout had returned to England in August of 1613 to report to Willoughby in detail and again in the spring of 1616 he returned to Cupers Cove, this time to establish a separate colony on Willoughby's land at Carbonear. This expedition had failed and by 1619 Willoughby had dismissed Crout as his agent.