Sara Kirke

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Lady Sara Kirke was the wife of Sir David Kirke, the governor of Newfoundland between 1638 and 1651.

When Sir David died, she inherited a third of her husband's estate in what was known as dower rights. This protection from creditors and personal wealth allowed her to become one of North America's earliest and most successful entrepreneurs. Lady Sara ran the largest plantation that existed at that time, the Pool Plantation of Ferryland. According to the 1660 census, she was the largest planter in Newfoundland and owned more stages, boats, and train (cod liver oil) vats than any other planter.

The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance) presents a Sara Kirke Award for Woman Entrepreneurship in memory of Lady Kirke.

[edit] External links

• CATAAlliance
• Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage: A letter from Lady Kirke begging the King for dower rights.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage: Sir David Kirke and the Colony of Avalon.