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Origin of Name: Legend has it that the name of the community comes from the first European settler, possibly a deserter of Captain James Cook in the early 1750s. Another theory suggests that the community was named after a Joseph Batt, who was punished for stealing a pair of shoes in Bonavista in 1754.
Population: 1,028 (includes Barr'd Islands and Shoal Bay) (1996), Protestant, Catholic.
Early Settlement: Early European settlers were attracted to this northeast corner of Fogo Island in the mid 1700s to fish for inshore cod, and later to participate to in the seal and Labrador fishery.
Employment: Fishing, service industries and various trades are the main industries in the local economy.
Interesting Facts about Joe Batt's Arm
- 1780s (ca), First European settlers arrive, mostly West Country English fishermen.
- Early 1800s, Small number of Irish Catholics move to the area.
- 1840s, Church of England and Roman Catholic schools are in operation.
- 1845, population is 329.
- 1849, Anglican church opens.
- 1859, Roman Catholic Church opens.
- 1800s (late), The firm of Henry Earle and Co. of Fogo become the principle mercantile house to supplying the community.
- 1901, Community is known as Queenstown.
- 1909, Local fishermen establish a council of William Coaker's Fishermen's Protective Union. A union store is opened shortly after and remains in operation until 1977.
- 1954-72, Inter-denominational High School educates Joe Batt's Arm's students.
- 1964, A church of the Pentecostal Assemblies is opened.
- 1980, The community becomes officially known as Joe Batt's Arm-Barr's Islands.
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