Hillgrade

The first settlers to Hillgrade came from England, French Shore, and Twillingate in the 1800's, and the most common surnames at the time were Adams, Rogers, Gidges, Tizzards and Sansomes. Similar to residents in other communities the people of Hillgrade depended upon the Labrador Fishery for their livelihood. At one time there were seven schooners in Hillgrade owned by Thomas Adams and Sons, Thomas Gidge, James Sansome, William Ings, Alex Sansome, and Caleb Sansome. The first general strore in Hillgrade was owned by Alex Sansome and was built in 1905. The first post-office(a small store for mail services) was established in 1898 and the first post master was Mr.Thomas Tizzard. The first United Church minister was Thomas L. Eland and he served in Hillgrasde for one year. The road to Hillgrade was constructed in 1955 and eleven years later December,20 light and power was introduced.The present population of Hillgrade is approximately 150-200.

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