March 27, 1613

In the morning the wind at south west and [the] sun showing her self about 7 of the clock. But, about 9 of the clock, it did begin to snow very thick until 12 of the clock. But it did consume away so fast as it did fall, thawing all the day. In the afternoon the sun showed her self at times but [it was] something cold.

This night was [Nicholas] Guy's wife brought a bed with a young son, some half hour in travail. This night, a little frost but to no purpose.

[Nicholas Guy's son was, as far as we know, the first English child born in what is now Canada. The birth was first recorded in print 12 years later. In the section on Newfoundland in his multi-volume work Hakluytus Posthumus, published in 1625, Samuel Purchas reported that on March 27, 1613, "Nicholas Guie's wife was delivered of a lusty boy". 

By 1631 Nicholas and his family had moved to Carbonear where they established themselves as one of the main planter families in 17th century Newfoundland. A letter written by Nicholas to Sir Percival Willoughby on September 1st, 1631 has survived and is now housed at the University of Nottingham. You can read a transcription of Nicholas's letter by clicking here.]