Carmanville, a Canadian community nestled on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, boasts a rich history. The first settlers were John Day and his family from Twillingate. The Days, who trapped otter and fox, established a friendly relationship with an Indigenous family living in the area.
Originally known as Rocky Bay, the 1845 Census recorded a population of eleven, all members of the Church of England. The population began to increase in the 1880s, growing from 15 in 1874 to 171 a decade later, with Methodists forming the majority. The inhabitants relied on fishing, gardening, and animal husbandry for their livelihood. By 1900, the population had grown to 402.
On June 18, 1906, Rocky Bay was renamed Carmanville in honor of Rev. Albert Carman, the General Superintendent of the Methodist Church of Canada. By 1966, the population had reached 938, and lumbering had become a significant source of employment, particularly for shipbuilding. Logging, lobster, cod, and the Labrador fishery were all crucial to Carmanville's economy.
The 1836 Census recorded the population at Rocky Bay as Protestant Episcopalians, later becoming the Church of England. By 1869, there were 18 Church of England members and 9 Wesleyans. As the majority of the inhabitants were Methodists by 1884, a clergyman and teacher were present, and work began on a school and church. A Methodist church opened in April 1897, serving the community for 25 years. Ministers who served there between 1885 and 1904 included Cheeseman, Rex, Skinner, Jefferson, Abraham, Stoney, Indoe, Hoskins, Stoney, Bartlett, Saint, Dean, Bennett, and Coppin.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Carmanville had a population of 784 living in 355 of its 457 total private dwellings. This represented a 5.9% increase from its 2016 population of 740. With a land area of 42.68 km2 (16.48 sq mi), Carmanville had a population density of 18.4/km2 (47.6/sq mi) in 2021.
As per Lovell's Newfoundland Directory, Carmanville is a small fishing settlement in the Twillingate and Fogo district on the straight shore. Its population in 1871 was 27, including fishermen John Day Jr., John Day Sr., and William Day.
Carmanville appeared on maps as early as 1784 as "Baie des Roches" and in 1794 as Rocky Bay. Robert Shelly of Rocky Bay was on the board of road commissioners in the mid-to-late 19th century. Scammel, Camel, and Hicks were the names on the outport board for Rocky Bay in the 1880s. By the 1890s, the names of members were Russel, Perry, Hicks, and Chaulk.
