This was referred to, at the time, as the O Imposto para a Salvação do Trigo (A Tax for the Salvation of Wheat), and required each farmer to own a dog and ferret, in order to keep their lands clear of these nuisance animals.

At a time when the hermitage of São Sebastião was the seat of the parish, there was a resident clergy supporting a population of 500 local inhabitants and other fajãs.

The 1757 earthquake (which was assumed to be a magnitude 7.4 on the Richter Scale) was responsible for destroying the original settlement, resulting in the deaths of 1034 people across the island.

[2] The historic Chapel of São Sebastião was established by Lay Carmelites, and the feast day (16 July) continues to be celebrated in the fajã.

[2] Another festival that is very popular, is the feast day of the Corpo de Deus, when many Jorgenses and visitors travel to the fajã, and eat fried fish, limpets, taro and potato accompanied with wine.