Thomas Nash (Newfoundland)

Thomas Nash (1730 – 1810) was an Irish Catholic fisherman who founded Branch, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nash was born in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and emigrated to Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, formerly known as Capelin Bay, around 1765.

Wintering over was not permitted in Newfoundland at that time however when discovered by the fishing admiral the following spring, instead of being punished, Thomas was given a grant of land for the entire shoreline of Calvert.

[citation needed] Father Patrick Power, a Roman Catholic priest and Thomas's cousin, fell into an argument with Bishop James Louis O'Donel.

[4] This incident made Thomas and his family relocate to what would become in Branch, Newfoundland and Labrador,[5] where he died.