William Vaughn, a Welsh writer and colonial investor, had in 1616 purchased a grant of land, the southern Avalon Peninsula (from Calvert to Placentia Bay) of the island of Newfoundland, from the London and Bristol Company.
He had sent Welsh colonists in 1617 to Renews to establish a permanent colony, which he called Cambriol; it eventually failed, as the ill equipped colonists, lacking an experienced leader, had built for themselves mere shacks for shelter for the winter.
Vaughan had sent out a second batch of settlers in 1618 under the command of Richard Whitbourne, whom he had appointed governor for life of the undertaking.
Vaughan by 1619 had signed over part of his grant to Henry Cary.
Vaughan’s brother had persuaded him to also to give up a portion of his tract to George Calvert, the area around Ferryland, where Clvert had established his short-lived Colony of Avalon.
Vaughan had retained the southern portion of his tract determined by a line drawn from Renews to Placentia Bay, an area that includes Trepassey.
Further attempts at colonizing Trepassey on two occasions have also failed.
After the return of Whitbourne, Vaughan visits his colony in 1622.
