after the treaty of utrecht, the english established an outpost on the island and this became an important trade and fishing center. shipbuilding was also an important industry on the island even though there were no local sources of wood. wood was cut on the mainland portion of the burin peninsula in places like rushoon, bay d'leau and baine harbour and brought to oderin. in 1802 the population had reached 235 comprising mostly english settlers. the poole merchant firm of spurriers had operations there but went bankrupt in 1830. by 1836 the population had dropped to 133. spurriers' business was eventually taken over by furlong bros., irish merchants from new brunswick. during this time period to the middle of the 19th century the island saw an influx of irish roman catholics. many of the original english settlers moved to their wintering areas on the burin peninsula and established permanent year round communities. as a result, the irish became a majority of the population. in 1853 the first roman catholic church was established at spoon cove on the island. james furlong sold his business interests and moved to st. john's, where he became a member of the legislative council but died shortly after moving there.