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The Cromwell House is owned and operated by Vera and Brian Avery, who have made Clarenville their home for the past 15 years. Vera, originally from St. John’s, is a school teacher at the local Primary school while Brian has established his professional career in the Marine industry.

Brian spent the majority of his childhood in Hickman’s Harbour, Random Island, after his family was re-settled from the isolated fishing outport of Deer Harbour on the eastern end of the Island. Like many rural Newfoundland families, Brian’s roots are deeply tied to the fishery. Generation after generation have made a living from the waters surrounding Newfoundland, either as hardy seaman or tireless fisherman – or a combination of both.

Both Brian and Vera have always taken an interest in tourism. They once owned and operated a bed and breakfast and fell in love with the concept of sharing their home, their town and their province with guests from near and far.

As avid travelers themselves (along with their three young sons Jessie, Isaac and Ben), Brian and Vera realize the beauty, adventure and that “un-definable” quality that Newfoundland has to offer. They appreciate the comforts and the finer touches that turn a place to stay into a place to remember.

It’s your place. Enjoy.


The house is named after Vera’s ancestors. Vera’s maiden name is Crummey.

History – combined with a touch of legend - has it that the Crummey’s are direct descendants of the infamous Cromwell family of 15th Century Britain.

Oliver Cromwell (April 25, 1599 to September 3, 1658) was an English military leader and politician. After being amongst the lower levels of the leadership of the war against the British monarchy, he rose to command the Army and impose his rule on England, Scotland, and Ireland as an autocratic “Lord Protector”, from December 16, 1653 until his death, which is believed to have been by either malaria or poisoning. After the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 his body was exhumed and hanged, drawn and quartered, the traditional punishment for treason in England at the time.

It is said that many of the Cromwell family, left England – either on their own or exiled – and headed to the new world to protect themselves and their families from the wrath of Oliver’s fierce opponents. To ensure their safety and acceptance, many Cromwell’s changed their names to Crummey…Vera’s maiden name (don’t worry, she is not a crazed leader with political aspirations!)