Ross Manuel was born in Wild Bight, near Cook’s Harbour, on September 25, 1921. He was a fisherman for most of his life, but later, he relocated to St. Anthony, where he lived with his wife Margaret and worked as a night watchman and school janitor. Ross learned the fiddle from his father, Theopulus Manuel, who was an excellent fiddler. Ross passed away on October 16, 2001.

Collector’’s Note: I spent an evening with Ross at his home in St. Anthony, where we shared music for several hours. He played several well-known tunes I had collected elsewhere, but I did get several rare ones I had not heard elsewhere. Ross invited Jimmy Acreman, another local fiddler who played for a while. Ross didn’t want the tape recorder running when we talked, so I have little other information to share about this visit. Ross also played Double Sledder Lad, Stack of Barley, Devil’s Dream, Up to See Granny, Soldier’s Joy.