William Colston

William Colston (fl. 1610–1612) was an Englishman and one of the first settlers in the colony at Cuper's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

He was almost certainly a native of Bristol, England, and travelled to Newfoundland in 1610 as one of the first settlers in a scheme for the plantation of Newfoundland. They settled at Cuper's Cove and the colony was governed by John Guy, another Bristol man. Some authorities claim that Colston was Guy's brother-in-law, though this is uncertain. and Colston kept the required journal of weather and what the settlers were doing throughout the winter, After Guy returned from England, with 16 women settlers, cattle and a chaplain, he is reported to have sent Colston home to England for a holiday. Prowse claims that Guy abandoned Newfoundland in 1613, and left Colston in charge of the colony.