Family Notes

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Bonavista

From a letter dated 14 March 1764, written in Poole Harbour (Dorset) by George Davis, Merchant and Newfoundland trader, to Capt. James Cook:

"...Mrs. Fizzard/ Tizzard? was born in Bonavista whose uncle Mr. John Walcome was the first man- child born there who was 80 years old when he dyed and has been dead upwards of 30 years..." [TC Note: born 1654].

Check the Bucklers in early Bonavista??!!

HENRY BUCKLER-

"...The owners of the Little Lewis, whose ship left London in June 1655 to collect a cargo of fish at Newfoundland but which then went on a trading voyage to Cadiz, Genoa, Leghorn, Smyrna, Constantinople, Alexandria, Marseilles, Lisbon, Madeira, Angola, and finally Brazil, must have been more than a little anxious before their vessel returned some five or six years later..."

PRO, HCA 13/74: 15 April 1662, Henry Buckler.

Cell, Gillian T., English Enterprise in Newfoundland 1577-1660. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1969.

Some Surnames Nfld Census Bonavista 1675-

PORLEY/PORTER?, WILLIAM wife & 1 daughter.

Census 1675 De Raze, Bonavista?- ie The Gaze??- William Porley/ Porter? Wife & 1 Daughter. TC Note- Could this be Pardey???

If this is a reference to Cape Race then why is it written next to the Bonavista entries?

Barrow Harbour-

Salvage.

George Brent, in Bonavista 1677. (CO 1) Seary.

George Brent, Bonavista July 5, 1708- NA 6/1/10.

CENSUS 1677 BONAVISTA

[TC Note: The name Fiford in Poole Saint James (c1758 marriage William Fiford = Lucy Porter) is Pippard/ Phippard as in Bonavista c1677].

John Brent of Fair Islands, Bonavista Bay, 1681 (CO 1).

William Buckler of Bonavista, 1681 (CO 1).

Prowse, DW., A History of Newfoundland From The English, Colonial, and Foreign Records, 1895.

Belleville: Canadiana reprint series 33, Mika Studio, Belleville, Ontario. 1972., page 280:-

Letter from Wm Coch of Bonavista to Col. Norris 7 Sep. 1698.

I think it my duty to acquaint your Honour that to the north side of this bay are many extraordinary harbours and better fishing; one William Wyng has fished there some years (it being 14 leagues NWN from this place) who has still increased the inhabitants of this place very considerably, and this year one Nowill [TC Note- Newell] has been that way who has more fish for his two boats than they have for shallops, so that next summer severall of the inhabitants of this harbour design to remove thither and their masters of ships that have fished there this year intend to be likewise, for it is certain the fewer boats are kept in a place the better the fishing.

I write this that those sent to settle afffairs may have power as far as Cape Frills. I think a draught ought to be drawn of that place. There is room for five hundred sail.

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Quaker records

Philadelphia Monthly Meeting minutes for 31. x. 1700 [January 1700/1]: they are printed in Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Publications vol 6 (1917): pg73, corrected from a microfilm here of the originals:

"...George Skeffington late of Newfoundland having been travelling upon the service of truth in these parts, appeared at this meeting signifying his departure and desired a Certificate from us to friends, where he may have occasion to travel, whereupon Thomas Story, Nicholas Waln, & Griffith Owen or any two of them are desired to write him one and sign it, with as many friends as are free on behalf of this meeting...".

[TC Note] - Trying to establish that George Skeffington of Newfoundland is a Skivington from Dorset. Is there a connection with the Poole Quakers?

Prowse, DW., A History of Newfoundland From The English, Colonial, and Foreign Records, 1895.

Belleville: Canadiana reprint series 33, Mika Studio, Belleville, Ontario. 1972.

referring to Wadham of Poole and his involvement in the Nfld. trade.

To Mr. Samuel Merrett. Sept. 21, 1702 from Pool.

This serves to advice you that yesterday Mr. Thos. Wadham in the Hopewell of this place arrived here in three weeks from Trinity Harbour; he brings the bad news that about a week before he left 40 or 50 armed Frenchman came over by land from Placentia to Sillicove (TC Note- now Winterton), surprised the inhabitants killing 3 or 4 and took Mr. John Masters out of his bed rifled his house, and carried him and his goods aboard a Jersey ship laden with fish and sailed northward with the ship and 1,000 qtls. of fish but took no fish from the rocks; they much doubt their being gone to Bonavista where is only Captain Weston. A French man of war hath been off St. John's all the summer and hath taken seven ships in sight of that harbour. The Convoys were not arrived when he came away.

This letter was not signed nor do I know the writer – probable misprint for Solomon Merrett [TC Note].

1702- Bonavista- Captain Wesson/ Weston.

1705- Bonavista- Captain of the Pembroke from London, John Noll.

1705- Bonavista- Captain of the Society from Poole, Capt. Auten.

CO 194/3 [Reels B206 & B207]

From a London newspaper, The Flying Post, 10 March 1705 (OS) 06/NS, reprinted in Prowse's A History of Newfoundland. London: MacMillan, 1895., re: the burning of Capt. Auten's ship the Society of Poole in a French attack on Bonavista in 1705. [TC Note - This letter could be passed over as insignificant to Quaker history but for the name of one of the ships- the Society].

"St. John's in Newfoundland, Sep 21.

On the 18th of August last, about 144 French and Canada Indians came about two o'clock in the morning in two sloops and canoes to Bonavista Harbour, about 30 leagues to the Northward of this place and surprised the Pembroke galley of London of 250 tons, 44 men and 20 guns, John Noll, Commander laden with dry fish. And the Society of Poole of 140 tons, 14 guns and 24 men, Captain Auten, Commander. And also the William of about 115 tuns, 10 men but no guns, having 30 tuns of lamp oil on board. They also attempted to surprize Captain Michael Gill of Charles-Town in New England, of 14 guns and 24 men, who discovered their boat to be French, fired briskly upon them, killed and wounded some of them so that they returned to the Prizes they had taken and brought the great guns of both ships to bear upon Captain Gill and continued firing upon him with both great and small arms for the space of 6 hours, till his ship was much shattered, He, on the other hand, playing his great guns and small arms all the time on them.

During the action, he veered his ship somewhat to the shoar, About 8 o'clock, when they found he could not be taken, they set fire to the Society and cut her loose in a flame to drive upon him, but by the great diligence of Captain Gill, he got clear of her and she burnt to the keel. Finding that would not do, they set fire to the ship William and set her before the wind, furiously burning to that degree, that the lamp oil burning in a flame on the water, was like to have set him on fire, but that both he and his men laboured in the fire, and turned her clear of them. [The buoy-rope of the William's anchor got between the rudder and the stern and kept her clear of them.- Penhallow]. And when the inhabitants who had fled into the woods and rocks, saw Captain Gill's courage, they came down and appeared in a body in arms, which when the French saw, they immediately weighed and set sail and carried the Masters and men with them. And about forty leagues off [on the N.E. coast], they gave the Masters and some of the men a boat, who soon after returned, to whom the French declared, that had they taken Captain Gill they would not have left house stage or goods in the harbour; all which is owing under God to the courage and conduct of Captain Gill. He had but one man killed and three wounded; but the enemy had several killed and wounded."

BONAVISTA 1708/09 CO194.4

1708. NA/6/1/10. Check Newfoundland Ancestor.

From; William Pickering Account Books, 1695-1718, Salem, Massachusetts.

Bonavista June 22 & Jul 05, 1708:

23/26 Aug 1708:

CO 194/24 [Reel B-215]

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From Slade Monograph by Nimshi Cole Crewe:

...May 3, 1824 this per Newman in skiff "Plover"... with letters for Rev. James Hickson, to be forwarded to Bonavista"... The latter was then the English born Methodist minister there.

The 1675 census of Newfoundland, taken by Sir John Berry, shows a Newman planter at Bonavista. In 1720, the Newman fishing room on Newman's Point, Bonavista, was sold to George Tilly, as per a bill of sale at the Registry of Deeds, St. John's. No doubt, Newman's Cove and Newman's Sound, in Bonavista Bay, are called after the pioneer family, but I have been unable to trace any of them since that 1720 deed. Was skipper Newman a descendant?

Charity School at Bonavista: 

http://www.mun.ca/rels/ang/texts/ang2.html

In Henry Newman, Secretary of the S.P.C.K. (Society For the Propagation of Christian Knowledge), Henry Jones found an important ally, one who pled Jones's case before the Bishop of London and the S.P.G.. Newman, an American by birth and a former librarian of Harvard College, was familiar with the problems of Newfoundland. Before he settled in England, his work between 1697 - 1703 often took him to Newfoundland. There is even reason to suggest a considerable stay on the island prior to 1700. Newman, the S.P.C.K.'s "corresponding member for Newfoundland" since 1703, sent to Newfoundland a veritable flood of literature, including two hundred and fifty copies of "The Obligations Christians are Under to Shun Vice and Immorality." In later life, Newman remembered Newfoundland as a place that "claims the preference in respect of wilderness in all places, and that all the inhabitants of Newfoundland are too much disposed to ridicule all things serious." From his earliest contacts with Jones, Newman was anxious to help him promote the Christian gospel "in a country so destitute of the means of knowing Him and His Son Jesus Christ as Newfoundland is."

 xxxx

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

1722, Rev. Henry Jones, pilot pg 17.

From: The Downhomer, Feb 1994, Vol 6, #9.

Bonavista- The Anglican denomination in Bonavista celebrated a milestone on November 20, 1993, the 270th anniversary of the church. The first of the clergy in Bonavista was Rev. Henry Jones, an Englishman. He started with a congregation of about 400. Three years later he established a day school, the first in Newfoundland. The Anglican Churchyard in Bonavista bears testimony to the lengthy history of Anglicanism in the town. It contains some of the oldest marked graves in the country. One of the headstones, which was removed for preservation, bears the inscription "Here lieth the body of William Dare who departed this life August 23, 1725, aged 46 years."

Special guests for the anniversary banquet on November 20th included Bishop Edward Marsh, Bishop for the Central Newfoundland Diocese, and former rector Rev. Frederick Oake.--- mentions Cyril Sweetland, 60 years choir service and 47 years layreader ---etc.

From Prowse pg 301:

Bonavista 1732 Name of Justices: Mr. John Clerk (CLARK); the Rev. Mr. Henry Jones; Mr. John Hemming (H/Jenning).

Names of Constables: Mich. Reed (Reid); Will. Tully (Tilly); Will. Trusler (Buckler).

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

Vol 2, pg 391, 392, 1757.

Agreement alluded to made 20 May 1725: Mary Sheppard's property mortgaged to Dr. Isaac Bonovier (of Isaac).

Vol 3, pg 62, 63, 64 - 1727 Bonovier indebted to: Mary Sleate (Slate), ----- Blake, Cyprus White, William Knight.

1731/33 Bonovier indebted to: Patrick Cheasty, Thomas Hayman (for passsage), Frowds (for passage), Robert House, John Brown.

Vol 1, pg 70, 1749- Josiah Feed (Teed) vers Jno Sheppard for wages.

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

Vol 2, pg 231, 15 Sep 1755.

Hugh Abbott Sr. indebted to Thomas Webb.

pg 394 13 Oct 1757 Bailey's Cove Bonavista- Elizabeth Abbott, daughter of the late James Newell and grand daughter of Thomas Newell. Elizabeth Abbott vers Jonas Newell of Jonas.

pg 396 03 Oct 1757- Thomas Slate of Bonavista leaves property to his nephew Richard Abbott at Bailey's Cove. Joseph Randall vers Richard Abbott- Abbott won!

pg 454 Randell ordered to remove from Abbott's property.

Vole 3, pg 29, 27 Sep 1759. Randall's counter claim. He claims that since Thomas Slate was illegitimate then the property was not Slate's to bequeath to anybody. This Thomas Slate (Jr.) was illegitimate son of Thomas Slate (Sr.) begat by Elizabeth, wife of William Newell.

Mary Lane mentioned as Heir at Law to Randall

pg 36 1752 Bonavista: William Brenton, the elder of Sopley, Southampton. His heirs; Miller and William Brenton the younger (son & heir), property to Mortyn Harding of Sturminster Marshall. Wit: John Rose & John Oake, property borders on Lawrence Smith & George Brent.

Vol 3 pg? 1752 Benjamin Hayward & Thomas Tennant? in Bonavista.

pg 55- Elizabeth Abbott put in possesssion of her property.

pg 56- Joseph Newell claims his wife's property in St. John's.

pg 78, 79. 19 May 1760 Westminster. William Brown appointed Deputy Gov. or Surrogate at Bonavista, Placentia, Ferryland, etc and Commander of HM schooner "Surprise". signed by Gov. James Webb.

Vol 4, pg 61, 17 Sep 1762, George Rider debtors:

Birth Records required:

Thomas SLATE/ Sleate Sr., born abt 1660 Christchurch area, had a son Thomas Slate Jr born illegitimately abt 1700 to Elizabeth NEWELL in Bonavista, Newfoundland. Slate Jr left a property there to his nephew Richard ABBOTT. This legacy was opposed by Joseph RANDALL, Quaker of Poole and Newfoundland, who claimed that because of Slate's illegitimacy he had no prior right to the initial legacy and therefore could not pass the property on to said nephew.

Thomas R Cole

Hi Carol

Re: Vincent - In about the year 1749 a Vincent and Joe Batt were due to be whipped or flogged in Bonavista for stealing shoe buckles but the townspeople tore up the stocks in protest. Vincent was said to have been a sailor off Capt. Cook's ship but whether this is "the" James Cook is debatable.

Thomas R Cole

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From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

1749 Vincent & Batt, vol 1, pg 37.

1749 Jno Sheppard & Josiah Feed/Steed?, vol 1, pg 70.

1755/6 Rev Robt Peasley, Jonah Newell, Trinity Records?.

1758/9 Richard Abbott, Jos. Randall, Thos Storte [TC Note- Slate], Mary Lamb (or Lane?). vol 3 pg 29.

1759 Isaac Bonnvior,vol 3 pg 61.

Subject: Harding of Bonavista, Newfoundland

To: NFLD-LAB-L@rootsweb.com

Date: Mon, 29 Jun 98

The will of Montagu Harding c1759, of Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, now residing Bayly's Cove [i.e. Bonavista, Newfoundland]. Bequests to sister Susannah Harding and to friend John Bugden, son of John Bugden of Trinity, Boatkeeper. Also mentions James Lands (Lane?) of Bonavista, Boatkeeper. This is Wimborne Minster Will.

Info required contact:

Thomas R Cole

Feb 1993:

For British Deportees to America (1760-1775), by Clifford Neal Smith. [4600 names in this index]. see Lloyd Brown-

[TC Note - many of the surnames were familiar in Bonavista and in our family research]

The record for Mary Abbott is used as a sample:

Name of Convict- ABBOT, Mary; Date of Appellate action 1762 Jun 26; Crime for which convicted- shoplifting; Original sentence (mandatory)- death; Where tried- Shrewsbury; Mitigation to transportation for 14 years- Disposition of case upon appeal; Manuscript source A-131, A = Criminal Papers, volume 10 (1760-1766), 131 = page 131.

Bradley, Elizabeth.

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

1762, Jno Johnson, served Jas Sanders , vol 3 pg 149

1767, George Ryder, vol 4 pg 61.

1765, Timothy Martin, vol 4 pg 97.

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

1770, George Ryder, vol 4 pg 286.

1774, George Ryder, vol 5 pg 221.

CO 194 (1774) for gang rape of two Bonavista girls: Ryan and Parrott perpetrated by Irish gangs.

CO 194 Vol 32 (1774)

At the General Assizes held in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the third day of October in the fourteenth year of His Majesty’s reign George the Third of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith and so Forth and in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy four before Edward Langman, Nicholas Gill, John Stripling, William Thomas, Robert Bulley, Samuel Webber and Elliot Elinor esqs. Commissioners appointed by his excellency Molineux Shuldham Esq. Governor to hear and determine all criminal causes/ Treason excepted/ according to laws and justices and to proceed to sentences or acquittances as the cases shall require.

The Court being opened and the Grand Jury, the several Jurors being duly sworn, the sundry bills of indictment were given them upon whence they withdrew.

The Jurors for our Lord the King upon oath then present that George Rider late of Poole in the county of Dorset, Merchant having God before his eyes but being moved and seduced by the instigations of the devil on the first day of January in the fourteenth year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord George the Third of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King defender of the Faith and so forth, on the first day of January aforesaid with force and arms near his house at Bonavista in the Island of Newfoundland in and upon another Mich. Kenedy a native of the Kingdom of Ireland, in the Peace of God and of Our Said Lord then and there being, the aforesaaid, Michael Kenedy having first stricken the said George Rider feloniously did make an assault, and that the aforesaid George Rider with a certain gun of the value of ten shillings which he the said George Rider in hands then and there held, loaded with lead, shott the said Michael Keney under the ear of him the said Michael Kenedy the aforesaid Michael Kenedy as aforesaid then and there not having any weapons drawn nor the aforesaid Michael Kenedy then and there having first stricken the said George Rider, then and there feloniously did shoott and discharge the lead into the head of the said Michael Kenedy giving unto the said Michael Kenedy then and there with the gun aforesaid in form aforesaid in and under the ear of him the said Michael Kenedy three mortals wounds with the shott aforesaid of which mortal wound he the said Michael Kenedy then and there instantly died. And so the jurors aforesaid upon their oath aforesaid do say that the said George Rider, on the aforesaid first day of January in the year aforesaid at Bonavista aforesaid in the manner and form aforesaid, feloniously did kill against the peace of our Lord the King His Crown and dignity, as against the forms of the statute in such case made provided.

Ignoramus Jas Gosse, Foreman

From Lloyd Brown Jun 1987:

November 1784 Bonavista Document

Know all persons whom it may concern that I Joshua Foguet (TC NOTE- Folquet??) of Bonavista in the Island of Newfoundland for and in Considerations of the Sum of Fourteen Pounds Bills of Exchange to be paid me the sd Joshua (Foquet) of Lawfull Money of Great Britain & Thirty Pounds Twelve Shillings to be paid Messrs. Jeffrey & Street of the Produce of the Said Island as being Debt due from said (Joshua Foquet) to the aforesaid Jeffrey & Street to be rec'd of Wm. Brown of Bonavista in the Island of Newfoundland the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge have bargain'd, sold and delivered by these presents according to the due form of Law do Bargain, Sell and Deliver unto the said (Wm. Brown) all my Plantation situate & Laying Between --- at Cornail call'd Saunder's Room & a Room occupied by Robert Dugdale to have and to hold the said bargain'd Premisses unto the said William Brown his executors, administrators & Assignes forever from the Date hereof and I the Said Joshua Foquet will Warrant for myself, my Heirs, executors, administrators and assignees and will Warrant and defend the said William Brown, his exec, administrators, & Assignees against all persons shall and will warrant? and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof we have to these presents all parties have interchangably set their hands & affixed their seals thereon -- day of November and in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four & in the twenty fifth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord George The Third, King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith.

Signed sealed and delivered where no Stamp Paper is to be had in the presence of us.

Buckler Sheppard.

Gerrard Ford.

Abraham Akerman.

Signed:

[TC NOTE: This William Brown herein is probably William the second]???

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From Lloyd Brown Jun 1987:

1785?/6 Bonavista Document

Rec'd Nov 4, 1786 of Mister Wm Brown the sum of Twenty Pounds Sterl in Bills of Exchange on Jeffrey & Street of the Other, providing the said Cobb should have already paid the said Jeffrey & Street the Twenty Pounds, I do hereby agree to pay the said Mr. Wm. Brown the sum of Twenty Pounds back again in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day above mentioned.

Giles Hosier.

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

Bonavista

1789, Disneys boats, vol 12 pg 5.

1790, Jno Lander supposed murder of Chris Garrett, vol 12 pg 59.

Letter dated 30 Nov 1987 from:

Rhodes House Library

South Parks Road

Oxford, OX1 3RG

England

Dear Mr. Cole,

I am sorry you have had to wait such a long time for an answer to your further request for xeroxes from the USPG archives. There have been staff shortages here which have delayed matters.

There is a minor complication, in that the documents you appear to need are not dated 1810. [TC Note- this was my mistake- the proper year was 1795- this being George Smith's petition to the SPG, which is found at the Methodist archives]. I enclose the two items which we have provisionally identified from our indexes, and hope they are of some use to you. [TC Note- These were George Welch's letter re: Smith; and Rennell's letter, St. John's].

It would be uneconomical to make a charge for so small an order so I enclose them with our compliments.

Yours sincerely,

Alan Bell

AS Bell

Librarian

SPG Archives C/CAN/NFL/107

BONAVISTA PETITION.

1791

To His Grace The Right Reverend Father in God, John (by Divine Permission) Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and President of The Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

The humble petition of the Inhabitants of Bonavista.

Sheweth--

That there are at this time in the harbour of Bonavista upwards of three hundred poor children- that the parents of these children have themselves been bred on the most gross ignorance, and are not only wholly incapable of conveying instructions to their offspring, but from their extreme poverty are destitute of the means of procuring for themselves so great a blessing.

Thus yearly, are multiplied, numbers who have as little sense of the ends for which providence as placed them in this world as the untutored savages of the woods. Deprived wholly of the assistance of a Missionary whose precepts and example might excite to piety and a moral life, the best cement of society; this poor people are also destitute of the most common means of attaining to that small degree of cultivation which the lowest orders possess in most civilized nations. To be able to read is among the first blessings, since it furnishes the medium of improving the mind, and learning our duty to God and our neighbours. The end Your Grace's petitioners hope for in this application, is to obtain a small salary for a Schoolmaster, to enable him to instruct gratis, poor children in reading and writing. There is at present here a person (George Bemister) who has been for some time past employed in that capacity; but those who are in a situation to pay him for this attendance are so few, that the emoluments arising from his school will not furnish the most ordinary means of support. Your Grace's petitioners therefore humbly request that you will take into consideration the unhappy circumstances of the poor children of this place, and in charity grant a small annual gratuity to a Schoolmaster, for the purpose of instructing them in reading and writing gratis. And may the blessings and prayers of those who may happily benefit from Your Grace's benevolence add to that peace and serenity of mind which can only result from doing good and which Your Grace's petitioners wish you may to the latest period of life enjoy.

Bonavista Petitioners Nov 11, 1791 (rearranged in alphabetical order):

Bonavista 11 Nov 1791.

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BONAVISTA PETITIONERS OCT 31, 1792

USPG ARCHIVES C/CAN/NFL:2

To the Right Reverend Father in God John ( by Divine Commission ) Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and President of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

The humble petition of the inhabitants of Bonavista

sheweth:

That the town of Bonavista, the Capital of this District, has been many years without a Missionary; and that your Lordship's Petitioners beheld with concern the declining state of the Protestant Religion and the rapid increase of Popery, for want of a person to instruct the ignorant, and to m----- unto the minds of the unenlightened, a knowledge of our? Religion and the Duties of Christianity, until Mr. Akerman, voluntarily, and without Reward or Emolument whatever, undertook to do the duty of the Church which he has constantly served these nine years, to the entire satisfaction of the inhabitants of this Town and District-- That our children may be brought up in the knowledge and fear of God. We, your petitioners, ---- humbly beg the sanction of your Lordship and the assistance of the Society, in granting to Mr. Abraham Akerman a small salary, to enable him the better to carry out his present laudable undertaking. Your petitioners beg leave to inform your Lordship that Mr. Abraham Akerman has been married for many years and has a wife and four children now living in Bonavista. In consideration of which and of his zeal and attachment to the Protestant Religion, we are induced to implore the aid of the Society : humbly hoping that your Lordship and the Society will take his present situation into your consideration and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Bonavista, October 31, 1792.

Petitioners names rearranged in alphabetical order:

UNITED SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL

ARCHIVES C/CAN/NFL: 2. DATE OCT 31, 1792

PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE JANUARY 1793

This is Akerman's letter which accompanied this 1792 petition from the inhabitants of Bonavuista.

TO REV. DR. MORICE? GOWER? STREET BEDFORD SQUARE LONDON

Dear Sir.

Whereas the inhabitants of this Town and District has with great satisfaction beheld my laudable exertions in doing the duty of the Church at Bonavista and supporting the Protestant Religion from a total decay for these nine years past and that their children have been baptised in the foundings? of Christ and taught the Knowledge and fear of God.-- They have thought it prudent to petition to His Lordship and the other members of the Society in granting me a small salary.-- I humbly request Your Reverance's kind aid and assistance with His Lordship and the other good members of the Society in granting their request-- and am, Reverend Sir, your most obliging and most humble servant.

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SLA PG 191

Charles Saint, of Wimborne Minster, originally went to Bonavista as a parish apprentice to Thomas Bass, but by 1806 was an owner occcupier of a fishing room. Some three decades later, he was appointed guardian to a daughter of James Oakley "native of Wimborne Minster, now of Bonavista, Island of Newfoundland"

Obtained from the Anglican Church Archives, Toronto

DATE NOV 17, 1792

Bonavista 17th Nov 1792

Reverend Sir,

I learn from the list published by the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge that they have been pleased to appoint me Schoolmaster at this place with a salary of fifteen pounds a year. Altho' I have not been officially informed of this appointment, I think it my duty to return my thanks to the Society for thier favor; And to beg you will be pleased to assure them of my endeavours to deserve their protection. I am with very great respect,

Reverend Sir,

Your much obliged,

and Obedient servant.

Obtained from the Anglican Church Archives, Toronto

DATE NOV 20, 1792

Bonavista 20th Nov 1792

Reverend Sir.

Last year I had the honor to enclose to you a petition from the principal inhabitants and others of this place to the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge in Foreign Parts, praying they would grant a small salary to a schoolmaster which we understand has been conferred on the person who did then, and still continues in that capacity. I am now? to return? our sincere acknowledgement for the attention which the Society has been pleased to show to our request, and to assure them that their bounty, as far as depends on us, shall not be improperly applied.

Encouraged by the success of that petition I have learnt that a second has lately been (------) thru this settlement, which has for its object to obtain a salary for one Abraham Akerman for officiating as minister , or catechist. Altho I am the Chief Magistrate of this District, no application for very obvious reasons, has been made for my concurrence, or for that of the more respectable part of the inhabitants, which to give the measure a fair appearance, ought certainly to have been done. In fact, this business seems to have been managed with some (-----) for it is only written a few days that I came to the knowledge of it.

When Bonavista in respect to the community was at a very low (----) Abraham Akerman who then was, and still is, an inferior servant in the fishery, read the service from the Common Prayer Book in the best manner he could, and at the festival of Christmas, sang carols about the neighbourhood, from which performances, if I am not greatly misinformed, he now continues to draw a dear emolument of thirty pounds a year exclusive of his wages as a servant. The man may be drawing enough in the useful, but humble task where providence has placed him but the nature of things has not left it in his power to merit attention beyond it. The office of catechist made by the appointment of your Society, must, presuppose some (-----) at least. The man for whom this appointment is entrusted cannot, therefore, be recommended as a fit person. The habits of life, as may be naturally supposed from this situation, are too abject to command respect, and he is besides, so grossly illiterate as not to be able to read intelligibly. Can a man so unfortunately unmastered as to the acquirement of knowledge be possibly thought competent to discharge the trust which the petition aims to obtain for him? It might be asked (if his performances can be called officiating ) why is he suffered to officiate at all? The truth is no one else as yet offered, and the people of better mind can find no inducement to attend his performances, it is thought more proper to have some show of religion than none at all nonetheless silently to suffer this ignorant, low bred man to be placed in a permanent situation with a salary, to which assuredly, he can have no pretensions, would be to connive at abuse and to preclude the hope of having a regular clergyman settled among us. It would be, in fact, to consent that the receivers of cultivated talents be prostituted to gross ignorance- It would be to suffer a benevolent institution to be duped into an appointment which. instead of promoting, would defeat the very act proposed to be attained by it. I cannot, therefore, think that I should discharge my public trust with fidelity, were I knowingly to allow this imposition to pass on the Society, who will now be better able to inform themselves as to the merits of Akerman's petition.

As Bonavista as lately much increased in respectability and population, the necessity of a public instructor in the religious and moral duties of life, becomes every year more evident and shall hope that another season will not pass on without some proposal for effecting so desirable an end.

To Pastor? Morice?

UNITED SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL

ARCHIVES C/CAN/NFL: 2. DATE OCT 23, 1793

PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE JANUARY 1794

To The Reverend William Morice DD.

Gower Street.

Bedford Square.

London.

Postage paid at Poole.

No 3 from Mr. George Bemister- John? Bonavista (George of John maybe). 23 Oct 1793.

Reverend Sir.

The Society's printed list, last yeat inform'd me, that I was appointed Schoolmaster for this place with a salary of £15 annually, commencing the 17th Febr. 1792. I have taken the liberty to give a short detail of my proceedings in that capacity; since my residence of three years in this place - I have had constantly attending my School upwards of forty children, but through their parent's indigence, I could not procure payment for half of them; I was obliged therefore to resolve on quitting the harbour. -After communication my intentions to the Inhabitants of the necessity I laid under of removing; they judged it proper to petition the Society's assistance, which thank God has found the desired effect. - I am teaching gratis, twenty children, but the poor things are quite destitute of books. - I have taken the liberty to draw on the Society's Treasurer (Calvert Clapham, Esq.) for twenty two pounds ten shillings, in favor of Mr. James Bayley of Poole;- being one year and a half salary, due unto me from the 17th February 1792.

It will ever be my earnest endeavour to retain (by a ----- application to my business) the protection of the Society.

I am Reverend Sir.

most dutifully. Your

much obliged and very Humble Servant.

George Bemister.

Bonavista Oct 25, 1793.

We do hereby certify that George Bemister has performed the duty of the Schoolmaster in Bonavista, Newfoundland from the 17th February 1792 to the date hereof; During which time he has paid a proper attention to the Duties of his Office, and has had under his tuition near fifty children from three years old to fifteen, of whom he has taught gratis, upwards of twenty- their parents not being in circumstances to pay for instructions.

J. Bland, J Peace.

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UNITED SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL

ARCHIVES C/CAN/NFL: DATE NOV 13, 1793

PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 1794

Bonavista 13 Nov 1793.

Reverend Sir.

It is with much satisfaction that I enclose to you a petition from the principal inhabitants of this place praying for a missionary to reside among them.

Petition Nov 5, 1793:

To His Grace the most Reverend John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and the --- of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

The humble petition of the principal inhabitants of Bonavista. Sheweth:

That upwards of forty years have elapsed since a minister of the gospel resided among them and during that period the Inhabitants have unhappily been deprived, not only of the blessing of a public administration of the rites of the Christian religion, but of spiritual assistance in that awful moment when worldly consideration are no longer of avail. The increase of population within the aforesaid period is a circumstance -- under the absence of an --- missionary subject of particular regret. It has been recently ascertained that no? less than five hundred children underage? are numbered in Bonavista to say nothing of its dependencies. The native inhabitants, as of necessity they must be, are too generally to be reckoned among the worst order of society; and as they have not the same advantages of moral instructions as that class in the mother country, their offspring are bred in a more lamentable ignorance of the great concerns of religion.

Your petitioners are deeply impressed with a just sense of their own situation- of what they owe to God, to themsekves and their children, and they believe that it is the pure practice of religion alone that can insure to them the best enjoyment of the blessings allotted to mortality. But while they solicit for themselves the benevolence of your charitable institution, they are not unmindful of an obligation incumbent upon them. They are sensible that a missionary who devotes his time solely to the laborious duties of his office, can have nothing to spare from the customary bounty of your society, and they have not been wanting in the estimation of their own means to continue to his support so as to place him above resorting to employment which they conceive ought not to be blended with his sacred function.

Your petitioners are sensible to the intention of your society in sending ministers into remote parts, is to, promote the saving knowledge of the Gospel and consequently render mankind happy: but they cannot help observing that precept must fail where example is wanting. Rather would they have to remain bereft? of the blessing they solicit- rather would they see the dark cloud of ignorance continue to hover over them, than the pious intention of your society defeated in their regard.

Your petitioners are desirous to have established among them a truly christian minister- one whose life would be an example of the doctrine he taught: and on their part they promise to adopt such additional means for his support as may reasonably relieve his mind from the common solicitude of this life and -- him to attend only to the concern of a better --.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

1793 Petitioners in Bonavista to USPG Nov 5, 1793:

October 20, 1994- from Lloyd Brown, Bonavista Petition dated 08 Oct 1795 at the Wesleyan Methodist Society (London) Archives 1791-1886 H-2705: [TC Note- This is the Pro Smith Petition, which I have referred to earlier as the Anti Akerman Petition/ There is also a letter -at The Anglican Archives- by George Welch recommending Smith].

To His Grace The Right Reverend Father in God, John by Divine Permission Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and President of The Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

The humble petition of the principal Inhabitants of Bonavista.

Sheweth--

That two years ago your Grace's Petitioners signed and sent to England a Petition setting forth their desire to have a Missionary established among them, to which an answer has not yet been received. Since that period your Grace's Petitioners have been happily visited by a person who came to this country under the protection of a religious Society in England. Your Grace's Petitioners have during parts of two last summers witnessed the force and efficacy of this Minister's labors and Disinterested Endeavours to promote the Good of Souls. And convinced as your Grace's Petitioners are that the Inhabitants of this place have profited much from the Zeal and Pious example of the Rev. George Smith, they beg leave to Recommend him to Your Grace's Notice as a Proper Person to be appointed Missionary of Bonavista. And your Grace's Petitioners, as in Duty bound, will ever beg.

Bonavista, Newfoundland

8th October 1795

Reverend,

The? desires by the inhabitants of Bonavista to transit to you the Enclosed Petition. If it would be necessary on my part to say any thing to enforce the propriety of granting its prayer, --- --- the people here are much attached to the Minister whom they recommend. I believe that upon a former occassion --- --- to you that the bulk of the inhabitants of this District are grossly ignorant and if we consider their Relations, Situation the neccessity of some effort to check the progress of Vice and ------- will appear the greater. The Minister recommended in the Enclosed Petition is in my Opinion earnestly? calculated to promote a Reform in the People of Bonavista, of great simplicity of manners and unremitting in his labors. He is so far far from seeking to make any advantage of his labors which is too general and ---- charge that he --- shares the ------ ---- ----??. His Disposition will speak more forcibly to the heart than eloquence and learning for we all know that it is Example alone that can influence the -- conduct --- ---? in a rude and uncultured state.

I will not offer any further Observations, but I will hope the Petitioners may be gratified in their wish.

--- Great Respect

Reverend Sir

Your most Obedient Humble

Serv.

John Bland

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From The Church of England Archives C/CAN/NFL3 425:

Dated 22 Dec 1795:

Re Mr. Smith

Bona Vista

Newfoundland

1795

To his grace the archbishop of Canterbury.

May it please your grace.

About two years ago a Merchant at Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, wrote to one of his Friends at Poole, expressing the desire of himself and others, that a Missionary might be sent to them, who could read prayers, preach and bury the dead, as they were in the greatest distress in these respects, and had made application to the higher powers without success.

Some of the Merchants of Poole, who were will acquainted with Mr. George Smith, the Bearer of this letter, who was then at Poole, earnestly desired him to go over to Newfoundland on this merciful earrand. He accordingly complied; and has officiated at Harbour Grace and Carbonear, with very great profit to the people. During his residence in those parts, Mr. Thistle, the chief Churchwarden at Harbour Grace, opened the Church to him, there being no regular clergyman of the Established Church in those parts: and he continued to officiate there, almost till the arrival of Mr. Jennet? [TC Note- This was Rev. George Charles Jenner, nephew of Dr. Jenner], the Missionary lately appointed by your Grace and the other Honourable Members of the Society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts.

Some time before the arrrival of Mr. Jennet in Harbour Grace, Mr. Smith made a visit to Bonavista, one of the most northern points of the Island, opposite the Coast of Labrador; [TC Note- Welch was not well acquainted with Newfoundland- Bonavista isn't anywhere near Labrador] where the Inhabitants have been destitute of a Clergyman or any kind of Minister for about thirty years; and too many of them are little better than heathens. The people received Mr. Smith with the utmost cordiality, and have drawn up a petition to your Grace, which has been signed by the Justice of the Peace and all the Principal Inhabitants, earnestly entreating your Grace to ordain Mr. Smith, and to appoint him, or get him appointed, their Minister and the Missionary for that place and neighbourhood: and Mr. Smith is willing to devote himself to that work in that most disagreeable and desolate part of Newfoundland.

When I was last winter at Poole, I received very pleasing accounts of the success of Mr. Smith's labours, from Mr. Kemp, my nephew, who is the principal merchant in Conception Bay; and have also had letters from Poole, since the arrival of Mr. Smith in England, earnestly importuning me to do every thing in my power, to give success to Mr. Smith's design, and to the earnest wishes of the People of Bonavista.

Permit me, therefore, my Lord, to reccommend Mr. Smith to your Grace's notice; as I really believe, that your ordination of him and appointment of him as the Missionary of Bonavista, will tend exceedingly to the reformation and happinesss of those poor People, who live in one of the most dreary regions in the British Empire.

Permit me to subscribe myself

with very great respect

My Lord

Your Grace's

Very humble

and obedient servant

London 22 Dec 1795.

Church of England Archives C/CAN/NFL3 426

Bonavista

1796

To The Reverend

Dr. Morrice

Gower Street

Lambeth House

Feb 5, 1796

Mr. Smith having been with the Archbishop & by him informed of a counter petitions against his request to be sent as a Missionary to Bonavista, has expressed a wish to see these petitions which the Archbishop therefore would have Dr. Morrice show him. The Archbishop has also told Mr. Smith that he can't ordain him, and that he could not therefore propose him as a Misssionary, even if there had not been any counter petition before the Society. J. Cantnan.

[IE GEORGE SMITH].

Sept. 1801 "Ship Eliza, Wm Ladd, master, owned by Eliphalet Ladd arrived in Bonavista." Page 30, Ports Of Piscataqua ; 974.252 Phillips Library, Peabody- Essex Museum, Salem

from - Allen Temple Beagan

Subject: Bristowe of Poole

Bristowe (of Poole), who does business with the planters in Newfoundland, refers to John Bristowe and Company, shipowners and merchants at Poole, agents there inter alia for Joseph Brown of Bonavista, whose descendant, Dr. H. M. Brown, has a circular from them dated about 1818. [TC Note – likely means Robert Brown].

Thomas R Cole

From: Colonial Secretary's Office, Outgoing Correspondence, PANL G.N.2/1/a:

Bonavista

1813, Giles Hosier of Poole, planter deceased. admin Jos. Melledge.

1814, Mifflin & Brown etc Samson Mifflin. see Gazette Jul '14, pg 209.

Lench, Charles, The Story of Methodism in Bonavista, (1919) St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications Limited, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. rep 1985.

From: The Story of Methodism in Bonavista District.

by Charles Lench.

Pews in the body of the Church (1823):

Pews in the Gallery:

Bonavista/ The Classes with their Leaders in 1823:

Class 1:

Class 2:

Class 3

Class 4:

Class 5:

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1830 Petition

TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR THOMAS JOHN COCHRANE KNIGHT GOVERNOR AND

COMMANDER- IN- CHIEF IN AND OVER THE ISLAND OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND ITS

DEPENDENCIES & & & THE HUMBLE PETITION of the distressed Planters and Fishermen of BONAVISTA and BIRD ISLAND COVE.

HEREWITH

THAT the unprecedented failure of the Fishery has involved your Petitioners in circumstances of great distress and deprived therefore of all expectation of winter supplies from their respective Merchants.

THAT on an enquiry instituted for the purpose of ascertaining the actual condition of the inhabitants of Bonavista and Bird Island Cove it was found that a large proportion of them are totally destitute of [?] food except the Potatoes produced in their own Gardens.

THAT in five hundred and eighty seven ascertain Cases the quantity of Potatoes when dug is estimated at an average of only about three barrels and one eighth of a barrel for each individual.

THAT the Stores of Bonavista do not contain any Provisions to meet the wants of the Population.

THAT your Petitioners cannot calculate upon anything being brought for their relief until the Month of June next.

THAT their stock of Potatoes is exhausted which will be early in the Winter Starvation must be the inevitable consequence.

Your Petitioners therefore HUMBLY PRAY that YOUR EXCELLENCY will be pleased to take the above facts into YOUR compassionate consideration and afford them such assistance as in YOUR EXCELLENCY'S judgement may seem expedient and their exigencies require.

AND your PETITIONERS as in Duty bound shall ever PRAY.

John Hebbard

TC Note: The above names were rearranged in alphabetical order by me and surnames spelled properly where possible. The original document should be consulted to ascertain possible neighbours. Printed in "The Newfoundland Ancestor" Vol 6/1.

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1831/2 Proceedings of the Newfoundland & British North America Society for educating the poor.

Teachers- Bonavista since 1826, Mr. & Mrs. Meek.

Bonavista Country Association:

Joe Abbott

R. Abbott

E. Blackwood

G. Brown

James Brown

Robt. Brown

Mr. Fitzgerald

Mrs. Ford, Sr.

Gerald Ford

Wm. Ford

T. Gaylor, Jr.

J. Goodland

Mr. Hunt

Mr. Meek

S. Mifflin

E. Mullaly

T. Reader

Geo. Rider

Shears & Douglas

Dr. Skelton

Miss Skelton

A. Strathie

J. Templeman

Richard Tilly

Rev. W. Wilson

1832/3 Newfoundland & British North America School Society - 10th Annual Report. A copy is on hand at Victoria College, Toronto ie: PAM BV 2370 N4.

Bonavista Country Assoc. Contributors:

Mr & Mrs Meek Teachers

J Abbott, Sr.

J Abbott, Jr.

Jos Abbott

Roger Abbott

Solomom Abbott

S Abbott, Jr.

J Ackerman

Mrs Alexander

Arch Arnott

J Ayles, Jr.

John Brophy

Francis Brown

Geo Brown

Jas Brown

Thos Burge

Step Burton

Joe Carol

Chas Cole

Robt Cross

John Cuff, Jr.

Joe Cuff

John Dominey

Mich Doody

Robt Dorey

Mr Drawbridge

John Edmonds

John Etsell

Thos Etsell

Wm Etsell

Chas Fisher

John Fitzgerald

Mr M Flemming

Thos Gaylor

W Goodland, Jr.

Wm Green

Jas Hampton

Jas Harris

Mr C Hayward

T Hicks, Sr.

Thos Hicks

Moses Keele

John Launder/ LANDER

Wm Littles

Wm Meek

Joe Mifflin

Thos Mifflin

S Mifflin, Esq.

John Miles

Hugh Mouland

Mrs J Mouland

Ed Mulally

Jas Murphy

John Murphy

Mr N Nowlan

Henry Pardy

Robt Power

Step Power

Mr M Quinland

Thos Reader

Geo Rider

Geo Robins

Ed Rocket

Abel Rolls

R Rolls, Jr.

Sam Rolls

Thos Rolls

Robt Russell

C Saint, Sen.

Obi Sharp

John Simmons

John Skelton

Mr A Skeffington

Mr A Squires

S Squires, Jr.

Ed Stagg

Ed Strathie

J Templeman

T Templeman

Patrick Terry

Joe Tilly

Rich Tilly

Thos Tilly

Robt Wade

Joe Way

Wm Way, Jr.

Wm Welsh

John White

Jas White

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NEWFOUNDLAND AND BRITISH NORTH AMERICA SCHOOL SOCIETY 1835/6.

BONAVISTA CONTRIBUTORS.

1836 NFLD SCHOOL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTORS.

BONAVISTA.