Silk Sails (28 page)

Lilly Robins, Lumsden, Widow, 1948-50,
Gerald and Aiden

Henry James Robins, merchant of Lumsden, died September 18, 1948, and his will, dated November 27, 1947, appointed Lilly Robins and Henry James Robins, Jr., as executors. Though probate was granted on March 8, 1949, they did not sell the vessel until February 27, 1950. The new owner was Lewisporte Wholesalers Ltd.

Ethel Maud Strickland, Rose Blanche, Married, 1948-53,
Miss Rose Blanche

Ethel Maud and William Strickland, fisherman of Rose Blanche, bought this ship on June 7, 1948, from James Dolomount, merchant at Rose Blanche. They sold it on January 20, 1953. Ethel Maud was a Dolomount from Rose Blanche.

Annie Marie Cheeseman, Rushoon, Married, 1950-53,
Marie Cheeseman

Joseph James Cheeseman, fisherman of Rushoon, bought this ship in 1949 and on May 16, 1950, he sold Annie Marie Cheeseman joint ownership with himself in the vessel. They sold the ship on October 27, 1953, to Charles Joseph Cheeseman and Joseph
Richard Cheeseman, fishermen of Rushoon, possibly their sons, so the vessel likely remained in the family.

Theresa Strickland, Rose Blanche, Married, 1951-53,
Justrite

Thomas Rose Strickland, merchant of Rose Blanche, and Ralph Strickland, labourer, owned this 18-ton ship prior to 1951, and on January 30, 1951, Ralph Strickland sold his shares and rights in the ship to Theresa Strickland, Thomas' wife. They sold the ship on May 13, 1953, to a fisherman in Prince Edward Island. Theresa was a Clarke from Harbour Le Cou.

Gladys Tuck Janes, Hant's Harbour, Widow, 1952-56,
Richard J
.

Pleman Janes, merchant at Hant's Harbour, died on November 3, 1952. The two executors appointed were Lemuel Willie Janes, merchant of St. John's, and Gladys Tuck Janes of Hant's Harbour. On February 11, 1956, they sold the ship to Edwin Harrison Janes, Maxwell Carson Janes and Gladys Tuck Janes. On that same day they sold the ship to P. Janes & Sons at Hant's Harbour.

Ethel Constance Earle, Fogo, Married, 1952-,
Thomas J. Hodder

Harold James Earle, merchant at Fogo, and Ethel Constance Earle each held 32 shares in this ship when they bought it on April 16, 1952, from Alberto Wareham Ltd. They sold it on December 7, 1953, to Earle Sons & Co. Ltd. at Fogo, and it is not known to what extent Ethel was involved in this business. Earle Sons & Co. Ltd. sold the ship in 1961.

Mary Elizabeth Hannam, Rose Blanche, Married, 1953-61,
Wilehema

Mary Elizabeth was a King from Burnt Islands; she had come to Rose Blanche as a housekeeper and then married Charles Hannam, a fisherman. She always ensured that the ship was kept super clean, and she did work on the fish flakes. They bought this ship on February 12, 1953, from Caroline Hannam who had owned the ship since 1936. See Caroline in the “Sole Owner” list above. Charles Hannam was appointed the managing owner of the ship “under the hand of” himself and Mary Elizabeth. They sold the ship on May 30, 1961, to Marine Basin Ltd., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. After they sold the ship, Mary Elizabeth worked in the fish plant. Mary Elizabeth was still living at age 87 when I visited her in 1994.

May Hollett, Burin, Widow, 1961-62,
Golden Glow

1961-62,
Saval

1961-62,
Roy M

May's husband, Donald Hollett, merchant of Burin, died on June 10, 1961. His will of October 8, 1948, had appointed May as executor. When probate was granted in April 1962 she was living at Gander. On October 16, 1962, she sold her shares in the three ships. The firm of Hollett's Sons & Co. was adjudged bankrupt as of June 13, 1961. The shares in these ships, which belonged to Hollett's Sons & Co., were sold by an executor to H. E. Senior & Sons Ltd. May Stevenson had been born at Bonavista in 1904, became a teacher, and married Donald Hollett in 1932. They had five children. May died in 1993.

The
Conception Bay Plantation Book
of 1805 is of such significance for providing a context for fishing families of the east coast that an abbreviated version of it is presented here. The 1,062 properties listed here were practically all waterfront properties having a connection with the fishery, and there are several references to “by seaside,” “on waterside,” “beach,” “room,” and “dock” that confirm this. Only those items connected with a fishery are mentioned here, so all references to gardens, meadows, and so forth are omitted. However, “houses” have been included because these may have been “stores” connected to the fishery or additional dwellings for “servants” employed by a fishing family.

Most of the information presented for the 1,062 entries in the
Plantation Book
may be characterized as bare and skimpy, even skeletel. Eric Gosse in his carefully researched book on Spaniard's Bay puts flesh on the bones of the entries for Bread and Cheese Cove (an early name for Spaniard's Bay) and makes these entries throb with life and energy. To confirm this, check the six entries beginning with No. 726. Material quoted from Sean Cadigan's thesis does the same for Elizabeth Webber in No. 995. Peter Pope's thesis needs to be read to add further material of great interest.

It is true that the early court records and other similar sources present a sombre and gloomy record of some women's situations. These were rough days, and a woman sometimes had to be as
rough as her crews and as bold as her contentious neighbours. But the windows into the Gosse and Smith and Barrett families that Eric Gosse provides, give us a very different picture – of women who were hard-working, civilized, involved in community affairs, caring for extended families, yet bold and even fierce in their determination to ensure the family's survival. It is hoped that other writers will do for their communities what Eric Gosse has done for Spaniard's Bay.

To provide a better idea of what a “plantation” or “room” was like I quote from the
Evening Telegram
of October 4, 1919:

For Sale in a Northern Outport.

4 cod traps with Cod Bags, Anchors and Grapnels.

1 motorboat – will carry 20 qtls. fish.

1 large fishing stage – can salt 2,000 qtls. fish

Flake Room for 100 qtls.

1 large shop with store – can store 1,000 qtls. dry fish

Fish Beams, Scales, etc.

Part Oil Factory, with puncheons.

Baccalieu Tickle only 3 miles away.

That would be a reasonable description of what these Conception Bay plantations were like about the year 1800.

These are the entries in the
Plantation Book
that deal with women:

No. 2: Sarah Banks, Bay de Verds, two flakes, reference to “beach.” Sarah had received this property “by her father-in-law's will.” Date of possession 1716. It was being leased for 20 years at 4 pounds sterling per year.

No. 12: Joanna Vinsen, Bay de Verds, formerly a “Ship's Room,” i.e., where large ships from Europe tied up. Joanna sold the property to William Lockyer for 2 pounds. Date is 1774.

No. 63: Ann Pendergrast, Lower Island Cove. Ann had purchased this property from Thomas Kenelly for 5 pounds in 1796.

No. 64: John and Sarah Wells, Lower Island Cove. John and Sarah sold this property to William Broderick for 3 pounds in 1804.

No. 65: Mary Lowe, Lower Island Cove. John Lilly had purchased this property from Mary Lowe. Price not given. William Barrett was the occupier. Date is not given.

No. 69: Frances Hiscock, Lower Island Cove. This property is noted to be “by seaside.” It was given to George Gaudin, Jr., “By deed of gift from Frances Hiscock.” It had one stage and one flake. Date is not given.

No. 70: Mary Dimond, Lower Island Cove. Mary received this property “By deed of gift from her father,” George. It had one flake. Date is 1803. Her father had a separate piece of property in Lower Island Cove.

No. 74: Ann Snelgrove, Lower Island Cove. Ann received this property “By deed of gift from her father-in-law.” It had one-third of a stage, one flake and three houses (probably one or two of these were “stores,” used in connection with the fishery, or they may have been for house servants employed in the fishery).

No. 75: Elizabeth Lock, Lower Island Cove. This property had been “Bequeathed to Elizabeth Lock by her grandfather's will.” In 1770 it was in possession of John Lock. It had one-third of a stage, one flake and four houses.

No. 76: Elizabeth Lock, Lower Island Cove. In 1757 it was in possession of Charles Normore by deed of gift from Elizabeth Lock. It had one stage, one flake and two houses.

No. 79: Ann Snelgrove, Lower Island Cove. This was Ann's second piece of property, purchased from John Phillips for 9 pounds. It had one-half stage and one flake. A comment in the record is of interest: “…part of meadow formerly in dispute between Thomas Cooper and her admeasuring 72 yds. now divided equally by consent of both parties and staked out by me this 6 of May 1806 to satisfaction of both. Charles Carroll.” Date is 1756.

No. 95: Ann Snelgrove, Lower Island Cove. This is the third piece of property connected with Ann Snelgrove. She and her two partners
(E. W. and T. R.) sold this property to John Lilly for 2 pounds. Date is 1806.

No. 96: Catherine Walsh, Lower Island Cove. Catherine sold this property to Robert Johnson for 5 pounds. Date is 1798.

No. 98: Ann Snelgrove, Lower Island Cove. Ann's fourth property! Purchased from George Moores. Date is 1802.

No. 105: Widow of William English, Devil's Cove. Property owned by John, James, Richard and Thomas English with the widow of William English. It had one stage and one flake “and all the Droke.” Date is 1796.

No. 122: Mary Dunphy, Northern Bay. Mary had sold this property to Edward Butler for 13 shillings 6 pence. Date is 1790.

No. 135: Sarah Bolan, Oaker Pits Cove. Sarah had received this “By deed of gift from her father.” She was leasing it to Jon Parsons for 20 shillings per year. Date is not given.

No. 136: Wife of Charles Webister, Oaker Pits Cove. This property was listed in Charles Webister's name but it had been “bequeathed to his wife by R. Wells' will.” Date is 1801.

No. 169: Mother of Michael Connell, Western Bay. This property was in possession of Michael Connell “by deed of gift from his mother.” Date is 1786.

No. 174: Diana Eels, Western Bay. This consisted of two plots. Date is 1788.

No. 181: Mary Dalton, Western Bay. This had one stage, one flake and three houses. It was purchased from James Thomas for 150 pounds. Date 1784. “Note: Mary Dalton is to enjoy this estate during her natural life then 'tis to devolve to nine brothers 2 of which named John Dalton and Matthew Dalton are excluded from their parts in consequence of their Father's will.” See also No. 254.

No. 182: Mother-in-law of William Whiteway, Western Bay. This came into possession of William Whiteway “by his mother-in-law's will,” but was noted to be “void” in 1805. It was claimed by Noah Perry.

No. 187: Grace Delaney, Western Bay. Noted to be “bounded on waterside.” Date is 1748.

No. 202: Mother of William Crocker, Bradley's Cove. This property was bequeathed to William Crocker “by his mother's will.” It had one-half stage, one flake and four houses. Date is 1796.

No. 204: Mother of William Dimond, Adams Cove. This was “bequeathed by mother's will” to William Dimond & Co. The two plots had one stage, one flake and seven houses. Date is 1796.

No. 207: Mother of “The Martins,” Adams Cove. This came into possession of the Martins “by deed of gift from their mother's will.” It was being rented by John Murray for one shilling per year. Date is 1795.

No. 208: Mother of H. and Stephen Luther, Adams Cove. This property was “bequeathed by their mother's will.” It had one stage, one flake and five houses. Date is 1790.

No. 214: Mother-in-law of Joseph Bagg and Michl. Cahill, Adams Cove. This property came to the two men “by their mother-in-law's will.” Date is 1797.

No. 215: Mother of Philip Holmes, Adams Cove. This property came to Philip Holmes “by deed of gift from his mother.” Date is 1799. See John Holmes No. 221.

No. 216: Grandmother of William Gill, Adams Cove. This property came to William Gill “by his grandmother's will.” It had one-third stage, one flake and three houses. Date is not given.

No. 219: Mother-in-law of Robert Evans, Adams Cove. This consisted of two plots and had one-third stage, one flake and two houses. The plot with the flake and stage came to Robert T. Evans “by his mother-in-law's will.” Date is 1799.

No. 220: Mother-in-law of John Rines, Adams Cove. This property had one-third stage and one flake and came to John Rines “by his mother-in-law's will.” Date is 1756.

No. 221: Mother of John Holmes, Adams Cove. This consisted of two plots and came to John “by deed of gift from his mother.” Date
is 1791. John may have been the brother of Philip Holmes (see No. 215), so the mother may have had sufficient means to provide for both of her sons separately.

No. 222: Mother of William Crocker, Adams Cove. This property had one-half stage, one flake and three houses and came to William Crocker “by his mother's will.” It was being rented to Jas. Adams and Patrick Murphy for 3 pounds per annum. Date is 1796.

No. 229: Mother-in-law of Thos. Butt & Edward Lawrence, Blackhead. This property had one stage, one flake and three houses and came to the two men “by deed of gift from their mother-in-law.” Date is 1790.

No. 231: Mother-in-law of John Moran, Blackhead. This property had one stage and one flake and came to John “by deed of gift from his mother-in-law.” The present occupier was Dinah Pippy; was she involved in the fishery? Date is 1806.

No. 240: Tabitha Mulcahy, Broad Cove. This property consisted of two plots and had one stage, one flake and three houses. It came to Tabitha “by her husband's will for her natural life then to devolve to Bakers children.” Tabitha was occupying the property in 1750. In 1766 it was occupied by David Whealon.