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Daily News

CARBONEAR 1937

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The records were transcribed by JOHN BAIRD & SUE O'NEILL.  Formatted by GEORGE WHITE
While we have endeavored to be as correct as humanly possible, there could be some typographical errors.
 
  

PUB. DATE EVENT DETAILS
December 31, 1937 Carbonear History & Business A Story of A Great Town Courageous and Loyal People. Known In History As The “Gibraltar of Newfoundland”. In a hundred ways Carbonear is one of the half dozen most interesting towns in Newfoundland. Newfoundland itself is the oldest part of the British Empire, Carbonear is the third or forth oldest settlement in Newfoundland. Of that fact there can me very little doubt. John Guy’s Colonies at Cupids and Bristol's Hope (formerly called Cuper’s Cove and Musquito) were settled in 1610, and were long regarded as the first settlements in the Island. Then came the late Judge D. W. Prowse, Newfoundland’s greatest Historian, to show conclusively that the “official” Colonies established by John Guy, and later by Sir William Vaughan, Sir George Calvert (Lord Baltimore) and the other gentlemen adventurers, were far – very far, indeed from being the First settlements in this country. According to Prowse several places in Newfoundland were well established colonies long before Guy was even heard of in his native Country. He discovered an Act of Parliament dealing with the fisheries of Iceland, an Act passed long before Guy’s time. This Act included Newfoundland in some of its provisions, thereby proving to us today, that as far back as that in Newfoundland, fisheries were of great importance in British eyes. A hundred years before Guy came to Newfoundland in 1610 this Island was the home of a very large fishery. Literally thousands of fishermen from the West Coast of England, came annually to Newfoundland every Spring, and returned in the Fall with their fish. This being so, how was it possible, asked Prowse, to prosecute a large and growing fishery, without leaving winter crews behind in Newfoundland, to pave the way for the fishery in the Summer? The conclusion is absolutely inevitable; increasing numbers of men settled in Newfoundland, and crested several important fishing settlements, long before the “official” Colonies were formally established by the gentlemen adventurers. And, of course, the starting of the seal hunt made it necessary to leave larger and larger numbers of men behind for the winter.
December 31, 1937 The Dawe Family The Dawe family of Ship Cove, Port de Grave, have a tradition that has been handed down through the centuries in their family. That tradition says that when John Guy’s company arrived on their very first visit to Newfoundland, in 1610, they headed into Ship Cove to land, and found their first colony there. There were met outside by some of the Daws (then spelled Daw) who succeeded in persuading the newcomers that it would be foolish of them to go into Ship Cove – that it would be much better for them to go further up the Bay, to Cuper’s Cove, etc, etc. The Daws, as a matter of fact, were settled in Ship Cove from 1595 — fifteen years before Guy came, and only 98 years after John Cabot discovered Newfoundland, and there is no absolute guarantee that there weren’t others in Ship Cove before the Daws. It is inescapable logic therefore, that Carbonear was a settlement long before Guy’s time. There is no reasons whatever to suppose that Carbonear wasn’t a settlement as early as was Ship Cove. It is quite certain that St. John’s was settled , and was an important fishing settlement, even earlier than was Ship Cove. St. John’s would probably be the very first harbor settled. Carbonear and Harbor Grace (or, to give them their old names, Carbonier, and Havre de Grace) would certainly be amongst the first place to become frequented and settled after St. John’s. They both had good harbors (even better then than now) and they were both near the fish. They both had magnificent timber of all kinds growing to the water’s edge. Prowse demolished the pretty romantic and conventional belief, that Newfoundland was settled by gaily-bedecked gentlemen - adventurers such as John Guy, Vaughan, and Calvert. It was the hardy fishermen who were the first, and the only real colonizers; the true pioneers of Newfoundland.
December 31, 1937 Carbonear’s Beginning It is a pretty safe assertion to say, that Carbonear’s beginning as a settlement, dates back at least to 1550, and that would make the place well upwards of 400 years old. Even then, it means that the Harbor wasn’t settled, until more that half a century after the Country’s discovery by John Cabot. Nothing is more erroneous than to suppose that one hundred and thirteen years, were permitted by the fish-hungry men and merchants of England’s West Country, to pass, between the discovery of Newfoundland, and their prosecution of its fisheries. John Cabot took back to England impressive stories of the fabulous fish-wealth of Newfoundland. As we know, the King and Court turned up their noses at the mention of the word. They weren’t interested in the very least. It was gold and jewels they had expected Cabot to bring back. Cabot would have been given much more that the famous £10 if he had brought news of gold. But the King and his Court were unimpressed. Not so the great fishing interests of the West Country. They were already heavily interested in the Iceland fisheries. Their trade was a well-established and profitable one. It is a foregone conclusion, that they would wish to “sample” the fisheries of this new Country, of which Cabot had brought home news. And who can doubt, that once having sent ships and men out there and finding Cabot’s report completely true, they would continue to send every year their ships and men to Newfoundland? There’s no need to labor the point. It may be taken, that Carbonear was one of the first three or four places to be frequented and settled in Newfoundland. It may be taken that her history extends back unbrokenly, for at least four whole centuries. It is incontestable that Carbonear is absolutely one of the dozen oldest towns of the Western Hemisphere, if we except the almost prehistoric Aztec settlements of the Southernmost section of the American Mainland.
December 31, 1937 Jersey Men Amongst First Settlers The late Henry W. LeMessurier, whose ancestors came from the Channel Islands, was always deeply interested in tracing the movements of the Jersemen in various parts of Newfoundland. He declared that the Jerseymen were amongst the very first settlers of Carbonear, if not the first. He points out that the very name of the town is significant in this respect: Carbonear or, to take old firm, Carbonier. Writing on the subject some thirty years ago, Mr. LeMessurier stated that “until recently” charcoal pits were to be seen in Carbonear — or at least the remains of charcoal pits. The words “until recently”, might mean anything up to forty or fifty years ago. That would mean, say, about sixty or eighty years ago, the remains of these charcoal pits were still to be seen in Carbonear. The early settlers in Carbonear used to use this charcoal for winter fuel. The Jersey word for charcoal is “Carbonniere”. This became corrupted and simplified in “Carbonierre,” then “Carbonier”, then to its present familiar spelling “Carbonear.” Mr. LeMessurier’s theory sounds reasonable, and he produced other evidence to show that Carbonear’s earliest settlers were made up, at least in part, by Jerseymen. There seems to be little reason to doubt it. He pointed out also, that many of the family names of Conception Bay are Jersey names; Gushue, Puddister, Perchard, Hookey, LeGrow, Miller, Hawco, Nicholle, Piccott, Furey, Norman, Noel, LeDrew, Gosselin, Grouchy, Murrin, Curnew. Carbonear readers will know how many of these names are current in Carbonear today, or were formerly current. But it isn’t merely on account of its great age and eventful early history, that Carbonear is one of the half-dozen most interesting towns in Newfoundland today. Nor is it merely because of the fame it won in the closing part of the eighteen century - “the Gibraltar of Newfoundland” - an honorable title that came from its successful resistance to the French invaders at Carbonear Island in 1796 – 97, at a time when every remaining section of the Country fell. Nor is it merely because of the fact that the greatest naval battle in Newfoundland history was fought in its waters, just near Carbonear Island — the time when Lieutenant Little faced, and vanquished a fleet of five French ships, under Admiral Points. The cannonading was so furious on the historic occasion, that the sound of it was heard in St. John’s, and sounded like distant thunder!
December 31, 1937 The “Irish Princess” It isn’t because of the fact that Carbonear became the home of two of the most romantic people that ever lived in Newfoundland; Shelia Nagira, the “Irish princess,” and Lieutenant Gilbert Pike, founders of the old Carbonear family of Pikes of the present generation. It isn’t merely because of the fact that Carbonear was, apart from St. John’s, the Country’s greatest fishing and seal-hunt centre, and a great supply centre that was the mainstay of the fisheries of a huge part of Conception Bay, Trinity Bay, Bonavista Bay, and even as far South as part of the Southern Shore. All these facts, and others that could be mentioned, deal with the interesting past of Carbonear — though it must be admitted, that few places in Newfoundland have so interesting a “past” as has this great Conception Bay town. And they are facts that assure to Carbonear, an imperishable place in Newfoundland history, and therefore in the history of the British Empire overseas. Not because of what, it was however, is Carbonear so charming and interesting a place. Perhaps it is largely because of what Carbonear always was in the past, that the generation of today is so strikingly strong in personality and character. For if there is one feature more than another, that strikes the visitor is this great Conception Bay town — the largest, most populous, and certainly one of the oldest, if not absolutely the oldest in the great Bay — is the character of the people. This character is evidenced in a variety of ways. Not even excepting such brand new towns as Grand Falls, Corner Brook and Buchans; not excepting even the Country’s capital, St. John’s, Carbonear has the highest standard of beauty and grace in its homes, of all places in Newfoundland. It is a revelation to the visitor, this.
December 31, 1937 Courage and Determination Further, there is the evidence of the people’s courage and determination. Of how many place in Newfoundland could it be said, that misfortune and disaster proved, in recent years, not a discouragement, but a positive spur to activity and ambition. On two separate occasions in recent years, Carbonear was ravaged by fire. On each occasion, a very large proportion of its business centre was razed to the ground. What happened as a result? Did the people of Carbonear whine and allow the blackened remains of their splendid business premises to remain there, an eye-sore to the town, and a reminder of the town’s former commercial importance? Far from it. The fires were still smoldering on each occasion, when the people of the town set in to rebuild. On Carbonear Water Street, splendid new buildings and wharves and factories have gone up, to replace those burned. Nor was this accomplished in the good times, the economic blizzard that swept Newfoundland had already overtaken us when these disastrous fires came to plague Carbonear. It is eloquent evidence of the unconquerable spirit of the people of the historic old town, that nothing could daunt them. In its own way, though less dramatic or spectacular, the rebuilding of Carbonear was as brave an action in the twentieth century, as was their heroic and unique resistance to the French invader in the eighteenth. With its great indraft of a harbor, its extensive areas of land, and the magnificent character and personality of its people, make no mistake about it; Carbonear's star is far from descending. Its past is great – its future need give no fear.
December 31, 1937 An Early Seal Hunt Voyage The Newfoundland seal hunt has been prosecuted sine its earliest beginning, by all kinds of people under all kinds of conditions, but a Carbonear firm and a Carbonear man, were responsible for the most unusual way of all. In the late fall and early winter of 1836 - 37, the Taylor firm had 2500 quintals of dry fish on hand. This they were holding for shipment in the spring, a not unusual practice. But early that winter, word was received by the firm, that high prices were to be obtained in Lisbon, and their thoughts were busy with devising some way of taking advantage of the opportunity, to clean up something special in the way of a profit. It wasn’t as easy as it might sound. They were deeply interest in the annual seal hunt, and sending one of its own vessels to Lisbon, naturally involved that vessel’s being absent from the ice fields or, at least, so it seemed on first sight. A solution was offered by the youngest son of the family, Captain Frank Taylor. He hadn’t missed a spring at the ice since he was a youngster, and he didn’t want to begin now. But he thought he could kill both birds with the one stone. Quickly the dry fish was loaded aboard one of their best ships, the “Providence”, and while the fish was going aboard, Captain Frank supervised the preparation for the seal-hunt. The “Providence” was fitted out completely for the ice fields — stores of food, guns, gaffs and all the gear that could possibly be wanted. Twenty picked men were selected as gunners, and signed on as a ship crew, in addition to the regular crew. When everything was completed for both voyages — the one to Lisbon, and the one to the ice fields — the ‘Providence” got underway under command of Captain Frank Taylor. They had a good run across the Atlantic, but ran into the worst kind of bad luck in the Bay of Biscay.
December 31, 1937 Searching For Pirates The French fleet was busily searching at the time for a notorious pirate — for a number of Barbary pirates, in fact. Their principle objective was to come across a certain buccaneer known as the “Barbary Rover”. When they sighted the “Providence”, they fired a shot across her bow as an order to pull-to. The “Providence” did so, and the French boarded her. The French concluded immediately that they had luckily fallen across the very man they were seeking. Useless was it for Captain Taylor to offer explanations. None of his explanations could explain the presence of so large a crew aboard — much less the number of guns and amount of ammunition he was carrying, the French never heard of the ice fields. The French Commander ordered the ship’s arrest, and she was escorted into Brest. From their Gaol in Brest, Captain Taylor demanded that he be permitted to communicate with the British Ambassador at Paris. This was considered as outrageous request coming from a “pirate”, but the Carbonear man persisted and was finally successful, after a delay of many precious days, in getting word to the Ambassador. That Gentlemen, as much out of curiosity as anything else, actually came to Brest personally, and it wasn’t long before the Newfoundlander’s bonafide were established, and their release ordered.
December 31, 1937 Voyage Profitable On to Lisbon, hurried Captain Taylor with the “Providence,” to sell and land his cargo of fish. A high price was obtained , and the voyage proved to be a most profitable one, from the fish standpoint. But it was now nearing the first of March, and it would prove a bad blow if they missed the seal hunt. The moment the fish was out, Captain Taylor got his ship out of Lisbon, and started on the return voyage to Newfoundland. They had a hard and difficult passage home, but succeeded in reaching the latitude of the Funks around the first of April, without touching in at any part of Newfoundland. The seals had been caught in Green Bay that spring, and this was a lucky thing for the “Providence”, as they encountered the herds, almost the very day they reached the neighborhood of the Funks. They got a load of 5,560 seals, and returned to Carbonear with a bumper trip. It was Captain Henry Taylor of the same family, who was the first man in Newfoundland to use false beams in a vessel, he was also the first man to use iron sheeting on his vessel, to protect her against the ice-flows.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 1) Where as Thomas Ranges Range, of Western Bay in Conception Bay, have plaining of many violent abuses committed by Oder, and by the Servants of John Pike of Carbonear, who has by force and violence, seized and detained goods and effects of the Complainant without any legal authority, and will retain in their Possession, the Fish, Train Oil and Craft, and for the better, securing the effects to himself, has by Force and Violence, put Thomas Fling, servant to the said John Pike, as a guard to see that none of the effects be removed, or any Debts paid to other Creditors to the very great prejudice, if not total ruin, of the said Complainant. You are therefore hereby Strictly Commanded, to apprehend the said John Pike, and Thomas Fling, and cause them to appear before me in His Majesty’s Court House at St. John’s, on or before the 15th. instant, September, to answer to the Complainant, as you answer the Contrary at your Peril. Given under my Hand at St. John’s this 14th, Day of September 1749. G .B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 2) To Geo. Garland, and Wm. Pynn Esqrs., His Majesty’s Justice of the Peace for the District of St. John’s in Conception Bay. To be executed by the Constables in Conception Bay. By Command of the Governor, San Furzer. The Petition of Michael Mooren, setting forth his having been by force and violence, seized and sent on Board the Pike Galley now in Carbonear aforesaid, and there, by order and assistance of the said Pike, was strip’t to the bare back, and tied to the Main Shrouds of the said Ship, and there whipt by George Peirce, by Order of the said Pike, forty lashes, of which number, Pike gave the Complainant, ten lashes. Soon after David Green, was in the same manner, seized by the said Pike, and whipt by the said George Peirce and others, eighty lashes on the bare back, without any Provocation. The Petition being Sworn, the Court Order’d that John Pike, and George Peirce, be summon’d to appear at St. John’s, the 15th of this Instant September. By George Bridges Rodney Esqr., Governor &c.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 3) Whereas David Green, and Michael Mooren, have this day presented their petition, setting forth their having been by Force and Violence, seized and sent on Board the Pike Galley now in Carbonier, by John Pike of Carbonier, aforesaid, and there by Order, and by the assistance of the said John Pike, was stript to the bare back and tied to the Main Shrouds of the said Ship, and there whipt by George Peirce, by order of the said Pike, Forty Lashes, of which number John Pike gave the Complainant Ten Lashes. And soon after David Careen was in the same manner, seized by the said John Pike, and whipt by the said George Peirce, and others, eighty lashes on the bare back, without any Provocation given to the said Pike. You are therefore hereby strictly commanded to apprehend the said John Pike, and George Peirce, and cause them to appear before me, in His Majesty’s Court House at St. John’s, on or before the 15th. of this Instant September, to answer to the said Complainants, as will Answer to the Contrary at your Peril. Given under my hand at St. John’s the 4th, of September 1749. G .B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 4) To George Garland and Will’m Pynn Esqrs., His Majesty’s Justice of the Peace, to be Executed by the Constables in Conception Bay. By Command the Governor, San Furzer. The Petition of John Trimlet of Bergus in Conception Bay, complaining of many violent abuses committed by James Poor, Edmund Redman, and Thomas Fling, servants of John Pike of Broad Cove, Conception Bay. The Petitioners being Sworn, the Court Order’d that James Poor, Edward Edmond, and Thomas Fling, be summon’d to appear at St. John’s the 15th of this Instant September. Order’d that Tubias Davis and John French in Conception Bay, be summon’d to appear at St. John’s the 15th. of this Instant September to give evidence in the above cause. G. B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 5) By George Rodney Esqr., Governor & c. Whereas John Trimlet of Bergus in Conception Bay, have this day presented a Petition complaining of many violent abuses committed by James Poor, Edmund Redman and Thomas Fling, Servants to John Pike, who has suffer’d by Violent abuses committed by them, against the Complainant: and Humbly pray for Justice. You are therefore hereby strictly commanded to apprehend the said James Poor, Edmund Redman, and Thomas Fling, and cause them to appear before me in His Majesty’s Court House at St. John’s, on or before the 15th, of this Instant September, to make answer to the said Complainant, as you will answer the contrary at your Peril. Given under my Hand at St. John’s the 4th. of September 1749. G. B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 6) To George Garland and Will’m Pynn, Esqrs., His Majesty’s Justice of the Peace. To be Executed by the Constables in Conception Bay, By Command of the Governor, Sam Furzer. By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor &c. You are hereby required and directed to make your personal appearance before me, in His Majesty’s Court House at St. John’s, on or before the 15th of this Instant September, to give Evidence in a cause depending, between John Trimlet, Complainant, and James Poor, Edmund Redman, and Thomas Fling, as you will answer to the contrary at your Peril. Given under my Hand at St. John’s The 4th. of September 1749, G. B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 7) To Tobias Davis and John French, In Conception Bay, By Command of the Governor, Sam Furzer. At a Court held at St. John’s the 18th. of September, 1949: According to Adjournment. John Pike, George Pierce, James Poor, Edmund Redman and Thomas Fling, being called out in Court to answer to divers complaints lodged against them, being Summon’d to appear the 15th, Instant, and by Adjournment to this day they did not appear. The Court orders that a warrant be sent to the Justice of the Peace in Conception Bay, for apprehending the said John Pike, James Poor, Geo. Pierce, Edmund Redman, and Thomas Fling, for Contempt of the Court, and to bring them Prisoner here.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 8) St. John’s. September 18th, 1749. Gentlemen, I am sorry you have given me occasion to tax you with a breach of your Duty, in the Execution of your Office. I suppose it must be owing to you Ignorance of the Law made, and provided in that case, however I hope for the future you will be more cautious, and take care to see Executed, all such summons, as shall be to you directed for apprehending Offenders, against the Peace of His Majesty’s subjects. It was your Duty to have taken with you, all the Constables, Head Borough, and whatever other of His Majesty’s subjects you had commanded, to have attended you in the Execution of your Office as Justices of the Peace, and have apprehended the offenders, agreeable to the Summons sent unto you, and have taken care that they had made their appearance at the Court House in St. John’s, to have answered to the Complaint exhibited against them. You likewise neglected to acknowledge the receipt of the Summons, which for the future, you are not to do, so as you will answer to the contrary at your Peril. Your behavior in this affair, has obliged me to reprimand you in this Manner, for remember Gentlemen, I am sent here to Administer Justice to Rich and Poor, without Favor or Partiality: you likewise, by the Oath you have taken, as Justices of Peace, are obliged to do the same, in the neglect of which you will not only forswear yourselves, but be liable to be severely punished, according to Law, and you may depend upon it, I am not to be trifled with in the Execution of my Office. This much I hope will suffice to remind you of your duty, and take you more diligent in the Execution thereof for the future. You will herewith receive a warrant for apprehending those Persons, who have neglected to appear at St. John’s, agreeable to my summons. The Officer, Commanding His Majesty’s Troops in garrison at Carbonier, has my orders to be aiding and assisting you, in putting the said warrant in Execution, in case you shall stand in need of, and demand his assistance. I am , Gentlemen, Your very Humble Servant, G. B. R.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 9) To George Garland & Will’m Pynn, Esqr., His Majesty’s Justice of the Peace in Conception Bay. At a Court held at St. John’s the 20th, September, 1749. According to Adjournent. John Pike, George Peirce, Thomas Fling, Edmund Redman, and James Fling, being called to appear Court to answer to several Complaints Exhibited against them, agreeable to the Summons sent them, did not appear. John Pike being called in court to answer to the Complaint Exhibited against him, appeared in Court. Order’d that he attends the General Sessions of the Peace, on Monday the 25th. of this Instant September, to make his defense.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 10) St. John’s Court House, 25th. September. Proceeding of the General Sessions of St. John’s, as delivered to the Governor by the Justice, in the Trial of the Indictment and Complaints Exhibited against John Pike of Carbonier, the 25th of September, 1749. An Indictment wherin David Careen and Michael Mooren are Plaintiffs, and John Pike, Defendant, for carrying them on board a ship, and whipping them, without any Legal authority for so doing. To which Indictment John Pike pleaded Guilty, and threw himself on the clemency of the Court. The Court adjudges John Pike to pay to Michael Mooren for damages, twenty Pounds, and to David Careen, fifteen Pounds, with costs of suit. A Complaint of Frace Davis and Mary Prosser, against John Pike, for beating them in a cruel and barbarous manner, in October, 1745. At the desire of the Complainants to be adjusted by Arbitration.
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 11) "A Complaint against John Pike, by Jeremia MacDonald, of being beat, abused, and a Cutlass run through his foot, by the said Pike, and afterwards, by force, carried on board a ship, and sent to Spain without his consent. John Pike pleaded Not Guilty. The Witness, being sworn and examined, the jury withdrew, and brought in a Verdict that John Pike was Not Guilty. An Indictment wherein Amos Vincent is Plaintiff, and John Pike, Defendant, setting forth that the said Pike forcibly entered the room of the Plaintiff, did there carry away all his green and dry fish, together with a sail, the property of the said Amos Vincent, under pretense of a debt due to the said Pike, without any Legal authority for so doing. To which Indictment, John Pike pleaded Not Guilty. A Jury being Impanneld and Sworn, and the evidence of the proof of the Indictment examined, they withdrew and returned their Verdict, finding John Pike Guilty of the Indictment, and to pay to Amos Vincent One Hundred pounds, in Bills of Exchange, for damages he has sustained by the said John Pike, with costs of suit. A Complaint of Samuel Granger against John Pike for demolishing his House. No Proof."
December 31, 1937 Historical Records, By George Bridges Rodney, Esqr., Governor & c. (Part 12) A Complaint of John Trimlet against John Pike, for sending his Servants to take possession of his Plantation, and breaking open his door of his dwelling House. John Pike pleaded Not Guilty. The Witness being Sworn and Examined, the Jury withdrew and brought in a Verdict, finding Alexander Man and Christopher Hughes, guilty of breaking open the House of John Trimlet. The Court adjudged twenty Pounds damages to be paid in the following manner: By Alexander Man, ten Pounds. By Christopher Hughes, Ten Pounds. A Complaint of Thomas Range of Western Bay, against John Pike, for sending his servant, Thomas Fling, to seize and detain by force, the effects of the said Thomas Range. Not Proved. John MacDonald against John Pile, concerning his wages, to be heard by Mr. Keen and determined.
December 31, 1937 Shipbuilding and Horses "In 1826, there was one firm in Carbonear that owned over thirty sail of Square-riggers, engaged in the foreign trade, beside thirty-five schooners engaged in the fishery. From 1700 to 1710 the great Poole firm of Slades, did an enormously flourishing business at Carbonear. They were the first of the Poole houses to do business there. They owned the best part of the harbor. The water was quite deep in that part of the harbor at the time, and they had a very long wharf running in a S. S. E. direction for their vessels. There were no less than six different ship-yards in Carbonear at this time, and the town offered very important winter employment in ship building. Witch-hazel, juniper, and pine timber, was very plentful in and near Carbonear. In addition to building large foreign going square-riggers, and smaller schooners for the fishery and the Ice fields, an important industry was the building of shallop boats, and Western boats. The shallops boats ranged from five to fifteen tons. They had three standing-rooms, and carried a grew of three men for hook and line fishing. They were nearly all open boats, with moveable deck-boards. There were some 200 of these shallop boats in the area from Carbonear to Brigus, and many of them were built in the shipyards at Carbonear. The Western boats got their name from the fact that they made an early trip to the St. Mary’s Bank, and got back to Carbonear just before the fish struck in there. Eventually these Western boats used to go to Notre Dame Bay, the Treaty Shore, and even as far North as the Labrador coast. The Western boats growing to 20 and even 25 tons, were first engage in the seal hunt. "
December 31, 1937 Notable Facts The first horses in America after the Ice Age, were brought over by Cortez, for the campaign in his conquest of Mexico, begun in 1519. Fires still burning in a pottery at Fulham, London, first were lighted more that 260 years ago. England has spent more than $4,500,000,000 on its roads since the World War, including 400 miles of new roads.
December 31, 1937 Maddocks Prominent In Business 150 Yrs. Original Maddock Firm Now Carried on by J. &. J, Maddock. Splendid New Building Erected this Year — Additional Lines to Re added to Stock Carried. The name of Maddock, reaches far back in the business history of Carbonear. For nearly one hundred years, the firm of J. &. R. Maddock carried on business there, dealing in general merchandise, and the successors to that firm, Messers. J & J Maddock, have been carrying on for over fifty years. The disastrous fire of 1931, destroyed their store and contents, causing them a sever setback. But it only succeeded in wiping them off the map temporarily. They decided to rebuild. An so today, the Maddocks, are still catering to the trade of the town and nearby settlements. Their new store, situated on Water Street, in a central location in one of the best buildings of its kind in the town, being well finished and attractively arranged; it is new, not only from the standpoint of age, but also in design and layout. J & J Maddock deal chiefly in provisions, feeds and groceries, and hardware. In the near future, they plan to add new lines of dry goods, household furnishings, etc. to their stock-in trade. With these additional and their splendid new buildings, the old-establishment firm of J & J Maddock, will continue to serve the buying public—better than ever.
December 31, 1937 Rorke & Sons Over 100 Years In Business Firm founded by Late Hon. John Rorke in 1825. In 1928 Business Was Divided - John Rorke Managing the Cash Business, and Mr. James Rorke Managing the Fish and Coal. The firm of John Rorke & Sons, Carbonear, was founded by the late hon. John Rorke of Athlone, Ireland, who came to Newfoundland in 1825, as a clerk to William Bennett, an old North of Ireland Merchant, then engaged in the general trade of the country at Carbonear. Five years later, he began business for himself, and in 1838, purchased the premises of Slade, Elson & Co., and laid the foundation of an enterprise, that has left its impression, not only on the business life of Carbonear, but upon the Commercial History of the Island. 1n 1860, the premises purchased from Slade, Elson & Co., were destroyed by fire, but these were immediately replaced by the stone structure which stands to-day, as the monument of the stability, not only of the Founder, but of those who have since guided the destiny of this successful business house for the last hundred years. In the second half of the eighteenth century, the Rorke firm had grown to be one of the most important outfitting firms in the outports, carrying on an immense Labrador fishery, besides owning a fleet of more than fifty schooners and foreign going vessels, and operating two large branch establishments at Labrador; one at Vension Island and the other at St. Francis Harbor. In addition to their extensive cod fishery, the firm was also one of the leading Merchants engaged at the seal fishery, in the stirring days when sailing vessels were employed at the ice fields, and when the catch of seals brought in by Merchants of Conception Bay, rivaled that of St. John’s, as regards total quantity for the season. Upon the death of the Hon. John Rorke in 1896, the business passed into the hands of his two sons, John and James, who had already been taken into partnership. Owing to ill health, the former never assumed a full share of active responsibility, but was nevertheless, a prominent figure in connection with the management of the dry goods department of the firm.
December 31, 1937 Builder of Vessels For the next twenty-two years, Mr. James Rorke may be said to have guided the destiny of the business. He continued to carry on the supplying business in all its ramifications, as well as operating nearly forty fishing schooners. He was also responsible for the building of a number of new foreign going vessels of the Brig and Brigantine type, built especially to the firm’s order at Port Maddock, Wales. These were excellent ships, and will be remembered by the older generation, as the nursery for many of the young Carbonear Captains, who afterwards made a name for themselves, in carrying fish cargoes to Europe, through perilous mine strewn seas, during the days of the Great War. Changes however, if not overdue, were about to take place. The evolution of steam was soon to make itself felt in the trade of Newfoundland. Fishermen, preferring to travel to Labrador at the Government expense by mail steamers, left fishing schooners, particularly those from Conception Bay, at their summer moorings, for want of crews to man them. Similar changes were taking places with regards to our foreign Vessels, and instead of Newfoundland ships freighting our fish to markets abroad, same was being done by steamers, principally by those from Scandinavia. The glamour of Newfoundlands Sailing Fleet was passing, a new epoch was being ushered in, an era of modern ideas, but one of questionable benefit to the hardy fishermen and sailors of Conception Bay. The Rorke Firm were not slow to adjust themselves to this rapid transaction, and promptly set themselves to the task of developing a retail and wholesale cash trade, but continued their interest in the fishery, though on a somewhat curtailed scale.
December 31, 1937 Divide Business In 1918, Mr. James Rorke died, the Management then passing to his two sons, John and James, who are still carrying on the business at Carbonear in a successful way. It was decided in 1929, to separate the general cash business from the fish and coal end, and in the same year, two new Companies were incorporated, to be known henceforth as John Rorke & Sons, Ltd. under the management of Mr. John Rorke, and the Rorke Fish & Coal Co., Ltd. with Mr. James Rorke as Managing Director. John Rorke & Sons Ltd., continued to do a substantial cash business as heretofore, specializing in Paints, Iron, Hardware, Groceries, Provisions, etc., and of recent years, have devoted much attention to Dry Goods, and particular Ladies Wear, with marked success. The Rorke fish & Coal Co., Ltd., took over the Fish and Coal business of the original firm, and up till 1934, were actively associated with the Labrador fishery, supplying many Planters, who had been with the Firm for two or three generations. In that same year however, they voluntarily retired from the fish trade, because of innovations at Labrador, with which they could not agree. The following year they built a modern coal Premises on the old property, familiarly known in Carbonear as Rorke’s “Lower Room”, and as a consequence, have greatly enlarged their coal trade, especially in the adjoining districts, and are presently devoting their sole attention to this line.

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