Trinity Bay District

Early Newfoundland civil marriages performed by George Skelton, JP, & Clerk; in the Trinity District Surrogate Court, and entered in the Court record. Marriage Certificates were issued.
"There being no Episcopal Minister at the time, within the District, who was able to perform the service". George Skelton, JP, Surrogate, Clerk, Keeper of the Records for Trinity Court, during this era. Authorized to issue process in the Supreme & Surrogate Court for Trinity District.
LDS microfilm # 2132923. Item 4. Records of the Surrogate Court for Trinity District, Newfoundland, 1816-1825. Forming Volume 5 of the Records of this Court.
Records of Wills, Bills of Sale, Deeds of Gift, Transfers of Property, etc. ( Including 11 civil marriages, page indexed; at images 139/40. )
Transcribed and contributed by David Anstey, October 2017. While I have endeavored to be as correct as humanly possible, there may be errors.

Archibald Graham, Bachelor, wed Hannah Newell, Spinster, on Nov 30, 1818. Married by George Skelton, JP, according to the rites of the Church of England, with the exception of the Banns having not being published, which is not customary to do in this Country.
Witnesses: James Pointer Garland, JP, John Slade Jr., & Thomas Newell.
*( Son Alexander Graham born 1823. Dau Ellen Graham born 1837. Trinity North. *William Alexander, Bonavista merchant, wed Hannah's sister, Elizabeth. )

James Sinnex, of Random Head Harbour, Trinity Bay, Bachelor, wed Ann Degresh, Spinster, of Trouty in Trinity Bay, on Dec 7, 1818.
Witnesses: Ann Kelson, Susanna Skelton, George Skelton, JP.

Thomas Green, Bachelor, wed Ann White, Spinster, on Dec 17, 1818.
Witnesses: Richard Ash Jr., Ann Diddem, & George Skelton, JP.
*( Children baptized 1819. )

Thomas Dearn?, Bachelor, wed Elizabeth Sheppard, Spinster, both of English Harbour, on Jan 27, 1819. Wed by William Ellis, Missionary.
Witnesses: Thomas Courtney, Wm Jones, & Wm. Ellis.

Thomas Drake, Bachelor, wed Rachel Hiscock, Spinster, on May 10, 1819.
Witnesses: J. Gover, George Skelton, JP.
*( Catalina. )

Thomas Verge, Widower, wed Elizabeth Hiscock, Spinster, on May 26, 1819.
Witnesses: William Verge, John Miller, & George Skelton, JP.
*( Children baptized 1822. )

James Baker, Bachelor, wed Mary Pitcher, Spinster, both of Hearts Ease, on Oct 21, 1819.
Witnesses: Ben Thompson, James Collis ( of Corfe Castle, Dorset/Trinity Bay), Susannah Skelton, Ann Kelson.

John Anderson, Bachelor, wed Elizabeth Higden, both of British Harbour, on Oct 21, 1819.
Witnesses: James Pointer Garland, John T. Finch, George Skelton, JP.
*( Children baptized 1820/1821. )

Samuel Tibbs, Bachelor, wed Catherine Camel, Spinster, both of Trinity, on Oct 20, 1819.
Witnesses: John T. Finch, Robert Grant, George Skelton, JP.

Patrick Dawley, Batchelor, wed Mary Archibald, Widow, on July 18, 1823.
Witnesses: Thomas Bartlett, Mary Verge.

Solomon Miller, Bachelor, wed Mary Bailey, Spinster, on Oct 2, 1823.
Witnesses: George Skelton, JP, & J. Clinch.
*( Carley's Harbour, Trinity North. )

Endnotes:
*Not marriage Licenses as issued within a Church of England Parish, or Diocese, post the required Banns, etc.
*Rather English/British clandestine marriage, of a civil form, legal in Newfoundland by custom/tradition.
*Echoing the English "civil government marriages" during the time of Cromwell. When Town Mayors, etc., solemnized marriages. As opposed to Bishops, Priests, Vicars, Chaplins, etc.
Have any of these marriage certificates survived? Others? Handed down in the families' generations?
*What is the possibility that family search hasn't microfilmed other surviving volumes of early Trinity Bay/Newfoundland Court Records?
Captain Peter Fisher, Esquire, of his Majesty's Ship of War, "Ranger", circa 1822/23. Surrogate for the Island of Newfoundland. Visited the Court at Trinity Bay, in season.
*HMS Ranger, Sloop of War, launched in 1820, a 28 gun sixth rate/class 6 frigate vessel. Home base at Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Ships Company of 175 men?
Lloyd's List, June 24, 1823, edition. Sailed from Portsmouth on June 22nd, for Newfoundland, HMS Ranger. Captain Peter Fisher.
Lloyd's List, August 22, 1823, edition. Arrived at Newfoundland on July 25th, from Portsmouth, HMS Ranger. Captain Peter Fisher.
Lloyd's List, Dec 2, 1823, edition. Arrived at Portsmouth on Nov 30th, from Newfoundland, HMS Ranger. Captain Peter Fisher.

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Name in Record	Description of error / additional information	My Name