NL GenWeb

“Original Will of Richard Jones, as made in Conception Bay, Newfoundland.” In the name of God Amen: I Richard Jones of the parish of Saint John, in Bristol, of Great Britain, being indisposed, But of a Sound memory, Do make my Last Will and Testament. I bequeath my Soul to Almighty God, & my Estate as followeth. I give to my Wife all that is mine, Except the house. Item: I give my Eldest Son John Jones, and After him, I give to the Next. Item: I give my Sister Mary, ten Shillings to be paid By my Executor. Dated: Oct ye 2nd, 1721. Witness my hand, Thomas Widler. His mark.

“Attestation of Richard Jones' Will, as made in Newfoundland, dated Oct 2, 1721; and later entered into the Bristol Episcopal Court record.” In the name of God Amen. I, Richard Jones of the parish of Saint John in Bristol, of Great Britain, being indisposed, but of a Sound Memory, do make my Last Will and Testament. I bequeath my Soul to Almighty God, & my Estate as followeth. I give to my Wife all that is mine, Except the house. Item: I give my Eldest Son John Jones, and After him, I give to the Next. Item: I give my Sister Mary, ten Shillings to be paid By my Executor. Witness my hand, Thomas Widler. Oct ye 2nd, 1721. His mark. Richard Jones, his mark. Here is my hand & Seal. I Witness: John Jones. By Capt. Henry Pynn, & Capt. Joel Davis, Admirals of the Fishery in the Bay of Conception, in Newfoundland.

“John Jones’ declared Oath at Musketta, as witness to his father, Richard Jones’ Will; and later entered into the Bristol Episcopal Court record.” I John Jones do make Oath upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, That I was present and did see the above mentioned Richard Jones set his mark & Seal, & declare Ye above mentioned, to be his Last Will & Testament, and did see the above mentioned Thomas Widler sign his mark as a Witness thereto. And that ye same was duly executed for the uses within mentioned. Jurat Coram me, this 8th day of October, 1726. Witness to the probate: William Knight; Henry Pynn, Admiral in Musketta.

“Thomas Widler Jr.’s declared Oath, in support of Thomas Widler Sr’s signature on Richard Jones’ Will; later entered into the Bristol Episcopal/Consistory Court record.” Joel Davis, Admiral of Harbour Grace. John Jones. October 8th, 1726. I, Thomas Whidler, the younger, do certify that the mark of Thomas Whidler within mentioned, is his usual mark, and do verily believe it to be the same, and no other. Signed: Thomas Whidler, ye younger. Witness: William Knight.

“A Bristol Consistory Court Admon Bond; made on Mar 15, 1739, by David Davis, Victualler, Robert Jones, Soapboiler; & Reece Davis, Blockmaker, all of the City of Bristol.” The parties were bound in the penal Sum of 200 Pounds. David Davis was Curator to Richard Jones, a minor son of Richard Jones, Mariner, deceased. Signed: David Davis. Witness: Robert Jones, his mark. ( One can deduce from the currency amount set for the Bond, that Richard Jones’ Estate was worth approximately 100 Pounds. Admon Bond values, normally being set at at twice the Estate value, in the era. )

Evan Davis & Catherine, his wife, had children baptised at St. John The Baptist, Bristol: David, Apr 2, 1710. ( Wed Mary Jones on Mar 27, 1735, at St. John The Baptist, Bristol, by Licence. ) Mary, Jul 6, 1712. Rice/Reece, Dec 12, 1714. ( Apprenticed on Jun 17, 1729, to Thomas Rolph of Bristol, Blockmaker. )

March 15, 1739. Bristol Consistory Court Admon was granted to David Davis, Curator or Guardian, to the Person and Estate of Richard Jones, a Minor, natural, and lawful Son of the deceased, during his Minority, and until he shall attain his age of 21 years; being first sworn before the Reverend John Sutton, Clerk, Master of Arts, Surrogate.

“Bristol Consistory Court Will”. I, Robert Jones, of the parish of St. John, in the City of Bristol, Soapboiler, do make this my Last Will & Testament as followeth ( to wit ). First I give to my Brother John Jones, now residing in Newfoundland, All that my messuage or Tenement, situate in Halliers Lane, in the parish of St. John aforesaid. Now in the possession of Robert Williams & others, as tenants to me, with all appurtenances thereto belonging, To hold to him, his heirs, & assigns, forever. Item: I give to my Brother in Law, David Davis, and Mary, his wife, All that my Messuage or Tenement called the Blackbird, situate in Halliers Lane, aforesaid, now in the possession of the Widow Thomas, with all appurtenances thereto belonging, to hold to them, their Executors, Administrators, & Assigns, for & during all my Estate Term & Interest therein. In Trust. Nevertheless, to permit & Suffer my wife Mary Jones, to hold & Enjoy the Same, or receive the rents & profits thereof, during so long of my Term, & Interest therein, as she shall live. Provided she shall keep it in Tenantable repairs, & pay the fief rent. And after her decease then to them, the said David Davis & Mary his wife, their heirs, Administrators, & Assigns, for all such remainder of my Term & Interest therein. Provided that if my said wife shall Attempt to Mortgage or sell the said fees for any part of her Estate or Interest she shall have therein, by virtue of this my Will; Then the Trust before mentioned created for her benefit, shall Cease. I give to the said David Davis all my wearing apparel of all sorts. All the residue of my Estate, real, or personal, I give to my said wife, her Executors & Assigns, for her, and I do make the said David Davis, Sole Executor of this my Will. In witness whereof I have hereto Set my Hand & Seal, the Twenty fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1741. The mark of Robert Jones. Signed, Sealed, Published & Declared by Ye Testator, Robert Jones, for his last Will & Testament, in the presence of us who have Set our Names as Witnesses in his Presence, & at his request, & in the Presence of each other. George Barratt, Henry Coone, William Scammell. *A Codicil was made on Jul 1, 1741. No additional genealogical info contained. The Will was proved on Jul 5, 1741, by the Oath of David Davis, the Executor.

CO 194/9 Page 128. May 31, 1731. Two Fishing Admirals to Gov. Clinton. The two admirals want to apprehend and punish John Jones of Bristol, who has yet to pay for his passage and passengers to Newfoundland, in Captain John Davis' ship. ( Harbour Grace District. ) "Whereas John Jones late of the City of Bristol has come passenger on Board the "Willing Mind" Brig, properly belonging to Captain John Davis, Merchant in Bristol, & has not made a recompense for his passage either by labour or otherwise. Moreover, that the said John Jones has after a Clandestine manner privily forsook his master's service before he made Recompense for his passage. I, Captain Joel Davis being deputed in the Room of Captain Samuel Thurman, Chief Admiral, & Captain John Field, Vice Admiral; to see Justice done in their absence: do together with Captain Richard Brown Rear Admiral, Impower and Authorize John Goss to Apprehend the body of John Jones aforesaid, & him so apprehended to bring before me or any other Admiral of this harbour where he has been deficient in the performance of his duty. Or the Admirals of Harbour Grace. For which they shall be your sufficient Power. Dated in the Admiralty Office in Muskitto, this thirty first day of May, 1731. Signed and Sealed by Joel Davis and Richard Brown.

Calendar of State Papers. COLONIAL PAPERS. Vol 38. 1731. America AND THE WEST INDIES. London, 1938. 333. i. Warrant by the following: "deputed by Capt. Samuel Thurman, Chief [Fishing] Admiral [of Musketta], and Capt. John Field, Vice Admiral, to see justice done in their absence" etc., To: John Goss for the arrest of John Jones, who has not paid for his passage from Bristol and has privily forsaken his master's service etc. Dated at the Admiralty Office in Muskitto, 31st May, 1731. Warrant signed: Joel Davis, Deputy Admiral. R. Brown, Rear Admiral. *Received with Commodore Clinton's letter of 29th July, 8 Sept., 1731.

333. ii. Order by Governor Clinton. St. John's. 12th July, 1731. Whereas I find by preceding warrant, you have assumed an authority of impowering people to see justice ( as you call it ) done in your absence; I can impute it to nothing but your ignorance etc., of what power the Act does give you, and to the pride of that Joel Davis, who I suppose, ( by the character I had of him ) has put you upon this piece of folly. I have kept it to shew the Lords Commissioners of Trade, the insolence of your behaviour. These are therefore strictly ordering you to recall all such power as you are have presumed to give etc. Signed: George Clinton. CO 194/9 ff 126, 126a, 127a-129a.

Aug 17, 1724. CO 5/1223. Captain Richard Brown on the "James", Snow, 7-/8/2, of Bristol. Owners: Richard Farr/John Stevens. New York - Newfoundland with provisions and lumber.

1729, Joel Davis owned the "Increase", 100/12/10. Of Bristol. Captain Richard Brown. *In 1731 the intended voyage was Bristol - Newfoundland - Mediterranean. Dec 23, 1730, arrived at Lisbon, from Newfoundland, the "Susannah", Captain [John] Hudson. Jan 19, 1731, arrived in the Bristol Channel, from Lisbon, the "Susannah", [John] Hudson. Feb, 1731. Admiralty 7/78, John Field, Captain of the "Susannah", 50 Tons/10 Men, Bristol - Newfoundland - Mediterranean. 1732, Richard Brown, Captain on the "Susannah", 50/9/2, Bristol – Newfoundland; a Topsham Captain. July 26, 1731, sailed from New York for Newfoundland, the "Patience", Captain Hudson. Jan 12, 1732, arrived at Alicante, from Newfoundland, the vessels/captains: "George & Elizabeth", Edwards; & the "Patience", Hudson. Jan 16, 1732, arrived at Oporto, from Lisbon, the "Increase", Captain Field.

The book: “Genealogy of a Perkins family in America : descendants of Edward Perkins of New Haven Colony and Joseph Perkins, immigrant to North Carolina”. ( Contains, LeGrow & Hudson info, for Broad Cove, CB. ) PANL(GN/5/1/B/1) Plea to the Surrogate Court, Conception Bay, April 4, 1796. Pippy & King, Plaintiff VS. Thomas Le Grow, Defendant. In a further Court showing of April 11, 1796, James Curtis, Johnathan Moores, and John Hudson, are titled as “ancient residents”, the suit in Court being situate in Broad Cove. The 1730’s Captain for John Davis, appears to be a father to the “ancient inhabitant”, John Hudson, in 1796.

A Joel Davis, a mariner of Lympstone, Devon, Jan 14, 1724, per the Devon Oath Rolls. Patience Davis was buried on Jan 25, 1721/2, at Lympstone, Devon; the probable wife of John Davis, of Carbonear. John Davis of Carbonear, had a son named Joel Davis. How did the Davis family of Carbonear, gain an apparent Settlement at Lympstone? Who was the wife of William Davis of the 1650’s Musketta? A Lympstone female? William had possible sons, Charles, John, William, and ? Daughters wed into the Garland and Pynn families? Edwards family?

John Davis, Bristol sailor, wed Patience Edwards, Widow, on Oct 8, 1695, at St. Stephen's Church, Bristol. Formerly, Patience Hilsly of St. Nicholas, Bristol, the widow of Shershaw Edwards. Shershaw Edwards born circa 1657?, at St. Nicholas, Bristol. Shershaw and Patience’s daughter, Patience Edwards; wed Thomas Bowen, Mariner, on Aug 14, 1716, at St. Stephen's Church, Bristol. Thomas Bowen, Carpenter's Mate, made a Will on Oct 2, 1744, and it was proved on Nov 25, 1748; in the Bristol Consistory Court. In which there is no mention of any individuals, Davis or Carwithen. Thomas names only his friend, William Edwards of Bristol, Merchant Taylor, as Executor to his Will.

ENDNOTES:

Bristol Consistory Court, 1638. The nuncupative Will of Henry Weare of the parish of Filton in the County of Gloucestershire, & Diocese of Bristol, Mariner, deceased. [His Will spoken in July, 1638, at Newfoundland.] By him uttered and declared, at his being at the Country of Newfoundland, the month of July, 1638, where he Died, in the manner following. Viz. The said Henry Weare, passing first in his last Voyage unto the Newfoundland, being there put in mind by one Roch Gonsolvus, his friend and acquaintance; to make his Will, and to settle his Estate, if God should call him. The said Weare then said, “All that I have, I leave and give unto my wife”. The which word he then so spake and uttered. Animo testandi et ultimam Suam Voluntatam Declared, he being then of very good Memory and Senses, in the presence & hearing of the said Roch Gonsolvus, and of Thomas Gerrie, & some others. Signed: "The mark of" Roch Gonsalvus. Thomas Girrie. *Probate granted on Nov 16, 1638, to his relict, Catherine Weare.

Variant spellings, Gonsalvus, Gonsalves, Consolvis, Consolves, etc., are seen at Bristol. ( Such deviant surname spelling, recalls erroneous surname Coppyduck/Coveyduck variants, at early Christchurch, Hampshire. One specific deviant, of which bridged Christchurch and Newfoundland. Captain William Cobbeduck, 1779, for Joseph Knight of Carbonear. Others? Who was the William Knight, witness at Harbour Grace/Musketta in Oct, 1726, as above? Of Poole, Dorset, and Bonavista? Marketing fish? Purchasing supplies? )

*It may appear that Roch Gonsalves held long term association with the Bristol's Hope Colony. In 1655, his namesake loaded fish for Henry Creswick, at Harbour Grace, for market in Bilbao. Readily apparent “Master Mariner/Captain”. Roch Consolves would have been employed at Musketta, under merchants John Barker, Richard Long, Andrew Carleton, Francis Creswick, and Henry Creswick, in the succession of time. As such, some detail of the early stages of the Bristol Hope Colony in Newfoundland, which was begun by John Barker, begins to appear. We have seen, that from 1637, the fishing effort was increased. While the Cupids Colony never flourished, the Bristol Hope Colony continued, and grew, “as a Fishery”. How William Davis', John Garland's, Peter Edwards', & the Pynn families, came to prominence; yet remains to be understood. Family intermarriage is assured. We see plural relationships between Cupids Colony/Ship Cove area, and Carbonear. Butler - Edwards. ?Varder - Edwards? Dawe - Butt. Mugford - Bradley. Mugford - Garland. ??Phillip Vibert - Jacques Vibert, requires further review?? ( Davis – Lympstone, Devon; association. Edwards – Farrington Gurney, Somerset, & Bristol; association. )

During the very early 1500's, Hugh Elyot of London, & Robert Thorne; along with Francisco Fernandes & Joao Gonsalves, (Portuguese Azorean ship Captains); were intertwined in new found land enterprises, from Bristol. Fernandes & Gonsalves enjoyed Bristol Citizenship, at this time. Robert Thorne imported Newfoundland salt fish, into Bristol, in Sept, 1502. Was Roch Gonsalves/Consolves at early Musketta, a descendant of a Portuguese Azorean Captain; whom had earlier been in the service of Bristol merchants, in the new found land. Quite logically, tradition via Bristol citizenship, would have continued. Hands on Captains/factors, with "experience"; in service for major Bristol merchants.

Notably, other English Port towns of the era, also appear to have utilized the service of a "Portingall" resident citizen, very early on. In similar manner as both the French, and English merchants, later employed Channel Islanders, in the early Newfoundland Fishery. The better disguising to competitors, and enabling the fetching of a ship load of salt Cod from Newfoundland, by both the English merchants, and the French merchants; in such a sphere of rivalry between the Portuguese, English, and French. Money holders, cashing in on those with "hands on experience", to turn a profit. Astute, rudimentary economics.

A Rich Gonsalvo was buried on Sep 8, 1598, at St. Stephen, Bristol. A Caspar Gonsalves, a Portingall, wed Margaret Teage on Sep 1, 1593, at Christ Church Parish, Bristol. Circa 1631-1644 Roche Gonsalvus & Margaret, had children baptised at Redcliffe, St. Mary's, & St. Thomas The Apostle, Bristol. Roch Gonsalvus wed Joanne Basset on Oct 18, 1646, at St. Werburgh's. Roache Consalvo wed Mary Nethway, on Feb 11, 1648, at St. John The Baptist, Bristol. Plural children from Roch’s marriages, became deceased at early ages. PCC Will of Roach Consalve made on Jan 15, 1657. Proved on Mar 27, 1658.

The Deposition Books of Bristol, Vol. 2. 1650-1654. Page 13. Sep 1, 1650. The Aggrievance of Roach [Roch] Consalvis touching his late voyage in the "Mary Rose", to Newfoundland, etc. ( The "Mary Rose", 130 Tons, was owned by John Gonning, John Taylor, & Richard Long in 1639. Earlier, John Barker held interest. )

Merchants And Merchandise In Seventeenth-Century Bristol. Edited by: Patrick McGrath, M.A. Page 239. *324. March 1, 1655. Newfoundland-Spanish Trade. Calendared. Bartholomew Jefford of [ Saint Augustine The Less? ] Bristol, mariner, aged about 50, master of the Elizabeth of Bristol in her last voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland, and Robert Griffin of [ Saint Augustine The Less? ] Bristol, mariner, aged about 40, master's mate in the same voyage, deposed that about 17 June last the ship sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland. She came to the harbour of Havre de Grace on 19 July where Roch Consolves, mariner, loaded 990 kintals of dry fish for the account of Mr. Henry Creswicke, merchant in Bristol and partners, and the deponents loaded for the same account 14 kintals of dry fish of their own and the company's catching. On 13 September there was a great storm near the Bank of Newfoundland, and they were forced to cut the main mast and throw it overboard, there being 5 feet of water in the hold. On 2 December, they arrived in Bilbao, but the fish was so damnified that only 213 kintals could be delivered to the merchant. The rest was thrown into the river by order of the justices there. B.R.O., Depositions I654-I657