Extracts of Blundon references from the Journal of Oliver Rouse Anglican
Missionary at Bay de Verde
1846 – 1850
This Journal has much detail on the
daily lives of the individuals in Bay de Verde over this period and is a must
read for researchers of ancestors who were in that place during this period.
It runs to some 400 pages
The Journal may be viewed and searched at:-
http://collections.mun.ca/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/cns&CISOPTR=75839&REC=19
PDF of entire document (aprox 70 mb - 420 pages) http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/cns/TheJournalOliverRouse.pdf
The Blundons of Bay de Verde mentioned in this Journal are mostly the second and third generations of James Blundon 1760-1843 and are listed in the family tree on my web page at http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~rawlsofdorset/Blundon/BlundonHD.htm
(Many early records show the early family as Blunden as does
my list however I note that Rouse consistently spells it Blundon!)
I have added some (notes in brackets) that I believe
identify the individuals concerned.
August 1847 16th, Monday. Called on Mr. Bridge to receive instructions previously to- my leaving for Bay de Verds. He said it was the Bishop's desire that I should have nothing to do with "Grates", I was not to marry, bury, baptize, or visit any of the people residing there till they had legally by a "deed of sale" made over the ground, on which their church stands, to the Bishop.........The master of the boat agreed to take us round to Bay de Verds for £3.10. He wanted £4. I told him he must consider it was for his benefit and the people's that we were going round. Mr. Hutchings said he would pay the 10/- and charge us £ 3. Paid Mr. Hutchings £3..10 for the freight of our goods.
August 16th, Monday evening left St. John's about ten O'clock in Blundon's boat for Bay de Verds, [;] there were Maria, the two children, Bridget, Mary Ann and Mr. Hutchings, and myself. We took a Goat also with us and fowls.
August 1847 17th, Tuesday. Arrived here about
26th, Thursday. Last evening we received some things from St. John's which we had left behind, and also some meat from Moore's. ......... Mr. Roberts came in Blundon's boat early this morning. [I] Gave Mr. Blundon Senior a One pound note asking him to desire his son to get me 200 f[ee]t of 3/4 inch and 50 f [ee]t of 1 inch board.
September 1847 September 5th, Sunday. According to the request of the Churchwardens I called a meeting of the Inhabitants to take into consideration how Henry Brown was to be paid for the Sticks which according to agreement he had delivered at Lance Cove.* It was objected that 40 of the sticks had not yet been delivered, and we finally came to the resolution that the 263 Sticks should now be paid for and the remaining 40 when delivered. Mr. T. Hutchings said that he would guarantee that they should be brought here. Wm. Blundon was owed £ 10..0..0 for the freight of the said sticks. Those persons who were present agreed to give at the rate of one-half Quintal* [of dried fish] per man * and boy between the ages of 12 and 70 years. Allowing 11/6 per Quintal [, ] we collected at this meeting £ 14..10.. 3 [, ]
September 6th .......... I find that the only Communicants in the Harbour are T. Hutchings, Mrs. Brine, John Lockyer Sr., Tamsay Blundon, (William Snr's daughter) and James Norris.
September 1847 9th, Thursday. Blundon brought my lumber from St. John's (250 ft.) and returned me Is. 3d out of the pound I had given him.
16th, Thursday. Left Bay de Verds about
24th, Friday. We got to Bay de Verds about six this morning. Thank God for His preserving care. Found all things going on comfortably at home. In the evening Maria and I called to see William Riggs' child and gave it a powder, ordering three-quarters to be taken to night, and the rest in the morning.
September 1847 27th, Monday. Mr. William Blundon said he had no objection to our having the small piece of ground by our house provided the other parties, viz, the Fronds and Stephens' were willing, if also we paid a nominal rent as an acknowledgement of their right to it.
October 1847 20th.
Prayer as usual. Tamsay Blundon was in tears all the time, consequently
Maria and I called to see if we could in any degree administer comfort. We
found that the cause of her grief was that Revd. Mr. Roberts was going to the
October 1847 November lst, Monday. Coish worked to day again. Two James Jacobses also came to work, one about the garden, the other about the Fences. George told me that one of the Blundon's had objected to having the small piece by our house fenced in. I sent for Him, and he "had no objection" he said. I replied that I would pay him a nominal rent, as an acknowledgement. He appeared quite satisfied. However, afterwards, George said some of the family had been murmuring again.
November 1847 14th. Wrote both to McCarty and Hoskins relative to a piece of ground we wish to purchase for the Church. November 15th, Monday. This evening J. Duffet came to ask me whether I would marry William Blundon in the evening. i told him that in consequence of the Bishop's wish to have all marriages celebrated in the morning I would rather not; but I should like to see Blundon himself; accordingly he came, and I endeavoured to pursuade him to be married in the morning but to no purpose, [;] he pleaded that his Aunt Fanny had been married at St. John's in the evening. I at last consented to do so.
17th, Wednesday. Mr. Hutchings came up with the Widow Jacobs; the latter made oath that she heard her daughter Mary say at the time of her delivery this morning that George Critch was the father of the child. On calling up George he positively denied this and said, on being examined that he had not had any connexion with her since 2 1/2 years ago. Mr. Hutchings told him he must either support the child or go to prison. He said he would do the latter. I afterwards reasoned with him, saying What will your Mother do? When I came in again in the afternoon he asked me whether 30/- would be sufficient to allow the girl for the present. I said yes. He went down to Mr. Hutchings and settled the matter; but he declares that the child is not his.
November 1847 27th Friday. This evening about half past seven I married William Blundon and Honour Looney according to promise. William Blundon] Sr. and many others were present; Norris assured me that the Father of Looney was agreeable as also Blundon's parents. There was some stir in the harbour afterwards, the young woman being a Romanist previously, but now, I believe, she intends attending Church [rather than "Chapel"].
28th, Sunday. Baptized William Stephen's child. 29th,
Monday. Drank tea at the Blundon's.
December 1847 Tuesday 28th Had up our Sunday school
teachers and the Newly-married couples to supper. William Blundon and his
wife, Tamsay and her husband, James
Emberley did not come. About
February 6th, Sunday. In the school I reprimanded two or three lads because they knew not the collect. When the others were dismissed I again spoke to Charles and James Blundon (Garrett* had gone out, ) on the same subject and reasoned with them. Near the church I saw G. and told him I was surprised at his conduct, and could not permit such in my Sunday school.
February 1848 12th, Saturday. Henry Blundon brought a slide[-load]* of wood. Mr. H. asked whether I would dine with him one day next week in company with Mr. Duffy.
February 1848 February 27th, Sunday. Last evening I endeavoured to persuade George Critch to marry Jacobs' daughter. I told him it was his bounden duty so to do, provided the child was his. I also represented to him the greatness of the sin of which he had been, apparently, guilty. He said, 'If she was a woman who could support me all my days I [still] could not marry her. ['] Baptized Thomas Stephens' child. In my way home from church I spoke to Mrs. Blundon about fetching water on Sundays; and also asked her how it was that William's wife did not come to church. George Critch took leave of us this evening.* [March] 4th, Saturday. Borrowed of Mrs. Blundon 8 Lbs. of Butter.
March 1848 19th, Sunday. Baptized Charles Blundon's child.(Mary Ann Blundon) Maria came down stairs to day. Very wet. 22nd, Wednesday. Spoke to the people this morning about their neglect of their part in Divine worship, and exhorted them to avail themselves of this great privilege.
29th. Churched Ann Blundon (daughter of James 1760-1843) this morning. Sent a note by James Blundon to Bridget inclosing one for Moore desiring him to send some meat by first opportunity (a quarter if 6d or 7d[per pound]; if more about 12 pounds.)
March 1848 March 31st, Friday. Yesterday I borrowed of William Blundon 1 1/4 pounds [of] Nails, and to day I sent to the school and got a plank (12 ft.)
April 6th, Thursday. Mr. H, Barter and I walked through the harbour for the express purpose of finding some spot of ground eligible for our church belonging to Protestants. The piece of ground most appropriate for this purpose belongs to John Emberley. There is however no place so fit as near John Blundon's house, or behind the Pump, and this belongs to the Catholic's.
April 9th, Sunday. Noonin's vessel arrived this morning from the fishery; and left again for Harbour Grace in the evening. James Blundon and others came home overland.
April 1848 23rd, Sunday. Gave notice that there would be a meeting to-morrow for the purpose of choosing Church-wardens.
24th, Monday.
Three of the Emberleys (John and his two sons) fell into the water: two
(Stephen and his father, ) were completely under the water: they were however
got out in safety. What cause of gratitude have they to God. According to
notice I repaired to the School about
25th, Tuesday. Returned 10 1/2 Lbs. of Butter to Mrs.
Blundon.
April 1848 28th. James Blundon brought us some nails from Perlican: in the evening I wrote to Mr. H. to ask that Cosh might come.... to work to-morrow to put up the 'shoot'.
May 1848 May 4th, Thursday. The people could not go to work by reason of the rain. Called to see Duffett's daughter. Henry Blundon came back to-day, and brought parcels for us. He says James McClannon intends visiting us as soon as he can get a passage round.
May 1848 13th, Saturday. Purchased a boat load of wood from the
Blundons at 9/- per hundred (480 sticks.) Gave Mrs. Hutchings an order on
R. Prowse payable on or after the first day of July for £ 10..15. Gave William
Blundon Sr. an order on Mr. Prowse for £ 4..7. payable to William
Blundon Jr.
May 14th, Sunday. Gave
the Sunday scholars some books. Mr. H. sailed for
May 1848 June lst, Thursday. Ascension day. Baptized Baby. We called her Maria. The sponsors are Revd. Mr. Lind, Mrs. Lind, and Mrs. John Brine: but as they could not answer personally, we appointed for proxies Mary Blundon, Tamsay Emberley, and James McClannon.
June 1848 Friday 2nd Mary Blundon, and her Husband, Tamsay and her Mother, and Anna Jacobs drank tea etc. at our house. Spoke to the old Mrs. Blundon (James 1760-1843 wife Mary Stevens?) about coming to church.
June 1848. 14th, Wednesday. Blundon's boat
came from
June 1848 29th We went down on
Blundon's stage* last night to see them splitting and salting their fish.
Mr. Hutchings returned to-day in
July 1848 12th, Wednesday. Old Mrs. Blundon came to Church this morning: after the prayers I told her I was glad to see her, and inquired the cause of her long absence. She pleaded infirmity. I exhorted her to examine her heart*, and see whether she was not deceiving herself in this thing;—whether the real cause was not an indifference to spiritual things. I told her that I feared her plea of infirmity was a vain excuse as I perceived she could go out upon the flake about her fish for an hour together, stooping almost twodouble.
July 1848 18th, Tuesday. Spoke to William Blundon about Honor, advising him to refrain from all harsh measures, and, instead thereof, to use kind persuasion to try to win her over to our faith. Force does not become the religion of Christ; neither will it ever make a true convert.
August 1848 17th. We have been in this place 12
months to-day. May God forgive all the imperfections attending my ministrations
among the people and make me a more able and zealous minister for the future.
Mr. Hutchings went off in Noonings boat for
19th, Saturday. John and Thomas Blundon (William
Snr's sons?) brought up several things for us this morning, as also did the
Jacobs and Barter, that Robert Coish had brought from
August 1848 28th, Monday. Wayland brought 20 sticks
out of 60. I agreed with him to give him 2 Barrels of Meal for 600 sticks of
spruce wood which were to average a larger size than those purchased of Blundon.
One Barrel he is to have when half is brought, and the other when all of them.
Mr. Hutchings dined with us. I told him that I had been informed that he had
endeavoured to persuade the Blundon's to charge us for bringing our
goods round from
September 1848 9th, Thursday. Blundon brought back the letters etc. we gave him some days ago to take to St. John's, as he is going first to Harbour Grace.
November 1848 16th, Thursday. Received goods from Bowring, Wood, McMurdo and Dunn. Put our fish on board Blundon's boat—19 3/4 Quintals [for the] Church Society and 9 3/4 [toward the new] Church.
November 1848 14th, Wednesday. Visited Adey's and Blundon's people in the woods. Agreed to give Adey 2 Gallons Molasses for 100 pickets, and Mr. H. said he would let us have it for 2/- a Gallon. He also agreed a few days since to let us have bread for 26/-.
Febuary 1849 6th, Tuesday. Thomas Moore came up to offer his services as a servant: after talking over the subject I told him to call again next Monday for an answer. About one-half hour after he left John Russel came to offer himself. Having talked over the latter I agreed to give him £ 10 Currency for the Summer; he being to fish for us, and to remain up to the next Caplin Skull for his diet alone. We are also to give him a pair of Boots, and provide hooks and lines. I sent for William Blundon to inquire if he would give him a birth:* he said he had no doubt that his boys would give him one.
May 2nd, Wednesday. Went out to Norts and took tea. Entered into an agreement with William Blundon on behalf of John Russel. He is to pay 10/- berth money, and to find a little wood if necessary. His rinds are to be "found gratis'.*
May 1849 11th, Friday. Visited John Jacobs—read and prayed. Borrowed 41 Biscuits from Mrs. Blundon. The weather cleared up to day—much Ice off. Gave William Blundon some medicine— borrowed Thomas Emberley's horse. 15th, Tuesday. Old Mrs. Blundon dined etc. at our house: in the evening I read a tract entitled, 'Eternal life, or eternal death awaits you' to her, besides one or two pieces by "old Humphrey". Still blocked up by Ice.
June 1849 lst, Friday. Blundon and Moore went away for the Arm* to-day; the Ice not allowing them to do so before.
July 1849 July 21st, Saturday. Hearing that some of Blundon's people were gone out to annoy and molest Mrs. Moore's [men] in casting a Cod seine I went over and remonstrated with them. There were present Mary, John, James, and Thomas Blundon, (William Snr's daughter & sons) and a man from Perlican. I entreated them to have nothing to do in the matter. James appeared much bent on it, as also did Mary Blundon. Mr. Hutchings refused to interfere or say any thing in it.
September 1849 25th, Tuesday. Many of the men came together and began to level a site for the Church. Blundon returned from the Arm.
October 1849 15th, Monday. The Bishop put in here this afternoon: he staid only a few minutes—coming again in about a month.* Henry Blundon (William Snr's son) was married. (to Ellen Blake) Paid Mrs. Duffett £ 2..10..0[, ] being 2/4 more than the Balance due for washing: she is to let us have its value in salmon.
October 1849 19th, Friday. Put the Church fish on board Blundon's Boat this evening[:] 45 7/8 Quintals.
22nd, Monday. Returned from the Grates: whilst there called on some about their subscriptions—two or three excused themselves, saying, that all their fish was gone to pay their merchant. Thomas Pore was very impudent, and I acted rather indiscreetly. I enquired of Mr. H. whether he had taken the four quintals of fish due to him by the church? (as I was suspicious he had, ) in consequence of what I had heard from Blundon. He replied, "Yes." I then told him that he had not acted right in taking it without my knowledge.
Saturday October 27th A day or two ago Pore brought the Goats for which I paid him 25/-.
Tuesday, October 30th. William Blundon brought me from Brooking £ 6..11..8[, ] the value of one third of 41 3/4 Quintals of fish, deducting freight [of] £ 1..0..10, thus leaving a balance in Mr. B's hands to the credit of the Church Society [of] £ 13..3..3. Mrs. Rouse paid William Blundon 10/- for [a] sledge had of Mr. Larty.
December 1889 27th, Thursday,
March 1850 25th, Monday. Had prayers this morning,
and christened Charles Blundon's child. (James Blundon)
26th, Tuesday. This morning Mary Blundon came to ask me to Baptize Henry's child; (Caroline Blundon?) and as they thought it very ill, I did so.