Sources Found

1880s – Rumrunner Thomas Avery framed Captain Hackett of the Hierm Perry (CBWS, April 14, 1945)

1894 – Matthew Avely was a fisherman at Little Bay harbour (1894 census)

1898 – Matthew Avery was a labourer at St. Patrick’s (1893 McAlpine’s)

Sources Sought

There’s still a lot to figure out here. It’s a good guess that Matthew Avery/Avely was in town mining before 1894 but there’s no mention in the usual spots. I might get lucky and find where he went after and get enough details to match with genealogy. I’d guess he was Catholic just based on his living at St. Patrick’s.

The more interesting character is Thomas as recorded in a 1945 Western Star article about his rumrunning antics of year’s passed. It’s odd if true tho as I’d expect a notorious local bootlegger to get some mention in the police journals even without an arrest or court case covered. There may be no way to confirm the event even if I do manage to place him there at the time. Some luck is required with this one I suspect…