Spelling variants: Rabbits / Rabbitts (may become Roberts ie ‘Robert’s Arm’) / Robuts. It should be noted that Rabbits, Roberts, and Robuts spellings are all recorded in the 1882 voter’s list.

The Rabbits family is in town from 1880 to 1882. There is reason to suspect William Rabbits as someone of rank through association and context. His name is recorded when travelling by coastal steamer and Miss Rabbitts sings at the ceremony for Little Bay’s first Christmas tree alongside the Magistrate’s daughter.

Sources

1880, Jan 6 – Miss Winton, Miss Blandford, and Miss Rabbitts sang at the first Christmas Tree (North Star, Jan 24, 1880)

1882 – William Rabbits at Indian Bight, Little Bay (Voter’s list)

1882, Sept 29 – Mr Rabbits, Miss Rabbits, and Master Rabbits took the coastal steamer from Twillingate to Little Bay (TS)