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Duncan Parsons (Blacksmith)

Duncan Parsons (1856-1914)Duncan Parsons was Little Bay’s blacksmith from 1879 until around 1896.Duncan was born at South Side, Harbour Grace on January 27th 1856 to Frederick and Patience Parsons. The family were Methodists and young Duncan was chri ...

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Curtis

The Curtis family sawmill is an important piece in the history of Springdale. The family play an important role in Little Bay’s history as well. The histories of the two communities are intertwined as I’ll consider here.The Curtis family is primarily ...

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Gillard

According to information found at the Springdale Heritage Centre the Gillard family moved from Germany to England in the 18th century and from there emigrated to Newfoundland in the early years of the following. They worked as fishermen and operated ...

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McGrath

The tailor Richard J. McGrath arrived in Little Bay from St. John’s in 1886. His business’s first location in the mining town was found above the Redden Brother’s shop. He wasn’t satisfied with renting his workspace and had acquired his own location ...

Taverner

Captain Joseph Henry Taverner (1845-1920) arrived in Little Bay in 1883 with his new wife Mary Elizabeth. They’d travelled by steamer from Twillingate where they had been married the pervious year. J.H. Taverner was originally from Trinity Bay wher ...

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The Company Store

The Mining Company owned and operated stores in Little Bay. The stores were present immediately in 1878. There were two Company store locations. One at each of the main districts, namely the Bight and Loading Wharf. Miners were paid in a Company scri ...

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Boyles

Benjamin T. Boyles (pictured with his wife Jemima) moved to Shoal Arm, Little Bay from St. John’s with his sister Martha in 1878. Benjamin Boyles worked as a general dealer there. There were other Boyles present in the area including William G. Boyle ...

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Richards

This one has it all - rum running, arson, religious intolerance, and perhaps even hints of murder - if you'll allow me my suspicions anyway! What follows is the Richards family's journey in Little Bay.John Thomas Richards married Sarah Dawe at New Ba ...

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Benson

The Benson family arrived in Little Bay from St. John’s in 1879. Johnathan J. Benson may very well have been the first shopkeeper in town. He owned several fishing schooners which employed people from Little Bay to serve as fishermen off the cold coa ...

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Burke

Patrick Burke was born in Fogo in 1859 to Myles and Margaret Burke. He traveled to Little Bay with his widowed mother and was present in the town by 1888. I have reference to a Margaret Burke in Little Bay in 1883 which could place the family there e ...