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 where his family were longstanding landowners. I suspect the move to Little Bay was motivated to avoid debt collectors as he owed money to several people and by 1885 was declared insolvent. This didn’t seem to slow him down. In 1888 he obtained a well made English engine and started a successful touring business. His steam powered vessel travelled the bays of the area offering pleasure cruises to visitors which covered over five miles. In 1889 he ran for political office – first on the Whiteway ticket before summersaulting to the other party to support Goodridge. In 1892 Taverner petitioned to acquire land in Little Bay. I believe this land was located at Shoal Arm as he is listed as a general dealer from that location in subsequent references. J.H. Taverner was known to be both well dressed and long winded. He was an active member of Little Bay’s community and taught a popular class in music literacy at the Methodist schoolhouse there. Taverner’s Pond, which is located across the bay at St. Patrick’s, is likely named for him. The Taverner family remained in town until 1919 when they relocated to Moreton’s Head. Captain Jospeh Henry Taverner died there the following year.
References:
1883
Mr. Taverner arrives in Little Bay by steamer (1883, Dec 12 – ET)
1884
Mine overseer Francis Edward Curtis marries Louisa Susanna Taverner with Mary Elizabeth Tavener listed as a witness (Methodist marriages)
Birth of Gilbert Henry Taverner to Jospeh Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Vital records)
1885
Joseph Tavener in debt to Henry Stabb, Arthur Rendell, and Richard Harvey (Supreme Court docs)
Joseph Taverner Supreme Court insolvency notice (1885, July 13 – ET / 1885, Dec 14 – ET / Supreme Court docs)
1886
Mr. J.H. Taverner returned to Little Bay by steamer (1886, Nov 27 – TS)
1887
Mr. Taverner has a flourishing Tonic S.F. class at the Methodist concert in the school house (1887, April 9 – TS)
W.J. Taverner witnessed at a wedding (Methodist marriages)
1888
Birth of Douglas J. Taverner to Joseph and Elizabeth (1911 census)
Joseph Taverner obtains a good engine (1888, Sept 15 – TS)
Steam launch for J.H. Taverner (1888, Sept 22 – TS)
1889
Joseph Tavener listed at Little Bay (Voter’s List)
Mr. Taverner thinks of entering politics (1889, June 1 – TS)
Mr. J.H. Taverner writes a letter to the editor (1889, Sept 14 – TS)
Mr. J. Kavanagh donated to the Harbour Grace Cathedral Fund (1889, Oct 11 – SJC)
Mr. Taverner runs for political office (1889, Nov 6 – 1889)
1891
Mr. J.H. Taverner travels on the Conscript (1891, May 22 – HGS)
1892
J.H. Tavenor’s petition for land (Blandford letter)
1893
Birth of Chester J. Taverner to Joseph and Elizabeth (1911 census)
1894
Jos H. Tavenor listed a general dealer (1894 census)
1895
Birth of Violet Taverner to Joseph and Elizabeth (1911 census)
1897
Joseph Tavanagh listed as general dealer (Devine and O’Mara city directory)
1898
Joshua H. Tavener listed as general dealer at Shoal Arm (McAlpine)
Birth of Clara Taverner to Joseph and Elizabeth (1911 census)
1901
Birth of Ronald Taverner to Joseph and Elizabeth (1911 census)
1903
Death of Gilbert Henry Taverner (United Church graves)
1904
Gilbert Taverner, timekeeper at Baie Verte Mine was killed age 27 years. His body was brought to his father Captain J.H. Taverner at Little Bay for burial (1904, Jan 5 – Free Press Vol. 4)
Joseph Taverner listed as general dealer at Shoal Arm (McAlpine)
1911
Taverner family present (1911 census)
1915
Chester George Taverner son of Joseph and Mary worked as a teacher before enlisting (Military files)
1916
Family located at Little Bay (Military files)
1919
Family located at Moreton’s Head (Military files)
1920
Chester George Tavener travels to Maine and lists Little Bay as last residence and the location of his father (US boarder crossings)
Death of J.H. Tavener at Moreton’s Head (MyHeritage)