Spelling variants: Warford, Wharford, Wauford, Warlord

Little Bay was once again covered by international media after the tragic drowning deaths of the Warford family in December of 1883. They were traveling to visit Little Bay from their home on the south west arm of Notre Dame Bay when a sudden wind capsized their boat. All five members of the family traveling in the craft died. They were Henry Warford, his wife Sarah, their infant daughter Amelia, and their two nephews named Mathias and George. Reports of this event can be found in the New York Times, Boston Post, and Indianapolis News.

The Warford family is represented in Little Bay by William and Nathaniel. They appear to be contrasting characters. William is socially involved as evidenced by his name appearing with others who signed the Requisition to the Honourable Robert Bond in 1895 and, I believe, likely the same Mr. Warford found referenced in Paymaster Lind’s ledger contributing payment to Rev. Clift’s debts. Together this paints the picture of a man involved in both local politics and Little Bay’s Church of England – St. Luke’s.

My single reference to Nathaniel suggests a different character. According to a Twillingate Sun article from 1890 the town of Little Bay under the guidance of their esteemed Dr. Jospeh had just gotten a handle on a recent outbreak of diphtheria when, in early June, Nathaniel Warford was accused of criminal carelessness in the further spreading of the disease to residents. International media must again be noted as reporting on the local scene when in August of that year the island’s French Shore saw a massive spike in diphtheria cases. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, Little Bay’s close proximity to the French Shore was a political hot-topic in town and they had recently taken in several French families from poverty stricken areas of the French Shore. Rev. Whittier referred to French as one of the town’s three languages and Little Bay’s Mine Captain J.R. Stewart faced down the captain of a French Battle Ship during early mining attempts at Sop’s Arm. There was much interaction between Little Bay and their nearby French neighbours. I cannot say for certain that the actions of Nathaniel Warford contributed to the 1890 diphtheria outbreak that summer but it’s notable that he was near enough to the French Shore to cause it and his contribution to its spread was publicly reported just two months prior to wider media taking notice.

My information on the Warford family in Little Bay is so far sparse. If any of those named are known to you please reach out.

Sources:

• 1882 – William Wauford present at Shoal Arm, Little Bay (Voter’s List)
• 1883, December 7th – Death of Warford family by drowning – Amelia, George, Henry, Mathias, and Sara (Various newspapers)
• 1886/1887 – Mr. Warford helped pay the debt for Rev. Clift (Lind ledger)
• 1887 – Birth of Edward Warford to William and Jane (Tucker) Warford (MyHeritage)
• 1888 – W. Wharford present (TS)
• 1890, June 7th – Nathaniel Warford was accused of criminal carelessness in the spreading of diphtheria cases (TS)
• 1890, August 22nd – French Shore diphtheria outbreak reported internationally (WT)
• 1895 – William Wharford present (Requisition to the Honourable Robert Bond)
• 1911 – Death of Jane (Tucker) Warford (MyHeritage)