Release of Plantation to Robert Holdsworth from John Robbins, 1765

It has only recently come to my attention that there was a generation of landholders in Ferryland who held grants to property there between the time of the Baltimore and Kirke families in the 1600s and when the Carters, Morrys and others came on the scene in the late 1700s. Conventional wisdom would have had it that it was impossible for anyone to obtain a Crown grant in those early days because the West Country merchants, who held much sway at Court, did not want settlement to take place and possibly interfere with their virtual monopoly over the fishery. But somehow, as this document reveals, grants were obtained in this period between the first settlement of the Colony of Avalon and when Matthew Morry arrived. And it was these original grants that were eventually bought up by other merchant families such as the Holdsworths.

This document, which was transcribed from an original held at The Rooms by an unknown editor, to whom we give much thanks, gives a clear understanding of the land tenure in the Ferryland North Side at the time that Robert Holdsworth first came on the scene. At that point, his brother Arthur did not hold lands in the area and it is yet to be discovered when he acquired the plantation adjacent to the one purchased by his brother in this transaction.

Official Copy of Matthew Morry I Petition for Grant of Land in Caplin Bay, 1784

In 1784 Matthew Morry petitioned Governor John Campbell for permission to have undisturbed use of a parcel of land in Caplin Bay for the purpose of prosecuting the fishery efficiently from year to year. This was not strictly speaking a request for a grant -- grants were not be being given out in those days. But it did constitute a precedent for others to follow since land for fishing rooms had not been set aside on even a year to year basis before this time, let alone as a semi-permanent arrangement such as this. The document shown here is a digitised image of what is believed to be a true copy of the petition made at the time. This document is held by Fredris Caines and one exactly like it and seemingly of the same vintage is found in the PANL Morry Papers. A transcript of the paper is also available.

Mortgage of Lands - John Morry and Matthew Morry I, 1816

This document, transcribed by Kevin Reddigan, is a bit hard to follow until you know more of the circumstances surrounding the relationship between Matthew Morry I and the John Morry in question. There were so many Matthew Morrys and even more John Morrys in the family that it is easy to get confused. This John Morry was actually Matthew's grandson, who was also his ward after the death of his parents, since he was still a minor at the time. Later he had business interests of his own in Newfoundland, though he evidently resided primarily in Dartmouth. This much is clear, John's father, also named John, left a sizable fortune to his widow, who in turn left the remainder to their only son, John Junior. And John Junior's grandfather managed, or possibly mismanaged this fortune, in the interests of the son theoretically, but also to the advantage of Matthew Morry and Company. A large amount of this money for those days day (£650) was "lent" to assist him in developing Matthew Morry's business in Newfoundland. Later John Junior was forced to pursue the recovery of these funds in court in England. Despite this, John Junior was somewhat of a favourite of his grandfather it seems from other documents (no small wonder!) and in fact is buried in the same plot with him in Forge Hill Cemetery, or at least is recognised on the same monument.

For more Morry papers transcribed by Kevin visit his excellent site which highlights the early residents of Caplin Bay (now Calvert): http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calvertfamilies/ 

Bill of Sale, Ann Morry to Matthew Ryan, Aquaforte, 1832

WE can almost never be sure which generation we are dealing with in the Morrys because they tended to recycle the same names over and over again. In the case of this transaction, Matthew Morry I, the immigrant, and his son Matthew II were both married at this time to women named Ann (or Anne). So which Ann Morry was selling her land in Aquaforte. A good guess is that this is Ann Saunders Morry, daughter of William Saunders of Aquaforte, who married Matthew Morry II. One interesting thing that this bill of sale tells us is that by 1832 Matthew II (and presumably his father, since they were business partners) had moved their domicile and most of their business operations to Ferryland from Caplin Bay.

Indenture -- Arthur William Olive Holdsworth and John Morry & Peter Paint LeMessurier, 1844

This indenture is the beginning of a complex series of land transactions and loans pertaining to the transfer of the original Arthur Holdsworth land and house to various members of the extended Morry family and their in-laws and business partners (see below). From what can be ascertained, it would appear that the house and land was purchased originally as a part of the business dealings of John Henry Morry and Peter Paint LeMessurier, who were not only partners in various business ventures but also brothers-in-law (Peter married Priscilla Morry, John's sister). However it came to pass, it was John who actually occupied the house and lands. But soon afterwards, in 1853, it seems that there was a need to raise capital for business reasons and these two gentlemen "mortgaged" the house, lands and all the contents and even livestock to John's mother-in-law, Ann Coulman Winsor. From here on there is a cloud of mystery surrounding the occupancy of the house and lands.

Anecdotal information passed down by word of mouth has it that John and his family continued to live there, despite having conveyed title to his mother-in-law. What, if anything, Peter Paint LeMessurier got out of the transaction is unclear. My grandfather, Howard Morry, says that he remembers visiting his grandfather's house for meals, which were always formal affairs, with everyone dressing, including wearing white gloves, and maids scurrying around. Afterwards he would curl up in one of the huge and deep window sills to snooze in the sun. However, his father, Thomas Graham Morry III, never lived there as an adult, having built his own house nearby after returning from his adventures in Fort Garry.

Indenture -- J. H. Morry & P.P. LeMessurier to Ann Winsor, 1853 

Papers pertaining to an indenture between John Morry and Peter Paint LeMessurier on the one part and Ann Winsor of Aquaforte on the second part, dated May 15, 1853 indicate the Holdsworth property was originally bought by them (John and Peter) jointly from Arthur William Olive Holdsworth on May 3, 1844 and, through this indenture, they then conveyed title to Ann Winsor on May 15 1853. This original document is held by Fredris Caines but there may be other original copies on file in The Rooms or at the Supreme Court that have not yet been seen.

Bill of Sale of Nash Premises (Caplin Bay) from W. O. Holdsworth to Matthew Morry, 1855

Although this bill of sale refers to Matthew Morry Senior as the purchaser, this is not Matthew I, the emigrant, but rather his son Matthew Morry III. The reason he is referred to as Matthew Senior is because his son Matthew (Matthew Morry III) was also involved in the family business in this region at the time. Matthew I, the emigrant had died in 1836 and in fact Matthew II, the purchaser in this transaction, was dead within a year of having taken possession of the property. It is interesting to note that the Morrys were still interested in acquiring property in Caplin Bay this late into the middle 1800s as they centre of gravity of the family's business interests had pretty much shifted to Ferryland by then.

This text was transcribed entirely by Kevin Reddigan. He has been meticulous to leave in the spelling errors as they appear in the original text. For more Morry related papers transcribed by Kevin visit his fantastic website on the history of Caplin Bay (Calvert): http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~calvertfamilies/

Indenture -- Ann Winsor to Thomas Graham Morry III, 1881

It isn't clear if Ann Winsor moved to Ferryland from Aquaforte to take up residence in the Holdsworth house or not. In any event, the house and lands did return to the possession of the Morrys through another indenture between Ann Winsor and her grandson, Thomas Graham Morry, in 1881. This original document is held by Fredris Caines but there may be other original copies on file in The Rooms or at the Supreme Court that have not yet been seen.