Person Page

     Frances Elizabeth Myers was born on October 16, 1873 in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada,¹, the daughter of Agnes Blakeney and John Myers.¹ Francis married first Elijah Blakeney, who died 1905.¹
     Frances married second Charles Duncan Slade, son of Charles Alexander Slade and Mary Jane Crawford, on October 16, 1915 in Nova Scotia.¹ Frances was widowed when her husband, Charles, died on April 17, 1921 at age 53 died of tuberculosis.^2,3 Frances died on April 14, 1959 at age 85¹ and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Musquodoboit Harbor, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.¹

     James Duncan Slade was born in April, 1908 in Musquodoboit Harbor, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.² He was the son of Charles Duncan Slade and Sarah Agnes Day.²
     James married Lois Jessie Siteman on August 2, 1940 in Lower Ships Harbor, Cumberland Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.³, the daughter of Lewis Ervin and Anna Myrtle Siteman.

     William Slade was born in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.¹
     William married Alexandria Eliza [?] circa 1871.¹

     John Slade was born circa 1881 in Newfoundland.² He was Roman Catholic.³
     John married Julia Ann King on January 26, 1911 in Northern Bay, Newfoundland,², the daughter of Mary Dunne & John King.² John Slade was a fisherman & Roman Catholic.² John died on January 31, 1958 in Glace Bay, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada.⁴

     John Lewis Slade was born on October 13, 1911 in Truro, Colchester Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.¹ He was the son of Hugh Slade and Henrietta Nolan.²
     John married Julienne Edith Comeau on January 27, 1941 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.¹ He signed attestation paper March 8, 1943 while living at 57 3rd Ave, Noranda, Quebec. His wife Mrs Edith Julian Slade's residence was listed as 727 Ajax, Ontario. He was a plumber, pipe fitter and religion was Church of England.¹ He was a Corporal in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.³ John died on August 29, 1944 at age 32.³ He was buried in Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, Cintheaux, France.³

     Ronald Mitchell Brown Slade was born in January, 1904 in Musquodoboit Harbor, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.² He was the son of Alexander Crawford Slade and Hattie Florence Gaetz.²
     Ronald married Annie May Murley on December 15, 1936 in Halifax, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.³ Ronald died on April 21, 1990 at age 86.³

     Isadore Ella Hurley was known as Dora. She was born on May 20, 1897 in Nova Scotia², the daughter of Peter Hurley & Jennie Nanele.³
     Isadore married Charles Edward Slade, son of Charles Duncan Slade and Sarah Agnes Day, on April 15, 1918 in Dartmouth, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.⁴ Isadore died on November 2, 1929 at age 32.³ She was buried in Union Cemetery, Musquodoboit Harbor, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada.³

     Ruby B. Smalley was born on May 9, 1911.²
     Ruby married Arthur Roy Slade, son of William Henry Slade and Minnie May McGraw, on April 10, 1927.¹ Ruby died on December 14, 1991 at age 80.² She was buried in East Lawn Cemetery, Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois.³

     Anne Sergaent was born circa 1680 in Wareham Parish, Purbeck District, Dorset, England.¹
     Anne married John Slade, son of David Slade and Deborah [?], on December 27, 1711 in Piddleton Village, Dorset, England.³ Anne died in 1725 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England,⁴ and was buried in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset.⁴

     John Slade was christened on April 19, 1719 in St. James, Poole, Dorset, England.^1,2 He was the son of John Slade and Anne Sergaent.¹ (Other researchers state that John was born 10 Jun 1718 in Winfrith Newburg to John Slade and Mary Hodder.) John, orphaned at the age of 8, probably received some basic education in the Free School and an early mariner apprenticeship, for seafaring was the backbone of Poole’s economic life. Soon, John was captaining Poole merchant ships on voyages to the Channel Islands, the Mediterranean and Ireland. His first recorded visit to Newfoundland was in 1748 as the captain of the Molly, a trader owned by Joseph White. John made many trans-Atlantic voyages at the helm of Molly, records show three roundtrips in 1750. He remained at the helm of Molly until 1751 when he became captain of James Kittier’s Dolphin. He continued sailing between Poole, the Mediterranean and Newfoundland. Usually, he spent winter months in Poole and spring and summer months in Newfoundland. Occasionally, he would over-winter in Newfoundland.¹ Usually spent winter in Poole and spring and summer months in Newfoundland. Occasionally, he would over-winter in Newfoundland.³
     John married Martha Hayter on February 16, 1752 in Wareham Parish, Dorset, England, at Holy Trinity Church.^4,5, the daughter of John Hayter, a prosperous merchant in Poole & Newfoundland of a slightly earlier era.^4,6 See map: John Slade Fishing & Sealing Ports. Shortly after the wedding, John purchased his first ship, the 90 ton Little John and headed to Newfoundland to begin his own trading company. His previous experience had given him first-hand knowledge of the expanding fishing trade in northern Newfoundland.
     The fishing trade between Poole and Newfoundland had been active for 200 years and was well established by the time John arrived. Most of the fishing was from small boats or ships brought from Poole. John saw the advantages of Newfoundland residents fishing year-round from the shores. Not only would the fishing season be longer, he would not have the expense of providing all of the fishing boats. In the winter, employees could harvest seal skins and oils, and other furs for sale in Europe. John encouraged settlement in Fogo and Twillingate bringing fishermen, tradesmen and laborers from western England and Ireland. Life was difficult in England at the time and the settlers found themselves nearly self-sufficient in Newfoundland with their small gardens, farm animals, all the fish, game and berries they could eat. The Slade employees soon brought their families.
     John used and improved an existing Truck system with the residents in his employ. He would supply everything they would need to survive that was not available on the island – food, clothing, prayer books, building materials, guns and ammunition, rum, tobacco, etc. In return, he bought everything the residents produced – salted cod, cod liver oil, furs, lumber, train oil, smoked/salted salmon and berries. An elaborate system of credit was established allowing purchases before the end of the season against their pay. As the season closed, each employee “settled up” with their purchases subtracted from their wages. They were paid the remaining amounts. During the 1760’s Slade also began trading on the Labrador coast. He exported various goods to Newfoundland and imported cod oil, and furs of beaver, otter, fox and marten, as well as seal skins. The diversification from fish to furs and employing year-round workers set Slade apart from other mariners who dealt in the trade of fish only.
     Slade & Co. vessels continued to make regular trips between Fogo and Waterford, Ireland. Regular trips were also made to Spain and Portugal for salt and cork and to Italy for wine and fruit.
     By the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, the Slade & Co. was firmly established at Twillingate, the main base, with a supply and staple collection system that served settlements and exploitation outposts throughout Notre Dame Bay and along the Labrador coast. The revolutionary years were difficult for Slade. American privateers plagued his ships and establishments. In the fall of 1775 he lost several vessels and ten fishing boats in a storm. His wharves in Fogo were destroyed in the fall of 1782 by a gale that also washed away his stages at Twillingate with some 800 quintals of cured fish. Wartime conditions in Poole made it difficult to recruit seamen and servants. He decided to stay in Poole permanently, leaving the issues in Newfoundland to younger relatives.^7,8,9,10
John Slade left a will on January 7, 1792 in Saint James in the Town, Dorset, England; Probate 11/1239/225 and Probate 11/1239/167 10 Dec 1793

Will of John Slade of Poole, merchant
(1) Sister Hannah Davis £50 per annum
(2) Children of my beloved brother and sister John and Hannah Gritton. Viz: John Gritton, James Gritton and Mary Morley £100 each child.
(3) Beloved sister Mary Spratt £100 per annum.
(4) Children of my brother and sister Samuel and Mary Spratt each viz: Samuel Spratt, Martha Whittle, Olivia Spratt, Ffrances Allen, Elizabeth Spratt, Thomas Spratt. £100 each.
(5) Children of my late brother James Slade viz: James Slade, George Card Slade, Robert Slade £100 each.
(6) Samuel Slade, my nephew, s/o my late brother James Slade, 8s per week for life.
(7) My cousins: John Slade s/o my nephew George Card Slade; John Slade Allen s/o George Nickleson Allen, Mary Poole d/o the late William Poole, £100 each.
(8) Children of the late Ffarr and Ann Strong viz: Samuel Strong, Ffarr Strong, Ann Strong, Francis Strong £50 each
(9) To John Slade my cousin s/o my nephew George Card Slade, Leasehold Estates at Sherford Gorefields and Gowheath at Litchett and Morden
(10)To my servant Ann Stainsmore £5.
(11)To my nephews John Slade, Thomas Slade and David Slade sons of my late brother Robert Slade deceased and unto my cousin George Nickleson Allen all ffishing rooms, plantations, warehouses, stages, salmon brooks, sealing posts in Newfoundland and on the coast of Labrador, all boats, crafts, all goods and property there. Also all my ships and vessels equally divided between them.
Out of the Newfoundland trade my five cousins: John Slade, Thomas Slade, David Slade, Robert Slade, George Nickleson Allen shall pay my nephew James Slade s/o my late brother Robert Slade deceased £100 and unto his daughter Mary Slade £100 and unto Elizabeth Slade widow of my late brother Robert Slade deceased and her two daughters: Jane Thomas & Elizabeth Cox £10 each.
(12) to my servant Thomas Loyte £10 to be paid by my cousins as above.
(13) to my nephew Robert Slade s/o my late brother James Slade deceased – all lands etc purchased of Mr. John Watts
(14) to my nephews John Slade and Thomas Slade sons of my late brother Robert Slade deceased – all lands purchased of Mr. William Barfoot deceased and that of Olivia Spratt equally between them.
(15) annuities commence paying six months after my death and continue half-yearly when due.
(16) Legacies paid one year after my death unless otherwise ordered.
(17) If any are unruly, withhold from my heirs until they reform.
(18) household goods, furniture, plate, wearing apparel to my nephews John Slade & Thomas Slade sons of my late brother Robert Slade deceased And to Robert Slade s/o my late brother James Slade deceased equally between them.
(19) Executors: my nephews John Slade, Thomas Slade, sons of my late brother Robert Slade deceased. Robert Slade s/o my late brother James Slade deceased & George Nickleson Allen.
Signed: Jno Slade
Witnesses: Cantlo Joyce, Willm Barter, Tho Joyce
Probate: John Slade nephew, George Nickleson Allen – others haven’t come forward yet.

Apparently several of Slade’s relatives protested Slade’s selection of Executors. It seems they all wanted to partake in the execution but all was in vain.
PROB 11/1239/167
Sentence for the validity of the will of John Slade deceased
Mentions:
Three of the Executors: John Slade nephew, Thomas Slade nephew, George Nickleson Allen.¹¹
     John Slade died on February 17, 1792 in Poole, Dorset, England, at age 72.¹ John Slade's estate was estimated, perhaps conservatively, at £70,000, a millionaire in his time. Upon his death, his business was shared equally between his five nephews: John Slade Jr., Robert Slade, Thomas Slade, David Slade and George Allen. John Slade Jr. took over operations in Poole, Thomas took over the Fogo branch and Robert took Twillingate operations. Through his heirs his firm continued to be a major economic and social force in northeastern Newfoundland and Labrador until the 1860s, when it was sold out of the family.⁷

A more detailed Biography of John Slade can be found by clicking on the source citation below.⁷

     Robert Slade was born circa 1720 in Poole, Dorset, England.² He was baptized on October 19, 1720 in Poole, Dorset; Church of England.³ He was the son of John Slade and Anne Sergaent.¹
     Robert married Elizabeth Dunning on January 9, 1744 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.⁴ Robert died in April, 1816 at age 95.⁵ He was buried in Poole, Dorset.⁵

     Martha Hayter was born circa 1720 in Wareham Parish, Dorset, England,¹, the daughter of John Hayter, a prosperous merchant in Poole & Newfoundland of a slightly earlier era.^2,3
     Martha married John Slade, son of John Slade and Anne Sergaent, on February 16, 1752 in Wareham Parish, Dorset, at Holy Trinity Church.^2,4

     John Hayter Slade was baptized on February 10, 1753 in Poole, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of John Slade and Martha Hayter.² In 1768, John began accompanying his father on the annual trip to Newfoundland for trading and in a few years was acting as chief agent in Twillingate, Newfoundland.² John died in 1783 died of smallpox.² John had a home built on Fogo Island. Named Bleak House, it has been home to the mmost influential families in Fogo's history; the Slades, John Ownes and Henry Earle. In 1983, the house became a gift to the Town Council of Fogo. It is now a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. After a full restoration, it opened to the public as Bleak House Museum in 1988.³

Note: The names of John Hayter Slade, died 1783, and Robert Standley Slade, died 1846,
both appear on an iron headstone at Fogo. [It is not known if either man is buried here]⁴

     John died in Dorset, England.² He was born on April 26, 1747 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.³ He was the son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning.³
     John married Sarah White on June 2, 1767.⁴ Was taken into the household of his uncle John Slade and taught the business of Slade & Co. Uncle John thought about adopting him, though there is no evidence this happened. He was known as John Jr.¹ In 1777, John became the principal agent of John Slade & Co. in Newfoundland.¹ Was promoted to the principal at headquarters of John Slade & Co in Poole, Dorset, England.¹ Brothers John, Thomas, David Slade all sons of the Merchant John Slade's late brother Robert Slade and his cousin George Nickleson Allen received from his estate all of the Merchant John Slade's fishing rooms, plantations, warehouses, stages, salmon brooks, sealing posts in Newfoundland and on the coast of Labrador. All boats, crafts, all goods and property, also all ships and vessels to be equally divided between them.

Also "all lands purchased of Mr. William Barfoot deceased and that of Olivia Spratt" to be divided equally with his brother Thomas.

"All Household goods, furniture, plate, wearing apparel to be divided equally between John Slade & Thomas Slade sons of my late brother Robert Slade, Robert Slade, son of my late brother James Slade and George Nickleson Allen."⁵ Upon the death of his brother Thomas, he inherited significant funds.⁶

     Thomas Slade was born on June 12, 1753 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.² He was the son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning.² He began working for his uncle, John Slade, in the Merchant Trade in Newfoundland working in many different capacities. He soon became a ship's captain, commanding transatlantic voyages from 1780-1790's.⁴ Brothers John, Thomas, David Slade all sons of the Merchant John Slade's late brother Robert Slade and his cousin George Nickleson Allen received from his estate all of the Merchant John Slade's fishing rooms, plantations, warehouses, stages, salmon brooks, sealing posts in Newfoundland and on the coast of Labrador. All boats, crafts, all goods and property, also all ships and vessels to be equally divided between them.

"all lands purchased of Mr. William Barfoot deceased and that of Olivia Spratt" to be divided equally with his brother Thomas.

"All Household goods, furniture, plate, wearing apparel to be divided equally between John Slade & Thomas Slade sons of my late brother Robert Slade, Robert Slade, son of my late brother James Slade and George Nickleson Allen."^3,5 About 1813, Thomas broke away from the original firm and formed the new firm of Thomas Slade & Company with his brother-in-law, William Cox. They were merchant traders, mainly in Bonavista Bay, trading goods from England for fish and furs from Newfoundland.⁴ [P fell ill and] died in 1816 in Poole, Dorset, England, at the age of 63. He left a fortune of £64,000. The name of the firm was changed to Slade and Cox.^6,7 Thomas Slade left a will on June 15, 1816; PROBATE 11/1586/211; 7 Oct 1816; Nov1816
15 Jun 1816
Will of Thomas Slade of Poole merchant
£2000 to my Executors in trust for
sister Jane Thomas wife of George Thomas (her husband Thomas Thomas) – said Jane Thomas & ?Thomas Thomas.
£2000 stock in trust for Elizabeth Talbot daughter of said sister Jane Thomas, married Richard Talbot.

£4000 in trust for my brother James Slade & Ann his wife. Elizabeth and Sophie daughters of said James Slade.

£2000 for Mary Slade born about 1795 daughter of my brother James Slade living with me under 25.
£8000 for my sister Elizabeth wife of William Cox. Jane Cox, Thomas Cox, Mary Cox, Hannah Cox, children of Elizabeth (all under 25).

£10000 for John Slade (under 25) etal s/o my late niece Mary Slade (dec’d) late wife of my cousin Robert Slade [Executor].
Elison? Slade (under 25) daughter of my late niece the said Mary Slade dec’d.
Mary Slade (under 25) another daughter of my said late niece Mary Slade dec’d.

Part of the said £10000 to Robert Slade (under 25) another son of the late niece Mary Slade.
Sarah Slade (under 25) another daughter
James Slade (under 25) another son
Thomas Slade (under 25) another son
Anna Slade (under 25) another daughter.
Their father Robert Slade

Additional £8000 in trust for my niece Elizabeth Talbot, wife of Richard Talbot.

£2000 in trust for John Hooper and George Hooper (both under 25) sons of my late niece Mary Hooper (dec’d).


£11600 in trust for my nephew Robert Slade (under 25) s/o my brother David Slade. Also other children (under 25) of David: John, Thomas, David, James, George, Mary, Richard, Sarah, and Samuel.

£500 cousin James Gritton/Griffin/Grisson

£100 each to Hannah Slade, Martha Slade, Robert Slade, children of my late cousin James Slade (dec’d)

Pg8
£50 to cousin Robert Standley
Purchase of Mr. Thomas Burt
Property in East and West Morden

Nephew William Cox son of my sister Elizabeth Cox ½ of all my Newfoundland trade
Other half of Newfoundland premises to cousin Robert Slade merchant one of my Executors, in trust for Thomas Slade son of my brother David (under 24) and for Thomas Slade son of my cousin Robert Slade (under 24).
Trustees and Executors cousin Robert Slade, Thomas Parr gent.

Pg9
2nd in line is Robert Slade, another son of my cousin Robert Slade
3rd in line is my brother David Slade & William Cox (John?) son of my sister Elizabeth Cox
Pg10
17th September 1816; 15 June last similar will
Signed Thos Slade
Witnesses: Robt H Parr, John A Willis, Wm Raynolds

Pg11
Codicil: Hannah Spratt £10 per annum, Olivia Spratt £10 per annum, Frances Allen wife of George Nickleson Allen £10 per annum, niece Mary Slade daughter of my brother James Slade household goods furniture ?bone china prints printed books. Rev Peter William Jolliffe £3 per annum, Mary Ann Jenkins servant girl £5 per annum,
Witnesses: Elizabeth Brenton, mark of Jane Stanley.⁸

"Thomas, who evidently had never married, left a considerable fortune in stocks, money, property, and trade assets to be divided in a complex manner among his kinfolk. He distributed £53,100 to his immediate relatives, the largest sums going to his brother John and nephew Robert. He also bequeathed a total of £11,000 to some other members of the family and smaller amounts to sundry relations. His lands in the parishes of East and West Morden in Dorset, England, he left to his brother David, and a storehouse in Poole to David?s son Thomas. Half of his Newfoundland trade and all plantations, rooms, storehouses, flakes, land and estates . . . and also ships, brigs, sloops, schooners, boats, craft, fishing implements and other effects belonging to the said trade went to his nephew and partner William Cox. The other half was placed in trust with his cousin Robert for his son Thomas and for the son of his brother David, also named Thomas. It was further enjoined that at the age of 24 the two Thomases were to become partners in Thomas Slade?s company, which would take the name of Thomas Slade and Thomas Slade."^6,9 In 1836, there were six Slade family firms operating in Newfoundland. They were one of the last merchant families to conduct trade directly from Poole.⁴

     John Slade was born on September 27, 1797 in Poole, Dorset, England.^1,2 He was the son of Robert Slade and Mary Poole.¹ Visited Robert in Trinity at Robert Slade & Co.³ His Uncle Thomas Slade, Newfoundland Merchant bequeathed £10000 to him to be split with his brothers and sisters; Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, Sarah, James, Thomas, and Anna all under 25 years.⁴
     He was the manager of his great-uncle, John Slade's prime Newfoundland operation in Twillingate. Although he was only 24, that same year he was elected the Newfoundland House Assembly representing Twillingate and Fogo. He was the youngest representative ever elected.¹ Residing in Twillingate, Newfoundland, he registered a Schooner that he built in 1840 and owned, with access to all ports in Newfoundland.⁵
     John started his own trading companies at Fogo and Twillingate in 1845.¹ He was a liberal benefactor of St. Peter's Anglican Church and the Methodist Church being built in Twillingate. He secured chandelliers and gas lights from St. James' Church in Poole to be used in the new St. Peter's Church in Twillingate.

The St. Peter's website states: The next major addition to the church came in 1862 when the congregation raised sufficient funds to erect a large bell in the tower in praise of that year's bountiful seal harvest. In 1884 a chancel was added and the seating capacity was increased to 1000. The Slade plaques were subsequently placed on either side of the chancel window.^1,6 The local newspaper ran letters to & from John Slade on it's front page Nov 11, 1846.⁷ John died on January 9, 1847 in Poole, Dorset, England, at age 49 at age 28.¹ He was buried in St. Andrew's Anglican Church Yard, Fogo, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, Memorial plaque at church in Fogo, however it is believed that John is buried in Poole.¹

     Robert Studley Slade was born circa 1823 in Wareham Parish, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of Elizabeth Leer. Robert became the manager of his great-Uncle John Slade's Fogo operations of John Slade Company. His older brother, John was the manager of the Twillingate operations of the company.¹ Robert died in 1846 in Poole, Dorset, England.¹ Robert Standley Slade has an iron marker in the churchyard at Fogo, but he was likely buried in Poole, England.²