Person Page

     James Slade was born on October 10, 1756 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning.¹
     James married Ann [?] circa 1782.² James leased a house on High Street in Trinity from the heirs of John Butler.³ The Trinity Journal Reported that James left Trinity for Poole aboard the "Gannet" Stanworth.³ His brother Thomas left £4000 in trust for James, his wife Ann and their daughters Elizabeth and Sophia.⁴

     Robert Slade Jr was baptized on October 10, 1749 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning.¹
     Robert married Katherine Fooks on January 29, 1770 in Osmington Village, Dorset, England.² Robert Slade Jr land paid Land Tax in Osmington 1780-1804 in 1780.³ Robert took on major responsiblity as Senior Partner for John Slade & Co. operations in Labrador.^4,5 He took on Thomas Briggs as an apprentice for a term of 6 years.⁶ John Slade & Co, operated the following ships: "Hope" 83 tons; "Robert" 89 tons;;"John/Thomas" 100 tons; "Montague" 103 tons; "Sisters" 106 tons; "Heart of Oak" 107 tons; "Bros" 111 tons; "David" 130 tons; " Pr Eugene" 132 tons; "Standley" 149 tons.⁷ The schooner "Saint Anne" was built to run with a crew of 3. It was registered in all ports in Newfoundland. Robert Slade Jr. of Poole, England was listed as owner with 60 shares.⁸ He left a will on October 4, 1833 in Poole, Dorset.⁹

     David Slade was born in 1765 in Dorset, England.¹ He was baptized on June 24, 1765; at Winfirth Newburg.^1,2 He was the son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning.³ David apprenticed with his Uncle John's Newfoundland Merchant Trading Company, Slade & Co. He was paid in victuals & clothes & £4 cash. Supplies purchased included skinning knife, clasp knife, needles and sewing twine. Company record list David as being in Fox Harbour in 1785 and 1786.^4,5 David Slade Slade and Sons records list David as being in Fox Harbour in 1785 and 1786. in 1785 in Fox Harbour, Newfoundland.⁵ His apprenticeship ended Oct 10, 1789, wages due £16. Purchases included brandy, beer, rum & tea.⁶ He After apprenticing with his Uncle John, he began his own operation of John Slade & Co. in Twillingate. He then began his own operation of John Slade & Co. in Twillingate, Newfoundland.⁷ 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.⁸
     David married first Elizabeth Smith on April 21, 1795 in Lychett Minster, Dorset, England,⁹, the daughter of William & Grace Smith of Poole.¹⁰ His brother Thomas left all of his lands in East and West Morden to David upon his death in 1816 and £11600 in trust for David's children under 25 yrs: Robert, John, Thomas, David, James, George, Mary, Richard, Sarah and Samuel.^11,12
     David married second Eleanor Croft on November 18, 1817 in Lytchett Minster Parish, Dorset, England.^13,14 The Great Britian Board of Trade shows that in 1821, David, along with John, James and Robert Slade registered "Radical" a 68 ton vessell with John Gillard as captain.¹⁵ In Dec 1821, David Slade of Slade & Cox, sailed from Fogo to Poole, England on Slade & Coxes vessel "Perserverance".¹⁵ David Slade was made the Twillingate North District Justice of the Peace in July, 1834.⁶ David and James Slade registered the vessels "James", 86 tons; "John Thomas", 100 tons; "Sisters", 106 tons; and "David", 130 tons for trade in all ports of Newfoundland and Labrador.¹⁶
     David was a founding member of Newfoundland's Beothuk Institute. The institute continues to this day with a mission "to create, maintain and enhance public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Beothuk People and their prehistoric ancestors, and to initiate, support and/or encourage projects commensurate with this aim."¹⁷ He left a will on March 16, 1844 in Lytchett Minster, Dorset, England; PROBATE 11/2055/125;; 28 April 1847

16 Mar 1844
Will of David Slade of Lychett Minster, Dorset, gentleman.

My daughter Mary, wife of James Meaden of Alton, Hants., gentleman £3000 stock.

My daughter Sarah Slade £3000 stock.
My daughter Elizabeth Slade £3000 stock.
My daughter Jane Slade £3000 stock.
My daughter Henrietta £3000 stock.
My son Robert Slade £1000 stock.
My son James Slade £1000 stock.
My son Samuel Slade £1000 stock.
My son Richard Slade £1000 stock.

Trustees: To sons James & Richard £3000 in trust for my wife Eleanor Slade, then 2ndly to my daughters Elizabeth, Jane, Henrietta.

Leasehold property at Longfleet to my daughter Mary Meaden in the occupation of Capt Barber.

Sarah Slade daughter adjoining property in Longfleet in occupation of Capt Savoy

Wife Eleanor Slade property in Lychett Minster (late Mullett’s) plus property in Wareham purchased of Mr. John Hyde, 2ndly to daughters Elizabeth, Jane, Henrietta.

Son Richard property in Morden, Dorset. Also in Portland within the borough of Wareham.

Son James Slade property called Ritchman’s in Lychett Minster in my occupation.

All remainder to sons James & Richard [Executors].

Signed David Slade

Witnesses: Edw Card Wareham Dorset builder, John Hounsell Wareham Dorset tailor, Robt Marshfield Wareham Dorset Atty at Law.¹⁸
     David Slade died in April, 1847 in Dorset at age 81.¹⁹ He was buried in Lytchett Minster Parish Churchyard, Poole, Dorset, England.¹⁹

     Robert Slade was born on January 6, 1741 in Osmington, Dorset, England.² He was the son of Thomas Slade and Mary [?].¹ After finishing his apprenticeship under his great uncle John Slade, Robert assumed the principal position of the John Slade & Co operation in Laborador.³

     Elizabeth Foxcroft was born circa 1755 in Dorset, England.¹ Elizabeth died on December 22, 1832 in Winfirth Newburg, Dorset, England.¹ Her father is listed in her obituary as Edward Foxcraft, Esq and her spouse is listed as Robert Slade, Esq.

     Eleanor Croft was born circa 1791 in Dorset, England.²
     Eleanor married David Slade, son of Robert Slade and Elizabeth Dunning, on November 18, 1817 in Lytchett Minster Parish, Dorset, England.^2,3

     Thomas Slade was born in 1807 in Dorset, England.² He was the son of Robert Slade and Mary Poole.³ Thomas inherited a storehouse in Poole, Dorset, England from his uncle Thomas Slade, as well as half of all of his wealth in Newfoundland, everything needed for trade; all his plantations, rooms, storehouses, flakes, landand estates, ships, brigs, sloops, schooners, boats, craft, fishing implements and anything else belonging to the trade business were to be held in trust for Thomas until he reached maturity.
     All this wealth was to be shared with the son of Thomas Slade's (the elder) cousin Robert's son, also named Thomas Slade. When they reached the age of 24 the two Thomas' were to assume ownership of the business and rename it Thomas Slade and Thomas Slade & Co.^3,4 Accordingly, Thomas and his second cousin, also Thomas, took control of the Thomas Slade trading company about 1831. They shipped goods to Newfoundland to trade for fish (cod and salmon), furs, seal skin and seal oil.¹ The company name to Thomas Slade Sr. & Co and was one of six Slade firms working in trade in the Newfoundland area. Thomas Slade was He was a Newfoundland Merchant.⁵ Listed on 1871 Census as a retired Newfoundland Merchant, living with his brother James in Poole.⁶