Person Page

     John Benjamin Slade was born on April 27, 1860 in Marshall's Folly, Conception Bay, Newfoundland.² He was the son of William Slade and Elizabeth Parsons.² John Benjamin Slade was baptized on September 9, 1860; Methodist.²
     John married Elizabeth Ann White on December 23, 1886 in Salmon Cove, Newfoundland.^3,4 John Benjamin Slade was fisherman.⁴
     John married Elizabeth Butt on March 10, 1897 in Marshall's Folly, Newfoundland.⁵⁶

     ³ Sarah Elizabeth Slade was born on January 6, 1889 in Marshall's Folly, Conception Bay, Newfoundland.³ She was the daughter of John Benjamin Slade and Elizabeth Ann White.³ Sarah Elizabeth Slade was baptized on March 21, 1889; Methodist.³
     Sarah married John Charles Sellars on June 8, 1908 in Perrys Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, They were both Methodists.⁴⁵ Sarah died in 1975 and was buried in Western Bay North United Church Cemetery, Western Bay, Newfoundland, Canada.²

     James Robert Slade was born in 1851 in Poole, Dorset, England.¹ He was the son of James Slade and Dorothy Collyns.¹
     James married Fanny Slade circa 1892 in London, Kennsington, London, England.² James died in October, 1926 in Wareham District, Dorset, England.³

     Dorothy Collyns Slade was born on January 8, 1847 in Poole, Dorset, England, at St James.¹ She was the daughter of James Slade and Dorothy Collyns.¹
     Dorothy married William Douglas Dugdale __ 1887 Q1 in Christchurch Parish, Hampshire, England.² Dorothy was widowed when her husband, William, died in 1906 in Poole, Dorset.³ Dorothy died on February 26, 1924 in Bournemouth, Dorset, England, at age 77.⁴

     Elizabeth Anna Collyns Slade was known as Elizabeth Anna Collyns Slade.³ She was born on January 19, 1848 in St. James Parish, Poole, Dorset, England.^1,4 She was the daughter of James Slade and Dorothy Collyns.⁴
     Elizabeth married Johan Willem Filz Q3 1869 in Poole, Dorset, England.⁵ Elizabeth died on August 11, 1896 in Arnhem, Den Haag, Nederland, at age 48.⁶

     Robert Blackware Slade was born on March 12, 1893 in Swanage, Dorset, England.^2,3 He was the son of James Robert Slade and Fanny Slade.¹ Robert emmigrated to Canada aboard the "Migsntic"during February 1911.⁴

     Robert Slade was born in 1768 in Wareham Parish, Dorset, England.² He was christened on March 2, 1768 in Wareham Parish, Dorset.³ He was the son of James Slade and Mary Card.⁴ Robert apprenticed with his uncle John as a clerk in the counting house at Poole and later worked in Twillingate, Newfoundland and in 1793 became manager of the business at Battle Harbour. In 1804 he left John Slade & Company to establish his own business at Trinity on property that he purchased three years later for £600. Some time later he acquired additional property at Maggoty Cove and Southwest Arm.⁵ Upon his death, his father put funds for Robert's apprenticeship and schooling in trust and £50 also in trust for Robert.⁶ Robert apprenticed as a clerk under his uncle, John Slade, in his successful Newfoundland Merchant Trade business. He worked in both the Poole, Dorset, England counting house and in the counting house in Twillingate, Newfoundland.⁷ A ledger of Slade & Co shows that Robert made an arrangement with Noble & Pinson Sons regarding the division of sealing posts.⁸ Robert became the manager of John Slade & Company's trading house in Battle Harbour, Labrador.⁷ Robert received £100 from his Uncle John Slade's estate and "all lands purchased of Mr. John Watts". Also "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."⁹ Robert took goods from Fogo, Newfoundland to Labrador.⁷
     Robert married Mary Poole on February 16, 1795 in Poole, Dorset, England.¹⁰ He left John Slade & Co. to establish his own trading business in Trinity, Newfoundland, named Robert Slade. His business was located on the foreshore of the front arms towards Hogs Nose. He had several large stores and a general goods shop. According to the Slade Papers as transcribed by Keith Mathews "He bought a house there and leased a mercantile premises belonging to John Jeffrey on the west side of the harbour near Hog's Nose, and purchased it three years later for £600. Some time later, he later acquired additional premises at Maggoty Cove and Southwest Arm. In addition, the firm expanded to Catalina (1813), Heart's Content (1817), and Hant's Harbour (1835). Since Robert ran the firm from Poole, typical of the West Country merchants, he relied on local managers to handle affairs. James Gover managed the Trinity branch, 1804-1809, succeeded by William Kelson, 1809-1851, and Alexander Warren Bremner, 1851-1861. At Catalina, James Lannigan managed 1813-1821, followed by Alexander Bremner, 1821-1861, who later bought the Catalina premises when RobertSlade& Company went bankrupt. James Wiseman, the firm's agent at Heart's Content, 1817-1822, was succeeded by Butler Aldridge who committed suicide in 1838, possibly resulting in the closure of the branch. The firm placed Andrew Tocher in charge of the Hant's Harbour branch, which was located at a room leased from Richard Pelley in 1835."

"Changes in the structure and ownership of the firm were reflected, to a degree, in its name changes: "RobertSlade" (1804-1822); "Sladeand Kelson" (1822-1837); "Executors of the late RobertSladeSr." (1837-1850); and "RobertSlade& Company" (1850-1861). Robert's sons-in-law, RobertSladeand Thomas Arnold, managed the firm during the "Sladeand Kelson" period. But in 1838, five years after Robert Senior's death, his sons, Robert, Thomas and James, gained control of the firm and changed the name to the "Executors of the late RobertSlade". Kelson retired in 1851 and, henceforth, the firm was known as RobertSlade& Company.
By 1851, at least three of Robert's sons had also died. James (-1849) appears to have been the family member chiefly involved in running the firm after his father's death, but he died two years before William Kelson's retirement.^8,11,12 " He bought a house in Trinity, Newfoundland from his agent Joseph Gover.^13,14 Robert attended a vestry meeting in Poole, and became part of the committee to assert Poole rights regarding the Great Canford Enclosure.

Canford Heath was common land and the largest lowland heath in the United Kingdon. The 1805 Enclosure Act woulld allow over 9000 acres to be enclosed as private lands. In 1810, it was subdivided among Poole's Proprietors.¹³ Robert attended a meeting to confer on the Great Canford Enclosure. Another meeting he attended on the same topic was held 25 Sep 1805.¹³ Robert owned and leased three Thames St. houses in Poole for L4-L5. He also bought and occupied a house on Hill st. in Poole, which he purchased for L8.¹³ The ledger of fish collection for Robert Slade was 5227 qtls. There were 390 seals collected. The cash flow was L5870.¹³ Robert was selected as a church warden.¹³ Again named a church warden. He worked through 1809 on revising relief for the poor.¹³ Leger supplement lists the number of seals collected to be 694, cod oil collected was 7619 gallons, other fish collected was 8263 qtls. The amount paid out for fish collection was L5137.¹³ The Trinity Journal reported that Robert's vessel "John/Thomas" with Captain Stone at the helm had arrived in Fogo from Poole, England.

On 25 May 1810, the Duckworth Papers of the British Admiratly Administration, Vol. 1, shows the "Falcon" owned by Robert as a 67 to vessel captained by J.W. Richardson made regular trips back and forth between Trinity, Newfoundland and Poole, England. Also making regular round trips to Poole where his 125 ton Brig "Active", his 115 ton Brig "Gannet" and his 68 ton "Alpha" captained by Phil Hamon. Each of these vessels delivering 1,000- 2,500 quintals of fish each trip.¹³ He registered a vessel, #S826021, with a crew of 3 for all ports in Newfoundland. Name of the vessel is not recorded.¹⁵ The Trinity Journal reported that Robert's schooner "Lively" had arrived with 300 seals. His schooner "Cosmopolite" was equipped for the ice while the Schooner "Delight" was up in the bay.¹³ Robert Slade was living in 1811 in Trinity, Newfoundland; The ledger reports that in this year, 2134 seals were collected, 11,341 gallons of cod oil was gathered and L6799 was paid out for fish collection.¹³ The church vestry appointed Robert the trustee for the burial ground.¹³ His vessels "Alpha", "Gannet", "Active" and "Alpha" continued regular round trips between Newfoundland ports and Poole bringing good from Poole and returning with 2,000-3,000 qtls of fish each trip. An occasional trip to Lisbon was also recorded.¹³ Expanded his business to Catalina (1813), Heart's Content (1817), and Hant's Corner (1835). Robert ran his business from Poole, letting managers handle the day-to-day business in Newfoundland.¹⁶ The Trinity customs report lists regular round trips to Poole and Lisbon continued for the vessels "Alpha", "Gannet", and "Active". Two new vessels joined the fleet; the Brig "John/Elizabeth, 167 ton with a crew of 10 and the Brig "George", 148 ton with a crew of 8.¹³ His best sailmaker dies.¹³ Robert owned a mansion and store on West St, where he and his family lived worth L39. He also had an Export/Import house (L700) and the house next door, occupied by Thomas Slade (L6), and a house further down occupied by William Pitt. He owned and occupied cellars and lofts on Thames St. at L24. Robert also owned a tenament on Hill St, occupied by Thomas Linthorne; 2 houses on Thames St, (both leased out); a Thames St. garden that he occupies; and a house on High St. occupied by the widow Clark.¹³ An Executor of Thomas Slade, Nfld Merchant's will. He was entrusted with 1/2 of all his Newfoundland premises to hold in trust for Thomas Slade, son of his brother David Slade (under 24) and for Thomas Slade son of his cousin Robert Slade (under 24) until the time they are both2 years of age.¹⁷ Trinity customs records indicate that "Active". "Alpha" "Gannet",and "George" continued regular round trip routes from Poole to Trinity. The fleet increased again with the addition of the Brig "Roaland", 125 ton and a crew of 10; the Brig "Alonzo", 68 ton, crew of 8; the Brig "John/Elizabeth", 167 ton, crew of 12; the Brig "Louisa Hanna", 162 ton, crew of 13 and the Brig "Tantivy", 279 ton, crew of 12. The "Tantivy" would include New York and London in its route. At this time, he also owned several schooners that traveled between Newfoundland ports.¹³ Robert was made a freemason.¹³ Robert had expanded the firm in 1813 to Catalina, in 1817 to Heart’s Content and in 1835 to Hant’s Harbour. He ran the business from Poole and relied on local managers to handle the affairs of the day-to-day operations.⁵ The name of his business in Newfoundland was changed to Robert Slade and Sons. In 1824, the name changed again to Slade and Kelson when he partnered with Kelson.⁷ Robert registered the vessel "Thomas and Sarah", #S848084, in all ports of Newfoundland for the business of merchant trading, The vessell had a crew of 2. He was both the owner and builder of the ship.¹⁵ Robert died on March 17, 1833 in Poole, Dorset, at age 65 having developed paralysis of his left side.^5,18

News of his death reached Trinity on April 15th, 1833 by Capt. Thomas Biel of the brig Louisa Hannah. Slade’s diarist recorded the following:

Later that year, a church bell was brought to Trinity and donated to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Slade’s memory. This bell still stands today in the belfry of the church. The image is of the current church, built between 1892-1894, which still uses the church bell donated in Robert's memory in 1833.⁵ Upon his death, his three sons, Robert, Thomas and James, became executors of his estate. In 1850, the company name changed again to Robert Slade & Company. There were branches of the company in Catalina in Bonavista Harbour; Hearts Content in Trinity Bay; and Hants Harbour which opens to Trinity Bay all on the eastern side of Newfoundland.⁸ He left a will in 1838 in Poole, Dorset; Will of Robert Slade
from Newfoundland will books volume 1 pages 264 to 268 probate year 1838

This is the last will and testament of me Robert Slade of the Town and County of Poole Merchant which I make in manner and form following that is to say First I direct my just debts funeral expenses and the charges of the Probate hereof to be paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto Mr. William Kelson my agent in Newfoundland One hundred pounds to my clerk Edward Squires one hundred pounds and to Nelson Collingwood Simmonds son of my late brother Samuel Slade's Widow who intermarried with Captain Simmonds One hundred pounds I give and bequeath unto Miss Mary Bishop who has had the care of my children since the death of their mother for her kindness to them an annuity or yearly sum of twenty pounds to be paid to her quarterly and to commence from my decease and I direct my executors hereinafter named to set apart and invest a certain sum to answer the due and regular payment of the said annuity And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and of what nature tenure of kind soever whether real personal or otherwise I give devise and bequeath the same unto my sons in law Robert Slade and Thomas Arnold and to my sons Robert Slade Thomas Slade and James Slade to hold to them the said Robert Slade Thomas Arnold Robert Slade Thomas Slade and James Slade their heirs executors administrators and assigns upon the trusts nevertheless and for the intents and purposes and subject to the powers provisoes and conditions hereinafter mentioned and declared of and concerning the same (that is to say) Upon trust to divide all my said residuary estate and effects into as many parts or shares as I shall have children at the time of my decease And I direct that my said Trustees shall stand seized and possessed of such respective parts and shares of my said residuary estate and effects In trust for my said children who shall respectively be living at the time of my decease to and for the only proper use and behoof of such of my said children who shall have attained the age of twenty one years at the time of my decease (except my son John Slade) and to their respective heirs executors administrators and assigns absolutely and the share of each of such children who shall be under the age of twenty one years at the time of my decease to be a vested interest or interests in him or them respectively when and as soon as he she or they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years or marry with the consent of my said Trustees whichever shall first happen and to their respective heirs executors administrators and assigns And in case any or either of such my said children shall depart this life under the age of twenty one years without having been so married then I direct that the share or shares of him her or them so dying shall go and belong unto the survivor or survivors and other or others of such children if more than one in equal shares to his her or their heirs executors administrators and assigns absolutely
And as to the part or share of my said son John of and in my said residuary estate and effects I direct that my Trustee shall stand seized and possessed thereof in Trust as to the rents and profits interest and income thereof to appropriate the same to and for the use and benefit of my said son John Slade for and during the term of his natural life in such sum and sums of money and manner and form as they my said Trustees or the majority of them shall in their discretion think proper And from and immediately after the decease of my said son John Slade as to as well the principal of the share of my said son John Slade of and in my residuary estate and effects as also as to the rents and profits interest and income of such share which shall be then due in trust for the child if only one or all the children if more than one of my said son John Slade such children if more than one to take in equal shares and proportions as tenants in common and not as joint tenants his her and their heirs executors administrators and assigns absolutely And in case any or either of such children shall depart this life under the age of twenty one years without leaving issue then I direct that the share or shares of such child or children so dying as well original as accruing under this clause shall go and belong to the survivor or survivors and other or others of such children if more than one in equal shares But in case my said son John Slade shall depart this life without leaving any issue living at his death or leaving such they shall all die under the age of twenty one years and without leaving issue Then I direct that as well the principal of the share of my said son John of and in my said residuary estate and effects as also the rents interest dividends and income of such share which shall be then due shall go and belong to my then children in such and the like shares and proportions manner and form as is hereinbefore mentioned with respect to their original shares of my said residuary estate and effects
And it is my will and I do hereby declare that such sum or sums of money as shall be advanced by me in my lifetime to my said son in law Robert Slade or to my late daughter Elizabeth Slade his wife or to any other of my children shall be deducted from and taken by such children or child as a part of the shares or portions which such children would respectively have taken under this my will in case no such advances had been made
And I do further order and direct that it shall be lawful for my said Trustees to continue the Trades in which I shall be engaged at the time of my death until my youngest child shall have attained the age of twenty one years or to discontinue the same or any of them or any part thereof in the meantime at their discretion and that such Trustees shall be indemnified from all losses which may happen to my estate by reason of the continuance or discontinuance thereof
And I further order and direct that it shall be lawful for my said Trustees if they shall think proper and at such time or times and in such manner and form as they in their discretion shall think fit (but this authority I do not mean to be compulsory on them) to sell and dispose of all or any of my Messuages storehouses quays lands tenements and hereditaments or parts or shares thereof whether in England or Newfoundland and either by public auction or private contract and together or in lots And I direct that the purchaser or purchasers shall not be obliged to see to the application of the purchase money or be answerable or accountable for the misapplication or non-application thereof And I further direct that the money arising from such sales shall go in the same manner as the residue of the personal estate hereby given will go under this my will and lastly revoking all former wills by me made I declare this only to be my last will and testament. And do appoint my said sons in law Robert Slade and Thomas Arnold and my said sons Robert Slade Thomas Slade and James Slade executors hereof And I declare that my said Trustees and executors shall have power to lay out all such sums of money as they shall receive under this my will upon the stocks or funds or on Government public or real securities and to vary the same or any which I may have at my decease as they shall think fit. And that it shall be lawful for them to reimburse themselves and himself all expenses which they shall incur or be put unto in the execution of this my will or the trusts herein contained and that they or either of them shall not be answerable or accountable for any banker broker or other person in whose hands any part of my estate and effects may have been placed for safe custody nor for any other loss except the same shall arise from his or their own wilful default And that it shall be lawful for them to compound with any debtors to my estate. And I devise and bequeath all the estates and property which I hold as mortgaged in fee or as a Trustee unto my said sons in law the said Robert Slade and Thomas Arnold and my said sons Robert Slade Thomas Slade and James Slade and to the survivor or survivors of them and to the heirs and assigns of the survivor of them Upon the trusts nevertheless and subject to the powers of redemption under which I hold the same.
In witness whereof I the said Robert Slade the testator have to this my last will and testament contained in four sheets of paper affixed together set my hand and seal (that is to say) to the first three sheets I have subscribed my name and to this fourth and last sheet I have subscribed my name and affixed my seal this fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. Robert Slade (LS)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Robert Slade the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto as we have likewise done to a duplicate of the above written will at the same time. John Snelgar Junr of Poole. William Meering Shipwright Poole. Ambrose Cobb Cooper Poole.

Certified Correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar.¹⁹

Epilogue: By 1851, at least three of Robert’s sons had also died. James appears to have been the family member chiefly involved in the operation of the business after his father’s death. In 1842, John (1819-1847) became the manager at the main branch of his great uncle’s firm, John Slade & Company in Twillingate. He was involved in church and community affairs and was also elected as the representative of the Twillingate district. Robert, a younger brother, also worked for John Slade & Co as manager of the Fogo branch. The death of the three brothers within the span of three years however, between 1846-1849, all at a young age probably contributed towards the decline of both Robert Slade & Co. and John Slade & Co. Robert Slade & Co. went out of business in 1861. Alexander Bremner acquired the Catalina premises of Robert Slade & Co. while his son, Alexander W., bought the Trinity trade. In 1871, Thomas and David Slade sold the Battle Harbour trade of John Slade & Company – the last vestige of the Slade mercantile empire in Newfoundland to – Baine, Johnston and Company.

One of Robert’s children- John Slade established his own firm in Fogo and Twillingate, whereas sons Robert, Thomas and James inherited after 1838 the establishment in Trinity Bay. Although Robert Slade Sr. died in 1833, until 1838 the firm, under the name “Slade and Kelson,” was managed by Slade’s sons-in-law, Robert Slade and Thomas Arnold, but then his three sons gained control and changed the firm to the “Executors of the late Robert Slade Sr.”.⁵

     William Douglas Dugdale was born on June 3, 1835 in St. Mary's Parish, Dorset, England.^2,1
     William married Dorothy Collyns Slade, daughter of James Slade and Dorothy Collyns, __ 1887 Q1 in Christchurch Parish, Hampshire, England.³ William died in 1906 in Poole, Dorset, England.⁴

     John Loveless Slade was born in 1845 in Dorchester, Dorset, England.¹
     John married Caroline Hatton in 1878 in Weymouth, Dorset, England,², the daughter of Ann & John Hisher Hatton.³

     Rose Sarah Slade was born in 1880 in Weymouth, Dorset, England.¹ She was the daughter of John Loveless Slade and Caroline Hatton.¹ Rose Sarah Slade was baptized on August 22, 1880; at Melcombe Regis Parish Church.¹
     Rose married Thomas George Stone in July, 1903 in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, England.² Rose died in 1973 in Weymouth, Dorset.³