Newfoundland

Beresfords from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830) 
The Beresfords in Newfoundland, (NL), Canada are descendants from Philip Beresford born 1790-1800 and Johanna Reilly born 1794, from the general area of Dungarvan, Co Waterford area. They were Catholic when they emigrated to NL in the late 1820s from Co. Waterford, Ireland. The only concrete evidence we have from Ireland is the baptism of their second child “Catherine Beresford baptised January 9th, 1820 at Killea, RC Parish, Co. Waterford, daughter of Philip Beresford and Johanna Reylly of Passage East. Godparents Denis Murray and Margaret Toole.” Passage East is 6 miles downriver from the City of Waterford and 30 miles east of Dungarvan. Passage East was a primary shipping port for people and supplies to NL during the period from 1760 to 1830. The Waterford and surrounding counties supplied young men annually to the seasonal fishing expeditions to NL. Eventually some of these young men and young women emigrated to settle in NL during the period from 1760 to 1830. 40% of the population of NL today are descendants of these settlers from south east Ireland.

Philip and Johanna together with their children Mary Ann b. 1819, Catherine b. 1820, Elizabeth b. 1823 and Bridget b. 1825 immigrated to NL about 1830. There is local folklore that a child was born during the crossing to NL. I am not confident about this as Johanna would have been pregnant upon embarking for a trip to NL? Maybe Bridget was quite young at the time of the trip?
Brendan Nolan an Irish song writer and musician now living in Florida wrote a song “Beresford” about Philip and Johanna’s flight to NL. Brendan states that the song is not founded in truth but inspired after meeting one of the NL Beresfords who had studied for the RC priesthood at Druncondra, All Hollows Seminary in Dublin. It’s interesting to hear a romantic ballad about Philip and Johanna’s flight to NL. To listen to the lyrics of the recording which can be viewed at: http://www.brendannolan.com/lyrics/beresfrd.html (notice that Beresford is misspelled). The recording can be heard by following the links on the Sound Click icon / Beresford full / play hi-fi or click on the following website. Also listen to the song at: www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=52094&songID+340077 Click Brendan Nolan on the list.
Philip and family arrived in St. John’s, NL by 1830 where they stayed for a few years. I am suspicious that Philip may have worked with an Irish farmer in the St. John’s region for a few years. They had an additional child, Patrick b. 1832 who was baptised in the St. John’s RC Church of St. John the Baptist. Philip moved his family to Gooseberry Island in Bonavista Bay, NL probably in 1832. It is believed that Johanna had a brother Tom Reilly who married Catherine Whelan in 1832 on Gooseberry Island. Philip and Johanna’s subsequent children were Thomas b. 1834, Ellen b. 1839 and Anastasia b. 1840 who were all born on Gooseberry Island in Bonavista Bay, NL. We believe Philip was primarily a farmer raising vegetables for distribution to the local fishing communities’ in the area. Philip passed away in 1843 from pneumonia. Johanna and family remained on Gooseberry Island until 1860’s when the Catholic families moved to nearby St. Brendan’s on Cottles Island in Bonavista Bay, NL.

Efforts were made to congregate the many area Catholic residents into one location. Three of the girls moved to the St. John’s, NL area, married and lived very close to each other in the east end of St. John’s. Johanna was residing with her daughter Ellen Brophy in St. John’s when she passed away in 1876. Johanna is buried in the RC Belvedere Cemetery, St. John’s. Johanna left a will; http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/berrisford-johannah-4-113.shtml recognizing her daughters and leaving the fishing premises at St. Brendan’s to her two sons Patrick and Thomas who continued to prosecute the fishery in the St, Brendan’s area. Three of the daughters married and lived in the Bonavista Bay area. The offspring dispersed throughout NL and other areas of Canada and the USA. A great reference on the Irish in St. Brendan’s, NL, is contained in the Website http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cannf/bbcen_brendans.htm The web site at http://ngb.chebucto.org/ is a good source for Newfoundland genealogy including Stonepics that contain a very large accumulation of headstones throughout the providence of NL.
The NL Beresfords are further detailed in Chart F9 of Col. Hugh Beresford’s “Book of the Beresfords”. The NL folklore as well as the Australian and USA relates that a son of the main Irish Protestant Beresford family fell in love with a Catholic servant girl and was thus banished from the family, with a few meager possessions. Likely the family would have erased all references to a Catholic son.
The following are details derived from church, provincial archives, graveyard searches and publications and papers identified herein. Research by Thomas Patrick Beresford and compiled by Joseph Adrian Moore spouse of Margaret Mary Beresford. This paper covers only the 1st and 2nd generations.
Generation No. 1
1.0 PHILIP1 BERESFORD and JOHANNA1 REILLY
1a PHILIP1 BERESFORD was born 1790- 1800 in County Waterford, Ireland, and died 1843 in Gooseberry Island, NL. He married JOHANNA REILLY in? Co. Waterford, Ireland, daughter of UNK. She was born 1794 in Co. Waterford, Ireland, and died 15 Feb 1876 in St. John’s, NL
Philip moved his family from Co. Waterford to St. John’s, NL about 1830 and to Gooseberry Island, Bonavista Bay, NL about 1832. Philip was primarily a farmer raising vegetables for distribution to the local fishing communities’ in the area. Philip passed away in 1843 from pneumonia.
1b JOHANNA1 REILLY
Johanna was born 1794 in County Waterford, Ireland, and died 1876 in St. John’s, NL. Johanna with her enlarged families moved from Goosebery Island to St. Brendan’s on Cottles Island in the 1860s.
Notes for JOHANNA REILLY: Obit for Johanna Reilly Beresford
Beresford’s from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830)
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1) Gazette (Royal NL Gazette) 1807-
2) Newfoundlander 1827-1884
3) Morning Chronicle 1865-1881
Death, date Feb 15, 1876. 82 yrs of age. Deceased was a native of Waterford, Ireland. Funeral held from the residence of Stephen Brophy, Maggoty Cove.
Will of Johannah Berrisford from NL will book volume 4-page 113 probate year 1880 http://ngb.chebucto.org/Wills/berrisford-johannah-4-113.shtml
Johanna was residing in St. John’s when she passed away in 1876. Johanna is buried in the RC Belvedere Cemetery, St. John’s. Johanna left a will recognizing her daughters and leaving the fishing premises at St. Brendan’s to her two sons Patrick and Thomas who continued to propagate the fishery in the St, Brendans area. Three of the daughters married and lived in the Bonavista Bay area.
Children of PHILIP1 BERESFORD and JOHANNA1 REILLY are:
i. MARY ANN2 BERESFORD, b. 1819? Co. Waterford Ireland; d. 1868, St. Brendan’s, NL.
ii. CATHERINE2 BERESFORD, bapt. Jan 9, 1820 Killea RC Parish, resident of Passage East, Co. Waterford, d. Sept 30, 1913 St. Brendan’s, NL
iii. ELIZABETH2 BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1823? Co. Waterford Ireland; d. 1901.
iv. BRIDGET2 BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1825? Co. Waterford Ireland; d. 13 Apr 1905, Water St. East, St. John’s.
v. PATRICK2 BERESFORD, b. 12 Aug 1832, St. John’s, NL; d. 07 Mar 1907, St. Brendan’s, NL.
vi. THOMAS2 BERESFORD, b. 1834, Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 22 Dec 1914, St. Brendan’s NL.
vii. ELLEN2 BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1839; Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 07 Sep 1896, Boston, MA, USA.
viii. ANASTASIA2 BERESFORD, b. 1840; Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 1914, St. John’s, NL.
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Generation No. 2
2. MARY ANN2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born 1819 in? Dungarvan? Ireland, and died 1868 in St. Brendan’s, NL. She married PATRICK TURNER 11 May 1841, son of JOHN TURNER and JOHANNA RYAN. He died 1868.
Marriage Notes for MARY BERESFORD and PATRICK TURNER:
Witnesses: Abraham and Johanna Turner. (Kings Cove Church records)
Notes on Patrick Turner: Father is John Turner married Johanna Ryan 1815 in Kings Cove. “From Helvick Head to Hescut Point: The St. Brendan’s Irish” is source for his father John Turner’s marriage and five children: 1. Patrick (m. Mary Beresford); 2. William (m Honora Fitzgerald. And Wm’s daughter Johanna b. June 17, 1841, sponsors James Reily and Mary Beresford, Kings Cove RC Church records); 3. John Turner, b. 1816 and m. Sarah Walsh in 1843; 4. Abe Turner, b. abt. 1821 and d. at St. Brendan’s on Oct 30, 1901. Death record of Abe and tombstone at Dock Cove Cemetery gives their ages; 5. Tom Turner, b. 1824 and m. Ellen Fennel in 1850.
Children of MARY BERESFORD and PATRICK TURNER are:
i. JAMES3 TURNER.
ii. WILLIAM TURNER.
iii. JOHN TURNER, b. 05 Oct 1842.
Baptism record is in the R.C. Kings Cove and only the date of baptism (Oct. 5, 1842) is given. Sponsors Thomas Turner and Sarah Walsh.
Possible marriage: NL Grand Banks site – married Northern Bay, Turner, John of St. Brendan’s, O’Neil Julia, Bay de Verde, Jan 4, 1882
Stonepics has a tombstone of a John Turner died 1909 and Julia no date – NF065 STJ52.
iv. DANIEL TURNER, b. 18 Aug 1844.
Baptism: Fogo Island RC Parish Birth Records, 1815-1849, transcribed from the King’s Cove RC Church records. Aug 18, 1844; Daniel of Patrick Turner and Mary Beresford; Sponsors: Peter Walshe and Catherine Sullivan.
v. JOHANNA TURNER, b. 16 Sep 1846.
Baptism: Fogo Island RC Parish Birth Records, 1815-1849, transcribed from the King’s Cove RC Church records. Sept 16, 1846; Johanna of Patk Turner and Mary Berisford; Sponsors: Daniel Phelan and Mary Sullivan.
vi. BRIDGET TURNER, b. 11 Apr 1849.
Baptism: Fogo Island RC Parish Birth Records, 1815-1849, transcribed from the King’s Cove RC Church records. April 11, 1849; Bridget of Patk Turner and Mary Bericesford; Sponsors: Patk Sullivan and Mary Carrol.
vii. MARY ANN TURNER, b. Jul 1852.
Baptism July 1852: Mary to Pat Turner and Mary Blackmore. This might be an
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error and should have been entered as Mary Beresford. Sps: Richard Dooley and Bridget Dooley.
viii. HONORA TURNER, b. 29 Aug 1858.
Baptism in Kings Cove Records: Aug 29, 1858; Honora of Patt Turner and Mary Ann Beresford; sps Thomas White and Mary Ann White. Cottles Island.
ix. SARAH TURNER, b. 22 Mar 1861.
Baptism in Kings Cove RC records: Mar 22, 1861; Sarah of Patrick Turner and Mary Beresford; sps R Cashin and Bridget Cashin. C. (? Cottles) Island.
x. PATRICK TURNER, b. 19 Jun 1863, Shoals Cove.
Baptism in RC Kings Cove records; June 19, 1863; Patt of Patt Turner and Mary Berresford; Shoels Cove. Sps Patrick Turner and Mary Bridgeman.
3. CATHERINE2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was baptised Jan 9, 1820, Killea RC Parish, of Passage East, Co. Waterford, Ireland. She married JOHN DOOLEY 18 May 1851 in Gooseberry Island, son of JAMES DOOLEY and MARGARET MICHAN. He was born in Ragged Hr (Melrose), NL.
Notes for CATHERINE BERESFORD:
“Catherine Beresford baptised January 9th, 1820 at Killea, RC Parish, Co. Waterford, daughter of Philip Beresford and Johanna Reylly of Passage East. Godparents Denis Murray and Margaret Toole.”
Marriage Notes for CATHERINE BERESFORD and JOHN DOOLEY:
Marriage of John Dooley and Catherine Blackmore on May 18, 1851 in Kings Cove RC record and no record found in Kings Cove for Catherine Beresford and John Dooley marriage. Only children after this marriage are for John Dooley and Catherine Beresford at Gooseberry Cove. Wonder if error in name of Catherine’s name in the marriage. Her brother Thomas married Sar ah Blackmore in Gooseberry Cove.
Children of CATHERINE BERESFORD and JOHN DOOLEY are:
i. AGNES3 DOOLEY, b. 29 Apr 1858.
Baptism on Apr 29, 1858 in Kings Cove RC records. Aug 29, 1858; Agnes of John Dooley and Catherine Beresford; sps John Turner and Bridget Sylward (Alyward); Cottles Island.
ii. ANASTASIA DOOLEY, b. 30 Mar 1860, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Baptism in Kings Cove RC records: Mar 30, 1860: Anastasia of John Dooley and Catherine Beresford; sps John Hynes and Agnes Hynes; Gooseberry Island.
iii. PHILIP DOOLEY, b. 28 Sep 1861, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Baptism in Kings Cove RC records: Sept 28, 1861; Philip of John Dooley and
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Catherine Beresford; sps William Hynes and Margret Hynes; Gooseberry Is land.
iv. RICHARD DOOLEY, b. 19 Jun 1863, Gooseberry Island.
Baptism in Kings Cove RC records; June 19, 1863; Richard of Jns Dooley a nd Catherine Berisford; Gooseberry Island; sps Thomas White and Martha White.
v. MICHAEL DOOLEY, b. 1864.
vi. DANIEL DOOLEY, b. 1867.
vii. MARY ANNE DOOLEY, b. 27 Jun 1869, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Bapt: Kings Cove Parish. Sps Patrick and Mary Anne Turner: Gooseberry Is land.
viii. ELLEN DOOLEY, b. 10 Oct 1871, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Bapt in Kings Cove Parish; Oct 10, 1871 Sps Michael Cashin and Mary Ann Bridgemen.
ix. UNK DOOLEY, b. 1873.
4. ELIZABETH2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born Abt. 1823 in Dungarvan? Ireland, and died 1901. She married DANIEL BRODERICK 09 Nov 1844.
Notes for DANIEL BRODERICK:
Family tradition has the Brodericks (Brawders) coming from Youghal Ireland to Greenspond then Gooseberry Island. Daniel was related to William Broderick of Youghal who married Anastasia Kennedy of Greenspond in 1826.
Marriage Notes for ELIZABETH BERESFORD and DANIEL BRODERICK:
Witnesses were Thomas Turner and Bridget Beresford. Settled on Gooseberry Island and then moved to Cottle’s Island or St. Brendan’s.
Children of ELIZABETH BERESFORD and DANIEL BRODERICK are:
i. JOHN3 BRODERICK.
ii. TOM BRODERICK, m. (1) MINNIE HYNES; m. (2) ANNE BRIDGEMAN, 14 May 1899, St. Brendan’s.
iii. PHILIP BRODERICK. Never married.
iv. ANASTASIA BRODERICK, m. UNK Murphy, St. John’s Nfld.
v. BRIDGET BRODERICK.
vi. MARY BRODERICK, m. PATRICK BRIDGEMAN.
vii. PATRICK BRODERICK, b. 10 May 1859, Gooseberry Island, NL.
viii. DANIEL BRODERICK, b. 19 Jun 1873, Shoels Cove.
5. BRIDGET2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born Abt. 1825 in Dungarvan, Ireland, and died 13 Apr 1905 in Water St. East, St. John’s. She married WILLIAM CROTTY 30 May 1856 in St.
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John’s, NL. He was born Abt. 1825 in Antigonish, NS, and died 11 Jul 1913 in St. John’s NL.
Notes for BRIDGET BERESFORD:
Death record: April 13, 1905 – La Grippe – Water St. E – Bridget Crotty age 80 – Born Ireland
Notes for WILLIAM CROTTY:
Obituary of William Crotty in the Daily News on July 12, 1913
There passed away last night, after a brief but painful illness, one of the oldest landmarks in St. John’s East in the person of Mr. William Crotty. Deceased who reached the ripe old age of eighty-eight years, was well up to Saturday evening last, when he was suddenly stricken with paralysis. Mr. Crotty was born in Antigonish, N.S. and came to this country when a boy. He conducted for many years the cod fishery, and in the forties did a large trading business; also, being a veteran seal killer. He was a man of stirling worth and honesty, and one who made many friends. He was of quiet and unassuming disposition, whilst kind heartiness was also typical of the man. The deceased for forty years was a prominent member of the Star of the Sea Association. He is survived by five sons: Philip in Boston, and William, Daniel and James of this city and one unmarried daughter Mary Ann besides several grandchildren and a large circle of friends. His funeral takes place on Sunday from his daughter’s residence on Cochran St. To the bereaved family The Daily News offers sincere sympathy.
Death notice of son Michael James says father William from Digby, NS.
Marriage Notes for BRIDGET BERESFORD and WILLIAM CROTTY:
Marriage record in RC St. John’s. Says after Bridget’s came from Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Witnesses are James Lane and Mary Ann Rowel.
Baptisms for six children found in same records.
Children of BRIDGET BERESFORD and WILLIAM CROTTY are:
i. MICHAEL JAMES3 CROTTY, b. 15 Nov 1857, St. John’s NL; d. 14 Dec 1909, Sexbury, Mass., USA; m. NORA J MANSFIELD, 23 Sep 1888, Boston; b. South Boston.
Notes for MICHAEL JAMES CROTTY:
Newspaper posting: December 14, 1909 M.J. Crotty dies at Sexbury, Mass, aged 52.
Michael J Crotty born St. John’s, NF Age recorded as 49, father William Crotty of Digby, NS, mother Bridget Beresford of Ireland, cause of death Acute Dilation of Heart.
Marriage Notes for MICHAEL CROTTY and NORA MANSFIELD:
Michael J Crotty married Nora J Mansfield S. Boston Sept 23 by Rev J O’Neil Oct 23/88.
The 1900 Census for Boston has Michael J Crotty born Nov 1858 in Newfoundland;
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father born Nova Scotia and mother born Ireland. No children. He was a cooper.
ii. WILLIAM CROTTY, b. 06 Nov 1859; d. 1923, Walsh’s Square, St. John’s, NL.
iii. DANIEL JOSEPH CROTTY, b. 09 May 1861; d. 1939.
iv. MARY ANN CROTTY, b. 15 Mar 1863.
Notes for MARY ANN CROTTY:
Unmarried at death of her father and he was buried from her residence on Cochrane St.
v. PHILIP THOMAS CROTTY, b. 06 Nov 1864, St. John’s NL.
vi. JAMES PATRICK CROTTY, b. 03 Feb 1867; d. 1953.
Notes for JAMES PATRICK CROTTY:
I think James Patrick the one who died in 1953 – Headstone mentions JP (James Patrick??) and DJ (Daniel Joseph??).
6. PATRICK2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born 12 Aug 1832 in St. John’s, NL, and died 07 Mar 1907 in St. Brendan’s, NL. He married CATHERINE DOOLEY, daughter of JAMES DOOLEY. She was born 1840 in St. Brendan’s, NL, and died 31 Jul 1911 in St. Brendan’s, NL.
Notes for PATRICK BERESFORD:
Baptism # 413 St. John’s RC Parish. Aug 12, 1832 Patt of Philip Beresford and Johanna Reily
sps: Michael Reily and Ann Thomson
Notes for CATHERINE DOOLEY:
Tombstone at St. Brendan’s gives date of death and age of 71 yrs, wife of Patrick Beresford.
Children of PATRICK BERESFORD and CATHERINE DOOLEY are:
i. JAMES3 FUDGE, b. Abt. 1859, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Notes for JAMES FUDGE:
Kings Cove RC Records: 1861: Baptised James of Wm Fudge – Protestant and Jane Best – Methodist an Illegitimated offspring of a married father – adopted by Thos & Patrick Beresford – Gooseberry Island. Written on side in original writing is “would be 2 yrs old”. There is no family lore about this adopted person.
Closest is James Beresford born about 1867 married Helen White at St. Brendan’s in 1900.
17. ii. JOHANNA BERESFORD, b. 19 Jun 1863, Gooseberry Island.
18. iii. JAMES BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1867.
19. iv. MARY ELLEN (NELLIE) BERESFORD, b. 17 Jun 1873, Gooseberry Island, NL.
v. PHILIP BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1874; d. 02 Dec 1907, Gambo NL.
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Notes for PHILIP BERESFORD:
Hurt in a mine and never married. There is a Philip with a tombstone in the Gambo cemetery with date Nov. 23, 1907 and erected by his mother. Death record in the Whitbourne RC is Philip Beresford of Patrick and Catherine Beresford on Dec 2, 1907 of grippe. 43 yrs of age. Year of birth inferred from this death record.
vi. MARGARET BERESFORD, b. 24 May 1874, Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 01 Jan 1940, South Bend, Indiana, USA.
Notes for MARGARET BERESFORD:
Baptism at Kings Cove Parish on Sept 30, 1874. Sponsors Garret Kelly and Catherine Bridgeman. Gooseberry Island
There is a chance that she was the sponsor to Mary Catherine Crotty: May 9 1891 Mary Catherine Crotty of Daniel Crotty and Mary Frances Walsh; Signal Hill Road 13 May (Baptised) by W Forristall Sponsors: Joseph Kenny and Margaret Beresford.
She joined a Convent in the USA. There is a picture in the family of a grave marker with: Sister M Digna Margaret Beresford Born 1874 Professed 1904 Died 1940. The family understands that she worked in a hospital in Indiana and while working there she took care of a very sick woman until the lady died. When the lady’s husband got sick and came to the hospital, he asked for the NL Nun that took care of his wife. Sister Mary Digna took care of him until he died. This man was very wealthy (He had no children or family living) and left his money to sister. She gave the money to the Bishop to have a home built for retiring Sisters in the memory of the man and his wife. Sister Mary Digna (Margaret Beresford)’s burial was in Indiana. The last time that her twin brother Martin saw her was on the Church step, when she entered the convent.
The order sent the following information: Sister M. Digna Beresford was a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The following is a brief biographical sketch:
Sister M. Digna (Margaret Beresford) was born in Gooseberry Island, Newfoundland May 24, 1874 the daughter of Patrick Beresford and Catherine Dooley. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross May 13, 1898 from Dearborn, Massachusetts. She died at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, South Bend, Indiana May 9, 1940 and is interred in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana.
From 1900 to 1911 Sister Digna was assigned to care for the sick at Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. From 1911 to 1926, she was assigned to care of the sick at Our Saviour’s Hospital, Jacksonville, Illinois, and 1926 1929 at Holy Cross Sanatorium, Deming, New Mexico. From 1929 1934, she was Assistant X ray
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Technician at Saint Agnes Hospital, Fresno, California. From 1934 to 1940 Sister Digna was assigned as a resident/patient at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, South Bend, Indiana.
She is in the 1930 census for Fresco, California just as Sister Digna, a registered nurse at St. Agnes Hospital, 55 yrs of age, immigrated in Nov 1898 from NL
20. vii. MARTIN HENRY BERESFORD, b. 19 Oct 1876, Gooseberry Island; d. 1940.
21. viii. JOSEPH BERESFORD, b. 16 Apr 1879, Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 17 Nov 1968, Boston, USA.
7. THOMAS2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born 1834 in Gooseberry Island, NL, and died 22 Dec 1914 in St. Brendan’s NL. He married (1) SARAH BLACKMORE 26 Oct 1866 in Gooseberry Island, NL, daughter of JAMES BLACKMORE and CATHERINE KELLY. She was born 05 Aug 1845 in Pinchard Island, NL. He married (2) CATHERINE MYLES 11 Jun 1877 in Gooseberry Island, NL. She was born Abt. 1854 in Keels, NL, and died 30 Mar 1925 in St. Brendan’s, NL.
Notes for THOMAS BERESFORD:
His two marriages and some of his children are in the Kings Cove RC records and for Gooseberry Island. Thus, place of birth assumed to be Gooseberry Island with his 2nd wife and children moved to St. Brendan’s.
Death record says died of old age and place of birth was Gooseberry Island and died at St. Brendan’s. Tombstone at Dock Cove Cemetery, St. Brendan’s: Thomas Beresford Died De c. 22, 1914 Aged 80 years
From “Schooners, Skippers & Sharemen of St. Brendan’s” by Michael J. Croke, Jasperson Press, 199, pp37-38. “Thomas Beresford and family moved from Gooseberry Island to St. Brendan ‘s around 1880. He built a small schooner, The Morning Star in the late 1800’s. Around 1900 he built another schooner, The Malanna. This schooner was owned by Beresford Brothers and skippered by Bernard Beresford. (Thomas’s son). The Malanna was used on the Labrador fishery until 1918 when she sank at Shalloway Cove during the winter. After this loss the Beresford acquired schooner, The Bridget, which they used at the fishery until 1921. The Beresfords retired from the fishery and sold The Bridget to Captain Nicholas Bryne of Shalloway Cove, St. Brendan’s.”
Notes for SARAH BLACKMORE:
Baptism Record in the Kings Cove R.C. Parish has a baptism on Sept. 5, 1845 of Sarah born to James Black and Margaret Kelly of Pinchard Island. This could be her baptism.
According to James Beresford, her great grandson, she was referred to as the Black Beresford from Pinchard’s Island. This may be in reference to her father being Black although in her marriage she was a Blackmore.
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Marriage Notes for THOMAS BERESFORD and SARAH BLACKMORE:
Marriage Record: Kings Cove RC: at Gooseberry Island on Oct. 26, 1866; Sponsors were Daniel and Mary Ann Turner.
Notes for CATHERINE MYLES:
Death record at St. Brendan’s has Catherine Beresford age 79 yrs old. No other spouse of a Beresford known with Catherine.
Marriage Notes for THOMAS BERESFORD and CATHERINE MYLES:
Marriage record in Kings Cove RC parish: Witnesses: John Hynes and Harriett Dooley: Gooseberry Island.
Children of THOMAS BERESFORD and SARAH BLACKMORE are:
i. JAMES3 FUDGE, b. Abt. 1859, Gooseberry Island.
Notes for JAMES FUDGE:
Kings Cove RC Records: 1861: Baptised James of Wm Fudge – Protestant and Jane Best – Methodist an Illegitimate offspring of a married father – adopted by Thos & Patrick Beresford – Gooseberry Island. Written on side in original writing is “would be 2 yrs old”. There is no family lore about this adopted person.
Closest is James Beresford born about 1867 married Helen White at St. Brendan’s in 1900.
ii. BERNARD BERESFORD, b. 1869; m. (1) MARGARET BROOMFIELD; b. Abt. 1883; m. (2) MARTHA HOGAN, 26 Nov 1903, St. Brendan’s, Cottles Island, Bonavista Bay, NL; m. (3) MARGARET MACKEY, 20 Nov 1912, St. Brendan’s, NL; b. Abt. 1886.
Notes for BERNARD BERESFORD:
No children.
Marriage Notes for BERNARD BERESFORD and MARTHA HOGAN:
Witnesses at wedding were Thomas Hogan and Ellen Beresford.
Marriage Notes for BERNARD BERESFORD and MARGARET MACKEY:
In marriage record is Bernard age 43 and Margaret 26
iii. CATHERINE ROSE BERESFORD, b. 03 Jun 1869, Gooseberry Island, NL.
Notes for CATHERINE ROSE BERESFORD:
Baptism: Kings Cove Parish; sps John Hynes and Lizzie Cashin: Gooseberry Island.
22. iv. DANIEL BERESFORD, b. 09 Nov 1870, Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 12 Dec 1943, St. Brendan’s, NL.
23. v. PHILIP BERESFORD, b. 1872, Gooseberry Island, NL; d. 31 Jul 1927.
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Children of THOMAS BERESFORD and CATHERINE MYLES are:
24. vi. ELLEN3 BERESFORD.
25. vii. MARY BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1882.
26. viii. ANGUS BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1883; d. 05 Feb 1957, St. Brendan’s.
27. ix. NICHOLAS BERESFORD, b. Abt. 1886; d. 21 Jan 1977.
8. ELLEN2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born Abt. 1839, and died 07 Sep 1896 in Boston, MA, USA. She married (1) JOHN MACKEY 28 Jun 1856 in Cottles Island, son of THOMAS MACKEY and SUSAN OLDFORD. She married (2) STEPHEN BROPHY 01 Jun 1873 in St. John’s, NL. He was born in St. John’s, NL, and died 15 Dec 1882 in Hoylestown, St. John’s.
Notes for ELLEN BERESFORD:
She is the likely witness to the marriage of Anastasia Beresford and Henry Holwell and is given as Ellen Mackey, her married name.
Her mother Johanna was buried from there home. In Crosbie’s births, marriages and deaths BMD from Nfld. newspapers which say Deceased was a native of Waterford, Ireland age 82: Funeral held from the residence of Stephen Brophy, Maggotty Cove. Maggotty Cove was at the foot of Temperance Street, St. John’s, NL
Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1943
Name: Mrs. Stephen Brophy
Arrival Date: 24 Nov 1892
Age: 53 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1839
Gender: Female
Port of Departure: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ship Name: Halifax
Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachusetts
Last Residence: NL
Microfilm Roll Number: 5
USA Immigration information:
Mrs. Stephen Brophy, age 53, b. NL, Last lived NL, wife
Kate Brophy, age 18 same info as mother, Dress maker
Bridget Brophy, age 16, same info as mother, Dress maker
Teresa Brophy, age 15, same info as mother, School girl
Death in Boston, Massachusetts
Sept. 7, 1896
Ellen Brophy, age 44 (Should be 54)
Marriage status: widow of Stephen “men” Berreford
Beresford’s from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830)
13
Born: St. John’s, NL
Occupation: Nurse
Cause of death: Nephrites (Gall stones)
Place of death: Locity Hospital
Parents: Daniel (Should be Philip) & Johanna Riley
Parents born in Ireland
Marriage Notes for ELLEN BERESFORD and JOHN MACKEY:
RC Kings Cove Marriage on June 28, 1856: Witness: Ed Mackey and Susanna Mackey. Husband John Mackey is son of Thomas and Susan Oldford and the grandson of Thomas (b. 1803, Faha City of Waterford) and Martha Pichard (? Richard)
Notes for STEPHEN BROPHY:
In St. John’s newspaper: Died Dec 15, 1882. Stephen Brophy of Hoylestown, St. John’s (which is in the Signal Hill area). He was 43 and left wife and 5 children.
Marriage Notes for ELLEN BERESFORD and STEPHEN BROPHY:
On marriage record for the RC Cathedral, St. John’s, Ellen’s last name is spelt Belesford and the witnesses are Edward Brophy and Anastasia Belesford.
Children of ELLEN BERESFORD and JOHN MACKEY are:
i. PHILIP3 MACKEY, b. 22 Mar 1860, Cottles Island.
Notes for PHILIP MACKEY:
Baptism in Kings Cove records: bapt on Mar 22, 1860 Philip of John Mackey and Ellen Beresford; sps Pat Cashin and Anastatia Berresford; Cottles Island.
ii. MICHAEL MACKEY, b. 23 Sep 1861, Dog Cove.
Notes for MICHAEL MACKEY:
Baptism in Kings Cove RC records: Michael of John Mackey and Ellen Beresford; sps Thos Power and Susan Mackey at Dog Cove. Dog Cove became Dock Cove which is one of the hamlets on Cottles Island or St. Brendan’s.
iii. JUSTIN MACKEY, b. 14 Oct 1863, Shoals Cove.
Notes for JUSTIN MACKEY:
Baptism in Kings Cove RC Records” Oct 14, 1863? Jitin or Justin of John Mackey and Ellen Berrisford; sps Edmond Mackey and Mary Whelan at Shoals Cove.
Children of ELLEN BERESFORD and STEPHEN BROPHY are:
iv. CATHERINE JOHANNA3 BROPHY, b. 25 Nov 1874, St. John’s NL.
Notes for CATHERINE JOHANNA BROPHY:
Beresford’s from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830)
14
Baptism record at St. John’s RC. Baptised on Nov 27, 1874. Both parents of St. John’s. Witnesses are Philip Turner and Mary Ann Stratford.
1920 US Census. Catherine J Brophy, Boston, single, age 43, sister in law to Henry Dunn, entered US in 1892. Henry Dunn was a widow age 46 he had a son John who was age 17.
28. v. BRIDGET FRANCES BROPHY, b. 06 Nov 1876, St. John’s NL; d. 04 May 1904, Boston, USA.
vi. THERESA MARY BROPHY, b. 02 Jan 1880, St. John’s NL; d. 14 Nov 1917, 19 Hubert St., Boston; m. JAMES F MENTON, 04 Oct 1915; b. 18 May 1887, Athlone, CO Westmeath.
Notes for THERESA MARY BROPHY:
Baptism at RC Cathedral, now the Basilica. Baptised Nov 8, 1876. Witnesses Robert Cole and Mary Ann Crotty.
She died in childbirth and child died day before her.
From World Connect: ID: I1562
Name: THERESA M BROPHY
Sex: F
Birth: 1882 in ST JOHNS, NL
Death: 14 NOV 1917 in 19 Hulbert St, BOSTON
_FA1: 14 NOV 1917 Died in childbirth – embonus/parturition
_FA2: 15 NOV 1917 Mt. Benedict, BOSTON
_FA3: 4 OCT 1915 19 Hulbert Street – Housekeeper
Note: Aged 34 on marriage in 1915, Occupation – Housekeeper. Cause of death – Embolus
Mins/Parturition 10 mins. High forceps delivery.
Father: STEPHEN BROPHY b: in ST JOHNS, NL
Mother: ELLEN BERESFORD b: in ST JOHNS, NL
.
Marriage 1 JAMES F MENTON b: 18 MAY 1887 in Athlone, CO WESTMEATH
Married: 4 OCT 1915
Children
MENTON b: 13 NOV 1917 in 19 Hulbert St, BOSTON
9. ANASTASIA2 BERESFORD (PHILIP1) was born 1840, and died 1914 in St. John’s, NL. She married HENRY HOLWELL 10 Feb 1868 in St. John’s, NL.
Notes for ANASTASIA BERESFORD:
Beresford’s from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830)
15
The information on Anastasia is from “The Families of Fort Amherst” by Rosalind (Wareham) Power. She states that this completes the “whole history of Fort Amherst” when combines with her published book: “Fort Amherst: St. John’s Nearest Outport”, 1995. Dates may not be exact due to discrepancies between the different sources she used.
Her husband Henry Howell moved to Gunners Cove to fish. He was probably the Henry “Holwill” listed in a 1885-86 directory residing at 42 Que de Vide Road, occupation cooper. There is also a George “Holwill”, fisherman residing on Marshall’s Hill. This might be a brother of Henry as his son George was only 3 then. This George and Henry could be the same Holwells living earlier at Carbonear (1864-65). There are four Holwells shown living on Water St., Carbonear: George, Fisherman; Henry, Planter, and Henry, Fisherman and William, Fisherman. They are probably Henry Holwell, his father Henry, and brothers. Oral history states that Henry Holwell had land on the north side of the St. John’s Hr at Maggoty Cove, which is at the foot of Temperance St. Anastasia’s mother was buried from the residence of her son in law Michael Brophy, Magotty Cove on Feb 1876. Henry was given the Gunners Cove lot, Fort Amherst in exchange for it. The government needed his land to construct the railway terminal which at that time ended near the foot of Temperance Street and that his Southside premises were built over the 1700 fortification, South Castle. 1913 McAlpline Directory for St. John’s: Holwell, Anna wid Henry bds South Side Rd.
Notes for HENRY HOLWELL:
There is a John Holwell died at 74 yrs of age, residence Maggotty Cove, S t. John’s. Native of Devon England. Maggoty Cove is where Henry Holwell and his wife Anastatia Beresford and her sisters Bridget Crotty and Ellen Brophy lived. Maggotty Cove was later called Hoylestown. It is the area around the base of Signal Hill.
Found on internet CanadianHolwellPioneers http://www3.sympatico.ca/jholwel l/documents/Early-Canadian-HOLWELLs.pdf . Son Henry is possibly the husband of Anastasia Beresford.
John William Holwell (Abt. 1801 – 9 Jan 1877; RIN: 402): John is the founder of most of the present-day Holwell family on the Island of Newfoundland. While his exact place and date of birth is yet to be conclusively established, it is in his death that some clues are revealed about his origin. According to an entry in the 16 Jan 1877 edition of the St. John’s newspaper, the Gazette, he was a native of the English county of Devon. The article indicated he was aged 74 and died at Maggoty Cove (an area of the St. John’s waterfront) on 9 Jan 1877. This suggests his birth as most probably sometime in 1802 or in the first week of 1803. This is not, however, conclusive. While John’s headstone at Forrest Road Cemetery clearly indicates his date of death, there appears to be no record of his burial in either the records of the Anglican Cathedral or St. Thomas’ Church at St. John’s. The answer appears to lie in a record for a William Holwell, found at St. Thomas’ Church which indicates his burial on 12 Jan 1877, appropriately three days after the date cited on John ‘s headstone. In all likelihood, John and William are one and the same individual. Although the name William, or even middle initial ‘W’, never appeared in any other records, it is highly probable that William was John’s second name. It was certainly a name that became common with his descendants for years to come and indicated as by some members of the Holwell family. One more inconsistency exists in his age at death. The Provincial Archives
Beresford’s from Co. Waterford to Newfoundland (1830)
16
of NL and Labrador note him as being aged 75, therefore a birth likely in the year 1801, not 1802 as suggested by the Gazette. In all likelihood, John immigrated to NL sometime in the 1820s and became a planter. It has not yet been established how he came to be there, but it was typical at that time for young men, even boys, to sign on as a ‘hand’ on a NL banker. They would spend each summer catching the prolific cod on the Grand Banks and adjacent fishing banks and return each autumn to England. Some did this year after year and some eventually settled. Unfortunately, few records exist to help determine exactly when John came to NL, but it could have been any time from the age of fourteen to possibly the age of thirty. On 21 Dec 1832, he married Elizabeth Marshall, daughter of Philip and Jane (Fry) Marshall at the Church of England Cathedral in St. John’s. The Marshall family was well established in St. John’s at the time and had been so possibly as early as the late 1600s. Their first child, William John Holwell, was born on 20 Mar 1834. He was the second of seven generations up to the present day, who were given John as either a first or second name. Over the next seventeen years, John and Elizabeth had at least seven other children; Henry (1835), Mathew Thomas (1837), George Frederick (1840), Selina (1842), Augustus (1845), Julia (1847), and John (1851). There was also a girl born in August 1838 who may have been a member of the family. In 1837, John and Elizabeth were living at Chain Rock. John’s burial site is in the south-southeast corner of Forest Road Cemetery.
Marriage Notes for ANASTASIA BERESFORD and HENRY HOLWELL:
Witnesses at marriage at RC Cathedral appear to be Rev. Richard Howley and Ellen Mackey (likely her sister).
Children of ANASTASIA BERESFORD and HENRY HOLWELL are:
29. i. JOHN3 HOLWELL, b. 1873, St. John’s, NL; d. 31 May 1904, South Side, St. John’s.
30. ii. ELIZABETH HOLWELL, b. 12 Jan 1874, St. John’s, NL.
31. iii. WILLIAM THOMAS HOLWELL, b. Jul 1876, St. John’s, NL.
iv. PETER HENRY HOLWELL, b. 29 Jun 1877, St. John’s, NL.
Baptism record: St. John’s RC; July 6, 1877, residence Signal Hill Rd. Sponsors Thomas Kent and Johanna Brothers. (Likely this is Johanna Beresford who married a Broderick/Broders of St. Brendan’s) Residence is Signal Hill.
There is a Henry Holwell in 1921 Census for Pilot’s Hill, St. John’s with wife and 6 children. He was born May 1876. Could this be Peter Henry?
v. ELLEN JOSEPH HOLWELL, b. 25 Jun 1879, St. John’s, NL.
Baptism is at St. John’s RC Cathedral on June 27, 1879. Anastasia’s name is Bemister. Residence is Signal Hill, Battery Road. Father is Henry Howell. Witnesses is James Crotty and Anne Osbourne.
32. vi. GEORGE HOLWELL, b. 12 Jan 1881, St. John’s, NL; d. 1950.