PEOPLE OF BELL ISLAND
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The People of Bell Island pages feature mini-biographies (in alphabetical order by last name) of some of the people who have lived and worked on Bell Island, or have had an impact on its history in some way. Much of the information comes from historical records and newspaper or magazine articles. Some will be from Census records and some from anecdotal accounts by people I have interviewed. It will always be a "work in progress," with information being added as it comes available. If you would like to add information for yourself or your family, or simply to have your parents or grandparents names added as a memorial to their life and work on Bell Island, get in touch by emailing:
historic.wabana@gmail.com
To view the other biographies, hover your cursor over the People of Bell Island button in the menu at the top of this page, then choose from the drop-down menu of alphabetical listings.
Bios below as of March 2022:
John T. Eagan (c.1861-1935): Baker, Hotelier
Joseph Ellis (1870-1955): Dry Goods Merchant
Edward (c.1731 - ????) and Jane English: Pioneers of Bell Island
Roy B. Eveleigh (1912-1961): Miner
historic.wabana@gmail.com
To view the other biographies, hover your cursor over the People of Bell Island button in the menu at the top of this page, then choose from the drop-down menu of alphabetical listings.
Bios below as of March 2022:
John T. Eagan (c.1861-1935): Baker, Hotelier
Joseph Ellis (1870-1955): Dry Goods Merchant
Edward (c.1731 - ????) and Jane English: Pioneers of Bell Island
Roy B. Eveleigh (1912-1961): Miner
John T. Eagan (c.1861-1935): Baker, Hotelier. He was born in St. John's, NL, about 1861, believed to be the son of John Joseph Eagan (c.1829-1911), a baker of St. John's who died Bell Island in December 1911 at age 82, and is buried in Belvedere Cemetery, St. John's. John T. Eagan, baker of Water Street, St. John's, married Catherine Funchion (1862-1917) of St. John's, c.1885. They had at least 10 children, all born in St. John's between the years 1887 and 1901. It was reported in The Daily News that "James Eagan, fourth son of John and Catherine Eagan, died [on Bell Island] on February 17, 1910 at the age of 18. His father was operating a bakery on Bell Island." This was the first mention I found of John T. Eagan on Bell Island, however, he may have moved there before 1910. He was listed in St. John's in McAlpine's Newfoundland Directory, 1904. He was not listed in McAlpine's St. John's Directory, 1908-09 for either St. John's or Bell Island, however, it is possible he was on Bell Island but was not included in error.
John T. Eagan, Baker, was listed in the Bell Island section of the St. John's Newfoundland Directory, 1913, as were two of his sons, Luke Eagan, a miner, and John Eagan, Jr., a miner. On February 11, 1913, John Eagan, Jr. married Alice Smart of Bell Island. On February 28, 1913, a visiting hockey team from St. John's stayed the night "at J. Eagan's Hotel," on Bell Island. No other information was found about this hotel, but it and the Eagan bakery were probably located on The Green. [This hotel may have been in operation in April 1911 when I.C. Morris and friends were on an excursion to Bell Island from St. John's but, because of a series of unfortunate circumstances, could not find anywhere to have lunch. A "Miss Eagan" came to their rescue and prepared "a cup of tea" for them before they had to head to Lance Cove to meet their return ship.]
John T. Eagan, Baker, was listed in the Bell Island section of the McAlpine's St. John's City Directory, 1915. Neither of his sons were listed in 1915.
Catherine Eagan died June 13, 1917 in St. John's at age 55. She is buried in Belvedere Cemetery in St. John's.
No Eagans were listed for Bell Island in the St. John's City Directory, 1919.
At the taking of the 1921 Census, John T. Eagan, widower, baker, age 60, was once again living on Water Street West, St. John's. His daughters, Ellen, 26, a saleswoman, and Mary, 18, were living with him. He died in 1935 at age 74 and is buried in Belvedere Cemetery, St. John's.
John T. Eagan, Baker, was listed in the Bell Island section of the St. John's Newfoundland Directory, 1913, as were two of his sons, Luke Eagan, a miner, and John Eagan, Jr., a miner. On February 11, 1913, John Eagan, Jr. married Alice Smart of Bell Island. On February 28, 1913, a visiting hockey team from St. John's stayed the night "at J. Eagan's Hotel," on Bell Island. No other information was found about this hotel, but it and the Eagan bakery were probably located on The Green. [This hotel may have been in operation in April 1911 when I.C. Morris and friends were on an excursion to Bell Island from St. John's but, because of a series of unfortunate circumstances, could not find anywhere to have lunch. A "Miss Eagan" came to their rescue and prepared "a cup of tea" for them before they had to head to Lance Cove to meet their return ship.]
John T. Eagan, Baker, was listed in the Bell Island section of the McAlpine's St. John's City Directory, 1915. Neither of his sons were listed in 1915.
Catherine Eagan died June 13, 1917 in St. John's at age 55. She is buried in Belvedere Cemetery in St. John's.
No Eagans were listed for Bell Island in the St. John's City Directory, 1919.
At the taking of the 1921 Census, John T. Eagan, widower, baker, age 60, was once again living on Water Street West, St. John's. His daughters, Ellen, 26, a saleswoman, and Mary, 18, were living with him. He died in 1935 at age 74 and is buried in Belvedere Cemetery, St. John's.
Joseph Ellis (1870-1955): Dry Goods Merchant. It was reported in the St. John's Daily News that a fire on The Green on March 10, 1938 destroyed four buildings, one of which had been previously owned by Simon Tuma and then sold to Joseph Ellis, who had dry goods stock there. The impression is given that Joseph Ellis was using the building as storage. It is unclear if he was doing business on Bell Island at the time, but his residence in the 1921, 1935 and 1945 Census was St. John's. Nor is he listed in the 1936 Directory for Bell Island.
When he died in January 1955, the Daily News reported that "Mr. Ellis was a familiar figure on the Iron Isle some years ago, where he conducted a very successful business."
When he died in January 1955, the Daily News reported that "Mr. Ellis was a familiar figure on the Iron Isle some years ago, where he conducted a very successful business."
Edward (c.1731 - ????) and Jane English: Believed by their descendants to have been the first to settle Bell Island. The following story was told to Joseph R. Smallwood in 1939 by one of their descendants, Leo F. English, an Educator and Historian, who later became Curator of the Newfoundland Museum. Smallwood broadcast the story on his radio show, "The Barrelman," on April 24, 1939.
Edward English was born in Piltown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, about 1731 and was the first of his family to come to Newfoundland. He came as a “youngster” (another name for an apprentice) with an English planter named William Porter, who had an establishment at Port de Grave. Young Edward English worked at the fishery in Port de Grave for William Porter until he fell in love with Porter’s daughter and she with him. There were obstacles in their way [perhaps his low status, or religious affiliation, or a combination of both?] so they made up their minds to elope. Stealing one of Porter’s bait skiffs, they rowed up the bay to Harbour Main, where they were married by an Irish Priest.
Now in those days, the Church of England was the “Established Church,” meaning it was the only one permitted to have priests in the country, and very harsh laws existed against the presence of Roman Catholic priests. Whenever they were detected, Catholic priests were arrested and deported, and the fish storehouses or dwellings in which they celebrated Mass were torn down to the ground, or sometimes pulled out into the sea. The result of the enforcement of these laws was that priests dressed in civilian garb, often disguised as fishermen, and it was such a priest who married the young couple at Harbour Main around the middle of the eighteenth century, [so c.1750].
Once they were married, the young couple’s troubles were far from over. There was the wrath of the bride’s father to consider, so they went to Bell Island and settled down at Lance Cove. In fact, there was a tradition within the English family that they were the first ever to settle on Bell Island. No indication is given as to exactly how long they remained at Lance Cove, but the story goes that during the Seven Years’ War, 1756-1763, when Newfoundland was greatly harassed by the French, and raids were very common, Edward English and his wife were victimized severely. During two years in succession, their homestead, fish store and stage were completely destroyed by the French. At length, growing fed up with these difficulties, Edward English took his family [which seems to indicated that some of their children were born on Bell Island] to Northern Bay, on the north shore of Conception Bay, and resettled there.
In the year 1775, Newfoundland was visited by the most terrible storm in all her history, when many hundreds of vessels were destroyed and hundreds of lives lost. [The 1775 Newfoundland Hurricane is said to have struck on September 9th destroying "a considerable number of boats with their crews." Wikipedia] English's story has it that just prior to the hurricane, a large number of fishing vessels had put in to Northern Bay to take bait and had become becalmed for 3 weeks, will all hands praying for wind. Their prayers were answered with wind so strong that almost all the boats were smashed on shore and most of the fishermen perished. 300 in Northern Bay and more than 1,500 in Nfld. altogether. People of Northern Bay dreamt of the dead men and believed they saw their ghosts and heard their dying shrieks all hours of the night. This became unbearable for Edward’s wife, Jane, and she persuaded him to move to a small place a little further north, known as Devil’s Cove. “Here they lived and died, and Jane Porter English lived to the remarkable age of 110 years." The third son of Edward English, Richard, was responsible for getting the name of Devil’s Cove changed to Job’s Cove. He was a pious man, hence the cove was named for Job of the Bible.
Edward English was born in Piltown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, about 1731 and was the first of his family to come to Newfoundland. He came as a “youngster” (another name for an apprentice) with an English planter named William Porter, who had an establishment at Port de Grave. Young Edward English worked at the fishery in Port de Grave for William Porter until he fell in love with Porter’s daughter and she with him. There were obstacles in their way [perhaps his low status, or religious affiliation, or a combination of both?] so they made up their minds to elope. Stealing one of Porter’s bait skiffs, they rowed up the bay to Harbour Main, where they were married by an Irish Priest.
Now in those days, the Church of England was the “Established Church,” meaning it was the only one permitted to have priests in the country, and very harsh laws existed against the presence of Roman Catholic priests. Whenever they were detected, Catholic priests were arrested and deported, and the fish storehouses or dwellings in which they celebrated Mass were torn down to the ground, or sometimes pulled out into the sea. The result of the enforcement of these laws was that priests dressed in civilian garb, often disguised as fishermen, and it was such a priest who married the young couple at Harbour Main around the middle of the eighteenth century, [so c.1750].
Once they were married, the young couple’s troubles were far from over. There was the wrath of the bride’s father to consider, so they went to Bell Island and settled down at Lance Cove. In fact, there was a tradition within the English family that they were the first ever to settle on Bell Island. No indication is given as to exactly how long they remained at Lance Cove, but the story goes that during the Seven Years’ War, 1756-1763, when Newfoundland was greatly harassed by the French, and raids were very common, Edward English and his wife were victimized severely. During two years in succession, their homestead, fish store and stage were completely destroyed by the French. At length, growing fed up with these difficulties, Edward English took his family [which seems to indicated that some of their children were born on Bell Island] to Northern Bay, on the north shore of Conception Bay, and resettled there.
In the year 1775, Newfoundland was visited by the most terrible storm in all her history, when many hundreds of vessels were destroyed and hundreds of lives lost. [The 1775 Newfoundland Hurricane is said to have struck on September 9th destroying "a considerable number of boats with their crews." Wikipedia] English's story has it that just prior to the hurricane, a large number of fishing vessels had put in to Northern Bay to take bait and had become becalmed for 3 weeks, will all hands praying for wind. Their prayers were answered with wind so strong that almost all the boats were smashed on shore and most of the fishermen perished. 300 in Northern Bay and more than 1,500 in Nfld. altogether. People of Northern Bay dreamt of the dead men and believed they saw their ghosts and heard their dying shrieks all hours of the night. This became unbearable for Edward’s wife, Jane, and she persuaded him to move to a small place a little further north, known as Devil’s Cove. “Here they lived and died, and Jane Porter English lived to the remarkable age of 110 years." The third son of Edward English, Richard, was responsible for getting the name of Devil’s Cove changed to Job’s Cove. He was a pious man, hence the cove was named for Job of the Bible.
Roy B. Eveleigh (1912-1961): Miner. He was born in October 1912 in Tilt Cove, Notre Dame Bay, NL, to Selina (nee Squires, 1884-1965) and Frederick Eveleigh (1877-1954), a miner. About 1919, when the Tilt Cove mine was closing, the family moved to Bell Island, where Frederick worked for DOSCO.
On leaving school in 1927, Roy began working for DOSCO as an underground miner. He married Minnie Badcock (c.1915-2006) about 1936.
His obituary in the Wabana Star of Nov. 22, 1961, written by his friend, Max Stares, said of him:
"During his long sojourn with the Company, he was engaged at many phases of mining, and served his employers well and faithfully, until ill health obliged him to relinquish his duties. He was a very capable miner, well-liked and held in the highest esteem by his co-workers.
Roy Eveleigh was a staunch member of the Loyal Orange Association and of the Royal Black Preceptory and was highly regarded by his fraternity. He was a devout member of the United Church and every good cause in the community had his support. A kindly amiable man, he was beloved by all who knew him. Widespread sympathy was evidenced by the steady stream of visitors to the saddened home during the "Wake" period, the profusion of wreaths, cards and telegrams that came in, and the large concourse of mourners attending the funeral. The funeral took place by motor hearse to the United Church Tuesday afternoon. A delegation from the L.O.L. were in attendance, and Mr. Bert Rideout was the undertaker. Services at his home, the Church and graveside were conducted by the Minister, Rev. B. Hicks, B.A."
Roy Eveleigh died November 11, 1961. Minnie Eveleigh died May 17, 2006 in St. John's. They are buried in the United Church Cemetery, Bell Island.
On leaving school in 1927, Roy began working for DOSCO as an underground miner. He married Minnie Badcock (c.1915-2006) about 1936.
His obituary in the Wabana Star of Nov. 22, 1961, written by his friend, Max Stares, said of him:
"During his long sojourn with the Company, he was engaged at many phases of mining, and served his employers well and faithfully, until ill health obliged him to relinquish his duties. He was a very capable miner, well-liked and held in the highest esteem by his co-workers.
Roy Eveleigh was a staunch member of the Loyal Orange Association and of the Royal Black Preceptory and was highly regarded by his fraternity. He was a devout member of the United Church and every good cause in the community had his support. A kindly amiable man, he was beloved by all who knew him. Widespread sympathy was evidenced by the steady stream of visitors to the saddened home during the "Wake" period, the profusion of wreaths, cards and telegrams that came in, and the large concourse of mourners attending the funeral. The funeral took place by motor hearse to the United Church Tuesday afternoon. A delegation from the L.O.L. were in attendance, and Mr. Bert Rideout was the undertaker. Services at his home, the Church and graveside were conducted by the Minister, Rev. B. Hicks, B.A."
Roy Eveleigh died November 11, 1961. Minnie Eveleigh died May 17, 2006 in St. John's. They are buried in the United Church Cemetery, Bell Island.