Captain John Aspell

Other Events:

• Research Overview: 1752, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Research Overview:
Seary's Names of the Island of Newfoundland
ASPELL, a surname of England and Ireland; in England from the English place names Aspall (Suffolk) or Aspal (Lancashire), or (dweller in the) valley overgrown with aspens, or (dweller on the) aspen hill. In Ireland, Aspell is a variant of Archbold (Archibald) in east Leinster. (Bardsley, Ekwall, MacLysaght).

In Newfoundland it appears that, except for one family who appears briefly in the Church of England records at St. John's, the Aspell families were all of Irish Roman Catholic origin. Where details of their origins are recorded, the Aspell settlers are all identified as being from Co. Wexford, Ireland. In surviving records, the surname has been recorded under multiple variants and spellings i.e. Archbold, Archibald, Aspel, Aspell, Aspil, Asbell, Aspbell etc., etc. One of the earliest mentions of the Aspell surname in Newfoundland (recorded under one of its variants) was at Trinity, Trinity Bay in 1752. At that time, the Church of England clergy were responsible for collecting funds in the area for the support of the destitute, orphans, etc. The surviving Trinity court records for that year show that a Capt. John "Archibald" was assessed 15 shillings as his contribution to this fund.

In 1800-1801, a "Return of the Number of Houses, Inhabitants, etc" was conducted in Trinity Bay which shows that a home and a fishing room were being occupied by two men named Archibald and Mealey. They were located at Rider's Harbour, Random Island. The return tells us that William Mealey was the proprietor of the fishing premises, which had two boats. It also tells us that one man (unspecified) was married, and up until that time, there were five children in his family, two boys and three girls. All eight people in the household were Roman Catholic. Based on various church records, for individuals recorded under the various spellings of the Aspell surname, it is likely that the family was that of Andrew Archibald (Aspell), his wife Bridget, and their five children John, Patrick, Bridget, Mary and Catherine.

Analysis of surviving records indicates that Rider's Harbour, up until the late 1830s, was considered (for the most part) a Roman Catholic settlement. One historian explains, that based on folklore of that area, their eventual departure was due to a feud spawned by a love triangle which divided the Roman Catholic population. The statistics of the 1857 Census indicate that the population of the settlement had greatly declined, and none of the residents living at Rider's Harbour were Roman Catholic by that time.

After the Aspells left Rider's Harbour, they initially settled in other settlements in Newfoundland mainly at Harbour Grace and St. John's. In these two locations, the Aspell/ Archbold etc. surname was already present. It had been established there by unrelated Aspell settlers who had come directly from Co. Wexford, Ireland. From these two towns, some Aspell family members eventually moved again settling at Ferryland and Cape Broyle, while others chose to immigrate to Montreal and New Brunswick, Canada. Eventually the family who settled at Ferryland also moved to Montreal. The Aspell families who settled in Tar Cove, Cape Broyle (via Harbour Grace) form most of today's Aspell presence in Newfoundland.

From what I can determine, most families bearing the Aspell surname in Newfoundland, and their like-named distant cousins in other locations, can trace their ancestry directly back to Capt. John Archibald. I could find no indication that any surviving Aspells were direct descendants of other Aspell families who settled in Newfoundland. Of course, in addition to those bearing the actual Aspell surname, we know there are also other families who can trace their family roots through generations of female descendants of Capt. John Archibald.

John — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Court Action: 19 Sep 1820, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Court Action: 1 Nov 1820, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Birth:
The birth year and location are speculative. No other documents are likely to be found to verify when and where Andrew was born. It is possible Andrew was actually born in Ireland and later arrived in Newfoundland as part of a family migration.

Court Action:
Andrew Ashbill, planter, supplied by Arch Graham and Jas. Brine. Graham had paid wages of two of his svts. last summer. Graham sued Brine for obtaining more than his share of Ashbill's voyage. Brine to pay Graham £7.

Court Action:
Andrew & John Archibald declared insolvent. Garland and Graham the principle creditors. This case does not identify the relationship between Andrew and John but it is likely that they were father and son, respectively. In this era the Newfoundland economy was in terrible condition, and in an effort to survive, merchants were endeavoring to collect all outstanding debts. The domino effect was that many small fishing businesses and independent fishermen were forced into bankruptcy.

Died:
No death record found, but per court records, Andrew was still alive in 1820.

Andrew married Bridget Mealey? Abt 1788, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Bridget was born Abt 1765, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Court Action: 1 Nov 1820, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Court Action: 28 Jun 1833, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Voter: 1832 - 1849, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland

Notes:

Court Action:
John and his father, Andrew, declared in court that they were insolvent.

Court Action:
It appears that hard economic times prevailed in Newfoundland throughout the 1820s and on into the 1830s. The following narrative tells of a deed that was carried out by John Aspell and Richard Sevier about 22 Dec 1832. It was likely an act of desperation because they were destitute and their families were starving. There are a number of entries about this 1833 case in the Trinity Court Records but some of the "short-hand" notations are open to interpretation.

28 June 1833 - David Baily [Plaintiff/Prosecutor] vs. [Defendants] Jn. Aspell and Richard Sevier (Box 180 Page 442)
"Charged with breaking into two Store Houses about 22nd December last at Bonaventure and stealing there from Provisions, the property of the Prosecutor, said Store Houses are situate at Bonaventure in Trinity Bay." It appears that John and Richard were arrested within days after the charges were laid and imprisoned at Harbour Grace Gaol. A court document (Box 181 - Page 731) indicates that from:"1 July to 30 Sept - John Aspbell and Richard Sevier - No of days confined - bef.(Sep 30 inclusive) 92 and 68 aft.".

During this same time-frame it appears that John and Richard's destitute families had been supplied with provisions. The Trinity Court records (Box 181 - Page 511) show: Credited Sept 30, 1833 "Gosse, Tack, & Fryer: their account for Provisions amount £47/currency supplied the families of Sevier and Aspbell of Riders Harbour, then in Harbour Grace." It is hard to tell if this last ambiguous statement was referring to their families being at Harbour Grace, or just the accused themselves.

I could not find the exact date when John and Richard went on trial but another record (Page 181 - Page 617) states: "Return of Cases before the Honorable Northern Circuit Court at Harbour Grace by the Magistrates between the 19th Oct. and the 20 Nov. 1883. Date of Complaint- June 28, 1833. Prosecutors: Rex [i.e. the Crown] David Bayly - [Defendants] John Aspbell & Richard Sevier.

The final reference (Box 181 Pages 506 and 625) states:"Return of Commitment Fee & dieting of Prisoners at the Public Expense in his M[ajesty's] Gaol at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland from 1 Oct. to the 31 Dec. 1833 (both days inclusive). John Aspbell & Richard Sevier - No. of days confined: bef. 25, aft. 5". This information is unclear. It could mean that they were tried on October 25 and released from prison 5 days later.

It is obvious from the foregoing records that John and Richard had been imprisoned for most of the fishing season of 1833, but there is no indication if they returned to Rider's Harbour, or stayed at Harbour Grace after their release.

Voter:
The name of a John "Aspel" appears in the Voter's Lists at Main Street, Harbour Grace from 1832 to 1844, and a John Aspel is listed at the Marsh, Carbonear for 1847 and 1849. His name then disappears, but from 1855 to 1865, Andrew Aspel, Kerry Lane, Harbour Grace is listed. While we know who Andrew Aspell was, the surviving records give insufficient evidence to prove, or disprove, that the John Aspell listed earlier was Andrew's father.

The only other Aspel voters, Michael and Edward, listed in the same area and time-frame appear to be a father and son from an unrelated Aspell family. (Michael Aspell, aged 90, a native of Co.Wexford, Ireland died at Kildare Road, Harbour Grace in 1889.)

Died:
The absence of John "Aspel" (possibly born at Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay) from the Voter's Lists after 1849 likely indicates that he had died about that time.

John married Bridget Brinnick 23 Sep 1814, Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Bridget was born Abt 1790, White Point, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
From analysis of the church registers, the last mention of Patrick Aspell was in the 1822 baptism record of his daughter, Mary. There is no indication of exactly when Patrick died but it appears that he was still a very young man. Given the nature of his sea-faring occupation, it is possible he was lost at sea. His widow, Mary, married Patrick Dawley in 1825.

Patrick married Mary Fanning 14 Oct 1817, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Mary was born , Waterford, Ireland. [Group Sheet]

Catherine married Maurice Mahoney Sep 1819, Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. Maurice was born , Cork, Ireland. [Group Sheet]

Mary married William O'Donnal Abt 1819. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
Bridget was recorded as the godmother of her nephew Andrew in 1819. There is a later mention of a Bridget Aspell in the baptism records of 1837, but it is not clear if this was the same individual, or a like-named niece.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 18 Oct 1815, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
• Research Overview: 1857, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland
• Voter: 1859, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland
• Residence: 1871, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were Wm. O'Donnell and Mary Dawley.

Research Overview:
About the mid 1850s, James Aspell settled at Tar Cove, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland. Tar Cove is located on the north side of the bay, just inside the headland adjoining Brigus (South). In various surviving records, people who resided there were usually referred to as being in Cape Broyle however, at other times they were referred to as being in Brigus (South).

Voter:
The first record of the Aspell surname in Ferryland District was at Cape Broyle. James Aspell is listed at Cape Broyle in the 1859 Voter's List. Per the existing regulations of that era, an eligible voter had to be the male head of the household, at least 21 years old, and a resident for the past two years. Research indicates that James' brother, Patrick married Elizabeth Meany (of Ferryland) at St. John's in 1854 however, it is unknown if he moved there at that time. While Patrick's name appears at Ferryland in later records, his name does not appear in any of the Ferryland District Voter's Lists up to 1859.

Residence:
In both Lovell's 1871 Directory and McAlpine's 1870-71 Directory, James Aspell, fisherman, is recorded as living in Cape Broyle.

Died:
Address given as George Street, St. John's.

James married Teresa Sullivan Abt 1844. Teresa was born Abt 1819, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland; died 17 Apr 1899, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried 19 Apr 1899, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 29 Oct 1817, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
• Residence: 1871, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were Edward Curran and Mary Asbell.

Residence:
Aspell, John - fisherman - 5 Livingstone

John married Bridget Maher 17 Apr 1844, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Bridget was born 17 Apr 1825, St. John's, Newfoundland; died Aft 1911, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 8 Sep 1819, Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Residence: 5 Nov 1847, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland
• Voter: 1855 - 1865, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland
• Research Overview: 1870-1871, Tar Cove, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland
• Property: 1871, Tar Cove, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were Jeremiah Ryan and Bridget Asbell.

Residence:
Andrew Aspell listed as member of a petty jury at Harbour Grace.

Voter:
Andrew appears in the Voter's Lists at Harbour Grace starting in the mid 1850s through to the mid 1860s. His place of abode per the voter's lists was Kerry Lane. He was first recorded there in the 1855 voter's list and last listed there in the 1865 voter's list. In that list, after his name, is an update notation saying "St. John's", indicating he had (presumably) moved to that city. However, in 1871 he was actually living at Cape Broyle in Ferryland District.

Research Overview:
In the two Newfoundland business directories published for 1870 and 1871, two Aspell men, James and Andrew, were listed as heads of households at Cape Broyle. We know from the St. John's newspapers that Andrew, who died at Brigus South in 1887, was noted as a native of Harbour Grace. His calculated birth year, 1818 or 1819, matches with Andrew, the son of John Aspell and Bridget Brinnick, who was baptized at Riders Harbour, Trinity Bay in 1819.

Property:
Andrew Asple (sic) given Crown Land Grant # 3274 just east of Tar Cove, near Admiral's Cove, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland.

Died:
Evening Telegram - St. John's - March 14 1887: At Brigus South on 24th, after a long illness Andrew Aspell, age 68, the deceased was a native of Harbour Grace. (email - Nov. 12, 2013 - from Enid O'Brien)

Andrew — Mary. Mary was born Abt 1826; died 27 Jan 1894, Brigus South, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 29 Jan 1894, Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Cape Broyle, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Research Overview: 1820, Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Baptism: 9 Oct 1820, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Research Overview:
Richard Aspell, who was born at Rider's Harbor in 1820, was obviously named after his maternal grandfather and uncle, both of whom were named Richard. Aside from his baptism record, there is no mention of Richard Aspell until he married Hannah Bradbury at St. John's in 1855. There were several other Richard Aspells mentioned in the St. John's church records. One Richard was the son of Peter Archbold/Aspell, from a family who came directly from Co. Wexford in the early 1800s. That Richard died at age 25 and was not married. There was also another Irish born Richard Aspell who married at St. John's about 1852. However, after the birth of one son, he and his family moved to Boston.

Another Richard Aspell, who lived out his life at St. John's, was married to Catherine Power. Their children started appearing in the St.John's baptism records about 1852, however an earlier baptism record at Carbonear suggests they may have had roots in that town. It is likely that this Richard was from the Aspell family who had arrived directly from Co.Wexford and settled at Harbour Grace in the early 1800. None of the godparents at the baptisms of their children suggest any kinship to other Aspell families living at St.John's.

Church records show that two surviving children of Richard Aspell and Hanna Bradbury married and had children at St. John's. In the baptism records of the children of their daughter, Elizabeth and son, Richard Jr., obvious kinship is indicated to other branches of the Aspell family. The names of children of their first cousin, John Aspell (and first wife Margaret Luby), appear as godparents for some of the children of Elizabeth and Richard Jr. Likewise, Elizabeth, her husband Patrick Scurrey (aka Sculley), and brother Richard show up in the baptisms records for children of Thomas Aspell; John and Margaret Aspell's only son.

Elizabeth was married to Patrick Scurrey who had been an agent for Goodridge & Sons at Brigus South. Two of their children eventually moved to Cape Broyle to live with Patrick's brother (or first cousin?), Michael, who had married and settled there. It appears that for a number of years before she died in 1899, Teresa (Sullivan) Aspell (John's mother) lived with Elizabeth and Patrick Scurrey and their family.


Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were John and Eleanor Mullally.

Richard married Hannah "Anna" Bradbury 9 Sep 1855, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Hannah was born Abt 1830; died Abt 9 Apr 1889, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 11 Apr 1889. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 22 Sep 1825, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were John Gambell and Catherine Brinnick.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 15 Sep 1826, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
• Residence: 1870, Ferryland, Newfoundland
• Property: 1870, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Name:
This individual may have been referred to as Patrick, Peter, or Pate. The shortened form of Peter (i.e. Pete), in the Irish Newfoundland dialect, was often pronounced Pate, hence the possible confusion when recording his name.

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were John Coleman and Eliza Mullaly.

Residence:
McAlpines Directory 1870-71: FERRYLAND Aspell Peter


Property:
Crown Land Grants #3132: Asple, Patrick ½ mile South West of Caplin Cove [sic]* 1870 Asple Patrick 1870-02-22 V-16 F-102

*Note: This location should have been recorded as Caplin "Bay" (later Calvert). This Crown Land survey record was destroyed in the Great St. John's Fire of 1892.

Died:
I was unable to determine where and when Patrick died. It appears that Elizabeth moved to Montreal about 1900.

Patrick married Elizabeth Meaney 24 Apr 1853, St. John's, Newfoundland. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Meaney and Bridget? Meaney) was born Abt 1833, Ferryland, Newfoundland; died 2 Jul 1920, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; was buried 5 Jul 1920, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Research Overview: 1829, Rider's Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland
• Baptism: 30 Sep 1829, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Research Overview:
This individual has been very hard to verify but in going through the records he seems to fit the Joseph Aspell who was born at Riders Harbour, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland in 1829. The main issue is that the year of birth given for Joseph in two Canadian censuses is about five years younger than he actually would have been. However, given the fact that census records are notorious for incorrect dates, ages, etc. I believe this Joseph is a likely candidate. Although Joseph married at St. John's, he moved his family to Addington, Restigouche, New Brunswick, Canada in the early 1870s. He and his family were recorded there in the 1881 and 1891 Canada censuses but no record of any of them could be found in the 1901 Canada Census or thereafter.

Baptism:
Surname spelled Asbell. Godparents were John Sullivan and Winifred Connors.

Joseph married Margaret Hynes 5 May 1857, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Margaret was born Abt 1833, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 8 Sep 1819, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Godparents were John and Catherine Asbell.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 9 Oct 1820, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland
• Occupation: 1852 - 1861, Atlantic Ocean; Sea Captain
• Residence: 1864, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Godparents were Michael Mullaly and Bridget Asbell.

Occupation:
From several references to James, it appears he was mariner based out of St. John's. A "List of Captains" at Memorial University's Maritime History Archives shows him in command of several ocean-going vessels.

Captain, Vessel, Year/Ref
Aspel, James, George, 1852/024
Aspell, James, Margaret, 1856/056
Aspel, James, Undine, 1861/029
Aspell, James, Hopewell, 1861/037


Residence:
1864-1865 Hutchinson's Directory - St. John's: Aspell, James planter

Died:
No reference to James' death is mentioned in the local newspapers at St. John's. However, in Lovell's 1871 Directory, Bridget, wid. of James is listed at 112 Water St. (West). Their last child was born at St. John's in 1868.

James married Bridget Byrne 10 Nov 1849, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Bridget was born Abt 1826; died 25 Sep 1903, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 27 Sep 1903, Belvedere Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 4 Oct 1822, King's Cove RC Parish, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Godparents were Maurice Mahoney and Ellen Mullaly.