The Churchill Estate and Its Rightful Heirs

Sir: -
In the later part of the seventeenth century Samuel Churchill, of Devonshire, England, brother of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, came to Newfoundland and acquired large properties in St. John's West, known as Pye Corner property, extending back to Apple Tree Well, also fishing property in Petty Harbor, known as Calvers Room and Flag Staff Room, also property on the South Side of Ochre Pit Cove, North Side of Conception Bay, into which place he himself settled. This Samuel Churchill had one son, Nicholas and two daughters, namely, Elizabeth and Clarimond. Elizabeth married one Richard Halfyard, of Ochre Pit Cove, who was a native of Devonshire, and Clarimond eloped and married a young Irishman named Bolan, who was an employee of her father's. His only son, Nicholas, married and settled down in Devonshire, and had one son and one daughter, namely Nicholas and Elizabeth.
After the death of the aforesaid Samuel Churchill, his son Nicholas came into possession of all his property and appointed Newmans (merchants of St. John's at that time), agents for all his property at St. John's and Petty Harbour.
     At his death he will all his estate to his only son and daughter, Nicholas and Elizabeth Churchill, also mentioning on his will that if they died without issue the aforesaid estate was to go to the children of his two sisters Elizabeth Halfyard and Clarimond Bolan and to their heirs forever.
     Nicholas Churchill, Junior, was educated as a medical surgeon and joined the navy as such. He retired from the navy in 1817, on account of failing health and settled down in Buckfastl?eigh, Devon, with his sister Elizabeth, and continued his practice as a medical practitioner.
     Elizabeth, after the death of her brother, removed to Kingsbridge in Devonshire, and settled there with her mother's relatives. She became dissatisfied with the way she was treated by Newmans' house with regard to the collection of rents, and therefore gave her cousin Stephen Halfyard, of Ochre Pit Cove, a power of attorney to act in her behalf. He then sold the interests in the property at Petty Harbor and before he could take over the property in St. John's he was taken sick and died, still leaving Newmans' house agents for the St. John's property which was at that time in the occupancy of Bartholomew Colbert.
    Some years later Miss Elizabeth Churchill died at Kingsbridge, Devonshire, and she was the last of the Churchill family. After her death the Halfyards and other relatives of Elizabeth Halfyard made a claim for the state, out of which nothing resulted, except a few lawyers fees, which were paid by the claimants.
     The property at Ochre Pit Cove, belonging to the Churchill estate, was willed to Richard Halfyard, nephew of Nicholas Churchill, Junior. This property is still in the possession of the Halfyards at Ochre Pit Cove.
     The descendants of Elizabeth Halfyard and Clarimond Bolan are uniting their efforts in the last long fight to claim the Churchill estate, which is theirs by right.
      Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your very valuable space.
     I remain, yours respectfully,
     Joseph D. Halfyard
     29½ Hayward Ave., St. John's, Nfld.
Source: The Evening Telegram, April 16, 1912, p. 7
Transcribed by Ron Dawe, February 24, 2003.

Wedding Bells

Elliott-Greenslade
Mr. Elam Elliott, A. A. teacher of the Academy, Bay Roberts, was married on the 20^th prox. to Miss Jennie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Greenslade, of Long Pond. The ceremony took place at Topsail and was performed by the Incumbent, Rev. Canon Netten. The bridal chorus was rendered superbly by Miss Netten. The bride was given away by her father. She looked charming, attired in white tulle over white satin, and wore a veil of net and orange blossoms and carried a bouquet to match. The bridesmaids, who were Miss Jessie M. A. Greenslade, sister of the bride, and Miss Edith Greenslade of Long Pond, wore white voile dresses tastefully decorated with forget-me-nots with hats to match. The groom was supported by Mr. E. Spry, of St. John's. After the ceremony the party drove to the residence of the bride where a reception was held. The health of the bride and groom was proposed by Mr. Blackall, B. A., and Rev. Canon Netten, which was responded to by the groom. They were the recipients of many valuable and useful presents including cheques. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott will in future reside at Bay Roberts. Their many friends wish them many years of wedded bliss.
Source: The Evening Telegram, November 12, 1915, Page 9.
Transcribed by Ron Dawe, December 4, 2001.

Mrs. Victoria Rideout
"On Thursday, Mrs. Victoria Rideout, an old and respected resident of Foxtrap, passed away after a short illness of two weeks. Mrs. Rideout was the widow of the late Paulius Rideout and at the time of her death had reached the ripe old age of eighty years. She is survived by one son, George, with whom she resided, and by one daughter, Miss Joseph Porter, of Long Pond. Her funeral will take place today and the body will be laid to rest in the village graveyard attached to All Saints' Church, Foxtrap.
Source: The Evening Advocate, February 3, 1917, page 6

Notes From Upper Gullies

Mrs. F. Andrews went to town Wednesday with her son to enter the General Hospital to undergo an operation. The operation, which was performed the same day was, we regret to learn, not successful and that a second one will be necessary.

Mr. Jas. Coates and Mr. Wm. Andrews and granddaughter went to down Friday and returned the same night.

Miss M. B. Dawe returned from the States Thursday after being absent for about six years. She is looking hale and hearty. The passage coming was a very stormy one.

Some of our local butchers are forced to cancel their work for the time being, owing to the scarcity of cattle.

All of the men that were employed repairing the railroad were laid off last week, having completed their work. Some of the men were employed for three weeks, and during that time Jack Frost was very much in evidence and proved anything but a warm friend.

We are glad to learn of Mr. Coaker's success in Hr. Grace District. Go ahead President with your good work. Tell the graball and Tory members of their wrong doings. We are proud of a man that is not ashamed to tell the truth. There are more than ever they were at your back on this shore. We are proud of your success. The People's Party members better keep away from here this election and make room for more popular and better men.

The annual meeting of St. Peter's Church, at Hopeall, was held on Tuesday night, the 30^th, with a fair attendance, and all church matters were transacted with the true spirit of the church people. Mr. R. Dawe was re-elected as the Clergyman's warden, Mr. J. W. Dawe re-elected as the people's warden and Mr. J. W. Warford as sexton. We are glad to note that the members present formed a committee to provide ways and means for the construction of a new school-room here, which is badly needed. It is generally understood that the old building will be torn down early in the spring and an up-to-date building put in its place. We wish them success in their efforts.

There passed peacefully away at Indian Pond on the 29^th. ult., Mrs. Mary Dawe, at the ripe old age of 101, leaving four daughters, a number of grand children and great grandchildren. Mrs. Dawe was formerly a Miss Harvey from Portugal Cove.

Transcribed by Ron Dawe, July 2001.
Source: The Evening Advocate, Feb. 3, 1917, Page 2.

Wedding Bells

Fowler-Hibbs
One of the pettiest weddings of the seasons was solemnized at the Methodist Church, Topsail, On Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 3:30 p.m., by the Rev. James Nurse, the contracting parties being Miss Phoebe Florence Fowler, daughter of the late Thomas and Mrs. Mary Fowler, of Chamberlains, and Mr. Reginald Hibbs, son of the late William and Mrs. Julia Hibbs, of Topsail, C.B. The bride was becomingly dressed in a costume of navy blue serge with hat to match, and entered the church leaning on the arm of her brother, Mr. George Fowler, who acted as father-giver, while Mr. William J. Hibbs, brother of the groom, ably performed the duties of best man; Mr. John H. Fowler, nephew of the bride, acted as bridesboy. The chief bridesmaid was Miss Elsie B. Hibbs, sister of the groom, who was dressed in grey silk poplin; Miss Lilian Chaptor, niece of the bride, also acted as bridesmaid, being dressed in navy blue silk poplin. Mrs. A. O. Nurse presided at the organ and rendered music appropriate to the occasion. After the ceremony the bridal party motored to the home of the brother of the bride at Chamberlains, where a sumptuous repast was partaken, only the immediate relatives of the bride and groom participating. A very enjoyable evening was spent, after which the happy couple motored to "Palairet Villa," Topsail, their future home. The presents to the bride were many and valuable, testifying to the popularity of both bride and groom. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Hibbs health, wealth, and happiness in their voyage over thematrimonial sea. - Com.
Topsail, Dec. 7^th, 1919
Source: The Evening Telegram, December 9, 1919, page 11.