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Thomas Oates and Son ledger, 1852-1858

2.5 centimetres of textual records

Administrative history
Thomas Oates was a planter of Carbonear. In 1820, he registered the Swift, a 59 ton coasting and fishing vessel, built in 1812. Two years later, in partnership with William Thistle, he registered the Little Belt. The owners alternated as captain of the vessel and, in 1826, Thomas Oates was also captain of the Joseph, an 80 ton brigantine owned by George Forward. In 1828, he purchased the Thirteen Brothers and Sisters, a 97 ton schooner which he used as a sealer, a fish collection boat, and a coastal trading vessel. From 1820 to 1850, Thomas Oates always had one or two vessels and was probably involved in the Labrador fishery. By 1852, he had amassed sufficient capital to purchase the 150 ton brigantine Belle, which he owned in partnership with his son Thomas Jr. In 1853, he was operating a small trading business from his premises on the South side of Carbonear. His customers purchased small amounts of dry goods and provisions, and large amounts of rum from his store, which also served as a tavern, settling their accounts from their share of the sealing voyages, or with fish, cod oil, timber or labour.

The brigantine Belle was the centre of the Oates' operation during the 1850s. The vessel was used in the annual seal hunt and in the summer months provided passage for people and goods to Labrador, returning with fish. The Belle was registered de novo in 1861 to Thomas Oates Jr. and prominent Carbonear merchant John Rorke. Thomas Oates Sr. was no longer involved in the business. In 1868, the Belle was lost at sea. Members of the Oates family probably continued to operate as small traders, but they did not appear again on the Newfoundland vessel register.
Sources: Ships and Seafarers of Atlantic Canada, CD-ROM, Maritime History Archive, 1998

Scope and content
This is a photocopy of a ledger, 1853-1858, which contains accounts of individuals who dealt with Thomas Oates and Son. The ledger also includes: a list of the crew of the brigantine Belle for the year 1853, under Thomas Oates, Sr., master; sealing agreements, 1856 and 1858; and some copies of legal documents and correspondence, 1852.

Reference information
Copyright is held by the creator or his/her heirs.
Location: MF-0159, Maritime History Archive

Associated material
John Munn and Co. (Harbour Grace)fonds, 1770-1918, Maritime History Archive, finding aid 75, R95-23/23A

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