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Title: Munn & Co. Letter
Dates: [between 1872 and 1894]
Location: MF-0275
Physical_Description: 1 page
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions
Adm. Hist/Bio. Sketch: The firm John Munn and Co. of Harbour Grace (established in 1872) was the largest general fishery supply firm of its day outside St. John's, and was the single largest owner of vessels in the province. It had become the largest supplier of the Labrador "stationer" fishery and was much involved in the off-shore seal hunt using steamers. The firm suffered difficulties in the Labrador fishery in the 1880s and experienced losses in sealing. By 1894 the firm was heavily in debt and failed in the Bank Crash of 1894.
Scope and Content: An unfinished letter titled "A visit to St. John's, Nfld.", possibly written by a Munn & Co. employee, regarding a young man leaving Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, to work with a firm in Montreal. The letter describes the passage the writer took with the young man on the steamer Lizzie, official number 49468, from Harbour Grace to Portugal Cove, then a 2-3 hour sleigh ride on to St. John's. The writer lists the places he saw while staying in St. John's at the Knight's Home, including the Carter monument, Government House, Union and Commercial banks, and two skating rinks. He also mentions a couple of businesses in St. John's and then talks of the seal fishery and its value to the entire country's economy.
Terms Governing Use: Copyright expired.
Associated Material: John Munn and Co. (Harbour Grace) fonds
Associated Material: Munn-Godden Collection, PF-343
Subject: John Munn and Co. (Harbour Grace, NL)
Subject: Lizzie (Ship)
Subject: Seal Fishery--Newfoundland and Labrador
Subject: Harbour Grace (N.L.)
Subject: Portugal Cove (N.L.)
Subject: St. John's (N.L.)
Subject: Letters




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