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SPG Archives C/CAN/NFL/107 BONAVISTA PETITION. 1791 To His Grace The Right Reverend Father in God, John (by Divine Permission) Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and President of The Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The humble petition of the Inhabitants of Bonavista. Sheweth-- That there are at this time in the harbour of Bonavista upwards of three hundred poor children - that the parents of these children have themselves been bred on the most gross ignorance, and are not only wholly incapable of conveying instructions to their offspring, but from their extreme poverty are destitute of the means of procuring for themselves so great a blessing. Thus yearly, are multiplied, numbers who have as little sense of the ends for which providence as placed them in this world as the untutored savages of the woods. Deprived wholly of the assistance of a Missionary whose precepts and example might excite to piety and a moral life, the best cement of society; this poor people are also destitute of the most common means of attaining to that small degree of cultivation which the lowest orders possess in most civilized nations. To be able to read is among the first blessings, since it furnishes the medium of improving the mind, and learning our duty to God and our neighbours. The end Your Grace's petitioners hope for in this application, is to obtain a small salary for a Schoolmaster, to enable him to instruct gratis, poor children in reading and writing. There is at present here a person (George Bemister) who has been for some time past employed in that capacity; but those who are in a situation to pay him for this attendance are so few, that the emoluments arising from his school will not furnish the most ordinary means of support. Your Grace's petitioners therefore humbly request that you will take into consideration the unhappy circumstances of the poor children of this place, and in charity grant a small annual gratuity to a Schoolmaster, for the purpose of instructing them in reading and writing gratis. And may the blessings and prayers of those who may happily benefit from Your Grace's benevolence add to that peace and serenity of mind which can only result from doing good and which Your Grace's petitioners wish you may to the latest period of life enjoy. John Bland JP Gerrard Ford JP? William Brown JP John Rolles Giles Hosier John Mayne Joseph Pretten? Wright William Ward John Butler/ Cutler? William Coles Edw? Pudner Stephen Abbott Richard Rider Joseph Abbott Stephen Lander James Skeffington J G-thing/ Gosling? Samson Mifflen Tim Phillips Stephen Hooper Thomas Coombes Robert X Dugdale John Collins George March William X Pledwell Moses X Keel Henry X Edmonds Hugh X Abbott John Lander William X Hicks James Lovey William X Baker
Obtained from the Anglican Church Archives, Toronto DATE NOV 17, 1792 Bonavista 17th Nov 1792 Reverend Sir, I learn from the list published by the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge that they have been pleased to appoint me Schoolmaster at this place with a salary of fifteen pounds a year. Altho' I have not been officially informed of this appointment, I think it my duty to return my thanks to the Society for their favor; And to beg you will be pleased to assure them of my endeavours to deserve their protection. I am with very great respect, Reverend Sir, Your much obliged, and Obedient servant. George Bemister.
UNITED SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL ARCHIVES C/CAN/NFL: 2. DATE OCT 23, 1793 PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE JANUARY 1794 To The Reverend William Morice DD. Gower Street. Bedford Square. London. Postage paid at Poole. No 3 from Mr. George Bemister- John? Bonavista (TC Note -George of John maybe?). 23 Oct 1793. Reverend Sir. The Society's printed list, last yeat inform'd me, that I was appointed Schoolmaster for this place with a salary of #15 annually, commencing the 17th Febr. 1792. I have taken the liberty to give a short detail of my proceedings in that capacity; since my residence of three years in this place - I have had constantly attending my School upwards of forty children, but through their parent's indigence, I could not procure payment for half of them; I was obliged therefore to resolve on quitting the harbour. - After communication my intentions to the Inhabitants of the necessity I laid under of removing; they judged it proper to petition the Society's assistance, which thank God has found the desired effect. - I am teaching gratis, twenty children, but the poor things are quite destitute of books. - I have taken the liberty to draw on the Society's Treasurer (Calvert Clapham, Esq.) for twenty two pounds ten shillings, in favor of Mr. Jame Bayley of Poole;- being one year and a half! salary due unto me from the 17th February 1792. It will ever be my earnest endeavour to retain (by a ----- application to my business) the protection of the Society. I am Reverend Sir. most dutifully. Your much obliged and very Humble Servant. George Bemister. Bonavista Oct 25, 1793. We do hereby certify that George Bemister has performed the duty of the Schoolmaster in Bonavista, Newfoundland from the 17th February 1792 to the date hereof; During which time he has paid a proper attention to the Duties of his Office, and has had under his tuition near fifty children from three years old to fifteen, of whom he has taught gratis, upwards of twenty- their parents not being in circumstances to pay for instructions. J. Bland, J Peace. G Ford, J Peace.
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