This page hosted by
� Get your own Free Home Page
From a St. John's paper? Obituary ARTHUR TILLEY, ELLISTON There passed away at Elliston on Sunday, April 5th, 1925, one of the best known men in Trinity and Bonavista Bays. His demise deserves more than passing notice, as he was one of the outport merchants and skippers so well known in the 70's ands 80's. Arthur Tilley was born in Openhall, BB in 1849. His father, Robert Tilley, was schoolteacher there, but afterwards removed to Bird Island Cove, or Elliston, of today. Herehe developed a thriving business, and in this he was greatly assisted by his son. Those were the days of the cod seine and the sealing vessel, and Arthur Tilley was always foremost in both. At 21 he married the belle of Trinity, Miss Mary Grant. Many of the older residents of Trinity still remember the event. Trinity was bedecked with bunting in honour of the occassion. The late Rev. Canon Lockyer was one of the bride's boys. On his father's death in 1872 the whole business devolved upon him and he conducted the same successfully until the bank crash. From that time he devoted himself to farming in which he was eminently successful. Mr. Tilley was the recipient of the Royal Humane Society's Medal for helping save the lives of the crew of the SS Eric, the story of which has been so graphically told by our local historian H.F.Shortis, Esq. His funeral was attended by so many friends from Trinity, Catalina and Bonavista, that the church which he and his father had been the means of building was filled, many having to remain outside. He leaves to mourn 3 sons and four daughters. His wifepredeceased him in 1895. One son Robert died in Alaska in 1920, Ernest of Leominster,Mass., James of this city. Duke at home; Alice (Mrs. Chandler) of Leominster, Mass.; Daisy (Mrs. W.N. Butt) of this city; Katharine (Mrs. H.Butterick) of Leominster, Mass.; Jean (Mrs. George Cosman) of Boston, Mass. One of the saddest features is that both Mrs. Chandler and James - the one from Leominster, Mass. and the other from this city arrived at Elliston only a few hours after their father had passed away.
Arthur Tilley (1849-1925) of Robert; remained the agent for this "way office" (which was officially designated a "post office" in 1891) until the year 1894. Ref YB&A.
Elliston Royal Gazette 17 Dec 1872 Published by Authority His Excellency the Governor in Council has been pleased to appoint Mr. Arthur Tilley (Bird Island Cove) to be a member of the Protestant Board of Education for Trinity Bay East, in the room of the late Robert Tilley, deceased.
This page hosted by
� Get your own Free Home Page