Lance Cove 1927 - The original Rees homestead has been dismantled.  Jimmy Gus has moved his forge to the beach property.  St. Mary's bell tower, dedicated by bishop Jones, August 19, 1919, overturned, Septempter 25, 1916, in a terrific southerly gale that resulted in the bell and its associated parts being broken, has been restored.

The Bell - The Bell, from which the island derives its name.  Also shown are the Front Bell Cove and the vertical rock known as Cole-east.

The Front Bell Cove - Front Bell Cove with its fine sandy beach was a great place for capelin, and during the capelin scull it was a common sight to see Lance Cove boats returning from there laden to the gunwales.

The Clapper - A familiar Lance Cove landmark, located equidistant between there and the Bell. Considering that proximity and its shape, the origin of its name is obvious. Directly off the Clapper was the best jigging ground, and it was there that uncle Alfred caught in one summer, single-handed, 160 quintals, besides managing his farm and dairy herd.

Kerry Head - Kerry head, named for County Kerry, Ireland, place of origin of the Kennedy clan. It was in this area of Lance Cove that the Kennedys settled and where their meadows were.  

Skating Place - Another view of Kerry Head, overlooking Sandy Bennett's marsh.  Wintertime when the droke brook overflowed its meandering course to the gut, the result was the gathering spots for skating and for hockey.  The brook now flows directly into the newly dredged boat pool.

The Beach - The beach c. 1953. Sad remains of what was once a thriving fishing premises. Site of present day boat pool.

The View From the Wharf - This view from the wharf, 1954, shows Pitts's hill after it ceased to be part of the main road between Lance Cove and the east end of the island.  Sometime around 1944 a road was built from Mick Tom Hammond's straight across to where the Bickford's lived; thus bypassing the old beach road through the cove.

Mary Rees - My mom, Mary, tending her little flower garden  'neath the south-facing kitchen window of the old house on Lance Cove beach.  The encroaching sea has since reclaimed this space, as it has much of the waterfront land where once was located, not only fishing premises, but even vegetable gardens.

Jim and Mary, 1947 - Dad and mom enjoying the respite of a sunny Sunday afternoon.  The wharf was a gathering place on Sundays and summer evenings  where grownups strolled or stood around to chat and watch the children at play.

Old Lance Cove photo, late 1800s - Taken while the Pitts homestead was still
being occupied by "aunt" Fanny.  House to the left was that of George Rees,
1855-1920.  In the background is "uncle" Mike Hammond's house.

James Pitts' House - The remains of the home of James Pitts, first permanent house to be built in Lance Cove. In the background can be seen the homes of uncle Jimmy and uncle Mike Hammond.

James Jr. Pitts' House - Home of James Pitts Junior, situated just across the road from his father's place. This house remained in use until 1929 when Ralph Rees moved to the new house that he built on the beach and which is still standing there, beautifully maintained.

James Jr. Pitts' House - The home of James Pitts Jr. This house was purchased by George Rees Jr. sometime after 1825 and occupied by that branch of the Rees family until 1929 when Ralph and Emma Ann, the last occupants, moved to their new house, on the same property but nearer the seashore.  The photo was taken c. 1890-95 while the house was being occupied by William and Louisa and their family of eight children.

Powder Horn - This beautiful old powder horn was carved by John Stone and dated by him, Feb. 3rd., 1824. Mr. Stone married Elizabeth (Betsy), daughter of William Pitts, son of pioneer James. The carving is a wonderful example of early Newfoundland folk art. Besides the ship and lettering, there are several allegorical vignettes. The initials W.R. carved in the neck of the horn is an indication that at some point it came in the possession of one of the Lance Cove Reeses where it presently belongs.

Pitts's Hill - Pitts's Hill, gathering place for winter sliding. On moonlight nights when the older ones came out to play and there were lots of bobsled spills, the air was filled with squeals of delight and frolicking laughter. Those were carefree times.  Ralph and old Barney are seen in the photo returning from "in over the hill" with a load of firewood.

Fanny Pitts - Frances Louisa Pitts (Fanny) 1832 - 1913. Granddaughter of pioneer James, and the last of her family to live in Lance Cove.

George Rees's House - This old homestead, home of George and Mary Ann, first Rees house in Lance Cove, remained occupied until c. 1925.

Old Schoolhouse - The old schoolhouse surrounded by a clutch of Rees houses. The house, centre, with the gable roof and four upstairs windows belonged originally to John Pitts but, subsequent to Mr. Pitts early decease in 1825, it was acquired by Reuben Rees. Other houses in view are those of Thomas and Sarah, Thomas and Susannah, Edward (uncle Ned and aunt Ann), William Thomas and Drusilla (grandparents)and Stephen and aunt Pricilla.

Class of 1935-36 - Back row:  Lillie Matthews (teacher), Mable Clements (lost in Garland disaster, 1940), Doug Hussey, Walter, Debbie Pitts, Violet Bickford, Sophie, Jane, Reid Wharford. Third row: Vera, Irene, Myrtle, John, Lloyd, Frank, Eldred Bickford, Ches Bickford.  Second row: Dan Churchill, Bob, Charlie, Don, Phyllis, Ethel May, Jean, Emma Clements, Rhoda Clements, Lilla.  Front row: Fred Churchill, Thelma, Lillian, Bill (of Eugene), Stirling, Hubert Clememts, Bill (of Ned)

The Old House - The remains (1942) of the home of William Thomas Rees (1843-1900), and Drusilla nee Hibbs (1846-1932).  This house, built entirely of hand-sawn timber cut in his own woodlot, was typical of many of the old houses in Lance Cove.

William Thomas Rees - William Thomas Rees, 1843-1900.  Father of Jimmy Gus.

Drusilla Rees - Drusilla nee Hibbs, 1846-1932. Wife of William Thomas Rees.

James Augustus Rees - 1890-1954, youngest of the eleven children of William Thomas and Drusilla.

Gertrude Marion Rees - (Mrs. Ananias) 1885-1972.  Aunt Gertie, sister of Jimmy Gus, paying a visit to her aunt Caroline and uncle John Lee.

Fun Time - Uncle Ed and little nephew, Gerald. Edmund Francis, 1875-1941, is the bachelor brother of Jimmy Gus. Gerald, 1912-1992, is a son of sister Gertrude and Ananias.

Reuben Rees - brother of William Thomas, and sisters, Caroline Rees Lee (left) and Jane Rees Drover. Uncle and aunts of Jimmy Gus.

Martha Bickford nee Rees - (Oct 1840 - 21 Feb 1929). Grand Daughter of George Rees ( 1772 - 1859) and Mary Ann Neary (1787 - 1874). Martha married Edward Bickford (1830 - 1885) son of Henry Bickford and Amy Cooper. Edward taught school in Lance Cove from c. 1857 - 1870 preceding the memorable school master, James Hiscock, who taught in Lance Cove from 1870 - 1912. Edward and Martha left Lance Cove c. 1870 and relocated to New Perlican, Trinity Bay, where Edward once again took a position as school master in that community. Following Edward's death in 1885, Martha returned to Lance Cove with their five children (William, Henry T, Reuben, Edward and Emma) and eventually re-married a Mr. Butt. Once again widowed when Mr. Butt passed away, she lived her remaining years with her son William. Her remains are buried in the old Anglican cemetery in Lance Cove. 

William Bickford - (1879-1940) One of the sons to Edward and Martha, and godfather of the author.

The Lee Premises - John Lee married Caroline (aunt Carrie), daughter of William and Jane Sophia (nee Hiscock) Rees.  He built his house, a combined dwelling and general store, on the beach property adjacent to the wharf.  Jimmy Gus, a nephew of Caroline and John, purchased this property, June 11, 1925 for the sum of $850 and it was there on November 20, 1926 that he moved his blacksmith shop.  His first blacksmith shop was built on his parents' property and opened for business September, 1913.  It was in this newly acquired home that I was born, December 1927.  The Lees moved to the east end of the island.

Another View - The house where my siblings and I were born and raised. The beach property on which this house was located was purchased, 1901, by John Lee from the estate of the late Cpt. William Pitts for the sum of one hundred dollars.

Lance Cove Policeman - John Lee, and his wife, Caroline Rees Lee. c. 1900

Old House - Home of my maternal grandparents, Stephen and Mary Jane (Parsons).  This house is an early 20th century enlargement and redesign of the older homestead.  It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest house remaining in Lance Cove.  It presently belongs to a great granddaughter, Sherry Rees Rodgers.

Stephen and Gertrude Rees - Uncle Stephe (April 4, 1908 - Sept. 8, 1997) and aunt Gertie, nee Babb (July19, 1908 - Feb. 23,1995) were the last surviving of my parental relatives and the last Reeses of that generation to reside in Lance Cove.

Terrence Kennedy Homestead - This once beautiful old house was built by Terrence Kennedy, 1876-1953, and where he and his wife Amelia (Kent), 1878-1919, lived out the remainder of their days.  The house continued to be occupied by his son, Terry Jr. and his wife, Nell, until the closing of the mines in 1966 when the family moved away.  Picture submitted by granddaughter Amelia Fifield.

Hammond Homestead - An old Hammond homestead.  The design of this house is typical of the houses built by the  second generation of Lance Cove settlers.  All the original houses were gable roofed.

A Parsons Homestead - This old house was located on the site where the house of Richard Parsons (uncle Dickie) stood in later years. It was the only Parsons house in Lance Cove. According to a notation on the back of the photograph, this was the home of Joseph Parsons, and is where Joe, Jim and Eldred were raised.

Lance Cove Regatta - An annual event in Lance Cove around the turn of the century and into the early 1900s. Shells (racing boats) were borrowed from St. John's but some were built by the locals. One such boat which he named, Blanche, after his daughter, was built by Tom Rees. Alf Rees, now 102 and still hale and hardy (2002), watched that boat race. Tom is a frequently occurring name in the Rees clan. This particular Tom, wife Elizabeth Waterman (1865-1938) of Fogo, was the son of Solomon and Belinda Hiscock, 1833-1905. Tom and Elizabeth lost three sons, Eldred, Dorman and Edgar, in the "Great War", 1914-1918.

"Them Were The Days" - Another view of the Regatta.

Little Bell Island - Little Bell Island was very much a part of the life of Lance Cove.  For the younger lads who often rowed out to there on summer days it was a wonderful place to explore.  Dicky Kent's motor boat, ever ready on the collars, was often engaged to ferry groups of grownups and children to Little Bell Island on summer Sunday afternoon excursions, or for blueberry picking.  According to F. F. Jardine, a planter by the name of Bentley had a large fishing station there c. 1790, and with his square-rigger supplied provisions to other stations around the bay.  John Skane from Dorset came to work at the staion but when Bentley returned to England there was no further settlement on Little Bell Island.

The following account of the defense of Little Belle Isle, 1696-97, is from D. W. Prowse's, A History of Newfoundland, p. 222: The first resident on this small island in Conception Bay was John Earle, a West Countryman. He was a very smart, well educated young man; just of age in 1698, when he married in Harbour Grace Fanny Garland, sister of the well-known Justice Garland.  .........The French attacked Little Belle Isle with two barges full of soldiers. John Earle had cannon upon the cliff; he sank one barge with a shot and the other then rowed off; he had scarecrows dressed up as men on the top of the cliff to make the enemy believe he had a large force.  ......John Earle lived and died and was buried on Little Belle Isle. One of his sons, William, lived in Juggler's Cove, Bay Roberts, and died there of small pox in 1777. The other son, John, lived in Portugal Cove, and is mentioned in the census of 1794-5.

The Old Cemetery - This old community cemetery is a place of extraordinary beauty.  The trees here are extremely old and typical of the "old growth forest" that once covered the island.  No one would dare cut down a tree in this sacred place.  With so little old forest remaining in Newfoundland, there is a great concern that some of it be preserved for posterity from the greedy maws of the paper maker's harvesting machines.

Edward Cooper's Resting Place - Behold dear friends as you pass by, Behold the place where I do lie, I hope the Lord will all you bless, And pray to God to grant me rest.

Tranquility Personified - Here they lie, proud Newfoundland pioneers, reminding us of our heritage and of the stock from which we have sprung.  ..."So farewell friends and acquaintance all, Pas by this tomb in friendship call, Look on the same without grief or fear, Tis my choice to be buried here.

Kent Brothers - This stone erected to the memory of the Kent brothers, George and James, is by far the most elaborate of the stones in the old pioneer cemetery.  Being, like the others, made from relatively fragile sandstone, it is remarkable how well it has survived the elements.  Please see the epitaphs elsewhere in this site.

The Broken Stone - The headstone of James Pitts as it lay on the ground, smashed to pieces by an act of vandalism that occurred sometime between the summer of 1969, and June 1988 when this photograph was taken. To compound this shameful act of destruction, the stone fragments were subsequently thrown over the adjacent cliff side from which sufficient have been retrieved to confirm the dastardly deed. Fortunately, the epitaph had been previously transcribed and preserved. Because of the special historical significance of this stone, a fund has been set up to replace it with a replica, hopefully in time for the 200^th anniversary of Mr. Pitts's passing, April 30, 1805. Those wishing to contribute to this fund please contact the author of this web site for details. Any relative comments can be submitted to the guest book. The estimated cost of replacing the stone is c. $2000, so, with many contributing a small amount, it shouldn't be too difficult to raise this sum.

Lance Cove Today - Same viewpoint but a much different scene than that of 1900.

A New Beginning? - "The old order changeth, giving place to new......", but there are some things that never change.