English Family of Newfoundland , Brooklyn & New Jersey

FIRST GENERATION

The first English ancestor that we know of (as of 2006) is Edward English (Sr). He was born in St Johns, Newfoundland in August 1847. He later married Ann Whelan and went on to have 6 children, Margaret, Ned, Thomas, Annie, Frank and Gertrude. In Lovell's 1871 Directory for St. John's, there is a Edward English living on a lane off of 101 Monkstown Rd, St Johns. He was working as a Sailor, and living with his father, Edward English, a trader. We think that this might be our Englishs.

The Basilica is built in the shape of a Latin cross, it was declared a minor Basilica on its centenary in 1955. It is now (2005) a National Historic Site. Guided summer tours available.

In 1889, an article appeared in the local newspaper. We think this involves our Capt. Edward English, but not sure at this time:

Twillingate Sun

October 5, 1889

Danger to Ships

Important to Shipmasters. Discovery of a Dangerous Rock Off St. Mary's.

Last year Capt. ENGLISH reported to the office of the Admiralty, that a shoal rock existed about 20 miles South of Cape St. Mary's, and urged upon the authorities the necessity of locating it. In accordance with his report, H.M.S."Lily"" made a search for the shoal, but failed to locate it. On the 15th of November, 1888 a dispatch was sent from the Admiralty to the Colonial Office stating that the search was carried out in a most careful manner by Captain CAMPBELL of H.M.S. Lily, and that no trace of the reported shoal could be found, consequently they were removed from the chart and a Notice to mariners on the subject accordingly issued. Captain CAMPBELL's report was published in the Gazette of December 25th 1888.

Notwithstanding this report Captain ENGLISH felt fully convinced that the shoals existed, and he was determined to have them on the chart. With this object in view he again communicated with the authorities and this year the S.S.."Gulnare" surveyed the locality and was successful in finding the dangerous rock as the following letter shows:

""Gulnare", Aug. 26, 1889.

Dear Captain ENGLISH -

You will be glad to know that we have found the rock which you reported, thanks to LAMB who put us on it within a few minutes of our arrival at his vessel. It has 5 1/2 fathoms water on it and lies 17 Deg. S., 52 Deg. E, (true) 22 1/2 miles from St. Mary's light-house.

I am very truly yours,

Wm. MAXWELL."

Capt Edward English (Sr) traveled from St Johns to New York on May 29th, 1912 aboard the Stephano. He appeared to have been traveling in small group from St Johns, which included a harbormaster (himself), a lawyer and a clerk. Their final destination was Washington, D.C. His occupation was listed as "Harbor Master". He was listed as 5' 7" tall, grey hair and blue eyes. It is unknown at this time what their business was in the Capital City.

Capt. Edward English (Sr) was decorated October 21, 1921 by the Governor with the Imperial Service Order in recognition of service as Harbour Master for many years. At this time he was still living on Quidi Vidi Rd in St John's, Newfoundland.

SECOND GENERATION

1. Edward "Ned" English (Jr): Born in St Johns, Sep 1880. He also became a well-known sea captain for many years. He was living at his parent’s home at least until 1898.

"Ned" married Kathleen O’Driscoll in St. John’s in November 1907. They went on to have 3 children, all boys, Edward, Dermott and John.

Capt. Edward English was involved with one of the most well-known shipwrecks in Newfoundland history. The following account is from a local St Johns newspaper:

"One of the best-known wrecks to occur along the coast of Newfoundland was that of the SS Ethie. There have been countless shipwrecks around Newfoundland and Labrador, but the SS Ethie stands out among all the others. The SS Ethie was a coal-burning Steamer (also called a Stout Ship) which set sail from Cow Head, on the western shore of Newfoundland, heading south to Rocky Harbour. Captain Edward English (Jr) was in command of a vessel that was on its final sail of the season carrying 92 passengers and crew. The date was December 10, 1919.

Captain English, aware that storm clouds were brewing over the area, chose to set sail in order to get the passengers home in time for Christmas. (Some people say that he was also put under a great deal of pressure from the shipping line to get underway!)

Within a few hours of departing, what started out as a small storm blew up into a fierce winter storm and ultimately into a blizzard. The vessel was constantly being blown towards the very rocky and dangerous shoreline. They burned most of their coal supply just trying to stay out a sea. As the coal supply diminished, Captain English came to the realization that his ship was lost. His only thoughts then turned to saving the lives of the passenger and crew.

Consulting his charts, he made the decision to "beach" the SS Ethie at a place near Martin's Point, Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. This was not an easy decision for the coastline in this area was ripe with dangerous reefs and high cliffs.

As the SS Ethie approached the shore some town folk saw and understood the action. They rushed to the area of the impending "beaching" to help in the recovery. When the SS Ethie finally came hard aground, the crew sent out a rope tied to a barrel. It was picked up and secured by the shore people. (Part of the legend associated with the rescue of the SS Ethie's passengers and crew, was that a Newfoundland dog was sent out from shore to fetch the rope that would help the people to shore. However no evidence has ever come forward to substantiate this.)"

Luckily all of the 92 passengers and crew were saved, including a baby sent ashore in a mailbag. The sea has eroded most of the S.S. Ethie, however a few pieces of the hull, the boilers and engines are still visible from shore, at the Gros Morne National Park of Canada.

The Ethie was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1900 and was registered in St John's in 1900 as Canadian Vessel #113009, with a gross tonnage of 440 tons. It had a steel hull.

Capt. Edward English Jr. was later presented (at the same time his father received his award) at Government House on October 21, 1921 with a silver cup in recognition of his splendid seamanship when "Ethie" was wrecked in 1919.

According to the 1921 Census, Edward was living near his father on Quidi Vidi Road in St. John's, Newfoundland. He was legally separated and living with his three sons, Edward, Dermott, and John. A 20 year old servant girl, Maggie Smith, also lived with them.

2. Margaret English: Margaret was born about 1881 and immigrated to the US in 1906. She also married Brendan Scanlan the same year. They were living in Brooklyn, and went on to have 4 children, Edward, Brendan, Thomas, and Margaret.

3. Thomas English: born August 1883 near St Johns, Newfoundland. Thomas immigrated to the United States from Newfoundland in 1905.

While working as a marine engineer, Thomas traveled quite a bit. He is listed many times in the records of New York Harbor. Some examples are:

a. Arriving Dec 11, 1908, sailing from St Johns to New York aboard the S.S. Rosalind. He was 24 years old, working as a marine engineer. He was single and he listed his closest relative as Capt. Edward English, who was living on Quidi Vidi Rd, St Johns. He had $75 with him. He stated he had been in the United States before in 1905 in Albany, NY. He listed his contact in the USA as Mrs. Scanlan (sp?), living at 307 16th St, Brooklyn, NY. He was listed as being 5' 7" tall, dark complexion, black hair and with gray eyes.

b. S.S. Winnebago- Arrived in New York from Brest, France on Mar 24, 1923. He was the Chief Engineer. He was 5' 8" tall. This ship was part of the Foreign Transport & Mercantile Co.

c. Sixaola- Arrived in New York from Santa Marta, Colombia on Jan 3, 1924. He was the Chief Engineer on the ship. He was listed as an American, 40 years old, 5' 10" tall and 177 lbs.

d. Zacapa- Arrived in New York from Kingston, Jamaica on Nov 16th, 1924. He was the Chief Engineer in the engine department. He was 41 years old. 5' 7" tall. This ship was owned by the United Fruit Steamship Corporation. On this day it had a crew of 89. It was expected to set sail Dec 13th, 1924 for West Indian & Central American ports.

4. Annie English: Born Jan 1887 in St Johns, Newfoundland. Anne was listed in the 1921 Newfoundland Census as being 31 years of age, single and living with her parents on Quidi Vidi Rd, St. John's, Newfoundland.

5. Frank English: Born February 1888, St Johns, Newfoundland. Frank arrived in NYC aboard the Rosalind, sailing from St Johns, NF on Feb 26, 1910. He was 21 years old, listed his NF contact as his father, Mr. Edward English, harbormaster, St Johns, NF. He was listed as Newfoundland Irish, single, working as a clerk, and his contact in the US was his sister, Mrs. B. A. Scanlan, 625 10th Ave, Brooklyn, NY. He was 5' 7" tall, dark hair with blue eyes.

On April 21st, 1923, Frank again arrived in NYC on the Rosalind. He listed his contact in the USA as his wife, Olive English, 200 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY. He was 5' 7" tall, brown hair and blue eyes.

In 1930, Frank & Olive owned a home at 141 Manias (sp?) St. in Buffalo, NY. Frank was working at a flour mill. He immigrated into the US in 1912.

6. Gertude English: Born September 1889. She died young, at 15 months of age.