Copy of Manuscript Covering the History of the Penne or ...



Copy of Manuscript Covering the History of the Penne or Pynn Family in Newfoundland.

Taken from the manuscript writings of the late Arthur Thorne Esq., barrister and brother-in-law to the late Henry Pynn Esq., Deputy Judge of the Admiralty for Conception Bay, and also a merchant residing at Harlea-Grace, Newfoundland.

Charles Penne said to be the son of a gentleman living in Wiltshire by a first wife, and who went to live in Scotland, was a Roman Catholic and married in the family of Sir George Calvert, who in 1621, obtained a grant of part of the island of Newfoundland from King James 1st , whose private secretary Sir George was; in order that he might enjoy in this retreat that liberty of conscience that was denied him in his own country.

Sir George sent a small party of his friends to Newfoundland,to prepare everything necessary for his reception. In the meantime he prepared his fortune and interest to secure the success of this undertaking.

CaptainWynne, who conducted this early party, as it is supposed from the beautiful scenery, with which this place abounded, seated himself at Ferryland,( or Fairyland ) where he built a very large house and erected granaries and storehouses, and accommodated his people in the best manner possible. His hopes from the soil it appears were very sanguine – we have barley, oats and pease says he, in a letter to Sir George, already cured, and although the sowing them in May or the beginning of June, might occasion the contrary yet they ripen so fast that we have all the appearance of an approaching harvest.

In the same strain, he speaks of his garden, which flourished in all kinds of culinary vegetables and the proprietor was so much delighted with these splendid descriptions, that he removed with all his family and many friends to Newfoundland; but the gay vision soon vanished, the cold weather having commenced too early to suffer the wheat to ripen.

Shortly after the arrival of Sir George and his family, he was created Lord Baltimore in 1623: and finding that part of the new world too sterile, he obtained a grant of the province of Maryland, on the continent of North America, and proceeded thither leaving a part of his relations and friends at Ferryland or Fairyland. It is not mentioned if Charles Penne accompanied his relative Lord Baltimore or not, nor do we hear anything of him until after the second return of George Lord Baltimore to Virginia, where he was again forced to go from the persecutions of the Puritans, and with a number of Zealots of his own profession, arrived a second time, in the New World in 1627.

Here again we find him not well received by the settlers, on account of his religious opinions, and at one time he resolved to return, to his friends and relatives that he left in Newfoundland. But finding a part of the province unoccupied, he determined upon creating a new settlement where his Catholic friends might be sheltered from the persecuting zeal of those, over whom he had even the jurisdiction, and he accordingly removed to the lower countries of the Delaware, then part of the new Netherlands of this territory, extending about one hundred and forty miles in length, and one hundred and thirty in breadth.

George Lord Baltimore obtained a promise, but he dying before the Patent could be made out, it was granted to his son Cecilius Lord Baltimore in 1632, under the name of Maryland. This name was given to it by the King on signing the Patent in honour of his Consort Henrietta Maria daughter of Henry 1V of France.

This young nobleman though wishing to connect his interests with the Roman Catholic settlers, was however, in his religious opinions less scrupulous, and in 1634 he committed the settlement and government to his younger brother Leonard, and went to Fairyland, and resided for some time with his relatives and early friends of his father, which had now exceeded 200 persons; chiefly gentlemen of good condition and Roman Catholics.

About this time the spirit of the enterprise extended the research of these settlers to the northward of the island, and about 1635 or 6, Charles Penne and several of his friends removed to Conception Bay, and colonised Carboneer, but finding this a bad harbour, they ultimately made the choice of Harlea-Grace, a romantic spot with a most commodious entrance for vessels, and having a very long beach, which was an effectual protection against the North and Easterly winds.

Stores and commodious dwelling houses were built, and the natives who seemed harmless, Indians of the Esquimeaux nation, their colour being red or coppery, became familiarised with the settlers and brought them furs of beaver and foxes, bear skins etc., and received hardware and trinkets in return. About this time one of the settlers did an unintentional injury to one of the native Indians, and it was soon discovered that they were planning a scheme of revenge against the colonists. In order to protect themselves effectually against any surprise, they formed large buildings of stone which served, both as a deposit for their provisions, merchandise etc., and a secure habitation against the savages.

About this time the court of Charles 1st became unpopular, and religious persecutions were so incessant, that numerous Catholics from Ireland and Scotland emigrated to Newfoundland and America, and began to clear and cultivate the land, and to build boats of a large description, in which they used to take fish some distance from the shore, the waters of which abounded with Cod and Dace, Lobsters and other shellfish, and the rivers abounded with Salmon Trout etc., on the banks of which the beavers form their habitation. The woods abounded with wild beasts, and hares, partridges and numerous wild birds and large flocks of deer. The timber was found to be very large, particularly on the small lakes, which were numerous.

The family of Mr Charles Penne, had by this time increased and Lord Baltimore being on a visit to his relations in this part of the island, stood for one of Mr Penne’s children and became both uncle and Godfather. He was named George Cecilius after his late grandfather and godfather.

The troubles of the mother country were now at their height, and the throne of Charles 1st was usurped by Cromwell, whose party carried their hatred against the Roman Catholics to that degree that they not only persecuted them in England, Ireland and Scotland; but the Parliament of that day deprived Lord Baltimore of his possessions in America, and he was obliged to reside at Fairyland and Harlea-Grace alternatively with his relations, and died during the usurpation leaving a son called Charles, then a minor, under the superintendence of Mr Charles Penne and his wife, Lord Baltimore’s nearest relations.

William Penne, a fine lad, was about this time sent to England to be educated, and to be brought to the sea service, and we find him a Midshipman with his relation Captain Sir William Penne (or Penn) in the action with the Dutch fleet on the Dogger Bank. This young man rose in his profession, and accompanied his relation as a Lieutenant, but was killed at Carthagena. Sir William wrote a letter of condolence to his mother, the father being dead by this time, and stated in glowing terms the bravery and animated conduct of her son. This letter was treasured up and considered an heirloom in the family.

Charles 2nd was now restored to his throne, and Charles Lord Baltimore, son of Cecilius, was restored to the possessions of his father. He returned to America and superintended in person his vast estates and cultivated and governed it with wisdom and moderation. No people could live in greater ease and security than those of Maryland.

Charles Penne Esq., died in 1662 or 3, leaving two sons John and George Cecilius, and a daughter named Mary. The colony at this time became very considerable and a large trade was established. Buildings called stages, flakes and wharfs were erected, fish cured and sent abroad, together with furs and seal oil which opened up a great trade between the Colony, the Mother Country, Spain and Portugal, from which latter countries, large cargoes of salt were introduced for curing the fish. John Penne was now appointed Civil Governor of the whole of Conception Bay, from Cape Spear northward, whilst his brother George conducted, very successfully, the mercantile part.

At this time there was a considerable intercourse of trade between Newfoundland and Bristol, Poole and London, and Mr John Penne returning to England by a Bristol vessel was well received by Sir William Penne (or Penn), whose death took place about this time. Mr John Penne in a letter to his brother states the solemnity of the scene that took place at the burial of Sir William at Bristol. He being an Admiral, all the ships in the harbour lowered their colours to half mast, and continued to fire minute guns until his interment. The corpse was followed to Radcliff Church by Admirals, Captains and a large concourse of seamen, and the trade of the city was suspended on that day, owing to the very great respect that everyone bore to this great and good man.

John married and returned to Newfoundland, where he continued to execute the duties of his civil authority, and was beloved and esteemed. George, the second brother, continued to conduct the mercantile business so successfully that he, at this time, had several large vessels and numerous fishing craft. He married a very amiable lady (whether of England or America is not mentioned) of the name of Benjar. In one of his vessels he made a visit to his relation Lord Baltimore, who from his very tolerant disposition, increased his colony of Maryland with all descriptions of Religionists, Presbyterians, Quakers and all kinds of dissenters.

This nobleman, though a Catholic, and firmly attached to the house of Stuart, had the mortification to find the legality of his charter called into question during the arbitrary reign of James 2nd, and was obliged to maintain an action at law for the property and jurisdiction of a province that had been formerly ceded to his family by the crown, and which he himself and his predecessors had peopled at a vast expense.

This ungenerous attempt, which proved abortive, did not however shake the fidelity of Lord Baltimore, yet the weak and despotic James, whose misfortune it was neither to serve his friends nor his enemies, was preparing a second time to deprive that nobleman of his property, when he himself was deprived of his crown by the revolution of 1688.

King William terminated the dispute between that nobleman and his predecessor in a manner worthy of his political character. He left the Baltimore family in possession of their territorial revenues, but deprived them of their jurisdiction, and that they also recovered on conforming to the established religion, with as ample privileges as the crown thought fit that any proprietor should enjoy.

Between 1690 and 1700 there was a trade carried on between the settlers of the colonies of North America, and on one occasion Mr George Penne having sent his son Henry as supercargo on one of his vessels to the Delaware, she was forced on part of the Transylvania coast - as it is called in the charter of the grant restoring to Mr Penne the Quaker his possessions – and it is remarked that although on some occasions in history, the Quakers name was spelt Penn, yet at this period under the government of William and Mary his name is spelt Penne. The young Henry having made a visit, was well received and acknowledged as a relation, by this great and good Quaker William Penne.

During the reign of James 2nd a great many families, chiefly Protestants and Dissenters, came over and settled in the Island of Newfoundland, and Saint Johns being a convenient harbour and capable of being protected by forts – as the French and Dutch began to make depredations on the trade of the country – it soon became the capital of the Island.

John Penne having been raised to be Rotulorum of the Island, resided at Saint Johns, but he dying soon afterwards, his only son John removed to Carbonear and was appointed Governor of that place and an adjoining town.

Trade continued to advance and the settlers were both rich and happy away from all political and religious disputes, which at this time overwhelmed the Mother country, until the restoration in 1688.

A number of respectable Catholics from Ireland had colonized an intermediate part between Carbonear and Harlea-grace called Musquitto, and amongst them was a Mr Michael Pynn, the most leading and wealthiest of the colonists, and intimacy took place between him and Mr Penne of Harlea-grace, and he became godfather to one of the boys named William.

Shortly after this the gentleman died leaving a clause in his will, that provided his godson would use his name, the Room (property in Newfoundland being designated by that term) at Musquitto should be his forever. At this period during the troubles there was so little interference of the Mother country with these colonists, that they were permitted to do as they pleased, and Mr Penne allowed his son William to assume his godfathers name, and he took possession of the property at Muquitto.

Mr William Pynn, for we find him and his successors always using this mode of spelling their name, came to England or Ireland, it is not very certain, and married a young lady of the name of Hopkins, the daughter of Lady Hopkins whose husband was dead, they were of a noble and ancient family, and with his wife he returned to Newfoundland.

His father and elder brother Henry dying soon after, he possessed the estate of Harlea grace and Musquitto together, continuing to his sister Mary an ample allowance.

Mr John Penne, Governor of Carbonear, returned to England, Bristol, and in 1711 he married Miss Whitehead a lady of that city, and died without issue. His wife afterwards married into the family of the Pikes, who became possessors of Governor Penne’s property at Carbonear.

William Pynn must have married very young, for we find that his son Henry (afterwards his successor), and who from his fondness for the sea, was appointed Captain of one of his vessels, married a lady in Bristol in 1715.

About this time a grandson of the famous Sir David Kirk, a French gentleman of a noble family, but who resided in England, and who in Charles 1st time 1628, with three English ships reduced the settlements of his countrymen, both in Canada and Nova Scotia, obtained a grant of all the land called Canada, but which was afterwards restored to the French, when Sir David received remuneration in England.

This grandson, who afterwards assumed the title, voyaging to North America became enamoured of and married Miss Mary Pynn, which lady was living near Poole in Dorsetshire, and received the visits of her Newfoundland friends, in 1762 or 3.

This lady and Henry were the only children Mr William Pynn had, and he died soon after the marriage of his son Henry Pynn, who succeeded his father and conducted his mercantile affairs so successfully that he became the most opulent merchant in Newfoundland. He had several children by Miss Hopper, when she died and he afterwards married a young lady of Newfoundland, Miss Anne Thistle, having previously given his Room, stores etc., at Musquitto and two ships to his son George Augustus. One of his daughters having married a Mr Webber, a colonist.

Mr Henry Pynn, previous to his marriage with Miss Thistle, settled by deed of gift his property at Harlea-grace on her and on her children by him. He had a large family by this lady and died in 1751, having acquired considerable riches.

After the death of her husband, the first branch of the family diputed Mrs Stretch (she then having married Mr Michael Stretch) her right to the property. In consequence she went to England and made her appeal, and the Court of Chancery decided in her favour, and she administered to the property. Mr Stretch behaved very ill, and reduced the property considerably, and at last died leaving no issue.

George Pynn, having in a moment of dispute and passion, given his stepmother a kick, when she was pregnant, and the consequence was nearly fatal to the mother.

About this time 1762, the Island was invaded by the French, and George Augustus, being an adventurous man, determined to dispute the enemies landing at Musquitto and having disembarked the guns of one of his ships determined to dispute the advance of the French boats with troops. It being a bad harbour the ships could not venture in, and having fired and upset one of the boats, the French were obliged to desist until towards daylight they secretly landed taking possession of rising ground. Mr George Pynn and his party were obliged to fly, leaving his habitation, and one vessel in the bay, and his stores which the enemy destroyed by burning.

In the dwelling house were several most valuable manuscripts, and the archives of many of the most respectable settlers of the Colony, and one half of whatever valuables the ancestors of this family had amassed.

Two sons of Mrs Anne Pynn, Charles and Henry, were drowned about this time in a shallop going to the bay of ? . William, a lieutenant in the navy, died of the yellow fever on the Jamaica Station, and Thomas in the East India Company Service never returned from that country.

Robert and Jane were the only surviving children. Jane married a Mr Ferries and died leaving no issue. All intercourse between this family, and the Calverts, and the Penne’s seem to have subsided, as there does not appear to exist any letters to that effect, the relationship from such a lapse of years, having become so wide and extended.

Robert, the only surviving son, after voyaging about, and residing in England for some time, returned to his mother, and in exploring the West Indies, married a Miss Ayres, daughter of the Governor of a Dutch island called Saint Eustacia.

The narrative closes here, the writer Arthur Thorne, who though a lawyer in the first instance, became a clergyman, and died about 1780 or 81.

The above manuscript contains numerous other incidents, but which Mr Thorne did not think there was a necessity of being copied, but which can at all times be seen as they are in the possession of Mrs Jane Thorne, the wife, now very old and in a state of dotage and weakness.

A true copy – signed Samuel Ray.

Notes to accompany the attached Manuscript:-

It can be assumed that Sir Henry Pynn is the son of Robert Pynn and Miss Ayres, although no proof exists among the family papers. The dates are correct since Sir Henry must have been about 27 or 28 when he joined the Southern Regiment of Militia in 1798.

In addition Robert Pynn was made a Freeman of Bristol in 1767, the reason being given as “that he is the son of Henry Pynn deceased, a freeman of the same”.

The question remains as to where Sir Henry was born and when. It can be considered likely that he was born in Newfoundland about 1769 or 70, but was sent to England to be educated, however no proof exists at present.

He almost certainly inherited some of his father’s property in Newfoundland, since the map attached to the above Manuscript is entitled “Plan of the Property of Sir Henry Pynn at Harbour- Grace, Newfoundland”.

Note the change of name from Harlea-grace as given in the Manuscript.

Alec Dallas. 2003

Since writing the above it has been established that Sir Henry Pynn was born in Newfoundland on 27th August 1769 and died in London on 25th April 1855. It has been suggested that he died at sea, however the death certificate clearly states that he died at 5 Norris Street in Haymarket, Westminster after suffering from Bronchitis for

8 weeks.

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1767 Oath of a Burgess, Bristol

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Alec Dallas. 2011

Additional Notes collected by PN:

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There are a number of Bristol Burgess (Freeman) Book index entries.

PYNE HENRY MARINER 8.03.1716 6 50 71

PYNE HENRY GENTLEMAN 16.08.1720 6 140 135

PYNE THOMAS MARINER 5.08.1720 6 139 130

PYNE THOMAS MARINER 22.04.1752 11 37 51

PYNN ROBERT MARINER 17.12.1767 13 91 25

.... PINN MARINER ST. NICHOLAS Jan 1736

Henry PYNE GENTLEMAN ST. EWENS Oct 1739

Bristol & Avon Family History Society © 2006



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