Fonds - George Forward fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

George Forward fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

  • Variations in title: Previously listed as Oates Ledgers
  • Source of title proper: Supplied title based on the contents of the microfilm

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [Microfilmed 1970?] originally created 1842-1858 (Creation)
    Creator
    Forward, George

Physical description area

Physical description

2 microfilm reels

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1786-1857)

Biographical history

George Forward (1786-1857), clerk, merchant, shipowner, was the son of Susannah (Hassell) and Ambrose Forward, a well-to-do cloth merchant of Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Forward married Susanna Taylor of Harbour Grace in 1815. He died in 1857.

Forward immigrated to Newfoundland with his brother Charles (b. 1783) in the early 1800s to work for one of the Poole mercantile firms in Carbonear. By the 1820s, the brothers had struck out on their own as planters. In 1825, they were co-owners of a schooner. Charles does not appear to have had much part of the Forward business beyond the 1820s. George, however, accumulated considerable wealth and property, and was very active in public life.

In the 1830s, Forward formed a partnership with William Willis Bemister of Carbonear. They purchased the mercantile premises in Carbonear of Slade, Biddle & Company, a Poole firm that became insolvent. Forward's company became one of the principal mercantile firms in Conception Bay, engaging in the import-export trade, supplying and operating vessels in the cod and seal fisheries, purchasing fish, seal skins and other commodities, and dealing with fishing families as the truck (or credit) system. Forward was deeply involved in the Labrador cod fishery. Between 1825 and 1857, his name was associated with the ownership of 16 vessels. In 1839, he supplied five vessels for the seal hunt, four of which he owned. In 1842 he purchased shares in the Newfoundland Steam Navigation Company. He also had interest in the Mutual Insurance Company of Conception Bay and was a Justice of the Peace for Carbonear district from 1849 onward.

Forward operated a very successful trade until he died at the age of 71 years. He lived on an estate in Burnt Head, which he acquired in several parcels from previous owners. His home, referred to as "The Mansion," is believed to have been purchased for him by his father. It later devolved to his son Mark.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of the business ledgers of George Forward for the period 1842-1858. These ledgers record customer accounts with George Forward at Carbonear. Partial indexes are included with some ledgers.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

    Availability of other formats

    Restrictions on access

    No restrictions

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright status and clearance.

    Finding aids

    No finding aid available.

    Associated materials

    Forward family fonds

    Related materials

    Accruals

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    Standard number

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    Description record identifier

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    Status

    Draft

    Level of detail

    Partial

    Dates of creation, revision and deletion

    Created - April 29, 2013

    Language of description

    • English

    Script of description

      Sources

      Accession area