Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
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
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
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
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
Accruals
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Control area
Description record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules or conventions
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Created - April 29, 2013
Language of description
- English