Dr. George Major Stephenson

Other Events:

• Research Overview: Caplin Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Research Overview:
Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John?s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

The Stephenson family in Newfoundland date back to 1804, as in that year Dr. George Major Stephenson was appointed Governor Magistrate at Burin. He came here as a Doctor in a Ship of War. He died and is buried in Burin. After [h]is death his family left here, except one son, John, Grandfather of Harold. He was for many years Sheriff of the Southern District Court and I will [well ?] remember him as one of the old school perfect gentlemen. A brother of Sheriff Stephenson was a Doctor William Stephenson. He went through the Crimean War and was a Surgeon to the forces at Chatham, England. Later he practiced at Rochester, Kent, England.

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Excerpt from an Address by Doctor L. Keegan, President of the Newfoundland Medical Society at the opening of its second annual convention of Monday, July 13, 1925.

Even before Carson's arrival in the country, Burin is found looking after her sick, under the direction of Stephenson. He was there in 1804 and I find that his Commission as Justice of the Peace is dated 1805. Stephenson was an ex-naval doctor, when he decided to settle in Burin. He brought his family out from England so he must have been middle aged at that time. He was an excellent doctor and a very accomplished man, being a great musician. Practising with Stephenson was an Irishman called Row, who was also an ex-naval doctor.

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Newfoundland Ancestor - Volume 8, No. 3 - Pages 99 -112: Article entitled EARLY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF NEWFOUNDLAND 1663-1900 by John F. O'Mara.

Stephenson: Born England. Ex-Naval doctor. At Burin 1804; J.P. 1805

Mentioned several time (abt 1817) by visiting Methodist Minister, Rev. John Lewis.

George — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

William — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Voter: 1840 - 1845, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland
• Residence: 31 May 1846, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland
• Residence: 11 Jul 1847, Ferryland, Newfoundland
• Baptism: 22 Nov 1858, Holy Apostles Parish, (Fermeuse/Renews), Newfoundland
• Voter: 1849 - 1859, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Voter:
It appears for the time he was at Caplin Bay, John was Deputy Sheriff and lived at The Beach.

Residence:
Robert Carter noted that "On the [vessel] Brothers, Mr. Stephenson and family left for Harbour Grace as Deputy Sheriff there".

Residence:
Robert Carter noted that "Mr. Stephenson landed from [steamer] Unicorn last evening at Stone Island., He didn't elaborate if his family accompanied him but his presence appears to indicate this was when he took up residence at Ferryland, likely as Sheriff. Mrs. Stephenson was not mentioned until an entry one month later.

Baptism:
Although John was born and raised in the Church of England, his family was raised in the Roman Catholic faith of his wife. However, later in life he too converted to Roman Catholicism.

Fermeuse/Renews Parish RC Baptisms: November 22, 1858 - Stephenson, John Joseph. Sponsors: Eliza Den, Thomas Fowler, Michael Dunphy, Anne Roost. Priests: James Murphy/Robert Brennan . Remark : Convert.


Voter:
John moved to Ferryland when he was appointed Sheriff and it appears he and his family lived at the jailhouse.

Died:
Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890)
Royal Gazette- August 6, 1872 - Stephenson, John Esq. The Sheriff of the Southern District died Wednesday last at Ferryland at the age of 72. He was a servant of the Crown for 40 years.

John married Catherine Meehan 15 Nov 1838, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Catherine was born , St. John's, Newfoundland; died 22 Jul 1913, Danvers, Massachusetts, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890).

Stephenson, Charles Sedley. Son of late Dr. Stephenson of Rochester, nephew of John Stephenson (Sheriff, Southern District) married West, Susan Margaret, daughter of late John Wilkins West M.R.C.S. of Poole, Dorset (Rochester and Chatham Journal). Married at St. John's, Notting Hill. Oct. 8/67G.

Charles married Susan Margaret West Abt 8 Oct 1867, St. John's, Notting Hill, England. Susan was born , Poole, Dorset, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John’s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong

Harry (Stephenson) was the Well Beloved, he worked for years in the Cable offices in St. Pierre Michelon, where he was liked and respected. Later he went to St. Thomas, West Indies, and there he died, he was Assistant Manager in their Cable Co., Harry was unmarried.

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Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890).

Stephenson, Harold J. son of late J. Stephenson (sheriff of S. District) died on 16th of typhoid fever at St. Thomas W.I. aged 41. Aug 23/81 GN.

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John’s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

Rupert (Stephenson) went to New York, was many years in the employ of the Western Union Co. Is now dead.

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890). Stephenson, Rupert George of Western Union Telegraph Office, New York, 2nd son of John Stephenson, Sheriff of Southern District, Nfld, married Tyler, Amelia, only daughter of Milton T. Tyler of Brooklyn U.S. at res. of Bride's father by Rev. Adams on Dec. 22/67. Feb 8/68 GTCHR NP.

1880 U.S. CENSUS - 22ND WARD, DISTRICT 7, BROOKLYN, KINGS (BROOKLYN), NEW YORK CITY-GREATER, NEW YORK - FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY FILM -1254855, NA FILM NUMBER T9-0855, PAGE NUMBER 240A

NAME RELATION M. STATUS GEND. RACE AGE BIRTHPLACE OCCU. FATHER'S BIRTHPL. MOTHER'S BIRTHPL.


RUPERT G. STEPHENSON SELF M MALE W 38 NEWF TELEGRAPH OP. SCOTLAND SCOTLAND

AMELIA STEPHENSON WIFE M FEMALE W 31 NY KEEPING HOUSE NY NY


SUSIE STEPHENSON DAU S FEMALE W 10 NY AT SCHOOL N. FOUNDLAND NY


KATIE STEPHENSON DAU S FEMALE W 8 NY AT SCHOOL N. FOUNDLAND NY


MILTON STEPHENSON SON S MALE W 6 NY N. FOUNDLAND NY


FREDRICK STEPHENSON SON S MALE W 3 NY N. FOUNDLAND NY


PERCEY STEPHENSON SON S MALE W 1 NY N. FOUNDLAND NY

Rupert married Amelia S. Tyler 22 Dec 1867, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States. Amelia was born Abt 1849, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 1 Nov 1854, Anglican Cathedral Of St. John The Baptist, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890). Stephenson, W. (Major) Coll. Duties, Blanc Sablon, Labrador, son of late J. Stephenson (sheriff of Northern District) died 7th, St. John's. Feb 10/83 GNS

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John?s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

Major (Stephenson) (called after his father) he was in the Customs Dept. in Newfoundland, and every summer visited Labrador in the Revenue Cruiser, he died years ago, unmarried.

There is a bit of confusion here with both sources. The obit listed this son as W. (Major) Stephenson; the interpretation of the transcriber being that the name Major was a military rank. However, Major was actually one of his christian names. His first name was given only as the initial W, indicating that he may have been commonly known by his second name, Major. His father's location as sheriff of the Northern District should read Southern District. There was actually another John Stephenson/Stevenson, sheriff of the Northern District at Harbour Grace, thus the newspaper's confusion.

In Ellen Morris' letter she just referred to him as Major Stephenson. There is a notation (called after his father). I believe this was meant to read after his father's father, i.e. Dr. George Major Stephenson.

VITAL STATISTICS VOLUME 26A: ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, St Johns, Newfoundland - BAPTISMS from 1848 - Part - 2 (1853- 1856) William Major STEPHENSON not given not given Ferryland bap Nov 1 1854 Sheriff of the Southern District

Baptism:
William Major Stephenson was born and raised as a Roman Catholic (his mother's religion). However, since there was still a strong religious bias when it came to procuring government employment, there are a number of instances where individuals had themselves baptized as Anglicans to counteract selection bias.

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John?s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

Belle (Stephenson), Harold's Aunt and his Mother's oldest sister married in New York, a Frenchman, Emile Montamat (Montamant?) She was a grand Woman both in looks and character.

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Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890). Montamet, Frances Emile, of Bordeaux, France married Stephenson, Isabel Mary, eld[est] dau. late John Stephenson, Sheriff of Southern District, Ferryland at Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Brooklyn, New York Nov. 20. Dec. 7/75 GTCHR.

Harbor Grace Standard & Conception Bay Advertiser - 1878 16 Nov 1878 Birth At Brooklyn, New York on the 9th inst, the wife of Francois Emile MENTAMOT, Esq., of a son. The happy mother was eldest daughter of the late John STEPHENSON, Esq., Sheriff of the Southern District, Newfoundland.

Isabelle married Francis Emile Montamet 20 Nov 1875, Ch. of Our Lady of Mercy, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States. Francis was born Aug 1839, Bordeaux, France; died 17 Apr 1902, Kings, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John's Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

(Another sister) Emily Stephenson married Judge Renouf. After his death she went to New York where she died a few years ago, she was the last of the Stephenson family. She had four children, all here in St. John's.

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890).
Renouf, Henry, Major Hon. H.M. Surveyor General and Chairman of Board of Works married Stephenson, Ann 2nd daughter of John Stephenson (Sheriff of Southern District). Married at Ferryland res. of Bride's father by Rev. Conway P.P. Oct 21/71 GCHR.

St. John's Daily News: NECROLOGY 1921.
Nov 14, 1921 - Mrs. Emily Stevenson RENOUF, (Judge), Brooklyn, N.Y.

Emily married Major Hon. Henry M. Renouf 11 Oct 1871, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Henry was born Abt 1821, St. John's, Newfoundland; died 14 Mar 1880, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried 17 Mar 1880. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John?s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong: One other sister was a nun in the Convent in Burin, she died there.

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1825-1890): Stephenson, Lucritia, in religion Sister Mary Madeline, 3rd daugther of the late John Stephenson (Sheriff of Southern District) died on the 16th at Mercy Convent, Burin. Nov23/86 GSM

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John?s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

And now I come to Harold's Mother. How much I wish you could see her! She was very tall, a grand looking Woman. She has been called "Queenly" she was charming, kind and good, I loved her dearly, she died on July 22nd 1913. Her father was a fine looking man and she was like him.

Now I do wish you could have met Harold's Mother. She was before her marriage, Mary Ellen Stephenson, daughter of Sheriff (John) Stephenson, all her family were fine people. Her Mother, a clever, educated lady who spoke and wrote most beautifully, she was before her marriage Kate (Catherine) Meehan. She and my own dear Mother were sisters.

Died:
Death ruled a suicide - jumped from a window to a concrete walk.

Mary married James Peter Furlong 9 May 1877, St. John's, Newfoundland. James was born 1845; died Before 1913. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1920 U.S. Census • New Jersey • Union • Rahway • ED# 142 - 16 Commerce St

Susie — John H. Flake. John was born Abt 1871, New York, New York, United States; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 18 Mar 1878, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 24 Aug 1879, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 24 Nov 1880, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 13 Nov 1882, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 4 Oct 1884, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Note: From a series of letters written by (Mary) Ellen Morris (living in St. John’s Newfoundland) circa 1927 to Mary (Casement) Furlong wife to Harold Albert Furlong:

Harold will have told you about his immediate family. I am sorry to say that one Brother, Frank (Father of Howard Furlong) (my Godson) was killed in France in The Great War, as you know Harold was also overseas.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 2 Jul 1887, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Although his birth certificate shows his name as Herbert, he always went by the name of Harold.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 26 Sep 1891, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland