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In late November or early December 1818, the PETER & SARAH returned to England with Shipmaster John Eastridge and a crew of three. They were reported having reached Bideford, England, on December 23. The PETER & SARAH was then used in the coastal trade around western Britain for the next 50 years.

Richard Moys worked through the winter of 1818—19 with the settlers on the Island gathering timber for a two-hundred-ton ship called the MARS while William Ellis and his men began construction of the ship. The MARS was completed late in 1819, loaded with lumber and delivered to Britain by Richard Moys. Thomas Chanter also went to England for the winter leaving William Ellis in charge at New Bideford. A Power of Attorney, dated August 9, 1819 appointed Ellis as Thomas Burnard’s agent. Also registered was a document transferring the rights at New Bideford from Richard Moys to Thomas Burnard. The next year, 1820, Richard Moys, accompanied by Thomas Chanter, returned to New Bideford on the Mars, bringing sails, gear and crews for three new ships to be built for Thomas Burnard. Thomas Burnard died in 1823 in the prime of life and at the height of his power and wealth.

In 1826 William Ellis purchased Thomas Chanter’s interest in the ship- yards and with his five sons continued the business under the name of the Ellis Shipyards. Some of his sons established their own shipyards, with the family having six flourishing yards at one time. During this period,

Goodwood/Bideford River was one of the leading shipbuilding areas of the Island.

This house is believed to have been built during the ship- building era by a Mr. Currie. Michael Bryan lived in it at one time. Others who lived there were William and Alice Grant, followed by their son Henry and Olive, then Harold and Diane Oatway who have made extensive renovations since this picture was taken in 1972. —FROM PAULINE MILLAR COLLECTION.

CHAPTER Two ~ EARLY SETTLERs 9