JOHN EBSARY AND HANNAH WHITTEN THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN EBSARY 1768-1842 JOHN EBSARY was born 1768. He was probably from the family of Thomas Ebsary and Mary Boevat of Kenn Devon. (GENUKI PAGES) Their children were: 1751-Thomas Ebsary, 1756-James d. 1756, 1758-William Ebsary and 1768-John. The females of the family were not tracked. As the Pitts family came from Kennford Devon, it is believed that perhaps there was some type of relationship between the two families prior to John settling in Newfoundland. Two of the sons married Pitts cousins. Some early investigation leads us to believe that Ebsary ships did business in Newfoundland from England 1600-1799. Fish flakes were erected by shipowners to dry the fish before selling it at home and abroad. To retain possession of the land where the fish flakes stood, crewmen stayed over the winter. A map by Major Lilly, dated 1694, indicates fish flakes on the site where John Ebsary was to settle a little over 100 years later. Older family members spoke of a grant from the Crown of England which entitled Ebsary's land from Eastern Brook to Western Brook and back to the wastelands.. As we do not know where these brooks were, this claim cannot be positioned accurately. Ebsary land located on map by Ray Leamon. Family legend tells us that the Master Mariner first saw Hannah WHITTEN
hanging out clothes as he came into the harbour. He told his shipmates that he was tired of being at sea, and if the girl would consent, he would make her his wife. He married Hannah about 1804. | |
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