Robert Crant of arrived on the shores of Great Jervois, Newfoundland c. 1845, as the first born son of William and Elizabeth (House) Crant a "pauper-apprentice" to Robert Newman and Company, sailing out of Dartmouth in Devon, England.
Robert (born. 1830 - d. 1902) decided make his own way in exploting the fisheries. He married Pricella Buffett (Beaufort) (b. 1832 in Mosquito - d. 1902 in Great Jervois, Newfoundland on July 3rd. 1861. Pricella was the widow of Henry Wilcott, who drowned at Great Jervois in 1860. They had three daughters.
Robert and Pricella had four children. Jane baptized, April 5, 1862, died a spinster in Ramea on Sept. 20th, 1895, Susan baptized 24th, 1867, whereabouts unknown, William "Willie" baptized, July 27, 1870, died Ramea. date unknown. John Henry baptized November 9th, 1875.
John Henry would remain with his father in Great Jervis and marry Susanna House (b.1873- d.?1906), daughter of William and Elizabeth (?) House of Fox Island, Newfoundland. John and Robert worked in the fisheries as a team until the death of his wife Susanna in about 1906/7 of Breast Cancer.
John and Sussanna had three sons all born in Great Jervais, NF. William b. Oct. 14, 1902, John b. 1904 and Albert b. 1906. Susanna would die shortly after the birth of Albert, soon thereafter John Henry would remove his family to Ramea, with exception to the infant Albert.He decided the boys could be raised by relatives. John worked for John Penny and son's for a short time until his death in Ramea on April 11, 1910.
William was raised by John and Elizabeth (Wilcott) (Elizabeth being the daughter of Pricella (Buffett) Crant by her first marriage to Henry Wilcott who drowned in 1860.) Ingraham, John was raised by Henry and Herriet (?) McDonald and Albert, unknown at this time.
William (b. Oct.14, 1902 Great Jervois - d. Feb.21, 1982 in Halifax, Nova Scotia) Billie Joe worked his early years as a navigator for Captain Stephen White, on the "Fostenia" and "Edith F. Caval" foreign going schooners of John Penny and Son's. He then became a cook on the bank schooner "Rameaux". Billie Joe was told to have quite the temper but one that cared for the rest of the crew on the ships, Arthur Northcott tells of the jokes they would play on him because he stuttered. When his temper got the best of him no one could make out a word he was saying. Later he ran the Penny Company Store in Grey River, in 1943 he was given a position as plant supervisor back in Ramea, a position he held until he came to Halifax. He married Genevieve Willcott (b. January 16, 1907 - d. Feb.18, 1982 in Halifax, Nova Scotia) who was also born in Great Jervois the daughter of Henry and Emily (Radford) Willcott. William and Genevieve would have two sons John "Jack" b. Feb. 3, 1928 and Henry "Harry" born Dec. 27,1930. William and Genevieve moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in the summer of 1954. In Halifax "Billie Joe" was employed with HMC Dockyard until his retirement.
William's son John "Jack" worked for John Penny and Sons' for a short time but moved to Nova Scotia to join the Royal Canadian Navy on August 19, 1950 and signed up for three more five year engagements in 1955, 1960, 1965 and a final time in 1970 for an "indefinite" period. While in the Navy "Jack" served on many ships as follows; HMCS Scotian, Naden, Magnificent, St. Laurent, Ottawa, MicMac, Swansea, Annapolis, Margaree and Skeena. Jack received three good conduct badges and on August 19, 1962 he received the Canadian Forces Decoration. Upon entry in the Navy he held the rank of Ordinary Seaman and retired as a Warrant Officer. Jack was honourably released on May 2, 1972 after an almost 22 year career. Jack meet and married Ruby Mildred Wambolt in Halifax. John and Ruby had six children all born in Halifax, John died in Halifax August 3,1981:
Henry "Harry" had a son with Ellen Kendall May 1, 1949, Michael Joseph who was adopted by Henrys parents. Henry would follow his family to Halifax obtain employment at Simpson's a position he held until his retirement. Henry married Millicent Pearl Joudrey of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia and had three sons:
Although this family as with many families of the south coast of Newfoundland cannot lay claim to establishing a major business, they are equally important to the early settlement of Newfoundland. It requires all types of peoples to establish a new settlement, the fisherman, the farmer, the labourer and the merchant. No matter what their background, having the fortitude to seek out a living and providing for their new families in a new world as planters in the new British Colony marks their place in the history of the south coast of Newfoundland.
Copyrite 1997, all rights reserved; Bill Crant
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