Ancestors of Christopher John Augustine Morry

Thomas Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1703 - Uffculme, Devon, England ⁶⁰³ Christening: Death: 22 Apr 1736 - Uffculme, Devon, England ( about age 33) ⁵⁶⁵ Burial: After 22 Apr 1736 - Uffculme, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Death: Cir 1736.

Parents

Father: Hugh Sweetland ⁶⁰³ Mother: Prudence Binford ⁶⁰³

Thomas Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1734 - Uffculme, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁶ Christening: Death: 5 Jul 1796 - Exeter, Devon, England ( about age 62) ⁵⁶⁵ Burial: After 5 Jul 1796 - Exeter, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: Cir 1737, Uffculme, Devon, England. 040818: Said to be 59 at time of death.
• Occupation: Merhant, Bef 5 Jul 1796, Exeter, Devon, England.
• Occupation: Baker, Exeter, Devon, England.

Parents

Father: Hugh Sweetland ¹²⁰² ^,1991 Mother: Margaret Hatswell ⁶⁰³ ^,1202 ^,1991 ^,5267

Spouses and Children

1. *Anne Bright ⁵⁶⁵ Marriage: 18 Feb 1760 - Newton Saint Cyres, Devonshire, England ⁵⁶⁵ Children: 1. Anne Sweetland 2. Anna Maria Sweetland 3. William Sweetland 4. Harriett Sweetland 5. Thomas Sweetland 6. John Sweetland J. P. 7. William Sweetland 8. Ann Sweetland

Notes
General:

From Jill Jelbart 270720:

From: cjelbart <cjelbart@bigpond.net.au <mailto:cjelbart@bigpond.net.au>>
Sent: July 24, 2020 7:58 AM
To: calvertweb@nl.rogers.com <mailto:calvertweb@nl.rogers.com>
Subject: Capt Henry J Sweetland

Hi from Brisbane Australia,

I noticed a comment on Wikitree that Mr Jol Sweetland from Melbourne had provided info to you that Henry J had 4 brothers. I am very interested in contacting him to determine which son of Hugh Sweetland & Margaret Hatswell he is descended from and to exchange info as I have a massive file which extends back to parents Hugh Sweetland b abt 1672 who possibly died 1744 , a Maltster at Uffculme, wife Prudence Binford. They had at least 3 sons Hugh, William & Thomas & 1 dghtr Prudence.

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any current contact information on the internet & would very much much appreciate your help if possible.

I wonder whether reseachers of this family are aware of a very strong connection to the administration of Gibraltar from abt 1770 to mid 1800's.

I am decended from a brother of Henry J namely Thomas Sweetland, b abt 1734, Baker of Exeter, who married Ann Bright they had 11 children only 5 survived childhood being 2 sons;
John b1772 Commissary to His Majestys Forces Gibraltar, retired to East Teignmouth & died 1852 at Newton Abbot.
William b1775 Captain of the Port Gibraltar from abt 1800 to abt 1840, died 1840 at Staplake, Devon.
In Gibraltar in 1802, John married his 1st cousin Harriet Sweetland b1773 daughter of David b1738 Uffculme & Ferryland she had been living in Gibraltar with her brother John Hatswell Sweetland b1775 also a son of David Sweetland & Hannah Hill. He was serving as the Inspector of Revenues 1791& died 1801 at Topsham.
John & Harriet had 1 surviving son William Keats Sweetland b1812 who married into a prominent family & had several children.
A daughter Harriet William Sweetland b1808 d 1808 age 3days. Wife Harriet died in 1813, John remarried Margaret Withall in 1815 decd by 1819 when he married Sarah Hill & had 3 more sons, John Park Sweetland, Charles Flint Bright Sweetland, Edward Maddox Sweetland & a daughter Sarah Matilda Sweetland b1825 who married Rear Admiral Sydney Grenfell.
In 1808 this John Sweetland was given a Grant of Arms, copy attached, which extended to his brother William & sisters Anna Maria, b1774 m Henry Dowton; Harriet b1768 married Richard Dewdney, Exeter & Ann b 1776 m John Fretwell Gainsborough. Both Harriet & Ann are my 3 times grt grandmothers as Harriet & Richard Dewdney's daughter, Ellen Gertrude, married Ann & John Fretwell's son Robert (1st cousins again) they emigrated to Australia & died at Chewton & Castlemaine Vic. Their son Roger Robert Dewdney Fretwell married Elfrida Bone & had a butchers shop at Daylesford Vic. They had 10 boys & 3 girls, my grandmother, Ellen Gertrude Fretwell was the eldest daughter.
Hugh & Margaret actually had 11 sons & 2 dghtrs.

1. Hugh 1726 -1798 Uffculme
Son George bap 1753 Willand. Receiver General & Collector of Revenues, Gibraltar 1790 - until death abt 1799.

2. Prudence abt 1727 marr 1743 Nicholas Farr.
3. Margaret 1728-1731 Uffculme
4. Samuel 1729-bef 1747 birth of Samuel 2
5. James 1731-bef 1784 not named in fathers will 1784.

6. Henry J 1733-1791 bap Uffculme died Ferryland. Ref WIKITREE

7. Thomas abt 1734 bap died 1796 Exeter
Marr 1760 Ann Bright Newton St Cyres. (My direct line)

8. John bapt abt 1735, Deputy Receiver General & Collector of Revenues, Gibraltar abt 1760 to bef 1784 when he died in Exeter& was buried at Uffculme.

9. David bapt abt 1738 Uffculme, Mariner & Sweetland & Hill, Anchor Smiths & Coal Merchant. Involved in Newfoundland shipping trade with brother Henry.
Marr Hannah Hill, 9 children incl. 3 Gibraltar residents:
Harriet bap Topsham 1773 marr 1st cous John Sweetland Gibraltar, Died 1813 Memorial in Exeter Cathedral, photo attached.
David bap 1774 Topsham, Officer in Commissary Dept Gibraltar 1808.
John Hatswell 1775 Topsham. Inspector of Revenue, Gibraltar 1791. Buried Topsham1801.

10. William Uffculme 1740- abt 1774

11. Charles Uffculme 1741- 1785 m Elizabeth Boyce. 7 children.

12. Benjamin 1742- Clerk of Revenues Gibraltar from 1765. Died Alphington near Exeter 1796

13. Samuel 1747 marr Elizabeth. Died after 1789

In summary-
A total of at least 8 decendants of Hugh & Margaret Sweetland were in Gibraltar from abt 1760 through to abt 1840 & held positions relating to revenues in the Commissary Dept.

SONS:
JOHN Bap 1735- Bur 1784
BENJAMIN: 1742 - 1796

GRANDSONS:
Son of Hugh:
GEORGE Bap 1753 Bur 1799/1800.

Sons of Thomas:
JOHN 1772 - 1852
WILLIAM 1775 -1840

Children of David & Hannah Hill:
DAVID 1774 -
JOHN HATSWELL 1775 - 1801
HARRIET Daughter of David & wife of John son of Thomas

I have accumulated a massive amount of information on this family acquired from wills & the internet. This is only the tip of the iceberg & would be happy to share with anyone interested.
I have copies of wills of most of the above incl wives. A lot of money & property was left to numerous children & nephews & nieces who were named thus enabling me to verify & add info.
The Gibraltar information resulted from a simple google search of John Sweetland & The Gentlemans magazine re Grant of Arms proved my connection through my 3 times grt grandmothers.

Hoping to make contact with other decendants especially any other Australians. Would appreciate any advice.
Keep Covid safe.
Jill (Nuttall) Jelbart
(My gmother Fretwell marr James Nuttall)

Tryphena Elizabeth Spencer Sweetland

Sex: F
AKA: Tryphena Sweetland ²⁹⁹⁴, Tryphena Eliza Spencer Sweetland ⁵⁶⁵ ^,8265, Tryphena Elizabeth Sweetland ⁸²⁶⁶, Tryphena Elizabeth Frances Sweetland ⁸²²⁴
Individual Information

Birth Date: 13 Dec 1832 - Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁸² ^,565 Christening: 15 Dec 1832 - Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵ ^,481 ^,2994 Death: 13 May 1907 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 74) ²⁴⁶² ^,8267 Burial: After 13 May 1907 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴⁵⁹ Cause of Death: Old Age ²⁴⁶²
Events
• Alt. Birth: Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Note that there were no dates given for either the birth or the christening in this vital statistics record.
• Baptism: 13 Dec 1832, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Minister/Priest: Privately baptized by Mr. Thomas M. Wood, Missionary, 15 Dec 1832, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Christening: Cir 1840, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Note that no dates of birth or christening were given.
• Minister/Priest: William Bullock, St. Paul's, Cir 1840, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Christening: Event Description: Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Cir 1848, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Living: 24 Jun 1892.
• Will: co-Executor to Maria Selina Sweetland's Will, 12 Feb 1894, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States of America. Executors included:
Tryphena Selina Sweetland Hall, sister of deceased
Louisa Anne Sweetland, sister-in-law of deceased
Rudolph Ranscher, relationship unknown.
• Residence: Barnes Rd., Bef 1907, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Death: Event Description: From Gravestone, Cir 1907, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Benjamin Sweetland JP ³⁰⁵ Mother: Tryphena Gaden ²⁷⁸ ^,493

Spouses and Children

1. *Alexander Warren Bremner Jr. ⁵ Marriage: 2 Jun 1860 - Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁴⁹³ ^,2466
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: Rev. Benj. Smith, 2 Jun 1860, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: Benjamin Sweetland and Fred J. Wyatt, 2 Jun 1860, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Marriage: 2 Jun 1866, Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

050318:

Transcript of church register on NGB:

This is to certify that ALEXANDER WARREN BREMNER, Bachelor, and TRYPHENA ELIZA SPENCER SWEETLAND, Spinster, both of Trinity, were married at Saint Paul's Church, Trinity, on this second day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty, By me, Benjn Smith, Minister.

This marriage was solemnized between us, A. W. Bremner and Tryphena E. S. Sweetland, in the presence of us, Mary Sweetland, Fred? McGrath, Emma Jones, J? ?man, Ronald Bremner, J.? Steele?, His??? S. Sweetland, Fanny Kelson?, Annie ?
Children: 1. Alexander Hugh Bremner 2. Robert Sweetland Bremner 3. Helen Maria Isobel Bremner 4. Marion McKenzie Bremner 5. Ethel Grace Bremner

Notes
General:

Enid O'Brien email dated 4 March 2002: Date of birth not given in vital statistics. Date of baptism December 15, 1832 (Ref. vital statistics volume 31) (this child must have died because they christened another child Tryphena.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Second name could be Eliza. (Kevin Reddigan)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

050318:

For reasons unknown, it now appears to me that Benjamin and Tryphena Sweetland chose to have three of their children, Benjamin, Marie and Tryphena, who were born and already Christened in Caplin Bay, re-Christened in Trinity years later. Otherwise I am at a loss to explain why children of those names appear in the Trinity baptisms without a corresponding birth record. On the basis of this and other evidence provided to me today by Kevin Reddigan I am merging the two records I had for a Marie and a Maria and the two Tryphena's. There was only one Benjamin in my list of children and that is as it should be, but there are two christenings shown for him, one in Ferryland and one in Trinity.

Living

Sex: M

Parents

Father: Wilfred Wootten Sweetland ⁶⁰³ Mother: Marjory Joyce Donald ⁶⁰³

Spouses and Children

1. *Gillian Narelle Colmer ⁶⁰³ Marriage: Children: 1. Living 2. Living

Living

Sex: M

Parents

Father: Living Mother: Gillian Narelle Colmer ⁶⁰³

Wilfred Wootten Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1913 - New South Wales, Australia ⁶⁰³ ^,4283 ^,8226 Christening: Death: 4 Apr 2002 - Hobart, Tasmania, Australia ( about age 89) ⁴²⁸³ Burial: After 4 Apr 2002 - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ⁴²⁸³ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Death: Cir 2002, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Parents

Father: Capt. Benjamin David Sweetland A. L. H. , A. I. F. ⁶⁰³ Mother: Annie Margaret Wootten ⁶⁰³

Spouses and Children

1. *Marjory Joyce Donald ⁶⁰³ Marriage: Cir 1938 - Australia ⁶⁰³ Children: 1. Living 2. Living 3. Living 4. Living 5. Living 2. Living

William Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 12 Oct 1764 - Exeter, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Christening: Death: 25 Mar 1765 - Exeter, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Burial: Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Thomas Sweetland ⁶⁰³ Mother: Anne Bright ⁵⁶⁵

Capt. William Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1740 - Uffculme, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Christening: Death: Jul 1774 - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India ( about age 34) ⁵⁶⁵ Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Occupation: Captain of a merchant ship in the service of the Honourable East India Company, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Parents

Father: Hugh Sweetland ¹²⁰² ^,1991 Mother: Margaret Hatswell ⁶⁰³ ^,1202 ^,1991 ^,5267 Marriage Did Not Marry

Notes
General:

050715:

I had originally assumed that it was this William Sweetland who Jolyon Sweetland showed in his family tree as being the husband of Catherine Hart in Trinity and the father of all of their children. Enid corrected me and stated that Nimshi Crewe was descended from that family, had researched it thoroughly, and found no connection to the Ferryland Sweetland line. So for now I have severed him from that marital relationship but have no other information to include here other than he is evidently known to be a son of Hugh Sweetland and Margaret Hatswell but date of birth even is not known.

William Sweetland

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Mar 1775 - Exeter, Devon, England ⁵⁶⁵ Christening: Death: 1840 - Starcross, Devonshire, England ( at age 65) ⁵⁴⁰² Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Occupation: Captain of the PORT GIBRALTAR, Cir 1800-1840, Gibraltar, Gibraltar.
• Occupation: Pratique master, Bef 1807, Gibraltar, Gibraltar.
• Living: unmarried, 1807, Gibraltar, Gibraltar.
• Alt. Death: After 1807.

Parents

Father: Thomas Sweetland ⁶⁰³ Mother: Anne Bright ⁵⁶⁵ Marriage Did Not Marry ⁵⁶⁵

William Sweetland JP

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 29 Jun 1788 - Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁴⁰⁴ Christening: 23 Sep 1788 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁷⁸ ^,3190 Death: 20 Feb 1864 - Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 75) ⁵ ^,2908 ^,8268 ^,8269 Burial: After 20 Feb 1864 - Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁸²⁷⁰ Cause of Death: Apoplexy
Events
• Alt. Birth: Caplin Bay (now Calvert), Sep 1778, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Birth: 1779, Dartmouth, Devon, England.
• Alt. Birth: Bef 23 Sep 1788, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Birth: Sep 1789, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Baptism: 23 Sep 1789, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Merchant, Between 1813 and 1818, Dartmouth, Devon, England.
• Court: Indenture between James Hayly and William Sweetland, 11 Aug 1814, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Property: Purchased house and land in Caplin Bay near Old Woman's Pond from James Hayley [sic], 11 Aug 1814, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Property: Occupied by lease from the Holdsworth family a parcel of land near the Old Woman's Pond, Cir 1815-1834, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Party)
• Residence: Caplin Bay (now Calvert), 1817, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Property: Bill of sale of property in Caplin Bay By Patrick Clancy to Wm. & Benj. Sweetland and Co.,, 27 Nov 1817, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. This sale of property and fishing equipment is between Patrick Clancy and William and Benjamin Sweetland who were brothers and business partners in the firm of William and Benjamin Sweetland and Company.To understand why this document is even found amongst the Morry papers, even though there is no mention of anyone from that family in the text, it must be understood that William Sweetland was not only a sometime business partner of Matthew Morry Jr. but also the husband of his sister, Priscilla Ann. Moreover, Ann [Carter] Hill-Sweetland-Morry was his mother and the second wife of Matthew Morry Senior. So there were many connections. Even so, it is somewhat surprising that this Bill of Sale did not remain with William when he moved to Bonavista to take up his position as Stipendiary Magistrate.Many times, such Bills of Sale are not what they seem on the surface. They are more the offering of property for security on a loan needed to carry on work in the fishery. But in this instance it does appear to be a true sale of premises, lands and equipment, but with the proviso that, for a token amount of money (2 Shillings and 6 pence per annum) Clancy could continue to occupy his residence on these lands. I suspect that Clancy had been selling his fish to William and Benjamin Sweetland and Company but that he was too old or weak now to continue in this arrangement with them and they were effectively paying him £92 toward his retirement for his property but allowing him to stay on in his existing house.

Kevin Reddigan suggests in his book Courageous Souls on page 217 that this property may have included a part of the shoreline of Caplin Bay and hence was likely originally a part of the Nash Plantation taken over by the Holdsworths when Thomas Nash left the area.
• Owner: Schooner IRIS, 1820, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland. William Sweetland

in the Canada, Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, 1789-1935
Canada, Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, 1789-1935

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Name William Sweetland
Record Type Owner
Residence Place Caplin Bay, Southern Shore, Newfoundland, Canada
Occupation Merchant
Vessel Name Iris
Vessel Type Schooner
Vessel Registration Number S820080
Vessel Registration Place Newfoundland (all ports)
Year Vessel Constructed 1820
Crew Number 2
Was Owner the Builder? Yes
Shares 64.
• Occupation: Merchant, Lower St., 1823, Dartmouth, Devon, England.
• Will: Will of Rose Steer, formerly of Dartmouth, 20 Jun 1825, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Witness)
• Occupation: Agent for William Vallance, Water St. Merchant, 1826, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Member of officials at 4th sitting of Southern Circuit Court, 4 Nov 1828, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Witness)
• Residence: Indenture shows he was living here at the time, 8 Sep 1832, Barren Island, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is believed that this was as a result of his having been retained to act upon the estate of Christopher Spurrier of Placentia Bay, as noted in the brief bio of William Sweetland attached to the accession information on the PANL website for MG234, the William Sweetland Fonds, seen for the first time today (Jan. 7, 2026).
• Property: Bankruptcy Sale of business articles, The Public Ledger, Between 22 Apr 1834 and 1 May 1834, Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Party)
• Appointment: Sworn in as Clerk of the Peace, 24 Nov 1834, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Member of officials at 1835 sitting of Southern Circuit Court, Between 29 Oct 1835 and 4 Nov 1835, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Justice of Peace)
• Property: Purchase of Thompson's Room from William Pendergast, 14 May 1836, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. SDC Vol 1 Fol 443 William Pendergast to William Sweetland 14-05-1836.
• Probate: Application for probate of his estate by sons William and Benjamin, 3 Aug 1836, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Witness)
• Residence: From Deed to Margaret Pendergast in Southern District Court Vol. 3, Fol 10-13, 21 Oct 1836, Little Placentia, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Stipendiary Magistrate Bonavista Bay, 15 Dec 1836, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Interesting: William Sweetland's Theory on the Origins of the Beothuk, 1837, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As Recorded in James P. Howley's book "The Beothuks or Red Indians."
• Court: Coulman, William v William & Benjamin Sweetland at 1837 sitting of Southern Circuit Court, Between 3 Nov 1837 and 10 Nov 1837, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Party)
• Occupation: Magistrate earning £25 per quarter, 1839, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Note that his brother, Benjamin, earned £5 more per quarter in Trinity.
• Residence: Alexander House also known as Bridge House, After 13 Jun 1839, Bonavista, Newfoundland. Although there seems to be no written evidence to support the belief that William Sweetland went to live in the house of his second wife's late husband, William Alexander, it only stands to reason that they would live there as she still had children by her first husband that would have been living at home when she remarried.
• Probate: Application for Letters of Probate - William Sweetland for Ann Morey [sic], 1840, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Posted on Newfoundlanders and Genealogy Facebook by Milt Anstey, 19 June 2023.
• Court: Appointment of Justices of the Peace in the Northern District, 1843, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Documentation: Letter from William Sweetland to Justices of Supreme Court, 12 Oct 1852, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Interceding to the benefit of William Keel, now in the insane asylum in St. John's to ensure that the rent owed on his fishing room by the current tenant is collected and invested for his future use. Found by Edward Chafe and posted on Newfoundlanders and Genealogy, 20 Jan 2020.
• Documentation: Letter from Wm. Sweetland, JP to Colonial Secretary, 18 Nov 1852, Bonavista, Newfoundland. This concerns a case in which one woman beat another pregnant woman who subsequently lost her child. Sweetland was seeking guidance on whethr to charge the woman with aggravated assault or murder. The infant was born alive but died soon afterward and bore signs of having been injured in the beating. Nevertheless Sweetland doubted a case of murder would be successful due to lack of a qualified autopsy and inquest.
• Appointment: Outport Road Commissioners, 1858, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Appointee)
• Alt. Death: From his gravestone, 21 Feb 1864, Bonavista, Newfoundland.

Parents

Father: Capt. Henry J. Sweetland JP ⁴⁹³ ^,1202 ^,2965 ^,2966 ^,2967 Mother: Anne Carter ¹⁰ ^,168 ^,2957

Spouses and Children

1. *Priscilla Ann Morry ⁵ ^,168 ^,4989 Marriage: 15 Feb 1810 - Dartmouth, Devon, England ⁵ ^,109 ^,493 ^,743 ^,1798 ^,1799 ^,4441 ^,4986 ^,7058
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: John Charter, Officiating Minister, 15 Feb 1810, Dartmouth, Devon, England.
• Witnesses: Matthew Morry & Mary Graham, 15 Feb 1810, Dartmouth, Devon, England. The Mary Graham to which this refers is not the spouse of Matthew Morry but rather a cousin of Priscilla's. Marriage Notes

15/2/1810: William SWEETLAND of Ferryland, Newfoundland & Priscilla MORRY,
Both sign. Wits: Matthew Morry & Mary Graham. by Licence.
Of note: He is given as being from Ferryland at this time; also, both are literate

280216:
It is interesting to speculate who this Mary Graham may have been who acted as as witness. Not Mary Graham Morry, as she is deceased. Presumably one of her nieces by the same name. There were two possibilities that we are aware of.

250417:
First name(s) Priscilla
Last name Morry
Marriage year 1810
Marriage date 15 Feb 1810
Spouse's first name(s) William
Spouse's last name Sweetland
Denomination Anglican
Parish St Saviour
City or town Dartmouth
Place Dartmouth, St Saviour
County Devon
Archive South West Heritage Trust
Record set Devon Marriages
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Marriages & divorces
Collections from United Kingdom
Devon Family History Society
Transcriptions © Devon Family History Society

and

190418:

Devon Marriages Transcription

First name(s)William
Last nameSwetland
Age-
Birth year-
Marriage year1810
Marriage date15 Feb 1810
PlaceDartmouth, St Saviour
ResidenceFerryland, New Foundland
Spouse's first name(s)Priscilla
Spouse's last nameMorry
Spouse age-
Spouse's residenceDartmouth St Saviours
CountyDevon
DenominationAnglican
CountryEngland
ArchiveSouth West Heritage Trust
Archive reference2992A/PR/1/10
Record setDevon Marriages
CategoryBirth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
SubcategoryParish Marriages
Collections fromEngland, United Kingdom
© Findmypast
Children: 1. William Henry Morry Sweetland 2. Matthew Morry Sweetland 3. Benjamin Sweetland 4. Ann Sweetland 5. Priscilla Sweetland 6. Mary Morry Sweetland 2. Elizabeth Newell ⁵ Marriage: 13 Jun 1839 - Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ³⁷⁰⁵
Marriage Events
• Alt. Marriage: Cir 1838, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Marriage: Cir 1839, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: Samson Mifflen and Elizabeth Alexander, 13 Jun 1839, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

301121 from FamilySearch:

William Sweetland
Vital • Canada, Newfoundland Vital Statistics, 1753-1893
"Canada, Newfoundland Vital Statistics, 1753-1893," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9T-TTG5 : 23 February 2021), William Sweetland and Elizabeth Alexander, 13 Jun 1839; citing Marriage, Bonavista, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada, Provincial Archives, St. John's.

NameWilliam Sweetland
SexMale
Spouse's NameElizabeth Alexander
Spouse's SexFemale
Marriage Date13 Jun 1839
Marriage PlaceBonavista, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada
Marriage Place (Original)Bonavista
William Sweetland's Spouses and Children
Elizabeth Alexander
Wife
F

NameWilliam Sweetland
SexMale
Spouse's NameElizabeth Alexander
Spouse's SexFemale
Marriage Date13 Jun 1839
Marriage PlaceBonavista, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada
Marriage Place (Original)Bonavista

Notes
General:

Enid O'Brien's emails early March 2002: William's second marrage was to Elizabeth Alexander (nee Newell).

He married Elizabeth Alexander the widow of a wealthy Scotsman, William Alexander.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

200202:

See Matthew Morry Jr's page for details on co-ownership of vessel the ECLIPSE:

It would appear that the latter vessel, the ECLIPSE, was re-registered after one of the original three owners, William Sweetland left the area (he went to Bonavisa and became a Stipendiary Magistrate). The fact that "Jr." is left off the name on this registration is likely not significant. This is not likely a registration pertaining to his father Matthew as all the other conditions remain the same as in the first registration.

The other two owners of the ECLIPSE and the IRIS were registered as: Benjamin Sweetland (Owner No. 1), Merchant, Caplin Bay; William Sweetland (Owner No. 2), Merchant, Caplin Bay

William Sweetland was married to Matthew's sister, Priscilla Ann, and Benjamin was William's brother. I do not have a recorded date for when he left Caplin Bay, but it seems highly likely from this evidence that it was between 1825 and 1827, when this closure was recorded.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Aunt Jean's records showed place of birth as Dartmouth, Devon, England but the fact that all three of the children's baptisms were recorded at the Anglican Cathedral in St. John's in different years tells me the family was resident in Newfoundland by the time the children were born.

In Gerald L. Pocius' book "A Place to Belong" about life in Caplin Bay (now Calvert) on page 104 he notes that: "William Sweetland recorded in the local court his purchase of land and buildings from Patrick Clancy in 1817".

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Email from Enid O'Brien 200202: By the way, did you know that William Sweetland (1st marriage to Priscilla Morry) wrote an early history of Newfoundland? It was written in three volumes. There is one available at PANL. I believe Jerry Ottenheimer has one and Nimshi Crewe had the other one. I looked at it some years but it is not easy reading. If you could take it home and read a little at a time I am sure it would be very interesting but it was just too tedious and time consuming to read it at the Archives. It would be interesting to know if there was family history in it.

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and March 4, 2002: St. John Baptist (Anglican) Cathedral, St. John's. Baptised September 23, 1789 William, son of Henry and Ann Sweetland. (I am a bit confused - you said your Aunt Jean had them born in England. Did she get this as another baptism in England or did she get a birth certificate?)

According to the Colonial Records William Sweetland was appointed Magistrate on 15 December 1836 - I don't know if this indicates he went to Bonavista at that time or if he was already there. He married Elizabeth Alexander the widow of a wealthy Scotsman, William Alexander. I don't know if Elizabeth and William had any children.

I note in the Ledger (Gert Crosbie's book) Sweetland, WHM, son of Wm Sweetland JP of Bonavista died at Silhet province of Bengal, India, September 25, 1857, L, P. I don't have a W (presumably Wm) listed as one of the children of Priscilla Morry and Wm - although that is not to say he is not. Bishop Spencer made notes which are preserved in Minutes of Progation of the Gospel when he sailed around the NF coast and he stated that "he stayed at the home of William Sweetland who had gotten word that his only son had died" - this may not be an exact quote. Gazette. 1864 William Sweetland, Esq, age 75 years, Stipendiary Magistrate of Bonavista died there, Feb20th (15 March).

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Enid O'Brien email dated 07/03/02: At PANL there is a letter from a Mr. Frank Wood "Thalassa" Strete, North Dartmouth, Devon (dated 16/9/1960) who looked up some church records at St. Saviour's Church. Date 15 Feb. 1810. Marriage between William Sweetland (Newfoundland bachelor) and Priscilla Morry (spinster). This entry was sent back Signed by Frank J. Wood, (organist) whose wife's maiden name was Sweetland and her late uncle was William Sweetland.

281007: From Dartmouth Family Archive website: 15/2/1810: William SWEETLAND of Ferryland, Newfoundland & Priscilla MORRY, Both sign. Wits: Matthew Morry & Mary Graham. by Licence

Note that both were literate. The Mary Graham in question was a cousin, not her mother, who was deceased long since and would have been known by her married name Mary Morry on church records in any event.

The Mary Graham to which this refers is not the spouse of Matthew Morry but rather a cousin of Priscilla's

211009: From The deanery of Totnes CD WILLIAM 15 02 1810 N MORRY PRISCILLA

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It has been noted by others and repeated in the family notes of Jol Sweetland (May 2003) that William essentially abandoned his wife and family and the children were raised by other Sweetlands and the Morrys. Jol also notes that William and his second wife were childless. Evidently the man was not exactly a family man.

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060906: There are multiple and conflicting dates given for his birth. I am inclined to think that the one closest is sometime in Sept. 1789 since he was definitely baptised on 23 Sept. 1789.

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190906: I was going through my PANL file today searching for something else when I came upon the Retrieval Request form dated 12/07/05 on which I had taken out the book mentioned by Enid above to peruse. I also examined another hand-written account by William of the activities in his court in Bonavista. On the back of the Retrieval Request form I recorded these notes to myself which I then failed to enter into the computer. I will do so now:

"MG234: This is a hard-bound book (8.5 x 11) written in hand by Wm Sweetland Esq. and represents Vol. II of a work on the history of Nfld. There are 288 pages - numbered and a few inserted sheets. It is not a personal recollection but rather a compilation (transcribed) of authentic historical material from the early 1600's to Sweetland's time in the late 1700's. The writing is generally legible but the ink has faded somewhat. In 1762 it records the exact account of the battle of Signal Hill as reported by Wm Amherst. Because it is an historical account, it contains few references to Ferryland per se and none to the major merchant families of the areas.

MG475: This is a hand-written account by Wm Sweetland of events in his court, dated 10th Sept. 1838. At that time he was in Bonavista. Both this book and MG234 were annotated in places by Nimshi Crewe in 1958. This book resembles in many ways the notes of Carter on the daily events of Ferryland. It contains observations on weather, ships, fishing and of course the court events. It starts in Monday Sept. 10, 1838 and finishes on Monday Sept. 2, 1839. There must be numerous similar volumes lost or held privately for other years."

So it seems that the answer to the question about whether William's historical accounts shed any light on the relationship between his family and the Morrys is "no".

101109 from NGB: William SWEETLAND Henry & Ann bap Sep 23 1788

260710: MG234 is the file that contains Volume 2 of William Sweetland's methodical transcription of historical documents on Newfoundland. This is not his own work but merely a repetition of the works by others who came before him. I pulled the file again this time to see if It might also contain a reference to the portrait of Priscilla Morry Sweetland that Vic LeMessurier Badcock said had been donated to the archives (or the museum) by her mother Helena Morry. There was nothing in the file referring to any personal matters at all, certainly not a reference to where this portrait is to be found. I note that Nimshi Crewe has written his name inside the front cover so it appears that he may have "owned" this copy and one other at one time, the third apparently being in the hands of Jerry Ottenheimer according to Enid O'Brien. I wonder why no one has taken the time to assemble and transcribe all three volumes. I also wonder if the second volume apparently retained by Nimshi when he donated this one to the archives still exists. Ida White Michael told me that when Nimshi died staff from the archives went to his house to retrieve whatever materials of historical value they could find there. Apparently he was quite a pack rat and kept a lot of things that should have been at the archives in his home. When they asked his widow where all his papers were, she apparently told them "oh that old stuff; I threw that all out in the trash."!!!

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This from the Newfoundland Ancestor found online today -- 0100212:

The Newfoundland Ancestor 8,4; Pg. 158-159; Winter 1992 WILLIAM SWEETLAND: BONAVISTA AND FERRYLAND Ronald J. Fitzpatrick R.R. # 2. Box 7. Site 11. Paradise. NF A 1l 1 C2 Two very valuable but seldom used collections in the manuscript division of the Provincial Archives were both created by William Sweetland, who for many years held prominent positions in both the Ferryland area and Bonavista. William was the son of Henry Sweetland, a merchant and Justice of the Peace of Caplin Bay (now Calvert), near Ferryland. His mother was Ann Carter, the daughter of Robert Carter Sr. of Ferryland (1722- 1800). His first wife, Priscilla Morry, died The Newfoundland in 1820 at the age of 37; his second marriage, c. 1839, was to the widow Alexander, with whom he had no children. By 1838 William was residing at Bonavista, likely in a mercantile position. The same year he was made Magistrate and Land Survey of Bonavista, a position he was to hold until his death in 1864. Sweetland, for a period of two years, kept all "Occurences Book" at Bonavista from c. 1838-1840. A journal of sorts, he remarks on weather conditions, local happenings, and important events. The slim volume was purchased by the Archives in 1959. A possible work of great value remains untouched in the way of Sweetland's other manuscript collection. The volume is entitled, Newfoundland From its discovery Carefully Collected from the most Authentic Documents and Records by Wm. Sweetland Esqr. of Ferryland in that Island Volume 2nd. According to correspondence found in the N.C. Crewe Collection, the three volumes to this unpublished history of Newfoundland were sold in 1952 by the son of W .G. Gosling, a Newfoundland Historian. N.C. Crewe purchased the second volume, which he donated to the Archives in 1964, but was outbid on the first and third volumes. The second volume covers from the time of Sir Richard Whitbourne (1620s) to circa 1800. Although research has been done to attempt finding the remaining two volumes, all leads have fallen through and they are probably in a private collection. Any further information on William Sweetland or his works would be most welcomed.

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260613:

I can now add to the above concerning the William Sweetland Annals of Newfoundland. This year The Rooms acquired two more volumes, but they do not complete the set. Bert Riggs at CNS has a Volume 1 that forms a companion of the Volume 2 that previously was at the Rooms and the two new books they acquired are essentially a duplicate, also in the judges handwriting, of the other two volumes. Therefore it appears that both sets are missing a Volume 3 still. I brought this to the attention of staff at The Rooms and to Bert in hopes that they will cooperate in digitising the whole works and finding the missing parts. From a careful examination of the two sets, it appears certain that the Volume 1 in Bert's hands and the Volume 2 at The Rooms are actually the first draft of the text that appears in the two new books that they have acquired.

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080115 Here is the accession information on the William Sweetland Diary held by the Maritime History Archive:

Record No:mha00000102
Title:William Sweetland Diary
Dates:1850-1853
Location:MF-0215 MHA
Provenance:Diary passed from William Sweetland by someone associated with him to a member of the Ryan family, possibly James Ryan. Acquired by the Maritime History Archive with the James Ryan fonds.
Source of Supplied Title:Title based on author's name
Adm. Hist/Bio. Sketch:The Sweetland family name has been traced by Spiegelhalter in Devon, and is believed to have originated from the English place named Sweetlands Farm (Devon). By the 1770s the family had a presence in Newfoundland, documented through court cases and parish records, with Henry Sweetland (1734-1791) in Ferryland by 1773. He appears to have been a businessman, operating under the name Sweetland & Co., and may have later been involved with David ( - 1796), likely his brother, at Ferryland and Caplin Bay (now Calvert). They owned a number of vessels, and were involved in the West Country / Newfoundland trade. There is also evidence of a company known as Sweetland and Hill, listed as anchor smiths and coal merchants at Topsham, Devon in the 1770s, and of their ownership of a number of vessels involved in the Newfoundland trade. Both David and Henry were also involved in this business. David Sweetland married Hannah Hill at Topsham in 1768. Their children, David (1774-1829), John Hatswell ( 1775-?), Ben (1777-?), Henry (1778-1791), and Samuel Hill ( 1783-1785), were all born there, suggesting that the family may have resided in England, with David making seasonal visits to Newfoundland. His wife Hannah died in 1785 and was buried at Topsham, where David Sweetland was also buried in 1796. Henry Sweetland (1734- 1791) married Anne Carter, daughter of Robert Carter and Ann Wyley, and widow of Samuel Hill, of Topsham, Dorset, England. Henry and Anne had at least three children, Henry, (1787-1849), William, (1788 - 1864) and Benjamin, (1789 -1884). Henry Sweetland Sr. died in 1791 and by 1800 his widow Anne had married Matthew Morry (1750-1836) of Ferryland. William Sweetland, the author of the Sweetland Manuscripts, was born 29 June 1788 at Ferryland, the fourth son of Henry (1734-1791) and Ann, daughter of Robert Carter, merchant of Newfoundland. William married Priscillia Ann Morry of Ferryland on the 15 February1810 and later that year on 19 November their first son, William Henry Morry (1810- ?) was born. In 1813 their second son, Matthew Morry(1813-?), was born. Two years later a third son, Ben (1815 - ?), was born, followed in the same year by a daughter, Ann (1815-). All of their children were born in Dartmouth, England. Five years later their mother, Priscilla, died in England. The following year Sweetland & Co. purchased a property at Caplin Bay (now Calvert) consisting of a stone house, a store, 60' x 40', a wharf 30' x 100, a cooperage, 4 more stores, cook room, stable, forge, stone barking house, main wharf, 2 stages, oil house, flakes, beaches, property on the south side of Caplin Bay, Cape Broyle and at Brigus South as well. This is probably the site of the large Georgian house the Sweetlands built at the east end of the Old Woman's Pond. Part of that house still survives today and is occupied by the Power family. William continued to spend time in Newfoundland, probably living in St. John and in 1826 was acting as agent for William Vallance, a Water St. Merchant. A year later Sweetland & Co. sold the plantation at Caplin Bay and moved away from there. By 1830 both William and his brother Benjamin had both become magistrates and William was acting as the agent for the assignees of Christopher Spurrier business in Placentia Bay after it went insolvent. By 1834 William was appointed as magistrate and clerk of the peace at Ferryland and December 15, 1836 he was appointed as magistrate at Bonavista. Three years later he married Elizabeth (Newell) Alexander, widow of William Alexander, a prominent merchant at Bonavista. Sometime during his years in Ferryland, William Sweetland began writing a two or possibly three volume history of Newfoundland, and it appears that the work was completed after he moved to Bonavista. The volumes were never published. He also wrote for the Royal Gazette under the pen name W. Avalonis in the 1860s. Through the course of his career at Bonavista William Sweetland was Deputy Surveyor for the Northern District, a Justice of the Peace and Stipendiary Magistrate, a Commissioner for the Board of Roads, a Customs Preventive Officer, Registrar of Deeds and a member of the Board of Education. Sweetland lived at Bonavista until his death on 20 February in 1864 at the age of seventy-five. Sometime between August 1834 and April 1837, William brother, Benjamin Sweetland, and his family moved to Trinity, Trinity Bay. Baptisms for six of his children are recorded in the St. Paul's Anglican records there, the last one in September of 1850. By 1864 he is listed as a stipendiary magistrate there and judge of the Labrador coast and Lovell's Directory [1871] records him as a lawyer at Trinity. Benjamin Sweetland lived to be 95 years old. He died in Brooklyn, New York about May of 1884. His wife, Tryphena (Gaden), pre-deceased him at Brooklyn in August 1879.
Scope and Content:Daily diary kept by Magistrate William Sweetland at Bonavista, 1850-1853. The volume contains entries with his views on a myriad of topics, including world politics, religious doctrines, and Newfoundland politics and justice. A large proportion of the entries relate to local matters. He offers comment on the seal and cod fisheries, his business and professional responsibilities, including his work as Magistrate and as a surveyor of properties, social matters and family affairs.
Custodial History:James Ryan Ltd. Extracted from James Ryan Fonds
Subject:William Sweetland
Subject:Elizabeth (Alexander) Sweetland
Subject:Bonavista (N.L.)
Subject:Bird Island Cove (N.L.)
Subject:Catalina (N.L.)
Subject:King's Cove (N.L.)
Subject:Trinity (N.L.)
Online Material:

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160615:
I transcribed today a Deed or Bill of Sale (SDC Vol 1 Fol 443 William Pendergast to William Sweetland 14-05-1836) between William Pendergast and William Sweetland dated May 14, 1836 which shows that Sweetland was still in the Caplin Bay area at the time and still acquiring property as if he indeed intended to remain there. This is strange since he had already by then received his appointment as Stipendiary Magistrate for the Northern District based in Bonavista. A copy of the transcript is in his Media Gallery.

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291215:
While doing my annual housekeeping of material collected in the various archives in Newfoundland the previous summer I came upon a letter from Nimshi Crewe in January 1959 advising him to keep an eye out for the March 1959 edition of the Newfoundland Quarterly in which Nimshi had an article on William Sweetland which included a poem he either composed or heard and took down. It is an amusing account of the living conditions of the fishermen in Newfoundland at the time. A copy of the article is included in the Media Gallery.

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020816:
The Maritime History Archive has amongst its online digital renderings the diary of William Sweetland during the years 1850-1853 whilst he was Magistrate at Bonavista, as mentioned above. Somehow it is possible to search for words in the handwritten text. I think that this means someone has already transcribed the whole document but for some reason the transcription is not offered for download. In any event, a search on the word "morry" shows up 11 "hits" with most referring to correspondence or visits by Robert Morry, or William Morry, one being a reference to writing to Thomas Morry and one, dated August 7, 1853, stating that "Robert's [Morry] Letter was dated 26th March -- Fred Morry in London looking for a Vessel to take him to Australia". Although we of course knew that Frederick Clift Morry went to Australia and died on the return journey, this more accurately times his departure for that country.

050916:
Two deeds or bills of sale found in the Southern District Court records at the Registry of Deeds involve William Sweetland and a husband and wife, William and Margaret Pendergast. It would appear that William Pendergast wound up owing money to William Sweetland, probably for supplying him in the fishery when the fish did not come, and as a result wound up having to essentially mortgage all be owned to Sweetland. Later in the year (1836) Pendergast's wife Margaret became involved and there was another deed signed assuring her that the holding of this property by Sweetland was strictly "in trust". These documents were transcribed by me and are to be found in the Media Gallery.

One other interesting fact came out of this. At the time of the second document being signed (21 October 1836), Sweetland declared Little Placentia as his abode. I had never realised he spent time there. Later that same year (15 December 1836) he was appointed Judge in Bonavista.

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230218 from Robert Carter diaries:

Monday, 24 November 1834
"William Sweetland sworn into office as Clerk of the Peace for Southern District." Another sinecure for the Sweetland family? Did this position entail any real duties and what was the emolument?

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From the Miscellaneous Deeds and Wills collection at The Rooms (GN169) which are available in PDF form and can be downloaded by members only on the FHSNL website:

Volume 22

Volume 22 contains two documents of interest, both of which pertain to William Sweetland, formerly of Ferryland, but then, like his brother Benjamin, appointed as a Stipendiary Magistrate in the Northern District, in William's case to Bonavista.

Vol. 22, Page 29

This document is of particular interest because it has direct bearing on family lore which says that, after William's wife, Priscilla Anne Morry, the daughter of our immigrant ancestor, Matthew Morry, died in 1820, William effectively abandoned his children to the care of others and never really gave them much of his time or consideration after that. He remarried when he moved to Bonavista (ca 1838). His second wife was Elizabeth Newell. And this indenture is intended to ensure that in the event of his demise she would get all of his worldly possessions leaving nothing for his children by Priscilla. In effect, it was actually a living will, because even were he not to die but if any of the children were to make a claim on any of his possessions, this indenture would effectively prevent them from being successful, or at leas render the effort a matter for the courts to decide. At the time that this indenture was written, all six of his children were still alive and must have posed a perceived threat to his new wife.

Indenture Wm Sweetland to Eliz Sweetland 1 Jun 1842

Vol. 22, Page 98

And lastly, here is another document pertaining to William Sweetland, here we have what would appear to be essentially a sale or transfer of property from William Sweetland to Reverend Earnest [sic] Augustus Sall. The consideration is extremely little (£3) considering that the property is over 2 acres in size. I wonder if the land was actually not the property of Sweetland but that rather he was conveying it from the local community to the Reverend who served them. There is no indication of this in the indenture but the Sweetlands, and in particular this Sweetland, were not known for their generosity, to the church or to anyone else for that matter.

Bill of Sale William Sweetland to Rector E A Sall 6 Jan 1854

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190319:
On Sept. 8 1832 William Sweetland signed an Indenture selling property to John H. Cozens and declared himself to be formerly of Ferryland but then of Barren Island, Placentia Bay. From another document mentioned above we knew he was resident of Little Placentia in 1836 but this seems to indicate he spent at least four years in Placentia Bay in the 1830s.

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230621:

In Jean Carter Stirling's research notes she shows this as being a notation by Nimshi Crewe:

Helena (nee Morry) LeMessurier had in her possession a letter which showed that William Sweetland virtually deserted the children of his first wife Pricilla Morry, and let them be brought up by various others.

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070126:

I just noticed that The Rooms has a very brief biography of William Sweetland attached to its accession information for the William Sweetland Fonds, MG234:

Sweetland, William, 1788-1864

Biographical sketch
William Sweetland (1788-1864), mercantile agent, government official, author, was the son of Henry Sweetland (Sweetland & Company) and Ann Carter (daughter of Robert Carter, a prominent Newfoundland merchant). Sweetland was born at Ferryland, Newfoundland, on 29 June 1788. He married Priscilla Ann Morry, also of Ferryland, on 15 February 1810. They had four children: William Henry Morry (b. 1810), Matthew Morry (b. 1813), Benjamen (b. 1815), and Ann (b. 1815). As the children were born in England, it is probable that Sweetland spent part of his professional life divided between Great Britain and Newfoundland. Following the death of his wife in 1820, Sweetland married Elizabeth Newell Alexander, widow of a Bonavista planter. He died on 20 February 1864.

Sweetland initially settled in Caplin Bay (now Calvert). By 1826 he was acting as mercantile agent for William Vallance, a St. John's merchant, and later on behalf of the estate of Christopher Spurreir, Placentia Bay. In 1834, he was appointed magistrate and clerk of the peace in Ferryland. Two years later, he was selected as magistrate for Bonavista. During his career, Sweetland also served as deputy surveyor, justice of the peace, road commissioner, member of the local Church of England board of education, and customs officer.

Sweetland wrote a three-volume history of Newfoundland which he completed following his relocation to Bonavista; the manuscript was never published. During the 1860s he also contributed articles to the Royal Gazette under the pen-name W. Avalonis. Sweetland left several descriptions of interviews both with William Cormack and Beothic captive Shanawdithit.

William Sweetland died in 1864 at age seventy-five.

NOTE: the above precis of William Sweetland's life contains some valuable information I did not have before (e.g. his employment on behalf of the estate of Christopher Spurier of Placentia Bay) but also contains some glaring misinformation (e.g. the suggestion that he and his wife Priscilla Ann Morry, only had four children).

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