Ancestors of Christopher John Augustine Morry

James Clift Esq.

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1776 - Smethwick, West Midlands, England ⁵⁹⁶ Christening: Death: Bef 24 Jan 1860 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ Burial: 24 Jan 1860 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: Cir 1790.
• Membership: Inducted as an "old mason" - member of the Newfoundland Lodge, Freemasons, 1806, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. James Clift
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name:James Clift
Gender:Male
Initiation Date:1806
Year Range:1771-1813
Profession:Merchant
Lodge Location:Newfoundland
Lodge Number:248
Folio Number:249.
• Occupation: Merchant, 1806, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Merchant, Between 1814 and 1830, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Interesting: Business Premises of James Clift destroyed in great fire of St. John's, 1816, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. From SOS! Canadian Disasters on the www.collectionscanada.gc.ca website:

"In the 19th and early 20th centuries, major fires occurred in St. John's, Newfoundland (February 12, 1816, November 7, 1817, November 21, 1817, June 9, 1846, and July 8-9, 1892)"

According to the Certificate of Discharge following the bankrupcy of James Clift Esq., which was dated in the Supreme Court on March 15, 1817 (the Ides of march!) the bankrupcy itself occurred the previous November 23, that is to say in 1816.

I believe Galgay got it wrong and it was the first great fire in 1816 that actually ruined the Clift enterprise and led to the bankrupcty of James Clift, Esq. rather than the second or third, which both occurred in 1817 when Galgay said it occurred.
• Membership: Inducted as a member of the St. John's Benevolent Lodge, Freemasons, 7 Oct 1816, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Wm Hart Gaden
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

ViewEngland, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Add alternate information
Report issue
Name:Wm Hart Gaden
Gender:Male
Initiation Age:23
Birth Year:abt 1800
Initiation Date:3 Feb 1823
First Payment Year on Register:1823
Year Range:1813-1836
Profession:Merchant
Lodge:Benevolent Lodge
Lodge Location:Newfoundland
Folio Number:38
A Lodge Number:312A
B Lodge Number:220B.
• Occupation: Merchant, 7 Oct 1816, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Declared bankruptcy following the great fire in St. John's, 23 Nov 1816, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against Edward Sullivan for 17/-/- cost of writ -/15/6 #214, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against James Langmead for 19/11/1 cost of writ /15/6 #251, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against John Norris for 24/5/6 cost of writ 1/2/6, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against Martin Gary for 19/6/7 cost of writ /15/6, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against Patrick Howard for 24/-/6 cost of writ 1/2/6, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Writ against Thomas McGrath for 90/16/- cost of writ 1/13/6 #130, 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Death: Cir 1841, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Election: Electors supporting the nomination (failed) of Thomas Bennett for the 3rd General Assembly, 6 Oct 1842, St. John's, Newfoundland. As published in Star and Newfoundland Advocate, 6 Oct. 1842. Posted on Facebook by Blaine Dooley from DAI, 230224

Included amongst others:
Kenneth McLea
Nicholas Mudge
Walter Grieve
Monier W. Hutchings
William Grieve
Peter Rogerson
Thomas Duder
James McLarty
Henry Simms
C. T. Bowring
Nicholas Stabb
Samuel Prowse
Gilbert Clapp, Jr.
John M. Rendell
Andrew McCoubrey, Sr.
John W. McCoubrey
James Clift, Sr.
Thomas W. Gaden
.

Spouses and Children

1. *Flora Shannan ¹⁷⁸⁰ ^,1870 Marriage: 11 Mar 1813 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁶² ^,481 ^,3499 ^,3500
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: David Rowland, Missionary, 11 Mar 1813, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: Jesse Shannan, A. Pritcher, Neil Shannan, 11 Mar 1813, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

200114:

From the NGB website found today by Kevin Reddigan:

THE ROYAL GAZETTE AND NEWFOUNDLAND ADVERTISER 1810-1814

1813 -MARRIAGES: CLIFT/SHANNAN: This morning by Rev. Rowland. James CLIFT, Merchant, to Flora SHANNAN. (11 March)

130916:

Transcript of entry in original Cathedral register:

"201 [?] James Clift Esqr. of this Parish bachelor
and Flora Shannan Spinster were
Married in this Church by
this eleventh day of March in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred
and thirteen by me David Rowland, Missionary
This Marriage was solemnized between US { James Clift
{ Flora Shannan
In the Presence of { Neil Shannan
{ ??? Jessie Shannan

Children: 1. Hon. James Shannan Clift 2. Alexander Clift 3. Thomas Clift 4. Jessie Clift 5. Archibald Clift 6. Theodore Clift 7. Charles Neil Clift 8. William Wallace Clift 9. Henry Augustus Clift

Notes
General:

061207: In the Anglican Cathedral records on NGB the birth record for James Shannon Clift in 1852 indicates that his father was James Shannon Clift, son of James Clift and Flora Shannan.

091109 From www.Southsidefamilies.com : CLIFT 1 James M CLIFT, Esq - 1841 .. +Flora SHANNAN ........ 2 Hon. James Shannan CLIFT - 1877 ............ +Elizabeth LIDDELL ................... 3 James CLIFT ................... 3 James CLIFT 1843 - ................... 3 John Shannan CLIFT 1846 - ........ *2nd Wife of Hon. James Shannan CLIFT: ............ +Jane Sidney Thanks LeMESSURIER 1820 - ................... 3 Flora LeMessurier CLIFT 1854 - ....................... +Sir Edgar Rennie Marshall Bowring 1858 - 1943 ................... *1ST Husband of Flora LeMessurier CLIFT: ....................... +William PUNTON MUNN ................... 3 Hugh Charles CLIFT 1856 - ................... 3 Shannon Morry CLIFT 1857 - 1890 ................... 3 Eliza Ehlers CLIFT 1857 - ....................... +Herbert RENDELL 1858 - 1952 ........ 2 William Wallace CLIFT ........ 2 Alexander CLIFT 1816 - 1889 ............ +Mrs. Susannah WHELAN - 1900 ........ ........ 2 Thomas CLIFT 1818 - 1884 ............ +Lavinia Eliza BAYLEY ................... 3 Thomas Bayly Clift 1870 - ................... 3 James Cawley Clift 1872 - ................... 3 Lavinia Florence Clift 1874 - ................... 3 Jane Clara Mildred Clift 1876 - ........ 2 Jessy Selina Clift 1819 - ............ +James B. Wood ........ 2 Archibald CLIFT 1822 - ........ 2 Theodore CLIFT Esq 1824 - ............ +Selina Sophia BAYLY ................... 3 Rev. Theodore Wood CLIFT 1854 - ....................... +Emma M ? ................... 3 Albert Charles CLIFT 1856 - ................... 3 James Augustus CLIFT 1857 - ....................... +Agnes PATERSON ................... 3 Jessie CLIFT 1859 - ................... 3 Isabel CLIFT 1861 - ....................... +Arthur George DUDER ................... *2nd Husband of Isabel CLIFT: ....................... +James Elliott RENDELL 1851 - ................... 3 Fanny Maud CLIFT 1864 - ................... 3 Arthur CLIFT 1866 - ................... 3 Stanislaus CLIFT 1869 - ........ 2 Charles Neil Clift 1825 - ........ 2 Henry Augustus CLIFT 1830 - 1891

020312 from NGB Ang Cath Burial Register

James CLIFT St Johns 84 yrs Jan 25 1860 Born Smithwick near Birmingham; married Flora SHANNON 1813

100418:
From the Miscellaneous Deeds and Wills Collection (GN169) at The Rooms:

Vol. 8, Page 226

This document is a change of pace from the majority of documents in the collection which are indentures or wills. It is referred to as an "Arbitration" and involves new names not seen before in this collection, James Clift, Merchant, and Nicholas Power, Planter. The dispute in question had to do with the carriage of fish by Clift's schooners, the ADVENTURE and SWALLOW and the alleged deterioration of quality of the fish as a result of the handling or duration in which they were transported. The arbitrators chosen by the two parties were Alexander Boucher and Newman Wright Hoyles, two St. John's Merchants. They found in favour of the complainant, Nicholas Power and awarded him damages of £40 5 Shillings and 11 Pence but the costs of the arbitration, assessed as £6 pounds 6 Shillings was to be paid equally by both parties to the dispute.

Arbitration James Clift and Nicholas Power 14 Mar 1814

Vol. 10, Page 268

This document is a departure from the norm, not being an indenture of any kind but rather a "Certificate" of creditors at the time of the bankruptcy of James Clift. There were scores of creditors, though many of them were only owed a few pounds, but cumulatively the total debt was in the tens of thousands of pounds. There is no indication given of the value of the remaining assets and to what extent these debts could be satisfied with the sale of the assets.

It is worth noting that James Clift had been a prosperous merchant engaged in the salt cod trade and that he was far from alone in suffering financial ruin at this time. Indeed, this was the same time during which Matthew Morry and Company became insolvent. I have not studied the state of the fishery during the early decades of the 19th century but I believe that this was indicative of a serious decline in landings as well as market impacts echoing from the War of 1812 and other conflicts between European nations. But additional evidence shows that it was one of the first great fires in St. John's, either in 1816 or 1817, that destroyed any chance of James Clift making a financial comeback and led to the company declaring bankruptcy.

Certificate James Clift Estate Discharge 15 Mar 1817

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

010419:
James Clift was partnered with Josiah Parker and James Frederick Cawley of Harbour Grace and George Lilly of St. John's in the purchase and lease of a property from Emma Gaden on July 25/26 1826. The 2 documents pertaining to this transaction are found in the Norhern District Court record book, Volume 1, Folios 175 and 180, at the Registry of Deeds. There is no evidence to suggest, however, that he was ever a resident of Harbour Grace. In fact he is listed in these documents as a resident and merchant of St. John's. Later, on May 10,1832, he is again found in Vol. 4, Folio 160 with the same parties and many more involved in an extremely complex indenture by which Emma Gaden and others convey their title to other properties in Harbour Grace to a long list of debtors, one of whom is Benjamin Sweetland of "Capling Bay", although he is only owed ten shillings.

James Clift

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 12 Jul 1843 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ ^,602 Christening: 31 Aug 1843 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁶⁰² Death: Bef 19 May 1844 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ Burial: 19 May 1844 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: Cir 1843.

Parents

Father: Hon. James Shannan Clift ⁵⁷² ^,1870 ^,2286 Mother: Elizabeth Liddell ⁵⁹⁶ ^,1870 Marriage Did Not Marry

Notes
General:

111109 from NGB: James CLIFT James Shannon & Elizabeth b July 12 1843 bap Aug 31 1843 St. Johns merchant

020312 from NGB Ang Cath Bur Register:

19 1844 James CLIFT an infant of this parish Born July 12 1843 St Johns, son of James Shannon Clift & Elizabeth Liddell

James Clift

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1841 ¹⁸⁷⁰ Christening: Death: Cir 1842 - ( about age 1) ¹⁸⁷⁰ Burial: Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Hon. James Shannan Clift ⁵⁷² ^,1870 ^,2286 Mother: Elizabeth Liddell ⁵⁹⁶ ^,1870 Marriage Did Not Marry

Sir James Augustus Clift KC, CBE

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 11 Dec 1857 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁷² ^,573 ^,1884 Christening: 31 Jan 1858 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁷³ ^,1884 Death: 8 Feb 1923 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 65) ¹¹⁵⁴ ^,1428 Burial: 10 Feb 1923 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁴²⁸ Cause of Death: Cerebral Haemorrhage ¹⁴²⁸
Events
• Alt. Birth: 22 Dec 1857, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Minister/Priest: Thomas Martin Wood, 31 Jan 1858, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Election: MHA representing Port de Grave, Between 1883 and 1893, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Admitted to the bar, 1883, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Membership: Inducted as a member of the St. John's Lodge, Freemasons, 2 Feb 1883, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. James Augustus Clift
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name:James Augustus Clift
Gender:Male
Initiation Date:2 Feb 1883
First Payment Year on Register:1883
Year Range:1863-1887
Profession:Barrister
Lodge:St. Johns Lodge
Lodge Location:St Johns, Newfoundland
Lodge Number:579, 844
Folio Number:274.
• Occupation: Barrister, 2 Feb 1883, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Election: Member of House of Assembly for Port de Grave, 1889, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Barrister at Law, 1892, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Gower St., 1892, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Barrister, Monks Town Rd., 5 Nov 1893, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Election: MHA represnting Twillingate, Between 1900 and 1919, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Military Rd., 1900, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Barrister at Law, Military Rd., 28 Jan 1900, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: KC (King's Council), 1902, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Documentation: Biography in the Newfoundland Quarterly, 1903, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Appointment: Minister of Mines and Agriculture, Between 1904 and 1909, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Honors: District Grand Master, Masonic Order (English Constitution), Between 1909 and 1923, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Appointment: Grand Master, Society of United Fishermen (SFU), Between 1911 and 1918, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Membership: Inducted as a member of the Clift Lodge, Freemasons, 21 Oct 1913, Bell Island, Conception Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Hon. James Augustus Clift
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name:The Hon. James Augustus Clift
Gender:Male
Initiation Date:21 Oct 1913
First Payment Year on Register:1913
Year Range:1910-1921
Lodge:Clift Lodge
Lodge Location:Bell Island Newfoundland
Lodge Number:3694
Folio Number:4.
• Honors: Companion of the British Empire (CBE), 1918, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: 10 Military Rd., Feb 1923, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Theodore Clift ⁵⁷² Mother: Selina Sophia Bayly ⁵⁷² ^,620

Spouses and Children

1. *Agnes Paterson ⁴⁹ ^,572 Marriage: Children: 1. Lieut. Cecil Bayly Clift Barrister At Law (Honorus Causa) 2. Capt. John Clift MC; Barrister At Law (Honorus Causa) 3. Flora Shannon Clift

Notes
General:

290513 from Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography:

CLIFT, JAMES AUGUSTUS (1857-1923). b St. John's 22 Dec; admitted to the bar 1883, KC 1902; MHA Port de Grave 1889-93, Twillingate 1900-19; Minister of Mines and Agriculture 1904-09, 1918-19; district grand master Masonic Order (English Constitution) 1909-23; grand master Society of United Fishermen (SUF) 1911-18; CBE 1918; d St John's 8 Feb. A St John's lawyer, Clift was first elected MHA in 1889 as a supporter of William V. Whiteway. He was afterward appointed assistant clerk of the House, in which capacity he served until 1900 when he resigned to run for election as a Liberal supporter of Robert Bond. Clift was Minister of Mines and Agriculture in Bond's cabinet 1904-09 and also in the National Government of William F. Lloyd 1918-19. He was one of the most prominent freemasons of his day, was for 36 years an executive officer of the SUF and was also a founder and later president of the City Club. RHC

010314:

The above brief on Clift fails to mention his role as a principal member of the Reserve Force Committee of the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland which assumed responsibility for recruiting, equiping and transporting the soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment in WWI (cf. G. W. L. Nicholson, The Fighting Newfoundlaner).

James Cawley Clift

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1872 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵³¹ ^,572 Christening: Death: 3 Mar 1880 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( about age 8) ⁵³¹ Burial: 5 Mar 1880 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵³¹ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Death: Mar 1880, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Rennie's Mill Rd., Mar 1880, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Thomas Clift ²⁷⁸ ^,572 ^,728 Mother: Eliza Lavinia Bayly ⁶²² Marriage Did Not Marry

Notes
General:

090312 from NGB Ang Cath Bur Reg:

James Cawley CLIFT Rennies Mill Road Mar 5 1880 7 1/2 yrs Died Mar 3, son of Thomas Clift & Eliza Lavinia Bayley.

Hon. James Shannan Clift

Sex: M
AKA: James Shannon Clift ¹⁴¹ ^,162 ^,213 ^,481 ^,1870
Individual Information

Birth Date: 5 Mar 1814 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁶² ^,3191 Christening: 15 Jul 1814 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁶² ^,3191 Death: Bef 17 Jul 1877 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵³¹ ^,1154 Burial: 17 Jul 1877 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵³¹ Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: 6 Mar 1814, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Owner: The MARY ANN; only vessel to arrive in Ferryland so far this year, 24 Aug 1832, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Mary Ann, Clift, from Newport.
• Occupation: operated a commission merchant and ship brokerage business with partner/brother-in-law James B. Woods, Between 1835 and 1877, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Membership: Member of the Committee to establish the Native Hall, 1845, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Member)
• Court: Selected as Grand Juror for Supreme Court term, 28 Nov 1849, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Merchant, Water St., 28 Nov 1849, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Membership: Inducted as a member of the St. John's Lodge, Freemasons, 26 Dec 1850, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. James S. Clift
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name:James S. Clift
Gender:Male
Initiation Date:26 Dec 1850
First Payment Year on Register:1851
Year Range:1837-1862
Lodge:The Saint John's Lodge
Lodge Location:St Johns Newfoundland
Lodge Number:844
Folio Number:152.
• Residence: At time of marriage, 1852, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Grand Jury Member - Merchant - Water St., 20 May 1852, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Appointment: Member of Legislative Council, Between 1861 and 1874, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Rennies Mill Rd., 1863, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Occupant)
• Property: Sale of part of George Hutchings estate on New Gower St., 19 Feb 1865, Ferryland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Party)
• Appointment: Member of Executive Council, Between 1870 and 1874, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Honors: District Grand Master, Masonic Order (English Constitution), Between 1871 and 1877, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Alt. Death: Cir 1877, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: James Clift Esq. ³⁴⁸⁷ Mother: Flora Shannan ¹⁷⁸⁰ ^,1870

Spouses and Children

1. Elizabeth Liddell ⁵⁹⁶ ^,1870 Marriage: Cir 1841 - Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada ⁵⁹⁶
Marriage Events
• Alt. Marriage: Cir 1840, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Children: 1. James Clift 2. James Clift 3. John Shannan Clift 2. *Jane Sydney Shanks Le Messurier ¹⁴¹ ^,213 Marriage: 7 Jan 1852 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁴¹ ^,278 ^,3503
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: Edward Newfoundland, Bishop, at the Anglican Cathedral, 7 Jan 1852, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Minister/Priest: Rev. T.F.H. Bridge; Edward Newfoundland (Bishop), 7 Jan 1852, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: Thos. G. Morry, Thomas Clift, Jas. M. Wood, H. H. Le Messurier, P. G. Tessier, P. Lemessurier, M. B. Bennett, Frank [?] Tasker, 7 Jan 1852, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

Viewed 090703. Though the record was in a book identified as St. Thomas Parish (St. John's Anglican) Marriages 1850-1859, the caption on the first page reads "Register of marriages solemnized in the Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist at St. John's, Newfoundland." It isn't clear therefore where these marriages actually took place. The name given for the celebrant was Edward Newfoundland (Bishop). I don't know if that was truly his name or an honorary title.

280710: Marriages indicated to have been solemnized by the clergy of the Cathedral during these years were actually perforemed at St. Thomas' while the Cathedral was being restored from the great fire.

160112: Bishop Edward Feild, after whom Bishop Feild Highschool was named, adopted the moniker "Edward Newfoundland" while he was Bishop of Newfoundland. Other Bishops did not use this formal title.

Jane shows as a widow on the register.

130916:
Transcript of the original Cathedral Register:
"Pg. 14 AD 1852
Marriages Solemnized in the (orthuraline) [?] Parish Church of
St. John the Baptist, at St. John's, Newfoundland, during the year 1852

#1 James Shannan Clift, Widower and
Jane Sydney Shanks Grieve, Widow, both of this Parish
were married in this Church this seventh day of January
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two
By me
Edward Newfoundland
Bishop
This marriage was { James Shanna Clift
solemnized between us { Jane Sidny [this is how she seems to spell her name] Shanks Grieve

{ Tho^s. G. Morry
{ Thomas Clift
In the presence { Ja^s. M. Wood
of us { H. H. Le Messurier
{ P. G. Tessier
{ M. Bennett
{ P. Le Messurier
{ Frank Tasker

NB: The word before "Parish Church" does not appear to be Cathedral. I think it is a phrase that means "interim" but I cannot make out exactly what the word is.
Children: 1. Shannon Morry Clift 2. Flora Le Messurier Clift 3. Hugh Charles Clift 4. Eliza Ehlers Clift 5. Herbert Wood Clift

Notes
General:

090703: Listed as a widower on marriage record to Jane Le Messurier

111109 from NGB: James Shannan CLIFT James & Flora SHANNAN b Mar 6/5? 1814 bap Jul 15 1814 merchant Married 1813.

210710: Register actually read: "184. James Shannan Son of James Clift Esq. Merchant by Flora his wife was born on the 5th day of March 1814 and christened on the 15th day of July 18 fourteen by me David Rowland."

080312 from NGB Ang Cath Bur Reg:

James Shannon CLIFT St Johns 63 yrs July 17 1877 Born 1814 St Johns, son of James Clift & Flora Shannon. Married (1) 1842 to Elizabeth Liddell. Md (2) 1852 to Jane Sydney Shanks LeMessurier 290513 from Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador Biography:

CLIFT, JAMES SHANNON (1814?-1877). b England; MLC 1861-74; member of Executive Council 1870-74; district grand master Masonic Order (English Constitution) 1871-77; d St. John's 16 July. Shannon Clift operated a St John's commission merchant and ship brokerage business in St. John's in partnership with his brother-in-law, James B. Woods. A prominent figure in the business community and a supporter of the Conservative party, Clift was appointed to the Legislative Council by Hugh W. Hoyles. He later served in the cabinet of Charles J. F. Bennett. Clift was one of those most responsible for the spread of freemasonry in the colony, becoming first grand master when Newfoundland was created a masonic district. RHC

300114:

The spelling of his middle name as well as the forenames and middle names of others in the Clift and Le Messurier family are variously spelled Shannon and Shannan. This difference appears to have originated with the arrival of Jesse and Flora in Newfoundland from Greenock and the fact that Jesse seemed to go by the spelling Shannon while Flora went by Shannan. It is possible they were not literate despite coming from a merchant class family in Scotland.

Jane Clara Mildred Clift

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1876 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁷² Christening: Death: Burial: Cause of Death:

Parents

Father: Thomas Clift ²⁷⁸ ^,572 ^,728 Mother: Eliza Lavinia Bayly ⁶²²

Jessie Clift

Sex: F
AKA: Jesse Clift ⁷²⁸, Jessie Clift ³⁵⁰¹, Jessy Selina Clift ⁵⁷², Jessie Wood
Individual Information

Birth Date: 29 May 1819 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁷²⁸ Christening: 19 Aug 1820 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁷²⁸ Death: Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: Cir 1819, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: James Clift Esq. ³⁴⁸⁷ Mother: Flora Shannan ¹⁷⁸⁰ ^,1870

Spouses and Children

1. *James Brian Wood ¹⁵² Marriage: 6 Apr 1841 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁷⁰ ^,152 ^,481
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: William Newhook, Dean of Trinity, 6 Apr 1841, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: B. J. Garrett, Archibald Clift, 6 Apr 1841, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

Apr 6 1841St. JohnsJames Brien/Brian? WOOD bach, St JohnsJessie CLIFT spin, St JohnsB.J. Garrett, Archibald Chafe

Notes
General:

111109 from NGB: Jesse CLIFT (female) James & Flora SHANNAN b May 29 1819 bap Aug 19 1820

Jessie Clift

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: 13 Nov 1859 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁷² ^,573 ^,1885 Christening: 11 Dec 1859 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁷³ ^,596 ^,1885 Death: Bef 27 Sep 1860 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Burial: 27 Sep 1860 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁵⁹⁶ Cause of Death:
Events
• Minister/Priest: Thomas Martin Wood, 11 Dec 1859, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Theodore Clift ⁵⁷² Mother: Selina Sophia Bayly ⁵⁷² ^,620 Marriage Did Not Marry

Notes
General:

020312 from NGB Ang Cath Burial Registers

Jessie CLIFT St Johns 10 mo Sep 27 1860 Dau of Theodore Clift & Selina Sophia Bayly.

Capt. John Clift MC; Barrister At Law (Honorus Causa)

Sex: M
AKA: John Paterson Clift ³⁵⁰⁴
Individual Information

Birth Date: 24 Oct 1893 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁰⁵¹ ^,3502 Christening: 5 Nov 1893 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁰⁵¹ ^,3502 Death: 12 Feb 1920 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 26) ¹⁴²⁸ ^,2729 Burial: 13 Feb 1920 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ¹⁴²⁸ ^,2729 Cause of Death: Nephritis ¹⁴²⁸
Events
• Minister/Priest: Henry Dunfield, 5 Nov 1893, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Military: Enlisted as Regt. # 503 in RNR, 7 Sep 1914, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Bank Clerk, 7 Sep 1914, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: 100 Military Rd., the house of his parents, 7 Sep 1914, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Military: Joined Cameron Highlanders as 2nd Lieutenant, 8 Apr 1915.
• Military: Lance Corporal, 26 Apr 1915.
• Military: Transferred back to RNR as Capt., 26 Oct 1917, Europe.
• Military: MC, 16 Sep 1918, Bailleul, Basse-Normandie, France.
• Departure: Returning to Newfoundland from England, 30 Jan 1919, Wallasey, Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England.
• Military: Retired from service, 25 Feb 1919, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Membership: Inducted as a member of the St. John's Lodge, Freemasons, 4 Apr 1919, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. John Clift
in the England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921

England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921
Name:John Clift
Gender:Male
Initiation Age:25
Birth Year:abt 1894
Initiation Date:4 Apr 1919
First Payment Year on Register:1919
Year Range:1910-1921
Profession:Student at Law
Lodge:St. John's Lodge
Lodge Location:Newfoundland
Lodge Number:579
Folio Number:208.
• Occupation: Student at Law, 4 Apr 1919, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Military Rd., 12 Feb 1920, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Sir James Augustus Clift KC, CBE ⁵⁷² ^,573 ^,1884 Mother: Agnes Paterson ⁴⁹ ^,572

Notes
General:

220614:

I just discovered in reading "Pilgrimage - A Guide to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in World War I" by W. David Parsons that this is the same John Clift who rose to the rank of Capt, in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and who was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for the role he played in the battle of Balleuil.

Here are some facts gathered concerning his military career:

From Chapter VIII of "The First 500" by Richad Cramm:

JOHN CLIFT Reg. No. 503
Enlisted, Sept. 7, 1914; Lance Corporal, April 26, 1915; Struck off Strength, Commissioned with Cameron Highlanders, April 8, 1915; Transferred from Cameron Highlanders to Newfoundland Regiment, Captain Clift, Oct. 26, 1917; British Expeditionary Force, Nov. 10, 1917; Awarded Military Cross, Sept. 16. 1918; Embarked for Newfoundland, Jan. 30, 1919; Retired, Feb. 25, 1919.

From the Canadian Great War Project website:

Military Cross
London Gazette, 16th September 1918.
Action Date, 14th April 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company. He displayed great coolness and initiative, allowing the enemy within 200 yards of his position in mass and then opening heavy fire and breaking up the attack. He personally collected stragglers and extended his flank with them. It was through his resourcefulness and boldness that the subsequent withdrawal of other troops was made possible.

According to his military file he received a gunshot wound to his right hip at Guedecourt on 12 Oct. 1916 and was evacuated to Wandsworth where the wound was treated and bullet fragment removed. It took until July 17 1917 for his wounds to improve enough for him to be declared fit for general service. It is not clear but it seems he served in an office function at home in the intervening period. This was not customary in such cases. Normally he would have served in this capacity at the Regimental Headquarters in Britain but it seems the Newfoundland Governor intervened to have this approved. He is shown to have returned to Newfoundland on the SS CORSICAN for this purpose sometime before the letter from Government House was issued on December 3, 1916. I think it is fair to say that he received some measure of special treatment conidering who his father was.

140615:

In his memoirs, Sydney Frost had a good deal more to say about John (Jack) Clift than he did about his cousin Cecil. One wonders if this had to do with the fact that Jack's father had been knighted. Here are the excerpts from the memoirs pertaining to Jack:

A dinner was arranged on the evening of the Lord Mayor's Show at the Elysée Restaurant, Coventry Street West, attended by about fifteen officers of the Regiment. It proved to be a swell party although it must have been an orderly one, for of the thirteen autographs on a card I have in my scrapbook, all signatures are legible even though written fifty-eight years ago. A generous tip to the orchestra leader flattered him enough to play any selection we requested. These are the signers in order of name from the top: C.S. Frost (Lieutenant) Regimental Number 58. R.W. Bartlett (Captain Rupert) Regimental Number 66, MC and Bar. Killed at Marcoing, 30 November 1917, a few days after rejoining Battalion in France. B. Butler (Major Bert) Regimental Number 146, DSO, MC and Bar. Passed away at Corner Brook, December 1970. J. Clift (Captain Jack) Regimental Number 508, MC. Died at St. John's about 20 years ago [circa 1955]. Jim Mifflin (Lieutenant) Regimental Number 419, MC. Died 24 November 1955 at Catalina. His wife, a nurse, lives in Willowdale. J.R. Stick (Captain Bob) Regimental Number 46, MC. Died at St. John's, March 1963. L. St. A. Field (Lieutenant Dick) Regimental Number 2375. After the War worked on Wall Street, New York. Died in Florida December 1968. J.E.J. Fox (Captain Jack) Regimental Number 142. Still living in Montreal [in 1975]. A.J. Noble (Lieutenant) With the Newfoundland Forestry Corps. Passed away several years ago. I did not know him well. L.C. Murphy (Captain Leo) Regimental Number 1384. Passed away at St. John's some years ago. G. Emerson (Captain George) OBE Regimental Number 1879. Died many years ago. J.J. Strang (2nd Lieutenant) Regimental Number 2897. Passed away at St. John's at the age of 66. H. Rendell (Captain Herb) MC. Killed 29 September 1918 at Keiberg Ridge.

Frost, Sydney (2014-11-10). A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost, MC (Kindle Locations 4446-4461). Flanker Press. Kindle Edition.
and
Frost, Sydney (2014-11-10). A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost, MC (Kindle Locations 4462-4470). Flanker Press. Kindle Edition.

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

As a souvenir, I have in a scrapbook the carbon copy of my "relief message" to our Adjutant, which reads: To, Adjutant, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment: Relief Complete C.S. Frost, Captain 401 Inft. Reg. '96 5, Cd. (Signature of French Company Commander illegible) Royal Newfoundland Regt. The Battalion's casualties during the Lys fighting numbered over 200, of whom sixty-seven were killed or died of wounds, including two officers, Captain C. St. C. Strong and Lieutenant William E. Barnes. Sixteen Honours and Decorations were awarded for distinguished service in these engagements. Our Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Woodruffe was granted the DSO, Captain John Clift the MC, and awards to Other Ranks consisted of two DCMs, eleven MMs, and one Bar to an MM. The outstanding achievements of the Regiment in repulsing the several enemy attacks and in holding the line under heavy pressure were recognized by the authorization to include among our Battle Honours both "Lys" and "Ballieul" with

Frost, Sydney (2014-11-10). A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost, MC (Kindle Locations 5138-5147). Flanker Press. Kindle Edition.

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

22 July 1918. When Captain Jack Clift, senior to me in rank, returned from extended leave, he was given command of "B" Company, but now he is off to Newfoundland and I have my old job back. Yesterday, we were notified that Blue Puttees who had not been home since 1914 would be entitled to a month's leave with free passage to Newfoundland. They take off tomorrow, two Officers and fifty Other Ranks. I had been home to Canada early in 1917 and although paying my own way that was not considered a factor. Thus, I was not included and rightfully so. This caused me no disappointment. There are many here who have been longer on active service without a break and who would be more deserving than some of those chosen, but fairly or unfairly, the arrangement is confined to the First Five Hundred.

Frost, Sydney (2014-11-10). A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost, MC (Kindle Locations 5272-5278). Flanker Press. Kindle Edition.

220816:
According to Richard Cramm in "The First Five Hundred", this is how he describes Captain John Clift's action at Baleuil that won him the Military Cross: "Captain J. Clift, who commanded D Company, showed great judgement and ability in meeting the enemy onrush. He caught them in mass in the open, and had so arranged his men with Lewis guns that very few of the Germans escaped. More German infantry rushed up, however, and for a time it looked as though a part of the Battalion would be surrounded. A Company and half of B Company were deployed to the right, the other half of B Company being sent to fill a gap between A and D Companies. The left wing of D Company was being hard pressed, and showed signs of being turned, but again Captain Clift showed great presence of mind and initiative in handling a dangerous situation. He immediately extended his left, and as soon as C Company could be escheloned on the left flank, Captain Clift personally collected some remnants of the Northumberland Fusiliers and filled a gap between C and D Companies. By Captain Clift's great energy and ability, and the invincible courage of the men under him, the situation was saved. The Germans were only 25 yards from our line when they were stopped." Though he does not mention him by name, it was at this same action that Sergeant G. L. Greene distinguished himself and won the Military Medal.

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