Hi Jim,
I am a great-great-grandaughter of John Davidge and Sarah Jane Guy who lived in Burgeo, Newfoundland. Sarah Jane's parents were Ann Matthews and William Guy. William was described as "an Englishman", probably indicating he was not born in NL. Ann's parents were John Matthews and Sarah Bagg who were originally from Cape La Hune. We don't know if John Matthews was born in NL but Sarah's family is listed as originally being from the Burin Peninsula area of Newfoundland. This information is from our Davidge family history book of the descendants of John Davidge, which now number somewhere between 600-700. With all of the additions and changes (birth, death, marriage), no one has done a recent count.
We are trying to find our links back to the UK. John Davidge "came to Burgeo as an indentured servant to "Uncle John Matthews". We don't know whether "uncle" means they were related by family or whether it was a courtesy title or a way of distinguishing this John Matthews from either his own father or a son.
John Davidge was likely from England and was a fisherman, who met an early death by drowning along with his eldest son George(18 y/o) and (John?)Anderson.They were trying to save shipwrecked victims between Connoire and Wreck Island. This happened in April 1867.
John and Sarah's 6 remaining children married spouses from the Caines, Anderson, Stone, Collier, Strickland, Matthews and LeCocq families. The Anderson family is reputed to be the first family living in Burgeo, followed by the Matthews.
Lack of literacy (common in those times) and lack of any communications technology, coupled with the high numbers of ships that were sunk likely contributed to the loss of communication with family still living in England.
After a number of family members having tried to search while visiting England without success in finding any proveable information about John Davidge's origins, I did the "Davidge" thing and decided to try to form a team of people who were also searching and were willing to share their information. I started in late 2006 and this approach is starting to produce results for some of the Davidge branches already. Last month, I got a solid contact with a UK researcher whose information leads from the living Donald Davidge back to Thomas Lush Davidge.
While no relationship has been proven, Donald identified on of John Davidge's sons, Alfred, as looking "identical" to his own grandfather. He also recognized several other faces as being familiar to members of his family. Donald most resembles Norman Davidge.
We don't have a birthdate for John Davidge, but in trying to estimate a potential birth year, I can only narrow it down to somewhere between 1820-1830 as we don't know how old he was when he arrived in NL.
There is another Davidge line in NL who we suspect is related, but have not proven. The following is oral history backed up by living relatives: Thomas Davidge stowed away on a schooner in England at age 15, trying to escape prosecution for theft. Initially settling in Mose Ambrose as a planter, he moved to Bay du Nord. Either Thomas' son or grandson made several trips to Burgeo to visit with the Davidge family. As the only access to these places was by sea, in treacherous waters, I have a hard time believing that someone who was completely unrelated would have made these journeys.
My hunting around the Davidge trees that are on genealogy sites has shown up common sets of given names passed down from each generation. When I receive photos, I go through the 250+ page history book looking for common facial features. When you start seeing eyes of a child in Australia matching the same eyes of a relative from reunions, it is very thought-provoking.
Another thing I've identified is the rapid, easy rapport among Davidges with the common thread of values and cooperative attitudes consistent with meeting any other Davidge relative at a reunion.
I have come to believe that we have to research the Guy, Anderson, Matthews, Bagg and Davidge lines in the UK if we are to ever find our English roots and reunite the family. I have a feeling that the Davidge and Matthews family have a connection in England. Why else would Uncle John Matthews be willing to pay the passage for John Davidge unless he knew him through family or if he met John before, perhaps if John Davidge had been a fisherman on one of the seasonal fishing boats from England?
I have a lot more information as do other members of this group - you are welcome to contact me by email:
sharon1333@sympatico.ca Please indicate in the subject line which family or families you are part of or searching.
Thanks,
SharonWilliams444 (there are several Sharons posting. I have also posted as envisage 1)