Hugh William Trapnell, Newfoundland merchant
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Hugh William Trapnell, a timber and general merchant in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland was about 40 years old when he received this letter from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in 1860 at his store on Water Street near Victoria Street in Harbour Grace.
Hugh William Trapnell merchant of Harbour Grace, Conception Bay, Newfoundland was the owner of the brigantine "James", built 1849.
Hutchinson’s Newfoundland Directory, 1864-1865, lists Hugh W Trapnell as a General Dealer.
Hugh Trapnell was born circa 1820, the son of John Trapnell (1794-1865) and Mary Ann Martin (1790-1871). He married Susanna Botley (1819-1902) on August 1, 1848. They had at least two daughters and one son. Hugh Trapnell died, presumably of a heart attack, on January 27, 1889, and is buried in St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
Hugh's grandfather, John Trapnell was born in May 1756 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England and emigrated to Newfoundland before 1788.
Hugh W. Trapnell's obituary appeared in the Harbour Grace Standard, February 2, 1889.
The Late Mr. H. W. Trapnell. It is our melancholy duty to-day to record the awfully sudden death of one of our most respected citizens-Hugh W. Trapnell, Esq. This sad event took place Sunday morning last. Although Mr. Trapnell had reached a good old age, he enjoyed up to the very hour of his death much better health than falls to the lot of most men of his years, and it was remarked by many of his friends on the week preceding his decease how youthful he looked. On the morning of the day above mentioned, he took breakfast and also prepared for going to Church, as usual. He was seized, however, with a pain in the breast and expired before his alarmed and distressed family had time to summon a physician. Seldom has a death evoked more general expressions of solemnity and regret in this community than that of the deceased gentleman. He was such an old resident, observed so well the apostolic injunction to be quiet and to mind his own business was so good-hearted, so ready to help a neighbor with advice, with a kindly word of sympathy, with more material aid, that it may with truth be said of him that "take him all in all we shall not soon see his like again." It must be a great comfort to the afflicted family to know how universally respected and liked the late head of their household was, and to be convinced that though the summons to depart hence was so very sudden, it found him not unprepared. We join with the whole community in an expression of deep sympathy with those bereft of their best earthly prop and stay. The funeral took place on Wednesday last, and was attended by the brethren of Lodge Harbor Grace, of which he was a member, the members of the Constabulary, and by a large number of other friends and fellow citizens. The late Mr. Trapnell was a native of Harbor Grace, and commenced his business life as a clerk in the old firm of Messrs Nuttall and Danson, together with another of our aged and respected citizens, who is still amongst us, Mr Mark Parsons. Later on he occupied the same position in the firm of Messrs Panton & Munn, until he engaged is his own behalf in the general business of the country Finally, twelve years ago, he received the appointment of Clerk of the Peace, Harbor Grace, in which position he remained till his death. It is a striking witness by the sterling character of our departed friend that in spite of advancing years, he attended so assiduously to the duties of his office that he was absent, (and that only by reason of sickness) but once during all these years. This record and the testimony of those who had opportunities of knowing, evidence what a painstaking and efficient public servant he was. In this respect, as in some many others, Mr. Trapnell set an example that it becomes all, particularly the rising generation, to imitate.
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