Bemister Reunion in Newfoundland

In exactly one year from this week, family will gather in Carbonear as the Bemisters of Carbonear hold a reunion in the community that connects all descendants of the two pioneer brothers (William Willis Bemister and his younger brother Edward) who moved there in the early 1800's.

The Steering Committee have been working on plans which are well underway, and will be distributed within weeks.

We will also post updated plans on this Bemister Blog so stay tuned for more news.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Carbonear in August 2010.

Sincerely
Cameron Hopkins

Wimborne Minster, Dorset

The Parish Church of Wimborne Minster, Dorset has a enduring significance for the Bemister Family of Carbonear.

It was on the 30th of May 1785, in the Minster - as it is locally known - that John Bemister married Mary Willis. John had been baptised there on the 13th of November, 1747.

It would be two of the three sons that John & Mary raised at nearby Lambsgreen Farm - a location that is now a popular pub and eatery surrounded by farmland - that would eventually establish the family in Newfoundland as young lads. The first to accept an apprenticeship in the Newfoundland with a merchant was William Willis Bemister, when he was 14. His younger brother Edward Smith Bemister joined him and both became established in their own firm in Carbonear eventually.

The descendants of the Bemisters of Carbonear are all related to one of these two men.

Wimborne Minster has served as a place of workship for centuries, in fact the history predating the current Norman structure dates to its foundation by Cuthburga, sister of Ine, King of the West Saxons in 718.

In 871 Alfred the Great buried his older brother King Ethelred I of England, in the minster.

An historical overview is now available of one of the early stages of the Minster when it operated as the Collegiate Church of Wimborne Minster.

Historic Churches in Dorset

The website for Wimbourne Minster tells a bit of the history of this church which has served its community for over 1300 years. It remains an important site for descendants of John Bemister (1747-1832) and Mary Willis (1749-1838) as they were married there on 30 May 1785.

Their sons (William Willis Bemister and brother Edward) established the Newfoundland Bemister family at Carbonear.

Likewise the Parish Church of St. Hubert's at Corfe Mullen, and the church yard cemetery were John and Mary are buried is a very special location for their descendants.