The Pelley House Heritage Home - Nestled on the north shore of Boyd's Cove, is a landmark structure, which has for close to a century, added character and grandeur to this peaceful community. A private two-story dwelling which, has become known to the people of the area as The Pelley House. The home was built of Victorian design, timber construction, double bays with latticed windows, steep gabled
peaks with pronounced eaves and a central chimney. The exterior of the house has not been changed since time of construction; however, the interior has been upgraded and modernized to include electricity and plumbing. As one strolls along the quiet roadway which separates the house from the North Atlantic Ocean, it is very easy to observe the uniqueness of its design and the superb craftsmanship of this house. However, the story behind the walls, which has played just an important roll in its character, is not as quite as evident to view. So it is with great pride that I now try and compile a layman's history of the home. Boyd's Cove was first settle by people from Fogo Island during the later part of the 1800s. The sheltered harbor provided safe haven for schooners, the surrounding area provided an abundant of natural resources for fuel and building materials and the land provided sufficient fertile grounds to produce rotation crops and feed livestock. These amenities soon attracted settlers from nearby communities eagerly willing to carve a place of their own. By the early 1900s, the small village of Boyd’s Cove had churches, schools and was involved heavily into the inshore Cod fishery. Uriah Freake (1879-1924), a fish merchant who resided in Lewisporte, and gained prosperity by outfitting schooners, as they prepared for the fishing industry along the French shore and the Labrador coast, had a dream. Freake recognized a potential for additional business in Boyd's Cove, and soon set about to acquire waterfront property with the correct characteristics to accomplish his goal. Uriah had to consider two main factors. First, there had to be sufficient water depth, required for anchorage and docking of large schooners to access loading and unloading of goods. Secondly, the shoreline would have to provide protection from the harsh Atlantic seas and spring drift ice to minimize potential damage. An area of interest was located along the North shore of the cove. Uriah then convinced Richard Pope and John Freake to severe and sell a portion of their lands suitable to sustain waterfront premises, and large enough to build a resident and additional outbuildings. Richard Pope and John Freake were fishermen who resided at Boyd’s Cove. It is believed that Uriah had little problems acquiring this land and quickly set about to find a competent individual to commence construction of his dream home and business facilities. Located at Joe Batt's Arm on Fogo Island, was a gentleman by the name of Alexander Coffin, a master carpenter by trade with knowledge and skills that Uriah required to make his plan a reality. He commissioned Mr. Coffin to start construction of a home that would prove to be fitting for a fish merchant and would impress his creditors and customers and also demonstrate his own financial stability. The land was cleared and a small barn was first erected. This barn first served as a home for Alexander Coffin and his wife during the entire period Pelley Manor was being constructed. Sometime during this period, their daughter, Ivy Scammell (nee Coffin) was born in the barn. The history surrounding additional construction is very unclear. It cannot be determined if the business or the home was built first or even if Alexander coffin was involved with the construction of the waterfront premises. Regardless, The Pelley house was completed in the summer of 1917. A masterpiece of construction considering the economical status of the country and that Newfoundland was also at war in Europe. Never-the-less, the dwelling presented an illusion of aristocracy compared to the modest, less decorated homes occupied by the common fishing families. After termination of his contract, with Uriah Freake, Mr. Coffin returned to Joe Batt's Arm and constructed an identical house except for an exterior door situated between the two bays. This house is also still standing however, it has undergone many changes to both the interior and exterior. Uriah Freake and his wife, Mary, the sister of Alexander Coffin, moved into their new home and commenced operation of business commonly known as the Boyd's Cove Branch. However, this was short lived. There may have been problems relating to personnel health, poor management practices or just that the couple did not enjoy living at the isolated community of Boyd's Cove. Whatever the reason Uriah sold the entire package, lock, stock and barrel, to Edgar Pelley for the sum of $15,699.11 on the 31 Dec 1921. The sale consisted of several waterfront buildings, stock and a large dock extending out into the deep waters. There was a house, barn, cellar and several outhouses. Uriah Freake and his wife, Mary, relocated back to their hometown of Lewisporte. They left very little influence on the community except for the grandeur of The Pelley House. Uriah and Mary did develop a very fond attachment to The Pelley House, so they, once again, acquired the skills of Alexander Coffin to construct another house, in Lewsporte. identical to The Pelley House. This building has also since been altered and modernized. Uriah died in Lewisporte shortly after his home was completed. At this period in time, Edgar Ishmael Pelley was a young man, from Lewisporte, who just had returned from Europe where he a was gunner in World War I. Being a wounded veteran, he received some Government compensation for his devotion to the war effort. Edgar was eager to use this money to start a business and he understood a merchant trade would prove to be less stressful then fighting battles in France, Edgar also understood that there was a merchant business for sale in Boyd’s Cove. It is assumed that being from the same community of Lewisporte, Edgar and Uriah Freake knew each other making negations for the business branch and house in Boyd’s Cove successful. Lacking the shrewd trade practices associated with fish merchants coupled with his kind heart and personality, Edgar would experience difficulty achieving much more than a modest success. Edgar soon took the fancy to a young lady by the name Myrtle Bartlett. This lady had come to Boyd's Cove to teach school. Myrtle was originally from Bareneed, and was a descendant of the famous Newfoundland sealing hunting and arctic explorer Bartlett family. Her cousin, Robert Bartlett became the greatest Arctic navigator of the 20th century, piloting Robert Peary and Vilhyalmur Stefansson on their historic expedition to the North Pole. Myrtle and Edgar were married at St John’s, NF on the 01 July 1929 after which they returned to Boyd's Cove. If The Pelley House was a Victorian home, then Myrtle Pelley was the Victorian lady. She had a staunch personality stemming from being a schoolteacher, an aristocratic manner from being the descendant of the prominent Bartlett family and a Christian approach to life from being a God fearing woman. Myrtle would become as much part of the home as the home became part of her. Any person who knew Myrtle always associated her with this grand home. She would use her home for entertainment and many guests were invited to stay and enjoy her hospitality. Most would have the pleasure to experience some fine music as she treated them to a few tunes from her renowned pump organ.
“Pelley House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011.”
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