Introduction The Governorship, 1610 - Present Profiles of Governors Government House Setting and Influence Virtual Tour Original Inventory Bibliography

A Partnered Project of the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The following list is an inventory made of the first Government House in October 1809. Completed in 1781, this building was the governor's residence prior to the opening of the present Government House in 1831. It was a wooden house situated on the grounds within Fort Townshend. Although the governor resided here only for a few months each year, other members of his staff, such as the civil secretary, lived in the house year-round.

Dining Room 1 side board (mahogany) 3 knife cases (mahogany) 1 large dining table (mahogany) 4 spare leaves (mahogany) 1 side table (mahogany) 12 hair chairs (mahogany) 2 arm chairs 1 fire screen 2 pictures (the King and Queen) 1 large looking glass carpet 3 fire irons 2 curtains bars for windows 2 Venetian blinds hearth brush and fender Drawing Room Pembroke table card table sofa with 2 bolsters and covers large pier glass fire screen 10 mahogany chairs 2 arm chairs 3 fire irons 2 window curtains and bars hearth brush carpet 2 Venetian blinds Secretary's Chamber stair carpet curtains and bedstead sofa cover 1 mattress and 2 feather beds 3 blankets and counterpane large clothes press dress table washing stand pier glass 1 bolster 3 chairs 1 fender 1 pillow Clerk's Office chest of drawers 1 large desk 1 small desk 1 chair 1 chest of papers nailed up painted canvas in four pieces 3 fire irons and fender Servant's Hall 4 wooden chairs chest of drawers 1 large dresser 2 trays 3 fire irons Steward's Pantry 1 table 1 chair stair carpet Steward's Bedroom 2 bed heads 1 feather bed 1 mattress 2 bolsters with covers 1 small table

Governor's Chamber easy chair and covers clothes press chest of drawers dressing table 3 chairs 2 arm chairs bedstead and curtains 2 feather beds and 1 hair mattress 2 counterpanes 1 bolster 5 blankets 1 pillow night chair 1 oval pier glass 2 window curtains 1 carpet fire irons and fender hearth rug and brush Closet dressing case with water stand jug and basin 1 table Captain's Chamber 10 handles and iron screws 12 locks and keys bedstead, 2 mattresses, and 1 feather bed 1 bolster and pillow, and 2 blankets 5 chairs dressing table large chest of drawers bed curtains and carpet washing stand Secretary's Office 1 writing table 1 bookcase and drawers for records painted canvas 1 table 3 fire irons chest for books 4 green painted chairs 2 hair chairs long case with sealed plan of St. John's Passage below table painted canvas Passage below 5 candlesticks 2 plated chambers candlesticks 2 snuffers 2 extinguishers 3 scrapers 2 mats Kitchen 1 copper coal scuttle 1 tub 1 dresser 1 plate rack 1 kitchen fire screen and 1 fender 1 spit washing tub 1 block

Courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL, MG 204, ff. 00338-00340, Duckworth Papers, Inventory of Government House, October 1809). List complied by Dr. Jerry Bannister.

August, 2000.