CAPTAIN WILLIAM JACKMAN

Renews, on the beautiful Southern Shore, was the birthplace of William Jackman.  William, born on 20 May 1837, was the eldest of the four children of Captain Thomas Jackman and Catherine Johnson.  At an early age, William, like his father before him, went to sea.

Birthplace of Captain William Jackman, Renews

About 1858, when William was 21, he married Trepassey native, Bridget Burbridge.  William and Bridget had six children, four sons and two daughters.  One son, William Henry, became a priest. Fr Jackman died on 16 July 1908 at the age of 44 years.  At the time of his death, Fr Jackman was serving in St Patrick's Parish.

October 1867 found the 30 year old William Jackman, by now Captain, at Spotted Islands on the coast of Labrador. That October night, a fierce gale was raging and Captain Jackman and some friends were on the Headland looking out to sea. Different accounts of this story give differing reasons for Captain Jackman's presence on the Headland at that time but it was certainly fortuitous, whatever the reason. 

Looking out to sea Jackman saw that a small schooner was being battered on the rocks by the raging gales.  Captain Jackman was a vigorous man and, luckily, a strong swimmer.  He immediately stripped off most off his clothes and dived into the maelstrom.  His companions raced back to the community for ropes to aid in the rescue.  Reaching the stricken boat, William took a man on his back and swam to shore  with him.  Again he plunged into the icy waters and swam back to the vessel.  By the time his fellow rescuers returned with ropes, Captain Jackman had already rescued eleven men in this manner.  They then tied a rope around his waist and, with the men on shore helping by pulling the ropes, the brave Captain battled his way through the treacherous waves to rescue fifteen more men.  He had saved the lives of twenty-six men but, upon being told that there was a dying woman still on board in the cabin, William Jackman struck out once again for the battered ship.  He brought the ailing woman safely to shore.  The woman, said to be one Myra Batten, did not live long and died a day or two later. The whole rescue operation took just over two hours and the schooner, named either the 'Sea Clipper' or 'Sea Slipper', broke up about an hour after that.

Captain William Jackman, 1837-1877

In 1868, Captain Jackman and his fellow rescuers were awarded medals by the Royal Humane Society. Jackman received a silver medal and a diploma and his companions received bronze medals.

William Jackman was a founder member of the Star of the Sea, a social organization for Roman Catholic seamen, which was founded in 1871. Heroic Captain William Jackman passed away in St John's on 25 February 1877. On 28 February, his funeral was conducted at  St Patrick's Church. The church was still unfinished but Captain Jackman's funeral was immense. He was laid to rest at Belvedere Cemetery, St John's.  Captain William Jackman was just 39 years old.

I return now to William's father, Captain Thomas Jackman and to a direct link to St Patrick's Convent.

Thomas Jackman's wife, Catherine Johnson, died and Thomas eventually took another wife, **Catherine White.  Catherine White was born in County Wexford, Ireland circa 1820/21. 

On 19 July, 1870, Captain Thomas Jackman passed away at his home on Brine Street. Two years later, on 1 August 1872, his widow, Catherine White Jackman, entered the Presentation Congregation at St Patrick's Convent.  She was received on 1 August 1873 when she was 52 years old and received the name of Sr Mary Monica.

Sr Monica Jackman spent the whole of her religious life at St Patrick's Convent.  On 4 September 1897, two Wexford newspapers carried short articles about Sr Monica. Both the 'Enniscorthy Guardian' and the 'New Ross Standard' reported that "a day of great rejoicing had taken place at the Presentation Convent of St Patrick's, Newfoundland", as Sr M Monica Jackman celebrated her Silver Jubilee.  Catherine White/Sr Monica Jackman had not been forgotten in her native County Wexford.

Captain William Jackman's stepmother, Sr Monica, passed away at St Patrick's on 27 December 1899.  She was laid to rest in the Nuns Cemetery behind the Convent.

Captain William Jackman's stepmother, Sr Monica Jackman

**I owe this interesting little snippet about Catherine White Jackman/Sr M Monica, to the lovely little book, "KEEPING THE BOND ALIVE, SHARING THE MEMORIES", Renews-Cappahayden Come Home Year 2008.

TRIBUTE TO RONNIE

Ronnie Doyle, R I P

We are all saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Ronnie Doyle, such a well loved presence in St Patrick's Parish. Ronnie's friend, neighbour, and fellow parishioner has put pen to paper to offer a tribute to Ronnie.  Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker has shared her lovely poem with us.

                          RONNIE

How many tears can one cry to Heaven

For someone so special we have loved and lost,

The shock and stress of his death that happened

The feeling of numbness and helplessness is the greatest cost.

The friendliest family man who loved chatting to everyone

He was that pleasant person we will never soon forget,

Everyone was greeted with his contagious smile and a wave

He was someone many are thankful to have met.

He was so much like his angelic parents, Mary and Kevin,

The family home is still next door to Robert and me

His dad and Ronnie wore a path from St. Patrick’s to Brine Street

Doing good for others that many did not see.

Ronnie was the very energetic sort

Who felt there was never enough time to get things done,

The best maintenance and grounds worker that St. Patrick’s would ever see

But he certainly made time for his family and loved ones.

Ronnie and Ros were blessed with two children, Kevin and Courtney, 

They will always be their special pride and joy,

When two grandchildren were to come from Kevin and Sarah

They were blessed with a beautiful girl and darling boy.

All the siblings from both sides loved him dearly

He was always just a phone call away,

He will be so missed by the priests and co-workers

And by all of us every hour of every day.

Ros, his beautiful soul is now in Heaven

With his loving family who have passed on before,

Jesus smiled and said, “COME MY SON”

You have earned your walk through Heavens door.

Hugs to Heaven Ronnie 

Thank you, Mary Lou, for this touching tribute to  Ronnie Doyle.  He was a well loved man who will be missed by so very many people.  To Ronnie's dear wife and devoted family, we extend our sincerest  sympathy. May God's love support you all in this ordeal and may  Ronnie's gentle soul rest in Christ's peace.

LET'S BEAT ALS FOR CINDY!



LOU GEHRIG

This is an email I received from Teri  HEALEY Evans.  Teri and all her sisters are graduates of St Patrick's Convent Schools.  Tragically, one of the sisters, Cindy, was taken by this cruel disease at just 58 years of age.  Teri is now appealing to our St Patrick's family for support in her efforts to help research into this devastating illness.  PLEASE READ TERI'S EMAIL AND PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS.  REMEMBER, EVERY CENT COUNTS! 

 

"My name is Teri Evans (formally Healey, from Brine St) At St. Patrick's the Sisters called me Teresa Healey.

I'm not sure if this is something you can post for me on the St. Patrick's Website & if it is not, I totally understand.

I hope I am sending the correct link, my computer skills are much to be desired!

https://apps.facebook.com/fundraising_na/PersonalPage.aspx?RegistrationID=3819863
Thanks! Teri

To My Former St. Patricks Family & Friends,

I have joined the WALK for ALS in my community, because I would like to do my part to find a cure for ALS. ALS, is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous American baseball player who died of ALS in 1941. ALS is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease, which has no known cause, cure or drug therapy of consequence. This devastating disease slowly robs the individual of the ability to walk, talk, and ultimately, to breathe. This disease attacked my sister, Cindy at the age of 58, literally overnight. My family have seen firsthand how devastating ALS is & are determined to help to find a cure. I am not asking for large donations (although most welcome) just the cost of your one coffees, a toonie can go a long way! Please support my fundraising efforts by clicking on the donate button.

Thank you

 

I wrote this rant a couple of days before Cindy (Jan 23, 2016) passed away to try to get out my frustration at the time. In honor of ALS Awareness Month I decided to post again. This June 11th in Cindy's honor my family are participating in the ALS Walk. If you haven't yet but would like to sponsor us you may do so (one dollar goes a long way when you are trying to find a cure & it this case a how/why also). Just message me if you would like to sponsor & if you can't please don't feel bad, we realize how much you have all already helped out Cindy during her illness. Also please share this "Rant" to spread awareness. Thanks!!!

Teri Evans"

 

"January 21, 2016 ·

Dear ALS.........I hate you, you have stolen so much from my sister. You are a monster, 1st you steal her beautiful voice & rob her of the things she loved so much, talking to her children & grand children, her family & friends, singing which she loved to do & could do so well. Next came the walking, you couldn't even leave her with that ability & then her arms. You stole them from her so that she could not hug her family & her two precious grandchildren. You made sure she couldn't even scratch an itch, you bastard. Then you decide, hey that's not enough, why don't I just make it difficult for her to breathe. Did you love seeing the fear in her eyes when she though she was going to choke? Did you enjoy hearing her scream? BUT just know this ALS, Cindy participated in research studies just to beat you & you may have won her battle but she is leaving a legacy for all of us to fight you & that we intend to do just that!. We will find a way to destroy you yet...mark my words!"



LET'S STRIKE OUT ALS FOR CINDY AND FOR EVERYONE!