EARLIEST JACKMANS IN RENEWS, NEWFOUNDLAND

The name Jackman is almost extinct now in Renews. Only Annie, the widow of Ron, remains while her grown sons live elsewhere. Once, the name was very prominent, made so particularly by the exploits of two - Arthur and William, the sons of Captain Thomas Jackman.

In fairness to the record, it should be noted that Captain Thomas was master of one of Goodridge’s vassals and when that firm moved its headquarters to the city, Thomas followed taking the boys with him when they were quite young. Arthur and William grew to manhood in St John’s and both became captains operating out of there. Arthur is famed for his well-documented exploits at the ice - hunting seals, and commanding the ships that took the Arctic explorers northward. William’s claim to fame is a legendary rescue he is supposed to have made on the Labrador coast in the fall of 1867 when he was credited with the rescue of shipwrecked people by swimming out with a rope in the icy seas a number of times. Notice of his feat is based on a single report by Matthew Warren a justice of the peace who placed the report in the hands of the Catholic archbishop Mullock. He in turn, pressed it on the Catholic legislators in the House and from there it took a life of its own. William never commented much on it himself, either to confirm or deny it and the record of the particular wrecked ship, even her name- is rather sketchy. The lifesaving medal which eventually came from the Royal Humane Society, was made out by mistake to his father, Thomas. Thereafter, he was known as ‘Jackman, the Hero’, and just a few years ago a commemorative stamp was issued depicting the heroic event.

A sister of Arthur and William also enjoyed a certain fame in Renews. Johanna Jackman married a Johnson, possibly the Edward who was local constable in Renews at the end of the 19th century, or the constable could have been their son. She was a fearless practical nurse and is remembered in lore as the one who saved Jim Chidley’s life when he was shot in the chest by operating on him.

"...And as for Mrs Johnson, I know she did her part,

She cut away the thread(threat) of life

thus leading to his heart."

Her own son, William Johnson, was lost with all his crew on the Lily May September 14, 1899. Two of the many donors to the relief fund that raised were a Gerald Jackman and a James Jackman.

The first of the Jackmans.

There used to be an expression in Renews "...the real Arthur". It was usually used in a derogatory way and we understood it referred to the many ‘Arthurs’ in the community, especially the many Arthur Jackmans. Long before my time, Mary Leary, a sharp-tongued spinster and public-house owner whose mother was a Jackman, was reported to have said the fame of the brothers, William and Arthur made all the collateral and subsequent Jackmans 'gowmshy'.

The first Jackman reported in Renews was an Arthur Jackman.

I’ve read in a bit of local Jackman family lore that their ancestors came to Renews as early as 1650, but there is really no record of the family name in Renews before 1784.

In 1784 Mr Rose went to Governor Campbell complaining that his neighbours were attempting to obstruct him as he went to repair his father’s waterfront premises which had fallen into disrepair following the latter’s death. The neighbours who were obstructing him were the family of Catherine Clemins. The complainant said Arthur Jackman, son-in-law of the widow Clemins together with her master-voyage(foreman), Stephen Power, were interfering with the ancient rights of the Rose family. He claimed his father had received a grant for that property in 1732. Magistrate Carter from Ferryland was able to give some aid to Rose’s claim when he recalled he had seen the elder Rose operating the premises undisturbed some year earlier. The matter was deferred by Rose seemed to be winning.

In earlier reports in the colonial Records, William and Catherine Clemins operated a fishing enterprise and a licensed public house in Renews. They had two children, a boy and a girl. The boy died while quite a young man and the daughter, also called Catherine, married Arthur Jackman. Old widow Clemins continued to pay her fees for her licensed public house until at least 1795 when she is listed having one of two such establishments in the village. When she died the Clemins property fell to the Jackmans.

In 1799-1800 a census was taken in Ferryland District(the Pole Census). Arthur and Catherine are there listed as the parents of a fine crop of boys - Toby, 19, James, 17, Thomas, 14, Philip, 11, Michael, 8 and George, 4 ½ . If there were other children they had to be born after that census.

Some of the lives of the sons can be traced. For instance, in the old cemetery at Renews there is a stone which reads:

"Sacred to the Memory of James Jackman, who departed this life March, 1857, aged 68 years."

Thomas Jackman, the father of William and Arthur, died July 20, 1870. But his age is given as 62 in the Courier. The age is likely wrong.

George Jackman died in 1874, age 78. (Newfoundlander, May 10, 1874; Patriot and Catholic Herald, May 22, 1874). However, his headstone in the old cemetery at Renews, erected by his son Francis J. Jackman, say he died March 4, 1874, 79 years"

Francis J added his mother Bridget who died May 15, 1876, aged 78 years. The Newfoundlander reported the Bridget was 82 when she died.(the Newfoundlander, May 19,1876).

It wasn’t until 1819 that Newfoundlanders were permitted to ‘own’ land. Before that time they could only have right to use such waterfront and the land behind as was necessary for a fishery.(rooms)

In 1827 the first grants were being given out and two of the sons of Arthur Jackman were among the first of Renews people to seek grants of land. In that year Philip and George Jackman petitioned for land grants in Renews(Royal Gazette; see also the Public ledger, Feb. 13, 1929).

In 1866 a Tobias and a John Jackman were among those who obtained grants of land in Renews.

In 1870 a James Jackman held a grant of land in Chance Cove, a now deserted community south of Renews. This James Jackman probably lived in Chance Cove because in 1874 James Jackman was among a group of rescuers lead by one, McCarthy from Chance Cove, who saved a stricken crew off a sinking boat and got a reward for it.

The merchant firm in Renews in the 19th century was Goodridge. The Jackmans worked for the Goodridges, often skippering their western boats, their ships that crossed the ocean and their coasters that carried freight up and down the Shore. For instance, in 1837 John Jackman was captain of the Fanny and received 14 shillings, 6 pence for his week’s work, 5 3/4 days.

In the ledger books of the firm there are a good many Jackmens listed as debtors:(PANL P7/A/29)

In the 1837 book one finds the following entries:

Arthur Jackman (Thomas’s son)

Arthur Jackman(James’ son)

Arthur Jackman(Philip’s son)

Arthur Jackman

In the 1838-39 books one finds:

James Jackman

James and Arthur Jackman

Arthur Jackman, Jr.

John Jackman

George Jackman

Jackman and Roache

Arthur Jackman(Servant)

Michael Jackman(Servant)

Michael Jackman(Phil)

Michael Jackman(Thomas)

Ann Jackman

Margaret Jackman

Thomas Jackman(Servant)

Arthur Jackman(Thomas’ son)

Tobias Jackman

Thomas Jackman Jr.

Arthur W. Jackman.

The next list that offers the names of some of the Jackmans is the 1840 voters List. This has males only, but shows that they lived in the area known as the North Side, rather than the Mount. Referenced on this list are:

George Jackman

James Jackman

Michael Jackman

Philip Jackman

Thomas Jackman...all of the North Side.

Parish records, births marriages and deaths can’t be found before the late 1830's.

Marriages

In 1838 Joseph Skelton of Cornwall, England married Johanna Jackman of Renews. It was witnessed by John Jackman.

In 1839 Arthur Jackman of Renews married Catherine Coady.

In 1839 David Ryan of Renews married Catherine Jackman. (Note: This couple are one of my many ancestors. I always understood gg grandmother, Catherine, was a daughter of the Arthur and Catherine Jackman mentioned in the 1800 census, a child born after the census was taken and a sister of Captain Thomas and his brothers, an aunt of the famous Arthur and William.)

In 1842 an Arthur Jackman married Mary Roach, which event was witnessed by Michael Jackman and Anne Foley.

In 1854 a Michael Jackman married Mary (name illegible) of St Mary’s at Renews.

In 1854 a Michael Jackman married Frances Divine.

In 1857 Lawrence Jackman and Ann Jackman witnessed the marriage of Joseph Wine? To Margaret Conway of Renews.

In 1857 Lawrence Jackman witnessed the marriage of Patrick Mullowney to Clara Ann Lawlor.

In 1857 John Jackman witnessed the marriage of Christopher Johnson to Elizabeth Power.

On September 17, 1864 Philip Jackman married Harriet Cahill.

On January 7, 1884 Patrick Leary married Mary Jackman. Elizabeth Jackman witnessed it. (Note: I live in the house originally built by this Paddy Leary in 1900, I use it as a summer place. He was the Customs officer in Renews.)

In 1889 John Jackman witnessed the marriage of Patrick Hynes to Alice McCarthy.

On January 7, 1892 Arthur Kane married Ellen Jackman.

On February 6, 1892 John Jackman married Elizabeth McCarthy.

On January 9, 1898 Gerald Jackman,32, married Johanna Sheehan ,30.(Note: This Gerald Jackman was a school teacher. His wife was a Cappahayden woman. His school was located on the South Side of Renews.)

In 1907 Phil Jackman and Johanna Johnson witnessed the marriage of Christopher Harding and Mary Jane Kelligrew.

In 1908 Lawrence Jackman witnessed the marriage of John Bavis to Kate Toole.

Births

In 1843 Thomas’ son, Arthur Jackman, the famous ‘Viking Arthur’ of the Northern floes, was born at Renews. According to his death notice Arthur’s brother, William was born in 1837, but I didn’t find an entry for his birth in the Renews records.

On August 5, 1863 Frances was born to John Lawlor and Catherine Jackman Renews parish Records, 1854-1871)

Deaths

In the old cemetery at Renews there is a stone that reads:

"Erected by Francis Jackman in Memory of his mother, Elizabeth Jackman who died July 22, 1850, aged 33 years."

Another headstone reads: "Erected by Francis J. Jackman in memory of his father George who died March 4, 1874, aged 79 years, also his mother Bridget who died May 15, 1876, age 78 years."

Still another stone reads:

"Sacred to the memory of James Jackman who departed this life March 1857, aged 68 years."

A St. John’s paper records the following death:"Ann Jackman, relict of the late Michael Jackman, age 88, a native of Renews."

Alice Power, aged 42 died in 1872, leaving 7 children. She had been wife of Tobias Jackman.

The Patriot and Terra Nova Herald, Jan 10, 1872 reported the death of Lawrence Jackman, 21, son of Thomas Jackman.

The Newfoundlander recorded Bridget’s death in 1876 "Died on Monday last at Renews Bridget, wife of Mr George Jackman, aged 82 (Newfoundlander, May 19, 1876)

On August 29, 1898 Arthur and John Jackman drowned in Renews Harbour. (Note: an aged informant, Bessie Wickens nee Keating, 99, told me her father was with them and managed to hold on to the overturned boat and that the sad event occurred in Fermeuse Harbour not Renews, although they were natives of Renews.)

William Jackman (Jackman the Hero) died February 25, 1877 at the young age of 40. (The Advocate, March 8, 1877). For a full account of his exploit 10 years before see the Newfoundlander, November 29, 1867.

William left a son, William H. Jackman, who became a priest and died July 1908, aged 44.(the Evening Telegram, July 17, 1908)

The Evening Telegram of Aug. 26, 1911 reported the death of Bridget O’Leary, wife of James Jackman, who survived her.

On November 28, 1912 the Evening Telegram reported that ‘P’ Jackman’s boat’ en route from Renews to St John’s, was missing. I don’t know if the boat eventually turned up, or if it was lost.

School reports

In an 1846 school report there was a ‘Mr Jackman operating a school on the North Side of Renews with 60 pupils in it and was receiving an annual salary of £20. (Note: I’m inclined to think this was Garrett Jackman and the incline on which his school was located is known as ‘Garrett’s Hill’.

In 1850 a Philip Jackman was the Renews representative on the Roman Catholic Board of Education for Ferryland District.( Newfoundland Almanac, 1849, pp.22-28.

And before leaving schools, I repeat that Gerald Jackman was a school master at the end of the 19th century. He is said to be the first person buried in the ‘new’ cemetery in Renews.

In the 19th century there were periodic directories listing office holders, leading citizens etc. The 1877 Directory of Newfoundland listed two jackmans as Planters (leading men in the community) At Page 24 there was an Arthur Jackman and a Michael Jackman. However, there was an earlier Directory published in 1865 that failed to mention any Jackmans as ‘Planters’ In that directory there was one ‘Planter mentioned - William Johnson.(Ref. Michael P. Murphy "Atlantic Guardian," Sept. 1953.)

The Jackmans who remained in Renews continued to serve as masters of the western boats and coasters belonging to the Goodridge firm. For instance, Thomas Jackman was master of the Beta in 1895 when she was caught in a storm between Renews and St John’s, when Meagher and Tobin were swept to their deaths. (The Evening Telegram, Dec. 19, 1895)

There are references in the Patriot and Catholic Herald, August 10, 1874 of two Jackmans commanding Gooddridge boats.

In 1899 William Jackman commanded the Mary Bell for Goodridges. On September 14, of that year, Thomas Jackman was fishing off Cape Race in the Beta. William was in the Mary Bell and their cousin William Johnson, son of Edward Johnson and Johanna Jackman, was skipper of the Lily May. William Johnson and his entire crew were lost in the storm that came up suddenly. Two of the donors to the relief fund that was raised following this tragedy were Gerald Jackman and James Jackman.

In 1921 a nominal census was undertaken in Newfoundland. It contains the following entries on Renews Jackmans and their households:

Arthur Jackman, head, born. Sept. 1880, wife Anne, born October 1894

John Jackman, head, born November, 1870, sister, Margaret Jackman, born may, 1877

John Jackman, head, born 1861; Mary, b. 1892; Michael, b . 1894; Johanna, b. 1897; Arthur, b. 1901; Elizabeth, b. 1905

Thomas Jackman, born 1858, Thomas, b. 1898; Johanna, b. 1899; Arthur, b. 1902; James, b. 1904; Patrick, b. 1905; Ronald, b. 1907. It is this Ronald’s wife who is the last Jackman living now in Renews.

When the Florzel was lost on February 26, 1918 the third mate was a newly-married Phil Jackman formerly of Renews then living in St John’s.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME JACKMAN

 

The name JACKMAN is first found in Essex before the Norman Invasion of 1066. The Jackmans of Devon traded with Newfoundland as early as 1562.

 

Surname: Jackman
Recorded as Jackman, Jakeman and possibly others, this is an English surname although probably with some French input. It derives from the from the French personal name Jacque, a form of John, and introduced into the British Isles after the Norman Conquest of 1066. To this has been added the Old English pre 6th century suffix 'mann', the latter meaning friend or advisor. The surname was first recorded in the year 1296 when Robert Jakeman appear in the Subsidy Tax rolls for the county of Sussex, whilst Robert Jackman appears in the Poll Tax rolls for Yorkshire in 1379. A coat of arms was granted to Alderman Edward Jackman, the High Sheriff of London in 1564. He held extensive estates in the counties of Buckingham, Essex, Hertfordshire and as far away as Durham. Early examples of the surname in surviving church registers include William Jackman, a christening witness at St Mary Colechurch, on June 27th 1561, and Katherin Jakman, christened at St Margaret Lothbury, also city of London, on January 13th 1571. John Jackman of Barbados is recorded as being "master" of Pettard Cordeline. The latter, who seems to have been a Frenchman, was a supporter of the Duke of Monmouth. After being captured in 1685, he was sentenced by 'Bloody' Judge Jeffries to exile in the West Indies as a slave. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. .