An interesting journal

The Journal of Andrew Allan George

1918 - 1973

My first column of 2010 is somewhat of a departure from my regular offerings but I could not resist sharing tidbits of this journal of Andrew George of New Harbour, Trinity Bay which has been transcribed by his son, Douglas. Andrew began his first journal entry when he was almost 17 years old. He had a Grade six education but his observations on the Church and society and indeed current events are quite remarkable. Time and time again there are comments about practical examples of good stewardship – for the use of church buildings and the coming together to help someone in need. Such was the way of life 70 years ago.

He begins in January 1935 where he noted regularly that he not only attend church in New Harbour but usually walked to neighbouring Dildo to attend evensong there.. On Sunday, the 17^th of March he wrote the following:

Milder today but fine with moderate south west wind. The Parson is not home yet so there is no service in the church today. Kept school this evening after which a crowd of us went over in dock. There was a large crowd there this evening. Attended Dildo church tonight and Mr. Kelloway read a wonderful sermon.

On January 30, he writes of a tragedy that befell his family:

Have not made an entry for the past week as I have been too frightened to think of such trifles. ….. It began to snow so I went up to Llewellyn Hefford’s for a couple of hours or so. We had a game of checkers and about 10 o’clock I left for home. It was blowing a gale from the south-west and drifting. When I got home Mother and Father were waiting up for me. They were uneasy as it was a wonderful rough night. However we went to bed about 10.30. At about a quarter to twelve Maria ( his sister) awoke with the whooping cough and discovered that the store and barn was all in a blaze. I awoke scared almost to death. The room was all lighted up as if it were day and I thought that it was the house. I did not know what I was doing and I don’t think any of us did, we were so frightened. We got to the barn door but the heat was so terrific that when we got it unlocked we had to leave it fair play. Besides, the animals were all smothered by that time. In less than an hour the whole thing was flat on the ground. Everybody in the neighbourhood did their best to extinguish the flames but all to no avail.

Andrew writes how the people of the area rallied around to help his father rebuild his barn.

The people of New Harbour and Dildo are helping. They have hauled along 190 sticks to the mill…The people of Blaketown have collected 93 logs. Father got a pleasant surprise to find that so many helped him in Blaketown. ……The St. Augustine’s Women’s Sewing Class are holding a tea tonight in the school to aid Father in this trying time. The people are still bringing along logs. ….There is about 200 up by the Hoskins’ mill now. The L.O.A. the L.O.Y.B.A and the S.U.F. combined are holding a tea to help Father. ….Colin came down today and had a hard time too as there is so much snow. He has collected $1.55 in Little Ridge which, is very good for so small a place.

In September 1935, Andrew writes about his first visit to St. john’s:

Left for St. John’s today. Had a delightful time, it being my first time in town. Saw the Blue Peter which is there loading with blueberries. We unloaded the berries on the South Side at Baird’s and then came over on Water St. and loaded up with flour at the Furness Withy freight shed….. We stopped at Bowring Park where I got a bird’s eye view of Peter Pan, The Caribou and The Fighting Newfoundlander. There was a nice lot of flowers there too and a lot of strange trees which have been presented by divers people to beautify the Park which is a delightful place. What a place to get a picture taken!

Andrew carries on this journal for three years covering a variety of topics from the weather, funerals, weddings, getting wood, making barrel hoops, special events and shipping tragedies. He even talks about working on the roads for a number of hours in order to pay for a $2.00 licience for his brother’s dog.

I’m afraid I have only scratched the surface on this delightful journal. In closing I am giving the final word to Andrew who wrote on March 22, 1936 a statement which is contrary to the current situation in many churches today.

Showery this morning, attended Mattins where there was a fine crowd of children but it’s surprising how very few grown-ups attend church in the mornings. I think that when the children grow up they will cease to go to church too and I would not blame them when they do not see their elders present and who should be showing them a good example by going to church. Attended school this afternoon and Evensong at 6.30. Afterwards, Cam and I went up the road.