1874 Census

1874 Census

What was the population of Lower Island Cove 143 years ago?

Here's the results from the census carried out in 1874 from Red Lands to Bay-de-Verds in the District of Conception Bay.

Red Lands (Redlands) was a settlement located between Job's Cove and Lower Island Cove.  There's nothing left to the Redlands settlement now other than old roads, foundations and root cellars.

What's known today as Lower Island Cove was subdivided into Lower Island Cove and Burnt Woods in the census.  Burnt Woods is no longer considered a separate settlement by government, but many people still reside there, and it's still referred to as Burnt Woods by a lot of residents.

Lower Island Cove was the largest settlement in 1874 with 810 Residents.  Bay-de-Verds (Bay de Verde) was next in line with 678 residents.

If you look at the columns showing the age of inhabitants, the number of young people is staggering.
In Lower Island Cove, roughly 52% of the population was under the age of 20.  Bay de Verde was at 46% <20.

The census also indicates that people were dying at a younger age.  There's not many residents (male or female) in the "70 upwards" category.  For example, only 2.4% of the population of Lower Island Cove and Burnt Woods combined were over the age of 70.

How things have changed!

I increased the size to hopefully make it a bit more readable:

Here's the numbers from the 2016 government census.  2016 population numbers are on the left, 2011 numbers on the right. 

As you can see, the local population is shrinking.  

                                                                                                                           

Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency - 2016 Census

That being said, populations of larger towns and cities are heading in the other direction. For example:

Carbonear         +119 

Bay Roberts      +194

St. John's           +2688

(change in population 2011 to 2016) 

Hope you enjoyed the post and found it interesting.  Drop me an email if you have any comments or things to add.

S.

Lower Island Cove Soldiers Return from the War - July 1919

Soldiers Return from the War - July 1919

Here's an interesting little wartime article that I came across.

It was Friday July 11, 1919, and a large reception was being held in Lower Island Cove at the Orange Lodge, prepared by Mrs. Pickering and the ladies of the Methodist Church.  A group of soldiers were returning home from battle in World War 1.

 The following soldiers were present:

Sargeant A.M. Hudson - LIC
Lance Corporal Harry Garland - LIC
Sapper Simeon Louis - LIC
Private Stanley Garland - LIC
Private John Louis - LIC
Private Herbert Bursey - LIC
Private Charles Vail - LIC
Private Selby Morris - LIC
Private Horatio Turner - LIC
Private Frank Cull - Caplin Cove
Private Douglas Wicks - Burnt Point
Private Harry Morris - St. John's (visiting LIC)

 The soldiers are described as 'boys' and were given refreshments and candy.  I'm guessing candy would have been a luxury in 1919.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

With Rev. Pickering presiding, several speakers had welcomes and words of appreciation for the soldiers.  It's pretty amazing that Mr. Eli Garland had three Sons in active service.  I wonder if they all returned back to Newfoundland unharmed? Perhaps somebody in the Garland family would know.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

Unfortunately, many soldiers did not return home alive.  Eight soldiers from Lower Island Cove that gave their lives in battle, and were acknowledged at the reception.

Private Kenneth Morris

Private Arthur Cummins

Private Kenneth LeShane 

Private Reuben Wheeler

Private Charles Reid

Private Gascar Garland

Private William Morris

Private Phillip Louis

After the names of the deceased were read, a few of the soldiers in attendance spoke a few words.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

EDIT * A sad thing I learned since publishing this blog: Apparently Mr. Allan G. Hudson could not be present due to the fact that his wife just died.  Mrs. Eliza Rankin Louis Hudson died the day after her son arrived home from the war.  Rev. Louis Hudson spoke in his place. (Thanks to John Taylor-Johnson and Jeannie Howse for that information).

EDIT ** Here's a Note of Thanks which confirms that Mrs. Hudson passed suddenly the day before the social.  It appears Mrs. Hudson showed no signs of illness before retiring for the evening and had a busy day preparing for the social.

The Evening Telegram - April 12, 1919

The Returning Soldiers article continues describing the soldiers bravery, and mentions fighting in the sands of Egypt, barren soil of Gallipoli and the blood-stained soil of France and Belgium.

It's interesting that Private Douglas Wicks of Burnt Point married a Scottish woman.  The war bride was given a warm welcome by the crowd.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

EDIT***

Since publishing this write-up I was contacted by Mr. Ian Leary from England.  He had quite a story to share with me regarding the Scottish bride mentioned above!

Ian's Grandfather was Charles (Charley) Leary, who was born in St. Anne's Placentia Bay.  Charles was one of five Sons of John & Margaret Leary.  St. Anne's was abandoned or relocated years ago and the family settled in Brigus.  Ian writes that John's house still stands in Brigus.

When WW1 started, Charles enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment.  He was wounded at Beaumont Hamel, but he served until he died in action in Belgium October 1917 (at the 3rd battle of Passchendaele).

After enlisting the regiment was based for quite a period of time in Ayr Scotland, where Charley met Agnes Shaw from Prestwick (which is now an airport).  They got married in Prestwick and a son was born - John Leary - Ian's Father.

Agnes obviously became a widow in 1917 when Charles died in battle.  Therefore Ian's Father John never knew his Father Charles.

After Charles died and the war ended, Ian's Grandmother Agnes re-married.  Ian said he knew the new husbands surname was Wicks, but hardly knew any more details other than the fact she died in Boston, USA.

When she re-married she decided to leave Scotland for Newfoundland or the United States.  

Agnes decided to leave John (Ian's Father) behind with her Father and Sisters in Scotland.  Ian said he didn't know the reason for sure but he believes the new husband didn't have the appetite to care for another man's child.  John was very young, therefore he didn't really get to know his mother before she left for North America.

Ian tells me that he discovered details regarding Douglas via The Rooms database in St. John's.  He also served in the Newfoundland Regiment No. 5069 in 1918 and was stationed in the UK at the end of the war - but never saw any action.  Ian stumbled across this blog the same day which talked about him marrying a Scottish Bride.  Douglas was listed on his enlistment as a fisherman and worked with his father Josiah Wicks, mother nee Stockwood from Burnt Point.

Ian wrote that it took him about 20 years to trace Douglas and Agnes and establish the details.  I'm glad I was able to have a small part of solving his family history.

Here's a picture of Charles and Agnes that Ian sent me, shortly after they were married.  Note the jodhpur pants! Great picture.

Thanks Ian for sharing your story!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post.  Keep an eye on this blog for more Lower Island Cove history stories and findings.  If you have anything to add to any of my blog posts, feel free to drop me an email.

S.