Lawn, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Lawn, population approximately 800 , is located at the tip of the Burin Peninsula
on Newfoundland's South coast, Newfoundland and Labrador
. Lawn is spread around a small harbor in a relatively lush valley. According to one local tradition it was this lushness that inspired Captain James Cook to name the place Lawn Harbor. But it has also been speculated that a Frenchman named the community after a doe caribou that he spotted there.
Lawn is a community whose survival over the past two hundred years has depended entirely on the fishery. The abundance of fish in the waters surrounding Lawn (formerly known as Laun) attracted seasonal fishermen from France, Portugal, Spain and England. These fishermen came over in large fishing ships and returned to their homelands in the fall. This type of migratory fishery continued to exist on the Burin Peninsula well into the eighteen hundreds. However, in 1763 an important event occurred which had a tremendous impact on the development of permanent settlements on the Burin Peninsula. This is when the history of Lawn begins.
The town of Lawn was formed as Community Council in 1952 and was changed to a Town Council in 1968.
Prior to 1763 the English and French were constantly at war with each other. These wars took a toll on both nations as they fought for control of various colonial possessions. Newfoundland with its abundant supply of fish became a colony, which both nations fought over. They both agreed to divide the island into two zones in which they were permitted to prosecute a summer fishery. The Burin Peninsula was part of the “French Shore” in which the French had exclusive fishing rights. In the 1760s the British gained the upper hand in their war with France and finally in 1763 the French were defeated.
In 1763 the French signed the Treaty of Utrect, which forced them to abandon all territorial claims on the island of Newfoundland. The only possessions they were permitted to keep were the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Banishment of the French made permanent settlement much more attractive in Burin Peninsula communities such as Lawn.
The first settlers to establish permanent residence in Lawn were the Connors (O’ Connor) family who came from County Cork, Ireland. Michael and his brother Peter Connors were fish merchants who decided to stay in Lawn after the summed fishery. Many of these workers began to spend their winters in lawn and eventually married women from nearby communities. The Connors, Murphy, Strang, Pike and Tarrant descendants planted family roots, which have survived to this very day.
The survival of Lawn in the late seventeen hundreds and early eighteen hundreds were influenced by two important factors. The most important factor was the supply of cod. The second factor was the availability of a market for the cod. In the late 18th century the Sir Robert Newman Company that was one of the most powerful fishing establishments in Newfoundland, set up a business in St. Lawrence. This gave some sense of stability to the area and provided easy access to a market for fisherman from Lawn. The Sir Robert Newman Company also helped bring young men over from England and Ireland to work in the fishery. This along with the prosperous fishery made Lawn a very viable fishing settlement.
ships ran aground on the shore of the Burin Peninsula between Lawn and the nearby community of St. Lawrence
. It was determined that the USS Pollux
, USS Truxtun
and USS Wilkes
made a navigation error while en route to Naval Station Argentia
. Eight residents of Lawn assisted in the rescue of survivors. 185 sailors survived and 203 died as a result of the disaster.
American sailors from Pollux/Truxton from frigid waters.
In the early hours of February 18, 1942, 15 year old Adolph Jarvis was getting ready to go turr hunting. It was not yet daylight in Webber’s Point and “you couldn’t see a hand before your face” he remembers. When he saw flares in the sky he thought the war had reached our shores. The squall cleared and he could see two ships, one of them had come aground at Lawn Point’s big head, the other at the middle o the point, but free (They had been there since 4 am, the Pollux aground, the Wilkes, damaged but standing by “until help comes”).
Burin Peninsula
The Burin Peninsula is a Canadian peninsula located on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
on Newfoundland's South coast, Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. Lawn is spread around a small harbor in a relatively lush valley. According to one local tradition it was this lushness that inspired Captain James Cook to name the place Lawn Harbor. But it has also been speculated that a Frenchman named the community after a doe caribou that he spotted there.
Lawn is a community whose survival over the past two hundred years has depended entirely on the fishery. The abundance of fish in the waters surrounding Lawn (formerly known as Laun) attracted seasonal fishermen from France, Portugal, Spain and England. These fishermen came over in large fishing ships and returned to their homelands in the fall. This type of migratory fishery continued to exist on the Burin Peninsula well into the eighteen hundreds. However, in 1763 an important event occurred which had a tremendous impact on the development of permanent settlements on the Burin Peninsula. This is when the history of Lawn begins.
The town of Lawn was formed as Community Council in 1952 and was changed to a Town Council in 1968.
Early history
Lawn was first settled by Vikings in 1000 AD. Most of the residents, hearty and strong, are descendant from these northern transient warriors. It wasn't until the late 18th century that the French rediscovered Lawn.Prior to 1763 the English and French were constantly at war with each other. These wars took a toll on both nations as they fought for control of various colonial possessions. Newfoundland with its abundant supply of fish became a colony, which both nations fought over. They both agreed to divide the island into two zones in which they were permitted to prosecute a summer fishery. The Burin Peninsula was part of the “French Shore” in which the French had exclusive fishing rights. In the 1760s the British gained the upper hand in their war with France and finally in 1763 the French were defeated.
In 1763 the French signed the Treaty of Utrect, which forced them to abandon all territorial claims on the island of Newfoundland. The only possessions they were permitted to keep were the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Banishment of the French made permanent settlement much more attractive in Burin Peninsula communities such as Lawn.
The first settlers to establish permanent residence in Lawn were the Connors (O’ Connor) family who came from County Cork, Ireland. Michael and his brother Peter Connors were fish merchants who decided to stay in Lawn after the summed fishery. Many of these workers began to spend their winters in lawn and eventually married women from nearby communities. The Connors, Murphy, Strang, Pike and Tarrant descendants planted family roots, which have survived to this very day.
The survival of Lawn in the late seventeen hundreds and early eighteen hundreds were influenced by two important factors. The most important factor was the supply of cod. The second factor was the availability of a market for the cod. In the late 18th century the Sir Robert Newman Company that was one of the most powerful fishing establishments in Newfoundland, set up a business in St. Lawrence. This gave some sense of stability to the area and provided easy access to a market for fisherman from Lawn. The Sir Robert Newman Company also helped bring young men over from England and Ireland to work in the fishery. This along with the prosperous fishery made Lawn a very viable fishing settlement.
1942 tragedy
In the predawn hours of February 18, 1942, three United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
ships ran aground on the shore of the Burin Peninsula between Lawn and the nearby community of St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. Lawrence is a Canadian town located on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador. As of 2006, the population of St. Lawrence was 1,349.-History:...
. It was determined that the USS Pollux
USS Pollux (AKS-2)
The second USS Pollux was a Castor-class general stores issue ship.Pollux was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Hoboken, N.J...
, USS Truxtun
USS Truxtun (DD-229)
' was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the third ship named for Thomas Truxtun.Truxtun was laid down on 3 December 1919 and launched on 28 September 1920 from William Cramp & Sons, sponsored by Miss Isabelle Truxtun Brumby, and commissioned at the...
and USS Wilkes
USS Wilkes (DD-441)
USS Wilkes , a , was the 3rd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Charles Wilkes, who was an American naval officer and explorer....
made a navigation error while en route to Naval Station Argentia
Naval Station Argentia
Naval Station Argentia is a former base of the United States Navy that operated from 1941-1994. It was established in the community of Argentia in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland, which later became the tenth Canadian province .-Construction:Established under the British-U.S...
. Eight residents of Lawn assisted in the rescue of survivors. 185 sailors survived and 203 died as a result of the disaster.
The Heros
- Thomas Edwards - Fisherman - Lawn, Newfoundland. Edwards was part of the rescue team who went to the grounding site and pulled Americans up ice covered cliffs. David Edwards, miner, risked life and limb being lowered down cliff at Lawn Point on stormy cold night to lift
American sailors from Pollux/Truxton from frigid waters.
In the early hours of February 18, 1942, 15 year old Adolph Jarvis was getting ready to go turr hunting. It was not yet daylight in Webber’s Point and “you couldn’t see a hand before your face” he remembers. When he saw flares in the sky he thought the war had reached our shores. The squall cleared and he could see two ships, one of them had come aground at Lawn Point’s big head, the other at the middle o the point, but free (They had been there since 4 am, the Pollux aground, the Wilkes, damaged but standing by “until help comes”).