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Authority record
Bannerman, Sir Alexander
Person · 1788-1864

Alexander Bannerman (1788-1864), merchant, politician and Governor of Newfoundland (1857-64), was born on 7 October 1788 in Aberdeen, Scotland, son of Thomas Bannerman, a prominent wine merchant. He married Margaret Gordon of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on 14 January 1825. They had no children. Bannerman was knighted in February 1851. He died 30 December 1864 in London, England.

Bannerman was educated at the Marischal College grammar school in Aberdeen before assuming control the family wine business with his younger brother Thomas (1820) after the death of their father. He also invested in a number of other businesses, including banking and whaling, as well as cotton mills and iron foundries. Well-known in Aberdeen, Bannerman became involved in politics, and was subsequently acclaimed as a Whig member for the city in the reformed House of Commons in 1832, where he sat until his retirement in 1847.

In 1850 Britain appointed Bannerman as Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island (1850-54) to implement responsible government. Identified as a Reform partisan, Bannerman became embroiled in island politics and was transferred by the Colonial Office to the Bahamas where he served as Governor until 1857. In mid-1857, Bannerman was selected as Governor of Newfoundland where responsible government had been achieved only two years earlier (1855).

In Newfoundland Bannerman asserted the prerogative of the governor as the Crown's representative to overrule decisions of the Executive Council, declaring that he was "by no means obliged to follow their advice if he considers it to be wrong." Following the resignation of the first Prime Minister Philip Francis Little (1858), Bannerman clashed repeatedly with his successor, the radical Liberal John Kent, over French fishing rights on the western shore of Newfoundland, the use of government funds and relief monies for fishermen, and the dismissal of government officials.

In 1861 Bannerman dissolved the Kent administration, a move observed with some alarm by the British government, and invited the Conservative leader, Hugh William Hoyles, to establish a new government, thus provoking the constitutional crisis of 1861. The Hoyles government was quickly defeated by a non-confidence motion; in the ensuing election there was much sectarian bitterness, and outbreaks of violence at Carbonear, Harbour Grace, St. John's, and Harbour Main. A petition from 8,000 Catholics denouncing Bannerman was sent to the Colonial Office. Bannerman was more temperate in the exercise of his prerogative powers during the Hoyles administration. He retired in September 1864 and died four months later in London.

Barrett, Barbara
Person · 1922-

Barbara Bettine Micklethwaite Barrett (1922 - ), journalist, dramatist, teacher, musician, actress and director, was born in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, on 3 November 1922, the daughter of Edith Eveline (Dredge) and Irvin Micklethwaite. She married Arthur Barrett of Curling, Newfoundland, during World War II. They had two children: Helena Margaret and John Irvin.

Barrett attended Greenhead High School and the local technical college in Huddersfield. She subsequently trained under prominent drama directors at Bishop Otter College, Cirencester, England, Memorial University of Newfoundland and York University, Toronto.

During World War II, Barbara was an air raid warden volunteer and a farm labourer in England, where she met and married Arthur Barrett. In 1946 they moved to Newfoundland and subsequently lived in several locations, including Curling, Gander, Corner Brook, Stephenville and St. John's.

Barrett played a prominent role in promoting the performing arts in Newfoundland and in preparing dramatic groups for annual provincial drama festivals. She founded the Avion Players, Gander and, together with her husband Arthur, was associated with the establishment of the Gander Community Centre. She was a member of the Stephenville Players and the Corner Brook Playmakers. She became involved with local theatre in St. John's and was, for 17 years, artistic director of Basement Theatre at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre. She was also founder and director of the Phoenix Theatre Group.

Barrett was also active as a writer and journalist. She wrote columns for The Western Star newspaper (Corner Brook) called "Tots & Teens" (under the pseudonym Ivy Joyce) and "War Brides Corner." In Gander, she interviewed prominent figures whose flights took them through the international airport, continued her "Tots & Teens" column and wrote "Gander Notes." She also served as a correspondent for the International News Service in New York and the Canadian Press. In Stephenville, she was the local correspondent for The Western Star, contributed to the Officer' Wives Club magazine, Howl, and was moderator of a public affairs program on CFSN-TV "Face to Face In Newfoundland," a program continued at CBYT-TV in Corner Brook (1964-73). In 1992 she hosted a series of interviews on VOWR Radio with performers involved with music and the theatre in St. John's.

During her career, Barrett was associated with the presentation of 1014 shows, including both professional and amateur productions. Up to 1991 she had directed more than 40 plays and adjudicated at numerous high school and adult drama festivals. She wrote plays for various groups and instructional guides in playmaking. Barrett nurtured numerous performers, including Joan Morrissey, Maxim Mazumdar, Sylvia Wigh, Jim Payne, Ed Kavanagh and Michael Cook, as well as numerous theatrical groups and school drama classes. Barrett was artistic director of the annual Summer Festival for nine years and co-authored scripts for the 1980 series of shows. She directed cultural activities for the Canada Summer Games '77 and co-chaired Soiree '88, the centenary celebration of municipal government in St. John's. In the 1980s, Barbara was a member of a committee that developed a performing arts course for the province's high schools.

Barrett received many citations, including awards for best director and best production. In the early 1960s, she was a nominee for citizen of the year award in Stephenville. In 1995, she received the Order of Canada for her work in community and theatre. In April 2003, she was made honorary life member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Society. Still very active in her 80s, Barrett won the award of best supporting actress at the 2003 Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival.

Barrowman, Dr. James
Person · 1936-1991

James Adam Barrowman (1936-1991), physician and professor, was born 4 June 1936 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He attended early schooling at George Watson’s Boys’ College in Edinburgh from 1948 to 1954. That same year he enrolled in Edinburgh University where he went on to complete a BSc, (Hons Physiology) and the degrees of MB and ChB in 1961. In 1964, he was made a member of the Royal College of Physicians and two years later, earned a PhD from London University in 1966. Following this appointment, he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Canada) in 1977 for Gastroenterology and in 1979 for Internal Medicine. In 1980, he also was made a Fellow of the American College of Physicians by direct election and in 1981 he also became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (London) by
direct election.

Over the years, Dr. Barrowman held a variety of positions and appointments. From 1961 to 1962, he held a twelve-month pre-registration service and was House Physician to Professor John Strong, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and House Surgeon to Sir John Bruce at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. In 1962, he was appointed as a six-month senior house officer in gastroenterological medicine with Drs. Card and W. Sircus at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. From 1963 to 1966, Dr. Barrowman was Junior Lecturer and then Lecturer in the Department of Physiology at the London Hospital Medical College. Between 1967 and 1968, he was the Wellcome Travelling Research Fellow in University of Lund, Sweden, as part of the Department of Physiological Chemistry. Following this, he accepted a position as Senior Lecturer in Physiology at the London Hospital Medical College where he remained until 1975, having held the positions of Medical Registrar, Senior Lecturer in Medicine, and numerous other responsibilities in gastroenterology at the London Hospital.

In 1975, Dr. Barrowman made the trip to Newfoundland when he accepted the post of Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Physiology at the new medical school at Memorial University in St. John’s. He became a full professor in 1979 and was appointed Assistant Dean, Research and Graduate Studies (Medicine) at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He was also Director of the Residency Training Programme in Gastroenterology in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial.

Outside of his teaching, Dr. Barrowman was involved in other aspects of professional medicine. These included holding memberships in Professional Societies such as the British Society of Gastroenterology, the Physiological Society, the Medical Research Society, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Physiological Society, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Pancreatic Association, the International Society of Lymphology, the American College of Physicians, the Canadian Liver Club, the Splanchic Circulation Group, the American Physiological Society, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, the America Oil Chemists’ Society and the Advisory Committee of the Canadian Ileitis/Colitis foundation.

James and his wife Gwynedd (nee Price) had four children. Dr. Barrowman died on 22 September 1991.

Bartlett, George F.
Person · 1897-1956

George F. Bartlett (1897-1956), Catholic priest, was born at St. John's, Newfoundland, on 24 November 1897, the son of Mary (Byrne) and Denis Bartlett. Bartlett died at St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, St. John's, on 22 September 1956.

Bartlett attended Holy Cross School and St. Bonaventure's College, St. John's. Following graduation from St. Bonaventure's in 1918, he enrolled at St. Augustine's Seminary, Toronto, to begin his studies for the priesthood. In 1919 he entered Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he completed his course of studies in philosophy. The following year he transferred to All Hallows College, Dublin, Ireland, for further studies in theology and the other sacred sciences. Bartlett was ordained a priest on 15 June 1924 in the Chapel at All Hallows College by Bishop Downey, bishop of Ossory, Ireland.

On 23 July 1924, Rev. Bartlett was appointed as a curate in St. Michael's Parish, Bell Island, and subsequently as administrator of the parish (1938) and finally as the parish priest in 1956. During his thirty-three years in St. Michael's Parish he supervised the construction of twenty-eight new buildings, including the parish church of St. Michael's, a new church at Lance Cove and a new church at Wabana. He was also an active supporter of many community events on Bell Island.

Rev. Bartlett was named a Domestic Prelate by His Holiness Pope Pius XII on 14 August 1947, with the title of Monsignor. In 1976 he was posthumously inducted into the Newfoundland Sports Hall of Fame at St. John's, for his noteworthy contribution to the promotion of sports in Newfoundland.

Corporate body · 1793-1998

On 5 June 1784, Newfoundland was made an independent ecclesiastical territory/mission with its establishment as a Prefecture Apostolic. The arrival of Rev. James Louis O'Donel, the newly appointed prefect of Newfoundland, in St. John's in that same year is generally recognized as the date of the founding of the parish currently known as Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. However, the name of this original St. John's-based parish is uncertain. Records comprising the fonds only make reference to the "Old Chapel" (on Henry Street) that acted as the first parish church and later cathedral when the Diocese of Newfoundland was erected on 4 June 1847. It also is unclear whether this original entity actually was established as an official parish in 1784 or as some other less formal unit (references exist to the District of St. John's). Certainly, by 1847, with the erection of Newfoundland as a Diocese, a formal parish existed in St. John's.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, constructed between 1841 and 1855 (consecrated on 9 September 1855), replaced the "Old Chapel," and in 1955 was raised to the rank of Minor Basilica, giving rise to the parish's current name, Basilica-Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Parish (more popularly known as the Cathedral Parish and, later, the Basilica Parish).

The original parish boundaries stretched from La Manche to Holyrood and over time have undergone several changes. The most recent occurred in 1998 when St. Joseph's, located in the East End of St. John's, was suppressed and its congregation absorbed by the Basilica Parish. Currently, the parish boundaries include Pleasantville, Quidi Vidi, and the downtown core.

The Basilica Parish was active in the establishment and administration of schools within its boundaries, including Our Lady of Mercy, Presentation, St. Patrick's Hall, St. Bonaventure's, Holy Heart of Mary, and Brother Rice schools. The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation (the Presentation Sisters), the Sisters of Mercy, and the Irish Christian Brothers also were closely affiliated with parish and educational affairs, supervising many of these parochial schools and participating in the general operations of the parish.

The Basilica Parish has also maintained close relations with numerous societies and organizations active within its geographical boundaries. Such past and present bodies include the Purgatorial Society, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, the Catholic Cadet Corps (CCC), the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Third Order of St. Francis, the Total Abstinence and Benefit Society, the Propagation of the Faith Society, the Blessed Virgin Mary Society, the Legion of Mary, the Catholic Women's League (CWL), and the Knights of Columbus (KOC). Thus, the operations of the parish are intimately intertwined with several allied lay societies and organizations (the above enumeration is not exhaustive).

Structurally, the parish is currently organized along lines similar to most Roman Catholic parishes, including a Parish Pastoral Council, a Finance Committee, and a Liturgy Committee. These bodies are comprised of clergy and members of the laity, established to administer pastoral concerns and affairs. Other bodies found in the parish include the Service Committee, the Restoration Committee, the Family Care Centre and the Hospitality Committee.

The oldest parish in Newfoundland, the Basilica Parish forms part of the Archdiocese of St. John's and is the seat of the Archbishop. Thus, the parish is somewhat unique in that parish and archdiocesan affairs often converge. While the Basilica Parish is administered by an appointed priest entrusted with the pastoral care of the community, the Archbishop, officially, is the chief pastor with his cathedra (or throne) located in the Basilica-Cathedral.

The following is a list of the prelates who have presided over the Basilica Parish: James L. O'Donel, prefect and later vicar Apostolic of Newfoundland (1784-1807); Patrick Lambert, vicar Apostolic of Newfoundland (1807-1816); Thomas Scallan, vicar Apostolic of Newfoundland (1816-1830); Michael A. Fleming, vicar Apostolic and later Bishop of Newfoundland (1830-1850); John T. Mullock, Bishop of Newfoundland and later St. John's (1850-1869); Thomas J. Power, Bishop of St. John's (1870-1893); Michael F. Howley, Bishop and later Archbishop of St. John's (1895-1914); Edward P. Roche, Archbishop of St. John's (1915-1950); Patrick J. Skinner, Archbishop of St. John's (1951-1979); Alphonsus L. Penney, Archbishop of St. John's (1979-1991); James H. MacDonald, Archbishop of St. John's (1991-2000); and Brendan O'Brien, Archbishop of St. John's (2000- ).

Batson, E.
Corporate body · 1934-1961

Elijah Batson owned and operated a general store at Trinity, Newfoundland, from 1934 to 1961. Before 1934, he was a clerk or junior bookkeeper at Ryan Brothers Ltd., Trinity. Initially, his business was located at the old Lockyer premises near the Green Forge, but he had relocated to the Commercial Stores property opposite the Royal Bank by 1938. By 1956, Batson had again moved the operation to the Erickson premises.

E. Batson sold groceries, hardware, and dry goods, which was typical of general stores in that era. The firm was atypical because it did not deal in codfish, only accepting cash or credit as a medium of exchange. In the twentieth century, many smaller outport firms like E. Batson began relying on the increasing pool of potential customers who carried cash and were not bound by credit and debt to the large fish merchants such as Ryan Brothers, Limited. The business closed when Elijah Batson died in 1961.

Battle Harbour
Corporate body · 1832, 1904, 1941

Battle Harbour, formerly a permanent settlement, is a summer fishing settlement on the coast of southeastern Labrador. According to legend the Montagnais aided by the French fought their last battle here against the Inuit, circa 1960. It is not known when Battle Harbour was first established as a European settlement but by 1785 a sealing station operated there and the community grew with emphasis on the seal and cod fishery. In 1850, Labrador mission headquarters was set up in Battle Harbour and a school constructed shortly after. In 1857, the church, St. James, was built and in 1893 a hospital, one of the first in Labrador, was built there. In 1918, the first co-operative, established by Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, challenged the merchants' previous monopoly and aided the settlement's heavily indebted fishermen. In the fall of 1930, Battle Harbour was destroyed by fire and a new school, hospital and outbuildings were rebuilt at Mary's Harbour, 11km away from Battle Harbour, on the mainland. The relocation of these services as well as the decline in salmon and cod fisheries led to the resettlement of Battle Harbour in other areas under the Fisheries Household Resettlement Program, circa 1966. In 1980 Battle Harbour was the site of a year round government weather station. In the 1990's Battle Harbour was declared an historic site and underwent a restoration program to preserve the history of the area.

Battle Harbour

Battle Harbour, formerly a permanent settlement, is a summer fishing settlement on the coast of southeastern Labrador. According to legend the Montagnais aided by the French fought their last battle here against the Inuit, circa 1960. It is not known when Battle Harbour was first established as a European settlement but by 1785 a sealing station operated there and the community grew with emphasis on the seal and cod fishery. In 1850, Labrador mission headquarters was set up in Battle Harbour and a school constructed shortly after. In 1857, the church, St. James, was built and in 1893 a hospital, one of the first in Labrador, was built there. In 1918, the first co-operative, established by Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, challenged the merchants' previous monopoly and aided the settlement's heavily indebted fishermen. In the fall of 1930, Battle Harbour was destroyed by fire and a new school, hospital and outbuildings were rebuilt at Mary's Harbour, 11km away from Battle Harbour, on the mainland. The relocation of these services as well as the decline in salmon and cod fisheries led to the resettlement of Battle Harbour in other areas under the Fisheries Household Resettlement Program, circa 1966. In 1980 Battle Harbour was the site of a year round government weather station. In the 1990's Battle Harbour was declared an historic site and underwent a restoration program to preserve the history of the area.