The Gardner's of Newfoundland and Cape Breton N.S.:Information about George Gardner
George Gardner (b. Abt. 1838, d. date unknown)
Notes for George Gardner:
George came to St. John's and Harbour Grace with the family.
In 1861 , though apparently only a Deacon at the time, he went to Heart's Content as Rector
of the church of St. Mary the Virgin, succeeding the Rev. H. Petley. In May 1864 he was
raised to the Priesthood at the Cathedral in St. John's by Bishop Feild, assisted by the
Archdeacon Edward Botwood, then of the Mission of Forteau, Labrador
Sept. 27th 1864 the Reverend Mr. Gardner was named one of the
Road Commissioners for Trinity South.
Reverend George is also famous for his founding in 1867 of the Church of England
Women's Associations( CEWA } which covered the Island and Labrador..
The big historic event of Reverend George's rectorate at Heart's Content was,
of course , the landing by the " Great Eastern " ofthe Trans-Atlantic Cable
of July 27 th , 1866. He organized the Thanksgiving Service to commemorate
the receipt of the first transmitted message.There was a great many people there
from all over the island, even from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
His sister Emma played the Harmonium - organ which is now in the Newfoundland Museum
His text at the following service in Church was" There shall be no Sea "
Reverend George's best known community feat is the founding of The Society of
United Fishermen. The SUF.
Not long after arriving in Heart's Content Gardner realized there was a real need for
an organization for local fishermen to serve as a means for making financial support and
other forms of assistance to its members in times of sickness or need.
Consequently, on Feb. 14,1862, he invited community fishermen to gather in the Colonial
and Continental Church Society schoolroom to discuss the advantages of forming a mutual
benefit association.That very night the Heart's Content Fishermen's Society came into existence
Members paid an annual fee of five shillings and there was an additional fee of one shilling ,
known as a mortality tax, which each member paid upon the death of a member or his wife.
These accumulated dues were distributed to members in time of need. Rev. George was committed
to help improve the lives of those making a living from the sea.
Before long members were joining from other communities all up and down the coast.Within a
few years the society's membership numbered 250.
It was soon evident there was a need for a dedicated meeting place, and in 1868 a piece
of land was acquired in Heart's Content for its construction.Designedby Gardner it served as
a meeting place and venue for other social functions in the community.
Gardner served as president of the Heart's Content Fishermen's Society for the full 11 years
of its existence. Its demise was brought about by him to ensure its continued survival.
A downturn in the fishery and a increasing number of members requiring long-term assistance
they faced the very real possibility the society would run out of money.
In the fall of 1872 Gardner proposed a major re-organization , to be accompanied by a concerted
effort to establish branches in other communities. The membership agreed with his suggestion.
The Heart's Content Fishermen's Society was reconstituted as The Society of United Fishermen.
Rev. George was not only the founding father of the ' Fishermen " but for fifteen years he was
its guiding spirit , and held the office of Grand -Master throughout , until he left NFLD in 1877.
More About George Gardner:
Christening: 08 Apr 1838, St. Mary's Church , Luton, England.
More About George Gardner and Frances M Marrett:
Marriage: 29 Nov 1861, Harbour Grace.
Children of George Gardner and Frances M Marrett are:
- +Isabell Gardner, b. 01 Oct 1867, Heart's ContentNFLD, d. 24 Aug 1935, Los Angeles3.