Obsequies of the Late Captain William Jackman

The Advocate
March 8, 1877

OBSEQUIES OF THE LATE CAPTAIN JACKMAN
On Wednesday last, the solemn office for the repose of the soul Captain Jackman, was commenced in St. Patrick's Church at 10 a.m. High mass was celebrated by Rev. J. Scott, with Revs. P. Delaney and M. Fitzgerald as Deacon and sub-Deacon and Rev. W. Fitzpatrick as Master of Ceremonies. His Lordship the Bishop was assisted at the Throne by Very Rev. M. Forrestal and Rev. J. Ryan. The funeral procession left the Church for Belvedere Cemetery at 2 p.m.

The Societies of which the deceased was an active member of preceded the coffin. There were the Fishermen's Society first in processional order, the St. Joseph's Catholic Institute, and the Star of the Sea, of which latter body Captain Jackman was President from institution to his death. The bier was drawn by member of the latter Society. After the coffin came the chief mourners, consisting of the immediate family of the deceased, Mr. Bowring, and other friends. Then followed the Benevolent Irish Society, the Phoenix Fire Brigade and an immense concourse of people of all ranks of life and of every religious denomination. The cortege extended the length of ta mile and a quarter, and the time occupied in moving from River Head to Belvedere was nearly three hours. Bands playing the Dead March in Saul and other solemn and appropriate airs accompanied the procession. The Mercantile community testified the public esteem for the sterling worth and honorable career of Captain Jackman by closing all the shops and warehouses in the city; the shipping in the harbour carried their flags half-mast, and as the funeral moved up Cochrane Street the flag on the Government House staff was dropped in graceful deference to the general expression of mourning for the departed.

When the grave had closed over the remains of the beloved President, the Star of the Sea Society forming in line proceeded to their Hall when they adopted with one acclaim the following resolutions.

Star of the Sea Hall

February 28th, 1877
At a meeting of the Star of the Sea Association held to day in their Hall, in order to attend at the obsequies of their late zealous and beloved President, Capt. Wm. Jackman, and to attest the profound sorrow which actuates the members of the Association, it was deemed but fitting that their feelings of regret, and an expression of sympathy with the widow and family, should form a record on the Books of this Charitable Institution, and it was therefore unanimously.

Resolved - That whereas the Almighty has, in his inscrutable Wisdom, been pleased to withdraw from amongst us our late esteemed and beloved President, Capt. William Jackman, we, the members of the Star of the Sea Association, humbly accept this chastening visit of the Angel of Death.

Resolved - That in the death of Captain William Jackman this Association has been deprived of one whose energy and zeal were ever devoted to advance its cause, whose active sympathies and free open hand were ready to help the suffering and distressed, and whose illustrious example will shine as a Beacon Light to guide, stimulate, and encourage those left behind him in this Association, every member of which feels himself called upon to mourn the loss of one whose great generous heart endeared him to each member as a brother and a friend.

Resolved - That, in the universal respect shown today at the funeral of Capt. William Jackman, we recognize the esteem in which he was justly held by the whole community, amongst whom he lived and labored; and are certain, it is but an exposition of that huge opinion entertained by the people of all Newfoundland as a man whose courage, benevolence, humanity, and many other noble qualities, rendered him an honor to his native land.

Resolved - That, whilst as Catholics we feel that no consolation can so soothe his immediate family and friends as the knowledge that the close of his life and entrance to a glorious eternity were blessed by the sacred offices of the Ministers of our Holy Mother of the Church, of which he was an earnest, devoted member, we beg to offer to the bereaved widow, children and family of Captain William Jackman our sincere sympathy and condolence in this moment of their severe trial and affliction.

Resolved - That a copy of the foregoing Resolutions be presented to the bereaved widow and family by the Spiritual Director, the Rev. John Ryan, and Mr T. Mullins, Presiding officer, pro tem., and be also printed in the public Journals of this city.

T. Mullins, Presiding Officer
L. Barron, Secretary

St. Joseph's Catholic Institute Rooms
St. John's, 28th Feb., 1877

At a special meeting of the Institute held here this day, it was unanimously
Resolved - That this Institution appreciated highly the services of the late Captain William Jackman, and regret very much his early death, whereby the Institute has lost an earnest and energetic member, whose active exertions were at all times at the command of the Institute for the purpose of forwarding the object of its foundation, and

Resolved - That the members of the Institute respectfully tender to the widow and family of their late brother member, sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the very great affliction with which it has pleased God to visit them, and

Resolved - That in testimony of the sympathy and condolence of the members of the Institute, a copy of the foregoing resolutions be presented to Mrs. Jackman and be also published to the public journals.

R. J. Kent, President
W. J. Hogan, Secretary