P. W. Crummey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pleaman Wellington Crummey
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The delegation which negotiated the entry of Newfoundland into Confederation
(Rear, l.-r. P.W. Crummey) |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1891 Western Bay |
| Died | 1960 Western Bay |
| Nationality |  Newfoundland |
| Spouse | Florence Belle Kennedy |
| Children | Jay Crummey, Safford Crummey |
| Residence | Western Bay |
| Occupation | merchant seaman, school teacher, magistrate |
Pleaman Wellington Crummey (1891–1960) was an important person in Newfoundland. He was born in a place called Western Bay. He helped shape Newfoundland's future, especially when it joined Canada.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Pleaman Wellington Crummey, often called P.W. Crummey, was born in 1891. His father was Captain Eli Crummey and his mother was Emma Butt. P.W. Crummey married his childhood sweetheart, Florence Belle Kennedy, in 1926.
His family had a long history in the Atlantic cod fishing business. His grandfather, James Cromey, owned a merchant station. This station was located on South Wolf Island, near Indian Tickle in Groswater Bay.
Education and Career
P.W. Crummey worked hard to get a good education.
- He earned a high school certificate from The Methodist College in St. John's. This school is now known as Prince of Wales Collegiate.
- He also received a special diploma from the State University of New York in Oswego, U.S.A.
After his education, Crummey started his career.
- In 1919, he joined the Ministry of Marine and Shipping. During the summers, he worked as a purser (a person who handles money and records) on the ship S.S. Senif along the Labrador coast.
- In 1922, he became a school teacher. He taught in different communities, including Shoal Harbour.
- Eventually, he became the Superintendent of the Methodist School Board, overseeing many schools.
Public Service and Justice
P.W. Crummey was also involved in the justice system.
- He was a Commissioner of the Supreme Court.
- He also served as a Justice of the Peace, which means he could handle minor legal matters.
Community Involvement
Crummey was very active in his community and in different groups.
- He was an Officer of the United Church of Canada.
- He was a Freemason and an Orangeman. He attended conferences for Orangemen across Newfoundland and in Canada.
- In Western Bay, he was the Master of The Lord Admiral Nelson (Orange) Lodge.
- In 1937, he was chosen as the Grand-Master of the entire Newfoundland Orange Lodge.
Volunteer Work During World War II
P.W. Crummey volunteered during World War II.
- He joined the Aircraft Detection Corps Newfoundland. This was a group of civilian volunteers.
- Their job was to watch the Newfoundland coast for any suspicious planes or ships.
- In 1942, the Royal Canadian Air Force took over this group. Crummey received special instructions and an identity card for his service.
Newfoundland National Convention
In 1946, P.W. Crummey was chosen to represent the area of Bay-de-Verde at the Newfoundland National Convention.
- This important meeting started on September 11, 1946.
- It was held in the Colonial Building and aimed to decide Newfoundland's future.
Ottawa Delegation
Crummey was part of the Ottawa Delegation. This group was sent by the National Convention to Ottawa, Canada. Their goal was to talk about the Terms of Union for Newfoundland to join Canada.
The members of this delegation were:
- T. G. W. Ashbourne (from Twillingate)
- F. G. Bradley (from Bonavista South)
- Charles Ballam (from Humber)
- Lester Burry (from Labrador)
- P. W. Crummey (from Bay de Verde)
- Joey Smallwood (from Bonavista Centre)
Fisheries Negotiations
During the negotiations, P.W. Crummey was in charge of the Fisheries Portfolio.
- He reported that if Newfoundland joined Canada, it would lose control of its offshore fishing resources. This was because the British North America Act said that all matters about the sea belonged to the federal government.
- P.W. Crummey was the last person from Newfoundland to represent its fishing interests at this level.
- Today, Newfoundland has a provincial fisheries minister. However, this department only handles the processing and selling of fish after it has been caught. It does not control the ocean itself.
Newfoundland's Future: Confederation or Other Options?
P.W. Crummey was part of groups that debated Newfoundland's future.
Responsible Government League
He was a member of the Responsible Government League.
- This group was formed in 1947 by Major Peter Cashin.
- They were against Newfoundland joining Canada (Confederation).
Economic Union Party
Crummey and other delegates wanted different options for Newfoundland. They formed the Party for Economic Union with the United States.
- This group, later called the Economic Union Party, was created in 1948.
- It was started by St. John's businessman Chesley Crosbie and Geoff Stirling.
- The party wanted Newfoundland to have a closer economic relationship with the United States.
However, there wasn't enough support to put the idea of economic union with the U.S. on the referendum ballot.
- Crummey and other members of the Economic Union Party asked people to vote for "responsible government." This was against Joey Smallwood and his Confederate Association, who wanted Newfoundland to join Canada.
- The first vote was very close. In the second vote, Newfoundland decided to join Canadian Confederation.
Later Political Life
After Newfoundland joined Canada, P.W. Crummey continued in politics.
- He ran as a candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador in the provincial elections.
- He ran for the Carbonear/Bay de Verde area in 1951 and 1956 but was not elected.
