Jack-o-Tar n

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/37675

jackatar n all these were a number of _Micmacs_ and half-breeds, known locally as Jack-o-Tars. One curious individual hailed from the Hawayan Islands. He was the ugliest human being I ever set eyes upon, moreover, he was a perfect savage, and when in liquor, his normal condition, he was the terror of the Point. He would go around with a tall, battered belltopper har adorned with coloured ribbons, kicking up antios of a purely savage type. He nevertheless had a white wife and was father of a fine family of sons and daughters, some of which latter were quite good looking girls. Joe, for that was the name given him, made his advent to our shores through being shipwrecked on the outer side of the Point, where the water is very shallow and where many a goodly vessel has been stranded. There [reverse] were no lights or alarms of any kind in existence at this time, and in dull weather, or on dark nights it was impossible to distinguish the end of the Point or make the harbour. Joe managed to escape to shore, and would never venture to sea again. There were a few pure French from the motherland, but very few of Irish descent. I think only two individuals, John Cashin and John Thomas. They were all however, very friendly and hospitable. We took up our quarters at the house of the principal merchant, M. Le Grandy's an old country Frenchman, who with his amiable wife and daughters made us welcome during our stay. [check] G.M. Story [check] WK Used I and Sup Used I and Sup 1 Not used jackie tar, jackitar, jack-o-tar, jackotaw, jacky tar, jack-tar, jacky Checked by Cathy Wiseman on Mon 13 Jul 2015; Reverse side of card at J_13475