Introduction
Early in the 1900s immigrants from the Canadian province of Newfoundland began coming in numbers to Camden, many finding work in Camden’s shipyards. As they spoke English, they had little problem assimilating into American society, yet, like most every other ethnic group that came to the city, a yearning for the homeland and desire to associate with familiar people resulted in the formation of a social club.
In May of 1941, almost 100 men from Newfoundland met at the hall at 601 Berkley Street and founded the Newfoundland American Club. By 1947 the club had acquired the building at 1361 Whitman Avenue, and occupied the premises until at least the spring of 1972. Many of the members lived near the clubhouse in Whitman Park and adjacent Parkside.
By 1972 membership had fallen off to the point that keeping the building was impossible. The original and early members had moved away or passed away, and the younger generation of Newfoundlanders had far less attachment to the old country than their parents, and the club went out of existence.
Photos
Named: 1361 Whitman Avenue, Home of the Newfoundland American Club, 1943, and 1972..
Newfoundland Club Organized in Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
Nearly 100 men attended a meeting to organize the Newfoundland American club, at Sixth and Berkley streets, and decided to form a permanent organization next Wednesday.
The club will enroll natives and sons of natives of Newfoundland, who reside in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area, it was announced. In addition to promoting social activities the club plans a form of insurance for members, according to the committee named to complete organization arrangements. It was decided at the meeting that the club remain independent of any political organization.
A membership committee was named to include William Corbett, Thomas Kelly, Thomas Cole, Bernard Anthony and M. J. O’Keefe, who presided at the first meeting. The committee set a goal of 1000 members before the end of this year.
Newfoundland American Auxiliary
Camden Courier-Post —
Newfoundland American Auxiliary will hold a Masquerade Dance, Saturday Evening, October 23 at the Club House, 1361 Whitman Avenue, Camden. Music. Refreshments. Mrs. Thomas Costello, Chairlady of Publicity Committee.
Fr. Burke to Speak
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Camden Resident Will Address Newfoundland Group Here Monday Night on Patriotism
Rev. William Burke, former Camden resident now serving in the diocese of Little Rock, Ark., will return to this city Monday night to address members of the Newfoundland American Association at the club’s headquarters, 1361 Whitman avenue.
Father Burke, son of James and Mrs. Anna Burke, now of Philadelphia, was ordained last February by Most Rev. John B. Morris, Bishop of Little Rock. He was the one hundredth priest to be ordained for that diocese and has been assigned to the mission field there. He celebrated his first Mass in the Church of the Nativity, Philadelphia. The new priest was born April 4, 1910, when his family resided at 809 Cherry street, Camden. Two brothers are in the armed forces.
Father Burke will address the Newfoundland club on patriotism and the value of unity in their fraternal organization.
Newfoundlanders Honor Servicemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Plaque Unveiled at Headquarters of Club on Whitman Avenue
Sandy McGrath – Consuelo Anthony – Agnes Costello – Mildred Hearn – Marie Ryan – Michael Gorman – John Gorman – Thomas Gorman – Emil Mahoney – Charles Mahoney – James Mahoney – John Mahoney – Michael Mahoney – William Mahoney – Daniel Costello – John Costello – James Costello – Timothy Costello – Raymond Curnew – John Curnew – Thomas Curnew – Raymond Doyle – Edward Doyle – James Doyle – Lawrence Moore – Francis Moore – Leo Moore – Leo Anthony – Vincent Anthony – Francis Costello – Thomas Costello – James Dalton – Philip Dalton – Michael Hayes – William Hayes – Lawrence Kehoe – William Kehoe – Michael McDonald – William McDonald – Raymond Welsh – Thomas Welsh – Leo Whelan – John Whelan – Helen Mahoney – Edward Mahoney – Philip Anthony – John Anthony – Bernard Costello – David Costello – Leonard Costello – Robert Costello – Timothy A. Costello – John Conway – Joseph Corbett – William Cowgill – William Dalton – William Driscoll – Joseph Edwards – Edward Garrity – Thomas Kelly – James Kennedy
James Lush – Gregory Lyons – John F. Mahoney – Patrick Mahoney – Patrick Mason – Edward O’Brien – William Penney – John Ryan – Joseph Ritchford – Daniel Sullivan – Thomas St. John – William Wade – Oscar Wexlin – James Whelan – Richard White – Leon Wypich
Mass to be Sung for 12 Dead Heroes
Camden Courier-Post —
Agnes Kehoe – Sacred Heart Church
Harold S. McLean – Frederick G. Corbett – George D. Flynn – Edward F. Keenan – Joseph V. Moore
William McDonald – Michael F. Mahoney – Daniel K. Skanes aka Daniel K. Skains
Pvt. George D. Flynn, 36, of 18 South Sussex street, Gloucester, died in June, 1944, of wounds received during action in France after 29 months service.
Edward F. Keenan, 312 Broadway, Gloucester, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Keenan, was killed in Germany during November, 1944.
Pvt. Joseph V. Moore, 25, whose sister, Margaret, lives at 925 Penn street, was drowned in the Panama Canal.
Pvt. William McDonald, 34, son of Michael McDonald, 1110 Marion street, was killed in August, 1945, in France. His mother, Elizabeth, is living in Newfoundland.
Michael F. Mahoney, 30, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Mahoney, 709 Morgan boulevard, was killed on Tarawa when the bomber of which he was a crew member exploded during a take-off. His widow, Anna, lives at 1234 Jackson street.
Daniel Skain, 19, of 3 Troy avenue, Bellmawr, was lost in October, 1944, when his destroyer was torpedoed in the Pacific.
S/Sgt. William Mahoney, 26, son of Mrs. Phillip McDonald, 2244 East Monmouth street, was killed on Luzon in May, 1945.
John Keating, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Keating, 2998 Chatham street, was killed in January, 1945, while serving with the Rainbow Division in France.
Vincent Rotchford, 24, of 2994 Chatham street, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rotchford, was killed while serving with the Army in the Pacific. He was employed at the New York Shipyard.
Whitman Avenue – Penn Street – Marion Street – Morgan Boulevard – Jackson Street
Nfld.-American Club To Hold Memorial
Camden Courier-Post —
The Newfoundland–American Club of Camden will attend its annual memorial Mass to the war dead on Saturday at 8 a.m. Solemn high Mass will be sung in Sacred Heart Church, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Social Will Be Held By Newfoundland Club
Camden Courier-Post —
The American Newfoundland Club will hold its next social Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at 1361 Whitman ave., it was announced by Mrs. Margaret Cook, the president, who requested all members to bring a prize and a friend or two. Refreshments will be served.
Notice of Application
Camden Courier-Post —
Notice of Application — Take notice that the Newfoundland American Association has applied to the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control of Camden for a Club License for premises situated at part 1359 and 1361 Whitman Ave., Camden, N.J.
Officers: Francis St. John, President, 4239 Elsinore St., Philadelphia, Pa.; Nicholas F. Keating, Financial Secretary and Treasurer, 101 Baird Ave., Mt. Ephraim, N.J.; Larry P. Costigan, Recording Secretary, 119 W. Summit Ave., Haddonfield, N.J. Trustees: Carrie Costello, 2939 Weikel St., Philadelphia, Pa.; Elizabeth Anthony, 1362 Lansdowne Ave., Camden, N.J.; Bernard Anthony, 1362 Lansdowne Ave., Camden, N.J.; Thomas Whelan, 853 Haddon Ave., Camden, N.J.; Edward Penney, 529 Powell St., Gloucester, N.J.; Bridget Thiger, 247 Chestnut St., Glendora, N.J.; Carmel St. John, 4239 Elsinore St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Nearing the End of the Line
Camden Courier-Post —
The fast-paced suburbanized seventies can chalk up one more victim.
The Newfoundland-American Association is selling its building in Camden and moving out. Destination unknown.
Mrs. Jerome Lambe, secretary of the group (“for the time being,” she adds pessimistically), hopes they’ll still be able to get together once a year, maybe, for a big dance or party.
Margaret Lambe grew up in Mount Ephraim but went to Newfoundland — which she pronounces with an accented last syllable — to work, and met and married her husband there.
They live in Runnemede now but go back with their children for vacations. It takes three days to drive to Nova Scotia, another day across on the boat, then twelve more hours’ drive to the eastern side of the island.
The Newfoundland-American Association has always been strictly a social thing, says Margaret Lambe. The club was a place to meet other people from Newfoundland and a place where young immigrants could find familiar customs and dances.
“People tended to stick together more then,” Margaret recalls. “A lot of them lived near the club, in the Whitman Park section of Camden.”
“But they’ve all moved out to the suburbs. And anymore, the kids who arrive from Newfoundland have the same customs as U.S. kids.”
The people who started the club nearly 30 years ago are elderly now, and virtually no young people belong at all.
“I think it’s a shame to give it all up,” says Mrs. Lambe, “but that’s just my opinion.”