“HOPE SPRANG ETERNAL’

The Edmondson family appeared to be a well to do family from Warwick Bermuda. William Joseph Edmondson married Martha Harvey Francis and were the parents of 8 children. Two children died at an early age. Two of their sons Francis Harvey Edmondson and Frederick Spencer Edmondson were go getters and in the words of many put the title of Edmondson on the map and their names individually was often spoken on the lips of many Bermudians for the works they did during their days. Their father William Joseph Edmondson was a pilot by trade.

Harvey as he was usually known the elder of the two brothers became deeply involved in the community. He was a carpenter by trade. He built his own home on Keith Hall Road in Warwick Bermuda. He operated his carpentry business on Washington Lane in the City of Hamilton before moving to Court Street. Harvey was a stanch lodge man and gave much of his time in the Alexandrina Lodge #1026 which was established by the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in 1852. The lodge building its-self which played a significant role in the lives on many Bermudians was once destroyed by a hurricane in 1926 and Brother Edmondson oversaw the rebuilding of the structure. It was without a doubt because of his work ethic and determination Harvey would have worked his way through every office of the lodge an honour in its-self.

He held the office of chairman of the Berkeley Institute here he followed in his father’s footsteps who also served as chairman from 1905-1911. Once the Bermuda nursing Home was founded by the combined group of lodge brothers and the Loyal Flower of the day Lodge #6347 I. O. O. Odd -fellows Manchester Unity in 1905, and became a training ground for many graduate nurses Francis Harvey Edmondson served as Secretary for 40 of the 52 years he was a member of the Order.

Harvey did a short stint in the political arena in 1938 when he was elected to Parliament but served only two terms. There was a cool air that blew between Harvey and Martin T, Wilson another very powerful person not only in the Lodge arena but was associated with the Warwick Political Association. and was determined it was time for Harvey to step aside at the age of 82 years. There was a concern of Harvey’s capabilities age wise and his in decision on his part but it was inevitable that a change would come and it did.

Harvey was married several times his first wife Mary Ingham pre-deceased him. His second wife was Susan Robinson Eve-Dill daughter of Ernest John Dill they married on April 27th 1899 also pre-deceased him. His third wife was Mary Darrell of Flatts.

He was awarded the M.B.E in 1960 for the stellar service to his community and organizations. He departed this life on October 24th 1964 at age 98 at his home “Edmonton” in Warwick a home he had lived in since 1894 and he was interred at the church he attended all his life St. Paul Anglican in Paget.

Frederick S. Edmondson like his brother Francis Harvey Edmondson had an ambitious streak. Fred was a teacher and he opened his own primary school in Warwick in 1887 and continued it until 1896. It appears his real desire was to go into the Ministry upon attending events in which a White Bermudian Ernest Graham Ingham promoted. Frederick desired even more to spread his wings after attending several of these sessions and in so doing prepared himself to leave his home land and take up a post as an Anglican Priest.

Once Fred showed an interest in Ingham’s presentation he was interviewed by M.C. Ingham, who began the process for his move. Fred was young and unmarried. In 1896 he set sail for Jamaica, arriving on the Island and there he under went further training in preparation for life in Africa. As a requirement he was taught First Aid, Carpentry, and Theology along with Missionary work. Fred faced a degree of predigest between the help for White Clergy to Black Clergy . He would not be sponsored by the Anglican Church to return home to Bermuda. Yet the help was atomic for the White Clergy. This did not deter Frederick, he left Jamaica in 1897 and arrived in Sierra Leone’ by way of Britain.

Arriving in Africa he began his life as a teacher and Missionary while training for the priesthood. He served as Headmaster in the Church Technical School. He eventually became the first Black Bermudian ordained in Sierra Leone’ in 1902 where he moved in 1896 and there he would put his skills to work. He rose up through the ranks and became Canon of St. George Cathedral in Freetown.

Frederick married in 1900 and had three sons, Frederick, Francis and Charles. He excelled in his work and during which time members of the Anglican Cathedral established the Guild of the Good Shepherd proud to state that a few of my ancestors were involved in this endeavour to raise funds for the church in Sierra Leone’. The fund set up was known as the “Edmondson Furlough Fund” to cover the cost of a home trip. In November 1934 he was promoted to Canon. Even though the Guild continued to fund raise to bring Fred home the fates was against him. Frederick was thankful but unfortunately the trip was not to be as Fred’s wife Emma passed in September 1940 and three months later on December 9th 1940 Frederick Edmondson passed.

He was said to be well educated in various vocations and passed this knowledge on to many individuals. Fred Edmondson’s children also excelled in notable fields Architecture, Engineering, and Law. Sad to say Frederick never did see his home land again but the memory of his work did not go unrecorded. Thanks to Mrs. Michelle Simmons ( Grant) for her untiring research for a book in Honour of the 125th Anniversary year of the Guild of The Good Shepherd, that Fred’s story came to light. I felt it my duty and privilege to highlight the works of these individuals so history of their works will not go untold.

Submitted Joy Wilson-Tucker researcher

C.C. M G. S M E