Interview # 78

Name: Lloyd Cooper

Sex: Male

Age: 62

Place and date of birth: August 17, 1936

Education: Grade 7

Religion: Anglican

Occupation: Hydro Worker

Number of children: 1

Name of children and where they live:

Roger - Morrisville

Phone: 882-2387

Place of interview: Morrisville

Date of interview: April 25, 1999

Interviewers: Leah Marshall and Trina King

Lloyd's parents were William Cooper and Mary J. Dewland of Pushthrough. His grandfather on his father's side was Samuel Cooper from England. His grandparents on his mother's side were William and Alice Dewland from England. Lloyd's parents resided at Pushthrough in a two-story house with four or five bedrooms. They raised eleven children, six girls and five boys. The house was cold during the winter months. The stove was put out before bedtime every night because of fear of house fires. Lloyd said, "In the morning times the water buckets were frozen, you had to take a piece of wood to break the ice in order to get a drink of water." Lloyd lived in Pushthrough until he was twenty-four years old. He left nine years before resettlement occurred. The population of Pushthrough was around 250. The only reason Lloyd left Pushthrough was because his job was transferred to another area.

Growing up as a child in Pushthrough was like all outports, everyone made their own fun. Lloyd would participate in activities such as sliding, skating, rolling hoops, trouting, "conner" catching and go on picnics during the summer months. Lloyd also played card games such as 120's and 500's. "There was not much time for fun and games because we had work to do." Lloyd said. Lloyd had to bring wood and water on a daily basis. Lloyd had to row two or three miles to cut wood. There was no wood at Pushthrough. If Lloyd was not cutting wood he was spreading fish out to dry. The fish was spread out before school, turned over during lunch break and collected in the evenings. Lloyd also brought water to an elderly couple every day. He was paid fifty cents a month.

Lloyd attended a one room school at Pushthrough. There were average thirty or forty students at the school. Some of the teachers Lloyd recalled were Mr. Gent, Cecil Garland, Stewart Dicks, Ken White, John Drake, Clayton Seimore, Raymond Hillier, Conrad Hiscock, Calvert Mullians, Ella Rousel, and John Rose. Some of the teachers were fairly strict. "You would get strapped only if you were disobedient. If you told your parents about your strapping, they would also give you a strap." Lloyd said. Lloyd attended school until grade seven. Lloyd said, "Learning was the last thing on your mind, work was more important." Because Lloyd was the oldest boy in his family he had to find work so he could help his family.

Church was very important to the residents of Pushthrough. Church was held every Sunday because the Minister was there all year. He would visit outports close by, but Pushthrough was used as the head of the parish. Some ministers Lloyd recalled were Reverend Gardener, Moss, Mate, Rockwood, Spencor, Abbott, Hatcher, and Vivian. Lloyd was not afraid of the ministers but he showed them respect. "If people did not go to church, they would loose their recess break at school. Only certain teachers would enforce this." Lloyd said. The only time church was held more than once a week was during Lent. Lloyd feels that the church has changed today in the sense that many people do not attend church. There are no younger people getting involved with the church.

When Lloyd was asked about some diseases that were evident at Pushthrough he mentioned T.B., measles, mumps and chicken pox. He could not recall any home remedies used because there was doctors present and the Christmas Seal (x-ray boat) visited annually. The captain of the boat was a Troake from Lewisporte or Twillengate.

When Lloyd was asked about holidays, he discussed Christmas and Easter. For Christmas, everything would be shut down on Christmas Eve. There would be at least six socials (dances) held at Pushthrough. Socials would also be held at Great Jarvis and McCallum. Lloyd and his buddies would row to these places. Lloyd would go to Great Jarvis more than McCallum because it was close by, only one mile. McCallum was three miles away. Very little gifts were given. Lloyd would receive gifts such as socks, scribblers or a pencil.

During Lent and Easter there would be no cards played. The residents of Pushthrough would have a concert during the holiday. People would be practicing for a couple of weeks. The concerts were always a success. Lloyd participated in many of those concerts.

Lloyd joined the paid workforce when he was fourteen years old. He went to work on A.J. Campbell's boat. They traveled to different areas selling groceries. Lloyd was paid seventy-five cents a day. He recalled buying himself a pair of "dungarees" (jeans) for around $4.00. Shortly after, he worked in McCallum at E.W. Rex's store. He was paid $25.00 a month and board were included. When Lloyd was fifteen years old, he worked at home with Thomas Garland as a store clerk. He worked there for eight years. His pay started at $50.00 a month and when he finished he was getting up to $80.00 a month. His job was then transferred to Morrisville to look after the Garland's store there. Pay was $125.00 a month. This job lasted for five years. For two years after this, Lloyd worked for St. Alban's wholesale. When Lloyd was twenty-five years old, he began work with Hydro. He remained there until his retirement in 1991. He is enjoying his retirement very much. Every Summer Lloyd and his wife travel around Newfoundland enjoying its scenic view.