DR. JAMES PATRICK COLLINS MEMORIAL
Saint John NB
A relatively new memorial in Saint John, New Brunswick, recognizes one of the most heroic personal stories of the tragic Irish Potato Famine year of 1847. A bronze plaque erected on July 21, 1997, it commemorates Dr. James Patrick Collins, who succumbed to typhus while voluntarily treating Irish fever victims on Partridge Island.
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The plaque is located on the right hand side of the main entrance of St. Peter’s Church, on Douglas Avenue in Saint John’s North End. It was a project of Famine 150, a volunteer local organization established specifically to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish Potato Famine, with co-operation from the Saint John Irish Canadian Cultural Association (ICCA).
Created by the West Saint John firm of Design Art Signs with assistance from Alma Hazel of the I.C.C.A., the 20″ high by 33″ wide plaque reads:
DR. JAMES PATRICK COLLINS
“Born in County Cork, Ireland, he died at 23 on Partridge Island, Saint John, N.B., 2 July, 1847.
“To alleviate the suffering of his countrymen quarantined there during the typhus epidemic of 1847, he offered his services on the island. Within weeks, he contracted the disease and died alongside those he served.
“Originally interred in these grounds, his body was the only one allowed to be removed from the island.
‘A MARTYR TO HIS DUTY’
“Project of Famine 150 and sponsored by the Saint John Irish Canadian Cultural Association. Dedicated July 2, 1997.”
While all other fever victims were buried on the island for health concerns, Dr. Collins’ body was brought to Saint John in a lead-lined coffin and interred in the old Indiantown Cemetery in the North End. It was reburied around 1883 when excavation work began on St. Peter’s Church at that site. And in 1949, when this cemetery was closed, all the remains were transferred to St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Westmorland Road.
Bill Brenan, a past-president of the Saint John I.C.C.A. was master of ceremonies at the plaque unveiling; Eva Steele, a long-time member, recited a poem in tribute to Dr. Collins, and soloist Edmund McDermott sang “The Irish Blessing.” Mayor Shirley McAlary brought greetings from the City of Saint John. The plaque was unveiled by Jack Stevens, president of Famine 150 and Greg McGinnis, president of the Saint John I.C.C.A. Following the ceremony, wreaths were laid by Donna Blanchard for Famine 150 and John (Paddy) Addison for the I.C.C.A.