Where Toronto met Twilingate

Mary Louise Ashbourne shares some family history of her husband, Howard Ashbourne, a Newfoundlander from Twillingate who practised law for 60 years in Weston and had an office at 2077 Lawrence Ave. W. Howard’s family had been merchants in Twillingate, outfitting fishing and sealing vessels. They also had a seal-oil rendering plant. An important commodity in the 19th and early 20th century, seal oil was widely used for residential, street and industrial lighting. As technology changed, the plant fell into disuse and, much to Harold’s dismay, was demolished. Some buildings in Twillingate with Ashbourne connections did survive and have been designated as historical. Howard’s father, Tom Ashbourne, served in the Newfoundland government before the colony joined Confederation in 1949 and then as an MP. Sadly, Howard passed away in 2025 at the age of 95. We thank Mary Louise for contributing to Mapping our Memories.

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