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St. Edwards Crown:
The
crown surmounting the crest is emblematic of the continued loyalty to the
monarchy, exhibited by the exile of the United Empire Loyalists in 1783
and the subsequent granting of a Royal Charter to the city. The crown is
recognized in the field of heraldry as St. Edwards Crown and is proper to
the time it was used in the design of the official seal of Saint John.
Dexter Supporter:
Saint
John's Corporate Seal originally had an "Elk" as its supporters
due to the abundance of elk in this region. Over time the elk in this
region have become extinct and our seal has changed accordingly. We have
seen the "Deer" make a brief appearance and today the "Moose"
has emerged as the predominant figure on our seal.
Dexter Chief:
Fishing
was a major export in Saint John - dried and salted fish were sent
regularly to the West Indies. The coopering of barrels for local use and
the export of staves, heads and hoops was also an active industry. The
Royal Charter by which Saint John was incorporated, was very explicit as
to the control of the fisheries and the quality inspection for coopers.
Dexter Base:
Saint
John was well known as a shipping port and a shipbuilding center. During
the mid-nineteenth century Saint John was the fourth largest port of
registry in the British Empire.
Sinister Chief:
This
is emblematic of the large forests which provided New Brunswick with a
resource that even today provides a major part of our economic base.
Sinister Base:
Beaver
pelts were a very important trading item at the original founding of the
city and many years previously. The beavers were also thought of as
allegorical figures to describe the industry and enterprise of the early
settlers.
Motto Scroll:
O
Fortunati Quorum Jam Moenia Surgunt, which has been translated two ways:
1) O Fortunate Ones Whose Walls Are Now Rising. 2) O Happy They, Whose
Promised Walls Already Rise.
All pages © Heritage Resources and
New Brunswick Community College - Saint John.
