Oswald Smith Crocket (1868-1945): Lawyer, Politician, Supreme Court Justice

As the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew is approaching its bicentennial in 2025, we are offering biographical articles featuring some of the more prominent persons who have been members of the FSSA. The previous article highlighted John Babbitt McNair, Premier of New Brunswick from 1940 to 1952. This article features Supreme Court Justice Oswald S. Crocket who was the first recipient of the FSSA scholarship. 

Oswald Smith Crocket (1868 – 1945)
Lawyer, Politician, Supreme Court Justice
by Ian Andrews 

In 1883 the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew established a scholarship for a deserving student of demonstrated Scottish origin who was enrolled in the University of New Brunswick. The Society gave the University the sum of $1,000 that was to be invested with the yearly interest paid to the worthy recipient. The original scholarship was offered for a three year period, but this was subsequently changed to an annual stipend. This scholarship continues to this day, with bursaries being added for other qualified students. 

The first recipient of the FSSA scholarship was Oswald Smith Crocket, the son of William Crocket and Marion Caldwell. Although Oswald Crocket was born in Chatham, New Brunswick on 13 April 1968, he was educated in the Fredericton public school system. He graduated from UNB with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886 as the prelude to an outstanding legal career. 

Crocket studied law for five years before being called to the New Brunswick bar as an attorney in 1891 and as a barrister in 1892. To assist in financing his studies, Crocket worked as the Fredericton correspondent for the Saint John Globe, a role he continued on a part-time basis until 1904. He founded the law firm of Phinney & Crocket in Fredericton. 

On 20 July 1893 Crocket married his first wife Amelia Bersa Stranger of Fredericton, a union that produced his first son, Stranger Crocket. Following her death, in 1905 he married his second wife, Clarine Mildred Stevenson of Coaticook, Quebec. She bore him a son, Gordon Oswald and a daughter Muriel Isabel. 

He became active within the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, serving nine consecutive years as Secretary from 1892 to 1901. In 1901 he was elected as President, a role which he held for another five years until 1906. Crocket’s involvement in community affairs led to his seeking political office for the Conservative Party in the 1904 federal election. He was elected as Member of Parliament for York, a position which he defended successfully in subsequent elections in 1908 and 1911, serving a total of nine years in the House of Commons. 

Collection of the Fredericton Region Museum, 2022.31.1.2

While in Ottawa Crocket fought for federal services in his constituency, resulting in the establishment of the Dominion Experimental Station in Fredericton. He sought medical services, the appointment of doctors, the dismissal of Indian agents and the construction of housing and schools in the First Nation communities of Kingsclear, St. Mary’s and Oromocto. One of his earlier speeches, from the 25 January 1905 Hansard, showed how he pursued action by the Postmaster General regarding postal services in Fredericton: 

“…the Fredericton office is not sufficiently staffed. There have been many complaints among the business and professional classes of Fredericton, and among all citizens who have had occasion to go to the post office frequently of the slowness with which the mails have been distributed. Fredericton, as all know, is an important city. It is the capital of New Brunswick, the seat of the legislature, the military centre of the province, and the seat also of the provincial university, the provincial normal school and several other important provincial institutions. A large volume of business is done there, and the citizens generally feel that they are entitled to a more expeditious distribution of mails than they are receiving under the present service. I trust the minister will take this matter into his consideration, and if possible, provide that office with at least two or three additional clerks, as I think the records clearly show it is entitled to.” 

Some might agree that these sentiments regarding postal service still prevail today. 

Collection of the Fredericton Region
Museum 2023.7.1

While holding the joint positions of President of the FSSA and MP for York Crocket spearheaded the construction and installation of the Robbie Burns statue across from the Legislature on Queens Street in Fredericton. As Chairman of the Burns Memorial Committee, he corresponded from 1903 until 1906 with the McIntosh-Gullett Company of Toronto (Manufacturers of and Dealers in Monuments, Statuary, Vaults, General Cemetery and Building Work in Granite) and their Branch Office in Aberdeen, Scotland to accomplish this major project. Through many obstacles, including workers strikes, the statue to the illustrious Bard was unveiled in a major ceremony with thousands from around the province attending, on Thanksgiving 1906. 

Crocket’s success in the legal field earned him the designation of King’s Counsel. He was invited to address the Canada Club of Toronto in 1912 to enlighten the Upper Canadian audience with a speech entitled New Brunswick, Her History, Her Resources, and Her Future. In 1913 he resigned his position in the House of Commons to accept an appointment to the Court of King’s Bench Division of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick. Three years later he was named a judge of the Court of Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. Between these appointments, in 1914 his alma mater of UNB awarded him with an honourary Doctor of Laws degree. 

In the meantime, he continued his leadership in the FSSA by being elected President again in 1916, serving another four consecutive terms in that position – and two more terms from 1925 to 1927. His community involvement included working to secure the construction of both the Provincial War Memorial and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. 

As a distinguished alumnus Crocket was invited by the University of New Brunswick to deliver the Graduation Address to the class of 1928. In this speech he made several references to the importance of Scottish personalities and Scottish traits. Robbie Burns, “the greatest Scotsman that ever lived”, Sir James Barrie’s address in 1922 at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland, and Dr. Brydon Jack, President of UNB from 1860 to 1885 (and a prominent member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew) were among those cited. 

The importance of public service was highlighted. Crocket’s message credited UNB with equipping each graduate “mentally and morally” with the goal “to render effective service for the general welfare of your country and your fellow men.” The values of honesty, truth and honour were stressed. Above all, “the development of character and the creation of high ideals of duty and service to your country and mankind” were paramount - and character “will determine your destiny.” These are values that fellow Scots have endeavoured to pass on through the centuries. 

Supreme Court of Canada Collection

The crowning achievement of Crocket’s legal career occurred on 21 September 1932 when he was appointed as a Justice to the Supreme Court of Canada on the nomination of Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett, another prominent New Brunswick native. One of the perks he enjoyed in this role was an invitation to attend the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 in London. While on the Supreme Court he lived in Ottawa and served in this position until retirement on his 75th birthday on 13 April 1943. 

Crocket died on 2 March 1945. His funeral, attended by many justices, members of the legal profession, and members of the federal cabinet, was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, presided over by Rev. Ian Burnett. He was later interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredericton. 

Oswald Smith Crocket was survived by his wife Clarine Stevenson, sons T.S. Crocket (who then lived in Toronto) and Gordon Crocket (who worked for the Montreal Gazette), and daughter Muriel – now known as Mrs. Victor Podoski, the wife of the former Polish Minister to Canada. Also surviving were his brothers Dr. A.J. Pierce Crocket (who served on the executive of the FSSA from 1927 to 1932) and Octavius Crocket (Hamilton) as well as sister Mrs. H. Harper Smith of Quebec City. 

An accomplished public servant who reached the highest pinnacle within the legal profession, and a servant dedicated to his community, Oswald Crocket proved himself true to the ideals he had learned from his Scottish predecessors.