"Peeress"
South Canterbury NZGenWeb Project
Immigrants for South Canterbury, New Zealand
The Timaru Herald Friday 24 July 1874
The Ship Peeress, from London, with 300 immigrants (164 statue adults) on board for Timaru, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday, 118 days out from Gravesend. Four births occurred during the voyage and six deaths. The telegram from which we obtain this information says that the passengers well be forwarded to Timaru today (Friday) by the Comerang, so that the vessel will not come to this port, as anticipated. The Immigration Officer, Mr LeCren, received a telegram yesterday, stating that Mr March, the Chief Immigration officer, had started for The South to assist in providing accommodation, and in distributing the immigrants, and that he would be in Geraldine to-day. An advertisement appears in another column, intimating that persons desirous of obtaining labor will find immigrants open for engagement, after Monday next, at the barracks at Timaru, Temuka, Geraldine and Waimate.
The Eastern Monarch, 1,800 tons, from London, arrived off Lyttelton Heads on Tuesday night, and came into the harbour on the following day. She is a new vessel, belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company's line, and made the passage from port to port in 73 days. She brings 530 immigrants who are all well. Fifteen deaths occurred during the voyage, chiefly among children.
The Timaru Herald Monday 27 July 1874
Port of Timaru Arrived
July 24 - Maori, s.s., 118 tons, Malcolm, from Lyttelton. Russell, Ritchie, & Co., agents. 3 cases cheese, 50 cases, 1 crate, 7 sacks, 2 bundles, 20 qr-casks, 2 bundls trees, 1 nest boilers, 36 springs, 1 box, 57 casks, 5 trunks, 30 drums, 20 bales tow.
July 25 - Claud Hamilton, s.s., 660 tons, Bawdon, from Melbourne, via Northern ports
July 25- Wellington, s.s., 262 tons, Carey from Lyttelton. Passengers - Mr Marshman, and 250 immigrants.
July 25 - Comerang, p.s. 154 tons, Hughes, from Lyttelton. Passengers - 90 immigrants. Imports. 105 iron rails, 62 bags potatoes, 1 case. F. LeCren, agent.
Sailed
July 24 - Beautiful Star, s.s., 146 tons, Hart, for Lyttelton
July 25 - Claud Hamilton, s.s., for Melbourne, via Southern ports
July 26 - Wellington, s.s., for Dunedin. Passengers - Captain and Mrs Jones
Immigrants by the Peeress
Timaru Herald Friday 19th June 1874
page 2
The male adults number 93, female adults 77, males children 59, female children 57 and infants 14, making a total of 300 souls, equal to 228 statute adults. The list given below shows more than 300 names, but they only represent 300 souls, a few of the names under the headings single men and single women also appearing among the
families. [Note the date. This list is not the disembarkation list. Four births
occurred during the voyage and six deaths.]
It seems to be an established fact that the poorer people are, the more children they have.
Families and children Bailey William shoemaker Bailey Ann, Florence, William H., Mary L., Adelaide Beere Robert laborer Beere Emily, Walter E. Blackwell William laborer Blackwell Catherine Brown Henry tailor Brown Eliza, Harry, Ben Brown John H. laborer Brown Sarah E., Bryan William shepherd Bryan Eliza, Emily, Louisa, Octavius, Elizabeth C., Fanny Butler Edwin laborer Butler Mary A Butler Jesse farm laborer Butler Sarah, Lizzie, Annie M., Coles Richard blacksmith Coles Charlotte M., Elizabeth A., Fanny, Henry Cook John laborer Cook Catherine, Margaret, Agnes, Ursula Darby John farm laborer Darby Sarah Davis John laborer Davis Ann, Annie, Fly William laborer Fly Sarah, William, Harry E., Walter J. George Thomas laborer George Catherine, Frederick, Lucy, Amy, Mary Gray Richard smith Gray Mary A., Richard, Alice, Emma, Maria, Thomas, Elizabeth, Jane, Ann Gurney Thomas laborer Gurney Mary A., Thomas, Mary A. Hart George farm laborer Hart May A., Maria, Charles, Annie, Mercy Hayes Charles painter Hayes Elizabeth Hoare Henry laborer Hoare Mary A., Henry, John, George, Alfred, Harriet A. Horsley Alfred mason Horsley Susan Hiorns John farm laborer Hiorns Emma, Elizabeth A., John H., Richard, W. Edward Hubard George farm laborer Hubbard Ann, Mary A., Clary, Harriet, Charles, Thomas, Eliza Joyce George farm laborer Joyce Elizabeth, Matilda, Frank, Frederick, Thomas Kenyon Valentine police constable Kenyon Jane, Sarah Jane Knight Thomas cowman Knight Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Fanny, Richard, William T, Henry W., John E., Sarah S. Mann John carpenter Mann Ellen, Henry, William, Elizabeth, Ellen, Jabez Metson Robert farm laborer Metson Martha, Annie Morgan Samuel laborer Morgan Eliza, James, Rose, Sylvia, William Morgan Arthur farm laborer Morgan Mary Noble Joseph laborer Noble Sarah A. Payne William laborer Payne Eliza, George, Henry Phillips George laborer Phillips Margaret, William G. Precilla, Ada Powell Henry bricklayer Powel Sarah, Henry, Edwin, Walter, Abraham Ennis Prue, Samuel laborer Prue Patience, Emma J., Richard W., Tom, Samuel C., Annie E., Minnie, Sarah L. Robinson Henry carpenter Robinson Mary A., William 11, Letitia 9, Charles 7, Mary A. 5, Henry. Sell Walter navvy Sell Eliza, Edward W. Shave Thomas blacksmith Shave Hannah, Lizzie, Laura, Clara, Florence, William, George Smith John farm laborer Smith Charlotte, Charles, Henrietta, Lottie Smith William laborer Smith Sarah, John H.S., William Charles Symes William laborer Symes Fanny Taplin George laborer Taplin Elizabeth, Mary A., Jane, Sarah, John, Thomas, Frederic Tubb William sawyer Tubb Jane L Wallace Charles laborer Wallace Susan, Henry, Harriet M, Francis E., Emma A. Waller Henry navvy Waller Emma M, Charles E., Annie E., William Washington George laborer Washington Jane, Rebecca, Mary, Thomas, John, Robert, Jem, Anthony Watts Henry carpenter Watts Mary, George, Joseph, Ida, Mary E., Ellen Wheeler Charles farm laborer Wheeler Sarah A., Albert E., Lavinia Wild William farm laborer Wild Charlotte, James, Mary, Emily, George, James, Herbert Wilkes Albert farm laborer Wilkes Ann, Amy, Karen, Thomas, Jane, Frank, Frederick Willingham Peter farrier Willingham Hannah Winrow Thomas bricklayer Winrow Margaret, Elizabeth
Single Men
Blake William laborer Boyer Joseph laborer Carter Benjamin H bricklayer Castle William laborer Clancey James farm laborer Davis Tom farm laborer Earl Thomas farm laborer Foulkes Jeffrey farm laborer Gabb Alfred laborer Gilbert Thomas shepherd Godfrey Aaron laborer Grey Richard fitter Hillyer Mark fitter Hunt William laborer Judge Robert laborer Mills Thomas brickmaker Mainer James painter Mainer William carpenter Morgan James laborer Naughton Peter farm laborer Neal Job laborer Payne Thomas navvy Paynton George laborer Powell Ennis A laborer Powell Edwin laborer Powell James laborer Price Richard fitter Seaby George laborer Shave William laborer Shave George laborer Southward Henry farm laborer Stapely George laborer Stewart James miner Tooth Benjamin R range fitter Wild James laborer Wilcox James laborer Wilkes Riley laborer Woodford Joseph laborer
Single Women
Bryan Fanny and Louisa servant Butler Annie housemaid Butler Emily servant Cook Annie matron Cook Margaret servant Gray Alice and Emma servant Hart Maria cook Holder Sarah nursemaid Hubbard Mary A. and Clara servant Mainer Harriet and Mary A. servant Maycock Louisa cook Morgan Rosa servant Poole Annie S. housekeeper Price Emily J. servant Shave Lizzie servant Taplin Mary A., Jane and Sarah servant Washington Rebecca and Mary servantThe number of souls divided according to nationality is as follows :
England 297, Ireland 2, Scotland 1The following is a summary of the trades and occupations of the immigrants:
19 farm laborers
1 miner
3 navvies
1 cowman
2 shepherds
4 carpenters
3 blacksmiths
1 farrier
2 general fitters
1 range fitter
3 bricklayers
1 bricklayer
1 mason
2 painters
1 police constable
2 shoemakers
1 tailor1 cook
8 general servants
1 housekeeper
1 housemaid
1 nursemaid
The British farm laborer displays an aptitude for having a huge family which bloated aristocrats would gladly barter thousands for.
Timaru Herald Friday 19th June 1874 page 2
We notice among these immigrants several instances of young married couples, neither of whom is yet thirty, with seven or eight arrows in their quiver. Objections have been raised from time to time against the introduction of such troops of youngsters, but in reality there seems to be no valid ground for them. The very fact of having a large family of small children dependent on them will make the parents industrious and thrifty, while a very few years will make most useful settlers of what now are mere brats of seven of eight. Obtaining large numbers of children from England and bringing them up in New Zealand, is like importing raw material for colonial manufacture instead of using home-made slops - what Superintendent Macandrew calls "devil's-dust and shoddy." The child is father to the man, and the effects of good living in their early years will not be lost in the physique of the men and women whom these children will develop into. The extra intelligence and adaptability to circumstances also, which result from an early colonial training, are particularly valuable.
Account of Voyage
Timaru Herald Monday 27 July 1874 page 2 & 3
The Peeress' immigrants were transhipped to the s.s. Wellington and p.s. Comerang at Lyttelton on Friday, and both steamers started for Timaru shortly afterwards. The passage from Gravesend was anything but a comfortable one. The Captain's report:- Left S.W. India Dock on March 27, having embarked the immigrants on the previous day; left Gravesend on the 29th, and anchored in the Downs. Owing to heavy weather, did not leave until April 5, when the ship was taken in tow, and finally took her departure from Start Point on April 11, with the wind being strong from N to N.E. It increased, rounding to N.W. and then to S.W., increasing in strength until reaching a heavy gale, accompanied with terrific squalls and high seas, the ship rolling and straining heavily, and taking large quantities of water on deck. At 2 p.m. on the same day was wore to the N.E. At 4 p.m. it was blowing a fearful hurricane, and the fore-topsail was blown away. At 5 p.m. the main-topsail was blown to ribbons, ship at the time rolling and straining heavily, the seas washing the decks fore and aft. Weather continued bad until the 14th. At 2.am. on that day, the vessel shipped a heavy sea, which carried away the topgallant bulwarks and main rail on both sides of the vessel, and also a portion of the lower bulwarks, the main hatch and winch being smash to pieces, and the deck house stove in. In the afternoon the gale abated. Madeira was passed on April 27. The N.E. Trades were light, and the meridian was crossed on May 16. The S.E. Trades were very light. The eastings were run down in 4 deg. 50 min. Sighted the Island of Palma on June 2. When in lat. 28 deg. 21 min. S, long 19 deg. 53 min. W., the ship was surrounded with waterspouts, one passing within 50 yards of her, and having a most destructive appearance, also accompanied by a violent whirlwind. The ship was kept off, and she steered clear of the danger. A gun was fired, which had the effect of dispersing the most dangerous waterspout, and violent showers of rain followed. The meridian of the Caper was passed on June 14, in lat. 44 deg. 4 min. S., the wind at this time blowing a heavy gale, with high confused seas. One sea struck the ship, staving in the port side of the deckhouse. And thence to passing the meridian of Tasmania in lat. 48 deg. 36 min. S. Thence to within 50 miles of the Snares had strong W, and N.W. winds. The Snares were sighted on July 18, 103 days from the Start. A strong gale was experienced on the coast, a portion of the port bulwarks being stove in. On Monday, June 20, another gale from the S.S.W., accompanied with squalls of hail and snow, was experienced. The land being in sight, stood in the next day, but the weather was so bad that the captain deemed it best to come on to port, and Godley Heads were sighted at noon on Wednesday.
The roadstead presented on Saturday morning last, three steamers arriving pretty nearly together, and another riding at anchor at the time. The one at anchor was the s.s. Maori, which arrived on Friday morning from Lyttelton with a large cargo, but owning to the heavy beak on shore no communication was detected, and she moved out to an anchorage about two miles from the land. The vessels that arrived the following day were the s.s. Claud Hamilton, from Lyttelton, with a small cargo on board for this port, and the s.s. Wellington and the p.s. Comerang, with the immigrants by the Peeress. On the Wellington were 35 families, 35 single men, and 14 single women; and on the Comerang 16 families, 4 single men, and 8 single women; also 5 immigrants from the Eastern Monarch. The sea was, if anything, more boisterous than on the previous day, and as there was no possibility of any communication being made with the shore, the vessels cruised about in the roadstead for a few hours. Ultimately the Wellington and the Comerang dropped anchors for the night near the Maori, and about noon, after retransferring two or three passengers to the Wellington, the Claud Hamilton proceeded on her voyage southwards. The passing of another night on board the steamers was snot a pleasant prospect for the immigrants, but by a little scheming very fair accommodation was afforded. The Comerang, as is well known, is well adapted for the conveyance of passengers, and on the Wellington good shift was made by giving the married and single women the cabin and the married men the steerage. Early yesterday morning, the sea being pretty favorable for landing, the Comerang and Wellington came to an inner anchorage,, and the steam having been got up at the Landing Services, a cargo boat was dispatched for each Service at about half-past seven, to take the immigrants and their luggage, the debarkation being concluded at about 11 o'clock. A large number of persons assembled on the beach to witness the landing, some being friends or relatives of the immigrants. The immigrants, upon landing, were conveyed to the quarters provided for them, the families to the drill-shed on Lecren's Terrace, the single women to the barracks in North-street, and the single men to the old barracks on the main-road. The Wellington after parting her passengers, steamed away for Dunedin.The "new chums" of today.
Timaru Herald Wednesday 29th July 1874
Out of the Peeress' shipment, there have been forwarded to Waimate ten families (43 adults), comprising 65 souls, and to Temuka seven families, equal to 37½ souls. These families comprise amongst their members several girls and boys fit for light work. The immigrants now remaining in Timaru of the Peeress; shipment are sixteen families and twenty single men.Immigrants at Temuka. - On Monday at midday two coach loads of immigrants, numbering 53 souls, equal to 37½ adults, arrived at Temuka, where they were placed in the temporary barracks - the Court-house and Road Board room. Great disappointment was felt that no single women had been sent out, there being ten applications for domestic servants. Those sent out as single women were from thirteen to sixteen years of age, and only fit to take situations as nursemaids. The men appear to be of a god class. Two families will be placed tomorrow.
31 July 1874
Of the shipment of 299 souls 135 were children from twelve years of age downwards, leaving about 120 or 130 men for employment. All but twelve families and six single men are now away from Timaru.The British ship Parsee has arrived at Christchurch, with loss of anchor and chain, having struck lightly off Timaru. She must go into dry dock.
"Christchurch Press" Saturday August 23rd 1930 Photograph
Early Settlers celebrate their Landing in NZ, arrival of sailing ship "PEERLESS" [sic] at Timaru in 1856 pictured Messers Earl, Tooth, Tubb, Sealey, Mrs Wheeler, Mr Wheeler, & Mr Metson, Mr E.C.J. Stevens, pioneer of Canterbury had biography just published Mr O. Caygill was associated with cricket in Canterbury Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Mr W.F.M. Buckley former member of Board of Gov. Canterbury Ag. College.
Joyce Barry Pinnell 14 March 2009
My great,great grandfather George Joyce & his wife Elizabeth, arrived on the Peeress in Lyttelton 1874. Unknown which vessel took them to Timaru from there. Their children : Francis (my great grand father), Matilda, Frank, Frederick, Thomas.
Two more sons (George & Joseph) were later born in Waimate.
Francis married Mary Eliza Wilson. Their children: Laura (my grand mother), Frank, Helen (Nellie), Lucy, Eva, Norman, Gladys, Thomas, Eileen, Henrietta, Douglas & Violet. Francis had a second marriage as well, a daughter Jean was born. Hopefully there are some descendants out there that could get in touch with me?
Henry Robinson married in 1862 in Ridgemont, Bedfordshire to Mary Ann Green. They emigrated to NZ from Woburn with five children on assisted passage. Herbert and Mabel were born after they arrived in Temuka. Settled in the Temuka area where two more children were born.
There were 7 children in the family. William b Bedfordshire 1863 Letitia b " 1865 Charles b " 1867 Mary Ann b " 1869 Henry / Harry b " 1871 Herbert b Temuka 1878 Mabel b Temuka 1880Henry was a carpenter and lived in Arowhenua when he died in 1901. Buried in the Temuka Cemetery. One of Mary Ann's letters which she wrote from the ship Peeress to her parents back in the UK, is quoted in the book "The Farthest Promised Land" by Professor Rollo Arnold. See below. This letter describes life on board the vessel as well as the landing in Timaru and conditions for them on arrival. Information courtesy of Beverley McInnes Posted 23 Feb. 2005
"A glimpse into the lives of immigrants newly arrived in Temuka in 1874 is provided by a letter from Mary, the wife of Henry Robinson, a carpenter from Bedfordshire, who arrived with their five children by the Peeress in July 1874. The letter was written to her parents after a month in the colony. Mary first described the voyage and then wrote of their landing at Timaru:
You should have seen the people on the beach when we landed, there were hundreds to receive us. We were taken to a large building and provided with plenty to eat and tea to drink. This is the place for drinking tea. We stayed there till Monday morning, when eight families were taken about 12 miles farther to a place called Temuka, and put in the barracks until the men got into work, and a home to live in. Harry got work the same day; he has got a good master and he gets 11s. a day for eight hours work.... We have got a nice little home to live in, it is a new house, belonging to the government, with a quarter of an acre of ground belonging to it; there are only two places - one to live in and the other to sleep in, and the rent is six shillings a week. When we have paid enough rent to pay for the house it will be our own, if we stop long enough. Carpentering seems the chief trade about here, for the houses are all made of wood, except the chimneys; our house is all on the ground-floor, and it is stained and varnished inside; we are obliged to make Harry's chest do for a table, until he can make us one, for furniture is very dear; he has made us a beadstead (sic), which, if we had bought an iron one, we should have had to have given £3 10s. for. It cost him only 3s for wood, besides his time for making; his next job will be a table; we have bought two chairs, six shillings each, but people about here don't look for a fine house and a lot of furniture; it is all pushing ahead; it is a very pleasant country, and I think I shall like it very much. There is a good school, and two churches and a chapel. We can sit in our house and see the mountains with the tops all covered with snow, although they are about 60 miles off."
Reference to this letter was No 52, which says LUC, 19 December 1874, p3
LUC = Labourers' Union Chronicle.
Samuel Morgan b.c.1825 and married to Elizabeth. They emigrated to Timaru on the Peeress, leaving 28 March 1874 with their children James b. 1856 (17), Rose b. 1859 (15), Sylvia b. 1864 (9) and William (6). The passenger lists cites Samuel as being a labourer from Oxon. From the census we see the existence of the elder son, Author (sic). Arthur did come out on the Peeress with his wife Mary and with Rose went onto Wellington and the rest settled in South Canterbury. It was Ann who was already married, who stayed behind with her husband. Any info on these families or contact with descendants, would be very welcome. I have information to share. Keith Skudder. Posted 5 March 2005
1851 Oxfordshire Census Index HO107/1730, Folio 97, Entry 50 - Sandford & Ledwell: MORGAN Samuel HD m 26 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Eliza WI m 26 WAR Knowle Author SO 11m OXF Sandford The 1871 Census has these entries: RG10/1447, Folio 54 - "Summertown", Sandford: MORGAN Samuel HD m 47 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Eliza WI m 47 - WAR Knowle James SO u 15 Ag Lab OXF Sandford Sylvia DA 6 sch OXF Great Tew William SO 5 sch OXF Great Tew William FA 70 Ag Lab OXF Yarnton
Walter and Eliza Sell and son Edward came to Canterbury in 1874 on "Peeress". Went to Otago. Walter born Enfield MDX. Eliza nee Steele - marriage cert (Walthamstow, Essex 1873) says father unknown. Son, Charles Sell married Lucy Eva Holland, daughter of George Holland & Maria nee Thompson of Cheviot Hills, Canterbury NZ. George was supposed to have been born in Geelong in Australia. Parents were Charles Holland (d. Geelong) and Alice Harris formerly King.
SELL, SINFIELD, STEELE, THOMPSON, HOLLAND, KING
Any info on these families (my direct line), or contact with descendants, would be very welcome. I have information to share. Joyce Hallett Posted 5 March 2005
Since 1st March last, over one thousand immigrants have come into this district, and it is marvellous how rapidly a very large proportion of them have been absorbed.