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The Petworth emigration experiment |
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Letters of invitation
The Petworth Emigration Committee ensured the émigrés were given the best chance of settling safely in their new land. Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada ensured the émigrés safe passage cross country after arriving on land. He ensured that those conveyed to Canada were placed in the charge of a "superintendent" whose business it was to "attend to them" until they arrived at their final destination, ready for work.
Conditions on the Petworth scheme ships were considerably superior to any of the ordinary emigrant ships. After many weeks of hard, but free, journeying to Canada - most ending up in Ontario - they found their new life agreeable, and considering their plight back in England, their quantum leap was well founded. 
Letters home would often entice other family members out to Canada
© Lord Egremont |
The passengers were all but guaranteed work with higher wages than they could have received in England.
Emigrants, eager to inform their families in England of their better fortune wrote letters telling of their journey and settlement. These letters were collected by the Reverend Sockett and he published them as a means of encouraging others to emigrate. Edward and Catharine Boxall, writing to his mother, regaled their experiences...
Dear Mother
I take this opportunity to acquaint you that we arrived here safe, and in good health, on the 6th July. Dear mother, I was very fortunate, in bringing my discharge with me; for I found, when I landed at York on the 23rd. June, that all who could shew their discharge, was entitled to a hundred acres of land, from the crown for their service, which I accordingly got: so if either of my nephews, or both of them, should like to come over here, I will give them some land to work upon.
Tell them to bring some tools, and all the money they can get, with them, and some upland seed, of all descriptions, and garden seeds too, and barley in particular. Wm. Cooper's land joins mine, but he have got to pay two dollars per acre for his, and 6 years to do it in. Here is a river runs through the corner of my lot, and plenty of fish in it; and here is wild deer, and turkeys, pheasants, partridges, and rabbits: and any body may kill them.
Catharine is very well at present, but she was very sea sick coming over, for some time: she sends her kind love to Ruth, and all their brothers and sisters, and all friends. Copy this letter, and send it to my sisters, and tell them I will build them a house, if they will come over here to live. So no more at present from yours,
Edward & Catharine Boxall.
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