Michele Leggott and Catherine Field-Dodgson

Overview

By examining what the Plymouth Company was offering emigrants to New Zealand in its advertising, we can see how Edwin Harris’s insolvency of late 1839 influenced his decision to emigrate on the William Bryan in November 1840.

The Plymouth Company’s advertisements of July 1840 offer free passage to the settlement of New Plymouth to steerage passengers and their families who can show that they are labourers or tradesmen useful to the colonising enterprise. By identifying himself as ‘Painter &c,’ Edwin becomes eligible for a free passage. It is possible that he was working for his father James Harris in the family painting and glazing business after returning to Plymouth in late 1839 or early 1840 as an insolvent debtor.

We can see in the court records that Edwin’s brother-in-law Stephen Collins Court, was working for him in Dulverton, Somerset, around the time of his financial troubles. This may mean that Sarah Harris and her children had family at hand when Edwin was imprisoned at Ilchester, Somerset, in October-November 1839. It seems likely that Stephen and Emma Court and their children were living in Dulverton, since it was Stephen’s business address. The courts were also contemplating emigration according to a reference in one of the family letters, probably as a result of Stephen’s own insolvency 1841-42.

More difficult to establish is what else the William Bryan emigrants were promised by the Plymouth Company before leaving for New Zealand. There is at least one report of a leaving dinner (Wells) at which the emigrants were promised free town sections in New Plymouth. But there is, nothing in the company prospectus to indicate that land is to be handed over gratis. However, the company does offer 21-year tenancies to emigrants taking up its land for farming.

In the event, and because the town surveys were incomplete when the William Bryan settlers arrived in Taranaki 30 March 1841, they were offered sections of an eighth of an acre on level land west of the Huatoki Stream for two years at a rental of sixpence per annum. This is the settlement called Devonport. Thirty-three emigrant families took up the offer in May 1841, including the Harrises who lived there until early 1842.

Is this the ‘free town section’ that has become part of the William Bryan story in Wells? No other source that we have been able to find bears out the claim that free land was given out by the company.

Timeline

1837

27 Sept 1837: James Pasco Harris advertises at 1 Union Street, Plymouth. (Western Courier)
Agent for Plymouth, Devonport, and Stonehouse, JAMES HARRIS, Painter, Glazier, &c., No. 1, Union-street, Plymouth.

1 Nov 1837: Edwin Harris advertises at Adelaide Street, Plymouth. (Western Courier)
LAND SURVEYING, &c. MR. E. HARRIS, Land Surveyor and Draughtsman. (Many years Assistant to Mr. J. RENDEL, Civil Engineer, from whom he has unexceptionable testimonials,) BEGS to offer his services to the Nobility. Landowners, and Public generally, in making preliminary Surveys for Railways and other Roads, Parliamentary Deposit Plane, detailed Surveys, Sections and Drawings for Contract. Parochial Surveys also made agreeably to the plan recommended by the Tithe Commissioners, and Maps of Parishes Tested or Copied.
A PUPIL WANTED, who will be fully instructed in the various branches of LAND-SURVEYING, &c., and rendered competent to undertake most of the duties of the profession in a few months. Terms moderate.
Offer, Adelaide-street, Octagon, Plymouth.

1839

24 June 1839: Catherine Harris born in Dulverton, Somerset, third child of Edwin and Sarah Harris. (Family Songbook 1)

25 October-27 November 1839: Edwin Harris imprisoned at Ilchester Gaol. (UK National Archives)
Insolvencies in England 1838-40:
Gaol: Ilchester
No of petition: 52,052
Name of Prisoner: Harris, Edwin
Trade or profession: Land surveyor
When petition filed: 25 Oct
When schedule filed: 28 Oct
When case to be heard: 27 Nov
Attorney in the case: Boydell
Commissioner’s Adjudication, or Magistrate’s Certificate, and when made: 27 Nov
Actual Discharge when to take place: fwth
Remarks: Jas (?) Dale/4/ Asee (?)
[John Dale, assignee. See 10 dec 1839 below]

6 Nov 1839: Edwin Harris insolvency; case set down for 27 Nov at Wells, Somerset. (Taunton Courier)
EDWIN HARRIS, late of Dulverton, in the county of Somerset, Land Surveyor, and previously residing in Adelaide Street, Plymouth, in the county of Devon, and acting Assistant to Mr. Rendell, of Plymouth aforesaid, Civil Engineer.

10 Dec 1839: John Dale appointed assignee for Edwin Harris (London Gazette)
10 December 1839. The Jurist, p1133.
‘London Gazettes. Tuesday December 10. Declaration of Insolvency. […] Bankrupts. […] Insolvent Debtors. Saturday, Dec. 7, 1839. The following Assignees have been appointed Further particulars may be learned at the Office, in Portugal St, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, on giving the number of the case. […] — Edwin Harris, Dulverton, Somersetshire, land-surveyor, No. 52,052; John Dale, assignee. –‘

1840

25 Jan 1840: Plymouth Company formed at public meeting in Plymouth, England. Company purchases land from New Zealand Company of London. (Wells)

The Plymouth Company of New Zealand; a Statement of its Constitution and Plans. Devonport, Plymouth, 1840.
With regard to the purchase of land from the company, the prospectus laid down certain regulations, the main features of which were as follows: – the settlement was to consist of three classes of land, (1) the town land, comprising 2200 sections of a quarter of an acre each; (2) the suburban land, comprising at least 1150 sections of 50 acres each; and (3) leasehold land – 200 section s of 50 acres each – to be leased to emigrant farmers. […] The principal novelty claimed for the Plymouth Company’s scheme was the offer of land to farmers who were disposed to become settlers as tenants to the company. The lease was to be for 21 years, at a moderate rent, subject to revision at the expiration of each seven years. The tenant to have the option to purchase the fee – simple at any time at a price to be fixed in the lease – what we now term “lease with right to purchase.” (Skinner)

29 Jan 1840: Lieutenant-Colonel William Hobson arrives in Bay of Islands, issues first proclamation outlawing private land sales 30 Jan. (Parsonson)

6 Feb 1840: Hobson signs Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Bay of islands with northern rangatira. Henry Williams and Thomas Bunbury despatched to collect more signatures Feb-June.

18 Mar 1840: Emily and Catherine Harris baptised at Charles the Martyr Church, Plymouth, parents living at Union Street, Plymouth, father’s profession surveyor. (Plymouth Baptism Register)
[Are Edwin and Sarah living with the Harris family after returning from Somerset?]

17 June 1840: Bunbury claims British sovereignty over Te Waipounamu despite not having fulfilled orders to collect signatures from every part of the island before doing so. (NZ History Online)

23 July 1840: Plymouth company advertises land allotments and (separately) free passage for certain kinds of emigrants. First ship to depart late Oct. (Morning Herald, London)
EMIGRATION to NEW ZEALAND.—The Directors of the Plymouth Company of New Zealand hereby give notice, that they are ready to RECEIVE APPLICATIONS for a FREE PASSAGE to the intended settlement of NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand, from Agricultural Labourers, Shepherds, Miners, Gardeners, Brickmakers, Mechanics, Handicraftsmen, and Domestic Servants, being married, and not exceeding 40 years of age; also from Single Females, under the care of near relatives, and Single Men, accompanied by one or more adult sisters, not exceeding in either case the age of 30 years. Strict inquiry will be made as to qualifications and character. Further particulars, and printed forms of application, may be obtained at the Company’s offices, 5, Octagon, Plymouth; or of any of the agents.

13 Aug 1840: FA Carrington and survey staff depart Plymouth for NZ on barque London. (Wells)

31 Aug 1840: Plymouth Company issues terms of land purchase for emigrants in its first three ships (Globe reprint?)
The Globe, 30 October 1840, p1
SETTLEMENT of NEW PLYMOUTH, UNDER THE PLYMOUTH COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. The DIRECTORS of the PLYMOUTH COMPANY of NEW ZEALAND hereby give notice, that the priority of Choice for the whole of the Town Sections (2,200 in number) having been decided, numbers of choice, ranging from 46 to 2,199 have been selected from those which have fallen to the Company; and 100 of these choices, added to 100 50-acre Rural Sections, are now offered exclusively to Colonists who depart with the first expedition, or within four months; a second set of 100 to Colonists who depart with the second expedition, or within six months; and a third set of 100 to Colonists who depart with the third expedition, or within eight months from this date respectively. Each separate set of purchasers will draw for priority of choice as between themselves, and the first set will first choose at pleasure out of 600, then the second out of 500, and, lastly, the third out of 400, of the numbers above referred to. The range of choice offered by the Directors will enable purchasers drawing consecutive numbers to choose Town Sections adjoining, in many instances to the extent of an acre, and in some of an acre and a half. The Rural Sections may in all cases be chosen adjoining, to any extent, in the order of presenting the Land-orders in New Zealand. The price of each double Land-order for the United Sections is 751., a deposit of 201. to be paid on application, 251. three days before the order of choice is drawn, of which 21 days’ notice will be given, and the balance on delivery of the Land-order, or on embarkation. An addition has been made to the Emigration-fund, from which liberal passage allowances are made ; and a special fund is set apart for extra allowance to Capitalists. Printed particulars of the allowances in detail, with the numbers open for choice, and other requisite information, may be had on application to the Secretary, to JOHN WARD, Esq. New Zealand-house, London, or to any Agent of the Company. The Board have suspended Sales, except to Colonists, until further notice. By order of the Board, THOMAS WOOLCOMBE, Secretary. Office of the Company, 5, Octagon, Plymouth, August 31st, 1840.

29 Oct 1840: British sovereignty over NZ proclaimed in Government Gazette, London. (Wells)

30 Oct 1840: pioneer emigrants attend meeting and dinner in Plymouth. (Wells)
Much enthusiasm prevailed at the meeting, and each emigrant was promised a town section in the town of New Plymouth, on his arrival. The dejeuner took place on the 30th October, the Earl of Devon being in the chair, and on the previous day the proclamation of the British Sovereignty of the Islands of New Zealand was published in London in the Government Gazette.

Western Courier, West of England Conservative, Plymouth and Devonport Advertiser, Wednesday 4 November 1840, pp. 3-4.
PLYMOUTH COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND—MAGNIFICENT ENTERTAINMENT. On Friday last, the Directors of this company, which has been formed for the purpose of promoting the Colonization of New Zealand, gave & splendid dejeuner, at the Royal Hotel, Plymouth, to a great number of the nobility and gentry of Devon and Cornwall. The beautiful ball-room was appropriated to the purpose, and five tables were laid parallel throughout its extent. Of the dejeuner itself, it is impossible to to too highly ; the viands comprised every delicacy appropriated to the kind of entertainment; the wines were exquisite, and we are at a loss to decide whether those who conceived the idea of the banquet, or the host who arranged it with so much taste and elegancy, are entitled.
The immediate object of the assembly was to enunciate the principles of colonization which the Plymouth Company have adopted, as well as to give eclat to the departure of the pioneer colony which is on the eve of proceeding to New Zealand. The Earl of Devon led on the occasion, and Thomas Gill, Esq. of Plymouth, officiated as Vice President. The following is a list of the company:— [tables A through N
D
Mr Call
*Mr Weeks (WB cabin)
*Mr and Mrs Chillman (WB cabin)
Mr Saunders
Mr Cookworth
*Cap King (AT cabin)
*Mr Cutfield (WB cabin)
Mr Chatfield
Mr Ramsey
Mr Barnet
[Only William Bryan and Amelia Thompson cabin passengers / company agents attended the dinner. Nobody from steerage was present or offered free town sections.]

19 Nov 1840: Barque William Bryan departs Plymouth after delay of several days.
William Bryan manifest, top copy (Puke Ariki)
43 Edwin Harris Painter &c. 32 30 1 1 10
Actually Edwin and Sarah are 34 and Katie is 17 months by the time the family leaves England

‘VOYAGE IN THE BARQUE “WM. BRYAN” FROM PLYMOUTH TO NEW ZEALAND 1840-41.’ (Weekes)
VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND.
IN the autumn of the year 1840 I was attacked with the emigration fever, to which there had been evidently a predisposition in my system for some time. Instead of applying proper remedies, I only increased the disorder by reading prettily got up works on the subject. A company was about this time formed, on, no doubt, the most philanthropical principles, called the Plymouth Company of New Zealand, a branch of the London Company, having the Earl of Devon at its head and Mr. Woollcombe, an attorney of Plymouth, as its secretary.
From this body I accepted an appointment in their projected colony, and hastily commenced the arduous task of rooting-out, in order to plant myself anew in another country. Reader! when I began, little did I think how painful would be the separation from a few dear friends! But the secretary was in haste and the ship daily expected in Plymouth; so what with hurry and excitement, joined perhaps to little obstinate pride, I managed to clear out in tolerable spirits.
Preparations in Plymouth. The emigrants were now arriving at the depot, a splendid dejeuner was given to produce a sensation, and a few working directors met daily at the company’s house. ” We,” the principal colonists, were invited to meet in one of the rooms to enter into any arrangements which might be of use to the embryo settlement. We met once, and I shall never forget it. There were present about six of us, and the secretary sent a series of resolutions for our consideration. We very properly began with the first, taking each in its turn, but found that one objection was sufficient for each and for all. After debating and redebating the point whether six individuals could promise to support a clergyman, establish a dispensary, found a school, etc., etc., in the new colony, we were much relieved by the entrance of the secretary. On informing him that we thought we should be undertaking rather more than our present resources would admit of – “Oh,” said he, ” I only want you just to pass them as your resolutions.” The same evening we saw them with our names attached, floating about as hand-bills and glaring in the newspapers. When I left the colony at the expiration of a year, there neither was nor had been, either a clergyman, dispensary, or public school.
Embarking. At last the Wm. Bryan arrived, and shortly afterwards the day of embarkation. It rained in torrents and the decks were ankle deep in dirt. Boats and barges arrived at the ship’s side with the emigrants and their luggage, some, poor things, in a most woeful plight. Each family had on the average about four children, making seventy in all. There were one hundred and forty-one steerage emigrants and how they possibly could be stowed away was to me a problem. Now just imagine a number of people, almost all strangers to each other, endeavouring to squeeze themselves and part of their things into little dark places called berths; grumbling all the while and expressing a wish to return; sailors swearing, pigs grunting, and children crying their little lungs out. What a treat this would have been for Hogarth’s musician! Travelling indeed makes us acquainted with strange bedfellows.
Getting under weigh. After remaining some days in the Sound and experiencing two violent November gales which thoroughly seasoned us, besides blowing away a house on the ” Hoe,” an east wind fortunately sprang up and we got under weigh. Whilst weighing anchor the carpenter gave a line of “Highland Laddie,” the sailors joining chorus, thus – Carpenter: where have you been all the day; Chorus, sailors: Bonny Laddie, Laddie.
The people soon became acquainted with the intricacies of the vessel and already were very punctual in their attendance at the serving out of provisions. In the cabin we soon made ourselves comfortable, and began our after-tea rubbers which we continued with but one interruption (Sundays excepted) until we approached New Zealand.
[‘Six gentlemen’: George Cutfield, Richard Chilman, Henry Weekes, Thomas King, Frederick Aubrey, Alexander Aubrey]

12 Dec 1840: Carrington and staff arrive in Port Nicholson. Wakefield organises exploratory trips with Barrett to Queen Charlotte Sound, Blind Bay and Taranaki. (Wells)

22 Dec 1840: Wakefield writes to Plymouth company directors after receiving their orders via Carrington. (Wells)
I have placed the barque Brougham at the disposal of Mr. Carrington, with a recommendation to proceed in her immediately to Queen Charlotte’s Sound, Blind Bay, and Taranaki, with full instructions as to the advantages and capabilities of each place. I have also induced Mr. Barrett, who is better acquainted than anybody I know with these coasts, to accompany the expedition. Mr. Carrington will proceed, I believe, on his tour of inspection in a few days.

1841

UK census: James Pasco Harris at 1 Union street. (Middleton)
At the 1841 census, the last which included JPH, he is recorded as living at 1 Union Street, Plymouth and as a painter. HMH, aged 22, is part of that household and also a painter, whilst his brother, JCH, twenty one years his senior, is at 37 Park Street, Plymouth and self-described as an artist. From recent research by Jacob Simon, we know it was JPH who was declared bankrupt in 1831 (not JCH as argued by Robinson 2018), and that the partnership of James Harris & Sons was dissolved in 1846, with HMH then continuing the business.
[JPH: James Pasco Harris. JCH: James Cobham Harris, eldest son of JPH. HMH: Henry Marmaduke Harris, youngest son of JPH.]

8 Jan 1841: FA Carrington and staff arrive in Taranaki on the Brougham. from Port Nicholson. They explore Waitara 11 Jan, then proceed to Port Hardy (D’Urville Island) and Queen Charlotte Sound. (Skinner)

12 Feb 1841: Carrington, staff and families arrive at Ngamotu on the Brougham to begin surveys. They explore and dismiss Waitara as location for settlement, which is then laid out between Huatoki and Te Henui Streams. (Skinner)

1 Mar 1841: Carrington begins New Plymouth survey.
Carrington made an early start with Barrett and the survey staff, to explore the ground, by means of Native pathways, between the Huatoki and Henui Rivers. (Skinner)

19 Mar 1841: William Bryan arrives at Port Underwood in cloudy Bay. Cutfield goes to Port Nicholson to get sailing orders from Wakefield. (Wells)

30 Mar 1841: William Bryan arrives off Moturoa, begins disembarking passengers 31 Mar. (Wells)

April-May 1841: Harris family occupies part of raupo shelter on beachfront at Moturoa. (Family songbook 5)

Early May 1841: Harrises move into whare built on rise west of Huatoki Stream between Queen and Dawson Streets. (Family songbook 5)
Skinner (13): ‘On the 6th [of April] the same two gentlemen [Carrington and Cutfield], having settled on the site, took the immigrants to see the location of their temporary quarters, and upon which they could at once proceed to erect tents, whares, or houses, places that might be dignified by the name of “home,” and where the privileges of family life and privacy might once again be enjoyed, however humble the structures and surroundings. The ‘William Bryanites,’ Mr. Carrington remarks, were all well pleased with this arrangement, and accordingly 33 lots of an eighth of an acre each were staked out, and all those who wished to avail themselves of this scheme were granted a temporary lease, or permit, to occupy their lots for two years, at a rental of sixpence a year. At the expiration of the two years the land was to be given up, or an increased rent was to be fixed by the company’s agent. This was the first public transaction in leasehold land dealing in Taranaki. The original plan of this little hamlet still exists in the local Survey Office, and on it are shown the names of the 33 heads of pioneer families who made their selections. The locality was promptly named “Devonport,” after the well-known naval port of old Plymouth, and to the older residents it is still known by that name.’ The people of Ngāmotu built whares for the emigrants for a negotiated price of £18 per structure. The map of Devonport to which Skinner refers has disappeared.
[Is this the ‘free town section’ promised to the William Bryan emigrants before leaving Plymouth?]

21 May 1841: Harris whare burns down, nearly all possessions lost. Edwin accepts offer of surveying for Plymouth Company under Carrington. He surveys the Paritutu line and probably other areas. (Family songbook 5)
Weekes, Sunday 23 May 1841: ‘Mr. Harris’s house was burnt down on Friday and most of his things burnt.’ A second reference to the fire occurs 5 June in Weekes’ MS booklet ‘First establishment of the New Plymouth colony 1841’: ‘A fire the other day destroyed in a few minutes one of the emigrant’s houses, being made of tinder-like bulrushes; scarcely a thing was saved. A liberal subscription has been made for the sufferers.’

4 Oct 1841: Weekes purchases suburban section at Te Henui and proceeds to subdivide it for sale to fellow emigrants. Edwin Harris buys Lot 28. (Family Songbook 5)
When the first suburban sections were balloted in Oct 1841, Henry Weekes bought a 50-acre block at Te Henui and subdivided it for resale to his fellow settlers (Skinner 47). Edwin Harris bought Lot 28, a two-acre section fronting present-day Devon St East between Henui St and Nob’s Line in what is now Strandon. See Te Henui 1842-1850 (Puke Ariki. ARC2005-129.

On Monday, October 4, in accordance with notice given, the orders for choice of land were presented by the purchasers at Captain King’s house, Mount Eliot, and it was decided by those present that a lottery should be held the same afternoon. This lottery was to decide the order in which the land purchasers (from Plymouth Company) should select their sections in the suburban area, or the land immediately around the town. The survey of the country sections, and also of the town lots, was not sufficiently advanced to permit of a ballot being taken for such. […] Only six of the suburban sections were selected at this first land ballot, two of which were sections 19 and 20, the former lying between Nobs’ Line and Church Lane and Devon Road and sea beach. Section 20 (Chilman’s) was situated immediately inland of 19, i.e., south side of Devon Road. The selector of section 19, Dr. Weeks, surgeon of the William Bryan, at once placed its subdivision in hand, as there was a keen demand amongst the family men for a few acres on which to establish a home. In a letter written a few months after the ballot we have the following remarks on this subdivision: “Weeks, who left us so unexpectedly to take up practise at Barnstable (Devonshire) has reaped an abundant harvest from his suburban section. It is calculated that he has sold it at the rate of £15 per acre! What think you of that? Some fronting Devon Road realized as much as £20 per acre.” This subdivision, officially known as “Weekstown,” was certainly the first speculative deal in town or suburban lands in Taranaki, possibly in the Dominion, and was the forerunner of many subdivisions which now go to make up the prosperous suburb of Fitzroy. […]
The surveys were now being carried on with more vigour, and the surveyor, writing on October 13, says: “The suburban land will, it is possible, be ready for clearing in a month or six weeks – certainly not before. Survey lines now extend from two to three miles at the back or south of the town, and nearly the same distance south-west. Suburban sections will soon be opened for choice there, and for early numbers those will be the most desirable situations (present Vogeltown or Brooklands, and Westown. – W.H.S.) The undulating country, however, to the north will, I think, be found the best suited to those who have late choices (Waiwakaiho to Bell Block and beyond – W.H.S.) It is a most beautiful district; the whole distance between the Enui (the limit of the town to the north) and the Waitera, is ten miles distant, well irrigated by innumerable streams, and for the most part covered with beautiful shrubs, a certain indication of good soil. The rural land will come in at Waitera, and it is said that a second township will be formed there hereafter. The district of Waitera certainly possesses many advantages; the greatest is the size of the river, which, although it has a bar at the mouth, is capable in fine weather of admitting vessels of small tonnage. I shall give out the town sections in a few days, as soon as the vessels are gone (Amelia Thompson and Regina). I have yet only given out six of the suburban lots, but in a fortnight or three weeks shall be in a position to give out many. I have several miles of line cutting done.”
With regard to what the surveyor writes above with reference to the early allotment of the town sections, one of the pioneers caustically remarks: ‘No further talk of town sections yet, although we were promised these sections in a fortnight when the Amelia Thompson first came. Mr. Carrington wishes evidently to teach us the virtue of patience.” (Skinner, 47-48)
[So Edwin Harris may have paid up to £40 for his two acres fronting the Devon road at Te Henui, paid for out of his earnings from the surveys]

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser – Wednesday 03 November 1841, p1
THE matters of the Petitions and Schedules of the undermentioned Insolvents are appointed to be heard at the COURT HOUSE, at WELLS, in the County of Somerset, on the 24th day of November, 1841, at the hour of o’clock in the forenoon precisely, viz.—
… STEPHEN COLLINS COURT, formerly of Old Town street; then of Clarence-street, both in Plymouth, the County of Devon, Painter and Glazier; afterwards of Union Place, in Plymouth aforesaid, carrying on Business as a Painter and Glazier, under the names of Baynard and Court; then of Dulverton, in the County of Somerset, Assistant to Mr. Edwin Harris, of that place, Land Surveyor; afterwards carrying on the Business of Land Surveyor,on his own Account; at first at Upton, then at Exford; afterwards Chipstable, and lately Wiveliscombe ; all in the said County of Somerset.
[Stephen Collins court worked for Edwin Harris in Dulverton, Somerset. See Ellen Harris letter 1842, Stephen court has been in gaol at Ilchester]
Emma Harris (1802-1889), married Stephen Collins Court (1811-1858) in 1832, 3 sons, 3 daughters.
So the Harrises and the courts are likely to have been together in Dulverton c.1838-39.

13 Nov 1841: Sarah Harris writes home (Family songbook 6)
Sarah Harris to father William Hill. New Plymouth, 13 November 1841
Captain King is succeeded by Captain Liardet, a man qualified to fill the situation in every respect, and I think something will now be done for the Colony. He has made a purchase of some land about 8 miles from here for the advantage of small ships to run in.
The surveyors are going on fast, there are some surveyors remaining as Edwin did, without employment, the Company will not take on any hands except labourers or carpenters, which men brought up as they have been are not able to do, there are several very respectable men obliged to go out. There is no chance for our doing better in this place as all the Companies are formed in England, and the managing staff is also formed there, and our friends in England must look out. We think that many owners of land would be glad to appoint him their agent, which he could take with his present employment, his salary cannot be advanced without the Company’s sanction, he is very much liked by Mr Carrington, and the men all prefer him as their master.
Yesterday a petition was sent to Captain Liardet by the emigrants that first came out, for a small piece of land to be given them for their houses, in consequence of the grounds that they were allowed to build on being put in as town sections, it is a hard case for them after making the place desirable and spending all their savings, and I think more in making houses for their families and affording a shelter for all who have arrived since, to have it taken from them, they are promised it for two years, and then shift for themselves, but that is uncertain as the landowners will try all they can to get it if they make choice of it. It was understood by the people before they left England, that they as Pioneers of the expedition would be privileged above all that came after. If their houses and gardens are taken from them at the end of the two years and they receive no remuneration they will not have had any other privilege than others who build a temporary house where they like but those have built with the idea that the 20 perch of land would be given.
Note:
Yesterday a petition was sent to Captain Liardet
Carrington’s plan of the town site was ready for inspection 4 Nov 1841 and selections were to take place ten days later. Chilman 6 Nov 1841: ‘On Thursday the plan of the town was exhibited at Mr. Carrington’s, it is very simple in its design, the roads being all formed at right angles, there are two Squares marked out, and about 60 Acres for a Park, to be called Victoria Park. A meeting was held the next day to postpone the selection until Capn. Liardet’s return, in consequence of one of the best portions of the Town being occupied by the Emigrants under a promise from the Company’s Officers to retain it for two years, & consequently to ascertain whether the Company would remunerate parties choosing those sections. It was however decided to proceed with the selection on the day named, I voted in the minority – with two others only – a shameful defeat.’

[November 1841: letters via Oriental] All the writers were full of hope and assurance as to their future prospects.
One of those arriving by the William Bryan writes: “…I little thought that ever I should leave my native land; but I hope and trust it is all for the best; for now I have got a house of my own, given to us for two years (by the company), and garden, which stands on 20 yards of ground. My house is 16 feet broad and 24 feet long; that is large enough for my two brothers and myself. When we came to New Zealand first, we made our bed on fern, but when the Amelia Thompson came, we had got up houses [raupo whares. – W.H.S.] for them. The rent we make of them is from 6s to 8s, and from that to 10s a week. This is very fine land, but the farmers will be obliged to pay out a great deal for clearing it before they will gain anything by their farms. I am working for the company at my trade (blacksmith); the hours are from half-past seven in the morning until half-past four, and I am getting 7s 6d to 8s a day. Carpenters’ wages are 7s 6d per day and labourers’ 5s.” (Skinner)

24 Dec 1841: Edwin Harris dividends given out (London Gazette)
The London Gazette, 24 December 1841, p. 3339.
Insolvent Debtor.—Dividend.—No. 52,052 C. THE creditors of Edwin Harris, late of Dulverton, Somersetshire, Land Surveyor, are informed, that a Dividend of three shillings and two pence in the pound may be received, by applying to Mr. A. P. Browne, Solicitor for the assignee, at Dulverton aforesaid, on or after the 29th day of December instant.—Bills and securities to be produced.

1842

17 Jan 1842: Ellen Harris writes to New Plymouth (Family songbook 7)
Ellen Harris to brother and sister-in-law Edwin and Sarah Harris. Plymouth, 17 January 1842
But I will say no more of myself as I think you will be better pleased to hear of the movements of the more important branches of the family and now I think I will tell you about Mr Stephen Court. Aunty told me just now that she had mentioned to you in her letter of his being in difficulties but he contrived to surmount them in a gentlemanly way very common now-a-days by taking a comfortable trip to Ilchester Mansion (where a certain friend of yours Henry Paddon the auctioneer has been paying a visit also). Since his return Mr R has procured him a situation at Ackerman’s Iron works, Bristol, though it is unlikely that it will be a permanent one in order to eventually carry out the plan about emigration.
We do not know what his salary is to be as he is not aware himself but we suppose not a very high one as his situation is merely a clerkship to make estimates of the different works carrying on at Bristol. It was difficult for Mr R to procure it at all as he was not sure that he would be able to fill the situation but Emma who is now lodging at Lipson heard from him yesterday and he seems quite conversant with his occupation already so we hope he will be enabled to keep it.

Sources

British Newspaper Archive, The Globe; The Jurist; The London Gazette; Morning Herald; Taunton Courier; Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser; Western Courier, West of England Conservative, Plymouth and Devonport Advertiser.

The Family songbook. Emily Cumming Harris in New Zealand and Australia, 2019.

Roger Middleton, The Power of Two: Peterhead to Plymouth, an exploration of two families over three centuries. Exeter, Devon, Short Run Press, 2023.

National Archives of the United Kingdom.

Anne Parsonson, ‘Nga Whenua Tautohetohe o Taranaki: Land and conflict in Taranaki 1839–1859. A revision of report No.1 to the Waitangi Tribunal “The Purchase of Maori Land in Taranaki, 1839–59,”’ November 1991, pp. 19–20, 47–68.

Plymouth Baptism Register.

WH Skinner, Taranaki Eighty Years Ago. New Plymouth, Taranaki Herald, 1923.

Dr Henry Weekes, ‘Voyage in the Barque “Wm. Bryan” from Plymouth to New Zealand 1840–41’, in J Rutherford and WH Skinner (eds), The Establishment of the New Plymouth Settlement in New Zealand 1841–1843. New Plymouth, Thomas Avery, 1940.

Benjamin Wells, The History of Taranaki: A standard work on the history of the province. New Plymouth: Edmondson & Avery / Taranaki News Office, 1878.

See also:

Caroline Screech
Posted on March 21, 2019 by Brianna Vincent
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/2019/03/21/caroline-screech/

Emily’s Plymouth, 1840
Posted on June 26, 2019 by Makyla Curtis
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/2019/06/26/emilys-plymouth-1840/

What Happened at Ilchester Mansion
Posted on June 28, 2019 by Makyla Curtis
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/2019/06/28/what-happened-at-ilchester-mansion/

Shedding some light on the Plymouth Paddons
Posted on July 25, 2019 by Betty Davis
https://emilycummingharris.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/2019/07/25/shedding-some-light-on-the-plymouth-paddons/
Contributed by Nigel Overton, City Heritage Curator, The Box, Plymouth Museums Galleries Archives