1815 Info 3 for Richardson Crompton
The emigration of Richardson Crompton's children
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Hypothesis
The UK 1851 census shows the family farming the 124 acre South Sea Farm, Flamborough, having
enough productivity to employ one man. According to the 1861 census, following Richardson‘s death
on 24 August 1859, Hannah, ran the 130 acre North Moor Farm, Flamborough. Since her children were
recorded as "farmer‘s children" and since she employed two "farm servant" a degree of wealth is
suggested.
However in 1863 Hannah married Richard Huddleston and four of her children emigrated to the
Christchurch area. They are not listed as passengers on assisted passages.
Why the children left a potentially affluent environment is a question to be asked. It would
be reasonable to expect the farm to pass to Hannah‘s eldest child Stephen clubley and for the
younger members of the family to disperse. Stephen‘s emigration and the fact that Hannah was
buried in Richardson‘s grave suggest that life with Richard Huddleston was not a bed of roses.
An enticement to emigrate?
Throughout the second half of the 19th century enticing advertisements appeared to attract
'labourers' throughout the United Kingdom to the 'promised land' of New Zealand.
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At a time of agricultural uncertainty and pending rural poverty and when the Colonies were
expanding, agents for the various Government land agencies travelled the country enticing the
'Working classes' to emigrate. The example below illustrates the temptations for inhabitants of
Lincolnshire to start a new life in the Auckland area.
Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury
27 May 1859
EMIGRATION to NEW ZEALAND PARADISE - Free Gift of a Forty Acre Farm; Mr J. Jun, agent to the
provincial Govt. of Auckland is authorised to give the following notice: Every industrious Man or
Woman of good character and not through age, infirmity or other cause, unlikely to form a useful
colonist, will, on approval, receive a Free Gift of Forty Acres of Good Land in the province of
Auckland New Zealand, together with Forty Acres more for each person above 18 years, and Twenty
Acres for each child above 5 and under 18 yrs of age, who he may take with him to the Colony.
The advert went on to say that emigrants had to pay their own passage and that female
domestic servants and Ag Labs were especially eligible. Further down the same page the cost of
passage was advertised, being then (1859): 1st class cabin from 50 gns (guineas) and 2nd class cabins
from 30 gns. It took over 80 days to get to New Zealand.
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1815info3, sheet 2
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It is with some certainty that, even after the sailing of the first four ships in in late 1850,
agents for the Canterbury Association visited parishes of the Yorkshire Wolds to recruit, or entice
emigration immigrants for Canterbury. It is possible that Stephen clubley Crompton, following the
remarriage of his mother to Richard Huddleston, was attracted by this new life.
Both advertisements call for trades within his agricultural experience: labourer, ploughman, shepherd.
One 'Agent' was Mr. White, who encouraged people to leave Lincolnshire for the Tarnanki area New
Zealand in 1875. He describes not only the standards and requirements for the potential emigrants
but also the social status of the villagers, his methods of enticement and the resentment of local
landowners who saw a potential drain on their labour. See highlights below.
Right source: New Zealand Yesteryears! |
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MR BURTON IN LINCOLNSHIRE
To the Editor of the Taranaki Herald.
Sir, - Having seen in a recent issue of your
contemporary, The Budget, some strictures and criticisms on your emigration agent and his work
while in England, and knowing how uninformed on the subject the writer must have been, having myself
been witness to the diligent, discriminating, and unremitting toil with which Mr Burton has spread
information, selected suitable emigrants, and the remarkable success which has met his meriting
labours, I feel I cannot do less than send a short note of information ...
Some twelve months ago I was honoured by
appointment of Dr Featherston with commission for emigration work, and had the pleasure of holding
meetings and co-operating with Mr Duncan, from the Canterbury Province, in his tour through North
Lincolnshire. ... It so happened that the Agent-General
mentioned North Lincolnshire in connection with my name to
MR BURTON
who first ascertaining that the men were of the right stamp, and that there was probability of ultimate
success in the locality, went to work in good earnest until his name and Mrs Burton's are household
words through the whole district. ... First in |
1815info3, sheet 3
SPREADING INFORMATION
advertisements are practically useless so far as the farm labourer is concerned, for as a rule he
does not read. The same class rarely assemble, as they have no political voice or social standing,
and there are few rooms available for any meeting on their account.
Then their knowledge is so limited that they can hardly be
persuaded of the truth concerning the Colony, and their means so small that it is almost an
impossibility to raise clothing for the voyage, let alone ship kits and railway fares to the ship.
... Again in months of our winter, November to March, it is impossible to get them to move;
so that coping with these difficulties and others I will point out it speaks volumes for Mr Burton's
energy and discretion that 500 souls have left Lincolnshire
for Taranaki in April, May and June. Another difficulty and great one lies in the stern
opposition to emigration by the bulk of our influential dwellers in the rural districts. ... An
incident occurring not two days ago in connection with
THIS WEEK'S LECTURE TOUR
will best illustrate some of the difficulties under which the Emigration Agents labour ... . Leaving
Laceby, (the centre of our operations), a four mile dusty drive to Grimsby, brought Mr Burton and
myself to Grimsby, where taking train, we booked to Barton-on-Humber. Reaching this place by twenty
miles rail-travel, we walked after tea some four miles to a secluded village further inland,
also on the river bank, called South Ferriby. Here lay our night's work -
A PUBLIC MEETING
duly advertised by the Labour League, to which many of the men of the district belong. The place of
the meeting was to be of necessity out of doors. No school-room was obtained and our advent was
evidently an audacious thing. Announced to be taken at half-past seven, the chair, and being the
only seat, well called the chair, was vacant till eight, no resident daring to occupy it. By this
time the tardy gathering counted some one hundred and fifty squatted on the green bank of a retired
highway leading from the village. The arrival of a brave spirit, locally well known, was the signal
for his immediate votal to the chair by more timid villages. Giving a brief speech
he called upon myself to address the motley and moving group.
This I did referring to the numbers gone to New Zealand - the news of arriving to a good reception
and prospects on arrival - contrasting this with the helpless and hopeless condition of those before
me, and giving good reason why they should copy the example so bravely set by those who had
already gone. Mr Burton followed me, outlining
THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME OF FREE PASSAGES,
detailing its conditions, meeting English objections ad explaining the reason of the difference of
remuneration here and with you to the farm labourer was suddenly interrupted in an unexpected fashion,
as I will now relate. To my own eye, as witnessed,
THE SCENE WAS MOST LUDICROUS,
and even now, in recalling, I am terribly amused with the event. The chairman and speaker were on
one side of the narrow roadway, with some dozen or two aside and behind them. The way itself was
clear. The slope opposite was dotted some 20 or 30 yards along, and five or six yards deep, with
the then tolerably attentive listeners. From the village
up the hill I saw coming, with somewhat martial bearing and very measured tread, as if the comer
meant something, a man I judged to be a farmer [who] ... cut quite an imposing figure. The
eyes of the audience glanced uneasily towards him, as if they wondered what his coming boded. The
suspense was short, for on reaching Mr. Burton's standing place, he drew his straightened figure
higher yet if possible, and turning round, rudely faced the speaker, blurting out in a threatening
attitude: "I authorise you to move off this ground at once." ... Let me say that
MR BURTON'S LABOURS HAVE BEEN INCESSANT.
Long walks, and protracted meetings, repeated interviews, and tedious and multiplied letter writing,
besides a number of nameless yet necessary duties, have filled up his time as none in the Colony
can understand; nor will the worth of his work be known till
the physical, social, and moral value of the emigrants he has selected is shown in a prosperous
community, an increased revenue and the national consolidation which will, I feel sure, ensure, and
be owning to the conscience which your agent has put into his work. ... Hoping some of my
own late neighbours and friends are amongst you ere this arrives, and that you will treat them well,
as being good men they deserve to be treated, - I am, &c., JOHN H. WHITE, The North Lincolnshire
N.Z. Emigration Agent. Laceby, near Grimsby, 8th July, 1875.
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Source: Papers Past, Taranaki
Herald
1815info3, sheet 4
It is not difficult to imagine, when considering the death of his father, his mother's remarriage
and the possible loss of his inheritance, his will and occupation at death, that Stephen clubley was
one of these 'poor souls' who attended such a meeting, not too far away from Grimsby, and who sought
a new life in New Zealand.
The experiences of John Hillary, reflected in his diary describing his emigration to New Zealand
on the "Westland", and of his attempt to settle in the Christchurch area must have mirrored those
of Emily Hyde. Apart from hearing news of New Zealand from her brothers it is possible that she
listened to the same Rev. J Berry on his preaching circuit, as the East Riding isn't far from Hillary's
Durham home of Tow Law.
"In the year 1879 there was
touring this country the Rev. J. Berry who would seem to have been an agent for the New Zealand
Government. He extolled the virtues of that country andadvised people to emigrate to New Zealand
and there make their fortunes. John Hillary, a shopkeeper in the small north eastern town of Tow
Law, being a deeply religious man, listened to the blandishments of the reverend gentleman and being
sure that only truth could come from such a source, decided that as New Zealand must be "the promised
land" he would act upon the advice given."
In order to be accepted as an immigrant to New Zealand occupations were often given as the much
needed agricultural labourers, for the expanding farmland, and domestic servants, for those people
who have established themselves in their new country. Emily changed from "farmer's daughter" of
the 1871 census to "domestic servant" on her wedding certificate and it is possible that Paul Roach
Glasson possibly changed his Cornish occupation from blacksmith to farm labourer.
However Hillary and Emily Hyde had arrived at the wrong time. The Otago gold rush, which had
broughtmore riches than Alaska, was now ended. The Canterbury area was experiencing a drought,
which had reduced the crop yield, and the wool price had fallen heavily on the world market. Being
a new country much was imported creating a balance of payment deficit and reduced employment and
wages. Highly paid men in good positions in the UK and earning 50/- per week now earned 21/-.
"Having read Agent General‘s Hand Book and Rev. J. Berry‘s Pamphlet, I expected statements therein
made as to abundance of work, high wages etc and general prosperity of New Zealand to be true. What
was our surprise on landing to find hundreds walking the streets who could not get a day‘s work.
Prospect beingso dark we saw the necessity of moving very cautiously ....
.... Much indignation is freely expressed, several of the more conscientious tradesmen joining, and
the newspapers publishing letters and leaders charging home upon the Government the inconsistency of
inveighling people away from their comfortable English homes by means of exaggerated and one sided
lectures and pamphlets, to sorrow, untold suffering, disappointment and almost despair.
A clerk, a new chum, nor not able to get work took to book hawking and the day he called upon us he
said that from that day week, he had not taken a penny. Another clerk called about the same time who
having been out 15 months and got nothing, was trying to sell vinegar at a small commission. Another,
Mr. W. Raine, had only a few hours carrying for the mason and returned with Mr Williams on the SS Cotopax.
Met a family of father, mother and two sons who paid their passage and came out from Bradford shortly
after us. They were printers to trade and had been in one of the best establishments in England at a
good salary, had read the pamphlets and were persuaded. It was pitiful to hear their regrets. Could not
get a day‘s work and took to hawking tea, but found this a played-out game and next door to begging.
The older son, who was a widower, with much emotion and tears, told me they would never settle and be
happy until they were home again, and if friends in Bradford only knew their position they would
subscribe to pay their passage back. Mother was out at work and at harvest time the three men would
go up country harvesting, work hard and save every penny until they could raise passage money."
Abstract from: Hillary JH, 1979, "Westland Journal of John Hillary, emigrant to New Zealand
1879", Acorn, Norfolk ISBN 0 906554 01 2
1815info3, sheet 5
The following extract from page 4 of the Otago Witness, although south of Christchurch, also gives a flavour
of what life may have been like for the early settlers to the north and may account for the hard life
experienced by Richardson's emigrant children.
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Our arrival in this far-off land, after a passage of 104 days, having sailed on the 12th September
1849, and landed at Port Chalmers on Christmas-day. Since that period I have been knocking about
all over the country, have examined the whole of the Company's block from end to end. Port Chalmers,
the only present-seaport of the settlement, is most beautifully situate in a small bay. It is distant
from Dunedin about nine miles, the country being all forest, or what is here called "bush." The sail
up the arm of the sea, here called a river, is certainly very beautiful, until you come within
sight of Dunedin, when one of the coldest, bleakest, and most wretched looking counties opens out
upon you that you could well behold. The site of Dunedin itself is actually pitched upon a mass of
hills, having such big gullies between them, that nothing save an earthquake coming to level them
could ever make it suitable for the site of a town; early jobbing or ignorance and mismanagement,
gained the day, and the poor settlers are now reaping the consequences. "The theory of concentration
and contiguity," so urgently upheld by the leaders in this settlement, by inducing the early comers
to take up their abode near the town, has proved, and will continue to prove, eminently ruinous to
the colony, so long as such fatal counsel is allowed to bear paramount away.
The generality of the
most respectable emigrants who came out are supposed to bring with them from £150 to £250 in cash.
Of this sum £100 go to pay the heavy expenses of living in the town with their families until they
can get a house upon their suburban section; next comes the expense of transport of their goods and
chattels over a country where roads are promised, but where none exist; erecting their house where
all the timber has to be brought from a distance, and with a multitude of other outlays, all of
which when subtracted from his reduced capital, must evidently leave him but a very small sum to
commence his cultivation of the poorest land on the whole block. Where, now, are his means for
purchase of a few cows to breed stock from, the principal return you can expect to get for your
money in this country. But let us take the more fortunate instances, where the settlers have,
perhaps, either had a larger capital, or, having managed more economically, have succeed in buying
a few head of cattle. The result has been, that some half-a-dozen of these individuals have, by
overstocking the suburban districts with their cattle, been compelled, with their diminished means,
to move inland, in order that their beasts should not stave in winter. ....
The climate is not nearly so hot as represented, but from what I have seen, superior by far to our
own at home. The Taieri plain, and Tokomairiro also, no doubt contain much good pasturage on the
ranges surrounding the, but the plains themselves are too wet for any immediate use, and could only
be brought into cultivation, after an expense far beyond the means of a young
colony...
The Mollineux district, is bounded on the north by the Matau river, and on the south by a high range
of hills which are suppose to run as far as the west coast;...
All we want down here are roads, and emigrants to stock the country, and then we are sure to go ahead.
If a man can begin with 400 or 500 sheep, his fortune is made in five or six years as certainly as
the ground exists on which he stands. ...
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Source: Papers Past,
Otago Witness Extract from a letter, dated Mollineux, New Zealand, March 1850
It was in to this economic climate that certainly Emily Hyde landed and Stephen Clubley and Thomas
Richardson found themselves. One wonders whether Stephen‘s lowly position of ploughman resulted
from the economic depression of the late 1870s and early 1880s. It wasn‘t until ten years later
that refrigeration revitalised the meat and diary product trade to the UK and New Zealand's prosperity
increased.
The Spyglasses, that follow, describe the life of Richardson's four children in New Zealand.
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This page was created by Richard Crompton
and maintained by Chris Glass
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Version B6
Updated 26 January 2008
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