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Hello Kirsty

Thank you for the update on the Newton emigration. I had a vague idea one family had travelled later but I couldn't remember which one.
There were thirteen boatmen and their families - six Government funded and the remaining seven self-funded. The Newtons were the latter. Omitted from my list were the families of Gardner, Hayman and Wyman. They boarded the 'Mystery' at Charing Cross, the 'Mystery' making the first journey of this kind and under the command of a Captain Matthews. There were about 320 people on board from all walks of life.
She docked at Gravesend for supplies and for the last chance for passengers to go ashore. Some families were landed here as symptoms of smallpox were discovered and scarlet fever was spreading fast. She anchored in the Downs (off Deal) and called for help from Deal. She was there for several days before continuing her journey. This took over eighty days, a fast time, apparently, but by the time she reached Lyttleton disease has caused the 'Mystery' to fly the yellow fever flag and thus be put into quarantine.
Once ashore, the Deal families, amongst others were housed in the nearby barracks then set about unloading the ship. The self-funded families found immediate employment doing what boatmen did in Deal.
The self-funded boatmen established a fishery in Lyttleton in 1861 but two years later went bankrupt as fishing was not a familiar occupation for Deal boatmen.
Edward Newton moved to Timaru and became a fisherman. His wife Sarah sought a protection order against him in addition to custody of their children but both cases were withdrawn. After suffering some serious accidents, Edward moved to Gisborne, where he died aged 87.
John Newton died at the age of 93. He entered public service before returning to being a boatman for Lyttleton Harbour Board. He retired at 75. When he died he left 5 sons, 2 daughters, 28 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren.
Hope this is of interest. I have left out the details of the privations of the voyage, sticking only to the Newton-related facts.

Regards

AJ

I had a case in a family that I was researching.  The 1911 stated 11 born 8 living 3 died.  I knew about ten children but not the 11th.  However despite intensive searching of the GRO no 11th child could be found.  I came to the conclusion that the parents had included a still born child.