the Petworth Scheme

[papagrood2]

I'm new to Rootschat so forgive if this subject has been done to death already, but I wonder if anyone has information they can share on the emigrants from (mainly) Sussex who went to "upper" Canada on the Petworth Scheme in 1832 (was it)?

Which part of Canada would have been designated "upper"? 

I have a particular interest in the HILLS surname and have heard that there was at least one HILLS family on this scheme.

[behindthefrogs]

Welcome to rootschat.

Upper Canada was what is now the southern half of the Province of Ontario.  Prior to the formation of Canada it was a British Colony and the "upper" relates to its position on the St Lawrence River.

David

[J.J.]

Welcome to rootchat, papagrood2 ....
It seems you've stumbled upon the resources pages rather than queries...
but we will have you move over to one of the proper sections very soon...

The actual query boards are:
Emigrants to Canada or Canada Lookup Requests...

Here is a site devoted to the project:
http://www.petworthemigrations.com/index.html
They have three publications out, the first of which lists known immigrants from the project!
1. Assisting Emigration to Upper Canada: The Petworth Project, 1832-1837
2. English Immigrant Voices, Labourers' Letters from Upper Canada in the 1830s
3. Poor Cottages and Proud Palaces: The Life and Work of the Reverend Thomas Sockett of Petworth 1777 -- 1859

all the best, J.J.

[papagrood2]

 ::)Thanks V much.

[J.J.]

Oh, say, here you go...The ship's List has the names, as well...
The surname Hills is listed for ship Eveline April 1832 ( also Hill listed same year), ship Burrell April 23 1835, ship Heber April 28 1836 ...

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerlists/petworth.html

J.J.

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Hmmmmm....Now, I see that the site I gave you above for publicatioins actually has the surname list right on it...just need to scroll down far enough...
silly me!

 

[J.J.]

http://www.waynflete78.freeserve.co.uk/bygonedays.html

Information given to emigrants travelling on the Petworth Scheme:

'List of Neccessaries for Emigrants to Upper Canada.
Families should take their Bedding, Blankets, Sheets etc, Pewter plates or wooden trenchers, Knives, forks and spoons, Metal cups and mugs, Tea kettles and saucepans, Working tools of all descriptions [A large tin can or watering can would be useful]'
The following list suggested for labourers.
'A fur cap, A warm great coat, A flushing jacket and trowsers, Two jersey frocks, Four shirts, Four pairs of Stockings, A duck frock and trowsers, A canvas frock and two pairs and trowsers, Three pairs of shoes, Bible and prayer book.'
'A cask not exceeding the size of a hogshead, or 60 gallons, affords an excellent and dry case, for packing such articles as are not likely to be wanted 'till the end of the voyage. All packages should be marked with the owners name in large letters. Five hundred weight of luggage is allowed to be taken by each individual, above 14 years of age.'

[J.J.]

If you are looking for a particular person, you can view all the forenames & birthdates for free by putting the surname Hills into the database for 1851 census, choose Canada West (Ontario)
Signup on this site is free, and viewing basic information is free....
http://content.ancestry.ca/iexec/?htx=List&dbid=1061&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0

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I also see that the surname Hills has an asterix beside it on the publications page listed above....which means they have "letters hone" which would be in the "voices...." publication... That's a reason to pick up the book..
  .Too bad Amazon doesn't have it, as rootschat earns a bit of dough from the adverts on this site, to help finance this site & keep it free....

[J.J.]

You can also check the more elderly Hills in the 1901 census Ontario images for years of immigration....Although oddly none seemed to make it to their 70s or 80s...
This Joseph (as Hils)  for example, born 1830 Eng. says he came over in 1835
http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=95340&highlight=16


Let us know if you are researching any certain family and want some information...we'll do out best to help....J.J.

[papagrood2]

You are most kind and when time allows I'll look into it some more.  I had noted that the "voices" book was on sale with Amazon but you think not.  I'll track it down somewhere else...but as you say- shame if it helps keep a wonderful site like this going.

I also e-mailed the West Sussex Record Office about the Petworth scheme and they (unsurprisingly) have a vast amount of original documents from the Petworth archives on microfilm and, again, when time allows I'll get over there too as only live 45 mins drive away.

Thanks a lot again.