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THE SETTLER HANDBOOK by MD Nash
WILKINSON'S PARTY Led by George Wilkinson and John Morton, who both described themselves as farmers. Wilkinson was the son of the Rev Thomas Wilkinson, rector of Bulvan, near Orsett, Essex; Morton was the son of the steward of Lord Petre's estates at Ingatestone, some ten miles from Bulvan. The conditions under which this party emigrated varied from the standard regulations for the government scheme. Wilkinson and Morton first applied to emigrate as members of a proposed party led by Peter Gaugain, which included Richard Satchwell. Gaugain's application was turned down, and Wilkinson then entered his name on the list of Bailie's party. He withdrew it, however, when his father, the Rev Thomas Wilkinson, submitted a new proposal on his behalf to the Colonial Department. He offered to arrange passage in a privately owned vessel for a party of principals and hired labourers from the neighbourhood of Orsett. They would proceed to the Cape at their own expense if Government would make them a substantial land grant and afford them other 'settlers' privileges'. The Rev Mr Wilkinson was warmly recommended to the Secretary of State, Earl Bathurst, by Lord Kenyon, an introduction that undoubtedly influenced the favourable reception of this proposal. The Colonial Department agreed not only to grant land at the usual rate of 100 acres per man to George Wilkinson and his partners, but to refund their passage money at the rate of £12 per head (less than the actual cost, according to Wilkinson) on the party's arrival at the Cape. Passage was arranged in the Amphitrite for 10 principals and 15 servants and their families. Numerous changes occurred in the composition of the party; a week before the Amphitrite was due to sail, the Rev Mr Wilkinson complained that 'the list varies daily', and it would be impossible to submit an accurate list of names until the settlers were actually on board. The party finally embarked at Gravesend early in November, taking in its baggage a portable threshing machine and water-boring machinery of a type that was being used successfully in Essex. The Amphitrite anchored for several days in Brixham harbour, and four labourers of the party took this last opportunity to desert before leaving England. A fifth man, John Jenkins, died at sea. The Amphitrite left Brixham on 28 December 1819, arriving in Table Bay on 29 March 1820, where the colonial authorities arranged transport for the settlers to Algoa Bay in the Importer brig. The party was located in Albany on the Blaauwkrantz River, and the location was named New Essex. No rations were provided by Government. In September 1820 the partnership was dissolved and the labourers released from their engagement by order of the local magistrate, and the location was divided beween George Wilkinson (who died soon afterwards), John Morton (who returned to England), PJ Gaugain (who forfeited his share when he left the location), RM Satchwell and John Fournier. Mr and Mrs James Smith obtained permission to return to England in November 1820. LIST OF WILKINSON'S PARTY
Principals
Labourers
Additional names
ARCHER, Joseph 23. Labourer.
Main sources for party list
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