Petworth Emigration Scheme - The People

The People

About 1800 people were sent to Canada by the scheme mostly from 1832 to 1837, although 170 went from 1838 to 1850 on ships of other agents. Young single men often went because employers and relief committees gave priority to married men with families. Arable workers on farms were only employed seasonally and were more likely to go than stockmen. Skilled artisans could look forward to new opportunities in a freer more equal country. Former soldiers often did not settle easily into life back home and had the incentive of being entitled to claim 100 acres (40 hectares) of uncleared land, while other migrants were given five acres (2 hectares).

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