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passengers of the SEVILLA - Otago 1864

Journal by ngairedith

Southland Times, 8 September 1864
THE IMMIGRANTS PER "SEVILLA"

Sevilla, a barque of 598 tons built in Jersey for G Turnbull & Co of Glasgow and chartered by the then new firm of Shaw Savill Company. Made 3 voyages to NZ
Captain Kerr from Glasgow - Morrison, Law & Co, agents
... The addition of two hundred and fifty souls to a small population like that of Southland would, at any time, be a matter of considerable importance, but, unfortunately, the immigrants by the Sevilla have just set their feet on the shores of New Zealand in a season of unusual depression, which is not confined to Southland, but is participated in, more or less, by the whole of the Colony. Want of money is a complaint heard everywhere, from the Provincail Treasury to the counter of the smallest tradesman, It may be, and perhaps we are right in asserting, that the worst is over, and that advancing spring will see a return of prosperity to every branch of industry; but, if the tide has turned, its effects are scarcely to be recognised at present, and probably will not be for some time to come.
The idea that Southland is irretrievably bankrupt has been too widely circulated and is too firmly believed in to be got rid of at once, and the real difficulties of the situation are so great that we must expect that a return to the ordinary briskness of a young settlement having within itself all the elemnets for advancement, will not be accomplished very rapidly.
No one will be inclined to deny that a great deal of real distress has existed amongst the working classes during the winter which is now drawing to a close. Cases have come under our own notice of men being unable to obtain work for a lengthened period - men who were known as industrious and useful members of society. This has been partly rectified, as far as this province is concerned, by the departure of some to the diggings, and to Dunedin where work if fully as difficult to obtain as here; but there is still a very moderate demand for labour of any kind in Southland, and we fear there will be great difficulty in getting the whole of the immigrants by the Sevilla remunerative employment.

Our remarks are very far from being intended to dishearten those who have just joined us, but it is reight that they should have the truth place before them plainly, in order that they may not lose opportunities for employment which may offer, under the impression that a fair remuneration is bot being offered for their services.

We suppose many of these immigrants received letters from their friends and relations in the colony before they sailed, and those letters would probably be written at a atime when labour was worth far more, and employment was more easily to be obtained than it is now. It is a very good rule for fresh arrivals not to be too particular on the subject of wages when first they land. The great point is to get to work as quickly as possible, to forsake the precincts of immigrant barracks and identify themselves, as it were, with the community of which they are destined to form a part. If the first engagements which offer are not all that can be desired, and the remuneration is not as large as was expected, the immigrant will have the satisfaction of knowing that he is at least supporting himself honestly, and gathering experience on many matters of which he was totally ignorant when he landed, but the knowledge of which will materially add to the value of his services when next he is on the look-out for a situation.

Amongst the immigrants by the Sevilla are some of a class which has not before been represented in Southland, and it is very questionable whether they are the best qualified to succeed in colonial life. We allude to the Girvan weavers (*see notes at end). These men have not, however, been used altogether to the loom; we are given to understand that a large portion of their time in the old country has been spent in agricultural pursuits. Some of them are expert gardeners, and all have some idea of outdoor work. It has occurred to us that the time may not be far distant when they may find renumerative employments at their own peculiar trade. In the Province of Nelson some attempt had already been made to initiate the manufacture of woollen goods. Cloths of the coarser kinds are made and sold, we are assured, at paying prices. To commence anything of the kind down here at once would require more capital than is likely to be forthcoming, but that which has been done in Nelson could be attempted in Southland with an equally good prospect of success, and we do not despair of seeing this branch of industry established.

We see that a notice has been fixed outside the Government Buildings, inviting such of the immigrants as are desirous of obtaining employment to call at the Provincial Engineer's Office. We suppose this has been done with the intention of giving them work, but what that work is to be, or where the Government, which is not able to meet its present liabilities, is to find the money to pay the workmen, is more than we are able to tell. It is well that these men should understand at once that the Provincial Government is not in a position to go into the market as an employer of labour. Temporary assistance it may be able to afford, but even that will be at the expense of those who have prior claims on the treasury. It is to be hoped that if such work is given, care will be taken that it shall be os some ervice to the public, and not uselessly thrown away as so soften happens in such cases.
Enough money has been wasted in times when the Province was better able to afford it, but now when the Government is burdened with debt in all directions, double precaution should be used that a like extravagance shall not be indulged in.

There is one outlet for the surplus labour of Southland which we have not hitherto touched upon, but it is one which, at the present juncture, should not be overlooked. To an able-bodied and industrious man the goldfields offer a very fair field for exertion, with a reasonable prospect of good remuneration, and the chance of something better. No doubt some of the new-comers will turn their attention in that direction. Supposing him to possess the requisite health and strength, and a small supply of cash to obtain the necessary outfit, and to support him for some little time after his arrival on the diggings, we do not see that a labouring man could do better than pay a visit to the Lake goldfield. Although even there the dullness of the times has been largely felt, and the yield of gold has decreased, there are many who are doing well, working either on their own account or for wages. There is also that ground which was recently opened in the vicinity of Mr Roger's station, on the Mataura, which a few days since promised so well, and where the sinking is but a few feet.

One thing we can assure the immigrants by the Sevilla, that however bad times are at present, and however great the difficulty they may experience in obtaining employment at first, they are, after all, as certain of ultimate success in their new home as it is possible for men to be of anything in this world, if only they are true to themselves and honestly face the difficulties which they will be sure to encounter at the outset.

NOTES so bad was the employment situation in Ayrshire for hand-loom weavers, that a petition was sent to the NZ Government in 1863 by the Girvan Hand Loom Weavers Emigration Society requesting free passage. The Southland province responded by chartering the Sevilla to deliver 250 immigrants (hence the rather 'strained' letter above)

Southland Times, 3 September 1864
SHIP SEVILLA, from Glasgow

... The following is a list of the passengers per the ship Sevilla, which sailed from Glasgow, on the 23rd May last, and which is now due at the Bluff. For the convenience of parties interested, a catalogue of the names is posted up at the Government offices
(put here in alphabetical order for easier research but not broken down into assisted immigrants & others. For that info see The Sevilla 1864.
Also note that each passenger list varies in number of passengers and/or children)

Agnus AMBROSE
Mary AMBROSE

William ANDERSON
Mrs ANDERSON
& 5 children

Alexander BROWN
Jessie BROWN

Robert CAIGHY

Andrew CARR

Mary CAMERON

William CAMPBELL
Lilly CAMPBELL

William DEEGAN

Hugh DERBY

Richard DONNIGAN & wife
& 5 children

William DONNIGAN & wife
& 3 children

Jane DRYBURGH

Bridget GALLACHER

Owen GALLAHER & wife
& 2 children

Mary GILFILLAN
Isabella GILFILLAN

Jane GLASS

Helen GLOSTER

James GRAY & wife
& 4 children

William GRAY

J. D. HAMILTON & wife
& 3 children

Catherine HANBY
& 1 child

W. J. HARVEY & wife
& 3 children

Mary HOPE

Margaret HOUSTON

George HUET & wife
& 1 child

Mrs HUME
& 1 child

John HUNTER

Mary JEFFREY

Martin JOYCE
Patrick JOYCE, became constable in charge of the Otautau district in 1888
OBITUARY of Constable PATRICK JOYCE
(thanks to RakiuraJohn for providing that link 24-1-2014)

Robert KINNAIRD & wife
& 7 children

Mrs MERRIE
& 4 children

Agnus MOYES & wife
& 5 children

Thomas MUYZ & wife
& 8 children

Lillias McARTHUR

John McCHESNEY & wife (nee Elliot)
& 10 children - 1 being 20 year old Thomas Elliot McChesney who married fellow passenger (see Paterson)
- great story of this family (1843-1953) on Thomas Elliot McChesney (pdf file)

Andrew McCULLOCH & wife
& 2 children

John McINTYRE & wife
& 6 children

Andrew McLEAN (or Alexander) & wife
& 1 child

James McMASTER & wife
& 2 children

Janet McNAB

James McNATTY & wife
& 6 children

Thompson McNATTY & wife
& 3 children

Hector McNEILAGE & wife
& 1 child

W. NIXON & wife
& 1 child

James O'BRIEN

Daniel O'CONNOR

James PATERSON & wife (Catherine nee Ewing (1839-1906). James died in 1867 and Catherine married fellow passenger, Thomas Elliot McChesney (1843-1920) 10 April 1868 in Invercargill. Thomas remarried in 1915 to Sarah Jane Stevenson

Elizabeth PETTIGREW

Bernard QUINN

Jessie ROSE

Andrew SCOTT

Alexander SINCLAIR
Mary SINCLAIR

William STEAD & wife
& 3 children
* 1 John Stead who represented the Third Ward, Invercargill Borough Council
* 2 William Stead (also at above link) who was elected to the Invercargill Borough Council in 1900

Marion STEEL

David STEWART & wife
& 2 children

John TAYLOR & wife
& 1 child

Mrs Allison TAYLOR
& 3 children

Alexander THOMSON & wife
& 5 children

Samuel THOMSON & wife
& 3 children

Samuel THOMSON & wife
& 1 child

John VINT & wife (Margaret Fitzsimmons)
& 4 children (from a total births of 7)
- also listed as arriving on the STORM CLOUD into Otago 30 July 1861

Angus WALLACE
Ann WALLACE
Janet WALLACE

John WALDIE & wife
& 2 children


PHOTO
Councillor John STEAD
, who represents Third Ward in the Invercargill Borough Council, was born at Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, but at an early age left his native land with his parents, and arrived at Invercargill in 1864 in the ?Sevilla,? the first immigrant vessel chartered by the Provincial Government of Southland. Mr. Stead was educated partly in Scotland, and partly in his adopted town, and, on leaving school, was apprenticed to the drag trade. he was also engaged for some time in conveying the inland mails to the western districts, and afterwards served an apprenticeship to the boot trade with the well known firm of Messrs. Sloan and Sons, with whom he remained for nine years. He was afterwards with Messrs Kingsland and Sons for seven years, and in 1886 commenced business as boot and shoe importer in Deo Street. Councillor Stead was first returned to the Borough Council in 1890. since which the ratepayers of Third Ward have manifested their approval of his actions as their representative by repeatedly re-electing him. Mr. Stead has been long identified with Odd-fellowship in the Southland district, having joined the St. George's Lodge, Manchester Unity, on the 20th of September, 1875. He subsequently, filled the offices of E.S.V.G. and N.G.; in March, 1894. was elected D.D.G.M., and chosen G.M. at the following annual meeting. Mr. Stead is a trustee of the Friendly Societies' Dispensary, and of the Southland Hospital. He also takes an active interest in St. Paul's Wesleyan church, of which he is a trustee. In 1877, Mr. Stead married Florence, daughter of Mr. Joseph Small, and has several children.
(see above list for his brother William)

by ngairedith Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2013-10-13 00:48:14

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Comments

by ngairedith on 2014-01-15 03:29:24

a messaged from John:
Subject: "Sevilla" Glasgow to Bluff 1864
To: ngairedith
From: RakiuraJohn
Date: 2014-01-15 03:03:56

Hello ngaireedith

My particular interest is my wife's great-grandmother, Elizabeth Miller Anderson who married Andrew Glendinning, in 1874 at the house of Thomas Cumming at Harrisville (Avenal), Invercargill. Elizabeth was (according to family lore) born in Scotland (possibly Burntisland, Fife) and came to NZ with her family. She died in 1897 and is buried in Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill in a Plot also containing David Stewart and his wife, Ann. Apart from that I've hit a brick wall.

I found a Thomas Cumming buried at Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill, and found that he married a Mary Jane Law Anderson. They are buried in a family Plot which also contains a William Anderson, formerly of Kinross-shire, Scotland and Jane Stewart Morrison Wilson (nee Anderson). A 1881 Southland Times newspaper report on Jane's wedding to Alexander Wilson confirms that she was the youngest daughter of William Anderson and that the wedding was at her brother-in-law's house.

I strongly suspect that my Elizabeth Miller Anderson is another daughter of William Anderson (both Elizabeth and Jane married at the house of their bro-in-law i.e. Thomas Cumming).

However for some unexplained reason Elizabeth wasn't buried in the family Plot even though there was clearly sufficient space for her when she died in 1897 (Mary and Jane where buried there a number of years later).

I had already found an Anderson family which arrived at Bluff in 1864 aboard the Sevilla (Mr Anderson, Mrs Anderson and 5 children). Interestingly also aboard were a Mr and Mrs Stewart and 2 children. (Jane's middle name is Stewart, so perhaps there's a family connection, which may explain why Elizabeth is buried with Mr & Mrs Stewart).

However when I read a Southland Times item (4 August 1863) hand-loom weavers, discussing whether the Government should assist in bringing hand-loom weavers from Girvan, Ayreshire, to Southland, I now wonder if all those aboard the Sevilla were from the Ayreshire region (i.e. therefore not my Anderson family from Kinross-shire/Fife area). Do you think there's a possibility that more detail of the Sevilla passengers exists at the Scotland end? i.e. was the 1864 Sevilla trip a special sailing only for emigrants from the Ayreshire area. I see that the Sevilla's passenger list shows Assisted and Un-assisted passengers (the Anderson and Stewart families were both Un-assisted). Perhaps in doing your research concerning the Sevilla, you already discovered further info which you didn't include in your Journal?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
regards (name & address supplied)


I will be looking into John's request
If you are able to help him please leave a comment below

by ngairedith on 2014-01-18 19:01:17

Subject: RE: sevilla
To: ngairedith
From: RakiuraJohn
Date: 2014-01-18 17:40:49
Hello ngairedith

I've looked a bit further into this (mainly PaspersPast) and it seems clear that not all passengers were Girvan weavers. I still need to know whether there is a more detailed passenger list elsewhere (perhaps in Ayrshire)?

Anyway here are the articles I found (below).

regards
John ...

Miscellaneous Extracts from New Zealand Newspapers incidental to the 1864 voyage of the Sevilla from Glasgow, Scotland to Bluff, New Zealand.

TARANAKI HERALD ? 8 August 1863, pg 3:
?[From the General Government Gazette]
Unto the Honourable the Governor General and Executive Council of the Colony of New Zealand.
The Petition of the Girvan Hand Loom Weavers Emigration Society,
Humbly Sheweth -
That your Petitioners are Hand Loom Weavers in the Town of Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland, and owing to the depression of the trade, and the low rate of wages (being an average of four shillings and sixpence per week), and only partially employed for the last three years past; makes our position very deplorable, and on account of the circumstances we are forced to apply to you for assistance to enable us to emigrate to your colony.
Our district being a rural one, we are all less or more acquainted with field operations, in seed time and harvest; but, being necessitated by the depressions of trade, we are accustomed at all times of the year to out-door labour ? viz such as making of roads, and all other useful employments.
Your Petitioners consider that they would be useful to the Colony in a general way by endeavouring to advance it in prosperity and wealth, and at the same time, raising themselves in the social scale, and becoming useful members of society.
Under the above-mentioned circumstances, we humbly beg that you will take our case into your favourable consideration, and grant us free passages, or in any other way to you seeming most fit and convenient, further the object we have in view.
We are also willing to come under any obligations and directions which you may consider not only for our interest, but also for the benefit of the Colony, and under the regulations formed by the different associations therein for the purposes of the emigration.
And your humble Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
SAMUEL LYONS, Treasurer.
WILLIAM JOHN HERVEY, Chairman
WILLIAM STEAD, Secretary.

We, the undersigned Ministers and gentlemen of Girvan, knowing the circumstances of the Petitioners to be set forth in the foregoing Petition, do very cordially support the prayer thereof.
WILLIAM COWAN, Minister of Girvan
DAVID CHAPMAN, Minister of South Church
ADAM BLYTHE, Minister of Free Church
JOHN STELLER, Minister of U.P. Church
R. SMITH, J.P.
DAVID ANDREWS, Banker
JNO. LUSH, Merchant
MATTHEW BROWN, Ironmonger.

All communications on this subject to be addressed to the Parish Minister of Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES (Invercargill Times) ? 4 August 1863, pg 2:
?Our contemporary, the Southland News, with the largeness of heart and lucidness of brain for which he is so widely celebrated, has recently been endeavouring to convince the public that this province would be much benefitted by the advent of a number of Girvan hand-loom weavers. It appears that these unfortunate people have been receiving but very small wages for the last four years, and wishing, naturally, to better there condition, have petitioned the Governor and Executive Council of New Zealand for assistance to enable them to emigrate to the colony. We have neither the time nor the inclination to follow our contemporary through the entire length of the feeble argumentation by which he tries to show how desirable a class of immigrants are Scotch hand-loom weavers, but the subject is of sufficient importance to warrant us in briefly reviewing the steps by which he has arrived at that conclusion. We are sorry that we cannot agree with him in this matter, but our thanks are due for the amusement we derived from some of his arguments. In an article published in the News on the 25th ultimo, the writer, after drawing attention to the subject in general terms, proceeds in the following manner: - ?We will take it for granted as generally understood that Ayrshire is one of the best agricultural districts in the west of Scotland, and this should be one of the strongest inducements to our Government to respond to the prayer of the petitioners.? Could there be a more glorious non sequitur? Ayrshire is a capital farming district, and, therefore, the Southland Government ought to assist the Girvan hand-loom weavers to emigrate! There are good farmers in Ayrshire, therefore the hand-loom weavers from the same locality are good farmers! That is the opening argument of a series, intended to settle the question beyond dispute that we should be neglecting the best interests of the province in not bringing out these men without delay. It certainly would be a ?most graceful act? to render assistance to these unfortunate people, but the duty of a Government, we take it, lies more in the discharge of well-recognised duties than in the performance of generous actions; and unless it can be shown that these operatives are pre-eminently qualified for a colonial life, we see no reason why they should have the preference over the inhabitants of other districts equally distressed and equally desirous of emigrating. But our contemporary tells us that they are so qualified. He says they, the hand-loom weavers, can make roads, and ?some of them might be found capable of giving us a lesson in this most essential undertaking to the prosperity of any new country.? Be very careful, O ye spoilers of our highways, the Southland News will import hand-loom weavers to do your work for you! The next argument used by this writer is beautiful in its mild simplicity. He has heard somewhere that hand-loom and stocking weavers in England have, under certain circumstances, proved themselves good gardeners, and he draws the inference that the weavers in Ayrshire are also good gardeners. ?If this [referring to the carrying off of prizes] can be done by the weavers in the Midland Counties of England, surely in can be done by the men of Ayrshire.? Had he said that these Girvan men were noted horticulturalists, and quoted his authority, we could have understood him; but his sentence, as it stands, verges on the absurd. The reasoning it is supposed to contain is something after this manner - ?We want good gardeners in Southland. The weavers in the Midland Counties are good gardeners. The weavers of Girvan have equally good opportunities, therefore they are good gardeners and should be assisted to emigrate to Southland!? We are next told that by reason of their mixed occupation of agriculturalist and manufacturer, their minds will be found to be ?far more active and acute?, and we are asked to believe that they would do the state some service as legislators. And, lastly, comes the crowning argument. ?The petitioners, in all probability, are men with large families,? and it would be so very comfortable for them to bring out their wives and children, as, under those circumstances, ?expatriation is deprived of almost all its sting.? The fact is that ?one of our oldest settlers? has had the editor of the Southland News by the button hole, and effectually crammed him into believing that Girvan hand-loom weavers are necessary for the salvation of the Province. They shall rear large families ? they shall make roads ? they shall make laws ? they shall plant cabbages ? and live long and happily under the protecting wing of their good friend of ?the Manchester school? who so eloquently pleaded their cause with the editor of the Southland News. Before all this comes to pass, it would, perhaps, be as well to inquire seriously whether bona fide agricultural labourers might not be more suitable for the requirements of the Province. We think they would, and have no hesitation in expressing an opinion that the public money of the colony might be employed to far greater advantage than in bringing out Girvan hand-loom weavers. If, however, it should appear that these people would make excellent colonists, we must still object to any one locality being singled out as the sole recipient of whatever public money Southland may have to expend on immigration. There are places, both in England and Ireland, with populations suffering from poverty quite as much as the men from Girvan.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 3 September 1864, pg 2:
?In our shipping columns we publish a list of the immigrants expected per the ship Sevilla, which sailed from the Clyde on the 23rd of May last, and which is consequently now fully due. They appear to be of a class well suited for the province, comprising as they do, ploughmen, agricultural labourers, dairymaids, gardeners, weavers, rope makers, and between 20 and 30 domestic servants.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 3 September 1864, pg 2:
[The Passenger List published in this issue of the newspaper is headed ?Assisted Immigrants?, and ends with a passenger tally of ?in all, 207?. My own tally of the published List is: 99 Adults and 106 Children, in all, 205.
As this is a List of the ?Assisted Immigrants?, the 99 adults listed are probably the ?100 Girvan Hand-loom Weavers? assisted by the Southland Provincial Government. The ?Voyage Report? published by the Southland Times on 6th September 1864 (printed below) indicates that the total number of passengers was 249, therefore it would seem that the published List does not contain ALL the Sevilla passengers.]

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 6 September 1864, pg 2:
?Port of Bluff Harbour.
Arrived September 4 ? Sevilla, 800 tons. Kerr, from Glasgow.
- Morison, Law and Co., agents.

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 6 September 1864, pg 2:
?The fine ship Sevilla, HUGH KERR, commander, sailed from Glasgow on the 21st May last. She experienced fine weather to the Line. On the 23rd June crossed the Line in long. 27.8 West. On the 13th July encountered a heavy gale of wind from the S.W., accompanied by a heavy sea, which on the night of the gale, broke on board the ship, washing away one boat off the skids, stove in the gig, unshipped the boat's davits, and washed away the closets. During the gale the ship behaved very well, and proved herself a fine sea boat. Had very variable weather from the Line to the Cape, which was made on the 25th July. From the Cape to Tasmania experienced a succession of contrary winds, and from Tasmania to the Solanders (which were made on the 3rd instant) strong N.E. winds were encountered. On the 22nd July, spoke the ship Hampden, from Liverpool to Calcutta, and the French barque Aleyone [spelt ?Alcifone? in the 9/9/1864 Otago Daily Times version of this report], from Bordeaux to Mauritius.
During the passage the following births and deaths occurred:
Births - five;
Deaths - 1 adult [male ? per ODT version] died of consumption on the second day after leaving port; 1 female adult of inflammation of the intestines [died a few days before making the Bluff ? per ODT version]; and 3 children.
The total number of passengers is 249, including 83 children, as equal to 194 statute adults.
The Sevilla brings about 200 tons of railway iron and a large general cargo for this province.
The Sevilla is a fine ship of 800 tons [890 tons -per ODT version], and is fitted with all the appliances for securing the comfort and good accommodation to so large a number of passengers. The ventilation of the ship is thoroughly complete, and she possesses a condensing engine for the regular production and supply of fresh water for the voyage.
Great credit is due to Captain Kerr and his officers for the cleanliness and good order in which the ship has come into port. It will be seen that at a meeting of the passengers, it was unanimously agreed upon to present their respected captain with an address before leaving the ship.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 6 September 1864, pg 1 (Public Notices)
?Passengers' Testimonial To HUGH KERR, Esq., Captain of the Ship Sevilla:
Sir, - We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, members of a Committee appointed to carry out the Resolutions of a public meeting, of which the accompanying is a minute, beg most respectfully to express our cordial appreciation of your well-known and well-tried abilities, as Commander of this ship.
It gives us pleasure to record our grateful sense of the high privilege which we have enjoyed of having performed the voyage from Scotland to New Zealand, under the command and guidance of one in every way so well qualified for the discharge of your great and responsible duties; and we share in the feeling which pervades every one on board, that your civility and courtesy, and your uniform attention to the comfort and happiness of all, in every compartment of the ship, consistently with the provisions of the Acts and Orders which regulate the economy of every immigrant vessel, have produced a universal sentiment of respect, which will not soon be forgotten.
And while we would congratulate the Owners of this line of ships engaged in the New Zealand trade, on the happy discrimination displayed in your appointment, we would at the same time express our acknowledgement of the valuable and highly appreciated services of CECIL PENN, Esq., Medical Officer; of the amiable and estimable qualities of JAMES BROCK, Esq., Chief Mate; and of the civility and kindly feeling manifested towards us from day to day by the whole of the Officers and Crew ? all of which fortunate combinations have been conducive, not only to our material comfort, but in rendering a voyage, which would otherwise be long and tedious, both pleasant and agreeable.
We would take our leave by expressing our sincere wishes for the continued welfare of yourself, and your officers and crew, for a prosperous voyage homeward, and for the safe restoration of you all to the enjoyment of the affections of those who are near and dear to you, from whom you are now separated by many an ocean wave.
We have the honour to be, Sir,
Your respectful and grateful servants
Signed JOHN G. SMITH, Chairman, ANGUS AMBROSE, Members of Committee, the ship Sevilla, August 27th, 1864.

REPLY.
Gentlemen,- I can assure you I am very much gratified by the sentiments which you have expressed towards me in the Address which you have now read. The performance of one's duty brings along with it at all times its own reward, not only in the peace and happiness which it imparts to the mind, but in the good-will of our fellow-man, which, in this instance, is more valuable to me than silver or gold. Accept my most cordial thanks for the kind and affectionate terms of your Address; and I have, also, on the part of the Officers and Crew, to repeat the same grateful acknowledgements, which you will be so kind as to convey to those whom, as a committee, you represent. Permit me to reciprocate the wishes you have expressed in your closing sentence. May you and yours, and all on board, arrive at your destination in safety, and meet with such a measure of happiness and prosperity in the land of your adoption as may be commensurate with your fondest hopes and anticipations.
(Signed) HUGH KERR, Commander, the ship Sevilla
August 29th, 1864.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 8 September 1864, pg 2:
?Our Jetty yesterday presented such a scene of bustle and animation as has not been witnessed before for a very long period. On the arrival of the s.s. Ruby alongside the wharf, bring a living freight of immigrants to town from the recently arrived ship Sevilla, at Bluff Harbour, hundreds ? we might almost say thousands ? of our citizens thronged to the Jetty to witness their debarkation. The sight of the arrival of some hundreds of our fellow colonists is an interesting one, and one is led from his own past experience to guess at the first impressions the ?new chums? will form of the new place they have adopted as their future home. We regret for their sakes that as things at present go with us, their lines have not been cast by any means in such ?pleasant places? as we could have desired. However, we hope, as there is room for all, and many more to come, that they will yet have good occasion to rejoice in the land of their choice, and that few will ever ultimately repent their coming hither. We understand Mr McARTHUR, the immigration officer, managed to find accommodation for those of the passengers as came under his especial care.
Last night our meditations on the state of the Province, and other matters, were threatened to be curiously mixed up with financial difficulties, and the merits of ?Roun' aboot Mary my Tansy.? The first was uppermost in our thoughts, but when a band of healthy young girls (just landed from the Sevilla) commenced to sing and play the latter, the temptation to go and listen was irresistible. We scarcely know whether to say ?fortunately?, or not, but as the clock struck eight, the merry band, just released from ship restraint, were ordered into bed, and we were left once more to our cogitations.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 13 September 1864, pg 2:
?We are glad to learn that all the immigrants per the Sevilla, with the exception of those hailing from Girvan, are already absorbed by our population in town and in the country districts. The number now on hand, therefore, will amount to about 100.?

?We understand that several of the passengers per the Sevilla were admitted into the Hospital yesterday. They were suffering from scurvey.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 17 September 1864, pg 4:
?Shipping Summary: The quietude in our Shipping trade, which was reverted to in our last monthly summary, has been only relieved during the past month, by the arrival of two vessels from the home country. These are the Sevilla, from the Clyde, and the Gananoque, from London, and both made into port on the 5th instant. The Sevilla brings to our shores, a large batch of Immigrants from the mother country, including about 100 weavers from the town of Girvan in Ayreshire. She also brings a heavy miscellaneous cargo, including a large consignment of railway plant on account of the Provincial Government of Southland.?

SOUTHLAND TIMES ? 20 September 1864, pg 2:
?Resident Magistrate's Court on 19 September 1864 ? ARCHIBALD WILSON and WILLIAM DAVIDSON were charged with desertion from the ship ?Sevilla? at Campbelltown, on the 11th inst. They were remanded to the Bluff.?

PRESS ? 20 September 1864, pg3:
?From our own Southland correspondent on 12 September 1864 -
...Last week was marked by the arrival of the Sevilla from Glasgow with 250 immigrants. They appear to be a good selection, both as regards respectability and suitability for colonial life, except perhaps, some Girvan hand-loom weavers, against whom I should be inclined to write ? doubtful with respect to the second qualification. It is but fair to add that those who know them best say that as a class these men are equally well versed in the mysteries of agriculture as in those of the loom. The Immigration Agent tells me these arrivals are beginning to draw off already, and he hopes before long they all will have left the barracks. I was rather afraid that they would find difficulty in obtaining employment. A few have gone to the diggings, which always possess such attractions to those who have never seen them. Whilst on the subject of the goldfields, I must say a word or two of the Lake District ...?

by RakiuraJohn on 2014-01-21 05:26:33

The Passengers' Testimonial to the Captain of the Sevilla (a copy of which was published in the Southland Times on 6 September 1864), was dated 27 August 1864 (i.e. while the ship was still at sea) by passengers John G. Smith and Angus Ambrose. John G. Smith is therefore an example of a passenger who is not mentioned in the Passenger List published by the Southland Times.

A John G. Smith was a regular contributor of Mathematical Riddles and Original Poetry (including an abridged ?The Old Churchyard?), to the Southland Times from 1866 to the late 1870's. Often the poetry was signed ?John G. Smith, Longbush?. John Gibson Smith of Longbush eventually became the first Secretary & Treasurer of the Southland Education Board, died 18 March 1891 aged 76, and is buried in Eastern Cemetery, Invercargill with his wife Mary (she and other family members, and Scottish places, are often mentioned in his poetry).

Wikipedia has John Gibson Smith as ?a Scottish Poet, who wrote the classic ?The Old Churchyard?, who moved to Edham, Scotland as a schoolmaster in 1834, and who resigned his post at Edham School in 1864 in order to emigrate to New Zealand.?

regards
RakiuraJohn

by RakiuraJohn on 2015-05-13 21:00:52

It appears that the two families named "Donnegan" on the 1864 Sevilla passenger list, were actually "Domigan".
(William Domigan is named as a signatory to the Girvan colonists address to NZ Governor per Southland Times,21 Jan 1874; Death Notice of Richard Domigan in Southland Times of 7 Jan 1897)

by RakiuraJohn on 2015-05-15 00:58:25

The full name of the "W.J.Harvey" on the 1864 Sevilla passenger list, is "William John Harvey".

See the following newspaper article:

SOUTHLAND TIMES 27 February 1874, page 2:

MEETINGS:
GIRVAN COLONISTS - A meeting of Girvan colonists was held in Rodie's Appleby Hotel on the evening of Monday last, Mr William Stead in the chair. The following resolution was proposed by Mr Domigan, seconded by Mr William John Harvey, and passed unanimously That the overplus of £3 7s of subscriptions by the Girvan colonists, after defraying all expenses in getting up an address to His Excellency the Governor on his recent visit here, be handed over to the Treaurer of the Invercargill Hospital for the benefit of that institution." ...

by RakiuraJohn on 2015-05-17 00:12:40

It appears that the family of Richard Domigan/Donnigan spelt their surname as "Dummigan"(despite Richard's newspaper Death Notice and his Death Registration being spelt "Domigan"). The family's Headstone at Eastern Cemetery, Invercarill reads:
"In loving memory of Richard Dummigan who died Jany 6th 1897 aged 75 years. The Lord is my shepherd.
Also Agnes, beloved wife of John Wilson, who died Oct 31st 1898 aged 44 years.
Also Agnes Dummigan, wife and mother of the above, who died April 14th 1918 aged 85 years
Also their son Richard Dummigan who died Aug 18th 1928. At rest.
He giveth his beloved sleep"

The Death Registrations of mother Agnes and son Richard, and the Marriage Registration of daughter Agnes to John Wilson, are all in the name of Dummigan.

by RakiuraJohn on 2015-10-21 02:55:23

The Muyz family on the Passenger List would be Thomas & Isabelle Mayze (nee Allison), who were married at Girvan, Ayrshire in 1852, both buried at Eastern Cemtetery, Invercargill. In the same Plot is a daughter "Sevilla Mayze" who died on 10 October 1865 aged 15 months. She was therefore born about 10 July 1864, which was during the voyage - which would no doubt be the reason for her given name.

by RakiuraJohn on 2015-10-21 03:09:36

The Hugh Derby on the Passenger List would be Hugh Derbie.
[Family Tree on http://www.tribalpages.com/family-tree/whd2 notes that Hugh came to New Zealand about the 1864 voyage of the Sevilla.]

by Geordielass on 2022-11-10 09:20:19

Im interested in the 2 Gilfillans. I have detailed family tree of Isabella, but no further information re Mary. Please contact me if you have any clues. Mary is not the very young sister in isabella's family back in Scotland

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