Immigrant Ships
The focus of this narrative is when the first Morgan immigrants came to New Zealand, in particular the family of Edmund and Miriam MORGAN. For completeness of our family records, I include the ships in which our great-great grandmothers arrived in New Zealand: Mary Elvins FAULL (1833-1905) - wife of John MORGAN, and Hannah PENFOLD (1834-1906) - wife of William MORGAN.
Of Edmund and Miriam’s eight living children, seven were to emigrate to New Zealand. Only one son, Charles MORGAN (1834-1903), stayed in England where his descendants are still living today.
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The sporadic colonisation of New Zealand by Europeans commenced circa 1800, primarily involving Christian missionaries, traders, sealers, and whalers. By 1830, the European population in New Zealand numbered around 2000, marking the onset of a more organized settlement program in the mid-1830s. Considering this historical context, the timing of our great-great grandmothers' arrival in New Zealand holds particular significance, as they were among the early organised settlers in New Plymouth.
William Bryan (1840-1841)
The arrival of the 312-ton barque William Bryan in 1841 was the first immigrant vessel to arrive in New Plymouth, which marked the beginning of organised European settlement in the Taranaki region.
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Its journey and passengers were to play a crucial role in shaping the New Plymouth settlement. One of the 70 children on board was the future wife of John MORGAN, our great-great grandmother Mary Elvins FAULL (1833-1905). Mary made the journey with her parents Richard and Elisabeth; brothers Richard, Henry, and Nathaniel; and sisters Catherine and Elizabeth. Nathaniel was only several months old at the commencement of this voyage
The ‘William Bryan’ departed Plymouth [England] on 19 November 1840 and arrived on 31 March 1841 carrying the first European settlers to settle in New Plymouth. The ship’s captain was Alexander McLEAN and surgeon was Henry WEEKES; the 140-day voyage was made safely and without loss of a single life. This success was attributed to a “strict and constant observance of cleanliness, ventilation and order."
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Its first stop after reaching New Zealand was Wellington, the William Bryan anchored in Cloudy Bay [Port Underwood], Cooks Strait on 19/20 March 1841. A week later the ship ventured north to the virgin Taranaki settlement. The passengers and their belongings were landed by rowboat at Moturoa Beach - the site of the new town, New Plymouth. This task which took nearly a full day, but fortunately the weather was fine.
No accommodation awaited the settlers, although promised to them. Tents were hastily erected, and along with several raupo whares that had been erected for the family of Mr. (Dickey) BARRETT, the settlers were duly quartered. Rightly so, they felt very desolate after leaving the well-ordered ship, and the women were particularly down-hearted. Eventually matters were straightened out, but it was a rough entry into the new life.
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Click to view the full passenger list and further information on the William Bryan's history.
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The 'William Bryan'
Birman (1841-1842)
The 450-ton barque Birman, captained by James Cleland, left Gravesend on 13 October 1841, and arrived in Port Nicholson, Wellington on 1 March 1842.
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With 235 passengers on board, the passenger list included our great-great grandmother Hannah PENFOLD (1831-1857). Hannah made the 140-day voyage with her parents Stephen and Harriett; three younger sisters Harriet, Ellen, and Henrietta. See Hannah PENFOLD.