Why the Irish Came
In 1822, the British government decided in favour of an experimental emigration plan to transport poor Irish families to Upper Canada. Ireland was experiencing a severe depression and Irish farmers were subject to rack rents and evictions as the value of Irish goods fell. Meanwhile, Upper Canada was in need of settlers to develop the recently surveyed townships.
Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson, the son of Loyalists and elder brother of Upper Canada’s powerful Attorney General, John Beverley Robinson, was appointed to manage the emigration. He began promoting the scheme in the County of Cork, taking advice from Lord Ennismore and local magistrates.
The First Wave of Settlers – Bathurst District
On July 1, 1823, Robinson embarked 568 paupers on two ships - the HEBE and the STAKESBY - en route to Quebec City. Each ship was well provisioned and carried an experienced medical officer. Following an eight-week sea voyage, the passengers boarded steamships, then barges, and wagons for the final leg of the journey. Settlers were given provisions, tools and farmland in the Townships of Ramsay, Pakenham, Bathurst, Lanark, Beckwith, Goulbourn, Darling and Huntley in the Ottawa Valley area.
The Second Wave – Peterborough
In 1825, Peter Robinson returned to Ireland to supervise a second emigration. Thousands of Irish paupers applied for the voyage, having first secured letters of recommendation outlining their qualities and usefulness as settlers. Those selected received “embarkation certificates” allowing them to board a particular ship.
Robinson recorded 2024 passengers on board nine ships - Fortitude, Resolution, Albion, Brunswick, Star, Amity, Regulus, Elizabeth, and John Barry - that departed Cobh, Cork Harbour in May and June, 1825.
Upon their arrival at Quebec, transportation was arranged to Kingston, where the settlers halted to await Robinson’s arrival and the sweltering summer heat and ague began to take its toll. The journey continued to Cobourg, north to Rice Lake through thinly inhabited country and finally, a 40 km trip by barge up the Otonabee River.
By fall 1825, each family was relocated to a log shanty on property in one of the local townships – Asphodel, Douro, Dummer, Emily, Ennismore (Gore of Emily), Smith, and Otonabee - with provisions and tools for their first Canadian winter.
Families with proud names like: Ryan, Sullivan, Casey, Fitzpatrick, McCarthy, Hannan, Leahy, O'Brien, Foley, and Shanahan settled throughout Peterborough county, and thousands of their descendents remain in the area today. Although life was difficult, these new Canadians helped to build a prosperous community – just as new Canadians from India, Eastern Europe, Italy and Asia have continued to do in more recent times.
The Original Robinson Records at Peterborough Museum & Archives
Peter Robinson kept detailed records of the 1823 and 1825 emigrations which are now part of the archival holdings of the Peterborough Museum & Archives. Included are original ship lists, surgeon reports, Robinson's correspondence, embarkation certificates, applications and letters of recommendation, account books listing the provisions supplied to the settlers, and posters advertising the emigration of 1825.
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