We Go Way Back Adventure & Discovery, Emigration & Enterprise

 

Cork Corcaigh The Ship Mighel (Michael) of Kinsale As early as 1536, the ship Mighel (Michael) of Kinsale is recorded returning to her home port in Co. Cork, her hold full of Newfoundland fish and cod liver oil. The Robinson Settlers Peter Robinson, who served in the War of 1812, was an M.P. and brother of the Attorney General of Upper Canada. He supervised an experimental emigration of two shiploads of emigrants from north Cork to be settled in the Bathurst District of Upper Canada. The ships lists of the "Stakesby" and "Hebe" name all the emigrants and their former residence in Ireland. After the successful 1823 experiment, Robinson was sent back to Cork in 1825 to bring back a much larger group to the Newcastle district (around present day Peterborough, named in Robinsons honour) These two groups of nearly 2,100 settlers from the north Cork area are now referred to as the Peter Robinson settlers. Each family got 60 hectares (about 148 acres) of land, some flour and meat, a cow, an axe, a saw, an iron pot, a frying pan, seed potatoes and corn. They arrived at their lots, prepared to build their first log homes, and begin the hard work of pioneer farming.

Peter Robinson's report includes a description of his discussions with the local magistrates and clergy, how the settlers were selected, their voyage and building of new homes.