History – Hardy settlers

On Thursday, 29 May, 1862, the Matilda Wattenbach was towed by powerful steam tugs from the London Docks to Gravesend. The 352 passengers on board bid farewell to family and friends knowing that they might never see them again. In charge of this expedition was William Rawson Brame, the founder and leader of the nonconformist settlement of Albertland.

The settlers sailed for New Zealand with the promise of freehold land – 40 acres for every man, a further 40 acres for his wife and 20 acres for each of his children – for a fee of five shillings per adult and two shillings and sixpence per child, as long as they remained on the land for five years after their arrival. The prospect of owning their own land was exciting and something that would have been unachievable had they remained in England.

Taking a huge leap of faith, these brave souls began a mass exodus, not knowing what would lay ahead for them. Strength and courage would be needed in abundance, firstly for the 98-day sea voyage and then for the harsh reality of what they would find when reaching the Albertland settlement. Howling winds and squalls greeted them as they rounded the Cape of Good Hope, which caused the ship to roll heavily, snapping off two topmasts and sending a spar crashing down into the cabins below. The terrified passengers knew that the ship was in grave danger, but were ordered below deck while the sailors worked like giants to clear the wreckage. The next day, with carnage and destruction all around, the council decided to continue on to Auckland with a jury rig and not to make their way to Cape Town for repairs.

Many of the passengers formed strong friendship which would prove very useful in the months that lay ahead. John Becroft found a friend in Sarah Jerome, a widow who was travelling with her children, Elizabeth and Joseph. John was also a widower and was making the journey with nine of his children (six of whom were under 12 years). Tragedy struck when his daughter, Mary Ann, contracted an illness that proved fatal before the voyage ended. Sarah Jerome, who had shown great kindness to the family, did everything she could to save young Mary’s life. Under the saddest of circumstances, John and Sarah found happiness together and married soon after they reached Auckland on 8 September. They then set off for Port Albert, where Sarah became a respected midwife and John planted the area’s first orchard, later to become Becroft Orchards, with several family members involved.

Illness, accidents and complications during childbirth accounted for many deaths among the settlers, leaving many to cope alone with dependent families. For the men, it was almost impossible to look after their young family and remain the breadwinner, and for the women, it was often difficult to manage financially. However, statistics tell us that many young men and women, aged between 30 and 45 years of age, married again and had a second chance at finding love.

The 161st Albertland celebrations will be held from May 26 to 28. Go to https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2023/may/albertlands-anniversary-celebration for details.