Nafferton Immigrants

What is it about York Wold?

Our sincere thanks to Della from Yorkshire, England for the following information.

It is not surprising that the name Burton Shipley (husband of MP Jenny Shipley) sounds familiar to many a New Zealander. What would be a surprise is that this name also appeared on the manifest of Government Assisted passengers arriving by the ship Lancashire Witch in October 1863. It is because this name, too, was carried by one of New Zealand's and Canterbury's earlier pioneers. Burton Shipley's GG Grandfather, also Burton Shipley, arrived in Lyttelton on board the ship Lancashire Witch in October 1863.

Driffield Times Newspapers - July 11th 1863

NAFFERTON – The following is a brief account of families who emigrated to the colony of Canterbury, New Zealand, on the 1st of the month, from this village:

They were 19 in number, namely Robert Holland, his wife and 3 children; Botton [Burton] Shipley, his wife and 3 of his children; Thomas Butterick [Butterwick], his wife and his brother Henry (lately returned from America), Margaret Butterick [Butterwick], Jane Robson and William Storey; all under 35 years of age.

They were much respected by all who knew them, and their safe arrival across the ocean is anxiously hoped for.
They took leave of their native village at one o clock on Saturday morning, June 27th in a waggon, by which they were conveyed to Hull; the waggon and horses were kindly lent for the occasion by some of the principal farmers; Mr R------- took an active part in assisting to load their luggage, and seemed to take a great interest in their welfare. The sight was a very affecting one and will long be remembered in Nafferton; a large crowd followed them past the railway station as if anxious to go with them; it was estimated that upwards of 250 people went to pay their last tribute of respect; all wishing them to land safe at Port Lyttleton in Canterbury, New Zealand. On their arrival at London they embarked on board the Lancashire Witch, East India Docks. Two of the following poems were written by 2 of the emigrants and the latter by Geo Levitt Binning, a schoolmate of Botton [Burton] Shipley’s.

THE EMIGRANT'S ADIEU – By Ann Holland
My dear relations, I bid you farewell
You are too many to mention, but to each farewell
We thank you most kindly for the help you have given
May you never be worse, and at last land in heaven
 
Farewell each kind neighbour, and schoolmate of yor-?
In our native land we shall see you no more
But if to New Zealand you ever should come
We shall welcome old neighbours to our little home
 
The Lord is the same in every distant land
He holdeth the winds and the waves in His hand
He safely can bring us to you, distant shore
If His aid and assistance we do but implore
 
And now, Christian friends, I have one thing to ask
(And I’m sure from your kindness it will be no task)
Oh! when at the altar, though distant we be
That you will ask a blessing for us on the sea
 
Farewell dearest classmates, I bid you adieu
I’ve oft had great pleasure in meeting with you
Farewell dear leader and you work still go on
And at last may you hear “Well and faithfully done”
 
And if on this earth we never more meet
In heaven each other we shall joyfully greet
Our friends from all parts of the earth we shall w-?
Where sorrow and parting and death is unknown
THE EMIGRANT’S ADIEU – By Ann Shipley
Then, farewell, dear father, God comfort your hear-?
Your prayers and your blessing, kind mother
Bestow
I’ll love you, sweet brothers and sisters, although we
Must part
And think of all friendships wherever I go
 
Farewell to dear England the land of my birth
I stoop down to kiss it, and wet it with tears
No soil shall be dearer in all the wide earth
For the love that now mourns thee will strengthen
With years
 
From thy valleys and meadows with sighs I depart
‘Tis like parting with life my country to sever
But thy language and faith on my lips, in my heart
I will guard as my richest of treasures forever
 
Oh! brighter than smiles are the tears that you weep
While you lead me away to that far distant shore
And deeper than words in the silence you keep
For you know that dear England will greet us no more
 
And now I must leave you, and bid you farewell
It’s a grief unto me that words cannot tell
But wherever I lodge, and wherever I roam
I’ll think of the friends of my own native home
And till we unite in the Salem above

You’ll share in my prayers and dwell in my love

                                               

GOD BE WITH THEM – By G L Binning
God be with them! They must wander
Through this world of toil and care
God be with them! Sin and slander
Soon may cloud their dawning fair
 
God be with them! Friends may fail them
Treachery their bosom rend
God be with them! Youth and beauty
Pass like dew at early day
God be with them! Love and duty
Guard their path and guide their way
 
God be with them! Vice may snare them
Death and sorrowing ring each heart
God be with them, pardon, spare them
Strength from heaven to them apart
 
God be with them, guide and bless them
Lead them where sure comforts dwell
God be with them, earth caress them
Heaven receive them! Fare ye well!