Strangers
from a Secret Land: The Voyages of the Brig "Albion" and the
Founding of the First Welsh Settlements in Canada by Peter Thomas.
Published 1986. First edition. Soft cover (Stiff wraps)
This book provides detailed information on not only the lives
of the group who came to New Brunswick but on the events that influenced the
years leading up to their departure from the homeland as well as those, who
for one reason or another, chose to stay in Wales.
Book # 6058 - $29.95 Canadian Currency plus
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Shows minor handling but otherwise in good condition. 319 pages with soft
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**
The dream of many a Welshman was to make his escape from poverty by going
to America. For one group, from the area of Cardigan, this became a reality
in 1819 when they sailed on the Albion to Saint John, New Brunswick with
Llewelyn Davies as master. But for some, the dream became close to being
a nightmare.
When the vessel was out to sea for only a few days, death from whooping-cough
claimed the two-year-old daughter of Iona Morgan, of Llangoedmore. William
Jenkin of Trelech was next to meet a watery grave, followed by the little
daughter of William Richard of Clydau.
In the late afternoon of 11 June 1819, sixty days after leaving Cardigan
Town, the Albion anchored in the harbour of Saint John. Three days later,
on Sunday evening, the emigrants held a church service, conducted in
their native Welsh language at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk.
Twenty-six families chose for a settlement, a rich tract of land, 10 miles
eastward of Fredericton, between the Madame Keswick and the Nashwaak.
Fredericton became a temporary home to the families of the men who set out
to clear this land and build their cabins in Cardigan Settlement.
Not being able to speak the English language, along with being sickly, destitute
and with the women dressing in the strange costume of high hats and shawls,
difficulties were created with the townsfolk in understanding and accepting
this group, as well as helping to provide for their needs. Yet, the people
of Fredericton along with others throughout New Brunswick, rallied
to the cause, by forming the Cardigan Society. They collected subscriptions
to help care for these people while they established themselves. By November
13, the Society had assisted 18 Welsh families who had a total of 33 boys
and 29 girls. But many of the settlers were still on the verge of starvation.
By the Fall of 1820, the settlers were on their own with a parting gift of
a load of potatoes having been made in May by Jarvis Ring.
Fortunately their spiritual needs were met by David James, a Welsh Baptist
missionary, who discovered them. For the next seven years, he ministered
to them in their native language.
Over the years the Cardigan settlement grew. The early settlers and their
descendants prospered. Some stayed while others sought a life in greener
pastures. Many of the old ways were dropped.
In the cemetery beside the church at Cardigan a reminder of a wife
keeping her maiden names after marriage is recorded on the tombstone of Mary
Nickles, a native of Pembrook, who died at age 47 in 1847, the wife of William
Samson.
On the morning of July 26, 1977, a chance visit to this cemetery by Peter
Thomas, sent him on a nine-year journey of searching for details of the lives
of the settlers who founded this first Welsh settlement in Canada.
His 318 page publication, “Strangers From A Secret Land” - The Voyages of
the Brig ‘Albion’ and the Founding of the First Welsh Settlement in Canada
provides detailed information on not only the lives of the group who came
to New Brunswick but on the events that influenced the years leading up to
their departure from the homeland as well as those, who for one reason or
another, chose to stay in Wales.