Pitcairn Island - the early history

Revised Jun 19 2021

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Brodie's Pitcairn's Island
Pitcairn Island Register 1840-1841

1840.

Jan 1, 1840

Jan. 1st.

Jan 19, 1840

“ 19th. A Sunday-school commenced.

Feb 8, 1840

Feb. 8th. Mrs. Nobbs received a severe contusion on the shoulder by the falling of a cocoa-nut from the tree.

Feb 13, 1840

“ 13th. Moses Young fell from a cocoa-nut tree, at least forty feet high, and was but slightly injured.

Apr 18, 1840

April 18th &19th. Experienced a severe gale from N.N.W., which did considerable damage to the breadfruit plantations and orange-trees. Considerable fears were entertained by some of the islanders for the safety of their houses; but, through the mercy of Him who “rideth upon the storm,” no accident occurred. At daylight the gale broke. In consequence of the ill health of the teacher, no school was kept for some time. Mr. Buffett officiated on Sundays.

May 2, 1840

May 2nd. A serious altercation took place between Edward Quintal, sen., and John Evans, Sen. The latter received several bruises on his head, back, and throat, and several scratches on the throat.

May 10, 1840

“ 10th. Harriet Augusta Quintall baptized.

Jun 7, 1840

June 7th. Wm. Quintall married to Maria Quintal, widow.

Jul 23, 1840

July 23rd. Julia Christian born.

Nov 9, 1840

Nov. 9th. Arrived the missionary packet, Camden, Capt. Morgan. Several of the boats went on board. 9 A.M. the captain landed, along with the Rev. Mr. Heath of the London Missionary Society, who brought with him several valuable presents from the Governor of New South Wales, from the Lord Bishop, and the Rev. Dr. Ross. In the afternoon Mr. Heath preached a most impressive sermon, which was listened to with much breathless attention. May the effect which it then produced be abiding! Capt. Morgan then addressed the congregation on that most important subject—the care of the soul. In the evening several persons met at Mr. Nobbs’s house for religious conversation. Mr. Heath presided.

Nov 10, 1840

" 10th. Early this morning the school was visited by Messrs. Heath and Morgan, and the scholars, individually and collectively, examined. The result was very satisfactory, and both teacher and pupils commended. At noon another exhortation was given by Mr. Heath. In the evening our friends went on board, and the Camden sailed for the Marquesas Islands, carrying with them our best wishes.

Dec 13, 1840

Dec. 13th. Margaret M’Coy confined, but the child soon died.

[Summary]

51 scholars attended school. 58, the Sunday-school. Number of inhabitants: 53 males, 55 females. 17 males and 16 females eligible to vote at the magisterial election.

1841.

Jan 1, 1841

Jan. 1st. Arthur Quintal, sen., elected magistrate. Fletcher Christian and Arthur Quintal, jun., councillors. John Quintall born.

Jun 17, 1841

June 17th. Andrew Christian born.

Aug 18, 1841

Aug. 18th. Arrived H.M.S. Curaçoa, Capt. Jenkin Jones, twenty-one days from Callao; and a most opportune arrival it was, for there were at least twenty cases of influenza among us. Immediately after arriving at the settlement, Capt. Jones, with the Surgeon of the ship (Dr. Gunn, visited the sick. Fortunately there had been a small medicine-chest fitted up for this island on board the ship, and there being also one on shore, the surgeon was able to prescribe freely and beneficially.

Aug 19, 1841

" 19th. Capt. Jones met as many of the inhabitants at the school-house as were able to attend, and addressed them upon several subjects connected with their welfare; after which he read a letter to them from Admiral Ross, and caused a variety of very useful articles, the gifts of the Admiral, Capt. Jones, and Mr. Miller of Valparaiso, for general distribution, to be distributed among them in the school house. Captain Jones then went on board, and most humanely allowed Dr. Gunn to remain on share all night.

Aug 20, 1841

“ 20th. The surgeon of the Curaçoa has been most indefatigable in his attention to the sick; and the result is, that many are beginning to mend, and all have experienced relief. There is not one resident upon the island who is not under weighty obligations to Dr. Gunn. At 4 P.M. the Curaçoa sailed. May Almighty God preserve the worthy captain, officers, and crew, from every untoward circumstance!

Aug 31, 1841

“ 31st. The number of sick began to increase. There are more than fifty cases. There is not a sufficient number of persons to dig the yams, this being the harvest season. Edward Quintall is not expected to survive many days, neither is his wife. The school-house is shut up, and nearly every house is like a hospital. Truly the hand of God is upon us. O Lord, in wrath remember mercy!

Sep 5, 1841

Sept. 5th. Sunday, but one service. This day the number of sick increase, although there are few convalescent. The epidemic is fever, attended with a distressing cough.

Sep 8, 1841

“ 8th. Edward Quintal, Sen., died. His disease was influenza and dysentery combined. Three fresh cases of influenza.

Sep 9, 1841

“ 9th. Just in the height of preparing for the funeral of the deceased, a ship was reported, and shortly after the boat landed; it proved to be the ship Mechanic, of Rhode Island, Capt. Wates. Peggy Christian confined with a male child.

Sep 10, 1841

“ 10th. The woman delivered yesterday is attacked with dysentery.

Sep 19, 1841

“ 19th. Died, Isabella, a native of Tahiti, relict of Fletcher Christian of the Bounty. Her age was not known; but she frequently said she remembered Capt. Cook arriving at Tahiti. Some individuals are much better; others are in a precarious state.

Sep 26, 1841

“ 26th. Stephen Christian baptized.

Sep 28, 1841

“ 28th. School recommenced.

Oct 2, 1841

Oct. 2nd. Joseph Napoleon Quintall died, aged two years.

Oct 6, 1841

" 6th. Agnes Christian born.

Oct 11, 1841

“ 11th. Mary M’Coy born.

Oct 17, 1841

“ 17th. Matilda Quintall born.

Summary.

Births this year, 7; deaths, 3; marriages, 0. During the latter part of the year, the inhabitants have been much afflicted with bodily sickness. Ships holding communication with the island 19, and 1 passed. Inhabitants: males, 54; females, 57. 21 males and 17 females eligible to vote at the magisterial election. 50 scholars attend the Sunday-school.

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