DEVON-L Archives

Archiver > DEVON > 2002-04 > 1017720658


From: "Andy Sims" <>
Subject: Where did Devon workers go - and why?
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 21:11:10 -0700


This note ties together a couple of recent themes. I have been
researching the BRINSMEAD family history. They were farmers in St. Giles
in the Woods in North Devon. John Brinsmead left St. Giles in about 1850
and moved to St. Mary's Ontario, Canada which is just outside London. I
went to Devon in search of more information on John, but never located
details of his voyage. I searched the North Devon News - although not
the Bideford Gazette - thanks for the tip! -. There I found a wonderful
letter from Henry and Betsy Brinsmead from 1852. They were writing home
from the Geelong Australian gold fields. I have transcribed the letter
which you can read at: http://www.simsgroup.com/Brinsmead/geelong.htm


I asked the North Devon Archivist why so many people left at that time
and he answered, as the letter I think proves accurately, that "They
were dirt poor". Further research has shown that the members of this
growing family left in the mid 1800's for: yes - South Wales, the Sea
via Bideford, Canada and Australia. The letter gives an interesting
overview of St. Giles at the time. Names mentioned include: HACKWILL,
TOUT, SQUIRE, BAGINGTON, JUDD, DAVIES, KINGDOM, BRIGHT and ASHPLANT.

For more information on the Brinsmead family, in Canada and Devon see
our web page at http://www.simsgroup.com/Brinsmead/


Andy Sims
936 Burley Drive,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Tel: (780) 430-8164
 


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