Revised Jun 19 2021
“The humble Petition of Georqe Hann Nobbs, late Teacher
“at Pitcairn’s Island.
“SHEWETH,—that your petitioner went to Pitcairn’s Island in 1828, with the intention of assisting the late John Adams in teaching and school-keeping; that, on your petitioner’s arrival, he was kindly received by the natives, and, at their request, and with the consent of John Adams, your petitioner immediately commenced keeping school. On the death of John Adams your petitioner, at the desire of the natives, undertook the charge of their spiritual affairs, and your petitioner’s conduct gave general satisfaction, as will appear by the accompanying certificate. For the space of two years things went on in an amicable manner, when H. M. S. Comet arrived, for the purpose of removing the inhabitants to Tahiti. After some deliberation, the natives determined to remove. Your petitioner, thinking he could be of no further service to them (as they would be under the guidance of the missionaries at Tahiti, wished to remain with his wife and family on the island of Pitcairn. This the islanders objected to, and insisted on your petitioner accompanying them to Tahiti. Your petitioner complied with their desires; and, previous to Capt. Sandilands (of H. M. S. Comet) quitting Tahiti, he (Capt. S.) sent for your petitioner, and told him he must not quit the Pitcairn people, but continue to be their teacher, under the direction of the missionaries: adding, “You have been of service to them, and may be so still; you are married amongst them, and in fact become as one of themselves; therefore you ought not, and it is my request you will not, leave them.” After the departure of H. M. S. Comet, sickness appeared among the late inhabitants of the Pitcairn's, and ultimately twelve died. During their sickness the attention paid them by your petitioner obtained the approbation of the missionaries and other gentlemen residing in Tahiti. Your petitioner was also indefatigable in obtaining subscriptions to assist them in returning to their native land Previous to their departure from Tahiti, they went, of their own accord, to the missionaries and requested your petitioner should be appointed “their sole minister and teacher,” which the missionaries agreed to, and signed a paper to that effect, a copy of which accompanies this petition.
“A short time after our return to Pitcairn’s Island, some of the natives (Edward Quintal, William Young, and Fletcher Christian) determined to re-commence distilling rum—a practice they had been accustomed to in John Adams’s time. Your petitioner remonstrated with them on the impropriety of their conduct, but to no purpose; the answer they gave to your petitioner’s advice was—”We are our own masters; we shall do as we like; no one shall control us.” Many times your petitioner talked with them, and begged them to desist from distilling spirits; but your petitioner always received abuse in return, and twice narrowly escaped a beating from Edward Quintal. Afterwards a Mr. Hill arrived, who assumed great authority, said he was sent out by the British Government to adjust the internal affairs of the island, and that the British ships of war on the coast were under his direction. He furthermore told the natives that he had resided for a considerable time at Oahu; where he possessed great influence, by reason that your Honour had served under him on board one of the Honourable East India Company’s ships, which he (Mr. Hill) commanded. Believing these things to be true, your petitioner gave Mr. Hill an apartment in your petitioner’s house, and used every means to make him comfortable; but, before one month had expired, Mr. Hill had succeeded, by villanous misrepresentations, atrocious falsehoods, and magnificent promises of presents, to be obtained through his influence from the British Government and several British of Mr. Hill's acquaintance, in ejecting your petitioner from his house. Mr. Hill then told the natives he should act as their teacher, until a qualified teacher was sent out from England Soon after, H. M. S. Challenger touched at Pitcairn’s Island from Tahiti. Capt. Freemantle assembled the inhabitants, and informed them that Mr. Hill was not acting under the authority of the British Government; also, that he, Capt. Freemantle, came on shore with the intention of removing Mr. Hill from the island; but, on hearing that your petitioner had partaken of the spirits distilled by the natives, he (Capt. F.) informed your petitioner that he could not re-instate him in the situation of which Mr. Hill had deprived him; at the same time Capt. F. told Mr. Hill he did not approve of his (Mr. H's) conduct, as he acted without authority. Capt. F. also told Mr. Hill he must not interfere with the laws, as the administration of them was vested in the natives. Capt. F. asked your petitioner what he intended to do. Your petitioner replied, it was his wish to leave the island Capt. F. said he thought it was the best thing your petitioner could do, under existing circumstances, but that he certainly might remain if he chose. Before Capt. F. departed he told the natives it was his belief that Mr. Hill wished to get the other Europeans off the island, that he, Mr. Hill, might make himself king over them. Capt. F. also sharply reprimanded Mr. Hill for calling the other British residents “lousy foreigners,” &c.; and bade him desist from doing so. Mr. Hill promised to obey, but never kept his promise. Shortly after Capt. F.'s departure, Mr. Hill began again to oppress your petitioner and the two other Englishmen. He ordered the natives to turn us out of their houses; and our nearest relatives dared not come and visit us. As soon as a ship appeared off the island, a canoe was despatched on board, forbidding the officers and crew coming to our houses, and we were threatened with stripes if we offered to go on board. In May last, an act was passed (by force) to deprive our children of their mothers’ inheritance, merely because their fathers were foreigners (Englishmen). In August Mr. Hill sent his colleagues to seize the muskets of those persons whom, he said, were opposed to the governor of the commonwealth. As soon as Mr. Hill obtained possession of the muskets, he loaded them with powder and ball, and deposited them in his bedroom, for the use of the magistracy of the island Every Sunday a loaded musket is placed beneath his seat in church, to intimidate his hearers. Since that period your petitioner has been in continued alarm for the lives of himself and family. Your petitioner dared not go out of his house after dark, nor up to his plantation at any time, by himself, for fear of being maltreated by the colleagues of Mr. Hill. Several of the natives protested against such conduct; Mr. Hill threatened to give them a flogging, and, moreover, said, that if they did not obey him, he would cause a military governor to be sent out from England, with a party of soldiers, who would take their land from them and treat them as slaves. In the month of November last your petitioner was seized with the dysentery, and for three months was confined to his bed. Your petitioner could not obtain medicine, although there was a medicine-chest on the island, and of which your petitioner was a part proprietor. In fact, it was the declared intent of Joshua Hill and his colleagues to bring about the death of your petitioner, either by hanging, flogging, or starvation.
“Your petitioner at last, by sickness, deprivation of common necessaries, and anxiety of mind, occasioned by Joshua Hill's wicked counsel and conduct, was brought to the verge of the grave, when, providentially, a ship appeared in sight, which proved to be the Tuscan of London, Capt. Stavers; who, on seeing the miserable condition of your petitioner, kindly consented, at your petitioner’s earnest request, to give him a passage to Tahiti. Owing to the professional and benevolent endeavours of Dr. Bennett, surgeon of the Tuscan, your petitioner is recovering, and hopes, ere long, to be re-instated in health. And now, Honourcd Sir, will you permit your unfortunate petitioner to implore your honour’s protection? Driven from family and home by an unauthorized person, without friends or money, and almost without clothes, your petitioner is at a loss what course to pursue. Your petitioner cannot support the idea of being separated for ever from his wife and family; but, alas! he can scarcely hope to see them again unless your Honour condescends to espouse his cause. Convinced that his cause is just, and knowing that Capt. Stavers and Dr. Bennett can corroborate the most material statements in this petition, the fervent prayer of your petitioner is, that your Honour would cause your petitioner and the other two unfortunate Englishmen with him, to be restored to their families and possessions on Pitcairn’s Island; and your petitioner, in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.
“Your petitioner has no desire to be replaced as teacher, but simply to employ himself in agricultural pursuits, for the support of his family.”