Pitcairn Island - the early history

Revised Jun 21 2021

⇐ Letter to VictoriaHomeTITPTPEmigration ⇒

The Island, the People, and the Pastor
Chapter VI

CHAPTER VI.

RETURN OF THE PITCAIRN EMIGRANTS TO THEIR ISLAND IN 1833—POPULATION OF Pitcairn—THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY—ACCIDENT ON THE ISLAND—LOYALTY OF THE ISLANDERS—THEIR RULES AND CUSTOMS—THE ISLANDERS' DAY AT PITCAIRN—RECEPTION OF VESSELS TOUCHING AT THE ISLAND—HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS—MR. CARLETON'S MUSICAL CLASS.

THE Pitcairn emigrants did not remain long at Otaheite. Their health suffered in the new climate; and the licentious habits of the place proved distasteful to that well-ordered Christian community. It was owing to this, as well as to the love of country, which is a powerful principle at Pitcairn, that the people soon found their way back to their own home. When the British ship Challenger touched at Otaheite in 1833, it appeared that all whom death had spared had returned to Pitcairn. Some had yielded to the temptations to intemperance. Sickness also had become prevalent among them, and had carried off twelve. Five died almost immediately after their return home.