Revised Jun 22 2021
The Rev. G. H. Nobbs, on the 17th July, 1856, soon after his arrival at Norfolk Island, wrote thus to the author:—
"I sent you a few lines by H.M.S. Dido, from Pitcairn's, intending to follow it up by a longer letter. But quite unexpectedly the ship for removing us to Norfolk Island arrived; and we immediately commenced preparation for the removal.
"I am not now going to enter into particulars, for I am too busily engaged to analyse my thoughts of the past, or my hopes for the future. Suffice it to say, that by the permission of Almighty God, we arrived at this place, June 8th, after a passage of thirty-five days, and were landed in tolerably good health, with an increase of one, who was baptized on board the ship.
"We fortunately found H.M.S. Herald here; and her boats gave us great assistance in landing. Captain Denham, notwithstanding the rain which occasionally fell, stood on the mole, and heartily welcomed us to our new home. You cannot imagine, much less can I describe (though I think at some time I shall attempt it), our feelings on landing in a place, morally and physically so entirely different from Pitcairn's. We were both gratified and disappointed; but I think the causes for the latter feeling will gradually wear off. The Colonial Government of New South Wales have victualled us for six months; but there is not a vegetable to be had, nor will there be for months to come; and I am very fearful that our present unusual diet may induce dysentery. Captain Denham has written to the Governor-General, requesting him to send a large supply of Irish potatoes for food and seed; and also for some rice and peas, which I trust will be quickly sent to us.
"We have but little sickness among us at present, although we have already had one death that of an infant of five months, Phoebe Adams, who was very unwell when we left Pitcairn's. There was no doctor on board the ship; consequently all the medical duties devolved on myself. These, I can assure you, were very arduous; for never did people suffer so much from sea-sickness as this community. Many were sick during the whole passage, and four or five were alarmingly so, insomuch that I feared for their lives; but it pleased our heavenly Father to spare them. The commander of the ship was most kind and attentive, and the ship was most comfortably fitted up; in short, we were well cared for on board the Morayshire.
"We are just now getting the houses, stores, cattle, &c. &c., transferred to us; which seems to be a work of time and routine. Some of our people are getting lessons in ploughing, sheep-shearing, milking, and corn-grinding; so that we are all very busy. The weather is so unfavourable that we have not yet got all our effects on shore, although every exertion has been made under the superintendence of acting Lieutenant Gregorie, of H.M.S. Juno.
"Last Sabbath was a day which will long be remembered by us; it was our first meeting in the church for public worship. After the morning service I administered the Holy Communion, and in the evening committed to the earth a premature ear from our gradually ripening sheaf. Think of us in the church which had formerly been filled with the vilest outcasts of society; and then imagine us in the graveyard, filled with the mounds which contained hundreds of their bodies; and I am sure that you will enter largely into, and partake of, the intense gratitude, joy, grief, and (I had almost said) terror, which pervaded our minds.
"I should like to say more but I am so fully employed all the day, and I carnnot see to write by night; so that, assuring you that I will write more fully whenever I can do so, I shall end by wishing all whom you love, that best of all possible portions, 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.' Amen.
"P. S. The Bishop of New Zealand was here about a fortnight before our arrival, and left word that he should return in about a month."