The arrival date in New Richmond
When I published the McColm book in 1978, I stated that the McColm family had arrived in New Richmond in June 1833. This statement was based on an entry on the flyleaf of my great-grandfather, Willie McColm's Bible. Although I had no other source confirming this date, I thought it was very likely to be correct. Bibles in those days were often the place where families recorded significant dates of their family's history. My great-grandfather was a jack of all trades in his day and was often a legal advisor for family and friends. Maybe it would be more appropriate to refer to him as a scribe. If someone needed assistance with correspondence or disputes, he was available to help. On one occasion I read a will that he had written for someone on sheep parchment. With his reputation I felt confident in accepting that the entry in his Bible was correct.
Based on the above statement I received a letter in June 1980 from Shirley (McColm) MacLeod (I,F,1,c,iv) telling me that she had visited Scotland with her sister Eileen and they had done some research on our family. Of particular interest was what they discovered on reading the 1833 newspapers of The Air Advertiser. They found a number of advertisements for sailings to Canada but the only one that could have arrived in New Richmond in June 1833 was advertised on May 2, 1833. That ad indicates that "the fast-sailing Brigantine FAVORITE" would be leaving "for New Richmond, Bay of Chaleur ....on or before the 7th of May next, having excellent accommodations for Passengers". Then in the July 18, 1833 Air Advertiser they found an item of ship news from the "master of the brig Favorite...intimating her safe arrival at New Richmond , after a passage of 28 days from Lamlash. He observes that he never had a colder passage or saw so much ice, and states that the passengers all enjoyed excellent health and spirits during the voyage, and were much pleased with what they had seen of the country". I have always considered these two newspaper items to be a great discovery.
In the fall of 1981 someone sent me an article from the Toronto Star about immigrants. In his column 'Tracing Your Roots' of November 8, 1981, Brian Gilchrist wrote about two men in Scotland, Donald Whyte and George MacKenzie, who were preparing dictionaries of Scottish emigrants to Canada and wanted the Canadian public's help. They asked for details of ones ancestors including birth dates, destination in Canada, name of the ship, port of sailing and so on. I wrote and gave them all the information I had, including details of the ship. Thus, if you ever have occasion to read a UK publication that includes an entry for our family and which gives any of the details we are already familiar with, you will know the likely source of the information, and especially that concerning the Brigantine Favorite.
William R. "Bill" McColm
June 2001
From the "Air Advertiser" May 2, 1833
Text of the ad:
TO SHIPPERS AND PASSENGERS AT AIR, FOR NEW RICHMOND, BAY OF CHALEUR, The fast-sailing Brigantine F A V O U R I T E, WILLIAM GIRVAN, Master, Is now ready to receive Goods on board, and will sail on or before the 7th of May next, having excellent accomodation for Passengers. For Freight or Passage apply to the Master on board, or here to ALEX. WISE 29th April, 1833. |
From the "Air Advertiser" July 18, 1833
Text of the third paragraph:
We have been favoured with the perusal of a letter from Mr William Girvan, master of the brig Favou- rite, received by Mr Wise of this town, one of the owners of that vessel, intimating her safe arrival at New Richmond, after a passage of 28 days from Lam- lash. He observes that he never had a colder passage or saw so much ice and states that the passengers all enjoyed excellent health and spirits during the voy- age, and were much pleased with what they had seen of the country. |