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Across the world Cornish place names testify to the thousands of miners who emigrated in the Victorian eraAcross the world Cornish communities (and place names) testify to the thousands of miners who emigrated due to the fluctuating prices of tin and copper. Edward Gerrish left St Just at the age of 21, in 1901. He and two friends decided to join the large Cornish copper mining community in Houghton County, Michigan. There Edward worked as a miner, went to the local Methodist Church and enjoyed such activities as Cornish wrestling. Pay was good and he sent money home each month to his aunt.

In 1912 Gerrish returned to St Just after almost becoming an American citizen. As well as money, miners would bring back souvenirs such as decorative copper items or simply native copper preserved in oil. Edward also brought back these medicines, purchased in America. The bottle of Eucamenthine claims to cure many ills including hay fever, piles, mosquito bites, tonsillitis, neuralgia and many more. The box contained a powder to cure an unknown illness.

Across the world Cornish place names testify to the thousands of miners who emigrated in the Victorian era