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The Petworth emigration experiment |
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In 1834, a total of 31,000 people landed in Quebec not only from Petworth, but also Hampshire, Norfolk and Munster and Leinster in Ireland. Canada benefited from the expertise that came with them, in particular a number of agriculturalists took with them superior breeds of horses and cattle. Canada was indeed becoming a nation of immigrants - human and animal!
Poor Law
But, through the early 1800s, an intolerant attitude toward the poor was becoming more prevalent from the upper classes, politicians i.e. the voting public. In the aftermath of the Swing Riots, the government enacted the Poor Law Amendment Act, in 1834. It was based on the premise that government financial assistance created a culture of dependence. 
The government enacted the Poor Law Amendment Act, in 1834.
© The National Archives, Ref. HO44/27 |
It also rejected any philanthropic principles of the Petworth Emigration Committee.
The Poor Law Amendment Act - 1834:
- No able-bodied person was to receive money or other help from the Poor Law authorities except in a workhouse
- Conditions in workhouses were to be made very harsh to discourage people from wanting to receive help
- Workhouses were to be built in every parish or, if parishes were too small, in unions of parishes
- Ratepayers in each parish or union had to elect a Board of Guardians to supervise the workhouse, to collect the Poor Rate and to send reports to the Central Poor Law Commission
- The three man Central Poor Law Commission would be appointed by the government and would be responsible for supervising the Amendment Act throughout the country
The Petworth Emigration scheme continued to 1837, with the ship "Diana" being sent in that year. The combination of the replacement of the sympathetic Sir John Colbourne, by Sir Francis Bond Head, an adherent to the dubious principles of the Poor Law, the news of financial problems and rebellions in Canada, and the death of the 3rd Earl were all factors in its ending.
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