From Wales to Australia: Leaving Wales in 1841
John Taylor and Martha Lloyd - My 2x Great Grandparents
I have always thought that I’d love to know the reason that my 2x great grandparents John Taylor and Martha Lloyd decided to leave their home in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, and make a new life for themselves in Australia.
Over the years, I’ve spent many hours thinking about it and wondering. I decided to ask ChatGPT. Below is the answer I received.
A Modest Beginning in Haverfordwest
In August 1839, John Taylor and Martha Lloyd, married in the Parish Church of St. Thomas, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. At the time of their marriage, John, 23, was employed as a servant at Sealyham, in the Parish of St. Dogwells, while Martha, 24, worked as a servant at Hermon’s Hill, in St. Thomas parish. Both establishments were significant in the region, with Sealyham later known for developing the Sealyham Terrier breed.
Their early married life was very simple. Their first son, James, was born in 1839, followed by a second son, John, in 1841. The 1841 Census records the family residing on City Road, Haverfordwest, an area colloquially known as Cemetery Row, due to its proximity to St. Martin’s cemetery. This neighborhood consisted of small cottages, indicative of the working-class living conditions of the time.
Challenges in 19th Century Wales
The early 19th century was a period of significant economic and social upheaval in Wales. The Industrial Revolution had led to the mechanisation of agriculture, reducing the demand for manual labor. Additionally, the enclosure movement had privatized common lands, displacing many rural workers. These factors, combined with a growing population and limited employment opportunities, made life increasingly difficult for working class families like the Taylors.
The Lure of a New Life in Australia
During this period, the British government actively promoted emigration to its colonies, including Australia. Assisted migration schemes offered free or subsidized passage to individuals willing to settle in these territories. The promise of land ownership and better living conditions attracted many, especially those facing economic hardship at home.
The above immigration advertisement was published in London in 1841, around about the time this advertisement was published. Perhaps this is what encouraged them to start over in Australia.
While specific records of John and Martha's voyage are yet to be found, evidence suggests they left Wales after September 1841, arriving in Australia in time for the baptism of their third son in 1842. It's plausible they took advantage of one of these assisted migration programs, seeking a more prosperous future for their growing family.
The Voyage to Australia
The journey from Britain to Australia in the 1840s was arduous, typically lasting three to four months. Emigrant ships were often overcrowded, with passengers enduring cramped conditions, limited provisions, and the constant threat of disease. Families would have faced significant challenges during the voyage.
Unanswered Questions About the Emigration of my 2x Great Grandparents
While we've pieced together much of John and Martha's story, several questions remain:
Which ship did they travel on, and what was their exact arrival date in Australia?
Did they receive assistance for their passage?
What motivated them to make the decision to leave Wales and settle in Australia?
Did they travel alone, or were they accompanied by other family members or acquaintances?
Why did they decide to settle in the Diamond Valley in Victoria?
I often think about the courage it took to leave everything behind in 1841. Their decision shaped the course of my family's history, and for that, I am forever grateful.
29/50 Family History Blogging Challenge
📚 Footnotes
Morgan, Kenneth O. "Rebirth of a Nation: Wales 1880–1980." Oxford University Press, 1981.
Howell, David W. "Rural Society and the Anglican Clergy, 1815–1914: Encountering and Managing the Poor." University of Wales Press, 2000.
Jones, Ieuan Gwynedd. "Explorations and Explanations: Essays in the Social History of Victorian Wales." Gomer Press, 1981.
Richards, Eric. "Britannia's Children: Emigration from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland since 1600." Continuum, 2004.
National Archives of Australia. "Assisted Passenger Lists, 1839–1871."