PITCAIRN ISLANDS - AN ENCAPSULATED HISTORY
by Horace A. Basham - horace@pin.co.nz
Part Two: The End to Isolation (1800-1830)
John Adams could barely read and write, but was a gentle man who humbly discharged his responsibilities for the community. He was revered and all took pleasure in following his example, which he patterned on virtue and piety and regulated by the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, on Sunday services, family prayers and grace before and after every meal. Adams saw to it that every young person cultivated the land, cared for the stock and were not allowed to marry until they could support a family.
The end of isolation came in 1808 with the arrival of an American sealing captain, Captain Mayhew Folger, His visit was brief and his report aroused little interest in England at that time. England was too occupied by the Napoleonic wars.
It was six more years before the little community was rediscovered by two British Navy vessels the HMS Briton and Targus, on 17th September 1814. The commanders were charmed by the physique, simplicity and piety of the islanders. Favourably impressed by Adams and the example he set, they agreed that it would be "an act of great cruelty and inhumanity" to arrest him, and so began the long association between Pitcairn and the British Navy which was to influence the development over the next century.
Increasing visits were made by passing ships sailing from Australia, India to south America, or to England via the Horn. The reports brought back stimulated much interest, not least the English Missionary Society, and gifts of bibles, prayer books and speeling books were sent to the island, as well as crockery, razors, tools and guns.
Nearly every visiting ship made generous gifts and bartered surplus stores and provisions, and it was at this time that the orange was introduced; that the houses were improved with aid of saws and planes; and clothes and living became more European in character.
As he grew old, Adams worried about the future of his flock but appeals to the British government and missions for a successor to lead and educate them were not met, and it was to voluntary exiles that succession fell.
The first was John Buffett, a shipwright from Bristol (UK) who landed on the island with John Evans a Welshman, in 1823. Both married island girls and founded families. Buffett taught the children and took over the church services.
The population had increaced to 66 from the 35 of 17 years earlier. Adams concerned that the land was not yealding as much and the timber was running out, and was concerned the water supply would not be adequate for a growing population, sought removal of the population to Australia.
Meantime, in 1828, another settler arrived. George Nobbs, alleged to be the illegitimate son of a marquis, as well educated and had served both in the British and Chilian Navies. He had a strong character and soon ousted Buffet from the role of schoolteacher and pastor. Then, on 5th March 1829, John Adams, venerable and corpulent, died at the age of 62. The dramatic regeneration was virtually Adams work alone, and he was mourned as "Father", the name by which he had been known to every member of the community.
Part One: The First Ten Years (1790-1800)
Part Two: The End of Isolation (1800-1830)
Part Three: The Moves to Tahiti & Norfolk (1830-1856)
Part Four: Return to Pitcairn & Religious Conversion (1856-1864)
Part Five: Toward Modern Pitcairn (1864-1940)
I have reproduced in the main the first part of the "A Guide to Pitcairn" Published by the Government of the Pitcairn Islands. The booklet may be purchased from:
The Office of the Governor of Pitcairn,
Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands.
C/o British Consulate General,
Private Bag 92014,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Phone ++64 9 366 0186,
Fax ++64 9 303 1836.
Price is NZ$8.30 includes surface mail.