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« on: Tuesday 02 August 22 03:16 BST (UK) »
Thanks Oldohiohome,
Yes, C B Sampson , his sister Mary Georgina and brother in law John Scott all left Auckland on 18 November 1849 aboard Pilgrim. Shipping, lists Mr and Mrs. Scott and Child and Mr. Sampson.
Alice McHone a grand daughter of Camilla, filed information in the Pioneer files and claimed that Mary Georgina saved Camilla from a ship-wreck. This wasn't quite right, but seeking to confirm I came across the entry from Walter Brodie which read,
"Pitcairn Diary, Walter Brodie
I must here mention a circumstance which took place on board of the "Pilgrim," bound from Auckland to California, as an illustration of the feeling which prevails among these people ; the passengers were preparing to go on shore to visit the island, in the quarter-boat, and very foolishly crowded into her before she was lowered down from the davits, the consequence was, that one davit gave way, so that the boat was towed along at an angle of 45 degrees by the other. Some of the passengers hung on to the boat, others who could swim assisted those who could not ; but in the confusion a child was lost sight of, and must have perished, had it not been fortunately observed by one of the islanders just as it was sinking, who immediately jumped off the poop of the vessel, and dived after the child and brought it up safe; the father of the child, Mr. Samson, came up from below, his two hands filled with dollars, which he pressed on the acceptance of the man who had done him so great a service, but without success, for he steadily refused to accept remuneration for what he considered only a single act of duty. This same man, be it remembered, had come on board for the express purpose of making money by the disposal of his produce, so that the nice distinction which he drew as to the means of acquiring it, deserves to be only the more highly appreciated."
Recorded, retrospectively 26 March 1850 from the Pitcairn diary of Walter Brodie and published Daily Southern Cross 8 October 1850 Page 4
and further evidence: Harbour Masters log 18 December 1849 Pilgrim at Pitcairn [130] [PITCAIRN ISLAND REGISTER BOOK]
SHIPPING LIST FOR1849
Dec. 18th Barque Pilgrim, London 30 days from Auckland. NZ bound for California.
While off the Island a number of passengers having got into one of the boats, previous to lowering, the davit gave way and precipitated them into the sea; a female child was rapidly disappearing when one of our people sprang from the tafferel and rescued her from a watery grave.
From the Pitcairn island register: George Adams saved the life of a female child alongside a British ship in the offing.
George Adams was the son of Bounty mutineer, John Adams
So, an element of truth from Alice McHone, which makes me think that Mary Georgina was alive at Pitcairn.
John Scott (Widower) remarried on 14th February 1854 to Ann Dixon (Widow) in Cheltenham Gloucester.
As you say, Mary Georgina did not petition for a distribution from John Sampson's estate whereas all her other sisters did, and also her mother.. John Sampson died in San Jose: Sept 22 1850 In California, John Sampson esq, second son of the late Rev George Sampson, Rector of Leven, Yorkshire Gentleman's Magazine 1851. Haven't found a burial for him either.
Part of the reason for asking about St Vincent's in Jessie street, was, that should records still exist, it might help narrow the timeframe for where Mary Georgina died. She would have been guardian for Camilla as Charles Beverley (father) was a bit of a drinker but also, had no wife (mother for Camilla)
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